Beverly looked at herself into the full-length mirror and cringed. She was wearing an emerald green fitted dress that flattered the curves of her body. She was convinced that the dress was far to dressy for the party tonight, but Marie had told her it was not and if she had Beverly's height and curves, she would be wearing it. The colour was really the reason why she went ahead and brought it. Jean-Luc had mentioned the colour had always suited her. Whenever she chose a dress, she always had in mind something that he would like just as much as she would. She had never really noticed herself doing that until a shopping trip with Deanna. The kind and nosey empath had pointed that she would always say 'Jean-Luc likes that colour' or 'Jean-Luc would find that too garish' when choosing a dress.
She smoothed the material down and turned to look at her bottom. It looked bigger than usual. Maybe she should have joined Jean-Luc on those early morning rides. Looking over at the small clock on the bedside table, she realised she didn't have time to change. But even if she had the time, she had nothing else to wear. She would just have to grin and bear it.
With one final look in the mirror, she opened the door and made her way along the corridor. As she passed the bathroom near the stairs, the door opened and the occupant appeared, nearly knocking her down the stairs.
She felt strong hands reach out and grab her, preventing her from falling. She would know those hands anywhere. She turned around in his arms and looked at him.
The atmosphere crackled around them. Time seemed to stand still as they looked at each other. Their argument beforehand was now forgotten. For one moment, the flirtation of kissing him seemed a wonderful idea, but she found that her courage failed her.
"Thank you," she whispered, opting for something safe.
He opened his mouth to say something, but he was struck dumb by the sight of her. He had never seen her looking more beautiful. He hadn't thought it ever possible for her to do so.
"Cat got your tongue?" she questioned.
"Beverly, you look beautiful," said Marie appearing at the bottom of her stairs. "Come down and let me introduce you."
Beverly nodded and made her way downstairs, leaving Jean-Luc standing dumbstruck at the top. She glanced up at him and smiled softly. She was glad to still make that sort of impression on him.
For the next hour, Beverly found herself introduced to each and every person that Marie had invited to the gathering. They were all very polite and they seemed to shoot knowing glances at each other once she was introduced to them. She didn't have time to ask Marie if she was just imaging things, because as she turned she came face to face with a remorseful looking Jean-Luc Picard.
"Beverly, I've been a fool," he began.
"Yes, you have," she agreed.
"Do you think you could forgive me?" he asked softly, leaning closer to her.
"Perhaps," she replied, her lips brushing against his ear, "if you dance with me."
"The pleasure would be all mine," he said, offering her his hand and leading her to the small dance floor that Marie had created by getting Robert to push the furniture to the sides of the room.
They stood looking at one another before Jean-Luc stepped forward and placed his hand on her waist, pulling her to him. She fitted perfectly up against his body. He smiled softly at her as he reached for her hand and they began to sway slowly to the music.
"Did I mention how breathtakingly beautiful you look tonight?" he asked.
"Not in so many words," she said with a smile as she referred to the moment when they had bumped into each other on the landing. "I got the general idea, though."
He chuckled. She had always loved his chuckle. It was deep and came right from the bottom his chest. She could feel it rumbling against her and she suddenly felt rather weak at the knees as his lips brushed against neck, just below her ear.
"You know, I wasn't going to forgive you this easily," she revealed, "but, you make it so damn hard to be annoyed with you."
"Aren't you glad that I have that effect on you?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. I mean no. No, it's not something to be glad about."
"Why?" he asked, pulling back. He wasn't sure how to take her last comment.
"Well, how am I ever going to stay mad with you when you do something I don't agree with?" she replied with a melodramatic sigh.
"I could say the same for you," he said. "No matter what you do, you always make me see it from your point of view. Let's put my reaction to the barn behind us. Friends?"
"Maybe it's time we made it more than friends," she suggested
"Beverly," he breathed. "You don't know how happy that makes me."
She closed her eyes and lent her forehead against his. "I think I do."
He pulled her closer against his body, letting their movements take on a slow, sensual tone rather than two friends just dancing. She rested her head on his shoulder, letting her lips brush against his neck.
"I can't believe you were jealous of a twelve-year-old," she whispered, not resisting a small teasing at his expense.
"I was not jealous," he replied, stiffening slightly.
"Of course not, my mistake," she said as she pressed a small kiss on his cheek.
"Can I show you the barn tonight?" he asked, pulling back and looking into her eyes.
"I would like that very much," she answered.
Jean-Luc shot her a smile that warmed her very core then brought her hand to his lips and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her knuckles. Her eyes widened as she felt his tongue lap over her middle knuckle. She looked into his eyes and knew that tonight their relationship would take the step that she had always hoped. She couldn't think of a better place for it to happen than his special place, the barn where he had first seen his beloved stars.
"Excuse me, Uncle," said Rene. "May I dance with Beverly now?"
"I think that can be arranged, Rene," said Jean-Luc, stepping back and handing his nephew Beverly's hand. "I'm sure I can count on you to look after the woman I love."
Beverly mouthed 'I love you, too' as Rene lead her into the middle of the dance floor while Jean-Luc watched her with growing amusement. He couldn't believe he had grown jealous of the time his nephew had been spending with Beverly. It was certainly a story to remember for many years and even to tell the grandchildren, if there were any. Putting all thoughts of children, grandchildren, and nephews out of his mind, he turned his concentration to his plans tonight. He planned on making what was once his special place, their special place.
On the other side of the room, Jean-Christophe made his way over to Robert and tapped his long-time friend on the shoulder.
"The Picard men start young, do they not?" he said with a smile.
Robert turned and looked at his friend with slight confusion.
"Full bodied and red, like your wines," he continued, not adding any further light to what he was talking about.
"My dear friend, I don't have a clue what you are talking about," said Robert with a shake of his head.
"The Picard women," revealed Jean-Christophe as he pointed towards Beverly and Rene dancing awkwardly.
"Ah, yes," agreed Robert with a throaty chuckle. "He is smitten. Rene has developed the Picard's taste in red heads. However, that particular redhead has stolen my brother's heart and in turn, he has stolen hers."
The two men watched with amusement as Jean-Luc politely cut in on his nephew and pulled Beverly back into his arms. They danced in one place for a moment before Jean-Luc slowly began to lead them away from the crowd to nearer the back door. The two men passed a knowing look at each other before seeing Jean-Luc and his redhead slip out of the room, seemingly unnoticed.
"Then, let's toast to the Picard Women!" said Jean-Christophe, raising his glass.
"Picard Women!" repeated Robert as they knocked glasses.