Part 7

"I'm sure Belle will love these," remarks Deanna cheerfully as she places the last stack of books on top of Picard's desk.

"Yeah," exhales Beverly, brushing her hair out of her face. "I'm glad I found that Harry Potter novel she was looking for. Jean-Luc was always reading old British literature with her. She really loved it. I'll keep all his collections and some day she may want to read them."

Smiling lightly, Deanna carefully lifts a box with medallions and ribbons. "What will you do with his decorations?"

Padding over to Deanna at the desk, Beverly rests her hands on her hips, surveying the box with a bittersweet smile. While Picard had taken great pride in his career, he had not been one to count medals, boast of his accolades. "Maybe I'll give them to Jean-Paul, display them in his room. I'm sure he'd like that."

"That's a great idea." Setting the box down on the desk, Deanna turns to Beverly. "Do you have anything for Wesley?"

"Actually, I was thinking of giving him Jean-Luc's old phaser collection. He had a few of these antique models of some of the first hand phasers that look like they belong in a museum. Wes was always fascinated by them." Beverly closes the drawers on the desk, relieved to have completed the clean out.

"What's next?" inquires Deanna, rubbing her belly in a circular pattern.

Smiling for the first time in what feels like an eternity, Beverly pats Deanna's free hand. "You go home and put your feet up. You need some rest. Take care of this little one."

"I'm fine," chuckles Deanna lightly. "I can help you…"

Raising a hand, Beverly's lips form a half-smile. "I'm alright, really. You've been a tremendous help. Thank you."

"You're sure?" Lifting a brow, Deanna feels like for the first time since Picard's shuttle disappeared that Beverly is being completely forthcoming with her. "Do you want me to get the kids or…"

"They're in Wesley's quarters. He offered to get them dinner and watch them this evening while I got things in order over here," explains Beverly. "Go home and see your kids," she suggests, heading for the cabin door. "Spend time with your husband."

Taking in Beverly's haunted smile, Deanna nods. "If you need anything don't hesitate…"

Wrapping an arm around Deanna's shoulder, Beverly nods. "Thank you."

Walking into the closet to retrieve her nightgown, Jean-Luc's red uniform jacket hanging in the right corner catches her eye. She had been through so much today, she had not taken the time to pack up his clothes. Reaching for the jacket, Beverly imagines how empty the closet will appear without his belongings. Without thinking, she clutches the jacket to her chest and is struck with an overwhelming sense of his presence. She can almost see him standing straight, hear his unwavering tone, even smell his familiar scent. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Beverly swallows the lump in her throat and turns around and pads to her bed. She had promised herself that she was going to confront this, deal with it, not act as if it were some kind of practical joke and she was just waiting for the punch line to be delivered. She has to find a means to move on. It starts today. It starts with climbing into bed and sleeping alone. Holding the jacket and pulling the blankets up to her neck, Beverly closes her eyes. "Almost alone."

"It won't be long now, only four weeks. But, if this one's anything like Billy or Kestra we'd better be ready early." Beverly says, discarding her tricorder as Deanna pulls herself to an upright position on the biobed.

"I think she's quite content right where she is," chuckles Deanna.

"I'm sure she is," Beverly grins, making a note on her PADD. "Just stay off your feet. That's not a suggestion, that's an order."

Rolling her eyes, Deanna swings her legs over the bed. "You've got an eight year-old and a five year-old. How do you suggest I stay off my feet?"

"You could always ask your mother for help. I'm sure Will would love that," teases Beverly as she helps Deanna off the bed.

"You're always admonishing him for his high blood pressure," Deanna points out with a giggle. " Do you want to put my husband in the grave?" Instantly recognizing and regretting her words, Deanna's face falls. "Beverly, I'm so…"

Putting a hand up, Beverly shakes it off. "Don't. It was a joke. I could use a joke."

Bobbing her head, Deanna frowns. "Alright."

"I've got to grab Isabel and get to our rehearsal," announces Beverly, changing the subject and removing her lab coat. "I want you to drop in same time next week for another scan. If you have any problems before then get me immediately."

"I will," Deanna assures her. "Thank you."

"Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate you watching J.P and getting dinner ready while I was at the play rehearsal with Belle," Beverly says to Wesley, dropping a kiss to his crown.

"No problem," shrugs Wesley as Isabel hands her mother the dishes from the table.

"Wes, can we play chess?" J.P asks sweetly, handing Wesley his empty glass of milk from dinner.

"Uh, sure, buddy. We'll just get cleaned up here and then we can have a game," replies Wesley as Beverly hands Isabel a dishcloth to clean the table.

"Go play, honey," Beverly encourages her oldest son. "I'll put everything away. "

"Why don't you set it up and I'll be there in a minute?" Wesley offers to J.P as Isabel wipes down the kitchen table.

J.P rushes off to find Wesley's 3D chess set as Wesley and Beverly finish cleaning up after dinner.

" Are you going to the poker game tonight?" Wesley inquires casually.

"No," frowns Beverly, leaning back against the counter.

"You should go," suggests Wesley nonchalantly. "Geordi was saying he hasn't seen you there in ages."

Smiling in self-depreciation, Beverly almost laughs. "I've been a little preoccupied."

Isabel hands Wesley the dishcloth, glancing curiously between her mother and brother.

"Thank you, sweetie. Can you help J.P set up the game?" Ruffling Isabel's braided red hair, Wes grins at his sister teasingly.

Rolling her eyes but smiling, Isabel swats Wesley's hand away from her head. "Fine."

Resting her hand on Wesley's shoulder, Beverly's lips curl into a smile as Isabel goes in search of her little brother. "Thank you, honey. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Of course," replies Wesley easily. "You really should go out tonight. If you want I can watch the kids."

"Thank you, but I don't need to go out." Beverly strides over to the replicator and orders a cup of tea. "You should be the one going out. I kind of thought you might have a thing for the new primary school teacher."

Reddening, Wes tries to contain his smile. "Ahh…I don't…I don't know."

"She's cute," jests Beverly, retrieving her mug of tea from the replicator.

Sighing, Wesley gives his head a shake. "Don't change the subject. You're going to the game tonight."