"Soon, Jean Luc! You really are an impatient man!" I laugh as I link my arm with his and begin walking away from headquarters.
"Alright – you've caught me. But really Beverly," he stops and looks right at me, "I really do want to get married as soon as possible."
"You're not the only one!" And he's not. If I had spotted a Justice of the Peace walking down the street, I would have grabbed him and made him marry us right here in the open San Francisco air. But the truth of the matter is that we need to settle a few things first. We need to get established and let the gravity of what we've just done sink in. Both of us need to look for jobs and we need to find a house. I suddenly have a very fitting idea, "let's go tell Wesley."
Wesley is now in his final year at the Academy. He had a rough go of it a little over a year ago when he was implicated in some trouble with his flight group. I was proud of him with handled the situation in the end. It was hard, though, he was called up for review and Jean Luc and I had to be present. It was gut wrenching for me to see him in that situation. I'm his mother and I always want to be there to protect him. But that instance made me see Wes as a man and not a little boy. It truly made me realize that he was growing up. I'm proud of him; he is truly exceptional.
Since both of us have absolutely no clue where he would be at, we comm. him and find him at the Armstrong, one of the Academy's many student hang-out spots.
"Mom! Captain!" I crane my neck but then I see him.
"Wes!" It's been a year since we've seen each other. Every time I see him after a good stretch of time, I'm able to see clearly how much he's changed. Yes, Wes is looking more and more like his father – but I still think that I can see a little bit of me. His eyes are definitely mine. He's almost done growing now – men usually stop growing at 18. Now, he's a little taller than myself- much closer to Jean Luc's height. He's typically thin and he's let his hair grow out a little bit. My son is a very handsome young man.
He grabs me and hugs me to him. "It's good to see you, Mom," he kisses my cheek.
"It's good to see you too, Wes."
He turns to Jean Luc, "Captain," he nods his head in respect and shakes his hand.
Wes and Jean Luc have had an… interesting relationship. Wes can remember when he was just a little boy. He always admired Jean Luc. He couldn't say his whole name back then and it usually came out sounding like "jah –loo". It was very sweet and very cute.
When he was very little and I told him that Jean Luc was coming to visit he'd run around the house excitedly shouting "Jah loo! Jah loo!" and waiting for him and Jack to come through the door.
Jean Luc always says that he's uncomfortable around children, but he loved that Wes looked up to and admired him so much. He was such a huge part of our lives until Jack died. Once that happened, Jean Luc stopped coming to our home anymore. He stopped coming to see Wesley and he essentially disappeared. Wes was as crushed as a little boy of 5 years old could be. Not only had he lost his dad, but he'd lost one of his idols.
When we came to live on the Enterprise, Jean Luc was initially quite hostile towards Wes – but now I understand why. Soon thereafter I think he realized what a wonderful boy Wes had become and they were able to rekindle their relationship somewhat. Over Wes' years on the Enterprise, the two of them became quite close. He started to look upon Jean Luc more and more as a father figure. Everything that Wes does, he does in the context of making Jean Luc proud. It's very compelling for a mother to watch and I'm happy that they have such a good relationship. I hope that Wes will be happy when he hears the news.
Jean Luc surprises me for the third time today when he lets go of Wesley's hand and folds him into a hug, "it's not Captain anymore, Wes," he says with a smile.
Wesley's face drops in astonishment, "w-what?"
I intervene before Wes falls flat on his face, "let's go sit down," I say with an amused smile as I lead him over to an empty table.
"Wait, so…" Wesley stammers, "What's going on?"
"Well," I begin, as I look over at Jean Luc, "would you care to do the honours?"
"Wes, we've both resigned our commissions just now."
"What?! Why?" Wes looks like he's about to pass out. So, I decide to put him out of his misery as I hold up my left hand.
"What is THAT?!" He points at the grandiose ring. His eyes are bigger than saucers and I can't help but be entertained. Suddenly realization dawns on him, "NO WAY!" He's too loud and people start to stare. He waves, diverting the attention and then looks back to us, "No way! No way! Are you serious?" a broad smile comes over his features. "All I can say is finally."
Jean Luc and I look over at one another and start laughing, "What?" I say.
"Mom, come on. I feel like this has been a long time coming. Sometimes I felt like the tension between you two was hot enough to cause a warp core breach. I'm just glad you finally came to your senses. Congratulations." Wesley reaches across the table to shake Jean Luc's hand.
"Thank you, Wes," Jean Luc begins warmly, "it means a lot that you're so supportive." Wesley just can't wipe that satisfied grin off of his face!
"So, what's this about you two no longer being in Starfleet? I bet that didn't make any of the Admiral break into song and dance…"
"It didn't actually. Nechayev looked like her head was about to spin on its axis and the colour of Hayes face matched his collar," I reply.
Wesley's laughing, "I can believe it."
"No, the truth is that we want to start a family." I state plainly.
"That's great! Remember, Mom, how I was always hounding you for a brother or a sister?"
"I remember – almost every day when you were little." It was almost as bad as the puppy phase.
"So, what's on the docket for you two?"
"Well…" I begin.
"We need to find a house," Jean Luc begins.
"And new jobs," I continue.
"And obviously get married." Wesley finished. "So, when are you getting married?"
Before looking at Jean Luc, "as soon as possible."
"What's going to happen to the Enterprise?"
"I've recommended that it be given to Will." Jean Luc begins, "but we'll see what happens."
"I hope he gets it. He'll make a good captain."
"Have you two decided what you're going to do for work?"
"Well it depends on where we're going to live, at this point." I answer.
Wes looks at the clock on the wall behind him, "Mom, Captain, I have to go to class. But, I'll see you later. Congratulations, really. I'm very happy."
He leaves and we're alone again. I turn to Jean Luc with a devious plan. "You know," I lean in and lower my voice, "I have an apartment not far from here…"
"Beverly," his voice catches, "I think these young cadets' hormones are rubbing off on you..." He's trying to be mock serious, but he's all play.
I nod my head and chuckle, "oh no – that's the Howard hormones."
And in a second we're out of our seats and all but running to the apartment.