Finding Happiness 10/?
Apr. 15th, 2008 08:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sg_lab2Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Notes and disclaimer in previous chapters
Chapter 10
John sighed and picked up his daughter. He had just had a conversation over the radio with Rodney who told him there was a crisis in the lab he had to deal with. Rodney then told him he wanted to talk when they had a chance, but that wasn’t very likely at the moment. Tomorrow they would be offworld for most of the day and who knew what the universe was about to throw at them next.
He took Maddie into the bathroom and got her ready for her bath. “I screwed up, kiddo,” he said. “He’s probably planning on moving back to his old quarters,” he was hoping Rodney was seeing these quarters as home.
John tended to think of it as an apartment rather than quarters. It made it more home to him.
Maddie splashed in the water and giggled. This made John smile. He ran his hand through the small curls of her hair. They reminded him of Elizabeth’s curls. Maddie’s hair was still a light brown almost blond. Her eyes were her mother’s color.
The constant pain of his wife’s loss had lessened over the last several months, but it would come up for various reasons and take him off guard. Like when Maddie took her first steps today. There were a lot more firsts ahead with his daughter too.
He took Maddie out of the tub and dried her off. Once he got her pajamas on he took her out to the living room. Across the room there was a mantle where he had some pictures arranged.
He picked up one of the pictures with Elizabeth he caught of her sitting on the couch when she was nine months pregnant. It was a week before Maddie was born. Carson had put her on bed rest for the last couple months of her pregnancy. She could get up a little, but not over do it.
“This is you right there, Maddie, right inside mommy,” he pointed at Elizabeth’s swollen belly in the picture.
Maddie blew out a noise that sounded like ‘mu-mu’.
John smiled. “You’ll get there,” he kissed his daughter’s temple and put the picture back. There was one with him and his team as well as their wedding picture and with them and Maddie a week after she was born.
“Wowie,” Maddie exclaimed reaching out to another picture. Elizabeth had taken it and placed it on the mantle without John evening knowing. It was him and Rodney on the couch laughing. John wasn’t sure, but he thought they were sharing an off world trip that was a comedy of errors.
“Wowie?” John chuckled.
“Dudu,” Maddie pressed her little hand to her daddy’s cheek.
“Come on, squirt, time for bed.
John placed Maddie in her crib and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Love you.”
Turning off the light he left the room and went to his own room and collapsed on the bed. A few minutes later he was sound asleep.
Scenebreak
John dragged himself out of bed the next day. Taking a shower he got dressed and went out to get Maddie up. To his surprise Rodney was in her room getting her ready.
“Hey,” John said resisting the urge to go up to Rodney and hug him and a few other ideas that came through his mind.
“Morning,” Rodney said.
“When did you get home?” He kept slipping in the word home every now and again hoping Rodney would start seeing it that way.
“About three in the morning,” Rodney then yawned.
“You about ready to go offworld?”
Rodney sighed. “Just give me about three cups of coffee and I’ll be mostly ready.”
“Three cups of coffee coming up,” John grinned going out to make the coffee.
Scenebreak
The mission took a day longer than they had planned and by the time they had returned to Atlantis they were all exhausted. They had their post mission physicals and went to get their kids.
It was the afternoon in Atlantis and John sat down on the couch with Maddie in his arms. The couch dipped and Rodney sat down next to him.
“That was fun,” Rodney huffed.
They had found themselves doing a lot of climbing to get to where they wanted. Rodney found an interesting energy signal up high in a mountainous region. The terrain was unfortunately such that they could not land the puddlejumper where they were going so it was on foot they went.
After hours of walking and climbing they were faced with nothing. They were all grumpy snapping at each other by the time they got back to the Jumper. Even Teyla who was usually the one to calm fights was on edge.
“You said that already,” John sighed. “About a half a dozen times since we left the planet.”
“Pardon me,” Rodney snarked back.
“We need a vacation,” John declared.
“My sister invited me for Thanksgiving dinner.”
John’s brow creased and he looked at Rodney. “Thanksgiving’s not for another month.”
“Canadian Thanksgiving, idiot,” Rodney said.
“Oh right. Sorry, too tired to think. My brother invited me and Maddie to Thanksgiving.”
“You’re on your own with him,” Rodney said. “I don’t think he liked me.”
“He thinks I have odd friends,” John said.
“Huh,” Rodney replied. “Jeannie thinks I have normal friends.”
Scenebreak
“Why are you coming with me?” Rodney asked for the twentieth time in as many minutes.
John watched Rodney close his suitcase and turn to look at him. They were going to Earth to spend some time with Rodney’s sister and her family for Canada’s Thanksgiving.
“You invited us,” John reminded him holding Maddie and turning her to face Rodney.
“Wowie,” Maddie exclaimed. It seemed she said that every time she saw Rodney. John decided that had been her first word, but Rodney argued it wasn’t a word.
“We need to get out of here so we can talk,” John said. “We’ve been so busy without a moment to ourselves.” They had barely had five minutes together in the past week. Every time something might happen there was a call or a meeting they had to get to.
“What’s this conversation going to lead to?” Rodney asked.
“That’s what we’re suppose to figure out,” John said turning and walking out of Rodney’s room.
Scenebreak
Jeannie practically dragged them into her house when they arrived. It had been some time since John had seen her and he was taken by surprise when she pulled him into a hug. It wasn’t an easy hug either what with her being almost nine months pregnant. When she pulled away she turned to her brother who was holding Maddie.
“Oh my God, she’s gotten so big. Mer’s been sending me pictures.”
John looked at Rodney with a raised eyebrow. “Has he?”
“Well…” Rodney stuttered to a halt.
“John,” Jeannie waved her hand at him. “So,” she looked at him seriously. “How are you doing? I was so sorry to hear about Elizabeth.”
John swallowed hard. It was getting better, but sometimes he was still taken off guard. “I’m doing okay.”
“Way to go Jeannie,” Rodney muttered.
“Mer,” she gave him a look. At this point John was feeling a bit dizzy. Two McKays could be a bit much.
“You are still making real food, right?” Rodney ignored her look.
“Yes,” she rolled her eyes.
“So, where are your husband and Madison?” Rodney asked.
“They should be here any minute,” she said.
“You’re not going to give birth until they get here, are you?” John snickered at the panicked look on Rodney’s face.
“Mer,” Jeannie smacked Rodney on the arm.
“Ow,” Rodney pouted.
The door opened and Caleb and Madison came in.
Scenebreak
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be for another couple of days, but Jeannie was working hard to get things ready.
Jeannie and Caleb had a guest room with two twin beds. John borrowed Madison’s old crib for Maddie. Caleb’s parents had given them a new crib for the new baby.
John woke up in the middle of their first night at the Millers’. Something had disturbed his sleep, but he wasn’t sure what. He walked over to the crib and found Maddie asleep. He looked over at the other bed and it was empty. He grabbed the baby monitor and slipped out of the room.
“Jeannie, can’t you leave it alone,” John heard Rodney’s voice inside the kitchen.
“There’s so much tension between you two, I’m worried,” Jeannie said.
“This is why we came here. We weren’t getting anywhere on Atlantis. Doesn’t exactly bode well,” Rodney mumbled.
“What’s the problem?” Jeannie asked.
“Other than I’m in love with one of my best friends, nothing.”
“Oh,” John couldn’t help but agree with Jeannie’s sentiment.
“God, I feel like I’m in a bizarre sort of soap opera,” Rodney said.
“Have you told him?” She asked.
“When would I have the time? This is his fault, he kissed me first.”
“Wow,” Jeannie said.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” John could just see the way Rodney looked. Arms folded glaring at Jeannie.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m just surprised he made the first move so soon.”
“He changed his mind,” John flinched at the sound of Rodney’s voice. “But then in the same moment said things were going too fast.”
“It’s been less than a year,” Jeannie said. “He seemed to love her very much when I saw them together.”
“Are you kidding, he was completely in love with her and still is,” Rodney said.
“Are you feeling guilty because of Elizabeth?” She asked and John couldn’t help flinching because he knew he was feeling guilty.
“Yes,” Rodney said and that had John feeling like an idiot not realizing Rodney felt the same.
“Um, Mer, I realize this is bad timing, but could you get Caleb?”
John heard brief babbling from Rodney before Jeannin yelled at him. Jumping back, John managed to avoid the kitchen door as it came swinging open. Rodney was completely oblivious to his presence though as he ran upstairs. John startled again as Jeannie shuffled out of the kitchen.
“Jeannie?” John took her by the arm and walked her across the room.
“John, what are you doing up?” She flinched as a contraction hit.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“John’s not in our room,” Rodney said as he came down with Maddie. Caleb was right behind him.
“Honey,” he rushed past Rodney to Jeannie. “Is it time to go?”
“Yes,” she leaned down bracing her hand on the back of the couch.
“Rodney,” John moved next to him. “Why’d you bring Maddie down?”
“When did you get down here?” Rodney asked.
“A few minutes ago,” John said. “Do you want us to stay here with Madison?”
“That would be great,” Jeannie said.
“All right,” John said. “Call us.”
“Mer,” Jeannie looked at his brother. “Talk to him,” Rodney only nodded watching his sister and brother-in-law walk out the door.
“I’m taking Maddie and getting some more sleep,” John took Maddie from Rodney and went up the stairs.
Scenebreak
John got up late. He found Rodney had already got up and got Maddie and Madison up and dressed.
“Anything for breakfast?” John asked.
“Oatmeal,” Rodney grimaced.
“Great,” John matched his grimace. “Where’s Madison?”
“In her room playing,” Rodney pulled Maddie out of the high chair.
“Uncle Rodney.”
“Okay, she was in her room,” Rodney said. “Yes, Madison?”
“When are Mommy and Daddy coming home?”
“Your Mom won’t be home for a few days, but your Dad will probably be home this evening.”
“Why?” She asked.
“Why, what?” Rodney asked.
“Why won’t Mommy be home when Daddy is?”
John smirked seeing the look on Rodney’s face asking for help. He waited a second and at last thought he should help. He was planning to spend the rest of his life with this man after all.
“Madison, your Mommy has to get your little brother or sister before she can come home. It takes a few days for mommies.”
“She doesn’t know if I’m having a brother or sister?” Madison looked confused.
“Not yet,” John said.
“Can I play out in the snow?” She asked.
“After a while,” John said. “Why don’t you go play for a little while.”
When she left the room John turned back to Rodney who looked very relieved. “Good thing you’re the parent.”
“I don’t know, you’ve done a pretty good job helping out so far,” John came up next to Rodney placing a hand on back of the other man’s neck.
“Maddie hasn’t learned to say anything more than a few unintelligible words yet,” Rodney said.
“If you’re willing, we can figure out this parenting thing together,” John said.
“Would you kiss me already?” Rodney answered.
John leaned in wrapping an arm around Rodney and the other around Maddie. He pressed his lips to Rodney’s opening his mouth a fraction letting his tongue out. Rodney opened up letting John’s tongue through. John felt one of Rodney’s arms wrap around his waist and pulling him closer.
John pulled back enough to lightly bite Rodney’s lower lip. Rodney groaned. John let out a contented sigh.
“Wodney!”
The two men parted laughing. John took Maddie from Rodney. “Now that was unmistakable,” John said and kissed the top of Maddie’s head. “What do you think, squirt? Think we should keep him?”
“What, I’m a dog now?” Rodney huffed, but grinned in spite of himself.
Scenebreak
It had been an hour since they heard from Caleb telling them Jeannie gave birth to a boy. They already had a name, Jamie.
John sat on the front porch next to Rodney, Maddie tucked between them bundled up more than she ever had in her short life.
Madison ran around the front yard gathering big chunks of snow to make a very odd looking snowman.
“I was beginning to think everyone I knew was only going to have girls,” Rodney said.
John looked over at Rodney and grinned. “Teyla and Ronon or Carson and Laura will likely have a boy.”
Rodney looked over at John. “Did you and Elizabeth plan to have more after Maddie?”
John looked off into the distance for a moment before he spoke. “There were some complications during labor. Carson didn’t think she’d be able to conceive again. The last couple of months during her pregnancy were difficult.”
Rodney didn’t know what to say. The hand he had resting on John’s neck tightened just a fraction.
“I never thanked you for all you did while I went back to Earth for my Dad’s funeral. You were a lot of help to Elizabeth that week.”
“It was…”
“Uncle Rodney, Uncle John!” Madison yelled cutting Rodney off. She was waving her arms at them pointing at her creation.
The two men looked at each other and smiled.
Scenebreak
A week later they were all standing at the front door as they were about to leave to return to Atlantis. They hadn’t done much beyond a few make out sessions preferring to wait to get home for anything more. They talked, took Maddie and Madison out giving Jeannie and Caleb some time with the new baby.
Jeannie stood holding Jamie and crying. Caleb stood next to her with an arm wrapped around her. “Do you have to go already?” She asked.
“We’ll be back for Christmas,” Rodney assured her. “Maddie’s grandmother would like to see her so we’ll be going there while we’re in the area as well,” of course by ‘in the area’ he meant Earth.
“Invite her here for Christmas, John,” Jeannie said. “She’s more than welcome.”
“I’ll pass along the invitation,” John gave her a quick hug and shook Caleb’s hand.
“Mer,” Jeannie, looked ready to cry again.
“Jeannie,” Rodney handed Maddie over to John and hugged his sister careful of the infant in her arms.
“Bye, Uncle Rodney,” Madison held up her arms.
Rodney lifted up his niece giving her a hug. Madison looked at John opening her arms while Rodney still held her. “Bye Uncle John.”
John beamed whenever Madison called him Uncle John. Leaning in he gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head.
They finished their goodbyes and walked out to their car. Holding Maddie with one arm, John wrapped his free one around Rodney’s shoulders. “Ready to get home?”
“Yes,” Rodney said smiling.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Notes and disclaimer in previous chapters
Chapter 10
John sighed and picked up his daughter. He had just had a conversation over the radio with Rodney who told him there was a crisis in the lab he had to deal with. Rodney then told him he wanted to talk when they had a chance, but that wasn’t very likely at the moment. Tomorrow they would be offworld for most of the day and who knew what the universe was about to throw at them next.
He took Maddie into the bathroom and got her ready for her bath. “I screwed up, kiddo,” he said. “He’s probably planning on moving back to his old quarters,” he was hoping Rodney was seeing these quarters as home.
John tended to think of it as an apartment rather than quarters. It made it more home to him.
Maddie splashed in the water and giggled. This made John smile. He ran his hand through the small curls of her hair. They reminded him of Elizabeth’s curls. Maddie’s hair was still a light brown almost blond. Her eyes were her mother’s color.
The constant pain of his wife’s loss had lessened over the last several months, but it would come up for various reasons and take him off guard. Like when Maddie took her first steps today. There were a lot more firsts ahead with his daughter too.
He took Maddie out of the tub and dried her off. Once he got her pajamas on he took her out to the living room. Across the room there was a mantle where he had some pictures arranged.
He picked up one of the pictures with Elizabeth he caught of her sitting on the couch when she was nine months pregnant. It was a week before Maddie was born. Carson had put her on bed rest for the last couple months of her pregnancy. She could get up a little, but not over do it.
“This is you right there, Maddie, right inside mommy,” he pointed at Elizabeth’s swollen belly in the picture.
Maddie blew out a noise that sounded like ‘mu-mu’.
John smiled. “You’ll get there,” he kissed his daughter’s temple and put the picture back. There was one with him and his team as well as their wedding picture and with them and Maddie a week after she was born.
“Wowie,” Maddie exclaimed reaching out to another picture. Elizabeth had taken it and placed it on the mantle without John evening knowing. It was him and Rodney on the couch laughing. John wasn’t sure, but he thought they were sharing an off world trip that was a comedy of errors.
“Wowie?” John chuckled.
“Dudu,” Maddie pressed her little hand to her daddy’s cheek.
“Come on, squirt, time for bed.
John placed Maddie in her crib and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Love you.”
Turning off the light he left the room and went to his own room and collapsed on the bed. A few minutes later he was sound asleep.
Scenebreak
John dragged himself out of bed the next day. Taking a shower he got dressed and went out to get Maddie up. To his surprise Rodney was in her room getting her ready.
“Hey,” John said resisting the urge to go up to Rodney and hug him and a few other ideas that came through his mind.
“Morning,” Rodney said.
“When did you get home?” He kept slipping in the word home every now and again hoping Rodney would start seeing it that way.
“About three in the morning,” Rodney then yawned.
“You about ready to go offworld?”
Rodney sighed. “Just give me about three cups of coffee and I’ll be mostly ready.”
“Three cups of coffee coming up,” John grinned going out to make the coffee.
Scenebreak
The mission took a day longer than they had planned and by the time they had returned to Atlantis they were all exhausted. They had their post mission physicals and went to get their kids.
It was the afternoon in Atlantis and John sat down on the couch with Maddie in his arms. The couch dipped and Rodney sat down next to him.
“That was fun,” Rodney huffed.
They had found themselves doing a lot of climbing to get to where they wanted. Rodney found an interesting energy signal up high in a mountainous region. The terrain was unfortunately such that they could not land the puddlejumper where they were going so it was on foot they went.
After hours of walking and climbing they were faced with nothing. They were all grumpy snapping at each other by the time they got back to the Jumper. Even Teyla who was usually the one to calm fights was on edge.
“You said that already,” John sighed. “About a half a dozen times since we left the planet.”
“Pardon me,” Rodney snarked back.
“We need a vacation,” John declared.
“My sister invited me for Thanksgiving dinner.”
John’s brow creased and he looked at Rodney. “Thanksgiving’s not for another month.”
“Canadian Thanksgiving, idiot,” Rodney said.
“Oh right. Sorry, too tired to think. My brother invited me and Maddie to Thanksgiving.”
“You’re on your own with him,” Rodney said. “I don’t think he liked me.”
“He thinks I have odd friends,” John said.
“Huh,” Rodney replied. “Jeannie thinks I have normal friends.”
Scenebreak
“Why are you coming with me?” Rodney asked for the twentieth time in as many minutes.
John watched Rodney close his suitcase and turn to look at him. They were going to Earth to spend some time with Rodney’s sister and her family for Canada’s Thanksgiving.
“You invited us,” John reminded him holding Maddie and turning her to face Rodney.
“Wowie,” Maddie exclaimed. It seemed she said that every time she saw Rodney. John decided that had been her first word, but Rodney argued it wasn’t a word.
“We need to get out of here so we can talk,” John said. “We’ve been so busy without a moment to ourselves.” They had barely had five minutes together in the past week. Every time something might happen there was a call or a meeting they had to get to.
“What’s this conversation going to lead to?” Rodney asked.
“That’s what we’re suppose to figure out,” John said turning and walking out of Rodney’s room.
Scenebreak
Jeannie practically dragged them into her house when they arrived. It had been some time since John had seen her and he was taken by surprise when she pulled him into a hug. It wasn’t an easy hug either what with her being almost nine months pregnant. When she pulled away she turned to her brother who was holding Maddie.
“Oh my God, she’s gotten so big. Mer’s been sending me pictures.”
John looked at Rodney with a raised eyebrow. “Has he?”
“Well…” Rodney stuttered to a halt.
“John,” Jeannie waved her hand at him. “So,” she looked at him seriously. “How are you doing? I was so sorry to hear about Elizabeth.”
John swallowed hard. It was getting better, but sometimes he was still taken off guard. “I’m doing okay.”
“Way to go Jeannie,” Rodney muttered.
“Mer,” she gave him a look. At this point John was feeling a bit dizzy. Two McKays could be a bit much.
“You are still making real food, right?” Rodney ignored her look.
“Yes,” she rolled her eyes.
“So, where are your husband and Madison?” Rodney asked.
“They should be here any minute,” she said.
“You’re not going to give birth until they get here, are you?” John snickered at the panicked look on Rodney’s face.
“Mer,” Jeannie smacked Rodney on the arm.
“Ow,” Rodney pouted.
The door opened and Caleb and Madison came in.
Scenebreak
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be for another couple of days, but Jeannie was working hard to get things ready.
Jeannie and Caleb had a guest room with two twin beds. John borrowed Madison’s old crib for Maddie. Caleb’s parents had given them a new crib for the new baby.
John woke up in the middle of their first night at the Millers’. Something had disturbed his sleep, but he wasn’t sure what. He walked over to the crib and found Maddie asleep. He looked over at the other bed and it was empty. He grabbed the baby monitor and slipped out of the room.
“Jeannie, can’t you leave it alone,” John heard Rodney’s voice inside the kitchen.
“There’s so much tension between you two, I’m worried,” Jeannie said.
“This is why we came here. We weren’t getting anywhere on Atlantis. Doesn’t exactly bode well,” Rodney mumbled.
“What’s the problem?” Jeannie asked.
“Other than I’m in love with one of my best friends, nothing.”
“Oh,” John couldn’t help but agree with Jeannie’s sentiment.
“God, I feel like I’m in a bizarre sort of soap opera,” Rodney said.
“Have you told him?” She asked.
“When would I have the time? This is his fault, he kissed me first.”
“Wow,” Jeannie said.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” John could just see the way Rodney looked. Arms folded glaring at Jeannie.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m just surprised he made the first move so soon.”
“He changed his mind,” John flinched at the sound of Rodney’s voice. “But then in the same moment said things were going too fast.”
“It’s been less than a year,” Jeannie said. “He seemed to love her very much when I saw them together.”
“Are you kidding, he was completely in love with her and still is,” Rodney said.
“Are you feeling guilty because of Elizabeth?” She asked and John couldn’t help flinching because he knew he was feeling guilty.
“Yes,” Rodney said and that had John feeling like an idiot not realizing Rodney felt the same.
“Um, Mer, I realize this is bad timing, but could you get Caleb?”
John heard brief babbling from Rodney before Jeannin yelled at him. Jumping back, John managed to avoid the kitchen door as it came swinging open. Rodney was completely oblivious to his presence though as he ran upstairs. John startled again as Jeannie shuffled out of the kitchen.
“Jeannie?” John took her by the arm and walked her across the room.
“John, what are you doing up?” She flinched as a contraction hit.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“John’s not in our room,” Rodney said as he came down with Maddie. Caleb was right behind him.
“Honey,” he rushed past Rodney to Jeannie. “Is it time to go?”
“Yes,” she leaned down bracing her hand on the back of the couch.
“Rodney,” John moved next to him. “Why’d you bring Maddie down?”
“When did you get down here?” Rodney asked.
“A few minutes ago,” John said. “Do you want us to stay here with Madison?”
“That would be great,” Jeannie said.
“All right,” John said. “Call us.”
“Mer,” Jeannie looked at his brother. “Talk to him,” Rodney only nodded watching his sister and brother-in-law walk out the door.
“I’m taking Maddie and getting some more sleep,” John took Maddie from Rodney and went up the stairs.
Scenebreak
John got up late. He found Rodney had already got up and got Maddie and Madison up and dressed.
“Anything for breakfast?” John asked.
“Oatmeal,” Rodney grimaced.
“Great,” John matched his grimace. “Where’s Madison?”
“In her room playing,” Rodney pulled Maddie out of the high chair.
“Uncle Rodney.”
“Okay, she was in her room,” Rodney said. “Yes, Madison?”
“When are Mommy and Daddy coming home?”
“Your Mom won’t be home for a few days, but your Dad will probably be home this evening.”
“Why?” She asked.
“Why, what?” Rodney asked.
“Why won’t Mommy be home when Daddy is?”
John smirked seeing the look on Rodney’s face asking for help. He waited a second and at last thought he should help. He was planning to spend the rest of his life with this man after all.
“Madison, your Mommy has to get your little brother or sister before she can come home. It takes a few days for mommies.”
“She doesn’t know if I’m having a brother or sister?” Madison looked confused.
“Not yet,” John said.
“Can I play out in the snow?” She asked.
“After a while,” John said. “Why don’t you go play for a little while.”
When she left the room John turned back to Rodney who looked very relieved. “Good thing you’re the parent.”
“I don’t know, you’ve done a pretty good job helping out so far,” John came up next to Rodney placing a hand on back of the other man’s neck.
“Maddie hasn’t learned to say anything more than a few unintelligible words yet,” Rodney said.
“If you’re willing, we can figure out this parenting thing together,” John said.
“Would you kiss me already?” Rodney answered.
John leaned in wrapping an arm around Rodney and the other around Maddie. He pressed his lips to Rodney’s opening his mouth a fraction letting his tongue out. Rodney opened up letting John’s tongue through. John felt one of Rodney’s arms wrap around his waist and pulling him closer.
John pulled back enough to lightly bite Rodney’s lower lip. Rodney groaned. John let out a contented sigh.
“Wodney!”
The two men parted laughing. John took Maddie from Rodney. “Now that was unmistakable,” John said and kissed the top of Maddie’s head. “What do you think, squirt? Think we should keep him?”
“What, I’m a dog now?” Rodney huffed, but grinned in spite of himself.
Scenebreak
It had been an hour since they heard from Caleb telling them Jeannie gave birth to a boy. They already had a name, Jamie.
John sat on the front porch next to Rodney, Maddie tucked between them bundled up more than she ever had in her short life.
Madison ran around the front yard gathering big chunks of snow to make a very odd looking snowman.
“I was beginning to think everyone I knew was only going to have girls,” Rodney said.
John looked over at Rodney and grinned. “Teyla and Ronon or Carson and Laura will likely have a boy.”
Rodney looked over at John. “Did you and Elizabeth plan to have more after Maddie?”
John looked off into the distance for a moment before he spoke. “There were some complications during labor. Carson didn’t think she’d be able to conceive again. The last couple of months during her pregnancy were difficult.”
Rodney didn’t know what to say. The hand he had resting on John’s neck tightened just a fraction.
“I never thanked you for all you did while I went back to Earth for my Dad’s funeral. You were a lot of help to Elizabeth that week.”
“It was…”
“Uncle Rodney, Uncle John!” Madison yelled cutting Rodney off. She was waving her arms at them pointing at her creation.
The two men looked at each other and smiled.
Scenebreak
A week later they were all standing at the front door as they were about to leave to return to Atlantis. They hadn’t done much beyond a few make out sessions preferring to wait to get home for anything more. They talked, took Maddie and Madison out giving Jeannie and Caleb some time with the new baby.
Jeannie stood holding Jamie and crying. Caleb stood next to her with an arm wrapped around her. “Do you have to go already?” She asked.
“We’ll be back for Christmas,” Rodney assured her. “Maddie’s grandmother would like to see her so we’ll be going there while we’re in the area as well,” of course by ‘in the area’ he meant Earth.
“Invite her here for Christmas, John,” Jeannie said. “She’s more than welcome.”
“I’ll pass along the invitation,” John gave her a quick hug and shook Caleb’s hand.
“Mer,” Jeannie, looked ready to cry again.
“Jeannie,” Rodney handed Maddie over to John and hugged his sister careful of the infant in her arms.
“Bye, Uncle Rodney,” Madison held up her arms.
Rodney lifted up his niece giving her a hug. Madison looked at John opening her arms while Rodney still held her. “Bye Uncle John.”
John beamed whenever Madison called him Uncle John. Leaning in he gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head.
They finished their goodbyes and walked out to their car. Holding Maddie with one arm, John wrapped his free one around Rodney’s shoulders. “Ready to get home?”
“Yes,” Rodney said smiling.
