Part 10

"I didn't think you'd be able to get all that pink frosting out of her hair," teases Picard, leaning over the crib in his daughter's little bedroom as Beverly carefully lays the dozing baby in the crib.

Tucking the blanket around Adele's chest, Beverly smirks. "Well, I did. And, she's sound asleep. You were so worried about all the sugar she was consuming at her birthday party, and here she is sleeping like a baby."

"That's a sugar coma, Beverly," jests Picard, putting a hand on the small of Beverly's back. "I saw you sneak her an extra piece of birthday cake."

Giggling, Beverly turns to face Jean-Luc, a guilty look on her face. "Come on! It was her first birthday party!"

Slipping his hand around her waist, Jean-Luc chortles. "Yes, yes. You're right, Beverly. You're always right."

Laughing, Beverly leans in, pressing her lips to his ear. "Say again?"

Shaking his head, Jean-Luc grins against her cheek, drawing her in closer. "I can't believe Adele is a year old. Where has the year gone?"

Bracing a hand against his chest, Beverly smiles warmly. "I know. She was just this itty bitty thing when we came aboard. I can't believe how much she's grown."

"I don't know how I would have managed without you," states Jean-Luc earnestly, gripping her hips. "Thank you, Beverly, for everything."

A year after their mission had commenced, Jean-Luc and Beverly had blended their two families quite seamlessly, sharing quarters on the ship and getting married in a small ceremony on the ship a couple months prior.

Pecking his lips, Beverly slips one hand around his neck. "I couldn't imagine it any other way, my love."

Returning her kiss, Jean-Luc briefly closes his eyes.

Running her thumb along his jawline, Beverly smiles warmly into his hazel eyes in the dimly lit room. "It's been so wonderful to have a baby, to care for Adele as my own child."

"And I'm grateful you do," replies Jean-Luc, taking her hand and kissing her thumb.

"Jean-Luc?" Beverly's eyes wander over to the crib and the sleeping baby inside. "You know I love Adele as if she were my own. There's no difference to me. But, she's growing up so fast. And, and…"

Smiling gently, Jean-Luc folds Beverly's hand in his own. "Yes, cherie?"

Bracing herself for a response, Beverly exhales deeply, looking at Jean-Luc openly. "I'd really like to have another baby."

Face softening, Jean-Luc grins. "You want to have a baby?"

Half-giggling, Beverly bobs her head. "Yes. Oh, Jean-Luc, I adore Adele more than anything. But, I do want to have another baby, to experience it all with you."

Lifting a hand to her cheek, Jean-Luc drops a tender kiss to Beverly's lips. "Absolutely, cherie. I would be thrilled to have a baby together."

Caressing his chest, Beverly kisses him back softly. "I love you so much."

"I love you, my dear," replies Jean-Luc, an almost euphoric smile on his lips.

"Tomorrow I can remove my contraceptive implant and we can start trying to conceive?" Beverly asks, brow raised hopefully as she lays a hand over his collarbone and caresses him lightly.

Moving his hands back to her hips, Jean-Luc chuckles. "Very well. However, I do feel that we should get in some practice tonight. After all, that's a whole twenty-four hours away. We wouldn't want to be out of shape."

Chuckling, Beverly shakes her head. "Of course. What a wise and prudent captain you are!"

"Well, I strive to keep a well trained and prepared crew," jests Jean-Luc, nuzzling Beverly's ear.

Giggling, Beverly bobs her head. "Alright, Captain. Lead me to our bedroom."

Capturing her lips, Jean-Luc tugs her back toward the door. "Aye, Doctor."