hi guys! In London now. Off to see the British Museum tomorrow and Notting Hill! I uploaded this before I left onto another site. Hope you enjoy. Another chapter on the 18th!
Chapter Text"Just one?" I look over at the woman to my right.
I see her look down into her tea, her smile metamorphosing into a frown, "Robert said he only wanted one. What could I say to that?"
I put my hand on hers, "But?"
The men have retired to the porch while we stayed in, admiring Saoirse playing on the carpet with her kitten and Mr. Mosby.
She looks away from the self-amused toddler and lets out a wistful sigh, "I always wanted a little girl. You know," she looks at me, "I always thought that if Renee had been a girl, she'd look just like Saoirse." She draws an outline of her, "red hair, bright turquoise eyes, a smile that never disappears..."
"It's not too late for you, Marie!"
"Beverly," she angles her body and her hand unconsciously moves to her stomach, "ouis, it is too late. Robert and I are getting older. I don't think it's prudent to have another child. Also, I don't think Robert would hear of it!"
"Have you spoken with him about it?"
She shakes her head, "Non, but I know what his response will be."
I move closer to her on the sofa and touch her hand, "Marie, you're happiness and what you want is important as well."
She looks up and smiles, "It's not that I'm not happy, Beverly."
I put my hands up, "That's not what I meant, Marie."
She smiles, patting my knee, "I know. I know. But who's to say that I have any right to ask for more than what I have. I have a good son. He's wonderful, in fact."
"He is," I confirm truthfully. "But-"
"Non. I will be happy to enjoy these two little ones. Beverly, you must promise not to stay away so long next time."
I hang my head, "We're sorry, Marie. I suppose we've been a little preoccupied."
She laughs, "Don't be silly, Beverly, I'm not chastising you! You've just had two babies and you've been dealing with this situation with Starfleet." She's quiet for a moment, "I'm very sorry about that. It's not fair how they've treated Wesley. He's such a wonderful boy."
I look out the window at the four men enjoying their last hours together before we leave back to Yakima. "Yes. He's wonderful. But," I turn back to Marie, "I can't believe that I'm saying this. But, I'm happy about what happened with Starfleet..."
"Oh?" She crosses her legs, changing her posture to a questioning one.
I let out a sigh and continue, "Yes. I'm happy that he's home with us. I – uh- I don't think he was too happy in Starfleet. He made Jack's and Jean Luc's dream his own, but he wasn't happy."
"And is he now?" Saoirse drags Mr. Mosby behind her as she stands and motions for Marie to pick her up. I hear the strain in her breath as she reaches over, pulling up the growing toddler and positioning the giggling form on her lap.
Unconsciously, I again look back outside, seeing Wesley position Aaron in Renee's tentative arms. I smile, lost in my own moment, looking at Wes interacting with his family. His family. Our family. He's so natural here; with these people is where he belongs. "Beverly?" I hear Marie's soft voice.
I bring myself back to her, "Yes," I whisper. A cool breeze ambles through the open windows, bringing with it the scent of the lilac bushes that decorate the sides of the large house. "Yes. He's very happy."
She laughs, "I can see that. I could see that when I first saw all of you. You and Jean Luc, you're both lighter people now. Your happiness shines from you; such a difference from a few years ago! I must sound like a broken record by now, but, eh, I still can't get over his change. And what is more, I can't believe that Jean Luc and Robert haven't had a fight this trip! I've never seen them get along so well. It's like they are two completely different people."
I nod my head, remembering the last time that we were here. Oh it was horrible! Marie and I cowered in the kitchen one night as the two of them had at it in the living room. Oh, I couldn't wait to get back to the Enterprise! "I know! Remember how awful that night was, Marie?"
She shudders and histrionically motions to the heavens, "Thank you, God!" she cries, "that we didn't have round two of that argument!"
We share a laugh; if only to indicate how happy we are that this trip has not suffered the same fate. I see Marie's gaze again shift to Saoirse. "Marie," I coax gently, "talk to Robert. You never know – he might want the same thing."
Her gaze matches my own, "I will, Beverly."
/
"Look at the three of them," I whisper automatically to my husband. "They're exhausted."
I smile serenly looking on at the three sleeping kids perched on the seat opposite us. I feel him coax my head onto his shoulder as he lets out a yawn.
Was that my communication device?
I reach on queue for the quietly beeping entity in my pocket.
"What is it?" He posits in response to my movement.
"I've got a message."
"From?" He looks on over my shoulder.
"Nana." I state automatically as I scan the small device.
Tears start to flood my eyes. "She says that I should come immediately. That she doesn't have much time, and that there's something that she needs to give me."
Regret and remorse come flying at me out the stratosphere. I remind myself of the laxity that I've evinced in my relationship with her. I have a good excuse, I repeat like a mantra; Nana lives on another planet and I have a new family. Still, though, I feel guilty. And now, she's dying and there are still so many things that I have to tell her. There's still so much that she still has to teach me.
A warm, comforting hand nestles itself on my back, "I'm sorry, Beverly. We'll leave as soon as we get back. Does Wes need to come with us?"
I look across the shuttle to the sleeping bundles propped on the opposite chair. "No," I shake my head. "I'll ask Wes if he can stay with the kids." I turn to him, "But I'll need you to come."
A hand comes up and the back of his left hand gently wipes away the tears on my cheek, "that," he smiles warmly, "is a foregone conclusion."