NEW: Enceinte (TNG P/C) 4/5 G
EW810
Title: Enceinte
Author: E. Wallace (EW...@aol.com)
Series: TNG
Code: P/C
Part: 4/5
Rating: G
Summary: 9 months in the lives of Jean-Luc and Beverly Picard.
Archive: Yes, ASC, please and thank you.
Part 4 - Seeking Out New Life
Captain Picard and his first officer had been gone nearly two hours. Deanna
Riker's sense of unease hadn't lessened, but rather increased. It had nothing
to do with the nearly completed diplomatic mission, yet she somehow knew it was
just as important. Abruptly, the sensation changed to pain. Her unguarded
gasp drew the attention of the bridge crew.
"Counselor, are you all right?" Data asked from the command chair.
"I'm fine, Data," she said rising. "I've just got to go check on something."
She disappeared into the turbolift before any more questions could be asked.
*****
Deanna entered Sickbay, not really surprised by the scene before her. The
patient sat on a bio-bed, with Alyssa Ogawa and Dr. Selar in attendance. "What
a twisted sense of timing you have, Beverly Picard," her friend said wryly.
*****
"I must be insane! I'm too old for this!" Beverly panted as the contraction
eased. She slumped back in the birthing chair. The last six hours had been
exhausting, and she wasn't sure she was going to be able to see this through.
Deanna squeezed her friend's hand and wiped her brow. "You're doing fine. It
will all be over soon, and you'll have something far better to concentrate on."
"You weren't so calm a couple of months ago when our positions were reversed."
Beverly's eyes closed in the brief respite. "Where the hell is Jean-Luc? He
promised he'd be here."
"He's still planetside. The treaty signing ceremonies are taking longer than
anticipated. And *you* wouldn't let us call him, remember?"
"So who ever listens to me?" Beverly groaned as the next wave hit her.
"Beverly, you're whining again."
*****
Three days earlier
Beverly shifted awkwardly on the sofa. It was the third time in as many
minutes.
"Are you all right?" Deanna asked.
"No. I can't get comfortable. I feel huge."
"You are huge."
"Oh, thanks a lot, friend. It's rude to be that smug, just because *you* got
*your* figure back in less than six weeks." Beverly struggled up off the sofa,
waving away Deanna's offer of help. "What ever made me think I could do this?
I'm tired and my feet hurt. No, my feet, my legs, my back, everything that
bears weight--which right now includes my fingernails and eyelashes--hurts."
She winced as she heard the whining tone in her own voice.
Deanna smiled sympathetically and tucked her arm through Beverly's. "Come on.
I have an idea."
*****
Beverly sighed contentedly, closing her eyes. The water lapped around her as
she floated. "Deanna, at this precise moment, I love you more than Jean-Luc."
"As long as it is only this moment," her husband's voice mocked gently as he
skirted the pool's edge to stand next to Deanna. "What exactly is going on?"
"Beverly was feeling the effects of gravity to particular degree. This is a
relaxation pool on Tanna 3. The water has a greater buoyancy, so there's no
struggle against sinking."
"She does look content."
"At least she's stopped whining," Deanna observed wryly.
"Oh, this is what works? I must remember that."
"It isn't nice to make fun of a pregnant woman. Particularly one who will be
overseeing your next physicals." The threat lacked firm conviction as the
words were slightly slurred with sleep.
"I have to pick up Luke, so I'll leave you two to settle this." Deanna patted
the captain on the arm. "She's been in there fifteen minutes already; don't
let her get water-logged." The holodeck door hissed closed behind her and
disappeared.
Beverly opened one eye. "Why don't you join me?" Both eyes flew open as her
husband walked into the pool--in uniform. "What are you doing?"
Jean-Luc smiled as he waded closer. "The great thing about holodeck water,
we're dry the instant we walk out."
*****
Deanna paced anxiously up and down the room, oblivious to the puzzled looks
she was getting from the transporter operator. "How long does it take just to
say good-bye, for goodness sake?"
"Counselor, they're coming in now," Ensign Kos told her with relief.
Picard and Riker materialized on the pad. The captain looked tired. 'A state
he'll have to get used to now,' Deanna thought. She didn't even let them say
hello. "Captain, there's a situation--"
"Sickbay to Counselor Riker," Ogawa's voice came over the comm link.
Deanna rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. Okay, so she wasn't going to get
to break it to him gently. "Riker, here. It's all right, Beverly. He's
standing right here."
"Deanna," the doctor said through clenched teeth, "don't let him stand there.
Make him hurry!" The last word stretched out on a cry of pain.
Picard looked at Deanna in shock. She patted his arm soothingly.
"Everything's all right. But you heard her. Move." Another cry came over the
still open link. With a slight shove, Deanna propelled him toward the door.
"Better yet, RUN!"
*****
Will and Deanna watched the drama unfold from a discreet distance.
"One more push... push...," Selar coached. Jean-Luc supported his wife's
shoulders as she leaned into the contraction. He was breathing almost as hard
as she was, after his race from the transporter room.
"It's a girl!"
The squirming, squalling bundle quieted as soon as she was placed in her
mother's arms. She wrapped her tiny hand around her father's tentative finger
and his heart.
"Beverly, she's beautiful!" Jean-Luc kissed his wife's forehead. "Thank you."
The crack in his voice started Beverly's tears all over again.
Actually, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Blondiee17
Kathy Windsor
except - did I miss the 3rd installment? I can't find it anywhere!!
How about a repost?
Kathy
Judy...@my-dejanews.com
Judy Gale
jsp...@shore.net
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