Part 7
Entering the Ready Room from the Bridge, Picard is more than curious, finding Beverly standing stringing her hands in front of his desk.
"I'm sorry!" apologies Beverly immediately.
Padding over to her, Jean-Luc watches her fidget. "What's so urgent? Can we meet after my shift ends?"
Shaking her head furiously, Beverly braces herself. "No. I'm sorry. I can't wait three hours."
Appraising her anxious form, Jean-Luc reaches for her hands. "What's the matter?"
Bowing her head, Beverly struggles against the hot tears burning her eyes. "I'm sorry. I know you need to be on the Bridge."
Bringing their conjoined hands to his chest, Jean-Luc draws her in. "You're shaking like a leaf, Beverly. What ever is the matter?"
Trembling, Beverly rests her forehead against Jean-Luc's, closing her eyes.
Brushing his lips against hers, Jean-Luc releases one hand to wrap an arm around the small of her back and pull her tight against him. "I've never seen you like this. Please, talk to me."
Taking a steadying breath, Beverly pulls back marginally to look in his warm hazel eyes. "I'm pregnant. Jean-Luc, I'm…I'm so sorry."
Eyes dilating, Jean-Luc leans back. "Pregnant?"
Biting her lower lip, Beverly averts her eyes. "Yes. I…"
Tilting her chin up to recapture her gaze, Jean-Luc grows earnest. "Don't you ever apologize. I…I'm surprised, naturally. But, don't ever, ever think I'd be upset. Beverly, we're having a baby. I couldn't be more thrilled."
"You are?" whispers Beverly breathily, in awe.
Smiling warmly, Jean-Luc cradles the side of her face. "Please tell me you are, too."
"I'm…I'm shocked," admits Beverly with a nervous laugh.
Feathering a kiss to the bridge of her nose, Jean-Luc caresses her lower back. "That's alright. I'm stunned, myself. That's okay."
"I'm nervous," confesses Beverly, wrapping her arm around his waist.
"You're nervous?" Jean-Luc raises a brow, a teasing smirk on his lips. "You can't be scared. I'm scared! You're the parent, here. You need to show me how to do this parenting thing."
Giggling, Beverly squeezes his waist. "Okay."
"What are you nervous about?" Jean-Luc asks, stroking her cheek.
Sighing deeply, Beverly smiles. "I'm not. I was anxious to tell you. You're really okay?"
"I'm more than fine," Jean-Luc assures her, pecking her lips. "I'm delighted. Do you want this baby?"
Nodding, Beverly lays her forehead against his. "Yes. Yes. I do, Jean-Luc."
"Are you alright? Are you healthy? The baby?" asks Jean-Luc, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"We're both fine," smiles Beverly lightly. "Just six weeks along."
"Six weeks?" Blinking rapidly, realization dawns on Jean-Luc. "So, the holodeck?"
Grinning guiltily, Beverly shrugs. "Probably."
Smirking, Jean-Luc shakes his head incredulously. "Now, let's keep that between the two of us, shall we?"
Slipping her arms around his neck, Beverly drops a kiss to his lips. "What? You don't want your crew to know your child was conceived in the holodeck, Captain? Or, should I say, Mr. Hill?"
Rolling his eyes, Jean-Luc is irritated, but he can't keep the grin from escaping his lips. "Beverly…"
Pecking his lips, Beverly drops her arms. "You need to get back to work, as do I. I won't keep you."
Grasping her hand, Jean-Luc studies Beverly carefully. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," confirms Beverly confidently.
"I'll come over when I'm through here," states Jean-Luc.
Smiling in contentment, Beverly relaxes. "That sounds good."
PAGE BREAK
"We need to tell him," asserts Jean-Luc.
Sighing, Beverly lays her head against Jean-Luc's chest, curled up on the sofa in her quarters later that night. They had just finished dinner and are having a cup of tea and chatting. They had had a chance to discuss the pregnancy and baby at length while they ate, with Wesley working on a school project at a friend's cabin.
"I don't want to tell anyone yet," explains Beverly, revelling in the warmth radiating off of him beneath her touch even as they lay full clothed, still in their uniforms.
"Wesley must know," argues Jean-Luc. "He mustn't find out from anyone else later on."
"You're right," exhales Beverly in resignation. "Later. I need some time to absorb this."
Jean-Luc sets his mug on the coffee table and draws Beverly tighter to his chest, pulling her into his lap. "I know it's a little overwhelming right now. I…I…am having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that I'm going to be a father. This is quite daunting. But, I need you to know that I love you more than anything, and that I will love our child with every fibre of my being."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Beverly is speechless, gazing at Jean-Luc through misty tear-filled eyes.
Jean-Luc cups her cheek and captures her lips in a long, penetrating kiss. "I love you."
And the sincerity in his eyes, in his touch, leave her with no doubt of his affection. With watery eyes, Beverly kisses him again. "I love you."
Stroking her cheek, Jean-Luc absorbs the wake of her tears with his thumb, kissing her slowly, deliberately. "Don't cry. We've got a lot to celebrate."
Grinning, Beverly shifts to straddle his lap. "I agree. Show me just how much you love me."
With a mischievous grin, Jean-Luc grips hers hips, pulling her flush to him. "I intend to, my cherie."