"Mom, do you need anything? Are you staying overnight?"

I haven't seen Wes in a good three months. He came to see us a month after we got married, when I first learned that I was pregnant. But, his schedule at the Academy is demanding now that he's in his final year and getting ready to graduate.

"No," I walk over to him, kiss his cheek and muss his hair, "it's an outpatient procedure. I know that I've already said it, but thank you for coming, Wes. It means a lot to us both that you're here."

I love my son's smile. When he smiles, his face illuminates and he looks younger and unburdened, "no problem mom. I want to be here for you and the Captain."

Out of the corner of my eye I see Jean Luc smile and I hear a small laugh. I don't need to ask him why he's laughing; he still finds it funny that Wes won't call him by his first name.

Inherently Wes realizes his gaffe, "I meant Jean Luc. Sorry Cap-" he smiles and hangs his head in defeat, "I just can't get used to not calling you Captain!"

Jean Luc chortles and shakes his head in amusement. "Would professor be better?"

"No," he laughs, "I'll get used to it. But to tell you the truth, you used to scare me on the Enterprise! You're the Great Captain Picard – you're a legend at the academy! It's still surreal that you're not that same man anymore… I mean…"

I wrap my arms around Wes in an effort to calm him, "well, he's still great." I whisper as I lean into him.

"Oh goodness!" Wes' head falls into his hands, "I'm digging myself into such a hole. You know what I meant, Cap-Jean Luc."

I love the sound of Jean Luc's laughter. It's been too long since I've heard it with all the hullaballoo surrounding the baby. I'm glad to hear it again. His laughter brings warmth to me and our home.

For so long, I never thought I'd hear it. He stopped laughing so much when I got engaged to Jack. When we'd see one another when Jack wasn't around, he was guarded. And then when Jack died, his guilt buried him so deep that getting him to smile at all was a herculean feat. On the Enterprise, he was serious. Even when we spent time alone together, he still wouldn't really smile. But now, Jean Luc laughs and he beams at me. He's vocal and expressive in our loving. He lets me know, without hesitation, that he loves me and he cherishes me.

"It's alright, Wes. At ease!" He musters his best command voice. I can just hear that voice now – scolding this little one when he's been naughty. And what a voice it is! It's imposing and compelling. When he goes all out, it can be quite terrifying.

"What time do you have to be there again?"

I look at the chronometer, "Annie said to be there at 1400 hours."

"Mom, are they going to sedate you?"

"When I spoke with Dr. Portland, he said only a light anesthesia." In fact, I usually don't sedate patients for this small of a procedure. A light numbing around the area is really all that's necessary since there's nothing really to see. But, I understand where Jim Portland is coming from on this so I didn't say anything. I think part of the reason he wants me sedated is that he's a little intimidated. He knows that if I'm awake I'll be silently scrutinizing every move he makes and that might make him nervous.

"How long will the procedure take?"

"It's quick; only 45 minutes."

"Will you stay tonight, Wes?" I love it when Wes stays with me. It's comforting to be able to keep an eye one him and be visually assured of his safety and wellbeing.

"Do you want me to, Mom?"

Jean Luc glanced at me and answered before I could, "we always want you to stay, Wesley. We love you and we cherish when we can spend time with you. We understand, though, if you have to get back."

Wesley knows that Jean Luc is different now. He knows that he no longer has to be cautious with his emotions. But I think he was unprepared to hear Jean Luc say that he loved him. As if to assure him, "I do love you, Wes and I'm sorry I don't say it enough."

I've never seen Wesley cry, but I can tell that he's close. So, he just shakes his head and smiles. "I'll stay," he says.