rusty_armour | Fic: In the Family Way (9(b)/11)

Title: In the Family Way (9(b)/11)
Author: Rusty Armour
Pairing: McShep, Beckett/Other
Summary: Some are born into families; others create their own.
Word Count: 4,766
Category: Slash, MPreg, AU
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Pretty much everything up to and including season three.
Disclaimer: Thou Shalt Not Steal. Even in the interest of fic. Most of these characters aren't mine. I, uh, borrowed them. Yeah.

As Sheppard made his way into the kitchen, he was consumed by the same wave of panic he’d felt whenever he’d been dragged before a Wraith Queen. Jeannie’s gaze was certainly as hard and unflinching as a Wraith’s as she pointed to the kitchen table and Sheppard reluctantly sat down. He tried not to twitch as Jeannie stared across at him, assessing him for weaknesses, gauging how long it would take for him to break. Sheppard held out for about forty seconds.

“Uh, how’s Rodney?” Sheppard asked when he could no longer stand the silence.

If possible, Jeannie’s eyes grew a degree colder. “He’s hurt because his stupid boyfriend – and I use the term very loosely – laughed at him when he was in the shower.”

Sheppard bowed his head. “It wasn’t done maliciously. I was…I was just caught by surprise. I-I wasn’t expecting him to be…to be…”

“Wow, you must be really popular in maternity wards,” Jeannie said.

Sheppard gritted his teeth. “Look, I’m sorry, but the last thing I was expecting was to see Rodney knocked up.”

Jeannie propped her chin on her hand. “Oh? So what were you expecting to see, then?”

Sheppard slumped back in his chair. “I don’t know. I-I thought he was sick, that maybe he had cancer.” He dared to look at Jeannie, who was staring at him with an incredulous look.

“You thought Rodney might have cancer?” Jeannie asked.

Sheppard shrugged. “That or a brain tumour. When I found out a couple of weeks ago that Rodney had left Atlantis, I knew something was wrong.”

Jeannie raised her eyebrows. “You’ve only known for a couple of weeks? Didn’t you think it was strange when you didn’t hear anything from him?”

Sheppard began fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth. “I was stationed on another planet – in this galaxy for once – and I was pretty much cut off from Atlantis and the SGC,” he said. “I did write Rodney a letter when I first arrived on Dakara, but I never heard back from him. I thought maybe it didn’t reach him, or…”

“Or?” Jeannie pressed.

Sheppard smiled, though Jeannie could see it was forced. “Or he just got busy and didn’t feel like writing back.”

“I see.” Jeannie stood, walked around the kitchen table, and cuffed Sheppard on the back of the head.

“Hey!” Sheppard rubbed his head, glaring at Jeannie.

“You’re an idiot,” Jeannie said. “A complete and utter idiot.” Sheppard tried to duck, but he couldn’t escape a second smack from Jeannie’s hand. “Rodney loves you. He’s been pining away for months. It’s been really pathetic.”

Sheppard’s brow creased. “He does? He has? It’s been pathetic?”

Jeannie grabbed Sheppard’s arm and hauled him out of his chair. “Go talk to him.”

“What? But-but what if he doesn’t want to see me?” Sheppard couldn’t suppress the fear that was rising in him.

“Tough.” Jeannie shoved Sheppard out of the kitchen and stood with her hands on her hips as Sheppard made his way to the stairs. When Sheppard stood frozen at the top, Jeannie said, “I know you can do it. You’ve already gone down them three times.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going.” Fighting off another surge of anxiety, Sheppard slowly descended into the basement.

Sheppard thought Rodney might be napping again or working on his laptop, so he was surprised to see Rodney leafing through the same paperback Jeannie had been reading earlier. Then, as if sensing he wasn’t alone, Rodney lifted his head, his eyes widening.

“You’re-you’re not supposed to be here,” Rodney said. “My sister told you to leave.” Dropping the paperback, Rodney raised his voice and shouted, “Jeannie!”

Jeannie’s response came instantly from the top of the stairs. “Oh, just talk to him, you big baby!”

Rodney’s mouth fell open and he sputtered in indignation. “I have nothing to say to Colonel Insensitive!”

This time there was a slight edge to Jeannie’s voice. “He’s your boyfriend. You’re going to have to talk to him sooner or later.”

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Rodney said, eyeing Sheppard coldly.

“Well, you still need to talk to him…whatever he is,” Jeannie called down the stairs. “Look, just give him five minutes. If he doesn’t leave by then, I’ll come down.”

“You’d better,” Rodney grumbled. Then he crossed his arms and scowled at Sheppard. “Well?” he snapped.

Sheppard cleared his throat. “Uh, I just heard the happy news. Congratulations.”

Rodney’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to be funny?”

“What? No!” Sheppard said. “I’m being completely serious. I think it’s great that you’re…you’re going to give birth to an alien baby.”

Rodney lowered his eyes, crossing his arms more tightly. “You think I’m a freak.”

“No, that’s not true,” Sheppard said. It hurt that Rodney could think that. Sheppard took another step towards the bed, feeling even more pain when Rodney edged closer to the headboard, covering his belly with one of the sheets on the bed. “How could you believe I’d ever think that, Rodney?”

Rodney stared at Sheppard in disbelief before flushing an angry shade of red. “You laughed at the baby!”

Sheppard flinched then accepted the accusation with a reluctant nod. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say sorry to me!” Rodney shouted. “You should apologize to the baby!”

“Okay,” Sheppard said. He tried to glance down at Rodney’s belly, but Rodney was still concealing it with the sheet. “Uh, I’m really sorry for laughing at you, little guy.”

Rodney glared at Sheppard. “It’s a girl.”

“Oh,” Sheppard said. “Right.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, uh, princess. I shouldn’t have laughed at you and upset your…uh…mommy.” Sheppard moved closer to the bed. “Look, this would be a lot easier if I could see who I was apologizing to, so if you could just pull back the sheet…”

Rodney shook his head emphatically and yanked the sheet all the way up to his chin.

Sheppard groaned. “Rodney…”

“I’m tired. Go away.” Rodney turned on his side and closed his eyes.

Sheppard watched him for a moment then said, “Okay, Rodney.”

Sheppard was sure that if he were a dog, his tail would be between his legs. It was an effort to keep his head held high, especially when he ran into Jeannie at the top of the stairs.

“That was fast,” Jeannie said.

“Uh, yeah. Rodney didn’t really feel like talking.” Sheppard tried to smile, but Jeannie was looking at him with an expression that was all too compassionate. Before Sheppard could stop himself, he found he was blurting out the truth. “I really hurt him.”

Jeannie rolled her eyes. “Well, duh. You laughed at him, you jerk. Rodney’s always been sensitive about his body and now he’s pregnant…”

“He’s more sensitive than ever,” Sheppard said. “Dammit. When am I going to learn to keep my big mouth shut?”

Jeannie patted Sheppard’s arm sympathetically. “You didn’t know.”

“Maybe not,” Sheppard said, “but it doesn’t make up for the fact that I laughed at him.”

“Did you apologize?” Jeannie asked.

Sheppard nodded sheepishly. “Yeah. To him and the baby.”

“Well, then, you’ve done everything you can do for now,” Jeannie said. “The ball’s in Rodney’s court.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Sheppard glanced around the living room, shifting uncomfortably. “I should get going. Find a motel or something. If it’s okay, maybe I could call here in a couple of days, see how Rodney’s doing. And Andrew too, of course. I’ve had a few concussions, so I know how much it sucks.”

Jeannie gazed at Sheppard for an instant and sighed. “It won’t be the Ritz,” she said, “but how would you feel about a sleeping bag on the living room floor?”

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

Everything had been so much easier in the Pegasus Galaxy. Rodney had made the first move by kissing him on Creseda, which had led to more kissing once Rodney had been released from the infirmary and, then, inevitably, to sex. When Sheppard had been facing what could have been his last night ever in Atlantis, it seemed only right to seek out Rodney. However, wanting something was one thing: being brave enough to go after it was another issue entirely.

It was almost midnight by the time Sheppard had worked up the courage to go to Rodney. He swung past the lab first and was relieved not to find Rodney there. This was the kind of proposition that would probably sound better if Rodney was already in his quarters.

The chime had barely sounded when Rodney’s door opened. Raising an eyebrow, Sheppard stepped into the room. Rodney was lounging on his bed, reading one of the comic books Sheppard had lent him. He sat up and set the comic book aside as Sheppard approached him. Rodney seemed a little tense, which wasn’t unusual for him, but Sheppard could sense something else – a kind of suppressed excitement.

Son of a bitch, Sheppard thought. He was expecting me to come.

Rodney raised a hand in greeting. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Sheppard said.

Having gotten their introductions out of the way, neither of them seemed to know what to say next. Sheppard had been hoping that Rodney would take over the conversation as usual, and the topic of sex would come up naturally. Unfortunately, Rodney had apparently used up his allowance of words for the day because he was just sitting there, a little smile tugging at one corner of his lips.

“This is my last night on Atlantis,” Sheppard said.

The smile faded. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

Sheppard closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be alone.” When his eyes flew open again, the smile had returned.

“Would you like to watch a movie, or go out on the pier and get drunk?” Rodney said. However, Sheppard could tell by Rodney’s expression that this wasn’t what Rodney was asking at all.

Sheppard reached down and grabbed Rodney by the front of his shirt, pulling him to his feet. Then he was kissing Rodney with an intensity and enthusiasm that took even him by surprise. Rodney didn’t seem to mind, though. He had moaned when Sheppard had kissed him, clutching at Sheppard’s back and responding eagerly.

When they broke apart after a few minutes, Sheppard leaned forward to whisper in Rodney’s ear. “It felt so good to feel your hand around my cock,” he said. “I want to be surrounded by you again, feel you when I come.”

Rodney shuddered. “I…I’d like that too. Maybe we could jerk each other off.”

“Actually, I was thinking of something a little more intimate.” Sheppard reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a container of lube. When Rodney gazed at the lube wordlessly, Sheppard hastily tried to put it away, but Rodney grabbed his hand. “Look, it was a stupid idea,” Sheppard said. “I have no right to – ”

“No, it’s not that.” Rodney swallowed nervously. “It’s just that…I’ve never done it before.” At Sheppard’s incredulous stare, he quickly added, “Well, obviously I’ve done it, but I’ve never been at the bottom before. Not that way.”

“It’s okay, Rodney. It’s a lot to ask.” Sheppard tried to pocket the lube again, but Rodney had a tight grip on his hand.

“I’m willing to try it,” Rodney said. “I’d-I’d do anything for you.” He blushed and tried to look away, but Sheppard cupped his face in both hands and kissed him, trying to place the words he couldn’t conjure into this simple, heartfelt act. Rodney had always tried to do what Sheppard had asked of him. Even when he was afraid, or had declared that a task was impossible, he still went for it with everything he had. As Rodney’s mouth opened under the assault of Sheppard’s tongue, Sheppard knew that Rodney wouldn’t be any different when it came to anal sex.

“I won’t hurt you,” Sheppard said. “If it becomes too painful for you, I promise to stop.”

Rodney licked a swath of skin across Sheppard’s neck, causing Sheppard to shiver. “I know you will.”

They removed each other’s clothes in what seemed like only a matter of seconds. Then Rodney was crawling across his bed and positioning himself on all fours. Sheppard’s cock grew harder at the sight of Rodney on his hands and knees and he wondered if he’d be able to wait until he was inside Rodney to come.

Rodney tossed a look over his shoulder and practically smirked when he saw how aroused Sheppard had become. That was all the invitation Sheppard needed to join Rodney on the bed.

Sheppard ran a hand down Rodney’s back, feeling him tremble slightly. Sheppard kissed Rodney between the shoulder-blades and then reached down to grab Rodney’s cock. Rodney gasped and his penis twitched in Sheppard’s hand.

“We’ll take it slow,” Sheppard said. “If anything doesn’t feel good, let me know.”

Rodney tried unsuccessfully to hold back a whimper as Sheppard stroked his cock. “Yes, yes, fine. Just get on with it, will you?”

Sheppard grinned and smacked Rodney on the ass. “Okay. You asked for it.” He twisted the cap off the lube and squeezed out some gel. Then he trailed his index finger down the crease of Rodney’s ass and between the soft round cheeks. Rodney tensed when the finger reached his anus, and Sheppard rubbed his back. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Sheppard said. “We can stop any time.”

Rodney glanced quickly over his shoulder. “No, it’s all right. I…I just panicked for a second. I’m okay now.”

Sheppard bit his lip. “Are you sure?”

Rodney sighed. “For the last time, yes,” he said. “If I change my mind, you’ll be the first person to know.”

Sheppard snorted. “Well, I should hope so.” Pressing against the puckered hole, Sheppard started to push his finger gently inside Rodney’s anus. The space was so constricted, that Sheppard wondered whether he would be able to work his finger in past the knuckle. Then Rodney spread his legs further apart and made a visible effort to relax. A couple of minutes later, the entire finger had disappeared.

“I’m going to try adding another finger,” Sheppard said.

“Okay.” Rodney sounded a bit breathless, but Sheppard didn’t think it was due to pain.

Prodding Rodney’s anus again, Sheppard patiently coaxed his middle finger through that tight hole. When the second digit was nestled snugly against the first one, Sheppard began to move both fingers in a circular motion, attempting to stretch Rodney even more. When he tried to bend his fingers, he brushed against something that made Rodney cry out.

“God, I’m sorry,” Sheppard said. He was about to pull his fingers away, when he felt Rodney squeeze down on them.

“Don’t you dare,” Rodney hissed.

Sheppard stared at Rodney’s back in confusion. “What?”

“Do…do it again,” Rodney said hoarsely.

“Um, okay.” Sheppard crooked his fingers, and Rodney yelled even louder.

“That’s fantastic,” Rodney gasped. “It’s almost as good as wormholes and…and kittens.”

“Really?” Sheppard asked. “You mean when I do this?” Sheppard nudged Rodney’s prostate a third time and Rodney actually mewled. Sheppard wasted no time in introducing a third finger after that.

When the third finger was all the way in, Rodney was panting and trembling slightly.

“Get in me now,” Rodney growled.

Sheppard swallowed, his cock growing even harder. He slowly withdrew his fingers and coated his penis with lube. Then he grasped the hips in front of him and positioned himself behind Rodney.

Rodney drew in a sharp breath and tensed when Sheppard’s cock breached him. Sheppard kissed his back, hoping to reassure him. “It’s okay,” Sheppard said. “Try to relax.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Rodney sounded like he was speaking through gritted teeth.

“Do you want me to stop?” Sheppard asked.

Rodney laughed. “Are you kidding? Of course not.”

Taking that as consent, Sheppard continued to push into Rodney, moving slowly, allowing Rodney to become accustomed to the hard length inside him. Sheppard knew that all Rodney was probably feeling at the moment was the burn. Rodney was so tight that Sheppard was afraid he might come from the pressure on his cock alone.

Once Sheppard made it all the way in, it was a struggle not to start thrusting. He could hear harsh, shallow breaths from Rodney and see trickles of sweat on his neck. Sheppard wondered once again if this had been such a good idea, when Rodney gasped and jerked his pelvis. Sheppard pulled himself out of Rodney’s body a little and thrust gently.

“More,” Rodney said. “Faster.”

Clutching Rodney’s hips firmly, Sheppard drew almost all the way out of Rodney and then pushed in harder. Rodney whimpered, arching his back. Sheppard thrust again and, this time, Rodney responded in counterpoint.

As Sheppard continued his onslaught, driving into Rodney harder and faster each time, Rodney moaned until his voice was just one continuous keening wail. When the pleasure became too much, Rodney gave a deep shudder and the wail turned into a sob. He collapsed on his stomach with Sheppard still pounding into him. Then Sheppard felt the orgasm rip through him and he thrust wildly.

When Sheppard came to, he was lying on top of Rodney and they were both a sweaty, sticky, and thoroughly sated mess.

“Again, again,” Rodney mumbled, sounding half asleep.

Sheppard laughed and nuzzled Rodney’s shoulder. “I don’t think either of us is up for it, buddy. Besides, I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

“Stay?” Rodney asked.

“Okay,” Sheppard said. “For a little while.”

Sheppard knew he would be long gone before morning. Unfortunately, he suspected that Rodney knew as well.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

“I stayed away for as long as I could,” came a voice from the front door.

Sheppard looked up from the game of Monopoly he’d been playing with Carson and Andrew as Jeannie led a dark-haired man into the living room. Assuming he was a friend, or at least a neighbour, Sheppard stood and held out his hand.

“Oh, I know who you are,” the man said. “You’re Colonel Sheppard and you work with Carson and Rodney.”

Sheppard raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s a pleasure to meet you, uh – ”

“Jamie.” The man reached across the coffee table and shook Sheppard’s hand. “My God, you’re gorgeous,” he said. He glanced at Jeannie. “Why didn’t Britney tell me he was hot? And that drawl! I love your accent!”

“Uh…” Sheppard tried to extract his hand, but Jamie’s grip was like a vice.

Jeannie cleared her throat and poked Jamie’s arm. When that didn’t work, she grabbed both Jamie’s and Sheppard’s wrists and pried their hands apart. “Down boy,” she said to Jamie. “You’re married and I’ve seen what Claude can be like when he’s jealous.”

Jamie grinned. “Why do you think I flirt so much, sweetie?”

Jeannie rolled her eyes. “I assumed it was a hobby.”

Jamie laughed and patted Jeannie’s back affectionately. Then his eyes moved to Andrew and his expression grew more serious. “So I heard someone had to be taken from his hockey game in an ambulance.”

Andrew smiled brightly. “I got a concussion.”

Jamie grimaced then shot a sympathetic look at Jeannie. “Wow. His first major hockey injury. You must be so proud.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m just bursting with pride,” Jeannie said sarcastically. “And it’s not his first major hockey injury: it’s his last.”

Andrew groaned. “Mom!”

At Jamie’s confused expression, Carson explained. “Jeannie says Andrew will never be allowed to play hockey again.”

Jamie snorted. “Yeah, right!” Jeannie glared at Jamie and his eyes widened. “You’re not serious.”

“Oh, I am,” Jeannie said. “I’m totally serious.”

“But, honey, it’s hockey. Hockey.” Jamie waved a helpless hand at Andrew as if it would somehow clarify his point. It didn’t.

Jeannie crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I’m sure there are lots of other activities Andrew can get involved in that won’t require a backboard and x-rays.”

Jamie placed his hands on Jeannie’s shoulders. “Andrew’s going to get hurt no matter what he does. He’s a kid. Kids do that.”

Jeannie shook her head. “Not on my watch. Not any more.”

“Jeannie, unless your list of other activities includes time in a plastic bubble, that’s just not going to happen,” Jamie said. “You might as well let him play hockey because it’s got the same risks as any other sport.”

Jeannie took a step back, shrugging off Jamie’s hands. “No, hockey is one of the most dangerous sports around. If you think I’m going to let my kid anywhere near a hockey rink again, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Andrew rose abruptly to his feet. “I hate you!” he spat at Jeannie. Then he brushed past Sheppard and ran from the room.

For an instant, Jeannie looked as if she’d been punched, but then she tightened her jaw and gazed down at the carpet.

“He didn’t mean it, luv,” Carson said.

Jeannie nodded but didn’t look up. “I know. Children say it all the time or, at least, I assume they do and it’s not just Andrew and the kids in all those after school specials.”

“They do,” Jamie said. “Well, not to me, but Britney has said it to Claude a few times. In English and French. I hate you. Je te déteste.”

Jeannie huffed out a breath. “Okay. That’s good to know. And Andrew won’t be taking French until September, so I should only have to hear it in the one language for now.”

Jamie exchanged a look with Sheppard and Carson then pulled Jeannie into a hug. “Ah, sweetie, I’m sorry. I really opened a huge can of worms this time.”

“No, no,” Jeannie said against Jamie’s shoulder. “It would have come up eventually. It’s probably better that we got it out of the way.”

Jamie planted a kiss on Jeannie’s forehead. “You’re a good mom, Jeannie. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.” He released Jeannie from his embrace, though he kept one hand on her arm. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but how’s Rodney?”

Jeannie burst out laughing then looked at Sheppard. “Do you want to tell him, flyboy, or should I?”

Sheppard just put his face in his hands.

A few hours ago, he had set Rodney off again by sneaking down to the basement to see him. Well, if Sheppard was going to be totally honest with himself, he had snuck down to the basement because he’d wanted to see Rodney and his belly. Ever since Rodney had denied him access to it, Sheppard had become obsessed with the need to see and touch that belly. He had lay awake for half the night just thinking about it and what it would mean for Rodney.

Finally, when he could no longer stand it, Sheppard had snuck down the stairs and then across the floor on his stomach. Unfortunately, as he reached up and began to pull back the sheet covering Rodney, a hand had come out of nowhere and slapped him hard across the face. That was followed by a pillow that had clobbered him repeatedly on the head. In the end, Sheppard had been forced to flee back to the living room.

Now, sitting in the same living room, his face still in his hands, Sheppard could hear Jeannie telling Jamie a highly edited version of her brother’s tiff with his not-quite boyfriend. He blocked it out as best he could, only realizing it was over when he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder.

“It’s okay, honey,” Jamie said. “Rodney will come around. He’d be crazy not to with a man like you waiting in the wings.”

Sheppard wasn’t so sure, but he smiled and thanked Jamie anyway.

It was two more days before Rodney did come around. It was almost 3:00 in the morning and Sheppard was half asleep, when he heard what sounded like a shout from the basement. Wrestling out of his sleeping bag, Sheppard tore down the stairs. Flicking on a light switch, he rushed over to the bed. Rodney was lying on his side, cradling his belly and sobbing.

“God, Rodney…” Sheppard sat down on the mattress and bent over Rodney, kissing his wet face and rubbing a hand along his back.

“He killed her,” Rodney whispered. “The Wraith killed my baby.”

“What?” Sheppard glanced down at Rodney’s belly, though he didn’t dare touch it.”

“He-he put his hand on me and drained her life away.” Rodney started crying again, curling into a ball.

Sheppard swallowed around the lump that had formed in his throat. “Rodney, it was just a dream, a-a nightmare. The baby’s fine.”

“Get-get Carson,” Rodney gasped between sobs. “He has to check the baby, make sure she’s okay.”

Sheppard was about to tell Rodney that it was the middle of the night and they should let Carson sleep. Then he took one look at Rodney’s anguished face and instantly changed his mind. “Okay. I’ll get Carson. Everything will be all right, Rodney.”

Sheppard ran up the stairs and into the living room, expecting to see Carson asleep on the couch, but there was no sign of him. For a few seconds, Sheppard couldn’t figure out where Carson could have gone. Then it hit him. “Oh, crap,” he said. Shaking his head, Sheppard walked down the hall to Jeannie’s room. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door. “Um…Jeannie? I’m looking for Carson and I thought you might have seen him.” He winced at his choice of words but continued. “Rodney had a nightmare that something happened to the baby and he’s really upset. I’m sure the baby’s fine, but I know Rodney would feel a lot better if – ”

The door opened and Carson stared at Sheppard blearily. He was wearing a pink robe that obviously didn’t belong to him. “Give me a minute,” Carson said, closing the door again. Sheppard heard voices inside the room and then Carson re-emerged, Jeannie walking right behind him. Jeannie was now wearing the pink robe and Carson was wearing a t-shirt and boxers. Sheppard led them silently down the hall, through the living room, and into the basement.

Rodney had stopped sobbing, though tears were still rolling down his cheeks. Jeannie went to him without a word and wrapped her arms around him.

“It was a really bad one, eh?” Jeannie said.

Rodney nodded, leaning his head against Jeannie’s shoulder. Carson gave them a couple of minutes before reaching under the bed to pull out a device Sheppard had never seen before.

“What’s that?” Sheppard asked.

“It’s the portable ultrasound I was telling you about,” Carson said. “It’s what I’ve been using to monitor the baby’s condition.”

At the words “portable ultrasound,” Rodney lifted his head and then his shirt, revealing his rounded belly. Suddenly Sheppard wished that Rodney had continued to insist on hiding his belly if it meant he wasn’t terrified about the baby.

Carson walked over to the bed, positioning the ultrasound over Rodney. Then he smiled at what he saw on the screen, and Rodney shed fresh tears of relief. “Come and see, Colonel,” Carson said, beckoning Sheppard closer to the bed. Sheppard did so, peering curiously at the ultrasound. That was when he found himself crying along with Rodney.

“She…She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Sheppard touched the screen almost reverently. Then he reached down and placed a gentle hand on Rodney’s belly. To Sheppard’s surprise, Rodney grasped his hand, holding it tightly. That was when the baby kicked, causing both Sheppard and Rodney to laugh.

Although he was reluctant to do so, Sheppard eventually removed his hand from Rodney’s belly. “You should get some sleep,” he said. He watched Rodney settle back into bed and then tucked him in. He was about to turn and go back up the stairs with Carson and Jeannie, when Rodney called out to him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Rodney demanded.

Sheppard’s jaw dropped. “Uh…”

“He’s not going anywhere,” Jeannie said. “Are you?” She fixed Sheppard with what was meant to be a glare, but her eyes were twinkling.

Sheppard smiled at Jeannie. “No, of course not. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He climbed into bed beside Rodney, wishing Carson and Jeannie goodnight when they switched off the light and climbed the stairs. Sheppard had barely laid his head down, when Rodney snuggled up against him.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you or the baby,” Sheppard said. “I’m never leaving you again.”

“Promise?” Rodney whispered.

Sheppard draped an arm around Rodney’s shoulders, pulling him closer. “Yeah, I promise.”

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

windrose.livejournal.com

Thank you. I seriously needed a smile tonight, and this fit the bill quite nicely.

Two small nits:

1. John doesn't have a Southern accent.

2. We say pop in the States, too, though mostly in the Midwest. And if John really was Southern, he'd say coke, regardless of flavor or brand. Though, to be honest, that trend is starting to die out, at least here in Florida. I blame all the damn Yankees. ;)

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Fic: In the Family Way (9(b)/11)

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