Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
A/N: A collaboration with Mijo54.
10.12 After Craving
…new traditions…
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Becker opened the back door of the home he and Jess shared. The tiny patio, the grill, two small bushes and a tree bare of leaves was covered in a fine layer of frost. The cat sat mewling in front of the door, twitching its black and white tail.
"Are you coming in?" asked Becker.
The cat stretched slowly placing first one front paw and then the other out towards the soldier. Finally, the creature lifted its bum and twitched the long tail once more before sauntering past Becker into the home. Becker shook his head and smiled. The kitten, now grown to a full size cat, had been on their front steps when Jess and Becker returned from Sandsfoot Castle last April.
"Just stay out of the bedroom Rascal," called Becker. "You're not to wake anyone."
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Upstairs in the bedroom Jess stirred. She stretched in a manner similar to the cat below, first one arm, then the other. The woman rolled over on her side and glanced at the alarm clock. Jess sat up in a hurry. The new tradition of having family over for Boxing Day that the couple had started last year was taking a different format this year.
"Hil," called Jess. "It's almost time for Sophie to call."
"I've got the laptop," called Becker from below.
Jess could hear his feet trudging up the stairs. She grabbed the brush on the nightstand and quickly ran it through her hair. Then she picked up the pretty pink and blue floral robe from the bedside chair and put it on. Sophie was going to have Grand-mere on Skype today, and Jess wanted to be sure she looked presentable for her favorite cousin and grandmother.
"Here," said Becker. He walked in and set the laptop down on the comforter in front of her before he disappeared back down the hallway.
Jess pushed the power button and began to log in. When the Skype screen displayed, Jess then opened another browser window and opened Google Translate. A blinking green light appeared and Jess clicked on it to open the video call.
"Bonjour!" greeted Sophie. The pudgy baby on her lap kicked up his heels and gurgled. Beside the young woman, Grand-mere started talking excitedly.
Becker appeared at that moment with a tiny bundle wrapped in a blue blanket. He handed the newborn to Jess.
"What is Grand-mere saying?" asked Becker.
Sophie said something. She handed the child in her lap to Grand-mere, and then typed in the text box at the bottom of the screen. Becker bent down and right-clicked the text, copying it, he moved to the Google translate screen and pasted it in. The screen blinked and provided an English translation… of sorts.
"Grand-mere is asking if the babies are twins," said Becker in confusion, "or binoculars?"
Jess smirked. Google translate didn't always work as well as one might hope.
"It's the gender endings," explained Jess, "she wants to know if the babies are twin boys or twin girls."
A wailing sound came from the other room. Becker straightened up and hurried towards the sound.
"Rascal!" exclaimed the soldier. "Get out of there. Curiosity is bad for cats!"
Jess saw the cat tear out of the small room and run down the hallway. The cat had been inadvertently let out last night in all the excitement and was still confused about the new arrivals. Jess smiled and then nudged the little blue bundle in her arms.
"Look at Grand-mere and your cousins," coaxed Jess.
The sleepy infant blinked and wrinkled up his nose. Becker appeared at the doorway with a second small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
"What do you say if it's one of each?" asked Becker as he sat down beside his wife.
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