A/N: So the other day I left work early and went to a local aquarium that has a rescued dolphin. Sitting on the bench, listening to all the screaming and giddy kids, this appeared.

Summary: Visiting anyplace with a kid is always interesting. When there are twins whose parents are John and Elizabeth, it's always eventful. Set post-SGA. AU fic.

John leaned over the railing, breathing in the salty air as the sound of waves crashed softly in front of him. He had taken the day off and allowed himself to do something enjoyable. Looking out at the palm trees and blue skies before him, he sighed happily.

This was beautiful.

But something was missing.

Someone came up to him and tugged on his shirt. "Daddy?"

John looked down, then smiled as he bent his knees, matching gazes with his daughter. "Yes, Miss Emma?"

"You need to talk to Jack."

John frowned. "About what?"

She pointed an accusatory finger behind him. "She said he's gonna climb over the fence and ride the dolphin!"

John looked over his shoulder.

Elizabeth and Jack were in a similar position ten feet away, Jack looking despondent as his mother calmly told him that riding the dolphins was not an option during their visit to the aquarium.

The parents' eyes locked on to each other and shared a sympathetic smile.

"I think Mama's taking care of it, honey."

He stood and Emma reached up for his hand. They walked over to the other half of their family.

Elizabeth looked up. "I explained that the dolphin is here because he got hurt. And he needs to get better, which means that no one can ride him for a while."

Emma nodded approvingly, then grabbed her brother's hand and ran to the edge of the patio, watching the dolphin swim around the tank.

Elizabeth sighed, standing up. John smiled. "Told you being a diplomat would make you a good mother."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Yes. That was before I found out I was carrying twins."

He chuckled, taking her hand in his and walking up behind the kids. "True. But Emma is too much like you. She can take care of problems on her own, and she's only six!"

Elizabeth nodded. "True. She can already out argue Rodney."

"He lets her." When Elizabeth frowned, he added, "She's got everybody wrapped around her finger."

"You are, for sure."

John shrugged. "What can I say? She's like her mother."

"How so?"

He grinned. "She's got good taste in men."

fin.