Part 9
"I want to thank you. You were marvellous," Beverly exclaims, kissing the dip between Jean-Luc's collarbone and neck as he lays partly on top and partly beside her under the sheets of her bed later that evening.
With a low chuckle, Jean-Luc drops a kiss to her nose. "No, thank you. You were spectacular."
Grinning, Beverly encircles her hand around his back. "No. I mean earlier, with Wes. He looks up to you, Jean-Luc, and your approval means everything to him. He was thrilled when you praised his assignment."
"He's a prodigy," admits Jean-Luc. "He's very intelligent. He gets that from you. I couldn't write reports like that when I was fifteen. I still can't write reports like that!"
Chuckling, Beverly pecks his lips. "Oh, come now, my Captain. I've seen all your decorations. You're no schlump."
Exhaling in contentment, Jean-Luc peppers kisses along her chin, trailing down her neck. "I don't want to leave."
Groaning, Beverly strokes his head as he kisses between her breasts. "I know."
"We've never spent a night together," points out Jean-Luc, resting his weight on his forearms.
Closing her eyes, Beverly moans. "I know."
Sliding up, Jean-Luc parts her lips with his index finger, his lips covering hers quickly.
Encircling her arm around his neck, Beverly breaks off. "I wish you could stay. It's just not right. I don't want to overexpose Wesley to our relationship right now."
"Agreed," Jean-Luc concedes reluctantly.
"He's never seen me in a serious relationship with anyone. I don't want to add to his stress and confusion," continues Beverly, wishing Jean-Luc could stay with her under the sheets all night.
"I understand," Jean-Luc assures her, tracing her lips with his thumb.
"However…." grins Beverly. "I see no reason for you to rush. I'm not tired. Are you tired?"
Grinning broadly, Jean-Luc presses his hips to hers. "Not at all. I have plenty of energy."
Gripping his back firmly, Beverly respond with fervour.
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"Mom?" Rapping on the door to his mother's bedroom, Wesley grimaces. Repeating his action, his lips are pursed, stomach churning and head aching. When he doesn't receive a reply, Wesley sighs in exasperation, opening the door.
"Mom?" Wesley pads into the dark bedroom, fevered and nauseated. Looking over at the bed, he's stunned to find his mother fast asleep in the arms of the man he has only recently come to learn is his father. Hand flying to his mouth, Wesley quickly mentally evaluates his course of action, stumbling backward.
Stirring, Beverly's eyes open gradually, until she feels the unfamiliar feel of a strong arm around her torso. Rousing rapidly, Beverly lifts her head up, startled to discover her teenager standing motionless at the door. "Wes!"
"I'm so sorry!" blurts Wesley, blushing red.
Reddening, Beverly sits up right, pulling the covers up tight around her chest. "Oh, Wes. I'm so sorry."
"No. I'm…just gonna go…" stutters Wesley, backing toward the door.
"No, it's okay," mutters Beverly, as Jean-Luc awakens from the commotion.
Grimacing, Wesley stands by the door, awkwardly stringing his hands.
"What…what's…?" Jean-Luc grumbles, slowly sitting up.
"We fell asleep," supplies Beverly in embarrassment.
"I can just…" Wes motions to the door, looking for an escape.
"No, it's okay. I'm sorry," sighs Beverly. "What did you need, sweetie?"
Exhaling audibly, Wes is more nauseous now than he had been when he had initially sought his mother out. "Umm…I'm just not feeling well. I have a headache, and my stomach is upset."
Bobbing her head, Beverly takes a deep breath. "Okay, honey. Go lie down. I'll get my med kit and I'll be in in a minute."
"Thanks," replies Wesley lowly.
Jean-Luc watches as Wes disappears rapidly through the door, glad to be out of the room and the conversation.
As soon as Wes has left, Beverly turns to Jean-Luc accusingly. "We fell asleep!"
Raising a brow, Jean-Luc smirks. "You're blaming me? I didn't hear you complaining. You were begging me for just a little longer last night"
Trapped, Beverly cannot help but grin. "This isn't funny!"
Wrapping an arm around her back, Jean-Luc draws her close. "It is somewhat amusing. Come on, Beverly. We're fine. Wes is fine."
Sighing, Beverly rests her forehead against his. "I feel like we're in unchartered space. I don't know how to navigate this."
"Then we're forge our own path," suggests Jean-Luc, pecking her lips.
PAGE BREAK
Beverly is at her desk in her quarters reviewing reports when the cabin door opens. She turns in the direction of the door, smiling as Wes comes barrelling through the entrance.
"Hey. How was the flying lesson?" Beverly stands out of her chair, watching Jean-Luc follow Wes into the cabin. Three months had passed since Wesley had recovered from the disease which had threatened his life, and in the process revealed that Jean-Luc is Wesley's biological father. In the interim, Jean-Luc had made an effort to get to know the boy and strengthen his relationship with him and Beverly. In their own way, the three had become a family. It had taken time for everything to settle, but Wes had embraced Jean-Luc whole-heartedly, eager to have someone to aspire to and emulate. While they could never make up for all of the lost time, neither Wes nor Jean-Luc harboured any ill-will toward Beverly. In effect, they had forgiven her, although she still feels guilty for having kept Wesley's paternity a secret for so long, keeping Jean-Luc and Wesley a part for nearly sixteen years.
"Mom! Look what Papa gave me!" exclaims Wes excitedly, rushing up to Beverly. He extends his hand, showing Beverly a shining new hand phaser.
Eyes dilating, Beverly's lips part in surprise as she inspects the brand new powerful weapon.
"Early birthday present," explains Jean-Luc with mirth, walking up behind Wes.
Beaming, Wes oggles the phaser in astonishment. "It's the one Papa has, and Commander Riker, and Data, and Geordi and…"
Cutting him off, Beverly glowers at Jean-Luc. "You gave him a phaser?"
Shrugging, Picard puts a hand on Wes' shoulder. "Yes."
"You didn't want to run that by me first?" Beverly looks at Jean-Luc incredulously.
"Why?" Jean-Luc asks , truly baffled.
"Because I might not want my sixteen year-old to have a weapon!" exclaims Beverly loudly, tossing her hands in the air. "God, Jean-Luc!"
Taken aback, Jean-Luc studies her in bemusement. "Beverly, he's sixteen years-old. He's training to be an officer. He's mature and well-disciplined. If I had any reservations, I wouldn't have given it to him."
"I have reservations!" counters Beverly, in disbelief that she even has to lay out her argument to him. "Jean-Luc, you should have discussed this with me first!"
Wes glances nervously between his parents. "So, uh…I can still keep it, right?"
Sighing in exasperation, Beverly shakes her head.
Jean-Luc steps forward, smiling at Beverly. "Beverly, you've nothing to worry about. I promise I will train him and properly supervise him."
Glancing at her son's hopeful, expectant expression, Beverly feels entirely out-numbered and cornered. She thought it would be easier guiding Wesley through these adolescent years with Jean-Luc's support. Now, all Wesley wants to do is be a Starfleet officer, and it gets her heart racing furiously. "Wesley, you are under no circumstances to have that thing out without your father's supervision. It's not a toy. Do you understand?"
Grinning, Wes bobs his head. "Thanks, Mom!"
Rolling her eyes, Beverly folds her arms across her chest. These boys will be the death of her.