Chapter Text
Chapter Six
The weeks at the vineyard passed with no signs of the nightmare reappearing, while Beverly began to slowly open up to Jean-Luc. She talked of Arvada III, Caldos, Jack Crusher’s death and Jean-Luc’s role in it, her career, single motherhood, and the decision to join the Enterprise. He began to see a picture of a lonely life, in the most part, created by her in an effort to stall any more pain. For Beverly, most of the people she had placed her trust and love in had died, leaving her alone and her defense had been to build walls, distancing herself from everyone, but Wesley and then the senior staff of the Enterprise. Fear for those few people was a constant part of her life she described as “stalking her from day to dream.”
Their long conversations gave the couple a basis for building their relationship, with Beverly trusting him with her most private memories, dreams, and fears. In return for her openness, Jean-Luc talked about his own life as a child, student, and fleet officer. The depth of the bond between them was tested a few days after their short mission for Quinn.
Deciding they needed something different for the day, the couple had headed for the mountains in northern France. Despite her fear, Beverly suggested they climb one of the smaller mountains, allowing Jean-Luc to teach her more advanced climbing skills. He saw this as the ultimate test of trust for her and was proud of her as they started up the mountain. Several meters from the top, the couple reached a difficult climbing area causing Jean-Luc to slow their pace, talking Beverly through every move.
She had placed her weight on a slim foothold on the almost-sheer wall, when the rock loosened, sending Beverly falling and Jean-Luc reacting on pure instinct, catching her hand at the last second. He saw her look down and felt her hand tighten on his, but when her head rose, he read only trust in her eyes. She waited for him to help her find her footing again, never fearing that he would drop her. Reaching the summit, they collapsed to hold one another in relief. Sitting on the mountain, Jean-Luc asked Beverly to marry him.
###
Beverly stared at the message, feeling panic rise, attempting to overtake her senses and thought processes. Admiral Quinn's communiqué simply said, "They will be on Earth tomorrow." She knew she had to stop hiding and talk to her fellow officers and her son. They had betrayed her, their motives were of the purest, she told herself, yet something was holding her back from sending the message that would bring her friends to the vineyard.
The Picard family was on the patio, enjoying the late summer's warmth and a light supper she and Marie had prepared. She only found the message because she had returned inside for more drinks and heard the beep of an incoming message. Life here was so different that it tested the body and mind in different ways than Star Fleet, those differences had help her separate her problems into manageable units, so she was finally able to explain exactly what was going on to Jean-Luc. He had been so good the last weeks, since Kes-Prytt, that now she wondered where exactly her captain had gone. Then, he had asked her to marry him on top of that damn mountain, she thought, as her mind drifted to the moment she would never forget.
They had collapsed next to a boulder, several meters from the edge, with Jean-Luc cradling Beverly like a child in his lap. After resting only long enough to catch his breath, he had gripped Beverly by her shoulders, pushing up so he could see her face.
"We are never climbing again! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it just frightened me. You love to climb, which means I will get accustomed to this, including falling."
"No, we will not be climbing any more mountains, my heart can't take it."
Laughing at his seriousness, Beverly kissed him long and slow before allowing her lips to trail down his jaw to his neck, where she rested her head again. "Yes we will."
"Marry me?"
Beverly sat still trying to believe she had heard him correctly, and before she could question him, he whispered the two words in her ear again. "Marry me?"
Pulling back, she looked into his eyes to see passion and love like she had never seen, all directed at her. She felt the air leave her lungs and her blood slowed until she could hear every beat of her heart and his, beating in unison. There were no words, no way to express to him exactly how happy, excited, and thankful she was to know this one man. Instead, she clasped his head between her hands and kissed him with all of the passion stored in her heart for 20 years, allowing the fires to burn their lips. Then they had just sat on the mountain, watching the sun arc across the sky and nature return to normal time, while they simply existed to feel the other's arms around them.
Beverly didn't remember the climb down, just the feel of her feet landing at the bottom and her whispering yes, causing Jean-Luc to turn toward her, questing the meaning of the one word. Beverly had smiled at his confusion for a second, before a thought raced through her brain; I’ve only told him once that I love him.
With them both still connected to the mountain, in their climbing gear, Beverly took the three steps that separated them, laid one hand on his heart. It beat quickly from the exercise and she could feel his body heat rising through the t-shirt he wore. "Yes, I will marry you. I never said it up top. Yes," she said, pausing as a smile bloomed on her lips and in her eyes. "I love you."
The sound of Rene's laughter drew her back to the Picard's kitchen and back to the problem at hand. Part of her still wanted to run and hide, deny what was happening and exist only in her dream world. The other part of her, the part that was stronger now because of Jean-Luc's love and patience, wanted to be with her friends again and leave behind the pain. Setting the pitcher down on the counter, she stepped back in front of the comm center, her fingers automatically typing in the codes to link her with the Enterprise and then with Counselor Deanna Troi and/or Commander William Riker. Several seconds later, the view screen came to life to show Deanna and Will standing in the observation lounge.
Jean-Luc glanced up from Rene to see Beverly standing in front of the comm center, when she turned away without coming out for one them; he began to wonder if something had happened. Watching her through the window, he saw her pick up the pitcher left behind and pause for a long moment, her face relaxing as she drifted into a daydream. Cursing under his breath, he excused himself from his family, making an excuse for why Rene could not follow him into the house. By the time he reached the kitchen, Beverly stood again in front of the comm center. Stepping through the kitchen door, he saw Will and Deanna, but Beverly was speaking before he could move to the screen.
"We're in France now, at the vineyard. I miss you," she said, staring directly at Deanna. Jean-Luc watched the two women just look at one another for a long moment and the tears fell simultaneously. He walked up behind Beverly wrapping his arms around her, looking up at Riker to smile, "When can we expect you, Will?"
Riker, who had tensed on seeing Picard, visibly relaxed at the question, "We should be at McKinley tomorrow afternoon. How about we meet in Paris for supper?"
"Perfect. We'll pick you up at the shuttle port at 20:00, I'll make the reservations from here. Come prepared for a night out on the town and to spend the night here, at the vineyard."
"Sounds good to me," the younger man said, before turning to look at Beverly. "We really are sorry."
Beverly just smiled at him and nodded. Jean-Luc knew then they would be able to reconstruct the friendship and the family on board the Enterprise. Tomorrow, just the four of them would talk and heal. He would talk to Robert about the engagement party his older brother had mentioned and plan it before the Enterprise could leave orbit.
###
Wesley stood under a fruit tree watching the Academy move around him, while he waited for Captain Picard to arrive. Classes were becoming unbearable and the problem with his mother just made it worse. Facing Picard was the first step in solving the problem, he knew, but he wished he could avoid it. The older man had left a message for Wesley to meet him at the center of the Academy garden saying nothing about Beverly coming. Wesley guessed Picard wanted another piece of his butt for going behind his mother’s back. This had turned into the biggest mistake of his life.
His concentration was broken by the sound of laughter. At first, the sound meant nothing since he was surrounded by cadets between classes, relaxing and horsing around in the large garden. Then something in the laugh caught his attention and he turned to find his mother walking toward him with a huge smile on her face, followed by Picard, obviously trying to tease her.
Beverly was dressed in a light sun dress that emphasized her grace and beauty and her hair was flying loose in the light breeze of San Francisco. Male cadets watched her walk through the garden with great interest until they saw the man who ran a few steps to catch up and wrap his arm around her. They saw the goddess turn her smile on Jean-Luc Picard and knew they didn’t stand a chance at outclassing the famous captain or breaking the love the woman obviously had for him.
Wesley only saw his mother, whole and well again, walking with the man he respected above all others.
Reaching him, Beverly moved away from Jean-Luc and wrapped her arms around the boy. “Didn’t I teach you not to stare?”
“Sorry, but beauty has to be appreciated by someone,” he said, drawing a laugh from Jean-Luc and Beverly. “So, are you here to hang me from this tree or to let me apologize?”
“Neither,” Beverly said, pulling her son down to the ground to sit. “I came to explain what happened. Will and Deanna will be here tonight for me to do the same.”
“You’re not mad,” he said, looking up to Jean-Luc, who still stood.
Jean-Luc smiled down at the family, “That burned out about an hour later, although I think you got what you deserved that day. Now, it’s time to move on. I’m going to find Boothby. Call me when you are finished.”
Picard left the tree, crossing toward the rose garden on the west side of the area. Watching him go, Wesley breathed for the first time since he had gotten the message that morning from the captain.
The hour and half was spent listening to his mother and reassuring her of his love and confidence in her. Wesley learned a lot about his mother during that time, realizing for the first time just how hard her life had been with just him. He came to understand her nightmares, both old and new, her fears, and her ultimate break down on the Enterprise. He also knew he would be attending a wedding soon.
“And when will the wedding be,” he asked when Beverly had finished describing Jean-Luc’s patience and protection over the past weeks. Taking his mother by surprise, she looked up at him, smiling.
“That obvious is it?”
“That you love him? Anyone who sees you together can figure that out. That you are getting married? If you’re not, I will have to have a talk with the captain about intentions.” Both were laughing at the joke when Picard returned with Boothby in tow.
“The perfect scene. All made up,” he asked looking at Beverly.
“Yes. Is this Boothby?”
The gardener stepped forward, leaning down to shake hands, “That’s me. Young Picard here demanded I meet his intended. It is a pleasure to finally meet the woman that tamed this hellion.”
Laughing and blushing, Beverly stood to hug Jean-Luc, “Sorry, tame him I have not. I enjoy trying to keep up with him.” She softly kissed him, relaxing against him as he pulled her closer, forgetting everything but the woman.
###
They spent the rest of the day with Wesley in San Francisco. Late that afternoon, they returned to Labarre to dress and meet Will and Deanna.
Dressed first, Jean-Luc was sitting against the head board of their bed watching Beverly finish, when she caught a gleam in his eyes she more than recognized. “Not now Jean, we can’t be late to this.”
“Sure we can, it’s our party,” he said, smiling but not moving to act on his desire. He had watched her all day with Wesley and was positive she was healing. He didn’t have to be so protective now. The shattered expression he saw on the ship when she thought no one was looking was gone and her need to be with him constantly had lessened. Jean-Luc knew it would still be a while before she was whole again, but Beverly had come to terms with her needs and that was half the battle, Deanna would help with the rest, while he supported her.
“What are you thinking about so hard,” Beverly asked, catching his attention as she sat down on the bed next to him.
“How beautiful you are and how lucky I am that you love me.”
She smiled slowly before moving forward to hug him. “I’m the lucky one to have a captain that allowed me to go a little insane and a friend that stood by me through it all. I will never be able to repay you for that.”
“Then don’t try, just love me forever.”
“Forever,” she said, pulling back to look at him. “They’re waiting and I really want to see them.”
###
Will and Deanna set across from Jean-Luc and Beverly in a hidden booth of a Paris restaurant late that night. The younger couple was seeing a new side of their friends as the couple came to the end of their explanation for the past weeks. Meeting at the port, Beverly had greeted her friends with smiles and hugs, only saying they were going to enjoy the evening before she explained what had happened. With the tension eased for the most part, the two couples had gone to the theater before hiding away in the back of the posh restaurant.
Once seated, Beverly had started talking about Kes-Prytt and the nightmare that had hounded her to the point of running from the ship with Jean-Luc. “It came down to needing time and I not having a way of explaining it to you on the Enterprise. I owe you both an apology for being so insecure.”
Deanna leaned forward to catch Beverly’s hand, “No, you don’t owe us an apology. You were doing what you had to do and we ignored the signs and kept pushing. I ignored the signs.”
Beverly squeezed the empath’s hand and interpreted her, “Don’t say another word. If I can’t apologize to you, then you can’t apologize to me. We’re even and continue our friendship.”
“Agreed.”
Will watched the women smile at one another, before turning to his captain. “So, you’re not going to demote me?”
“No, she won’t let me,” Jean-Luc said receiving a light swat on the arm for his joke, allowing a smile to form. “Although you will be paying a price.”
Both Will and Deanna sat straighter at the comment and grasped hands under the table prepared for the worse. Watching the emotions flying across their friends’ faces, Beverly and Jean-Luc grinned.
Jean-Luc barely controlling his laughter, continued, “I am making it your duty to officiate the next on-board marriage ceremony.”
“Next ceremony, sir?” Will blinked several times, trying to understand what the older man was talking about.
“Yes, I know it’s a tough duty, but you can handle it and, well, it’s only fair my first officer be the one to marry us.”
Deanna grasped the meaning of the words first, turning to look at Beverly. “Tell me he is talking about what I think he is talking about.”
“Would you like to be maid of honor?”
“Try to stop me!”
###
It was three months before the wedding could be held, but Jean-Luc considered the time well spent, watching Beverly laughing with friends at the reception. Between missions, reports, and duty shifts, Beverly and Deanna, with the help of Marie via comms, had planned the wedding; including spending days looking for the perfect dress for Beverly.
The simple silk and lace silver dress emphasized Beverly’s dancer figure proving the perfect background for her red hair that she had left down at his request. The effect had caused Jean-Luc to swallow hard when Beverly entered Ten-Forward at the start of the ceremony and earned him a facetious remark from Will. The only thing missing was Wesley, he thought, knowing he would have been on the Enterprise if his new found abilities would have allowed it. But the boy was studying with the Traveler and was happy, which was enough for Beverly and Jean-Luc.
Standing in the corner, taking a break from the drudgery of thanking Star Fleet officials for coming, Jean-Luc enjoyed a chance to just see who had come to the wedding. Who would have thought so many people were eager to see him married? A movement on the outside of his vision drew his attention, finding Beverly standing next to him.
“You’re hiding.”
“And you wish you were,” Jean-Luc said, drawing his new wife into his arms.
“No, I wish we were in our quarters, but we have a dance to start.”
“Now, that is something I can enjoy. Is the band ready?”
“Waiting for your signal.”
Catching the band leader’s eye, Jean-Luc escorted Beverly to the center of the room as the conductor introduced the couple. Pulling her closer, Jean-Luc smiled at the circle of friends that formed to watch the first dance. Beverly had told him the night before she was proud of her friends and could not image her life without them. Looking at them now, he understood exactly what she meant. These same friends were the ones that had opened their arms to Beverly when she needed it the most and offered her the chance to heal, which was happening bit by bit every day.
He also knew, after all the years of loving Beverly and wondering if there was a future, they had finally found one another.