Chapter Text
“Is there anybody here who objects to this union?” The words hung in the air. Jean-Luc swallowed and stared at his best friends standing next to him, ready to start their new journey together. He glanced at the man standing opposite him, his other best friend and saw the man’s eyes willing him to say something. He looked at the bride, a vision in white. Her dress only set off by her flaming hair that was pulled back into an elaborate comb. He looked at the flowers, then the delicate hand holding the bouquet. His eyes travelled up across the beaded torso of the ostentatious dress that hadn’t been her style at all to her long neck, her dot of a chin. Her lips were full and pink and slightly trembling. He was afraid to look higher, but he did. And as their eyes met, Jean-Luc found himself parting his lips and licking them. He saw the hope spring to her eyes as he softly cleared his throat, and then....
“I do.” Her words were soft, yet firm. The groom turned to his bride with incredulous eyes. “Jack, you know we would never work out. You know neither one of us have been one hundred percent committed to this relationship these past months. We probably would have wound up divorced.”
“Is there,” Jack cleared his throat. “Is there someone else?” Beverly glanced over at Walker, who touched Jack’s shoulder. Jack turned towards his friend and missed when Beverly reached for Jean-Luc’s hand and he ushered her out of a side door being held open by one of Beverly’s bridesmaids.
“Jack, I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask Beverly these things in front of all the guests.” Jack hung his head.
“You’re right, Wal,” he turned around. “Bev, I’m....where did she go?”
“She left with Missy and Johnny followed them,” one of their other friends provided.
“Oh.” Jack turned towards the guests and swallowed. “Uhm....I’m sorry we ah...” Walker took over.
“What Jack is trying to say, is he hopes you all enjoy the party that will start in about a half an hour.” Walker took Jack by the elbow and ushered him out the door on the opposite side. The door closed and Jack slumped against the wall.
“Should I go after her?”
“Jacky...no. Come on, you know this was the right thing. Do you even love her?” Jack shrugged.
“I don’t know. I mean....maybe?”
“Jacky. We were out just two nights ago and I saw you with another woman. How can you love Beverly if you still want to sleep with other women?” Jack shrugged again.
“I didn’t want to be the one to break it off.” Walker studied his friend.
“So...you would have rather gone through with the farce of getting married to save breaking off and then cheat on Bev and eventually get divorced? That’s not how marriage works.”
“I know. I just.... I don’t know!” Jack threw up his hands. “Where’s Beverly?”
“Probably gone by now with Missy.” Walker wisely didn’t mention Jean-Luc, and hoped Jack didn’t ask him about their other best friend.
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Beverly threw her bouquet into a nearby rubbish bin and tugged the pins out of her hair and shook it. “Ah, much better.” She grabbed Jean-Luc’s hand and pulled him in close and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Giving me the courage to end that before it began. I should have broken up with Jack months ago after the first time....” she blushed and Jean-Luc couldn’t help but chuckle as he slid an arm around her waist. He pressed his forehead against hers.
“Beverly....I love you. I should have told you the first time we kissed, but you were dating Jack and I thought it was just a silly accidental kiss between friends...”
“And then it happened again,” Beverly softly whispered. Missy glanced between her two friends with her mouth hanging slightly open.
“I didn’t know. Did Walker?” Jean-Luc shrugged at the younger girl.
“I don’t know. Probably. At least, I’m sure he knew how I felt. Bev?” Beverly’s blush deepened.
“Yeah. He knew about my feelings too.” Missy’s eyes bulged out.
“Wow.”
“Wow, indeed.” Jean-Luc threaded his fingers with Beverly’s. “We should probably leave before someone comes looking for you or sees us.” Beverly let out a small giggle.
“Bit hard to miss me in this ridiculous dress.” Jean-Luc tucked a strand of her now wild hair behind her ear and smiled.
“You look lovely.” Beverly grumbled.
“I don’t, but thanks.” Missy rolled her eyes. She knew Beverly had wanted to just wear her dress uniform, but Jack had pressured her into wearing a ‘proper wedding dress’. Regardless of if Beverly wanted it or not, she still looked beautiful.
“Right. Why don’t you two just take off and go somewhere for a few days? You know Jack will look for you at your apartment, Bev.” Beverly frowned.
“I don’t know where to go. If we go to Jean-Luc’s ship, I’m sure he’d find us, and I’m not ready to talk to him....even though I know he would agree with me on ending the relationship and not getting married. I mean, I heard about the other night.” Jean-Luc’s hand went to rub the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry. Jack wanted a night out before the wedding.” Beverly rolled her eyes.
“He didn’t have to sleep with the stripper.”
“He slept with a stripper?!” Missy practically shouted and Beverly covered her mouth.
“Shh!”
“Sorry! I just can’t believe he would sleep with another woman.” Beverly shrugged.
“Well, at least I never cheated on him. Jean-Luc and I only ever kissed.” Missy grinned at her two friends.
“Yeah, but how many times?”
“None of your business! Now help me figure out what to do! The guests will be filing out any minute and I don’t want to see anyone.” Missy frowned.
“Ok. So....our apartment is out. The Stargazer is out....I suppose the flat you’re staying in is out, too, Jean-Luc?”
“Sorry, Missy. I was sharing a flat with Walker and Jack.”
“I suppose you can’t just take Jean-Luc on the honeymoon you guys planned,” she quipped. Beverly laughed.
“I don’t think that would go over well.”
“I can take you to La Barre,” Jean-Luc spoke quietly. He hadn’t been back in several years since he and his father hadn’t gotten along since he left for the Academy, but Jean-Luc still talked to his mother on a regular basis.
“Wow, really?” Jean-Luc shrugged.
“Maman would love to see you, I’m sure. There are plenty of rooms at the Chateau so Missy could come along too and I doubt Jack would think to check there since he knows what things are like with my father.” Beverly stared at Jean-Luc incredulously.
“You’d face him for me?”
“Beverly, my love, I would do anything for you.”