A.N.: Well, this is the last chapter in this series for a little bit. I had not intended to write another novel, but based on the three "Life with Beverly" stories that I've written so far, that seems to be exactly what I am doing.

I really want to thank all those of you who write reviews. It is the kind of encouragement that all authors need. And I really appreciate hearing from you.

De-Tached: Story 3: Life with Beverly

Chapter 9: Le Jour de l'An

(Happy New Year!)

She rolled over, snuggling against her husband's bare muscled, furry chest. It had been a while since she'd been like this with him with nothing to plan except where to kiss him next. Nothing more to orchestrate. Nothing that she really had to do except for luxuriating with him. Alone. She had not a care in the world at the moment. They were occupying a luxury suite at the Hotel Pont Royal in Paris where every possible decadent desire could be fulfilled. And so far, every one of their mutual cravings had been satisfied from an extraordinary supper supplied by room service, to a bottle of champagne with which not even her husband could find fault. And then there was the sensual aftermath of such a meal... It had been quite a while since she'd felt this satiated. Relaxed…

She nuzzled her husband's throat.

"Stop that, woman. Or, I'll have to do something in retaliation," he lazily threatened.

"That was my goal," she teased.

"Mon Dieu! Who do you think I am? My younger brother? Jean-Luc?"

Marie lightly laughed. "I don't think your brother even comes close to having your stamina, Robert…" She nuzzled some more for she was noticing some desirable results from her touching. "After all, you've had years of practice." She lifted her head, smiled and then rested against his chest once more. "You know how to pace yourself." She lightly laughed against his throat. "Jean-Luc, after all, is only a mere beginner when it comes to being a proper husband."

Robert lifted Marie's chin, so that he could look at his beloved's gaze. "And have I been a proper husband to you, my Marie?"

"You have been, and more," she sighed as she kissed her husband's lips. "I only wish that Beverly will be as fortunate and blessed as I am with her choice of spouse."

"I imagine that Jean-Luc might be having a somewhat similar conversation with his wife at some time during this night…"

But Robert would have been wrong. For soon after his arrival from the Academy, and then eating a light dinner from room service, both Jean-Luc and Beverly found themselves sound asleep in spite of their original intentions as to how to spend the night. After the events of the past few days, they really needed to sleep.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

She could tell that he was still upset and not just by the way he was pacing around, in spite of the fact that it had been almost a day since he'd beamed over from the Academy.

"Kate Pulaski of all people!" he mumbled repeatedly under his breath one more time, as he tried not to take out his displeasure on his wife. He went in search of the clothes that he would wear when he went off with Robert to do whatever it was that Robert intended to do this day.

Beverly was not helping. When she'd first found out that Kate had seen their mambo dance, not to mention almost everything else that had happened afterwards, her instantaneous response had been to cackle too.

Jean-Luc Picard was not amused.

"Jean-Luc. I hate to say this, but you do not have much of a choice when it comes to the matter of our Christmas party. Odds are that the vids are making the rounds - everywhere."

"No doubt aided by Will Riker," he harrumphed.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, shoving aside the gold silk duvet as he reached for his wife. He pulled her close, reveling for a moment in the sweet scent of her flesh. For they had just shared a rather long shower this Parisian morning. And then Beverly had slid back into bed after their morning interlude, intending to take a short nap before meeting Marie for lunch. She was going on her shopping spree with the lady during the afternoon.

"Beverly…," he sighed, knowing that Beverly was in the right of it. "Am I really that pompous?"

"Sometimes," she admitted.

He sighed. "Well, you will just have to see to it that I do not turn into my father - or Robert."

She chuckled as she nodded into his chest. "I will do my best, Sir," she drawled. That earned her a swift retaliatory kiss from her husband.

Jean-Luc found himself not quite willingly relinquishing the last of his illusions that he was in control especially when it came to their party. "I suppose that I'll have to don my stoic mask and pretend that such things actually do happen - even to me. I'll just have to make the best of it."

"Admirably, you always do." She lightly kissed him and then patted his chest ignoring the way he momentarily glared at her over her pun. "If the teasing becomes too onerous, just throw in a mention of Q. Perhaps you might even suggest that there is more than one Q in the Continuum in search of additional humans to bedevil. I'm sure that our Q would be willing to oblige you with potential Continuum nemesis candidates, if say, Woody starts behaving mercilessly. I'm sure that our Q would do just about anything to get you back in his debt again, so he will oblige you."

"Our Q…" He considered his imp. "…always considers me in his debt." He paused for a moment thinking about the events of the past few days. "However, Q protests that this time, the debacle was not his fault."

"Darling, not even you quite believe that statement. And neither do I."

He laughed, immediately quite pleased with the fact that he was someone's 'darling' once again. "True." He pressed a kiss against her forehead. "Now, I just have to deduce who sent the video to Captain Pulaski."

"I think that you have quite a long list of suspects, Jean-Luc." Beverly chuckled. "The diplomatic security blackout did not prevent someone - say a cadet with a tricorder - from making a vid that was sub-spaced the moment he left our house…" She leaned backwards to rest against a mountain of pillows. He was momentarily distracted as he was entranced by the sight of her auburn hair splaying about her naked shoulders. And what those silken tresses covered and did not cover…

"While that is correct, the fact that the vid was sent specifically to Kate Pulaski tells me that there are two possible culprits - Mildred or Guinan."

Beverly reached up and pulled her husband into her arms so that he rested on her bosom. "You can plot your revenge when we get back. They both probably plotted together." She kissed him with passion. "There is another matter of far more importance at the moment…"

Jean-Luc gently kissed his wife even as he silently agreed with her. And then he made love to her again this morning, as it was clearly her wish that he do so.

Two hours later he joined Robert as the brothers Picard visited most of the major wine shops and hotels that featured their wines and brandies. For Robert had decided that it was time that Jean-Luc's reputation as the savior of Earth be put to a practical use. Jean-Luc glad handed quite a few of their distributors and major clients this day.

And somehow, he managed to do it without getting too drunk since at every visit, someone offered them a glass of wine…

Fortunately, Robert had brought along several detox hyposprays. Drinking too much alcohol was part of the continuing hazards of doing business as a vintner and wine merchant.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

Their dinner at Le Meurice had been fabulous. The restaurant had been grander than what Beverly had been expecting even though she had attended many a 'grand' dinner as the captain's usual escort at embassies or Federation ballrooms when they were on board the Enterprise. But after looking about the ivory, silver and gold brocade and cut crystal and gilt wood dining rooms decorated with many original Louis XV style antiques, she half-expected to find the president of the Federation and the Federation counsel to be dining with them as well.

Beverly couldn't decide if the somewhat overwhelming service that they were receiving was based on the fact that a galactically famous vintner was present - or that he was accompanied by two Starfleet admirals. For the maître d' had recognized both brothers almost simultaneously. Not to mention the fact that the man must have brushed up on the 'who's who' of the admiralty, because he had greeted Admiral Beverly Picard by name too.

The food and the wine selections had been ordered au choix du chef. Each course had been left up to the decision of the Chef de cuisine. And they were not disappointed with the chef's choices for them.

Pate de foie gras, Boeuf Bourguignon, Marseille bouillabaisse with turbot, mussels, hake, and langoustines and soufflé Grand Marnier…

Beverly's eyes widened in surprise. Even as the third course was being served, Marie began to have an inkling of what the Chef de cuisine was doing.

"I gather that the world of top chefs is a very small universe indeed," Beverly observed as she tasted her soup.

"It would appear so," Marie agreed as she herself was somewhat surprised as well as pleased by this chef's very grand gesture.

Jean-Luc and Robert were somewhat clueless about what their wives were discussing.

Beverly sweetly smiled at her husband. "Enjoy, Jean-Luc. You are finally getting a chance to actually taste our wedding dinner." For Jean-Luc had not actually eaten anything during their wedding banquet for though he had not quite been willing to admit it to Beverly, he had been nervous. Bread, champagne and water were the only three things that he'd consumed during their wedding feast. Though that night, it was another matter entirely, for he had been ravenous. And eventually he even ate a supper later with his bride…

"What?" Jean-Luc and Robert said simultaneously.

Marie explained. "It appears that this chef has been in contact with Ludvig or someone who was on board the Enterprise, for he is duplicating the menu of your wedding banquet, Jean-Luc."

Jean-Luc didn't know whether to be pleased or dismayed. He had never demanded or expected such flattering treatment in his life. Little did he know that there would always be those that thought that such conduct was the price of doing business with an admiral.

After dining, and as the after-dinner brandies arrived along with Beverly's herbal tea, the two married couples sighed in satisfaction over their dinner, and the day's events.

Jean-Luc grasped Beverly's hand and then bent over slightly, in order to kiss her hand and her wedding ring. Then he suggested to his bride, "I thought that we should stay over through New Year's Eve."

"No," Robert firmly stated.

"Robert!" Marie chided.

"You know our tradition." On Beverly's questioning look, Robert explained, "We always have a small, intimate dinner with our friends on New Year's Eve."

Marie interrupted Robert. "What Robert really means to say is that the local vintners all get together to brag about their wines - and see what their competition has accomplished during the past year."

"Ah, yes…," Jean-Luc sighed, remembering. "Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre - the feast of Saint Sylvester. It's how we French celebrate New Year's. In LaBarre, that means that the best champagnes and food are on display for all to criticize. I recall our Papa engaging in fisticuffs when some rival vintner thought his premiere champagne that year had too much sugar…"

"The man was jealous," Robert explained.

Beverly could only nod. Then she turned to Marie, worried that their Parisian interlude might be interfering with what Marie had to do. "Does this mean that you have to prepare a dinner?"

Marie laughed, shaking her head. "No, thank heavens. It's not our turn to host the New Year's Eve party this year. When we attend, all that we will have to provide are the bottles to be tasted." She reached over and squeezed Jean-Luc's hand. "I've already asked if you and Beverly could attend this year. Naturally, Louis said 'yes'."

"If Beverly is up to it…," Jean-Luc warned.

"Jean-Luc," Beverly warned, "not only will I be up to it, I think that tomorrow Marie and I must go hunting for something to wear to the party."

Both husbands simultaneously groaned. For both husbands had other ideas of how to spend the afternoon with their wives, and it wasn't to take their wives shopping.

"You can't do too much shopping," Jean-Luc warned his bride. "We're going to the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris in the evening. You must rest."

Beverly momentarily ignored her husband's mother hen tendencies. Beverly was suddenly excited at the thought of seeing the Parisian Ballet. "Not Gluck's 'Orpheus and Eurydice'? I had heard that they were performing it this season. I've never seen it performed live before…"

"Yes, that is the ballet that Jean-Luc thought that you would like," Robert added.

"Beverly trained as a dancer," Jean-Luc thought to mention.

"Do tell," Marie dryly responded. "I do believe that you mentioned it once - or was it a few hundred times? - in your sub-space messages to us." She turned and smiled at Beverly. "More than twenty years ago, Jean-Luc was boasting to Robert about what a wonderful dancer you were."

Jean-Luc shrugged his shoulders. "I had to tell them something about you to convince them that you were not imaginary, or else Robert would have tried to play matchmaker for me with every unmarried vintner's daughter of his acquaintance."

Robert observed, "Well, Little Brother, it seems that you did just fine on your own, in picking a bride. You didn't need any help from me…"

"Merci, Robert." Beverly looked over at her husband and picked up his hand to place a kiss against his wedding ring. "Thank you for thinking that of me." She spoke to Robert, but her eyes were on her husband.

Robert chuckled. "There may be something that Jean-Luc forgot to mention to you about how the French celebrate New Year's Eve."

"And that is?"

"We French celebrate with kissing under the mistletoe on New Year's Eve - not at Christmas," Robert pleasantly informed his sister-in-law.

Beverly and Jean-Luc simultaneously grinned as each remembered exactly how the Orions celebrated with mistletoe. There are some images that they would never forget from their party. "Now I am really looking forward to the party," Beverly replied.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

"I won't tell if you won't tell," Rene announced.

"I don't think that you can keep this big of a secret," Wesley replied, even as he grinned down at his new, young cousin. "We will have to tell them, eventually."

"You are right," Rene regretfully agreed. He knew that his mother could worm any secret out of him with ease, if she chose to do so.

"On the other hand, your mother did say that I should do educational things with you. And travel is certainly an educational experience…"

"And Mama did give you permission to let me to do such things…"

"Let's go then," Wesley decided.

Rene whooped with joy.

After making sure that Rene was wearing warm enough clothes, for Wesley did not want his own mother to get after him if Rene caught a chill, they walked through the snow to the transporter station in the village, and beamed over to Wesley's dormitory at the Academy. Wesley then gave Rene the grand tour of the Academy. It was the best day of Rene's life - after being allowed to pilot a shuttlecraft on his way to his uncle's wedding on board the Enterprise, that is. And Wesley quickly became entrenched as Rene's all-time, number one cousin.

Wesley quickly discovered that he liked having a younger cousin. After so many years where the only family that he'd had was a distant grandmother and his mother, it was nice to actually be able to be able to add an aunt, uncle and a cousin to his list of family. Wesley was no longer so alone.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

"Conservative or daring?" Beverly asked of Marie as they wandered through yet another haute couture boutique. Jean-Luc and Robert were seated at a nearby bistro waiting for their wives to return. Both men were guarding numerous packages even as they sampled more of their competitor's wine.

"What's appropriate for your St. Sylvester celebration?"

"I would suggest a bit more conservative than that," Marie advised. "Though your husband might appreciate it."

Beverly held up a black dress that seemed to be nothing more than half-inch strips of flexible black metal loosely chain linked together. "Jean-Luc might appreciate 'shocking' in private…" She mightily sighed. "… but that is not his preference for when we are in public - unless we're on Risa."

"I really must take Robert to Risa one of these years. Those few not-too-scandalous stories that you could tell me about your honeymoon…"

"Yes," Beverly sighed, remembering. "Though I should warn you. It took almost six weeks of a honeymoon prior to Risa to really get Jean-Luc to loosen up enough to enjoy himself."

"If only I could convince Robert to take the time off…"

Both ladies wandered some more.

And then Beverly saw it. It was a deep sapphire blue. It was perfect for her. The Empire style silk sheath form bodice was covered with elaborate hand sewn crystal embroidery. It was sleeveless. The full skirt was made of velvet. And it had a matching velvet shawl with hand-sewn crystals too. In short, the dress was perfect. Sexy yet elegant. The moment Beverly tried it on, she knew that it was the one. In her mind, she justified the very high cost of the gown by thinking of the upcoming Admiralty functions that she would be attending. The voluminous skirt would accommodate her pregnancy for a few more months. Besides, her Christmas present from Jean-Luc would go well with this dress. Beverly had yet to realize what Marie already knew - diamonds go well with just about everything if you own them.

Marie discovered a dress as well. It was a sheath form gold silk with a Gainsborough collar and long flowing sleeves. Beverly did not doubt that Robert would like it very, very much.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

Mr. Murphy glanced over the totals, and the names, and the embassies that were on his list. Instead of certain personages demanding apologies for what had happened at the Christmas party, his padd contained a list of all the people who insisted that they wanted to be invited to the next party - as well as the next Christmas Day party. The number of people who wanted to attend the next party far exceeded those who were upset by what had happened.

Mr. Murphy grinned, even as he glanced out of his office window, which overlooked the main quad at the Academy. Working for Admiral Jean-Luc Picard was going to be rather interesting.

He then ate his lunch, which consisted of some excellent spinach lasagna, and a ramekin of the best crème brulee that he'd ever tasted, thanks to the generosity of Admiral Picard and his chef, Ludvig.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

They had dinner at Le Bistrot Lorette after the ballet. Beverly just could not stop talking. She had been enraptured by the performance, their dinner in an intimate little bistro, and the fact that her husband still found it necessary to hold her hand whenever he could. In short, it had been a perfect day. For everyone.

And thanks to Jean-Luc, her night was even better.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

"My daughter ain't going to like this," Winston Holt Wiley observed.

Lwaxana lifted up her head to stare into the eyes of her naked lover. "Children never do. They don't like the idea that their parents can have a sex life of their own too. I've had to live with that attitude for years." She shifted a little so that she could rest her head against her lover's shoulder. "Just how many children do you have?"

"Two sons and a daughter - that are living." He tangled his fingers through Lwaxana's flowing hair, brushing aside a few dark strands. He softly added, "I lost my eldest daughter at Wolf 359. Olivia was the science office on board the Saratoga…"

"I know, dear, I know." She sighed in sympathy, lovingly caressing Winston's cheek as she wiped away a tear. "Deanna's my only living child. Though I lost a daughter a long time ago too…" She raised her head a little, determined not to become maudlin, or to let Winston succumb as well. "Any grandchildren?" she brightly asked.

"No. My kids are taking their own good time about giving me grandchildren."

"Well, we'll have to do something about that. When I wish to be, I can be a very good matchmaker."

Winston wisely refrained from pointing out her failure in getting Deanna to the altar.

Lwaxana thunked his shoulder anyway, for she could read his mind.

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

Beverly glanced about the great room at Louis' house and decided that she might be the only truly sober soul standing. She had tasted a few sips of the various champagnes throughout the formal dinner. But for the most part, during this interesting, entertaining yet tiring night, she'd spent the evening drinking tea or sparkling water.

She watched her husband from afar.

Jean-Luc, at the moment, was telling a rather elaborate tale to a group of old friends, about a school trip to Cannes where Louis had fallen into the ocean. Beverly thought that about half of what she could overhear her husband describing might possibly be true. For she had discovered that with the right incentive, which usually consisted of two or more drinks, her husband could be a weaver of very tall tales in the right company. Beverly decided that this ability of her husband to tell tall tales boded well for their twins' bedtimes in the near future.

Deciding that her feet really did need a rest even if she was wearing flat slippers, she filled a plate with more fruit, cheese and petit fours, picked up another goblet with sparkling water, and found herself a comfortable burgundy upholstered bergere near the fireplace, where she could tuck up her feet and rest.

Marie joined her a few minutes later, pulling a side chair over to where Beverly was resting.

"One doesn't have to be a Betazed to know that Jean-Luc liked your dress," Marie observed for she had noticed how often Jean-Luc's gaze returned to his wife.

"That same can be said about Robert," Beverly agreed. For she had noticed Robert looking for his wife several times during the evening. She offered Marie some of her petit fours. Marie gladly ate a few.

"I've enjoyed this," Marie stated meaning more than just the dinner.

"Yes. I have too." Beverly smiled. "I find myself glad that you're my sister-in-law." She chuckled. "Much as I loved my late husband Jack, I was not overly fond of my in-laws. They did not approve of a daughter-in-law who was a doctor. Though they did mellow a bit, after Wesley came along…But after Jack died, I had to resort to legal measures to keep Wesley with me…"

"I know what you mean, though mine may not have been as difficult as yours. Robert's father and I did not always see eye-to-eye. With my father-in-law, the vines always came first. I did not agree."

"I can appreciate your point of view. It took me a long time to accept that Jean-Luc would always be a starship captain first, and then a man, second."

"Yet Jean-Luc changed."

"Indeed he did." Beverly's smile held a glint of mischief. "The only reason as to why I got Jean-Luc to modify his priorities was because of his first wife, Eline…"

Marie choked on her champagne. "His what?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. But thanks to that lady, Jean-Luc started to alter his priorities. Eventually I managed to change his point of view. And we became lovers. And then we married."

"Thank heavens for that." Marie leaned over and lightly touched Beverly's waistline. "And now, I look forward to becoming an aunt."

Beverly divinely smiled at this thought.

Beverly looked about and located Wesley who was earnestly engaged in conversation with Louis' youngest daughter by a terrace door. He seemed to be having a good time, as she watched him laugh at something that the girl had said.

Marie noticed the direction of Beverly's gaze. "Eloise is a good girl. Bright and talented too. She's studying to be a marine exobiologist, and is working with her father on the Atlantis project. I don't know if she would be right for Wesley. But I don't think that she'd be too wrong either.

"Don't start your matchmaking just yet. I'm too young to be a grandmother."

"My nephew is a handsome lad. And he has a very good heart. Some lucky young lady is going to notice this, fairly soon, I think. You may only have a few years to wait before you do become a grandmother."

Beverly appreciated Marie's opinion of her son even as she comically shuddered at the thought of grandchildren. "Wesley thinks that you walk on water, Marie. And that you're the best cook he's ever met."

"I shall endeavor not to disillusion him." Then Marie laughed. After a moment she glanced over at the 18th century kingswood mantel clock and announced, "We're coming up on midnight. We'd best go find our husbands lest they find someone else to kiss at midnight."

"Fat chance we'll let that happen," Beverly stated as she finished off her fruit, put the plate and glass down, and then went in search of some real champagne for toasting in the New Year.

A few minutes later, Jean-Luc held Beverly in his arms as they stepped outside onto a flagstone terrace to gaze at the stars, as they listened to the countdown toward year's end.

"What a year this has been," Beverly sighed even as her husband found the right spot to kiss on her neck. Neither had bothered with the champagne. Their kisses were intoxicating enough tonight. And they really didn't need any mistletoe to encourage kissing.

He lifted his head and pulled his bride closer into his arms. "Indeed, it has been a remarkable, eventful year." He pressed his hand against Beverly's waistline. "And the new year will be even better." He warmly kissed her, then whispered, "Thank you, mon coeur. You have given me everything…"

She patted her stomach. "You were pretty good at the gift giving too…"

They listened as the final seconds were counted down. And then simultaneously they whispered to each other as midnight struck, "I love you…"

It was at this moment that Jean-Luc decided that kissing Beverly was the very best way to celebrate any New Year. He silently prayed that he would be carrying on with this new tradition, for the rest of his life.

Beverly just knew that this was where the fates meant her to be - in her husband's arms...

=/\= ='/\'= =/\=

They returned home three days before the staff was due back. Jean-Luc had wanted a few days to himself to prepare for the next term. And Beverly needed to rest. For in spite of her protestations, he sensed how tired she was. He was going to wait on her hand and foot over the next few days.

The first thing that he'd done after they'd disembarked from their shuttlecraft was to put his lady wife to bed. The fact that she did not protest too much, only confirmed what he was sensing. Beverly was exhausted in spite of her prorestations.

And since Jean-Luc shared what Beverly felt, he ended up sleeping next to her as well.

The next morning, Jean-Luc went into their private dining room and replicated a suitable meal for Beverly's breakfast that he would serve to her in bed. He rather liked the idea of Beverly eating breakfast in bed. It conjured up some very pleasant, recent memories.

Placing the stasis covered tray into an old fashioned dumb waiter, Jean-Luc ordered an extra mug of Earl Grey for himself and left the room.

What he didn't expect as he stepped into the hallway, was the sight of the Fleet Admiral chasing after the senior Betazed Ambassador down the hallway. Neither one was wearing very much, to phrase it mildly.

Jean-Luc knew that he should be angry with them, but Beverly was foremost in his thoughts. Besides, other than Beverly, his chief question at the moment was as to why - other than the obvious - was a semi-naked Winston Holt Wiley and Lwaxana Troi running around in his corridor. In his house.

Why the devil, weren't they cavorting about at Winston's house? Why the devil did it have to be his house?

"Jean-Luc!" Lwaxana stopped short of bumping into him. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you, Madam Ambassador. I live here, in case you have forgotten."

"Oh, Jean-Luc. Are you jealous?" She coyly glanced back looking for Winston.

Before Jean-Luc Picard could protest this outlandish statement, Winston Holt Wiley came up behind the lady and picked her up in his arms.

Jean-Luc was somewhat surprised that Holt was capable of doing so.

"She's made a new man of me," Winston announced.

Jean-Luc did not quite know what to make of this statement.

Lwaxana waggled her left hand in front of Jean-Luc's nose. Considering all the rings that Lwaxana usually wore, Jean-Luc was not quite sure of the importance of this gesture.

Frustrated at Admiral Picard's failure to grasp the significance of her action, Lwaxana's voice rose an octave as she grandly informed Jean-Luc Picard with a booming voice loud enough to be heard by Beverly who was up one floor, as well as by the gardeners working outside, "We were married in New Las Vegas!"

"And since you're both friend to me and my wife, you can throw us our wedding celebration!" Winston cheerfully added, "You've got the house for it, that's for sure."

Jean-Luc Picard dropped his mug.

The End

(For now)