A/N: Augh, this time of year is so busy!! Anyways, here's something that I wrote during some free time on camp. It's another 'family' one-shot, that's *very* fluffy, but I hope you'll like it :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The Tears In Her Eyes
Michael crept into the house and breathed a sigh of relief.
All was quiet.
There were no children rushing to greet him at the door and no dog trying to bowl him over. After the day in court he'd just been through he wanted nothing more than to sit down with a hot drink and relax.
Preferably with Jackie, but he'd be willing to do so alone if she was all ready asleep.
First things first, he decided as he spied the empty couch. Kicking off his shoes and draping his jacket over a nearby chair, Michael sank down onto the couch with a weary sigh. Closing his eyes he rested his head back.
And froze.
There was someone leaning over him and he was terrified that if he opened his eyes it would be one of the children. Stifling a long suffering sigh Michael warily opened an eye.
He was rewarded with the sight of a smiling Jackie leaning over the back of the couch. He smiled in return and opened both eyes.
"I was hoping it was you and not one the children," he confessed with a tired grin.
A shadow passed over Jackie's face for a brief moment before she returned the grin. "Rough day?" she asked.
Michael nodded and allowed his eyes to drift shut again, "The jury's still trying to reach a verdict," he rubbed his eyes, "I have a terrible feeling that he's going to be let off."
Jackie frowned, "I'm sorry, you've worked so hard on this case," she sympathised, "I've missed you."
Michael opened his eyes and smiled at her, "I've missed you too, sweetheart."
"The kids have missed you too;" she told him, "according to Nerys, Nelson has also been pining."
Michael grinned and sat up, twisting around so that he could see her better. "Is that what you've been doing?" he teased, "Pining for me?"
Jackie noted the mischievous glint in his eyes, "Michael..." she began in a warning tone. But Michael wasn't listening and in one swift move, he pulled her over the back of the couch and into his arms.
Jackie gave a little squeal of surprise, "Be careful Michael!" she admonished him, her severity marred somewhat by her smile.
"You were taking your time getting here," Michael explained innocently, fighting off a wicked grin.
Jackie grew suddenly serious and Michael sobered as well, unconsciously tightening his hold on her.
"Michael," she began, not meeting his eyes, "about the children," her eyes flicked up to his face briefly before dropping back to where her hands were absently tracing patterns across his chest. "We never really discussed how many we would have," she continued, "do you think three is too many?"
Michael was shocked, "Jackie, I love each of our children very much," he paused, "if this is about my comment earlier..."
Jackie cut him off with a shake of her head, "What about four?" she asked shyly, finally raising her eyes to his.
"Well I think that's a perfectly..." he trailed off and looked at her for a long moment, "are you trying to tell me that you're pregnant again?" he asked. Jackie nodded and Michael grinned, "That's wonderful news."
Jackie smiled and relaxed as he kissed her forehead, "I was so worried you wouldn't want any more children."
Michael smiled down at her as he pulled her closer to him, "Jackie, I want as many children as you're willing to give me," he looked into her eyes, "and do you know why?"
She shook her head.
"Because each one of them is a piece of you and I love you," he told her, "starting a family with you was a dream I thought I might never realise," he added.
Jackie said nothing, but the tears in her eyes told him all he needed to know.
