Part 6
"I'll be gone probably a week," Picard advises, standing by Beverly's main cabin door. "By the time I reach Starbase, the services are Tuesday and Wednesday, and then I take the shuttle back to rendezvous with the Enterprise…"
"That's fine,Jean-Luc," says Beverly assuringly, bouncing rhythmically on her toes as she rocks Adele in her arms.
"I just…I can't miss it, Beverly. I served with the man for five years," says Jean-Luc remorsefully.
"It's okay, Jean-Luc. Go. Adele will be fine," Beverly assures him, rocking the whimpering baby in her arms.
"Thank you," sighs Jean-Luc, slipping the diaper bag off of his shoulder and setting it on the floor by the door. "I can't thank you enough. I'll check in often. Let yourself into my quarters and get whatever you need."
"I will," replies Beverly, suddenly hit with a wave of sadness, realizing that she won't see Jean-Luc for an entire week.
Jean-Luc steps forward and puts his hands on Beverly's arms, drawing her in. "I'll miss you."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Beverly struggles to smile. "I'll miss you, too."
Jean-Luc brings a hand to her cheek and leans in to capture her lips in a long, slow kiss.
Hot tears gathering in her eyes, Beverly lays her forehead against his. "Have a good trip. Be safe."
Stroking her cheek, Jean-Luc leaves a lingering kiss on her lips. "I will. Bye, my dear."
Beverly sniffles, composing herself as Jean-Luc bends to drop a kiss to Adele's head.
As he backs to the door, Beverly cuddles Adele close, watching Jean-Luc wave farewell.
As the door closes behind Jean-Luc, Beverly can hear footfalls, and turns to the kitchen to discover Wesley standing by the kitchen table. Eyes widening, Beverly nearly jumps.
"Mom?" Wesley raises a brow, a bewildered look on his face.
Swallowing hard, Beverly pads over to the kitchen. "Uh…we….we have a guest for about a week."
Glancing down at Adele, Wes' lips purse. "You and….Captain Picard?"
Exhaling deeply, Beverly nods. "Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?" demands Wes, agitated. "I mean, I was wondering why you were always with him, always looking after the baby. But…but why didn't you tell me?"
"I was going to!" Beverly cries, reaching for Wesley.
Rolling his eyes, Wesley folds his arms over his chest. "You could have just told me. I'm not a kid."
Frowning, Beverly nods. "I know, sweetie."
Letting out a long breath, Wesley relaxes. "So, this is….serious?"
Cradling Adele to her chest, Beverly beams. "Yes. We want to make this work. I know…I know this may be difficult for you. That's okay. We want you to be comfortable with this. We're always here to talk, to address your concerns."
Staring at the baby in his mother's arms, Wesley frowns. "Well, you've already made up your mind, I guess. Looks like I'm getting a whole new family."
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"Honey?"
Wesley glances up from his PADD at the kitchen table and over to the sofa, where Beverly is changing Adele. "Yeah?"
"Can you please grab a clean sleeper for Adele? In her case beside the basinet in my room." Beverly secures a clean diaper on the baby girl, who will be three months-old next week.
Letting out a huff, Wes runs into Beverly's room to retrieve a clean onesie for Adele and brings it over to Beverly on the sofa.
"Thank you, sweetie," Beverly smiles, accepting the proffered item.
"Do you think she misses the captain?" Wesley wonders aloud, watching as his mother makes quick work of dressing the baby.
Looking up at her son, Beverly laughs lightly. "No, honey. She's too little to really know that he's gone. Besides, she's having too much fun with us, aren't you, sweetheart?" Giggling, Beverly scoops the baby into her arms.
Watching his mother, Wesley perches on the sofa next to her. "Mom, did you want more kids?"
Growing serious, Beverly turns to her son. "I remember when you were like six. You had a little friend who had just had a new baby sister. And you were so jealous that your friend got to be a big brother. You couldn't understand why you couldn't be a big brother, too. You begged me. You said, "Mommy, why can't you have a baby? Why can't I be a big brother, too?'. It broke my heart. It broke my heart to have to tell my six year-old that he was going to be my one and only child."
Face falling, Wesley is plagued with guilt. "Oh, Mom."
Smiling bitterly, Beverly reaches for his hand. "Ten years ago, I could never have imagined I'd have a chance to grow my family. I could never have imagined I'd…love again."
Swallowing hard, Wes is saddened and partly ashamed. He should never have given his mother a hard time about dating the captain, about spending so much time caring for the captain's baby. For nearly sixteen years, it had been all about Wesley. Now, now it's time for his mother to be happy. She's known enough grief, she's worked hard. She deserves to be happy, she deserves to be loved.
"So, I'm sorry sweetie," says Beverly, squeezing Wesley's hand. "I know it's not easy to see me with someone else, and I know you've been an only child for sixteen years, so you probably don't like having Adele around."
Shaking his head, Wesley meets her eyes. "No. It's okay, Mom. You should be happy. I want you and the captain to be happy."
Leaning in, Beverly kisses Wesley's forehead. "Thank you, honey. I know we all will be."
PAGE BREAK
Bone-tired, Picard drags himself through his quarters, only half-conscious. He had just docked the shuttle in the Enterprise at one hundred hours after flying for eleven hours. Now, as he stumbles to his room, he contemplates showering or just collapsing into bed.
"Welcome home, Captain."
Startled, Picard jumps to attention at the sight of Beverly, clad in a sheer satin nightgown, lying in the centre of his bed. Lips curling into a grin, Jean-Luc makes for the bed. "Beverly…"
Beaming, Beverly lies on her side, holding herself propped on one elbow. "Well, hello, stranger."
Sliding onto the bed, Jean-Luc reaches for her. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!"
Beverly melts into his kiss, grasping his neck as his arm encircles her waist.
Breaking off for air, Jean-Luc grins into her lips. "What are you doing here? Where are the children?"
Trailing her hand down his chest, Beverly peppers kisses along his jaw line. "I couldn't wait until the morning to see you. Adele is staying with Deanna, Wes is in my quarters."
Chuckling, Jean-Luc can hardly believe his good fortune. He and Beverly never get a moment alone without the children. "We're all alone?"
"I'm all yours. All night," breathes Beverly hotly against his ear.
Suddenly feeling his energy return, Jean-Luc grips her waist tight, capturing her lips in a passionate embrace. "Beverly, I love you."
Lifting her hand to his face, tears well in Beverly's eyes as she meets his gaze. "I love you."
Closing his eyes, Jean-Luc takes her hand and kisses her finger tips.
Letting a soft sigh escape her lips, Beverly brushes her finger over Jean-Luc's lips. He draws her index finger between his lips and sucks gently, eliciting another contented sigh from Beverly. Jean-Luc takes both of her hands and draws them above her head, placing open-mouthed, wet kisses along her neck and collarbones.
Stretching beneath him, Beverly smiles as his hand reach for the hem of her nightgown and slowly slip it up her torso and over her head.
Jean-Luc tosses her nightgown over the side of the bed, and instantly Beverly grasps for his tunic. On their knees, he kisses her as she divests him of his shirt. He slips his hands around her backside as she unzips his trousers.
"Mmm. Looks like you perked right up," Beverly rumbles against his ear, one hand sliding down his trousers, the other stroking his already hard erection.
Groaning, Jean-Luc grips her backside. "Oh, I'm certainly awake now."
"Excellent," purrs Beverly, discarding his trousers on the floor with a flick of her hand.
Thoroughly excited, Jean-Luc rips off his socks and briefs and grasps for Beverly again.
Grinning broadly, Beverly sinks into his arms. "Slow down, my love."
Jean-Luc maneuvers her gently onto her back, kissing her languidly. As his hand covers her breast, he rolls his thumb over her nipple.
Moaning quietly, Beverly encircles her arms around his back, drawing him closer.
Breaking off, Jean-Luc smirks. "Slower?"
Groaning, Beverly rakes her nail down his back. "No…."
Jean-Luc trails his hands down her sides as his lips wander down her neck. His tongue blazes a trail down her chest as his hands slip off of her panties. As he swirls his tongue over her taut nipple, Beverly caresses his head, mewling softly. "Jean-Luc…"
Slipping his fingers between her silk folds, Jean-Luc sucks her hard nub between his teeth. Throwing her head back, Beverly wraps her legs around his tightly, moaning continuously as he he brings her to the brink.
As Beverly regains her breath, Jean-Luc stretches up and captures her tongues dancing, he weaves a hand through her hair. She trails one hand over his back while the other slides between their bodies and wraps around his prominent erection. As she strokes him, he grunts, breaking off. "Beverly…"
Jean-Luc grasps her thigh and pulls it up to his hip. Looking into his intense hazel eyes, darkened in desire, Beverly positions him against her and holds him there while he enters her. Staring back into her clear blue eyes, he moves in and out of her, slowly moving further in with each stroke, picking up a smooth rhythm.
"Oh, yes." Wrapping both legs around him, Beverly grasps his buttocks with both hands, urging him on.
Groaning, Jean-Luc lightly nips her neck and kneads her breast. Arching her
back, Beverly cries out, raking her nails down his back. As her body begins to contract around him, Jean-Luc kisses her hard and increases his pace, unable to contain himself any longer. Grunting loudly against her neck, he continues to move in and out of her, calling her name as they ride out their release together.
As their hearts calm and they regain their breath, Jean-Luc lays half beside and half on top of Beverly on the bed. She untangles her legs from around him and caresses his back with both of her hands. Jean-Luc kisses her gently, cradling her face and running a hand through her tangled hair.
"I love you," Jean-Luc whispers against her lips, brushing her hair from her face.
Stroking his face, Beverly returns the kiss. "I love you, Jean-Luc."
"Thank you for the homecoming. This was fantastic," beams Jean-Luc, tracing his thumb over her lips.
Grinning, Beverly feathers a kiss to his nose. "Welcome home, my dear captain."
Letting out a long sigh, Jean-Luc drops his head to the pillow.
Smiling, Beverly leans in and kisses his crown, watching Jean-Luc's eyes fall shut in the dimly-lit room. "Are you hungry, dear?"
Caressing his cheek, Beverly smiles to herself, realizing that he had instantly fallen asleep. "Sweet dreams, Jean-Luc."
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Stirring to consciousness, Jean-Luc is surprised by the feel of a familiar pair of lips brushing lightly over his.
Kneeling on the bed, Beverly gently rubs Jean-Luc's chest, whispering against his lips. "Good morning."
Opening his eyes, Jean-Luc smiles, pleasantly surprised to see Beverly smiling back at him. "Oh, good morning."
Sitting on her knees next to him, Beverly lets her hand fall down his chest. "I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. I wanted you to sleep as long as possible. We've got just enough time for a quick breakfast before our shift."
Suddenly wakening rapidly, Jean-Luc rights himself. "Oh, Beverly. I'm so sorry." Frowning, he appraises Beverly in her standard uniform, hair groomed, all dressed and ready for the day. He had slept. He had slept when he should have been with her on the one night they had exclusively to themselves.
"Don't apologize," shrugs Beverly simply. "You were exhausted. You need your rest."
"I need to be with you," states Jean-Luc regretfully. "We finally get a chance to be together and I fell asleep."
Chuckling, Beverly grabs his hand. "Dear, it's fine. I promise we'll have plenty more nights to spend together."
Grimacing, Jean-Luc isn't as confident as Beverly. Between their work and the children, time alone together is a precious commodity.
"Come on." Beverly tugs his hand. "Why don't you go have a quick shower and get dressed? I'll get breakfast going."
Smiling, Jean-Luc bobs his head. "Very well. Thank you, Beverly."
Jean-Luc climbs off of the bed, watching Beverly slip off of the bed. "Maybe I'll be a couple minutes late for my shift and drop in at primary care and visit Adele."
"That's a great idea," agrees Beverly, watching as Jean-Luc disappears to the bathroom. She's incredibly glad to have him home after his absence.