Part 10
"I think Fee is going to have a great time," remarks Wes as a compliment, perched in the arm chair as Beverly flips through a PADD listing off the various items she's compiled of to-dos for the birthday party for Felisa in two days.
From her spot on the sofa next to Picard, Beverly smiles gratefully at Wes, soaking in the first genuine smile Wes has offered to her since her arrival. "I really hope so."
"Sounds like you've got it all under control," agrees Picard, setting his mug of tea on the table in front of them. "Thank you. Both of you."
"We've got a couple days. I'll help with whatever you need," offers Wes generously. "We'll make sure she has a fantastic party."
"Thank you, sweetie," grins Beverly graciously, somewhat surprised, but thrilled that Wes has stopped glaring at her and is willing to work with her.
Picard and Beverly had put Felisa to bed a couple hours earlier, and the two of them, along with Wesley, had set about planning the party for the remainder of the evening. It had been the first real opportunity Beverly had had to spend time with Wesley, and it seems he is finally starting to let down his guard and open up to her.
"Well, I'm going to call it a night," announces Wes, rising from the arm chair.
"Goodnight," replies Picard, relaxing back against the sofa cushions.
"Goodnight, honey," calls Beverly as Wesley disappears to his room.
Picard watches as Beverly sets the PADD on the nightstand.
"That was nice," admits Beverly, gazing off in the direction of the corridor. "Wes was a lot more engaging, more open with me."
Slipping his arm around her back, Picard nods. "Yes. I'm sure it'll take time for him to adjust."
Beverly rests her head against his shoulder, relaxing for the first time that day. She had spent the majority of the day entertaining Felisa while Picard had been on duty. "You said that you adopted Wesley?"
Bobbing his head, Jean-Luc takes her hand in his other hand. "Yes. When we..she and I married."
"Why?" inquires Beverly in curiosity.
Closing his eyes, Jean-Luc pulls her closer. "We wanted to have a baby. I didn't want Wesley ever thinking he was any less my child than the new child we had together."
Biting her lip, tears well in Beverly's eyes. Turning her head, she kisses his neck.
"It was important to me that he knew he was my son," Picard elaborates, tightening his hold on her back. "A family is not defined by genetics, by bloodlines. Family is love."
Beverly peppers kisses along his neck and jaw, tears cascading down her cheeks.
Jean-Luc brings a hand up to cradle her face, absorbing her tear tracks with his thumb. He captures her lips and kisses her languidly, unhurried.
Breaking off, Beverly lays her own hand over his on her face, lacing their fingers. "I…I don't know what's going to happen here, but…but I know that I care…care very deeply for you, for Wesley, and for Felisa."
Tracing her lips with his thumb, Jean-Luc, stares at her heatedly. "Beverly, I want with every fiber of my being to make this work. I will make this work. I…" Closing the gap between their lips, he feathers her lips with a lingering kiss. "I love you. You. For you. I want to start anew with you. Please."
Returning his kiss, Beverly snakes her hands around his neck, manoeuvring into his lap.
"Stay with me," pleads Jean-Luc, cupping her neck.
Nodding, Beverly stares into his darkened hazel eyes. Heart pounding against her chest, she can't go back to her quarters. She needs him so bad it hurts.
This time, when they're together, she's not healing his deep wounds. She's not helping him recover from the devastating tragedy of losing his wife. He's not clinging to the memory of the woman he once loved. This time, they're forging a new bond together, learning and exploring, trusting. This time, there's no ghosts from the past to linger above. It's just the two of them, the two of them.
With each of his thrusts, she struggles to keep her eyes open and focused on him. Her shields evaporate, her walls crumble down, and she tries in vain to contain her tears as the weight of the moment overwhelms her.
"I love you," Jean-Luc rumbles into her ear, accelerating his pace.
The profound sentiment of his words combined and the feel of him within her shatters Beverly's defences. Raising her hips, she meets each thrust with her own until she's arching into him and crying out her climax. He's only a step behind her, sighing her name in release.
Finally, they slow their movements. Sighing in contentment, Beverly splays her hand across his back as their tensing muscles began to relax. Kissing her temple, Jean-Luc shifts them so they are facing eachother, still entwined. Smoothing a few errant strands of her hair away from her face, he feathers kisses along her jawline. "I love you, Beverly. Please. Please, stay."
Resting her forehead against his, the tears she had desperately been trying to withhold pool in Beverly's eyes.
Jean-Luc caresses her cheek, absorbing the tear tracks with his thumb. "What's wrong, cherie?"
Smiling up at him warmly, Beverly strokes his cheek. "I love you."
Grinning, Jean-Luc cradles her face, kissing her deeply. "Beverly…"
"I love you," repeats Beverly earnestly, slipping her hand around his neck. "I'm staying right here. Always. I promise."
Smirking, Jean-Luc pecks her lips. "Including tonight?"
Chuckling lightly, Beverly bobs her head. "Yes, my love. Tonight. Forever."
Jean-Luc entangles his hands in her hair and kisses her fervently.
She rolls them and straddles his hips, continuing to keep their lips locked. Sliding her hands up his chest, she finally breaks off.
Letting out a contented sigh, Jean-Luc trails his hands down her back, kissing her neck. "I love you."
Feathering kisses along his collarbone, Beverly soaks in his warmth. In this moment, she had never been so happy.
PAGE BREAK
In the past few months, Jean-Luc had grown accustomed to sleeping alone, or on occasion, with the company of his toddler next to him. So, in spite of the fact that the body curled up with him is familiar and welcomed, in half-consciousness Jean-Luc is somewhat surprised by the feel of Beverly's head against his chest. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he grins, thrilled when he recalls the events of the previous evening. He hadn't dreamt it. Beverly is here, and she's real and whole and she loves him and his family, and they're going to work this out. Somehow.
Resisting the urge to drawn her closer and kiss her, Jean-Luc revels in the feel of her skin on his, basking in the recollection of their night together. No, it's not perfect, but he loves her more than anything and he knows they'll find a way to develop their relationship. In the distance, he can hear activity in the kitchen, and he infers that Wesley and Felisa are awake. He recognizes that he'll have to get up and prepare for his shift, but he's reluctant to move. Exhaling, Jean-Luc closes his eyes briefly, just absorbing the moment.
Rousing from her slumber, Beverly stirs in his arms, turning her head into his chest.
"Morning, cherie," rumbles Jean-Luc into her hair, a grin on his lips.
"Morning," mumbles Beverly groggily, kissing his chest.
Tightening his grip, Jean-Luc pulls her closer. "Sleep well?"
"Hhmm," giggles Beverly, meeting his gaze. "Like a baby. Hey. Where is Felisa?"
"I believe the children are in the kitchen," relays Jean-Luc, slipping his arms around her back and pulling her on top of him.
"We should get moving," implores Beverly, titling her neck away.
Laughing lightly, Jean-Luc blazes hot open-mouthed kisses along her neck. "Oh, what's the rush?"
"You don't want to be late. I hear that captain's quite a stickler," jests Beverly, leaning up and balancing herself.
Groaning as Beverly sits upright, Jean-Luc grasps her arms. "Yes. He demands high standards from his crew."
Giggling, Beverly rubs his abdomen affectionately. "I'll get Felisa ready for primary care. You can get showered and dressed. There will be plenty of time to play tonight after the kids are in bed."
Grinning, Jean-Luc bobs his head. "I'm counting on it."
Turning serious, Beverly looks down at him. "I think I'll visit Sickbay."
Leaning up, Jean-Luc shifts Beverly off of him. "Good. You're welcomed to resume your role. Have a chat with Doctor Hill. He's been acting Chief Medical Medical Officer. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have you…to have you back."
"Thank you, Jean-Luc," whispers Beverly, leaning over to peck his cheek. For the first time since she had arrived in this universe, Beverly is genuinely anticipating the day to come.