Chapter Text
Beverly and Jack had watched their son grow, and at three months old, they were sure he was about to roll-over for the first time. He was presently lying on a blanket on the floor playing with a plastic ring and putting it in his mouth. Jack was clanking around the kitchen making breakfast when Bev called out to him.
“Jack! Come here!”
In his haste to see what was going on, he dropped the caste-iron pan on the kitchen floor, it landed with a loud clang. His heart racing, he was immediately beside his wife. Concern etched across his face; he took Bev’s face in his hands for a moment.
“What is it honey?”
A smile pulled at the other Crusher’s lips, and he turned to see what his wife was looking at.
“I think he’s going to really do it this time Jack. I think he’s about to roll over.”
Now Jack was smiling. As he crossed over to the couch, sure enough, Wesley rolled over onto his stomach. Bev let out a squeal of happiness and kissed Jack. Leaning down, she kissed Wes on the forehead.
“Mama is very proud of you Wes. You are so smart.”
After a few minutes, Wesley began to fuss on his stomach.
“Ok, I know what you need, something to top you off before your nap.”
Gingerly taking her baby in her arms, Beverly seated herself on the couch. It was amazing watching her son grow. Spending these mother and son moments were at best comforting and yet wondrous at the same time. There was nothing more intimate than watching him nurse at the moment. She traced his nose with her index finger as he continued to suckle. Jack smiled and kissed his wife’s forehead and then his son’s head.
“I’ll leave the two of you to have some time together. I’ll go make breakfast.”
Bev laughed and shifted Wes in her arms a little to reposition him.
“Jack, you don’t have to go. Besides, he likes to hear your voice. He’s getting stronger everyday Jack. He’s very smart too.”
The house they’d moved into was one of the old one’s on Mission Street that was retrofitted against earthquake activity. It had two floors, an upstairs with three bedrooms, and a bathroom.
Downstairs was a living room, and through the swinging door was the kitchen. In the kitchen by the patio door was another set of stairs leading to the second floor. The kitchen had a long island bar you could sit at with a few chairs. By the time Jack was finished making breakfast, he came back and found that Bev was still feeding their son.
“Breakfast is served sweetheart. He’s still eating?”
Bev nodded her head and watched Wes’ mouth as he continued to eat his meal.
“I’ll give him credit where credit’s due Jack. He has a good appetite. He should be done in ten minutes. I never knew how comforting it is watching him eat. What did you make for breakfast?”
Jack’s smile grew as Beverly straightened herself out and placed Wes up to her shoulder to burp him. She heard the air escape his stomach and gently put him back in the resting position on his back in her arms.
“Toast with butter and Eggs, and a steaming cup of lemon tea.”
Rising from the couch, she carefully set Wes back into the basinet and turned to Jack and followed him into the kitchen. As she went to sit down at the table, he wrapped his arms around her waist and began kissing the back of her neck. A smile crept to her lips.
“Jack, not in the kitchen. The kitchen is for eating, not for that.”
Jack relented and withdrew his arms from his wife’s waist and sat down across the table from her. He managed to play footsy with her all throughout breakfast. The sunlight from the window made her hair look radiant. He always did love her red hair, and it looked even more beautiful in the sunlight.
“You didn’t seem to put off when I mentioned that last night.”
Bev hid a mischievous smile behind her hot cup of lemon tea.
“When are you shipping out again Jack? Today’s your last day of family leave.”
Jack’s face turned serious, and he grabbed for Bev’s hands.
“Day after tomorrow. It’s just a routine survey mission in the Gamma Quadrant. I’ll be back in a month.”
Beverly sighed and put down her fork.
“Wes should be sitting up by then. I’ll record everything that happens and send it to you via subspace message.”
Jack nodded his head and kissed Bev’s knuckles across the table.
“I know, but it just won’t be the same as being right here watching it with my own eyes.”
She didn’t want Jack to leave, but he had to work. She was set to go back to work soon. Wes would stay with his great-grandmother while Bev worked. She knew that Wes would only be little for a short time, and she wanted Jack to enjoy watching him grow too.
To Be Continued…