A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get another chapter out. Life! I recently entered an online writing contest "So You Think You Can Write". My first chapter is posted titled: Protecting His Son written by Kari Lemor. Please check it out if you have the time. You might find a slight similarity to part of this chapter. I will try and update more frequently but it's not always easy to find time to. Thanks for all the support.


Chapter Four

"Daddy, where Mama? She got a boo boo?"

John gazed down at his son who seemed a bit worried at Teyla's moans. The ones she'd attempted to keep hidden. Once her water had broken, it had been difficult. Her labor had just taken off. John wanted to get back to her soon but he needed to make sure TJ was fine first. And Dr. Lam had insisted they needed a few minutes to get her settled.

"Mommy's in the infirmary. It's time for your sister to come out. I need to go back there to help her."

TJ wrinkled his nose in confusion. John forestalled any other questions that might be coming. "You can stay here with Teal'c, Vala and Colonel Mitchell."

John indicated the three adults who had stepped up to keep the young boy occupied while Teyla was in labor. He wasn't sure how Mitchell felt about babysitting and Teal'c, well Teal'c never really had any expression but Vala, she seemed very eager to stay with TJ.

TJ looked up at the three and then addressed Mitchell. "You a Tornel? My Daddy a Tornel too."

John smiled knowing Mitchell had gotten his full wings before he had. But they were the same rank now so he shouldn't feel inferior. Some things just never went away.

"Yup, your Dad and I are both Colonels. Kind of neat, huh?" Mitchell answered as he knelt down in front of TJ. "Hopefully that'll be okay for you to stay with another Colonel while your Dad goes to help out your Mom."

TJ looked around cautiously, his mouth pursing. When he glanced at Teal'c, his eyes narrowed. Teal'c responded by bowing low. "There are many games we could play while you are waiting for your sister to arrive. Would you like to accompany us to the gym?"

"Yes, the gym," Vala grinned. "Colonel Mitchell was just planning on sparring with Teal'c. That would be fun to watch, wouldn't it?"

Mitchell glared at her but Teal'c merely tipped his head. TJ nodded. "My Daddy and Unta Wonan do that all a time. But Unta Wonan win all a time."

"Not all the time," John objected though it was most of the time. He hated to admit that here though. Mitchell and Vala gave him doubtful looks. Teal'c merely raised his eyebrow.

Vala held out her hand. "We'll have lots of fun, Torren, you'll see. So much that you won't even notice the time passing by."

TJ nodded and reached for her hand. John crouched down in front of him for a hug. "It could take a while, Pal, okay. Babies don't always come real quickly. But your Mom and I are still nearby and I'll make sure to let you know as soon as your sister comes out."

TJ nodded then started to walk away with Vala. He turned at the door asking, "Daddy, how a baby tum out?"

John glared at Mitchell as the man coughed and snorted in glee. He threw an apologetic smile at Vala then smirked at Mitchell. "That's a good question, TJ. Maybe Colonel Mitchell could tell you about it while you're playing. I really need to get back to your Mom. Love you, Pal."

John headed to the infirmary and chuckled as he heard TJ ask the question again. "Tornel, how a baby tum out?"

John had stifled his laughter by the time he walked into the room set up for Teyla's delivery. Dr. Lam was fussing about with a tray of instruments. John wasn't sure what they were or how necessary they were for this. Rodney hadn't used anything but his coat when TJ had been born.

"Colonel," Carolyn Lam called out, "Good, you're here. Wash your hands over there before you come any closer. We don't need any germs flying around during the birth."

John rolled his eyes but did as asked. When he was done he approached the bed. Teyla had her eyes closed and appeared to be resting. "You know, Doc, she had her first baby on a hive ship. I'm pretty sure anything that's hanging around me is nothing compared to what was festering in that place."

The doc just glared at him so he moved to the side of the bed and rested his hip there. He picked up Teyla's hand and gently squeezed. He didn't want to disturb her if she was resting but he wanted her to know he was there. Her hand tightened on his then tightened even more. Within seconds it was caught in a death grip.

"Teyla?"

He watched as her face tensed and her mouth drew into a straight line. "I'm guessing this is a contraction."

"How astute, John," she snapped and John could feel her annoyance at his statement. But he also felt her pain and knew she didn't mean to bite his head off. He'd never thought about what it would be like when she was in labor. He couldn't feel her actual pain but he could feel that she was in pain. This might not be as exciting as he'd thought.

"Okay, doc, I'm new at this. What exactly do I need to do?"

"Well, I'm not an obstetrician or a birthing coach but I think you mainly stand here and try and keep your wife calm and relaxed. We'll do the rest."

"Calm and relaxed," John repeated sensing anything but from Teyla's emotional state. He looked at her and smiled. He loved her so much, he hated to let her down. But he'd never done anything like this before. And Rodney hadn't been any help when he'd asked about Torren's birth. The man had insisted he'd panicked most of the time until Teyla had yelled at him. Then he'd thrust his hands out and caught the baby.

He really didn't want Teyla to yell at him, though if it got her through, he'd be willing to take it. She was going through the pain of labor after all, to have his child. His child. His baby girl. The thought floored him. He was actually going to be a father.

Yes, he'd been a father to TJ but he'd kind of eased into that role over time. Teyla had been responsible for much of his upbringing. What if he completely screwed this one up? Would she blame him? Hate him for it? Old insecurities reared up and struck out at him.

Teyla lifted her hand to his arm and stroked along the hair on it. She'd said often that she loved doing that. "You are a wonderful father, John. You need not worry about this child. She will be raised well by both of us."

John sighed in relief. Here was his wife, pain lancing through her body, and she was still trying to quell his anxieties. He could feel her love flowing toward him like a rushing river. He made sure to send the surge of emotions right back at her.

Teyla gasped as another contraction hit and John clenched her hand, hoping he could provide her with the support she needed during this time. Suddenly another emotion swelled and pitched in his direction. His daughter.

He could feel her, tiny and faint but still there at the back of his mind, like a whisper in the wind. She was trying to get in on the feelings of love that he and Teyla were tossing back and forth. But he could also feel her distress. The walls around her were tightening and she was scared.

"The baby's worried. She doesn't know what's happening."

"I know," Teyla replied, her voice tight and clipped. "I have been trying to reassure her but the contractions are getting more intense and I cannot concentrate on her as much."

"Let me do it then." He wasn't in his realm of expertise with labor and delivery but he knew how to ease his daughter's stress. He'd had to do it while they'd been on the run from Armstrong and Teyla had been hurt.

"Thank you, John." The contraction ended and she eased back against the pillows.

John leaned down and pressed his lips to Teyla's belly. "Hey, little girl," he whispered, "Everything's going to be fine. We get to meet you face to face soon." He rubbed the belly and got rewarded with a series of kicks.

He sent more reassuring thoughts to his daughter then smiled. "She's okay. She's excited to meet us too."

Teyla smiled back then closed her eyes. John looked up seeing Lam watching them both strangely.

"I'd heard the rumors but … you can really communicate with the baby?"

John grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, bug DNA can really mess with your mind, literally."

"What's it like? Talking to your child that hasn't even been born yet?"

John wasn't sure he could explain. The feelings and emotions were far too intense. And he didn't talk about those things on any level. So he simply answered, "Amazing."

Another contraction started and Teyla gave a tiny squeal of pain. John focused his attention back on her and keeping their daughter from being too scared.

An hour or so later he wasn't sure how Teyla was getting through this. He was exhausted and he knew her pain was great, he could feel it. He'd been mopping her forehead with a cold face cloth and feeding her ice chips. And he'd been trying to keep his baby girl as calm as possible. But she'd also felt Teyla's pain and it frightened her more. John's emotions were run ragged.

"You're just about there, Teyla," Carolyn said as she checked the business end of the bed. She called for a nurse to come in and they quickly set up a few more supplies. This was it?

"We don't have a birthing bed so, Colonel, I'd like for you to get behind Teyla and keep her propped up in a sitting position. We need to move her further down near the end first."

Carolyn and the nurse adjusted covers and helped slide Teyla closer to the end while John slid in behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "This is it, sweetie, our baby girl is almost here."

Teyla's hand gripped his arms as a loud moan escaped from her lips. She attempted to nod but more pain sliced through her middle and all she could do was try and breathe through it. John felt helpless. He wished there was some way to take her pain away.

"You are here and holding me. That is helping immensely, John."

John hugged her closer. "I can't get away with anything around you, can I?"

"No." Teyla began to chuckle but another wave of pain ripped through her. She gritted her teeth and rasped, "And do not forget it. Aah!"

"I think it's just about time to push, Teyla." Carolyn was standing near the end of the bed. "Let me know when you're ready."

"I was ready several weeks ago," Teyla said through clenched teeth. "However this child was not. I believe she is ready now."

John leaned into his wife and sent as much love and encouragement as he could to both Teyla and their daughter. They were both filled with fear though Teyla's was more physical than emotional.

"Okay, Teyla, on the next contraction I need you to push and hold it. As long as you can."

Teyla whimpered and John knew she was remembering when TJ was born. Of course her pain and fear at that time was very different from now.

The next contraction ripped through her and Teyla tensed. John gripped her tighter as she pushed. After several seconds, which seemed like hours, she collapsed against him, resting momentarily.

"Good, Teyla, the baby's right here. I can see her head. Are you ready to push again?" Carolyn looked expectantly in Teyla's direction.

Her breathing was harsh so John encouraged, "You can do it, sweetie."

Teyla nodded slightly, took a deep breath then held her breath in another push. John leaned into her to help keep her upright.

They did this a few more times and John felt Teyla's strength waning. He also felt his baby girl's anxiety at what was happening. He gave everything he could to sending love and comfort to his two girls.

When the next contraction hit, Teyla cried out but John saw the head appear near the doc's hands. He murmured more words of encouragement to his wife.

"That was the hardest part, Teyla," Carolyn informed her. "Just one more push and we're done."

A few more whimpers escaped Teyla's mouth but she took another deep breath and pushed. It barely took a second and his daughter was resting in Carolyn's hands. The nurse swooped in to suction and clean, then a cry rent the air.

John supported Teyla's sagging body but his eyes never left the sight of the tiny creature flailing her arms and legs. He'd never seen anything so wonderful. His daughter. Their daughter. The culmination of the love that he and Teyla had for each other. Wow.

"Look at her, Teyla," John whispered not wishing to disturb the scene.

Carolyn placed the baby in Teyla's arms and John settled more comfortably behind her so his arms supported hers which held the infant. He reached out a finger and stroked the downy softness of his little girl's head.

"She's absolutely beautiful. Just like you, Teyla." John cleared his throat, something blocking it, a massive lump of emotion.

"Yes, she is perfect," Teyla answered softly. "I knew she would be."

John pressed his lips to Teyla's cheek, his hand still touching his child. The little eyes opened though they were clearly unfocused. He caressed her cheek and sent waves of love her way.

"Colonel, would you like to hold your daughter for a few minutes while we get Teyla finished off and cleaned up. We still need to deliver the placenta."

She looked at Teyla. "You don't really need to do anything. A quick tug and it should be out. You can just lay back and rest."

John eased out from under Teyla and helped her recline on the bed. They raised the head a bit, tucking a few pillows under her, then Carolyn reached for the baby. "Give me a minute to check her out completely and then we'll get Teyla all fixed up."

John watched as the doc did an examine of his daughter, worry crowding his other emotions. "Everything's all right, isn't it, Doc?"

Carolyn smiled as she wrapped the infant in a soft, warm blanket then walked toward him. "She's perfect. Just like Teyla said."

She handed the baby to John and he swallowed as he took the slight weight in his arms. "She's so light."

"Just under seven pounds. What you might expect of an infant who's a week early. Perfectly healthy."

The doctor and nurse got busy helping Teyla so John walked to the other side of the room, pulling his daughter closer.

"Hey, baby girl, I'm your Daddy. That was your Mom just holding you. I'll give you right back to her in a minute. The doc has to get her all cleaned up."

John leaned in close, pressing his nose to her head, inhaling. A wave of intense emotion assaulted him, making him feel protective and territorial. This was his child, his baby girl. He didn't want to let her go, ever. Relief that they were on Earth washed over him. He didn't need to worry about the Wraith or any other enemies right here.

John closed his eyes, feeling moisture start to form. He couldn't let anyone else see it, he was in a military facility. But the deep love and feeling for his child permeated every cell in his body. He didn't think he'd ever experienced anything like this before.

He blinked back the tears and opened his eyes. The baby was staring right at him. Hi Daddy! The words fairly screamed at him.

"Hey, Princess. You know who I am, don't you?"

She knew. He could feel it. The same love and acceptance that she'd given him while she was still inside came wafting at him. But now she felt the warmth of his arms holding her close. And she was happy.

"John."

Teyla's voice rang softly across the room. John turned to see Teyla, sitting up in bed, her face bereft. She wished to hold their child.

John quickly crossed to her and settled on the side of the bed. He leaned over, placing the child in Teyla's waiting arms. "Here's Mommy. She wants a little time with you, too. I guess I can't hog you all the time, no matter how much I want to."

"You will have plenty of opportunity to hold your daughter, John, I promise," Teyla said with a grin. "Especially when it is the middle of the night. I will have no problem relinquishing my hold on her at that time."

John chuckled and sent her an adoring glare. Right now he was so enamored of his child, he couldn't care about any lost sleep. They'd certainly lost plenty at times with TJ.

"I told TJ I'd come get him as soon as the baby was born." John looked at Carolyn where she was organizing supplies. "Doc, can he come in here to see his sister?"

"Of course, Colonel. Just make sure to clean him up a bit if he's been playing."

"You'll be okay if I go get TJ?" John asked as Teyla loosened her hospital gown.

She nodded. "I will try and get her to nurse for a minute. She may only take a small amount but she needs to learn. I should be done by the time you have returned."

John leaned down and kissed Teyla's cheek then touched his lips to the baby's head. "I'll be right back."

He walked to the door, turning back for a last glance at his two beautiful ladies. Teyla had the infant at her breast and she was suckling hungrily. Yeah, no picky eater for his child.

He made good time in getting to the gym and found TJ jumping up and down with boxing gloves on his hands. He could barely keep them up. He was swinging his fists at Teal'c who almost had a smile on his face.

"Hey, Pal, who's winning?"

"Daddy!" TJ stopped his hands though the weight of the glove kept him going in one direction and he almost fell over. Teal'c grabbed him at the last second, keeping him upright.

"Are you just about done? I have a little surprise for you."

Teal'c stood up and bowed his head. "Has Teyla delivered your child then, Sheppard?"

John smirked his eyes twinkling. "Yup. Thought you might want to go see your little sister, Pal. She's anxious to meet you."

TJ started jumping up and down and John removed his gloves then patted his head. "Slow down, tiger. You need to be calm when we see her. She's new to everything around here so we can't be too wild."

"Otay, Daddy, I be good. I always be good. Wight, Teal'c? I was good, wight?"

"Your behavior was exemplary. You should make your father proud."

"Thanks, Teal'c. I appreciate your watching him. Did Vala and Mitchel bail on you?"

"Colonel Mitchell was needed elsewhere and Vala went to procure food for your son. Would you care for her to bring it to the infirmary?"

John nodded. "That'd be great. Thanks again. I'm sure we'll see you before we leave. I'd love for you to meet my new daughter."

"I would be honored, Shepard." Teal'c bowed his head.

John scooped TJ from the floor and carried him down the hall. He tried to let him walk most places but every now and then carrying him was just easier. And with the new baby, he might not get a chance to do it as much.

John stopped in a lavatory to clean both him and Torren up, laughing as he saw his hair practically standing on end. He must have done that during the labor. It didn't matter what he looked like though. He wanted to get back to his family.

When they walked in, Teyla was holding the baby close and whispering to her. John felt Teyla's love for the child intensely from where he stood. He felt TJ's excitement at finally meeting his sister and then he felt the baby's curiosity when she realized TJ was in the room with her. The bond between the family was full circle. He couldn't think of anything more fulfilling.

He walked closer and sat on the side of the bed. "TJ, this is your sister."

TJ leaned in and cautiously touched her arm. Teyla nodded her consent and he patted her head. "Hi, baby. I happy you here. We waitin' for a long time for you to tum out. I told Mama and Daddy that I share my toys with you. They say you too little to play with them for a while but it otay. I save them for you."

TJ smiled and John knew he'd felt his sister's heartfelt emotions, happy to finally be with them all. TJ then looked at Teyla curiously.

"Mama, what a baby's name?"

Teyla smiled at him knowing they had discussed it in depth. She kissed the child's head and lifted her eyebrow. "Torren, you were named after my father and after your Daddy, thus Torren John. We are naming your sister after very special people in our lives as well, to honor them."

Teyla paused and John felt deep emotion well inside her at the memory of those people.

"She will be called Charin Elizabeth."