| Released May 20th 2008 Back to Basics by Missbevcrusher |
| Chapter 18
The morning sun shined through the curtains, a soft breeze gently swaying the light fabric. �What about here?� Jean-Luc Picard�s deep voice asked. �Nope, sorry.� Beverly giggled, as she lay sideways in Jean-Luc�s arms. He kissed her close to the nape of her neck. �Here?� �Uh-uh.� She shook her head and laughed. �Okay, what about� here?� This time, as he trailed his mouth down her spine to her upper back, Beverly went into a fit of giggles. �Okay, okay. You can stop. That does tickle.� Satisfied he�d finally found a weak spot, he laughed and brought his face up next to hers. �I knew it. There�s no such thing as being tickle-proof.� �Really� Then where exactly is your weak spot?� �You don�t really expect me to reveal that, do you?� �A girl has to try, Jean-Luc.� Stroking her shoulder, Picard asked, �Are you on duty today?� �Luckily, no. It�s my day off.� �Hmm�� Turning her over on her back, he looked down at her. �So does that mean I�m going to have you all to myself?� Beverly raised a seductive eyebrow. �That�s exactly what it means.� With a smile, he winked. �Good.� With that, he kissed her teasingly, and then got up. Pouting in slight exaggeration, Beverly propped herself up on her elbows. �What� no encore this morning?� The captain smiled mischievously as he put pants on. �Later.� �Why later?� �Because right now, it�s time for breakfast. You�re eating for two, remember?� Rolling her eyes, she smiled and shook her head. �I thought I was the physician.� He nodded. �You are, but I�m a father-to-be for the first time. And so until I get used to the idea, I think I�m entitled to act a little overbearing.� Of course, he was teasing, but Beverly suspected there might be a bit of truth to that statement. �Aye, aye, sir,� she answered with humor, her hand gesturing a military salute. When she lost sight of him, the doctor smiled, rolled her eyes, and shook her head once more. Looking down at her abdomen, she said, �You hear that, baby? Your dad�s gonna be a pain in the ass for the next several months.� * * * * Sitting at the table in her bathrobe, Beverly took a bite of strawberry and looked over at Jean-Luc, who was bringing their breakfast over. Swallowing, she grabbed a napkin and patted the side of her mouth. �So how long will you be on leave?� �Two weeks. The ship is on a fairly routine assignment right now. It seems the timing couldn�t have been better.� He set down the plates and took his place opposite hers. �While we�re on the subject, there is something I wanted to discuss with you� Now, although I was joking around with all that overbearing stuff earlier, if you feel as though things are moving along to quickly and you need time to adjust, I�ll understand. I don�t want to get in your hair.� �Just my pants,� Beverly said, a smirk appearing on her face. He ignored her teasing and buttered his toast. �No, I mean it. After all, you�ve been on your own for a while now and even though this relationship is serious due to the baby, it�s still fairly new. I just don�t want you to feel like you don�t have any room to breathe.� Beverly put her hand atop his and softened her tone, �Having you here right now means the world to me. As you said, this relationship is serious and if we�re to build a life together, we�re going to have to learn to share space.� On a lighter note, she added, �Anyway, if one of us should be worried, I�d say it�s you. Have you ever dealt with an over-emotional pregnant woman before?� The captain suddenly looked somber. �I never thought about that before.� �Well, it�s just a warning. You should be fine, but you know� it�s something you should be aware of.� After a slight pause, the two burst out laughing. This was going to be some carnival ride. * * * * Walking hand in hand in the afternoon sun, the two made their way toward the park Beverly loved so. Dressed casually in a white shirt with slightly rolled up sleeves as well as a pair of simple grey trousers, the captain relished the feel of fresh air and sunshine. Looking over at Beverly, he felt as though he was the luckiest man in the universe. Wearing a crisp white sundress, the doctor looked amazing. It had short cap sleeves and the neckline, as well as the back, dropped down in a slight V that didn�t reveal too much. The dress very prettily narrowed at the waist, and then flared out again to just below the knee. The cute little white flats with embroidered black accents she wore only served to complete her look. The red highlights in her hair seemed even more pronounced than he remembered for some reason. How he loved the way it flowed in the salty breeze. Parted slightly on one side, Beverly had loosely curled the bottom two-thirds of her red locks so that the strands fell away from her face. Stopping by a rail that overlooked the blue bay, the two looked out at a flock of sea birds frolicking in the water. Nearby, a woman stopped to adjust the awning of her stroller so that the sun�s rays wouldn�t shine directly on her infant. Not unnoticed to Picard, Beverly was looking at the mother and her baby with a dreamy expression on her face. Squeezing her hand affectionately, he waited until the woman with the stroller walked away and said, �Not too long from now, it�ll be our turn.� With a jittery smile, she exhaled. �I know. Kind of scary isn�t it?� �If our baby turns out to be as headstrong as you are, perhaps a bit of fear is a good thing.� Beverly chose to ignore the comment. �Let�s go. I want to show you the theater.� �Lead the way.� The two resumed their stroll. After a little while, Jean-Luc asked, �So have you told anyone about the baby yet?� Beverly shook her head. �No, I haven�t. I was thinking of waiting until I start to show before I tell my co-workers. As for Wesley, I was planning on telling him soon, but now that you�re here, perhaps we could tell him together.� �Does he know about us?� �He does and he asked me to tell you that he approves. He�s very happy for us.� �I�m glad to hear that.� * * * * After having shown him the old theater, Beverly made her way back to the house with Jean-Luc. Passing by a Chinese restaurant, Beverly could see people dining through the large windows. �That looks so good.� With a puzzled expression, Picard asked, �Since when do you eat Chinese food?� �Well, it�s true I don�t eat Asian cuisine often, but I never disliked it.� Biting her lower lip, she kept staring at the people inside. �I think I�m having my first pregnancy craving.� She turned back to him. �Do you mind if we order take out for dinner?� Jean-Luc chuckled. �No, not at all. Let�s go in.� As he opened the door for her, he only had one thought. A wise man once said, �Never argue with a craving pregnant woman.� * * * * �I wish we weren�t so busy at Medical. I would have taken some time off.� Nestled against the captain, Beverly looked at the fire that crackled in the fireplace. Jean-Luc kissed the top of her head. �This isn�t going to be my only visit, you know. For the first time in my life, I plan on coming back here any chance I have. I have a reason to, now.� �I know� you�re right. I just really enjoy getting to experience this new stage in our lives.� �We�ll have plenty of time to do that. I promise you.� �What do you say we at least make the most of this cozy little evening we�re sharing here?� Her voice was seductive, enticing. �I say it�s an excellent idea.� With a smile, Picard softly captured her mouth, and in doing so, completely lost himself in her once again. * * * * The following week flew by at an incredible pace. First, the two made the call they were somewhat nervous about making. It was as if a load had been taken off their shoulders when Wesley took the news quite well. He even joked around about having a little brother or sister that could be young enough to be his nephew or niece. Although Beverly had to work at Medical during the day, her quiet nights spent together with the captain served to further cement their commitment to one another. During the day, when she wasn�t there, Jean-Luc passed the time by working around the house. It had been many, many years since he�d actually gotten the chance to do yard work and he found that he rather enjoyed it. Then every night, whenever Beverly got home, he would draw her bath and then proceed to make, or rather, replicate dinner. Beverly made her way downstairs, her wet hair falling to one side. When she saw him getting dinner ready, she chuckled. �I never really thought of you as a domestic person before. It�s a bit strange, but at the same time it suits you.� Jean-Luc had just finished setting the table and was now pouring some tea. �I�m glad you approve.� She was about to reach the table when she suddenly bent forward and winced. Practically dropping the plates on the table, Picard hurried to her side. �Beverly? Are you alright?� At first, she waved him away. �I think I am�� She doubled over �� no wait� perhaps I�m not. Oh my god, the baby�� In all his life, Jean-Luc had never experienced fear quite like this before. He eased her down into a chair and ran to the other side of the room. �I�ll call a doctor.� �Contact Medical and ask for Dr. Mathison.� Beverly sat back, both hands on her abdomen, her eyes closed tightly. * * * * Jean-Luc stayed by Beverly�s side as she was rushed to treatment. Once they got to the examination area, Dr. Mathison asked the captain to wait outside. Sitting in a chair by the corner of the small waiting room, Picard leaned forward and put his head in his hands. He�d thought he�d been afraid before, but now he knew that not knowing was worse. God� Please be okay� Not too long ago, Beverly had been the one worrying about his welfare. The tables had turned now. Life couldn�t be so cruel, could it? It couldn�t just give him this once in a lifetime chance at having a family of his own so that it would be ripped away like this. At that moment, all he could think about was the dream he�d had just the other night as he lay in peaceful slumber beside the love of his life. � A large house stood in the middle of the most beautiful countryside he�d ever seen. He approached it slowly, with an odd feeling of familiarity. Was this his home? The front door opened, very slowly at first, and then just a little faster. The whole scene had a blurry slow-motion feel to it. Finally, he caught a glimpse of her. Her eyes blue shined warmly as she welcomed him home. Looking down beside her, she smiled and spoke. What was she saying? Who was she talking to? Glancing slightly downward, the only thing he could focus on was the little hand that grasped Beverly�s� Our child� � As he endured his agonizing wait, Picard hoped to god that this wouldn�t be his only memory of the baby he and Beverly had created together. �Captain Picard?� At the sound of Dr. Mathison�s voice, Jean-Luc stood up so quickly that it surprised even him. �How is she?� �She�s fine and so is the baby. But it was close. If you hadn�t brought her here when you did, she�d likely have lost the pregnancy.� The relief he felt was nothing short of immense, but at the same time, the realization of what had almost happened washed over him like an ocean wave during heavy seas. �We�re going to keep her under observation for tonight, just to be on the safe side.� �Thank you so much, Doctor.� �You can go in if you want. She was asking for you.� For the first time since they�d started seeing each other, Picard didn�t give a damn about outward appearances. He sought her out and crossed the room as fast as his feet would carry him. �Beverly�� He bent down and kissed her forehead. �I was so worried.� He took her hand in his and sat in the seat next to her. �Dr. Mathison told me the baby was all right.� With a tired look on her face, Beverly smiled. �Yes, the baby�s fine. There were just a few complications caused by my genetic regeneration. With a lot of rest over the next few weeks, the pregnancy should develop normally.� With a slow exhale, he added, �I don�t know what I would have done if we�d lost the baby.� Beverly put a comforting hand on the side of his cheek. �Well, we didn�t. So try not to think about that.� �I can�t help it. I�m already so attached to that life growing inside of you�� �You�re going to make such a great father. Our baby�s very lucky.� With the hand that wasn�t holding Beverly�s, Jean-Luc pushed a stray strand of her still-damp hair out of her face. The next few minutes trickled by as each contemplated their close call. Finally, Dr. Mathison walked in carrying a padd. �I�m going to administer something to try to control those levels of neurotonin in your system. They�re much higher than at your last visit.� Beverly nodded. �Now you should probably get some rest.� Picard looked at the doctor and asked, �I�ll take it that�s my cue to leave?� Dr. Mathison smiled. �It is. But you can come back first thing tomorrow morning if you like.� �Okay.� He turned to Beverly. �I�ll see you tomorrow, then.� �Alright.� She met his stare with a look that was just as meaningful as the one he was casting her. He got up. �Get some rest.� When he passed by Beverly�s physician, he added, �Keep a good eye on her.� �I will.� Dr. Mathison smiled and waited for the captain to leave. She then approached the bio-monitor next to her patient and looked at the readings. �Just so you know, uh�� Beverly seemed to be slightly uncomfortable. �I don�t usually get involved with my patients.� �I�m not a judgmental type of person, Dr. Crusher.� �I know you aren�t. But since you know I got pregnant on Bak�u and that it�s now obvious who the father is�� When she saw how truly bothered Beverly appeared to be by all of this, Dr. Mathison sat on the chair beside the biobed. �It�s common knowledge that you and Captain Picard go way back. I don�t think anyone would frown on the fact that you two are seeing each other. Besides, he really loves you. That was more than obvious just now, and to be honest� I�m kind of envious.� * * * * Picard peered through the doorway and smiled when he saw her. �Good morning.� Beverly was already sitting comfortably on the biobed, fully dressed. �I was wondering when you�d show up.� �I gather you�re still being discharged this morning?� �I�m just waiting for Dr. Mathison to give the final okay.� She rolled her eyes. �I just can�t wait to get out of here. I don�t make a very good patient, especially when the people treating me are also working under me, so to speak.� �Did the doctor put you on mandatory sick leave?� �Two weeks, just to be on the safe side.� �Well, that�s good.� Jean-Luc was going to see to it that she�d in fact rest during that time. continue to chapter 19 Library |