Disclaimer: MGM owns SGA; I do not.
Note: Bask in the warm glow of too many pop culture references.
Valentine's Day In the Springs
A prelude to
Valentine's Day In the Bay
by koinekid
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
2152 MST
Colorado Springs, CO
"Not your type of movie, sweetheart?" Jennifer McKay nestled into the crook of her husband's arm, admiring how his new eyeglasses accentuated his handsome profile. She'd never told him, but glasses were a big turn-on of hers.
"Let's see." Rodney pressed the INFO button on the satellite remote and read the description out loud: "A fairytale princes is sent to our world by an evil queen and begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer. Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?" (*) Rodney raised a brow, and Jennifer couldn't help laughing at his expression.
After dinner and slow dancing at a much too expensive restaurant, it was back home for presents: a diamond bracelet for her, a signed first edition of The Feynman Lectures for him, and for both a half hour of fun in the bedroom. They'd just settled in on the big comfy couch in the living room, and Rodney had begun channel surfing, when Jennifer spotted Enchanted on the program guide. He groaned when she pointed it out.
"Could be worse," Rodney said. "At least it isn't Twilight."
"I told you the books were better."
"And when they too come with a humorous commentary by the makers of Mystery Science Theater 3000, I will read them. Not before, my love."
"What if your daughter begs you to read them to her?" Jennifer caressed her stomach. At eight weeks the anticipated/dreaded baby bump had not yet appeared.
"Then I will tell Lizzie that I've misplaced my glasses."
"And when she points out your two backup pairs or the sports goggles in your gym bag?"
Rodney tapped his chin thoughtfully, then leaned forward to address Jennifer's stomach. "Lizzie, sweetie, Mum has been looking forward to reading the sparkly vampire story to you all day. Can you wait another hour?" He sat up, looking smug.
"So, you're not going to read to your kid?" Jennifer was appalled. Was this the man who on Christmas Eve could barely contain his excitement over sharing the adventure of parenting with her, who had endured John's merciless teasing when caught reading What to Expect When You're Expecting over lunch? Had the novelty worn off already?
"Of course I'll read to our child." Rodney stroked her hair. "And play with our child, teach her to walk, him to ride a bike – you know, once I figure out how to do that myself. I'd just prefer to leave all literature containing sparkly vampires and werewolves with perms to my lovely and capable bride."
"Right." She drew out the word in mock disbelief.
"And beautiful. Did I mention beautiful?"
Despite her best efforts, a smile lit up her face. "You know where flattery will get you."
"Back into the bedroom?"
"Not until the movie's over."
"Fine, Enchanted it is." He rested a hand on her belly, renewing his weeks-old promise to get his fill of touching her stomach before friends, family, and strangers started in. "I hope you'll forgive me if I pay more attention to you than the movie."
She covered his hand with her own. "Deal."
"Does this movie have any car chases or sword fights?"
"We've seen it together, Rodney. Remember? Movie night on Atlantis, right after the city splashed down in the Bay?"
He shrugged. "Wait, was that the early Valentine's Day movie night? I wasn't exactly focused on the screen."
"Neither was anyone else. You know, that was the first time you kissed me in public on Atlantis."
"Well, the lights were dimmed, and no one could see." A few years ago, Rodney would have gotten tongue-tied trying to rescind his statement, to assure her that he wasn't embarrassed by being with her – quite the opposite. He just didn't think public displays of affection were appropriate for two department heads. And at the time a small part of him, long since banished by this remarkable woman, still thought she might be embarrassed to be seen kissing him.
Light glinted in Jennifer's eyes. "Oh, people could see. You do not want to know the trouble I went to keeping Chuck and Amelia quiet. All because you didn't want anyone to gossip about us making out."
"We were hardly making out," Rodney said. "It was a little kissing, some light stroking..."
"I put my tongue in your ear." She demonstrated, and he shivered.
"That was three years ago. How do you remember all the details?"
"You married a sentimental genius, my dear. The first time my husband made out with me in public is a memory worth hanging on to."
"The movie's starting. Maybe we should..." Blushing, Rodney gestured toward the screen. Jennifer kept her eyes on him.
"You know, Rodney. I don't recall approving the nickname you gave our daughter." She planted a hand on her hip and frowned comically.
He grinned at her playfulness. After five years of careful study, he bragged that he could accurately gauge her moods a full thirty percent of the time. Playful was one of his favorites. "How about Beth?"
"Come on, smartypants, get creative."
"Okay, nicknames for Elizabeth. There's Ellie."
"Hmm, not bad." A kiss was his reward.
"Zee."
"Ah, very artsy. I like."
He liked what she did in response. When he regained his wits, he suggested Bebe, which she hated, Leelee, which she hated even more, and Eliza, which they both hated. "So, Ellie or Zee," he concluded.
She shrugged. "Or Lizzie. I like that one."
His mouth dropped. "You're awful."
"Rodney, you wound me."
"Then I'll have to kiss it and make it better." Their attention wavered, and they missed the opening minutes of the film, only refocusing on the screen after Princess Giselle emerged into Times Square. When the princess met Patrick Dempsey for the first time, Rodney said, "How long until we know if we're having a girl?"
"Two or three more months by ultrasound," Jennifer said. "There's a couple of blood tests that could tell us now if you're dying to know."
"I'll get our coats," he joked. "After the movie, of course."
"Of course."
"Do you want to know the sex?" Rodney said. "We haven't really discussed it."
"Sure, I'd hate to spend the next seven months calling the kid Elizabeth only to have her pop out a him."
Rodney shook his head. "I swear that's what my parents did."
Jennifer barked a laugh. "Well, you're the manliest Meredith I've ever heard of."
"Really?" Rodney said. "I think there's a Meredith on the Canadian Olympic team that could challenge that. They say she's quite the runner."
Jennifer snuggled closer. "Well, you're man enough for me, and that should tell you something because my demands are exacting. And you've never failed to meet a one."
Rodney basked in the love shining from her eyes. Dramatically, he removed his glasses and thrust out his chin. "How can I fail? When I'm with you, I feel like Superman."
(*) Movie summary adapted from the Internet Movie Database (imdb dot com)
Next:
Valentine's Day In the Bay
Chapter One
Rumor Control
Thanks for reading. Reviews are appreciated.
This story branches off from
"Christmas in the Springs"
A link may be found via the author's profile.
