Part 10
"Can I ask you a few questions?" Felisa ask tentatively, climbing onto her bed.
"Of course," Picard replies as he and Beverly approach the end of the bed.
"Do I have to change my name from Crusher to Picard?" Felisa wonders, slipping between the sheets.
Caught off guard by the question, Beverly has to smile. "I don't think so. That's always been your name. That's the name Wes and I use." She turns to Jean-Luc, wondering how he feels. "What do you think?"
"I don't think we should rush to make any big changes," Picard suggests. "But, the decision is ultimately Felisa's. Whatever she wants I'm fine with."
"Am I going to live with you?" Felisa asks as Beverly moves to perch on the side of the bed beside her.
"Of course not," Beverly replies without qualification. "We're a family. You live here."
Looking at her mother, Felisa is slightly confused. "But, the captain is my father. We're a family, too. Shouldn't I live with him, too?"
Alarmed, Beverly shoots Picard a warning look. "Absolutely not. You're not going anywhere. This is…Felisa, we're not changing anything."
Felisa begins to protest. "But, you said we'll spend more…"
"Sweetie, slow down," laughs Beverly, practically visualizing wheels spinning in her daughter's head as she attempts to process the monumental news. "This is brand new, for all of us. We're not jumping into any changes. Let's take the time to adjust."
Looking between her mother and the man she had only learned four hours earlier was her father, Felisa nods in concession.
Lowering himself onto the side of the bed next to Beverly, Jean-Luc offers her an encouraging smile. "I promise we'll spend time together, Felisa. For now, it's been a very long day, and it's time to call it a night."
"Okay, Capt…"Pausing, Felisa purses her lips. "Do I still call you Captain?"
Beverly's temple aches, trying to address all of the girl's questions and concerns regarding the profound discovery. Attempting to make all these decisions so quickly is making her anxious. Beverly does not wanted to make a rushed, ill-informed decision that could have a negative impact on either of her children.
Casting Beverly a questioning look, Jean-Luc shrugs. "Whatever you're comfortable with."
Lifting her shoulders, Felisa looks to Beverly for advice. "I don't know. I've never had a father before."
Exhaling audibly, Beverly squeezes her shoulder. "We don't have to figure it all out today, honey."
"What would you like?" Jean-Luc asks his daughter.
"Papa," Felisa decides with a firm nod of her head. "Dad is Wesley's father. Maybe you can be Papa?"
Smiling warmly, Jean-Luc likes the sound of that. "Yes. That sounds good."
Gazing at Jean-Luc, Beverly's heart melts at the light in his eyes, how genuinely thrilled he seems to be. She still cannot fathom how he has transformed from the stoic captain of the Stargazer who was practically terrified of her young son and wanted nothing to do with children, to the man sitting next to her, almost tearing up the first time his daughter calls him Papa.
Clearing his throat, Jean-Luc gives Felisa's hand a squeeze. "Alright. It's late. Time for bed."
"Goodnight, sweetie. I love you," Beverly tells her, shifting closer to embrace her daughter.
Felisa leans over to give her mother a hug and Beverly kisses her cheek. She turns to Jean-Luc and wraps her arms around his shoulders.
"Goodnight, Felisa." Jean-Luc says, laying a hand on her head.
"Goodnight, Papa," Felisa giggles, pulling out of his embrace.
Shaking her head, Beverly rises, grateful that her daughter has a positive attitude. "Go to sleep, Fee."
Jean-Luc traces Beverly's path across the room, following her out into the living area.
"I think we've got a problem here," notes Beverly, whipping around to face Picard as they come to stop in the living room.
"What?" Picard asks in alarm.
Smiling mischievously, Beverly chuckles. "She's got you wrapped around her little finger!"
Rolling his eyes, Picard stands tall. "Hardly."
"Jean-Luc," Beverly scoffs. "She bats an eye and you melt."
Huffing, Picard puts a hand on his hip, pursing his lips. "That's not…true."
Shaking her head, Beverly pads forward, reaching for his hands. "Watch out, Jean-Luc. You're a father now. You have to be able to be stern, to give discipline, to make tough decisions."
Unable to contain a smile as she closes the gap between them, Picard raises a brow. "Beverly, I command the Enterprise. I know a thing or two about discipline and decision-making."
"Ah!" Beverly giggles, grazing his lip with her forefinger. "But, can you transfer those skills to parenting?"
"I guess we'll find out," Jean-Luc murmurs, abandoning his confident attitude.
Inferring his change in demeanour, Beverly runs her hands over his biceps. "You're going to be a fantastic father, Jean-Luc."
"I'm glad you think so," Jean-Luc smiles in self-deprecation.
Squeezing his biceps, Beverly leans in to peck his lips. "You're so good with Fee, and with Wes. You know, I never would have imagined this is how my day would have turned out. I'm utterly stunned. But, you're like a rock. You handled this so well, and I am so grateful."
Stroking her cheek, Jean-Luc gazes into her eyes. "I do want this. It's just a lot to absorb right now."
Resting her forehead against his, Beverly places her hand on his chest, over his heart. "I know. I'm…overwhelmed."
Brushing his lips against hers, Jean-Luc covers the hand that is resting on his chest. "We'll figure it all out. I need you to know that first and foremost, I intend to be a father to Felisa. I recognize we can't make up for nine years of lost time, but I want to be a parent going forward. I also don't want this to preclude Wesley. I can't fill Jack's shoes, but I want to build a relationship with your son, too."
Smiling lightly, Beverly moves her hand up his chest. "I appreciate that."
Sliding his hands to her waist, Jean-Luc grins into her lips. "And, most important, I want to explore our relationship."
As he peppers kisses lazily across to her ear, Beverly trails her hands up to his shoulders. "Jean-Luc…"
Pulling back, Jean-Luc appraises her apprehensive look. "I can't seem to kick it out first."
"Pardon?" Beverly shakes her head, foggy from exhaustion and the feelings he had stirred within her.
"Never mind," Picard waves her off. "We always seem to be interrupted. I tried to plan an actual date tonight, which was derailed when your too-smart-for-his-own-good son sprang this news upon us."
Laughing lightly, Beverly strokes his cheek. "I'm sorry. I had been looking forward to it."
"Tomorrow, nineteen hundred," Jean-Luc declares, gripping her waist.
Sighing, Beverly's mind is racing, her body is pulsing. Her rational pre-frontal cortex is telling her to think of the kids, and her flushing skin is telling her to go on the date. "We should…spend time with the kids tomorrow. This is…so new. We need to…make sure they're doing okay."
"I agree," Jean-Luc agrees. "I also believe we need to focus on us. Wouldn't it benefit the children to see us happy, in a healthy relationship?"
Exhaling deeply, Beverly holds his gaze, uncertain how to respond. "This is so much for them to digest. Let's not give them anymore to deal with right now. I…I do want to make this work between us, but I need time to process everything. I don't want to rush and do something that may upset the kids. Can we just slow it down?"
Grazing her cheek with his thumb as her holds her jaw between his forefinger and middle finger, Jean-Luc drops a gentle kiss to her lips. "Beverly, I've waited a decade. I have all the time in the universe."
Grinning into his lips, Beverly caresses his neck. "Thank you for being so understanding."
PAGE BREAK
"Oh, wow," Deanna sighs, sitting on her chair adjacent to the sofa in her office across from Beverly.
"Please don't say anything," requests Beverly desperately. "We're trying to keep this private right now. The kids need time to cope, and the last thing we need is rumours flying around the ship."
"Of course, it's completely confidential," Troi assures her, looking over at Beverly on the sofa. "I'll talk to the kids this afternoon. They were okay today?"
"Yeah, they're fine," Beverly reports with a half-smile. "Wes has calmed down. Felisa is actually thrilled. She's already calling him Papa. She's proposed that he spend dinner with us every night he's not on duty."
Smiling in satisfaction, Troi leans forward. "It's good she's embracing it. It's harder for Wes to accept. He had a relationship with Jack, Felisa didn't."
Nodding solemnly, Beverly leans back into the cushion. "Yeah. Wes is taking it in stride, though."
"I'd like to sit with you and the captain, if that's alright," Troi suggests tentatively.
"Yeah, that's fine," Beverly acquiesces. At this point, she needs all the advice she can get. While she detests counseling, and she can only imagine Jean-Luc squirming at the thought of having to discuss this with Troi, Beverly knows it is for the best.
"Your emotions are rampant. You're scattered, overwhelmed, " Troi explains, assessing Beverly thoroughly.
Smiling in self-deprecation, Beverly throws her head back. "I just don't know, Deanna. I want to do the right thing by them."
"You know, it's okay to ask yourself what you want," Troi tells her seriously.
"What do you mean?" Beverly asks, straightening.
"I mean, you have feelings for the captain, and you're considering a relationship with him. I can sense right now the only question on your mind is how that may impact the kids, and how the news of Felisa's paternity may impact your relationship with the captain. You were considering this relationship before all these changes. The way I see it, the kids will be happy if they're in a home with love and happiness. Will you have that with the captain?"
Beverly does not have to dwell on her answer, her grin says it all. "Yes."
"Then, don't worry. The kids will be fine," Deanna replies with a good-natured laugh.
"Deanna, any chance you'd like to make a house call tonight instead of having the kids come here to your office?" Beverly asks mischievously. "I could use a babysitter. I have a date to reschedule."
Grinning, Deanna bobs her head. "No problem. I'd be happy to sit with the kids."
PAGE BREAK
"Come," Picard grumbles, shuffling toward his cabin door. When Beverly had abruptly cancelled their plans for him to come to their cabin for dinner with the children, he had retrieved a few briefings and retired to his own cabin for a quiet evening alone with his work. He had not been anticipating any visitors.
When the door slides open to reveal Beverly in a knee-length cocktail dress, black leather pumps and red lipstick, Jean-Luc's jaw drops to the ground.
"I believe I owed you a date," Beverly smirks flirtatiously, leaning against the doorframe.
Eyes roaming over her from head to toe, Jean-Luc's lips turn into a wicked grin. "Indeed. I'm ready to collect."
Stepping forward, the door closes behind her and Beverly stretches out to grab his uniform jacket, drawing Jean-Luc closer. "First gear. You were making a metaphor to standard automobile engines from twentieth century Earth."
Snaking his hands around her waist, Jean-Luc is bemused. "Uh, yeah…"
"I've got a better one," Beverly murmurs, gripping his chest tightly. "Homerun."
Raising a brow, Jean-Luc is more than intrigued, pulling her flush against his hips. "Baseball. Sounds promising."
Lips pressed to his ear, Beverly trails a hand down his stomach. "I know you never strike out."
Grasping her forearms, Jean-Luc backs her into the wall, capturing her lips in a desperate kiss.
Responding with equal vigour, Beverly clutches his back, urging him on.
Ripping the communicator from his jacket, Jean-Luc pants. "I'll be damned if there are any interruptions tonight."
Chuckling, Beverly cups his cheek, slipping one hand to unzip the jacket. "Relax, baby. We have all the time in the universe."
Tangling his hand in her hair, Jean-Luc draws her bottom lip between his teeth, sucking firmly. "All the time in the universe."