| Released May 27th 2008 Back to Basics by Missbevcrusher |
| Chapter 19
The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Beverly�s bedroom. On her side, with a delicate quilt over her, the redhead lay asleep. From the doorway, Jean-Luc watched her. He felt so grateful. Is it really possible to love someone so much? He didn�t want to wake her, so carefully he made his way back downstairs. He looked out the large windows and thought about his impending departure. I can�t leave her right now� Jean-Luc crossed over to the monitor and entered a few commands. Several seconds later, commander Worf appeared on the screen. �Sir, I was not expecting to hear from you during your leave.� �Hello, Worf. How�s my ship holding up?� In is all-too-serious manner, the Klingon answered. �Just fine, sir.� �I�m sure she is.� Picard cleared his throat. �The reason I�m calling is that I�ll be extending my leave for an additional two weeks.� When he noticed the captain�s serious expression, Worf asked, �Is everything alright?� �Luckily, yes.� Picard hesitated. �Well� there�s no sense in keeping it from you now I guess. It�ll be common knowledge pretty soon anyway� You see, Beverly and I� we�d started a romantic relationship a little while back and well� she�s now pregnant.� The ever-impassive Klingon nodded, but as he realized the captain wasn�t quite finished, he remained silent. �And yesterday, something happened. She almost lost the baby.� �I�m sorry to hear that, sir.� �Yes, well, I don�t see how I can leave her just yet. She�s at home now, resting. I just want to stay around until she�s feeling better.� �That is understandable I would expect nothing less.� �Thank you, Worf.� * * * * A small tray of food in his hands, the captain climbed the stairs. When he reached the bedroom, he paused in the doorway. She was still asleep. Carefully, Jean-Luc set the tray down on the nightstand and started to leave. �I�m awake,� came Beverly�s groggy whisper. He turned and gazed down at her warmly. �Hey.� Beverly stretched. �Come here.� Picard settled beside her, his back resting on the many pillows stacked in front of the headboard. When she snuggled up against him, Crusher rested her head on his chest. With one hand gently stroking her hair, Jean-Luc exhaled slowly. �How are you feeling?� �I�m okay.� �I hope to God I never have to relive the kind of fear I felt last night.� Beverly closed her eyes and whispered. �You handled it well.� �Perhaps it looked like it from the outside, but inside I was falling apart.� �I love you.� �I love you, too. If anything should ever happen to you or this baby�� �Shhh.� She brought her finger up to his lips. �The baby and I will be just fine. Dr. Mathison is going to monitor me closely. If we can control my neurotonin levels, everything should go smoothly. I don�t want you to worry, alright?� �I�ll do my best not to, but I don�t think I�ll be entirely successful.� A few minutes of heavy silence fell between them. Finally, a small smile started showing on Beverly�s lips. �What are you hoping for, a boy or a girl?� �It doesn�t matter. I�m just hoping for a healthy baby. You?� �Same.� she paused. �Do you think it�s too early to start picking out names?� If it hadn�t been for this ordeal, he would have thought that perhaps it was a little early, but not anymore. He wasn�t going to take this pregnancy for granted. �No, I don�t.� �How would you feel about a French name?� He smiled. �I�m open to it, of course.� �What do you think about Olivier for a boy and Marie-Eve for a girl?� �I think either one of those names would be perfect.� �Olivier Picard� Marie-Eve Picard� I find they both have a nice ring to it.� �They do.� �Would you prefer knowing the sex of the baby beforehand or do you want to wait until the delivery?� �I don�t know. There�s just something about not knowing. I might be a little old fashioned in that regard, but it would be nice to find out at the delivery. Unless you want to know in advance, because I�d be fine with that too.� �I didn�t know for Wesley and I just thought that finding out at the birth brought this extreme sense of anticipation. I wouldn�t have cared either way what I�d have gotten, but when they said it was a boy� I just couldn�t believe I had a son. It was magical.� �Alright then, we�ll wait.� He kissed the top of her head. �I�m not leaving you like this by the way.� With puzzlement Beverly looked up at him. �I told Worf I was taking an additional two weeks of leave.� �You didn�t have to do that.� �I know, but I wanted to. I can�t imagine leaving you right now.� She smiled, tears filling her eyes. �Thank you.� The moment that followed was of pure tenderness as the two shared a loving kiss. * * * * Even though Beverly hadn�t been ordered to bed rest, her first few days back home were spent doing relatively nothing. Jean-Luc took care of pretty much everything and kept a close eye on her. Lounging on either ends of the couch, their feet toward one another, the two were reading. The warm afternoon breeze entered through the windows, bringing with it the sound of songbirds. After a little while of comfortable silence, Picard set his book down and took one of her feet in his hands and started to give her a massage. With one hand holding book and the other twirling a lock of hair, Beverly didn�t immediately look up from what she was reading. Instead, she pressed her lips tightly together to hold a laugh. �What?� �I just never knew you were so good at giving a foot massage.� She set her book down and looked at him. �Makes me wonder what else I don�t know about you.� �You have plenty of time to find that out, don�t you?� �True.� With the humor fading from his eyes, the captain regarded her for a moment. �Are you going to be alright when I leave?� �Of course I will.� She saw the concern in his eyes and frowned. �Okay, talk to me.� He shook his head. �It�s just that with everything that�s happened I just feel really guilty about leaving you behind.� �You don�t have to. I�ve done this all before and I managed just fine.� �I know I should give you more credit than that.� He exhaled. �I guess a part of me can�t help but wonder if going back to the Enterprise is the right thing to do at the moment.� �Stop right there. Now as much as I�d love to have you around, I know that it would be a mistake. Your time on Bak�u might have changed you, but your ship is still where you belong. And I can�t imagine it otherwise.� He looked down at his hands that still rubbed her foot. �Perhaps you�re right.� �Oh, I know I�m right. Everything will work out fine, just wait.� She leaned her head back on the sofa�s armrest and sighed. �That really does feel good, don�t stop.� �Yes, Ma�am.� He chuckled and contemplated her for a few seconds more. �What do you feel like eating for dinner?� He startled out of his reverie. �Oh, I�m up for anything.� �For some reason, I feel like having spaghetti tonight, with garlic bread and everything.� �Sounds like a plan.� Picard started to get up off the sofa. �No, it�s alright. I�m not bedridden, I can go.� He lifted his hands up in an �I won�t argue with you� gesture. Then as he watched her make her way toward the kitchen, the captain leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees, his hands fidgeting slightly. Oblivious to the captain�s demeanor, Beverly started to take out the dishes in order to set the table. �Will you marry me?� That statement caused her to drop the flatware on her kitchen floor. He had to be joking. She spun around and looked at him. He meant it. �You want to get married?� �That�s what the question implied, yes.� Beverly stood there. Seeing she wasn�t responding, Jean-Luc feared he�d made a mistake. Then she said, �Okay.� For some reason, her answer surprised him. He�d expected her to tell him he was crazy or at least tell him that it was too soon. But no, there she stood, with the widest grin on her face. He matched her expression and strode over to her. �You mean it? You really want to marry me?� �That�s what my answer implied, yes.� She snaked her arms around his shoulders and kissed him fully. Then she pulled back and asked, �When?� Incredulous, Picard laughed. �What?� �When do you want to get married?� He pondered the question with a puzzled expression. �Well. I didn�t have a specific date in mind. I thought we could come up with that in a little while from now.� �Why wait? It�s not as if we�re growing younger anymore.� Considering their time on Bak�u, the statement rang more true than anything. If they�d learned one thing in the last months, it was to never take life for granted. �If you want a big wedding, with all the guests, the cake and everything, then I�m afraid it�s going to take a little while to plan.� �But I don�t need all of that.� �I know, but I�d still like to give you a wedding that you can look back on and not regret a thing. You deserve nothing but the best.� �What if I told you we could have the best of both worlds.� He didn�t seem to follow. �We could get married on a beach somewhere, in the Caribbean perhaps.� �I don�t know why, but I never figured you�d be the type of person who�d like to get married on a resort.� �It�d be perfect. We could get a romantic ceremony minus all the planning and we�d get to honeymoon at the same time. It would be fun. Now what do you say?� �I say we wait until your doctor clears you and then� why not.� He gave a soft laugh. Beverly silenced him with a kiss. * * * * Jean-Luc pointed to the chairs in the waiting room. �You can go ahead. I�m going to wait here.� �Alright, it shouldn�t take long.� Beverly smiled at him and then went in for her follow-up with Dr. Mathison. As he sat waiting, Picard couldn�t help but think about the last few days spent with Beverly. Her two weeks leave was almost up. It was now Thursday afternoon and if she could get the all clear, they were going to fly down to the Dominican Republic for the weekend before she went back to work on Monday. He smiled as he recalled how she�d spent the last several days looking at various resorts and locations. At one point, she even turned her computer screen away from him, saying he shouldn�t see the potential wedding dresses as she sifted through a catalogue. She looked happy, genuinely happy, for the first time in years. And he felt the same. Despite many bumps in the road, life was looking up for both of them and they reveled in the feeling. She was going to be his wife� a fact he still couldn�t quite believe. Finally, the door to the examination room beyond opened and Beverly walked out with a wide grin. He got up. �So I gather everything went well?� �It couldn�t have been better news. The neurotonin levels have gone down and Dr. Mathison doesn�t foresee any additional complications.� Jean-Luc let out the breath he hadn�t realized he�d been holding. �I believe we should get some packing done if we want to leave on time.� The captain grinned widely. They were actually going to go through with it. * * * * Of course, the first thing Beverly did when she got back to the house was to call her son. Thankfully, he�d been in between classes and was home at the time. Even though her wedding to the captain was a hurried affair, she didn�t want for Wesley to learn about it after the fact. �That�s great news, Mom. Congratulations.� �I wish we could have given you more notice, we just weren�t sure if I�d be cleared for travel this weekend.� �I understand. Don�t worry about it. You two go have fun. Enjoy your weekend, you deserve it.� �Thanks.� Beverly looked down momentarily and then asked, �Do you and Amy have plans for this weekend?� Wesley grinned. �Is that an invitation?� �It is� I just can�t imagine not having you there.� On the screen, she could see him look over his shoulder. �Hey Amy, you feel like spending time in the Dominican Republic this weekend?� He turned back toward the comm unit. �In case you didn�t hear, that was a yes.� �Wonderful. I�ll contact the resort and make a reservation for the both of you.� �Okay. But I was wondering� won�t it bother you to have your son staying on the same resort as you while on your honeymoon?� Beverly smiled and shook her head. �It�s a pretty big resort. I�m sure we won�t step on each other�s toes.� �Great. We�ll see you there.� * * * * The shuttle landed as the sun was getting lower on the horizon of the scenic island. As Beverly and Jean-Luc disembarked hand in hand, they looked at one another knowingly. Their resort, located directly on a pristine white sandy beach off Punta Cana, was breathtakingly beautiful. After unpacking, the two got ready for dinner. The resort�s a la carte restaurants had a dress code in place, so Beverly and Jean-Luc picked their outfits accordingly. Picard wore black trousers with a grey shirt while Beverly opted for a black cocktail dress. Arm in arm, the newly-engaged couple made their way to the formal dining room. When Picard told the hostess about their reservation, the petite woman smiled. �You�re table is ready, sir. Also, your two dinner companions have already arrived and they�re waiting for you.� As they fell into step behind the hostess, the captain glanced at the doctor and patted the hand that rested on his arm. When Wesley and Amy saw them approaching, they both got up. �Wes.� Beverly of course went right ahead and hugged her son. �I�m so glad you could make it.� �We�re honored to be here.� Then the bride-to-be turned to her potential future daughter-in-law and gave her a hug. �Hello, Amy. You look so pretty tonight.� �Thank you, Dr. Crusher. So do you.� �It�s good to see you again Mister Crusher.� Jean-Luc extended his hand, which Wesley shook firmly. �Likewise, sir.� Toward Amy, Jean-Luc let go of his captain�s demeanor and softened his tone. �So you�re the lovely Miss Dimitrov. It�s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance in person.� In the usual French tradition, Picard kissed her lightly on each cheek. �The pleasure�s all mine, Captain.� The four sat down and quickly got to catching up. As he sat there and listened to the conversation between Beverly and the younger couple, Picard knew that his life would never be the same again. Of course, he�d always felt like the Crushers were family, but it wasn�t in the real sense of the word. But after tomorrow, Beverly would be his wife and Wesley would be his stepson. And if the young man�s relationship with the fair Miss Dimitrov was meant to be, then he too might share in the role of grandparent someday. This was surreal. The previously lone captain was now settling down. This felt right and as his gaze occasionally locked with the doctor�s, he knew she felt the same. After they�d eaten dinner, the waiter came over and took their order for dessert. When he left, Beverly turned to Amy. �I�m going to freshen up a bit. Would you care to join me?� Taking the small purse that rested on her lap, the young woman smiled. �I�d love to.� The two women then got up and left, leaving the two men alone at the table. �Those two really seemed to have hit it off� marveled Wesley. �And considering how my mother has always been very protective of me when it comes to women, I�d have to say I�m amazed.� Picard chuckled. �It�s true your mother can be quite protective sometimes, but I don�t see how she could object. Amy seems to be such a wonderful young woman.� �She is.� �You�re really taken with her, aren�t you?� �Yeah, I can�t explain it, really. When we first started dating, everything seemed to mesh together so nicely. And as more time passes, the more I�m inclined to think that she might really be the one.� Picard smiled and took a sip of wine. �While we�re on the topic of relationships, I just want to say how happy I am that the two of you finally got together. I�m not kidding when I say that I�ve never seen my mom looking as happy as she seems now.� �Thank you.� The sentiment was heartfelt. Although Beverly had assured him of her son�s approval, hearing it first hand was nice. * * * * Beverly and Amy stood side by side in front of the long mirror in the restroom, retouching their makeup. �It means a lot to Jean-Luc and me that you two agreed to come.� Amy smiled humbly. �We wouldn�t have missed this for the world, Dr. Crusher.� �There�s no need for formalities, just call me Beverly.� �Alright� Beverly.� It felt weird to say at first, but Amy was glad that she was getting along well with Wesley�s mother. She remembered how nervous she�d been before meeting her earlier that year. Wesley had warned her not to be intimidated if his mother ever started to drill her with questions. She�d always been relatively overbearing when it came to his love life. But to both their surprise things hadn�t turned out that way at all. You know, amy thought, I think we�re going to get along just fine. * * * * Beverly stood before the long mirror in her suite and contemplated her reflection. Her red hair, which flowed in loose curls down her shoulders, contrasted sharply against the white ribbon and flowers that were intertwined amid the smooth locks. Her strapless wedding dress was simple but nevertheless breathtakingly beautiful. It hugged her figure perfectly down to slightly below the knees. On her feet, the doctor wore white sandals. She couldn�t believe it. She was about to marry the man she loved and become Mrs. Jean-Luc Picard. �Wow, you look really stunning,� remarked Amy as she came in. �Thank you.� �So are you ready?� �As ready as I�ll ever be.� * * * * Standing on the beach with Wesley beside him, Picard couldn�t remember the last time he�d been this nervous. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and tan pants, he waited for his bride to make her appearance. Behind him, the calm turquoise water of the Caribbean hugged the white sandy shore in a picture perfect way. Finally, Amy emerged from the palm tree lined path that led up to the resort. Wearing a lavender dress, the young woman smiled as she made her way down toward the shoreline. And then there she was. When Jean-Luc�s gaze fell on hers, he thought he was dreaming. With an unbelievable amount of love in her eyes, Beverly made her way toward him, her hair swaying gently in the tropical breeze. The captain extended his hand when she got a few steps away from him. When her hand touched his, she felt him squeeze it affectionately. And with her gaze now firmly fixed on his, Beverly took her place in front of him. �Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in matrimony�� This moment, which neither of them would have previously believed had been in the cards, was finally here. Not a dream, but reality. Both of them couldn�t help but give a soft nervous laughter as they realized the immense step they were about to take. Then, with tears starting to fall to her rosy cheeks, Beverly listened as Jean-Luc started reciting his vows. �I Jean-Luc, take you Beverly to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, to love and to cherish, in good times and bad�� � After he was done, it was now her turn. �I Beverly, take you Jean-Luc to be my husband.� Every word was softly spoken with fervent meaning. �� For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.� � Wesley handed the simple golden wedding band to the captain. As he took it, Jean-Luc held up her hand and looked at her with the deepest sincerity. �With this ring, I thee wed.� Her blue eyes shone with just as much promise. �With this ring, I thee wed.� � �� I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.� With such tenderness he�d never before allowed to show so openly, Jean-Luc leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. They then shared their first kiss as husband and wife. When it was over, each smiled at one another. �I love you,� Beverly whispered. �I love you, too.� * * * * That night, with the flickering of candles all around, the two stood in front of one another. Dressed in a white negligee, Beverly lightly touched the side of Jean-Luc�s face. Taking her hand with his, he tenderly kissed her open palm. �Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Mrs. Picard?� She laughed. �Do you have any idea how wonderful you are, Mr. Picard?� �I still can�t believe it. You�re my wife.� Beverly leaned forward and closed her eyes just before her lips made contact with his. With his hand pressed firmly against the silk fabric that covered her lower back, the captain pulled her to him. Their first night together as husband and wife would be one they would remember forever. * * * * All too quickly, their weekend honeymoon was drawing to a close. Swimming face to face in the crystal-clear turquoise waters, Jean-Luc and Beverly recalled that first moment of passion shared at the river on Bak�u. That momentary loss of control had, in essence, started this whole adventure and they were both very grateful for it. Beverly, her wet hair swept back, snaked her arms around his shoulders, revealing her now sun-kissed arms and the white bikini straps that tied behind her neck. �We�re going to have to come back here someday.� �I agree. This place is heaven.� �I couldn�t have imagined a better honeymoon.� �It�s just too bad it�s coming to an end.� �Well, we have the rest of our lives to spend time together.� �You�re right.� With a glint in her eyes, she teased, �As you�ll see I usually am.� He laughed. �Oh, so that�s how it�s going to be, now is it?� �Number one rule for a successful marriage, the woman is always right.� �Yes, dear.� * * * * Everything seemed so rushed that Sunday night. Beverly and Jean-Luc had flown back to San Francisco, leaving behind the lush island and bringing with them the warmest memories. When they finally arrived back at the house, they only had about enough time to say their goodbyes before the captain had to leave for the Enterprise. One last time, the two shared an intimate moment of passion. Finally, it was time to go. �Now try to take it easy, alright? I don�t want you to overdo it,� Jean-Luc told Beverly. �I won�t. Please stay safe.� �I will.� As he left her leaning on the frame of her front door, Picard descended the steps. Several feet away, he turned and mouthed a silent �I love you.� �I love you, too,� she whispered. Leaving her was one of the hardest things Picard had ever had to do. But she�d been right. He had to go back. They�d both agreed to keep their careers and try to make it work. More than ever, the captain felt the determination to do just that. Beverly and their baby, his family, meant the world to him and he would take care of them no matter what. continue to the conclusion library |