Part 8

"What can I do for you, Captain?" Beverly rises out of the chair behind her desk in her office in Sickbay, smiling as Picard enters the office.

Lips turning upward in a faint smile, Picard waves her off. "Actually, I just wanted to speak with you in private."

Raising a brow, Beverly perches on the corner of her desk as Picard comes to pause in front of it. "It couldn't wait until tonight when we're home?"

Half-smiling, Jean-Luc shakes his head. He knows the moment they return to their cabin, they'll both be preoccupied with the children, getting dinner on the table, helping Wes with a homework assignment, giving Adele a bath, putting Adele to bed. Whatever their night looks like, Picard knows he'll hardly have a moment alone with Beverly until late in the evening. "ActuaIly, it's a little time sensitive. It's rather sensitive, period."

"What's wrong?" Narrowing her eyes in concern, Beverly crosses her arms over her chest.

Frowning, Picard rests his hands on his hips. "Zara asked to transfer to the Enterprise."

Jaw dropping, Beverly is astonished. "What?"

Exhaling audibly, Jean-Luc takes a step closer to the desk, closing the gap between them. "She wants to transfer here. She said she wants to see Adele, wants to have a relationship with her. She thinks she's made a mistake and wants to fix it."

Shocked and angry, Beverly's jaw tightens and she grips her arms over her chest. "Nonsense! After nine months? She thinks she can just change her mind?"

Tossing Beverly a knowing smile, Jean-Luc raises a brow. "She's done a lot of soul searching in nine months. It's her prerogative to change her mind."

"About her daughter?" asks Beverly incredulously. "That's ridiculous! She gave Adele up! She didn't want her. She can't just decide now that she wants to be a mother."

Inhaling sharply, Jean-Luc reaches for Beverly's hand. "Beverly, I know it's difficult for you to empathize with Zara's situation. But, she's very young. She feels like she made a mistake. She's twenty-four years-old. You were awfully young when you became a mother. How would you feel if you'd have given up Wesley?"

Reddening, Beverly glowers at Picard accusingly. "I would never have given up my child! I love Wesley!"

Grasping her arms, Jean-Luc sighs, pulling Beverly off of the desk and into his arms. "I know, Beverly. And, maybe Zara loves Adele, too."

Tears stinging the backs of her eyes, Beverly doesn't even want to look at Jean-Luc as envelops her in a hug. "That's not true. If she'd loved her, if she'd wanted to be a mother, she'd never have abandoned her."

Rubbing her back, Jean-Luc frowns. "I feel like we owe her a chance to see Adele."

Tears trickling down her cheeks, Beverly bites her lip. "I thought I was Adele's mom."

Swiping at her tear tracks with his thumb, Jean-Luc caresses her cheek. "You are, my love."

Sniffling, Beverly averts her eyes.

"Beverly, I came to you for your input, because we're partners, because I do consider you Adele's mother." Jean-Luc rests his forehead against hers and drops a tiny kiss to her lips. "If you don't think I should invite Zara here to see Adele, then I won't. I value your judgement more than anything. I just want what's best for…our daughter."

Bracing a hand on Jean-Luc's chest, Beverly briefly closes her eyes, taking in a shaky breath. "Okay. You should…invite Zara to visit the Enterprise. Visit with her, judge for yourself whether you think she's seriously ready for a relationship with Adele."

Nodding, Jean-Luc takes her hand, squeezing it gently. "Agreed, but only if you'll assist me."

Smiling warily, Beverly nods. "Of course. Anything for my baby girl. And you."

"Thank you, Beverly. I love you." Jean-Luc kisses her tenderly.

Sighing, Beverly rests her forehead against his, wondering how she'll deal with this. The last thing she wants is Adele's biological mother in the picture. She and Jean-Luc are going to be married in a month, and so far blending in their two families has been a wonderful process for the four of them. Beverly and Wesley had just moved in with Jean-Luc and Adele, and Wesley has really grown to appreciate having Picard around as a father figure. Beverly can't imagine this brazen young woman coming in and upsetting their family.