We'll Have Paris Forever
Prologue Through Chapter Two
Note: French translations at the end of chapters with French.
Prologue Or The Appetizer
Doctor Beverly Crusher-Picard's Personal Log:
Stardate: 200213.06
Here I am in Paris. Right now, it seems so overwhelming, but the past two years have been that way.
It all started at Will and Deanna's wedding on Earth. There I caught the bouquet and at their Betazed wedding I caught the headband. I was not sure if Deanna threw them both to me on purpose or what, because in both cases it was just too easy. Then again, being the maid of honour at both ceremonies the other women may have been trying to be nice. Which ever it was I am now the happy wife of Jean-Luc Picard two years later!
Jean-Luc at first was trying to be his usual self. The all head in the stars, business as usual captain. I practically had to diagnose him as being emotionally unsound to get his attention! Still to this day, he can really irk me, but I finally got his attention. His full attention.
He asked my hand in marriage almost a year after Will and
Deanna's wedding. I was so elated! Then he became an admiral and decided we needed to postpone our wedding because of it. I was so livid! I just could not believe he would put his career before our wedding, but then I should have known that, because he has done that the whole time I have known him.
So, I patiently waited another year for our ceremony. Do not
think for a minute that I did not have words to say about it. I did. I would not be a Howard woman if I did not have words. My stereo-typical red head temperment flared at the thought of postponing our wedding. I really felt he was pushing me aside to be an admiral, but then I finally convenced myself that he was just being cold footed about the wedding and admiralcy was his excuse.
Our wedding day did come and now I am a very happy woman. For the most part. I am an independent woman and proud of it. Even so, I have been thrust into a situation where it seems I have no choice but to rely on my husband.
Husband. Jean-Luc Picard my husband. Sounds so wonderful that I can actually say those words, because now I am Mrs./Doctor Beverly Crusher-Picard. I am keeping the Crusher for professional reasons and I must admit that I feel it is my only link to my late husband.
Jean-Luc seems to be accepting of this. Even he still misses Jack from time to time, but he has finally accepted the fact that it happened and has more or less stop blaming himself for Jack's death.
Our wedding was wonderful. We wrote our own vows. Deanna was my maid of honour and Will was Jean-Luc's best man. Afterwards, we had a beautiful reception and then I threw the bouquet.
Bouquet. I guess that is one of the first French words I have ever learned. The English language is truely a mystery. It's origins come from many different languages and yet it compares to nothing when one tries to embrace one of the languages it stemmed from.
However, I digress again. I threw the bouquet and Wesley's
girlfriend caught it. It is about time he married and gave me some grandchildren! He is in his thirties and still has not even asked a girl for her hand in marriage. My only child.
Anyway, Will asked Jean-Luc if he could kiss the bride and
Jean-Luc gave his consent. Will kissed me on the cheek and Deanna gave Jean-Luc a big hug. Then they saw us off to Paris, where we are having a two week honeymoon.
So now, we are in Paris and I am seeing all of it's marvels.
Thanks to Jean-Luc. I have never dreamed of going to the city of romance with Jean-Luc before and how it was that we ended up spending our honeymoon here I will never know.
Even so, there is much to learn, see, and do here and for the most part we are having a wonderful time.
End Personal Log
Chapter One
Jean-Luc had gotten clearance to land the shuttlecraft in a near by area of Paris. He skillfully landed it in the clearing where he was approved to land.
"Well, Bev." He said. "This is it."
"This is not Paris." Beverly said puzzled.
"No, but we are close." Picard informed her.
"Paris is a few kilometers in that direction." Picard pointed to the east and Beverly saw, in the distance, what looked like a large city.
"Jean-Luc!" Beverly said breathlessly. "It's
magnificent even from here!"
"Yes, that it is." He agreed.
They started walking toward the city and within an hour they had arrived in Paris. Beverly was in more awe than when she saw it from a distance.
"Jean-Luc, I never imagined that this city was this
beautiful!"
Jean-Luc had grown up near by and to him it was just an every day city, but he did not want to discourage Beverly's excitement and enjoyment of Paris. "Yes, it can be very awe taking if you have never seen it before."
Beverly stopped and touch Jean-Luc's arm. He paused and turned to her as she pulled herself closer to him and kissed him. The kiss was long and passionate.
"Well, if I knew this would be my reward for bringing you here I would have done it sooner." He responded.
"As well you should have." Beverly stated. "I had to wait an extra year for this."
"Yes, Beverly and I am truly sorry about that." He
apologized. "It's just.."
She cut him off. "I know, I know. Starfleet wanted you to perform some duties as fast as you became an admiral. You don't have to tell me again."
"Yes, maybe you're right." He replied and then they stood there quietly and looked at each other. Then Picard cleared his throat and continued. "We probably should find our hotel and get settled into our room."
"Yes, it is getting rather late." Beverly stated.
It was 1900 hours and evening seemed to be fast approaching by the time they arrived at their hotel. Picard had remembered a deli about a block away the last time he was in Paris. It had been a few years since his last visit, so he hoped it was still there.
"Why don't I pick us up something to eat and bring it
up?" Picard asked. "Unless you want room service."
"No, that's fine." She answered him. "I'll check us in while you do that."
"Are you sure, Beverly?" Jean-Luc asked not sure if she was going to be able to in a city that was alien to her.
"I'll be fine." She insisted.
"OK, but we can check in together and then I could go get something to eat."
"Jean-Luc, I've been to hotels before." She informed him. "I know how to get a room, especially one that's been reserved."
"Quite right." He agreed. "If you're sure."
"Yes! I can handle it."
Jean-Luc nodded and turned to go to the deli he remembered the last time he was there. Beverly enter the motel and approached the front desk.
"Est-ce que je peux vous aider, madam?" The man at the front desk said to her.
"I'm sorry, I don't speak French." Beverly replied.
"Madam?"
"I don't speak French." She stated again.
"Je ne vous comprendo pas."
"Um, No..." She paused to think. "Pa... ah! No fralancias."
Her pronunciation was off quite a bit off and the man looked with some comprehension of her plight. He looked around the area as though he were looking for someone, but at that moment he happened to be the only one in the immediate area.
With a look of apology he said, "Je suis de' sole'." He continues telling her something, but to Beverly it sounded like mumble jumble and she had absolutely no comprehension of what he was saying.
She looked completely embarrassed and held up one finger then pointed it towards a seat while she said, "My husband will be back soon. I'll, a, wait over here."
Beverly took a seat near some potted tree like plants. Any other time she would have admired the plants, but she was too anxious for Jean-Luc to return. "I hope our whole honeymoon doesn't go this way." She thought to herself.
Just as the gentleman at the desk appeared to be waving his
co-worker over to him, Jean-Luc walked into the motel. He had two packages of food in his hand and a smile on his face until he noticed Beverly.
"I take it you didn't get our rooms?" He asked her.
"No." She shooked her head and looked somewhat ashamed.
Jean-Luc put the packages down beside her and patted her hand thinking he knew why. "It's OK." Then he walks over to the front desk where the two men were talking and the first one was gesturing towards Beverly.
Jean-Luc understood that the man was looking for someone who
could speak Beverly's language. He found it a bit hard to believe that in this day and age a person could not speak and understand Federation Standard, but he knew it still happens.
"Monsieur." Picard greeted.
Beverly quit paying any attention to the conversation and looked sadly at the plant. Then thought to herself, "I never dreamed I would need someone's help like this. I do hope Jean-Luc doesn't have to take care of everything on our honeymoon here."
Jean-Luc walked back to where she was sitting. "Well, I got our room." He stated. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." She replied.
He was not sure if he wanted to believe her, but he knew when not to push her to talk about something and this was one of them. He looked at her and realized that this independent woman was feeling bad about not being able to do something on her own.
Instead of trying to get her to talk about it at that moment he said, "You ready to go up to our room?"
"Yes." She smiled. "More than ready."
Beverly arosed from her seat and they both walked upstairs to their room. When they entered the room, she turned to Jean-Luc as he closed the door and threw her arms around his neck to kiss him.
When she released him from the kiss she left her arms around him and said with a smile, "I am so happy that we are now Admiral and Doctor Jean-Luc Picard."
"I'm happy too, but I can't return your embrase with our dinner in my hands." He replied.
"Oh, yes." She said. "I totally forgot about
dinner."
Jean-Luc set the meals down on the table and then he wrapt his arms around his new bride. "Je t'aime avec tout mon
etre."
Beverly got a look of frustration on her face and pushed him
away. "That's not funny."
"Beverly, I was not trying to be funny." He said
sincerely. Then with some sympathy he asked. "You don't know a word of French do you?"
"No, I don't."
He tried to pull her close to him as he apologized. "Bev., I'm sorry." She pulled away from him. "What I said was, I love you with all my being."
Her smiled came back and she said, "Too bad I don't know French. They say it's the language of love."
As she started to to return to his arms there was a knock on the door. Jean-Luc answers it. "Merci." He replies to the person on the other side and closes the door with a bottle of wine in his hand.
"I know sandwiches and Chateau Picard don't really go
together, but I'll make it up to you, before we leave
Paris." He told Beverly.
She smiled. "Well, I think for our wedding night this is sufficient enough, especially since it's just suppose to be the two of us."
"Well, I'm glad you approve." He replied as he poured two glasses of wine. "I know it's not your usual
combination."
She touched his arm. "Jean-Luc, it's fine."
Then she glanced out the window and her smile became bright
again. "Jean-Luc, look!"
The window was a long tall window that opened onto a balcony that had a view of the Eiffel Tower. "Breath taking." He said.
Then they both walked over to the window and out onto the balcony for a better view. "It's unbelievable! All the colours are brilliant!" Said Beverly.
"I don't know if it's being with you, Beverly, or if the sunset really is that magnificent." He said still overtaken with awe. "I know it's not the Eiffel Tower, for I've seen it a million times."
"Or is both the sunset and the Eiffel Tower?" Beverly asked.
He turned to her and admired her beauty. Then he realized what it was and replied softly with a smile, "No, it's not that."
She turns to him and he pulls her close to him. Then he kisses her with deep passionate. He moves down to her neck and starts to give her gentle love bites.
With a soft moan of pleasure she says, "Jean-Luc, this is really wonderful, but I'm really hungry. Why don't we eat out here and watch the sunset.?"
He was a little disappointed, but then realized he too was
hungry. "Yes, maybe that is a good idea."
He walked back to the table where their food and glasses were, gathers them up and takes them out to the balcony where there was also a small table. He places the food on the table and hands Beverly her drink.
"Mm. It's very warm." She said as she felt her head swim slightly from the first sip.
"Yes, I wasn't sure how you liked it." Jean-Luc
informed, "So I decided to get it room temperature."
She took a bite of her sandwich and after she had swollowed she said, "It's OK, it just hits me when it's served warm. That's why you've never seen me drink any beverage warm unless it's coffee or something like that."
"I'll have to remember that."
They ate their meal, chatted and enjoyed the sunset. Beverly had drunk most of her glass of wine and had become a bit giggly.
"I don't suppose you want anymore of this?" Jean-Luc asked pouring himself seconds on wine and noticing she was not only enjoying the evening, but also the affects of one glass of wine.
"Oh, no. I've had more than enough." She said with a smile and waving her hand back and forth.
The sun had completely set and they were now enjoying the night sky. "You know, until tonight, I have never in my life viewed Paris quite like I have tonight."
"Maybe it's because you've been away for a while."
Beverly surmised.
"No, I am quite sure that's not the reason." Jean-Luc stated. "I think it's becuase I'm seeing it through the eyes of the person I love as though it were my first time, also."
"Or maybe Paris has made you a romantic tonight." She said with a small giggle.
"Maybe it's all the above." He said with an adoring smile as he look at Beverly.
Beverly smiled back at him. "Jean-Luc, it's getting a little nippy out here. Why don't we go back inside."
In reality, she was hardly cold. She was desiring more than just sitting, talking, and enjoying the Paris night on her wedding night.
"Well, then by all means, let's go inside." Jean-Luc agreed.
Beverly stood and if it were not for Jean-Luc catching her, she would have went back down into her chair. "You OK?" He asked her.
"Yes, I'm just not use to." She pauses not wanting to admit again that warm wine had an affect on her. "The night air here."
Picard had his doubts about what she was saying, but kept his thoughts to himself. He touched the side of her cheek with the back of his hand and caressed it softly. He admired her eyes, her auburn hair and everything else about her. "Well, personally, I think the Paris night air brings out your inner beauty."
Beverly smiled. "Like I said, Jean-Luc, I think Paris is making you into a romantic tonight."
"Really?" He put his arms around her waist and kissed her. Beverly responded by putting her arms around his neck and returning his passion.
Jean-Luc proceeds to her neck. As Beverly tilted her head back she said, "Don't you think we should go in before someone starts playing "That's Amore' " or something romantic on a replicated phonograph."
Picard pauses for a moment and says, "Beverly, amore' is Italian."
"I know, but there is a lovely full moon like a big pizza in the night sky."
Picard chuckled. "You know, you can have a wonderful sense of humour when you want to."
Then he picks her up in his arms and carries her inside. Once inside, he places her feet on the floor, looks into her eyes, and says, "Now where were we?"
Seductively Beverly moves in very close, places her hands on his chest with caresses and says, "I think we were about here." Then she proceeds to unbutton his shirt.
"Mm. Huh, uh." Picard said and pulls her closer.
"I think we were here." Then he returns to kissing and nibbling on her neck.
Beverly moans with pleasure again. "Oh, Jean-Luc. You take my breath away."
"Good." Then he guides her gently back towards the bed and proceeds to make passionate love to her. He slowly removed the dress she was wearing as she finished removing his shirt. Their passion for each other was growing and they were enjoying each others bodies on the night of their wedding. With the fervor of a young couple they explored each other, giving each other gentle caresses and kisses over each others bodies. They left nothing untouched and one their desire for each other became more than they could stand they became harmoniously one.
Once they had consummated their marriage and their energies
spent, Jean-Luc craddled Beverly in his arms with a satisfied smile. "I don't know why I put off asking you to marry me for so long." Then he kissed her forehead.
"We both had our reasons." She said. "But I rather not think about that right now. I just want to enjoy this night with you and in your arms." Then she returned his kiss and snuggled back into his warm embrase.
Beverly had fallen asleep first while Jean-Luc was enjoying her scent and having her in his arms. Finally, he too fell asleep.
French Translations:
Est-ce que je peux vous aider?= Can I help you?
Je ne vous comprendo pas.= I don't understand you.
Je suis de' sole'= I'm sorry.
Just to be safe:
merci= thank you
Monsieur= Sir, mister.
Chapter Two
The next
morning Beverly was out on the balcony watching the sun rise when Jean-Luc awoke. At first he was not sure where she was until he looked over to the balcony to see the door open. He put a pair of pants on, then walked out to where she was and put an arm around her.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" She asked Jean-Luc.
"Hmm, yes, it is." Jean-Luc affirmed.
They watched the sun rise with its various hues of reds and
orange. Beverly was in complete awe of the city of Paris and it's sunsets and sunrises. They had an advantage to seeing both with the way the balcony sat facing the north.
Jean-Luc, for his part, was doing well to see the city through her eyes and not as a person who grew up in France. To him the Eiffel Tower was just an every day site that one just got use to it being there and never to further notice of it. It was just more decoration, but he appreciated the newness Beverly brought with her and enjoyed her excitement immensely.
"You know, Beverly." He began. "I was thinking, since you've never seen it before except in pictures, about taking you up into the Tower."
"I don't want to bore you." She replied.
Jean-Luc looked Beverly in the eyes with a proud smile. "Oh, no. You won't bore me. In fact, I'm happy to see someone I care about with so much enthusiasm. It has also helped me not to see the every day as so mundane."
"Mundane?" She said in surprise. "The Eiffel Tower is hardly mundane. It's not like there's one in every city!"
"No, but if you grew up near such a tourist attaction and see it every day, the not so ordinary does in fact become the ordinary." He replied. "Thus the Eiffel Tower is a commonplace around here."
She laughs. "I see your point."
"I remember as a boy, we would come to Paris from LaBarre to shop for items that weren't found in LaBarre due to it's size. Mother always said that if we ever got lost to head for the Tower and she would meet us there." Jean-Luc told her. "Oh, my brother and I did wonder off once. I forgot what it was that distracted us. Oh, yes. It was a street mime. Well, he and I stood and watched him as our mother went on not noticing that we had stopped to watch the mime. Before we knew it, we hadn't a clue where she was. So, we headed to the Tower as
instructed."
"And she met you there, right?" Beverly asked.
"Oh, yes. However, we had been separated from her for almost an hour." He informed Beverly. "We thought she would never get there, but she did and she was very upset that we had wondered off."
"Yes, any mother would be."
"And rightly, so." Picard said. "She did, however, tell us we did well in doing as we were told and meeting her there. That was about the only day in my life I was greatful it was such a famous landmark. This being another." He smiled.
Beverly smiled back at him and then they kissed passionately. When they broke apart from their kiss, Jean-Luc spoke with a smile. "Well, I have a big day planned for us."
Beverly returned his smile. "What do you have in mind?"
"Oh, start out with roomservice sending up some crescents and coffee, then as promised I want to take you up into the Eiffel Tower." He explained to her. "This afternoon we could see the Louvre museum, if you like? They have a wonderful renaissance exhibit there, including Louy XIV exhibit. I think you'll like it."
"Sounds like fun!" She said with enthusiasm.
After they ate and got dressed for the day ahead, they headed to the Eiffel Tower. Beverly was like a kid again. She even felt like one.
They reach the first level of the Eiffel Tower and she was very enthused by the site. "Oh, Jean-Luc! It's beautiful up here!"
"Oh, we're not done yet." He informed her.
"There's two more levels to view the city from."
They returned to the turbolift and he began to tell her some of the history of the Tower. "Originally, there were stairs and elevators going along on all four sides of this structure. It's been renovated many times since 1889."
"Really?" Beverly asked. "I had no idea it was that old. I thought it was a twentieth century structure, but I guess I was wrong on the date it was built."
They stepped off the turbolift onto the second level and Picard continues as Beverly looks out over the city on every side.
"Originally, it was suppose to be a temporary structure that was on display at the Paris World Exposition. The entrance to the Exposition to be exact."
"Interesting." She said more interested in the view of the city than what he was actually saying.
"It took a little less than twenty-eight months to
erect." He informed her. "You ready to see the third level?"
"Oh, yes!" She said excitedly.
They returned to the turbolift and Picard goes on with the
history. "France also decided at that time to commemorate the Tower to the Century Anniversary of the French Revolution after it had won first place in the Expostition. "
They exited the turbolift. "So." He finished. "It bacame a permenant structure."
Beverly looks over the structure. "Amazing!" She said in awe. "Simply amazing!"
"I'm glad you think so." He said with a smile.
"They must have worked hard to keep this structure in good condition after all these years." She said.
"Yes, come to think of it." He stated, now in awe
himself over her statement. "That is amazing. It's over 500 years old!"
Picard started admiring the framework of the structure in detail. He was also now caught up in Beverly's enthusiasm over the Tower.
He suddenly turned to her, put a hand on her shoulder and she turned to him. As she turned he placed his other hand on her other should and smiled.
Beverly smiled also and asked, "What is it?"
"You." He stated without any doubts.
"Me?"
"Yes." He said firmly. "You've brought new life into me, this city and this Tower."
"Oh, I really.." She started to say, but he interupts her.
"I'm serious." He said. "I used to take this city and this Tower for granted, but you've made me see just how out of the ordinary it really is."
She was surprised. "I have?"
"Yes." He said. "This structure survived the third world war, while other structures, like the Statue of Liberty, in what was once the United States, barely made it out of the twenty-first century, only to be destroyed during the third world war."
"True." She said. "That statue had a lot of
problems with aged materials and they had to do major restructing in the late twentieth century."
"Yes, but we kept this thing up and going all these
years." He said. "Amazing architectural stucture." He said with a smile on his face as he turned to touch part of the Tower.
Then he turned back to her and gave her the most romantic kiss he had ever given anyone in his life. It was long and passionate.
Finally, Beverly pulled back. "Jean-Luc," She said a little breathless. "That was.. so wonderful, but.." She looked around at all the people that were visiting the Tower.
Picard cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."
"Oh, no you didn't, Jean-Luc." She said, now awe
inspired by him. "I just suddenly came back to our present surroundings."
Now he was a little embarrassed. "Yes, it is rather crowded, isn't it?"
"It's OK, Jean-Luc." She said with a smile and then she kissed him and it was Picard's turn to feel self-conscious of his surroundings.
"Um." He cleared the frog out of his throat. "Why don't we go and get some lunch, back at the hotel?"
"Well, it is 1300 hours." She said with a smile.
"Why don't we?"
They rushed back to the turbolift, nearly running over someone. The person turns and gives them a look as to say "Watch where you're going."
Beverly said, "Excuse me." at the same time Jean-Luc said the same thing, only in French. The man nods and goes on his way.
They finally get back to their hotel room and the passion they had for each other in the Eiffel Tower gave way to exhaustion. They both plopped down on the bed and sighed.
"Well," Beverly sighed tiredly. "So much for that thought."
"I gather you had the same thoughts as I was having?" Picard asked.
"If you mean a little afternoon delight in the middle of Paris on our honeymoon?" Then she added a breathy, "Yeah."
"I guess at our age, a mad two to three block dash is a
little much?" Picard said.
"Our age!" Beverly exclaimed. "What do you mean our age?"
"Well, what I mean was.."
Before Picard could finish his statement, Beverly rolled over and started kissing him passionately again. "I'll show you what we can do at our age."
"I guess the Louvre is off for this afternoon?"
Jean-Luc asked.
"Well, it is our honeymoon, dear." Beverly said playfully, running the tips of her fingers down his chest. "We can do whatever we want."
"Yes, we can." Picard said. "Ah, we'll do it tomorrow, due to more interest in "afternoon delights" as you say."
Jean-Luc wrapts her in his arms and kisses her. Then she pulls back and says, "There's still the opera tonight, if you still want to go."
"I have other things on my mind, right now." He said with a smile and pulls her back down to him for another kiss.
Then Beverly whispers in his ear, "After all, it is our
honeymoon."
After that they had an afternoon of passion, instead of site
seeing. Lunch had been forgotten and the feelings they had when they decided to return to the hotel room, had resurfaced. They were in a world of their own, where no one, but the two of them resided.