AN: Here we are, the final little chapter of this family fic.
I hope that you enjoy! If you do, please do let me know!
111
Jean-Luc had understood that, though he'd been asked to leave the room mostly to give his wives just a touch of privacy to deal with things, he'd also truly needed to replicate the bassinets for the babies. He'd brought both in and, with little more than an expression, asked Beverly for an explanation when he'd found her instructing Laris on how to help the little ones make sure to get the best possible latch and to be sure that Emilie got as much as she would take, since she was the smallest of the two, by far.
He'd accepted, without much question, Beverly's explanation that they'd had a visit from Q, who had understood that Beverly would appreciate the help with the babies.
Without argument, he'd settled into the bed with Beverly, and he'd held her close to him while both of them watched Laris settle William into the bassinet near her and coax Emilie to nurse.
"You're sure that you're…" Jean-Luc had started.
Beverly had quickly and quietly shushed him before stealing the rest of his words with a kiss and snuggling in against him.
"Do you feel that, Jean-Luc?" Beverly asked.
He'd smiled at her. He'd smiled at her with the kind of smile that instantly made her throat and heart ache with the overwhelming amount of love that she felt for him.
"I feel a great many things, at this moment, Beverly," he said softly. "I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more specific."
Beverly drew in a breath and let it out, enjoying the absolute happiness that seemed to wrap around her like a blanket.
"The peace," Beverly said. "Like everything is simply right with the world."
Jean-Luc smiled again and nuzzled his face against her.
"I do feel that," he said. "Because it is."
From her seat in the chair, Beverly caught Laris's eye as the woman looked at her and smiled. She winked. They may believe, of course, that they were sometimes being quiet enough that Laris couldn't hear them, but her hearing was much better than they often remembered or gave her credit for—at least when she wanted it to be so.
Beverly smiled back at her wife, and she closed her eyes, secure in the fact that her family was safe, and comfortable, and at peace.
When Beverly woke, she was unsure if she'd slept for a few hours or a few days. The sleep had been deep and needed. When she woke, she found that Laris and Jean-Luc hadn't left her or, if they had, they'd returned without her ever noting their absence.
"Well—now—look who's come back to the land of the living?" Laris teased softly. Beverly smiled. She loved to hear Laris's voice, especially when it was light and full of love as it was now, and she especially loved the smile that accompanied the woman's words.
Laris sat down on the side of the bed next to Beverly. Jean-Luc was in the chair that Laris had earlier occupied, and he was busy with a baby in each arm—a position that Laris had probably helped him into. Laris brushed Beverly's hair back and brushed her hand over Beverly's forehead. Beverly closed her eyes. Laris was as much a caretaker as she was, though their methods often differed.
"You look much better than you did when you fell asleep," Laris said. "Much less stressed."
Beverly opened her eyes and purposefully narrowed them at Laris, not trying to hide her smile. Laris didn't try to swallow hers back either.
"Before I went to sleep," Beverly said, "I had to worry that my wife was going to leave me hours after I gave birth to our twins."
"Well—that would be quite unkind of her, wouldn't it?" Laris asked.
"Cruel," Beverly said. "I'd be heartbroken. And so would our husband, and our children. Even the dog would be inconsolable."
Laris laughed and looked away from Beverly for a moment, shaking her head. Then, she looked back at Beverly.
"I don't think she's going anywhere," Laris said.
"I'm counting on it," Beverly said.
"The babies needed a bath," Laris said. "I could tell they'd been wiped down, but…I washed them. I hope you don't mind. I minded their little cords."
Beverly smiled at her.
"Their mama knew just what they needed," she said reassuringly. "And I will never…ever…mind you caring for your children. They should have been bathed earlier but my energy was limited, and Jean-Luc was…"
"Preoccupied with taking care of all of you, as he should have been," Laris said. "You need a bath, too, love. So—what I'm proposing is that you let Jean-Luc help you. I'll make sure the bed is fresh, for your return, arrange some clothes for you, settle the babies for a bit of a nap, and…"
Beverly caught Laris's arm. Squeezing it, she caught her eyes. She nodded at Laris, making it somewhat clear the answer she expected for what she was going to say.
"And then you will join us," Beverly said.
Laris held her eyes a moment, and then she smiled and nodded.
"And then, I'll join you," she said.
111
Jean-Luc carefully washed Beverly. She was, of course, entirely capable of cleaning herself—which she reminded him as he helped her into the large shower in the captain's quarters, which had always been one of the perks of the position. It wasn't quite as large as their master bathroom's shower at the Château, but it would suffice.
He marveled at her body as he cleaned her. Q had done what he'd at least hinted that he would. Beverly's body was mostly healed from the birth. He'd restored it to what it had been before the impromptu and rapid pregnancy and birth. Still, he'd let Beverly keep some lingering effects of the situation, as per her request.
Jean-Luc took in each of the minor changes as he washed her lovingly. And then, sure that both of them were clean, he took her in his arms and held her close to him, simply enjoying the feeling of her slippery body against his as she sank into him and let him support a good bit of her weight.
"I love you," Jean-Luc whispered.
"I know," Beverly said, laughing quietly. Jean-Luc couldn't help but laugh in return. She squeezed him and hummed against his skin. "I love you, too."
"I know," he offered, equally as playfully.
They held each other in silence for a moment more, beneath the shower of warm water. There was a light knock at the shower door.
"If I'm interrupting," Laris said peeking in as she opened the shower door.
Beverly pulled loose from Jean-Luc just enough to offer an arm out in Laris's direction, making it clear that she wanted and expected her to come into the shower.
"It's a bit crowded, maybe…" Laris started.
"Get your ass in here," Beverly said, putting enough authority behind the words to make it clear that she wasn't teasing—and putting enough of a smile on her lips to make it clear that she wasn't actually angry. She simply meant what she said, and Laris accepted that. Jean-Luc offered an arm out, making a pocket of space for Laris to be wrapped into a hold with the both of them. Behind her back, Jean-Luc found Beverly's arm and patted it. Beverly smiled at him before closing her eyes and kissing the side of Laris's face, letting her own face linger there for a long moment.
"The babies are sleeping," Laris said. "For a little while."
"Long enough," Beverly said, "for us to have this moment."
Jean-Luc smiled to himself and closed his own eyes, savoring the feeling of being absolutely wrapped in love and hope for their future.
111
Laris made sure that both of the seats were secure, shaking them far more than anything would, unless their shuttle were to come under enemy fire or get trapped in some sort of meteor event—both of which, really, were unlikely. When she was satisfied that the seats would be secure through even something as violent as that, she checked the surrounding area to make sure that everything was secured and nothing could possibly fall and hurt the babies that way.
When there was nothing more to check, she accepted that the shuttle was secure and ready for their precious cargo.
As she emerged from the shuttle, she was met by Jean-Luc. He was carrying their things—or at least the last of them. She'd brought everything else when she'd come to look at the shuttle.
"Am I allowed aboard?" He asked. She smiled at him and accepted the kiss that he offered her. She followed him inside and opened the cargo hold for him to place their things so that they could be secured, along with everything else. He watched her as she closed the cargo hold and tested the latch, just to be sure. "Has everything been thoroughly put through a Romulan security check?" He asked.
She made a face at him, and he smiled. He laughed, quietly, and he patted her shoulder before leaning and kissing her cheek.
"I am only teasing," he said. "It's very important to be sure that William and Emilie will be safe and comfortable on their first trip to their home."
"Everything's safe," Laris said. "Of course, I'll expect you to drive carefully. Unless, you want me to drive."
He winked at her.
"I'll remember how precious my cargo is," he assured her. "All of it."
"Is Beverly nearly ready?" Laris asked. She was already exiting the shuttle with Jean-Luc just behind her. Her question was answered when she saw Beverly and Deanna walking toward the shuttle. Each of them held one of the newborns. Laris could tell, with ease, that Beverly carried Emilie while Deanna carried William.
Beverly looked radiant. She was always beautiful, but motherhood brought out a glow in her that, although perhaps cliché, was breathtaking.
Laris walked toward them, and they both stopped and waited for her to close the little distance.
"Are we ready?" Laris asked.
Beverly smiled at her and then at Deanna.
"You'll come to the Château soon?" Beverly asked.
"Next week," Deanna said. "We'll make dinner together." She looked at the baby in her arms and nuzzled him. "Oh—I don't want to give this one back."
"You'll see him next week," Laris offered. "Sooner, if you want to stop in and visit for a while."
"They grow so quickly," Deanna said. "It's all so fleeting."
"Come as soon as you get back to Nepenthe," Laris said. "I'm sure we'll need a babysitter."
"With two mothers, you'll be more than set—never mind Jean-Luc," Deanna teased. She passed the baby over to Laris, but let her hands linger a moment more. Laris didn't move away at all, not wanting her to feel rushed. She could sense that Deanna needed to dote on the babies—perhaps for numerous reasons. Deanna turned to Beverly, and she touched her cheek affectionately. "I know you're in the best hands, but if you need me…"
"I won't hesitate to call," Beverly assured her. She leaned and kissed Deanna's cheek, and Deanna caught her face to return the gesture.
Then, Deanna turned to face Laris. Laris was unaccustomed to the way that Deanna looked at her, and she looked away instinctively. Betazoids—even half-Betazoids—had a way of looking into your soul. Deanna gently caught Laris's face with her fingertips and turned it back so that Laris looked at her again. She smiled at her.
"I'll take care of her," Laris offered.
Deanna laughed.
"I know you will," she said. "You'll take care of all of them." She looked at Beverly and raised her eyebrows. "And you'll look out for her."
"Of course," Beverly said.
"And our little secret," Deanna said.
Laris looked at Beverly. Deanna scoffed.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous," she said. "She didn't say anything. You're absolutely radiating it. I'm surprised even Will didn't sense it. What I don't understand is—why didn't you tell us so we could at least say congratulations at the little shower last night?"
Laris looked at Beverly again. It was clear that Beverly was going to let her handle this, though she did at least put the arm around her that wasn't supporting Emilie. Laris also felt Jean-Luc's hand as he placed it on her shoulder and squeezed.
"Laris wanted us to celebrate the twins without dampening their proverbial moment," Jean-Luc offered, stepping in to keep Laris from having to respond.
Deanna's expression softened, and the slight look of mischievous teasing left her features.
"Fine," she said. "But—next week? When we have dinner, you'll make the announcement. And we'll celebrate. We'll call everyone, if we have to."
Deanna pulled Laris into a hug before finishing her goodbyes. Then, she left them—the last to see them off.
The three of them, then, walked to the shuttle and climbed aboard. Inside, Beverly situated the babies and allowed Laris to reassure herself that they were secure—not an act of doubt toward Beverly's abilities at all, but more a simple need to check things, which Beverly respected—and they all got situated.
Jean-Luc went through the motions of preparing the shuttle, waited for the doors to open, and was given clearance to leave by Will. He expertly maneuvered the shuttle out of the shuttle bay and they saw the doors close.
"We'll be back," Beverly offered, reaching over and squeezing Jean-Luc's arm, just in case it was difficult for him to leave one of his greatest loves behind, no matter how many he might be taking home with him. He smiled at her and nodded.
"All of us," he said. "Whether for work or leisure, the Enterprise will always see her share of Picards." He laughed quietly. "Now—are we all ready to go home?"
"Every last one of us," Beverly teased.