Work Text:
Christmas at Chateau Picard
By:ktshdw
Summary: Five years after baby Jack was born, yet another surprise came along for Christmas at Chateau Picard.
Authors note: Thad did not die and was never sick.
Chateau Picard. Was all decked out for Christmas, period. The card and Crusher are both retired from Starfleet and both are Admirals. Beverly. Does consult on some of the medical, but she remains. Retired. Young Jack is five years old and loves taking care of the vineyard with his father. Will and Deanna have been invited along with their son Thad to celebrate the holidays with the Picard's.
The doorbell rings at Chateau Picard. Jean-Luc answers the door while Beverly finishes some tea on the stove. “Hello Will, Deanna.” Thad came out from behind his father. “Thad I'm so glad that you decided to come to celebrate the holidays. “” Thank you for inviting us” Deanna replies. “You are always welcome; you are a part of my family, always know that.” Picard replies “And you ours” Riker chimes in. Will and Deanna step into the Chateau Thad stepping in first. “Where is Jack? “ Thad asks with his tiny voice. “He's in his room, you know where it is, he will be happy to see you.” Beverly replies as she takes a tray to the coffee table in the sitting room while Thad scurries off to Jack's room.
The parents take a seat in the sitting room, placing their luggage down by the steps upstairs. “We will take our luggage out to the guesthouse after some tea.” Riker replies as they begin to catch up. “So, it seems like it's been forever since we last saw you. I can't believe it. Thad just turned five years old.” “In a few months Jack will be 5 as well. Where did the time go.” Jean Luc asks, “I'm not sure. I suppose having kids you lose all track of time. Deanna adds.” I never thought I'd be here in this place right now when we first got the Enterprise.”
Jack burst down the stairs with swords and knight attire. “We are going to play outside, Mom. Is that, OK?” Jack asks. “Of course, but stay within the Vineyard grounds. And don't go beyond the fence. Don't wander. Across the countryside, like your father used to do.” Beverly answers as the door shuts behind the young boys.
“Wow, that was fast.” “Yes, he missed that while you were away. I'm glad you've found the time to visit. We are too, Jean-Luc.” “Well, if you don't mind, Will, why don't you join me in the vineyard with our boys. I'm sure our ladies have much to talk about.” “I'm not one to turn down a good old-fashioned knighting.” All laugh and the men go out after their sons.
Meanwhile, Deanna looks over at Beverly and bluntly replies “now that our men are in the vineyard with our sons. You have a secret, don't you, Beverly?” “Man, I hate when you do that, but yes, I do, well, I think I do, I don't know for sure exactly.” Beverly says, tripping over her words. “Spill it, Beverly. I'm not getting any younger waiting, and I'm sure the guys won't be out forever... on with it.”
“I think I'm pregnant again.” “What?” Deanna replies. “Seriously, has it been confirmed?” “No, I haven't told anyone, you were the first. I didn't want to find out that I wasn't. Alone. And I couldn't tell Jean-Luc in case I wasn't. He'd have been so disappointed.” “But were you trying to get pregnant?” Deanna asks. “We were not, not trying. I mean, we were both not taking contraceptives any longer. I always wanted more, especially after Jack. I didn't want another 30 years to go by before I got pregnant again. I wanted Jack to have a little brother or sister. I knew it could happen, look at Jack. But I never once got my hopes up. Not once in five years.” “And now?” “I'm too scared to find out. I mean, I'm late for my period.” “How late are you?” “A few days. Do you understand now why I'm not sure. Deanna nods.
“I just haven't had the courage to run a scan. Now though I might be with you.” “So do it Beverly. The waiting is killing me, run a pregnancy test with your tricorder” Beverly nods and pulls a medical tracker out of the drawer nearby. “You do this. I'm too nervous, I'm shaking.” Beverly hand the Tricorder over to Deanna, who opens it and runs the wand over Bevely. Soon, she smiles... “Congratulations, Beverly, you are indeed having a baby.” “I am, I knew it; I knew my body was off. How far along am I?” “4 weeks, 3 days, exactly as you thought.” “I can't believe it finally happened after five years. Jean-Luc would be so surprised. More than that, he would be excited. He wanted another baby almost as much as I did. Jack has been wanting a sibling for a long time as he could talk. He will be excited.” “It's too early to detect a strong heartbeat, but my due date would be in August.”
“A month after my due date in July.” Deanna said, waiting for a response from Beverly. “Right July your due date is... what wait what?” Beverly says looking up from the tricorder directly at Deanna “Your” “My due date” Deanna finishes with a smile. “You're pregnant as well? Does Will know?” “Of course he does.” “This pregnancy?” “This pregnancy is nearly the same as last, except for a lot of morning sickness. A very high libido.” Oh? Will must be liking this pregnancy.” “He does; it beats holding my hair back while I'm sick.” “Right, I hope I'm just as lucky.” “Our sex life is, great to begin with. I promise I'll contain my, well, our sexual encounters to the guesthouse.” “It’s seen plenty from us there, helps keep our 5-year-old from walking in on something he is much too young for. Both ladies chuckle.
Meanwhile, the men are out on the Vineyard, talking on a bench while their sons play on a nearby play set, shaped like a castle. How's it like being retired?” Riker asks as Picard glances at his son. “It's nice to be home every night for dinner.” “And sleeping in your own bed at night and not on Starfleet's idea of a bed.” Riker replies with a smile. “There is nothing like your own bed to make love in is there?” Picard asks. “No, nothing like it.”
Riker turns to his son, playing with Jack. “I can't wait to add to our family again. Thad has been talking nonstop for years about getting a baby sister.” “Oh, have you decided to try for another baby now?” “We have and... Deanna is pregnant again.” Riker answers. “You're going to be a father again? That's wonderful news. When is the baby due?” Picard asks “In July. We're having a baby girl, Jean-Luc, a girl. I'm going to be a father to a daughter. It's hard to believe.” “It is. She's going to have you wrapped around her little finger.” “She already has, and she isn't even born yet.” How's Deanna doing?”
Deanna is good, she has had very bad morning sickness; but she's good. Her libido has nearly doubled.” Riker said. “And we already have sex a lot to begin with.” “You must not mind that at all.” “I don't. It's great.” How are you and Beverly doing?” Riker asks. “We are doing well. She also has been very active in bed, if you know what I mean. She's always been that way, I suppose, being the man that she's loved and has loved for 30 years, it's nice to let go.”
“Speaking of Beverly, supper is probably on the table. We should get the boys and head back to the Chateau. Thad, Jack, it's time for dinner” Riker calls out, to the boys and both come running. “I'm glad dinner is ready” Thad tells his father... “because I'm starving.” All head into the Chateau for dinner.
It's Christmas morning, the boys, of course, are up Beverly has been up and pacing, trying, to figure out how to tell Jean-Luc that she's pregnant again. Jean Luc has come out of the bathroom in his slippers and house robe, not to mention, a Santa hat. Beverly is in her flannel nightgown and Fuzzy socks. She also is wearing her house robe.
“So, are we ready? My guess is the boys are already by their tree just waiting to tear into their gifts. I also am dying to give you, my gift. You are going to love it.” “I have a special gift for you too. I hope it lives up to what yours is.” Beverly replies as Picard, takes her hand into his. “Let's go.” Beverly nods, and they head down the stairs.
When they reach the bottom of the steps, the boys are already giving presents out. “Hello Will, Deanna” Beverly says as they reach the living room. Picard and Crusher. Take a seat on the sofa while Riker and Troi take a seat on the love seat. The boys continued to rummage through their Christmas gifts. Jack gets up and gives his mother a gift. “This is for you Mom.” “Thank you, son.” Jack hands Beverly a small gold box with a velvet red ribbon.
Beverly proceeds to open the gift. It is a jewelry box. She opens it further to reveal a mother's ring. “Ohh, my Jack, it's beautiful.” “It's a mother's ring. It has my birthstone as well as Wesley's” “Yes, I see that.” “And there is room for more stones.” Beverly glances. over to Picard, who precedes to wink at Jack, who does a mirror Picard wink, though unsuccessfully.
“It's beautiful, Jack. I'll treasure it forever.” They touch foreheads and Jack returns to his gifts. “And I have the companion piece.” Picard hands her another small gold box. Beverly takes it and opens it. “It's a mother's necklace. Oh, it's beautiful.” “And as our son said. It has room for more stones.”
Crusher looks over to Troi and smiles. Jean Luc was open to more children, a good thing seeing as his number 2 and her number three were already cooking. “I have a gift for you too.” Beverly says. Pulling out a box from the end table. Also, gold with a red velvet ribbon.
Picard takes the box from her and opens it. Inside. A onesie. The color of command saying “to boldly go new captain on the way. 2386.” It didn't connect right away, soon after he realizes what it says... “you're pregnant?” Beverly knobs and replies. “Yes” “I'm so happy” ... “are you really?” Young Jack asks. “Yes, darling” Beverly replies as her son returns into her arms., “I'll be the best Big Brother.” “I'm sure you'll be my son.” “I've been wishing for a brother or sister since I could talk. I wasn't sure I'd get one...” “but here we are, Picard adds. “Is everything OK? I mean with the baby... with you?” “Right now, it's early. But scans say that it's normal pregnancy, about four weeks Along. In a few more weeks I should know more.” You women really do everything together.” Will says Picard and Crusher. “Deanna is expecting too.” “Truly, that's amazing. How is everything doing?” “I'm doing well, and she's doing well too.” “Yes, and she's perfect.” “We are going to call her Kestra Elizabeth in memory of Deanna's sister and my mother.”
“It's a beautiful name. Will, when will she make her grand entrance lie?” “July” Deanna answers. “Give or take a month. Thad came at 9 1/2 months.” “8juuuuuuuuuuey7uBesides, you know, betazoids gestation rate of 10 months. Humans. Nine. With your mixed heritage, you never know.” “Well, we wish you the best and hope to come see her after she is born.” Picard says. “We will make the time. We always do find a way.” Beverly answers “Apparently.” Picard says, holding up his gift from Beverly. All giggle. "Apparently.”
The boys remain opening their gifts. While the others drink their tea and chat with each other. Later that evening, while the boys play with their new toys in Jack;s room their Picard and Crusher discussed their news. “Are you certain everything is OK?” “Yes, I wouldn't have told you if it weren't.” “Why not?” “I would have but let my body pass tissue. It's very unpleasant and not for the man to see.” “Wait what? You had a miscarriage before?” “Yes, when I was with Jack, a few years after Wesley was born, we had one of the very few times off together and managed to conceive another baby. I didn't find out I was pregnant until Jack returned to Stargazer. A few weeks later. I had a miscarriage. I sensed the pregnancy was failing almost right away. I started spotting, I had some pain that came and went and eventually my body took care of it.” Did Jack know? Of course he did. We spoke about it, and we cried together and after that Jack wasn't around me enough or at the right time and we never conceived again. So, after Jack died in that away mission.” “I'm sorry, Jack never said anything.” “He wouldn’t have; I asked him not to.”
“Once you return, did you do that all alone?” “I suppose so.” “Beverly said. “But it all turned out right. We have Jack and now a new baby.” “Do you want a boy or a girl?” Picard asks. “I just want to make it to 37 weeks; Jack came earlier and quite unexpectedly. And he turned out all right.” “He's been, he's been asking for his sibling forever.” Beverly replies as she climbs into bed.
“So, are you ready for morning sickness again?” “Haha holding my hair while I'm unromantically vomiting every day.” “I will, in sickness and in health remember, I promised to love you in sickness and in health that includes morning sickness and every disgusting thing that ever happens to us.” both kiss and grab the book they have on their nightstand. “I really am very excited. I wonder if it will be a girl this time?” Picard adds, “We will find out soon.” Beverly laughs.
Meanwhile, Riker and Troi are in their private guesthouses Thad is not spending the night, in his room he’s in Jack's room, so they have the guesthouse to themselves. “It's wonderful that Beverly is pregnant again, isn't it, Deanna?” “OH, yes” she replies as she climbs into bed, joining Riker. Jean Luc had told me that he was hoping they'd have another, so Jack would not be the only child, seeing Wesley balancing the Galaxy as a traveler. Probably wasn't sure he really wanted another, but they both decided if it happens it happens. So, no contraception. And here we are. Both are expecting again.”
“We are too, though we didn't plan this little girl.” “It took a little longer than expected here. I am 8 weeks pregnant. And I have never been happier.” “How have you been feeling? Deanna? Are you still OK? “OH yes, no morning sickness the meds work great. However, I am having symptoms that I just can't take care of on my own. I need specialized care and you are the only one who can take care of that particular symptom.” Deanna adds seductively “Oh, and am I?” Riker teases... “the only one “Riker adds. “Well, I would hate for your body to feel uncomfortable, so... let me help you out with that.” Record says reaching over to the light on Troi's nightstand turning it off. We hear from the darkness. It's Deanna's voice. “Imzadi.”