Name: Look What We Made [When We Made Love]
[Part 4]
Author: Kachina
Email:
Rated: PG
Couples: P/C and R/T
Timeline: Post Nemesis and Baby Fiction...

Brief Overview: This takes place entirely on Betazed. While Picard and Riker are presumed dead Deanna goes into labor. Between contractions we get a few insights on Deanna's past as a child Beverly on the other hand is across the hall in premature labor.

Author's Note: I felt that I should avoid writing on the Sheliaq nation. I couldn't think of how to write it besides it will give the story some suspense and a lot of angst. This is based entirely on Deanna's labor.

In her hospital room Deanna is resting her contractions are still very spaces out but when she does have them they are intense. Lwaxana is sitting in a chair next to her daughter and Barin is on the other side.

"Mother, do you really think that Wil and Captain Picard are alright? I wish he were here for the birth. What if Admiral Janeway is right and they really are dead? I don't think I can do this alone, without Wil."

"Deanna if you couldn't sense his death it is most likely that he is still alive he is just missing. I remember the day you were born. Your poor father was a nervous wreck you would have thought it was the first time being a father. He knew that the day I told him that you were going to be a girl even before you even told me. I thought you were going to be a boy but he insisted that you were a girl and he knew that you were going to be a daddy's girl."

"I would love to hear more about Deanna's childhood. What was she like as a baby?"

"Deanna was the most beautiful baby in the nursery; of course I would have to be biased because she was my baby. Even after 26 hours of labor I wouldn't take a moment away. When your father and Kestra took me to the nursery I peeked into the window and I saw you. You were so beautiful, even though I couldn't feel my legs I just had to hold you. So your father and Kestra took me inside the nursery as soon as I touched you, you opened your beautiful eyes. I know the doctor's said that it would take longer for you to develop you powers but I swear that you spoke to me. When your father handed you to me you wrapped your little finger around my finger. Kestra was the one who named you I believe that was the name of her best friend. Oh Deanna she loved you so much. When I finally got to bring you home Kestra wanted to be your mother. She helped me do everything, change your diapers, feed you, and play with you. She even started to talk to your every day."

"I didn't know that Kestra did that."

"Kestra loved everyone and everything. She would wake up with a smile every day. She used to bring home injured animals and heal them. When they finally got better she would let them free no matter how much it hurt she knew that they needed their freedom. When Deanna would wake up from her nap Kestra would get her out of her crib even before I would even get there. She loved you so much Deanna."

"I know mother, she takes after her parents. Mother, can I ask you something, why didn't you tell me about Kestra when I got older?"

"Loosing Kestra hurt your father and me so much. We didn't want to feel like that again and we didn't want you to feel that pain. I wanted to tell you so many times, but so many times it just didn't feel right. Before I knew it you were almost 30, I thought that it was better that way and hoped that you would never find out the truth. For years after Kestra's death I blamed myself I felt that if I would have been paying attention she wouldn't have drown. I hid my feeling about her death from you and everyone else for years. When Hedril came on board what I tried to forget I could no longer hold back. My feelings became harder to control and each time I saw Hedril I saw your sister. Hedril knew something was wrong, she may have been young but she was very bright. Maquis also knew something wrong but I used his misunderstanding of English language to tell him that it was just privacy."

"He knew better Mother, he kept telling me that you had a dark place and I kept thinking that he meant your privacy. When Hedril told me that she made you sad I still didn't understand what that meant. I didn't think anything of it until you collapsed in the arboretum that day."

"I wanted to keep you sister's death away from you until the day I died. It almost worked; maybe it was fate that brought those answers to you."

"Mother I'm glad I found out the way I did. It almost cost you, your life. Mother why...."

The screen above Deanna's bed begins to beep; a contraction stops Deanna in mid sentence. Lwaxana takes her daughter's hand and holds it while Barin is on the other side holding the other hand, as Deanna breathes through it uneasily.

"Deanna, come on you can do it, your strong I knew that the day you were born. You came out screaming, made sure your presence is known."

Deanna laughs lightly with Barin.

The contraction end shortly after. Deanna can rest comfortably for a little while. Lwaxana excuses herself and asks Barin to keep and eye on Deanna while she checks in on Beverly across the way. He agrees and begins to tell Deanna of his adventures at camp the summer before.

MEANWHILE:

In Beverly's room Lwaxana asks the nurse for some time alone with Beverly. The nurse is hesitant at first but after some coaxing leaves the room Lwaxana thanks her as she walks over to Beverly. Her eyes are closed but Lwaxana knows she is awake. She can't sense the dreams she may be having. After all everyone dreams every night just don't always remember them.

"Hey Beverly, how are you feeling? You are looking much better than you were an hour ago. Have the contractions stopped?"

"For now, the doctor gave me some medications to stop them. We lost on of the embryos but there are 2 still thriving. I wish Jean-Luc were here with me instead of you...I didn't mean....well...I mean..."

"No need to apologize I understand and If our positions were reversed I would want my husband to be next to me through this difficult time instead of my best friends mother."

Beverly nods as tears begin to form

"I am so glad you are here with me. Ever since my mother passed away I have always wanted another. Now I met someone on the ENTERPRISE, who becomes my instant friend who has a mother. What more could a girl want; I so glad Deanna and I were assigned to the Enterprise."

"When I first heard about a female medical doctor serving with my daughter I thought "A lady doctor?" I guess I was still stuck in the past. Once I met you everything changed...for the better. Deanna lost her father when she was seven years old. You lost your mother when you were four years old; you both had something to share. Maybe that is what drew you to her and her to you."

"Do you remember when I was seeing the Trill Odon?"

"Yes, Deanna told me of him, you didn't mind did you?"

"Of course not what are friends for if they are not for sharing secrets and love stories? Anyway, when Odon passed away I thought my life was over. I felt that Odon was my soul mate, just like Jack was; I couldn't stand the thought of loosing someone else. One day in 10-forward I was sitting alone at a table and Deanna came up to me asked if I wanted to talk. I was hurting so much that I practically shooed her away; but Deanna stood her ground. I can't remember what she said but it was something like... "I'm the ships counselor; it's my job to make my patients happy. I am here for you when you want to talk." Before she could stand up I asked her to talk to me about her relationships in the past and how if felt when someone she loved passed away. She only said she had one love in her life and that was Wil, one day he was to show up at the Jalara Falls and never did."

"I remember that time; Deanna came home that evening it was clear that she had been crying most of the day. Her eyes were red with pain. I asked her about it and she told me what she was waiting for. Wil never showed up so she believed that her life was over. I remember exactly what I said... "I told you that man wasn't good enough for my little one." Over time she managed to get threw her pain but not without more heartbreak along the way."

Beverly sighed

"Deanna told me Wil was assigned to a ship and he couldn't "pass up the opportunity" When you heard about this did you still think Wil wasn't good enough for her?"

"Of course I did, what mother would change her mind once it was set? So what else did she tell you?"

"She told me that the first man she ever loved was her father. That "He loved me and I worshiped him. He was strong and tall, he chased away the monsters that hid under my bed, he carried me when the ground was muddy, and he sang to me. What I wouldn't give to hear those songs again if you can find the love you shared with Odon in the man we know as Wil Riker then go to him...love him." It was a good lesson and I did I accepted Odon as Wil Riker but soon after I lost him to. When the Trill finally arrived it was a woman, Kareel. Odon was still inside but I couldn't accept him as a woman. I told her that humans aren't accustomed to such changes. I knew I would always love Odon who doesn't love their soul-mate?"

"Over the years and all of my past loves I heard that a number of time from Deanna. Even to Barin father, I love him so much but I couldn't give up my son he deserved two parents not one."

"Do you believe it was the right thing to do when you married Odo?"

"Did I ever tell you that when I was pregnant with Barin I ran to Odo? He even offered to be there for the birth, he wanted to be the father Barin needed; but as always I ran away from him, afraid that I would be hurt again. I knew that we married only because, by Tavnian Law, whoever the mother was married to, would be the father. Odo would have been a good father to Barin. I only wish I wasn't so terrified and left him to raise my son alone."

"You raised Deanna for years by yourself and look what she has become. I know that Deanna is grateful for you taking on that challenge alone, and even though you didn't see eye-to-eye, and still don't she loves you more than anything."

Lwaxana nods and smiles...

"Well I had better get going, Deanna will need me soon besides I don't want to leave Barin alone in there for too long."

"How is Deanna?"

"She is well, sometimes she misses Wil and cries a lot. I guess as a pregnant woman you get emotional. The Doctor said that she is doing fine and we should have a baby by the end of the night. I will see you later stay well."

Beverly nods and smiles, she closes her eyes as Lwaxana closes the door behind her. Back inside the room Barin is still discussing her adventures at camp last summer Deanna listens to him contently. Both turn as the sound of the door closing permeates the room.

"Hello little one, how are you doing? Has Barin been a good boy?"

"Yes he has, I'm so glad to see you. Did you talk to Beverly? How is she doing?

"She is doing surprising well, her contractions have stopped the Doctor is going to keep her in bed for the remainder of her pregnancy. I spoke to your Doctor as well; he said if all goes well, you should see your baby by the end of the night."

"I hope so I am sick of being pregnant."

Everyone laughs...

After a long and painful 52 hour labor Deanna has finally dilated enough to begin to push. Barin is asleep in the chair next to Deanna, after all a five-year-old does need some rest. Lwaxana is still at her daughter's side very fatigued but anxiously awaiting the arrival of her very first grandchild.

"Okay now Deanna you need to concentrate, the baby is about to come all we need is a few pushes. Just a few more and you'll be able to see your son or daughter."

Deanna nods at her mother words when the Doctor asks her to push she does. However she is extremely tired and seems not to have the energy that is needed. The Doctor wants to perform a cesarean section but Deanna say no. After 2 hours of pushing the baby finally begins to crown. The Doctor looks up and...

"I can see it lots of dark hair! Come on we need some more pushes to get this baby out come on Deanna you can do it."

Deanna you're strong; you can do it I want to see my grandbaby. Come on give it all you've got!"

Three more pushes and the it's head is out...The doctor tell Deanna to stop pushing while he delivers the rest of the baby just then the delivery rooms door slams open IT'S WIL and PICARD dirty but ALIVE!.

"Did I miss anything? Is it born yet? What is it? How is Deanna?"

Came a familiar voice behind the Doctor...

"Hold on Daddy, the baby isn't out the whole way yet come on come sit next to me you didn't miss anything."

Lwaxana gets up so Wil can take her seat. Deanna smiles and takes Wil's hand while Picard stands next to Lwaxana. A scream comes soon after but Wil can't see if it's a boy or girl yet. Wil reaches for his baby....

"Hey, Hey, Hey papa that baby is still connected you know...."

Chimes Deanna from the bed. The Doctor gives Riker a pair of scissors as Riker cuts the umbilical cord.

"It's a BOY! It's a BOY! I have a son!

And this new dream we share

Has your eyes and my hair

So healthy and strong with a mind of his own

And I thank the Lord every day for our brand new family

And to think that it all started with just you and me

"He's quite a strapping young man he looks just like you do Wil.

Lwaxana chimes in from behind.

"I see a lot of Deanna in him as well Wil."

The Doctor cleans up the baby and hands it to the proud papa. The Doctor finishes working on Deanna and tells the nurse to be sure Deanna gets rest. Soon after he exits closing the door behind him.

"If it's alright with you Wil I would like to see my son too you know. I did just give birth to him."

"Oh right I knew I forgot something here you go IMZADI. He is so beautiful Deanna wait until you see him."

Wil hands his son to his mother. Deanna begins to cry as she sees her son for the first time in the real world. Deanna smiles and touches the child's cheek. He turns his head and opens his eyes. For the first time Deanna and the others see his eyes....

"Oh my Goodness Deanna he has the betazoid eyes. Look how beautiful they are."

Lwaxana says as she looks at her grandson. Picard comes out from the shadows and takes a peek at his new Godson. Lwaxana was right he had the betazoid eyes.

"Didn't you expect him to have the eyes Lwaxana after all his mother is part betazoid? You have them and you passed it onto your daughter wouldn't she do the same to her child?"

"Oh not always, since Wil is human and Deanna is part human he had better odds of having Wil's eyes. Betaziod's eyes can lay dormant if either of their parents is human. I was so sure that they would be blue."

"Mother, he may be only ΒΌ betazoid but he is a betazoid, and he is beautiful. I even think he looks like my father in some way and you too mother. After all he has great genes."

"Thank you, thank you, my pleasure, as you all know the Riker's have wonderful genes. From what I have learned being with Deanna as long as I have her family has good genes as well. Come on Lwaxana come hold your grandson."

Lwaxana comes near her daughter and give her a kiss on the forehead. Deanna reaches to give her son to his proud grandmother. She begins to rock him and he closes his eyes and drifts off to dream.

"Hey little one, funny calling you that now that my own little one has a little one of her own. I know you probably don't understand why you hear a voice in you mind. Most likely you are just as your mother, an empath; someday you will understand what it means to be a betazoid. You have a wonderful mother and a great father. Now you be a good boy and don't give your parents any trouble. Oh one more thing you mother won't let me spoil you as she was but between you and me I will do in no matter what."

The baby opened his eyes as Lwaxana finished her words.

"Oh My Deanna, your son is gifted someday he will do a great thing."

"What are you doing to my son Lwaxana?"

"It's called bonding. We speak telepathically so that if by any chance something were to happen before the child were to mature it would always remember the sound of its immediate family. He's too young to understand me know but one he reaches maturity he will be able to recall what his family said to him the day he was born."

"Is that true Deanna?"

"Yes, I remember what my mother said to me the day I was born and I remember what my father said as well. When they both died I knew that one day when I was able to understand it, I would hear their voices. Since Kestra died when I was just an infant somehow I blocked out her thoughts until the day I found out I had a sister. Those words came flooding back. My mother shared them with me through telepathy."

"What about your bonding? Don't you do that as well?"

"Of course I do, I have been speaking to him since the day I found out I was carrying him. I think my mother is right....I think he has gifts he has only begun to achieve them."

"I think we should wake Barin, it's about time he meets his new nephew. He has been waiting. If he were here I don't think I would be able to make it through my labor. Please mother go wake him."

"Of course Dear."

Lwaxana gives the baby back to his mother then goes over to Barin sleeping on the couch and gently through telepathy wakes him...

"Barin, honey, its time to see your new nephew."

Barin opens his eyes full of excitement and eager to meet his nephew.

"Deanna, you did it, you did it he's here!"

"I couldn't have done it without you Barin thank you for everything."

Barin smiles and with his mother's help climbs on the bed next to his big sister. He smile again and touches the infant on the forehead. The baby responds with opening his eyes...

"See I told you mamma, he would have the betazoid eyes. You owe me a box of the best chocolates on the planet."

All of them laugh together as Barin again touches his nephew's forehead.

"Now you see this big place this is the world, well at least part of it. The universe is much bigger than this room. You'll get to see it when you get bigger. I will play with you when you are bigger too mamma says that you can even stay for a couple of days when you are bigger. Of course Deanna doesn't know that yet that is our secret."

"More bonding right Deanna?"

"Yes, but I don't know what he was saying just that I probably wasn't the best thing in the world. Mother what did he tell the baby? I know you know."

"That is between Barin, the baby, and me someday you'll hear of it. Until then it will remain a secret."

"Deanna can I hold the baby now?"

"Of course you may, after all he is your nephew. Here now remember watch his head he is still very tiny."

"I know that Deanna, I may be little but I know to keep the baby's head safe."

Deanna laughs lightly as she hands the baby over to Barin. The baby responds by reaching up and touching Barin's chin. Barin smiles and hands the baby back to his mother.

"Deanna we should go and tell Beverly that you are okay, let her see her godson don't you think?"

"Oh yes, of course, will you help me. Here Captain Picard, hold your Godson."

Picard nods and walks over to Deanna and takes the baby from her.

Stepping next to Barin, Lwaxana. With the nurses help Deanna painfully gets out of bed and into a 24th century style wheelchair. A few minutes later across the hall Picard knocks on the door to his wife's room.

"Honey, I'm Home!"

Beverly opens her eyes and smiles as her husband runs to her arms.

"I thought you were alive but no one, not even Admiral Janeway believed that you and Wil survived that attack. I miss you so much."

"I missed you so much too. It was you that kept me alive, you and our babies. I was so worried when I heard the news are you alright?"

"Now that you are home I am. The doctor stopped the contractions and last time I was examined everything was looking great. Where is Wil?"

"Here I am Beverly, you don't think that I would miss the birth of my first child do you?"

Beverly shakes her head as Deanna, Barin, and Lwaxana enter. The baby in Deanna's arms.

"Oh it's here. The baby is here, what is it Deanna?"

"It's a boy; he came just a few minutes ago. He is so beautiful Beverly, you should see him."

"Well give him to me I want to see this work of art."

Lwaxana bring Deanna closer to the bed and Beverly reaches for the baby. Deanna was right he was so beautiful, so precious.

"He looks like you Wil, a lot like you. Oh and I see a little of you Lwaxana and Ian."

The baby opens his eyes again against the light.

"He has your eyes Deanna; I thought you said he would look like Wil. Because your genes would be dormant."

"I thought they would but I was wrong, we all were wrong."

"Not me I said that he would have betazoid eyes, but mamma didn't believe me no on believe me."

"He's just beautiful Wil, Deanna. I knew you would make beautiful babies together you just needed a little coaxing. What are you going to call him?"

"It took a lot of time but we finally agree on his name....

TBC...