Mothers and Fathers By Tigereyes320
Chapter 10 of 23
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Mutant X. Tribute Entertainment owns the rights to these characters. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N This story came to me in a dream. Don't ask. I was thinking that if the actress who plays Shalimar became pregnant, how could they cover an entire season with her being pregnant. She could hardly beat up GSA agents in her 6th month. They would also want to keep the baby a secret from Eckhart as long as possible. The baby of course would be born in June, just in time for the end of the season. But if everyone knew who the father was (Brennan) it wouldn't be that interesting of a season, but what if it wasn't clear. . . Brennan/Shalimar pairing constructive criticism only to tigereyes320hotmail.com Just to let everyone know this is going to be a long story. And I don't update every week or even month, but I do finish all fics I start. So, be patient it will be finished. Also Emma is not dead, it will be explained in the second chapter how she came to still be alive. Adam is also no longer believed to be dead, that will also be explained in a later chapter. Lexa is now part of Mutant X. Also the excerpts Shalimar reads are from the book "What to expect when you are expecting" no copyright infringement is intended. Leave me your email address in your review and I'll send you an email when I update. Now if this was really an episode from tv you'd only get one episode a week. I have several chapters already written but I'm going to try for one update a week. No promises though. Also I don't thank each reviewer each chapter I wait until the very end. Thanks to everyone for reviewing. I'm so sorry this took so long, I was preparing a huge project that took longer then I thought to do. I have the next chapter done and will possibly have it up by next week.
A/N Just so everyone know the baby's sex and name has already been decided. However in an upcoming chapter they will be discussing names. So if you want to contribute a name you can, but give me a reason why the name should be suggested. For example Rose, because it's Shal favorite flower.
Chapter 10 Sanctuary Evolves – Two weeks later
Jesse was at the computer diligently downloading some compressed zip files that The Dominion had sent. He was well into the third hour of working on the project when his phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi baby."
"Lexa! Why are you calling? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you because this will be my last chance to talk to you for awhile."
"Why?"
"Cell phone calls can still be traced. Everything is going like clockwork. I'll be home in six weeks. I promise. How's the redecorating going?"
"Well our rooms are done. I just have to work with the decorator to get them finished. Priority was put on Brennan and Shalimar's suite. It had to be completely finished in the two weeks. Adam decided to have two more suites made, one for himself and the other for Emma. The rest of our suites have the construction done. The only thing left is to choose how we want them decorated and it'll go from there. I was thinking bright orange walls and lime green furniture."
"If you pick that I'm never coming back." "I won't I promise. Hey what kind of bed do you want? King, Queen, Futon, Murphy bed?"
"You are so funny. I want a King size, four poster bed. We need lots of room. I want the bed to be romantic, it doesn't have to be all flowery but I want it romantic okay?"
"I'll se what I can do. I actually have a conference call with the decorator in forty-five minutes. The Dominion is having me download some files, but I'm done with that as of this moment, and save. So we wanted neutral colors right with some blue, red and purple thrown in right?"
"Sounds good."
"You sound tired, are you sleepy?"
"Yes I'm sleepy, I just can't get as comfortable without you here beside me."
"It's the same for me."
"Jess, I got to go we're moving out. I'll see you in six weeks."
"I'll be waiting. I love you Lexa."
"I love you too, Jess. Bye."
"Bye."
As Jesse hung up the phone he wished he could rid himself of the nagging feeling that Lexa was hiding something from him.
Emma came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, "Jess, you okay?"
"Hey Em. Yeah I'm fine. I'm just worried."
"Lexa will be fine that girl knows how to take care of herself." "I know." "She'll be back soon enough and then all will be right in your world." Jesse nodded and then asked, "So where were you last night?" "I don't know what you're insinuating. I was snuggled up asleep in my bed."
"Try again Em." "I was snuggled up asleep in Mike's bed." "That's what I thought. So when do we get to meet him officially? It's been a long time since you were this serious about a guy." "I know, and I was thinking once Lexa came back he could come to dinner." "Sounds good to me." Emma leaned in and asked, "So did you see Adam and Danielle at the wedding?" "Yep I wonder what's going on there." "I'm not positive but Adam didn't come home that night. When are Bren and Shal due back?" "In a couple of hours. Adam went to go pick up some stuff for the party. Then he's going to pick up Bren and Shal from the safehouse."
"Great another party."
"Come on Jess, you're done with your work, help me set up the decorations."
"Why?" "Because I said so. Because you'll stop obsessing about Lexa for five minutes. You know I can make you help me." "Fine I'll help. Does Michael have any idea how bossy you can be?" "Michael doesn't mind a bit when I get bossy and tell him what to do." Emma said as she walked down the hall "I'll bet he does he just knows to keep his opinions to himself." Jesse muttered under his breath. "I heard that." "Of course you did."
Brennan sat staring out the window of the airplane over his wife's head. He loved thinking of Shalimar as his wife. His wife had her head against his shoulder and was sleeping soundly.
Shalimar roused herself ." Hmmmm?"
"Shhh Shal, you don't need to wake up yet."
"Are we almost there?" Shalimar asked as she snuggled into his arm not opening her eyes.
Brennan kissed the top of her head, "Yeah we should be touching down within an hour."
"As much as I loved Italy, It'll be so nice to be home."
"Yeah it will. Adam contacted me and let me know that there will be a limo waiting for us at baggage claim, it will take us to the safe house Adam will then pick us up from the safehouse. Then we'll be home and we can get snuggled into our, well one of our beds and get some more sleep."
"Did Adam ever tell you what the surprise was he had for us was?" Shalimar asked as she opened her eyes.
"Nope, I wonder what it is? He'll probably tell us when we get home. By the way how's B doing?"
"B is just fine and so am I. Bren, I want to go back to Italy."
"Right now?"
"No! I was thinking maybe for an anniversary, maybe on our tenth or our twentieth?"
"It's a date, but why not just our tenth why wait until our twentieth?"
"Well I figured by then this one will be nineteen and the younger kids will be in school and doing their own thing, It would be easier for us to get away."
"Kids? As in more than one?"
"Yeah. I know we haven't sat down and really discussed it, but I'd like at least one more. I hated being an only child. I know I'm not one now but I want to grow up with at least one sibling maybe two."
"Three kids huh? Why not make it four so we can have three and three."
"That could work. But you expect me to go through this 3 more times?"
"Twins run in my family and mammalian crossed ferals are more likely to have multiple births. You might have to only go through this once more or just twice more. Let's see how you and B here make it through this pregnancy. We'll talk more then. Okay?"
"Okay, but you're open to the idea of having more kids?"
"Yeah, I'm open to it."
"Great, so do you think everyone will like all the pictures we took?"
"I think they'll like the gifts we got them more."
"Brennan are you saying our family is that superficial?"
"Of course they are. Close your eyes and get some more sleep."
"Fine but if I have to so do you."
"Okay." Brennan said as he wrapped his arms around Shalimar and rested his head against the top of hers and closed his eyes. As he fell asleep he realized he held his whole world.
About two hours later
Emma was passing by the lab when she saw Adam's private line ringing. She decided to go toward the console and let the person know Adam would be back shortly.
"Miss DeLauro."
"Well if it isn't our bearded Dominion rep. I have to call you that because we don't have a name for you. Of course if you like we can call you deep throat instead."
"Where is Adam Miss DeLauro?"
"Picking up the newlyweds. Should I tell him you've called or would you rather I take the information and get started on the it."
"I'll give you the information. It has come to out attention that several POW's from the Vietnam war as well as the remains of several other soldiers have been recovered."
"That's great but what does that have to do with us?"
"One of the men found alive is claiming to be one Michael Brian Mulwray." "Brennan's father but he was supposedly killed in the 1970's. Brennan has his dog tags."
"What is the saying. Rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated. We need Mr. Mulwray to go to Vietnam with a War representative to see if he recognizes him."
"How can he do that? He has never seen his father."
"Then with his DNA we'll be able to identify the man for sure. He says his dog tags were switched with that of a another. Have Adam talk this over with Mr. Mulwray and contact me tomorrow."
"I'll tell him."
Once the screen went blank Ema wrote down the information, and then left the lab. She wouldn't allow this news to mar Brennan and Shalimar's homecoming.
"Jesse!" Emma called as she went toward the living room.
"On the phone Em be right there."
Emma got to work arranging the decorations around the living room area. She then arranged the trays of food on the tables.
"What do you need Emma?" Jesse said as he came up behind her and slung an arm around her shoulders
"You sound happy. Can you go over there and tell me if the banner is straight?"
"Sure." Jesse walked over to where Emma had pointed. "Yep it's straight. Of course I sound happy the decorator has some great ideas for our suite."
"You're really excited about Lexa moving in with you."
"Yeah. This is the closest I've been able to get her making a commitment to me, to us."
"She's scared Jesse. Lexa has been hurt a lot in the past, some of it has to do with her brother and some has to do with The Dominion."
"And the rest?"
"I'm not sure."
"Emma before everyone comes back. I need your advice on a situation and I need it to be just between us."
"From Lexa too?"
"It has to do with the both of us and our future together. So I'll be telling her that I talked to you. I won't keep secrets from her."
"Okay this will be just between us."
"I guess I need to know if I handled something wrong or right. Lexa was with me, in fact she helped me break into Shal's medical files for Brennan. She had what I call a weird reaction to the discovery of Shal being pregnant.
"That night when we were in bed, I broached the subject of kids. I asked her I we were safe as we hadn't exactly been a hundred percent careful about birth control since we had gotten back together. On my part we weren't always careful. I asked if she was safe, thinking maybe she was using another form of birth control. That is when she told me I didn't need to worry. She couldn't have children. Lexa said Dr. Marcus had examined her a couple of years ago and thanks to Eckarts many experiments she has less than a five percent chance of conceiving a child and an even smaller chance of carrying the child to term."
"Jesse I'm sorry."
"Me too. I mean I always knew I'd like to have children. But it never was really tangible until I had a conversation with Lexa before we got involved the first time and then with the discovery of Shalimar being pregnant. I thought about Lexa having our baby, babies. A little girl with black pigtails and her beautiful blue eyes. Leading her little brother into all sorts of trouble. When Lexa told me that wasn't possible my heart broke no just for me but for us and the children we would never have. I want to have children Emma, but only if I can have them with Lexa."
"What happened then?"
"Lexa started to act all secretive and strange. She began disappearing for secret meetings. She began avoiding me. When I finally confronted her, Emma she was ready for me to slap at her. She told me she would understand if I wanted to break up with her to be with someone who could give me children."
"The Jesse I know would never have let her get away with that."
"Hell no. I told her that she couldn't run away from this. We would deal with this together. I also told her we weren't even married yet, but when we decided we were ready for a baby we could look into our options. Who knew what advancements had been made since she got tested. I also told her there was no guarantee that I could have children."
"You two are almost as bad as Bren and Shal once were. Do you think she heard what you were telling her?"
"I don't know Em. I'm so crazy about her. I can't lose her, I won't lose her especially not due to her fears."
"Well if it makes you feel any better. I think that is the problem, Lexa's fear. She expects to be left Jesse. Lexa hasn't gotten past a lot of her childhood pain, she may never get over all it. SHe loves you Jesse with everything she has, that's why you have te immense power to destroy her. I don't have to be psionic to see what you to have.."
"Good because I've never loved anyone the way I lover her. Even with what I felt for Alisha, it's a pale comparison to what I feel for Lexa. Emma do you ever wonder what would have happened to us if Naxcon hadn't happened?"
"Sometimes. We may have gotten together, but I don't think you would have ever felt for me, what you feel for Lexa. I love you Jess you're my family. But I don't think you and I would have ever worked romantically not in the long run. We would have been happy but we would have been settling. Michael makes me feel like Tyler did. I think we found the ones we're supposed to be with."
"That is what I was thinking as well. I love you to Emma, it wasn't the same without you."
"If Lexa agrees why don't I talk with her after she comes back. See if she is willing to talk to me. If she does I won't be able to talk to you about it, but I can see where her head is at. Maybe I can help her get past some of her no so great past."
"Thanks Em, I really appreciate it. Something in my gut is telling me she's up to something."
"Don't worry so much. She's a survivor, she knows how to take care of herself. She is just having to learn that she can depend on you to be there when she needs you." "Jesse! Emma! We're back!" Adam's voice came through their comm rings.
"We hear you Adam." Jesse said.
"Good because now you can help with the luggage," said Adam as they all walked into the living room together..
Jesse and Emma exchanged grins before getting up and going to hug the newlyweds.
Bren kissed the top of Shalimar's head. "Shal why don't you sit down and have a bite to eat. Jesse and I will bring in the luggage and dump it in my room."
"Hold that thought Brennan. I think it's time for you to to see my wedding gift to you two. Follow me."
Shalimar and Brennan exchanged confused looks and followed Adam down the corridor. Jesse and Emma followed them to see their reactions to their surprise.
Adam came to a stop in front of a door with a big red bow on it. "I know you've been wondering what my surprise wedding gift to you two would be. I was thinking about what you could use and I came up with this.." Adam said as he threw open the door.
Shalimar stepped inside followed by Brennan. "Oh Adam."
"I know that both of your bedrooms were too small for the three of you. So you have this living room area behind the bar is a mini kitchen through there is the master bedroom and bath. In here is the room you can use for the nursery." Adam opened the door and they saw in a pale green room, baby furniture still in boxes as well as several boxes with either Brennan's name on them or Shalimar's. "Most of your personal items and clothing are already put away, but this is what was left in your rooms."
"Adam Thank you it's great." Shalimar said as she hugged Adam with tears rolling down her face.
"Yeah Adam this is so much more than we expected." Brennan chimed in.
"Well enjoy your new place I'll leave the four of you alone to catch up. I have a conference call I have to make. I'll see all of you tomorrow. Shalimar I want you in for a check up tomorrow, okay?"
"I'll be there."
"Thanks again Adam. Why don't you girls bring in the food and drinks, while Jesse and I go get all the bags."
"Okay babe."
Twenty minutes later Jesse and Brennan brought in the last of the luggage.
"Shal did you leave anything in Italy?" Jesse complained.
"You know just for that crack I'm not giving you your present."
"Present for me? Where?"
Before Shalimar could answer him, Brennan called to her from outside the suite. "Shal come here. We have to do this right."
"What do we have to do right?"
"I have to carry you over the threshold."
"Brennan!"
"Shalimar!"
"Fine."
"Emma get the camera ready." Brennan said as he lifted Shalimar into his arms.
Emma dutifully picked up the camera and took a few shots of Brennan crossing the threshold and of the two of them kissing.
"You can put me down Brennan." Shalimar said when they broke off the kiss.
"Nope you and B need to have a nap."
"Bren! I slept on the plane I'm not tired."
"Shalimar."
"Put me down I have a compromise."
Brennan placed her on her feet and waited for her to continue.
"Adam didn't bring my pompasan chair in. Why don't you go get that from my old room and I will sit there all relaxed and gossip with Emma and eat and tell you and Jesse where to put everything."
"All right. Is there anything else you want from your bedroom?"
"I don't think so. But l will go with you to make sure, then I will sit my behind in the chair and not budge."
"Fine. Em, Jess can you start grabbing some of the boxes out of the nursery, and bring them into the living room so we can put stuff away?"
"Sure."
Forty five minutes later
"Okay this is the last of the boxes to go through and put away." Brennan said as he put the last two boxes down on the floor. The empty boxes were already outside the door of the suite.
"Anything else we need to do?" Shalimar asked from her position on the sofa.
"Yep now that the two of you are back we need to activate your secondary rings and get your computers set up in here."
"We also have to finish unpacking Bren."
"We also need to make a list of what you'll need from the grocery store."
Emma decided to put her two cents in. "You can do that tomorrow. I want to hear about Italy."
"Well we have hours of video and tons of pictures. I was thinking in a few days or so we can all get together and watch the show. After we edit the film and get all the pictures processed and put together in an album." "Tell me where you went."
"We were in Rome, Sienna, Florence, Verona, Venice, Asissi, Sorrento, Isle of Capri and we stopped by Pompeii."
"Wow."
"Wow is right. It is such a beautiful country."
"Shal you look like you're about to fall asleep on your feet. Why don't you go take a shower and crawl into bed. I'll finish up in here. We'll tell Jesse and Emma about Italy tomorrow."
"You know I hate it when You're right. I'll see you two tomorrow."
"I'll come over tomorrow morning to help you finish unpacking okay?"
"Thanks I appreciate it. "Shalimar said as she walked over and kissed Brennan good night. "Don't make it too late okay?"
"Okay."
Shalimar walked into the master bedroom and past the huge gold four poster bed into the huge green marbled bathroom. She quickly took a shower and dressed in the pajamas she found in her dresser drawer. She then climbed into the huge bed and snuggled into her pillow and was asleep when her head hit the pillow.
Emma was sitting on the sofa with Jesse and Brennan when she realized she had forgotten to tell Adam about the call about Brennan's father.
"I'm gonna go guys. I promised Michael I would call him tonight." Emma said as she got up from the sofa she kissed Brennan on the cheek. "Welcome back and I'll see you two tomorrow. See you in the morning Jess."
"C'mon Jess Help me get the rest of this stuff put away. Shal sometimes roams at night and I don't want her tripping over anything. Have you heard from Lexa since she left?"
"Yeah she called earlier today. You know you and I don't the pick the easiest women to fall in love with."
"Nope, but who wants easy? Are you forgetting what happened when Shalimar found out Lexa made out with me when I went undercover?"
"Nope. I do remember Lexa having a few choice things to say about you smacking her ass."
"C'mon Jess when was I ever going to get another chance to do that. Besides she said I was a lousy kisser. It took Shal hours to sooth my fragile ego."
"Really?"
"Oh like you didn't offer to kiss and make it better for Lexa."
"I refuse to answer that."
"Jess, all joking aside, there was never anything romantic between me and Lexa. She might have been fun as maybe a one night thing, but once I realized you wanted her it was hands off for me. Plus I was in love with Shal. Beside Lexa still hasn't completely forgiven me for her brother."
"Brennan she knows it wasn't your fault."
"I know but she and I have both lost a twin. Hers to death and mine to the unknown. I see her like Emma as a kid sister."
"Sometimes I wonder what really goes on in that head of hers.."
"Man you do realize that you are so whipped."
"I'm sorry which of us has a pregnant wife in the next room?"
"Funny."
"Listen I think we have almost everything done. I'm gonna hit the sack. Worrying about my girl wipes me out. I'll see you in the morning. It's good to have you back."
"I'll see you tomorrow bud."
"Jesse Brennan?" Adam's voice came through their rings.
"Yeah Adam?" Brennan asked.
"Could I see the two of you in the lab. Please?"
"We are on our way." Brennan said as he wrote a note to Shal just in case she woke up. He then followed Jesse into the lab.
Adam was looking particularly grim.
Who died?" joked Brennan.
"No one Brennan but you might want to sit down."
"Something's wrong with Shalimar or the baby?" Brennan made a move as if to go toward their suite.
"Brennan, everything is fine with the baby and Shalimar. This about your father. "
"My father has been dead for almost thirty years."
"I just received some information that has lead my contacts to believe that he may not be dead."
"What?"
"I just called one of Dominion contacts. There is a man who claims to be Michael Brian Mulwray. He says his tags were exchanged for that of another prisoner. That prisoner is who was killed. Since you had never met him, they need to have a sample of your DNA to test against his to prove who is."
"What happens if he's alive. He was only twenty four when he disappeared."
"If he's your father Brennan he'll be welcome here or we'll find a place where he is comfortable. He'll probably need a month or longer at a hospital to get him healthy and get him up to par. I need the sample as soon as possible so we can get this taken care of. I'll let you tell Shalimar in your own way."
"Okay," Brennan said as he rolled up the sleeve of his blue button down shirt so Adam could take the blood sample.
"Get some sleep Brennan. We're all in for a big day tomorrow."
"Okay Thanks Adam." Brennan said as he rolled down his shirt sleeve and went ot join his wife in bed.
"Adam I need a favor." Jesse asked after Brennan left the lab.
"What can I do for you Jesse." Adam asked as he prepared Brennan's blood sample.
"I need you to run some tests on me."
"Why are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. I want you to rn some fertility tests on me."
"Why? Are you and Lexa thinking about children? You do know-"
"I know about her condition," interrupted Jesse. "I want to know what condition I'm in. I want to know what our options are.l"
"I see."
"Adam I love her. But, ever since she told me about her condition. It's like she's waiting for me to leave her. I figured if I knew where I was, we could take it from there."
"You know, you are so good for her. I confess when I arranged for her to be the one to come in I had hopes for the two of you. I know you're both adults and you don't need my blessing but you have it. She needs you in a way she's never needed anyone before. I'm very happy the two of you got back together. You are able to accept her just as she is, and she needs that above all."
"Yeah I do, but she accepts me too. At least most of the time. I have to force her sometimes to let me in. To be honest Adam when we got back together I purposely wasn't careful about birth control. I was hoping if she became pregnant she'd let me marry her. I wanted little Lexa, but one who got to be a little girl, not some science experiment first and then her brothers keeper. When she told me that dream wasn't going to be possible. I got disappointed, because I want children. I realized something when she told me that. I want those fictional children with her. You know I always picture two of them a boy and a girl. The looks like Lexa and the boy looks like me. I guess I hoped that if there was a problem with me, she'd stop waiting for me to leave her for a woman who can give me children."
Adam nodded, "That's our Lexa. All right here." Adam said as he handed Jesse a plastic cup.
"What is this for?"
"I need a sample."
"A sample of what?: Jesse asked. Then realization dawned, "Never mind you need a sample." Jesse said as he cheeks turned bright red.
"We have to start somewhere Jesse. Get it back to me as soon as you have created the sample. It needs to be fresh for the tests."
"I will thanks Adam."
Adam watched Jesse go to his room. The two of them were so alike, it was scary. Jesse didn't know that when Lexa came back she had had Adam run some more tests on er. In fact it was right after they had gotten back together. He'd actually been able to give her some good news about the future babies she wanted with Jesse. With help, a lot of help a pregnancy was possible, however due to the extensive scar tissue there was more then a ninety percent certainty she would miscarry. Adam had suggeted to Lexa that she wait a few months and let him do some research.
There might be a procedure that could be done to get rid of some of the scar tissue, and not only make a pregnancy possible but she'd be able to carry it to term. The pregnancy would still be high risk and she probably would need to be on bed rest for most if not all of the pregnancy, but if she followed all of the instructions she could possibly have the baby she wanted. Adam had already done analysis on the probabilities of Lexa and Jesse's children coming out healthy. He had also done the same for Brennan and Shalimar. With both Jesse and Lexa being Moleculars there was more then a ninety percent chance of their children being perfectly fine. Mutants but fine. Amazingly enough Brennan and Shalimars was closer to ninety five percent. His children would live on in future generations.
Lexa had begun to ask a lot of questions. Adam realized then how much she loved Jesse. Here was a woman who didn't think mutants should have children, but because of Jesse was willing to risk everything for a child she knew he wanted. It made him happy that all his girls were going to eventually be happy. If a child could be born form sheer force of will Lexa would already be pregnant. When that child was born Adam had no doubt it would be the little girl Jesse wanted, with his blue eyes and Lexa's dark hair.
If Sanctuary was going to grow with all of these children, Adam needed to get to work. He wanted his children to have the luxury of growing old and seeing their grandchildren be born. Jesse already being stabilized was safe. Brennan and Shalimar right now had the luxury of sometime. But Lexa if they didn't want to lose her he would have to get to work. Her last scans had revealed that something had given her a stay, but her DNA still wasn't completely stabilized.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Mutant X. Tribute Entertainment owns the rights to these characters. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N This story came to me in a dream. Don't ask. I was thinking that if the actress who plays Shalimar became pregnant, how could they cover an entire season with her being pregnant. She could hardly beat up GSA agents in her 6th month. They would also want to keep the baby a secret from Eckhart as long as possible. The baby of course would be born in June, just in time for the end of the season. But if everyone knew who the father was (Brennan) it wouldn't be that interesting of a season, but what if it wasn't clear. . . Brennan/Shalimar pairing constructive criticism only to tigereyes320hotmail.com Just to let everyone know this is going to be a long story. And I don't update every week or even month, but I do finish all fics I start. So, be patient it will be finished. Also Emma is not dead, it will be explained in the second chapter how she came to still be alive. Adam is also no longer believed to be dead, that will also be explained in a later chapter. Lexa is now part of Mutant X. Also the excerpts Shalimar reads are from the book "What to expect when you are expecting" no copyright infringement is intended. Leave me your email address in your review and I'll send you an email when I update. Now if this was really an episode from tv you'd only get one episode a week. I have several chapters already written but I'm going to try for one update a week. No promises though. Also I don't thank each reviewer each chapter I wait until the very end. Thanks to everyone for reviewing. I'm so sorry this took so long, I was preparing a huge project that took longer then I thought to do. I have the next chapter done and will possibly have it up by next week.
A/N Just so everyone know the baby's sex and name has already been decided. However in an upcoming chapter they will be discussing names. So if you want to contribute a name you can, but give me a reason why the name should be suggested. For example Rose, because it's Shal favorite flower.
Chapter 10 Sanctuary Evolves – Two weeks later
Jesse was at the computer diligently downloading some compressed zip files that The Dominion had sent. He was well into the third hour of working on the project when his phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi baby."
"Lexa! Why are you calling? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you because this will be my last chance to talk to you for awhile."
"Why?"
"Cell phone calls can still be traced. Everything is going like clockwork. I'll be home in six weeks. I promise. How's the redecorating going?"
"Well our rooms are done. I just have to work with the decorator to get them finished. Priority was put on Brennan and Shalimar's suite. It had to be completely finished in the two weeks. Adam decided to have two more suites made, one for himself and the other for Emma. The rest of our suites have the construction done. The only thing left is to choose how we want them decorated and it'll go from there. I was thinking bright orange walls and lime green furniture."
"If you pick that I'm never coming back." "I won't I promise. Hey what kind of bed do you want? King, Queen, Futon, Murphy bed?"
"You are so funny. I want a King size, four poster bed. We need lots of room. I want the bed to be romantic, it doesn't have to be all flowery but I want it romantic okay?"
"I'll se what I can do. I actually have a conference call with the decorator in forty-five minutes. The Dominion is having me download some files, but I'm done with that as of this moment, and save. So we wanted neutral colors right with some blue, red and purple thrown in right?"
"Sounds good."
"You sound tired, are you sleepy?"
"Yes I'm sleepy, I just can't get as comfortable without you here beside me."
"It's the same for me."
"Jess, I got to go we're moving out. I'll see you in six weeks."
"I'll be waiting. I love you Lexa."
"I love you too, Jess. Bye."
"Bye."
As Jesse hung up the phone he wished he could rid himself of the nagging feeling that Lexa was hiding something from him.
Emma came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, "Jess, you okay?"
"Hey Em. Yeah I'm fine. I'm just worried."
"Lexa will be fine that girl knows how to take care of herself." "I know." "She'll be back soon enough and then all will be right in your world." Jesse nodded and then asked, "So where were you last night?" "I don't know what you're insinuating. I was snuggled up asleep in my bed."
"Try again Em." "I was snuggled up asleep in Mike's bed." "That's what I thought. So when do we get to meet him officially? It's been a long time since you were this serious about a guy." "I know, and I was thinking once Lexa came back he could come to dinner." "Sounds good to me." Emma leaned in and asked, "So did you see Adam and Danielle at the wedding?" "Yep I wonder what's going on there." "I'm not positive but Adam didn't come home that night. When are Bren and Shal due back?" "In a couple of hours. Adam went to go pick up some stuff for the party. Then he's going to pick up Bren and Shal from the safehouse."
"Great another party."
"Come on Jess, you're done with your work, help me set up the decorations."
"Why?" "Because I said so. Because you'll stop obsessing about Lexa for five minutes. You know I can make you help me." "Fine I'll help. Does Michael have any idea how bossy you can be?" "Michael doesn't mind a bit when I get bossy and tell him what to do." Emma said as she walked down the hall "I'll bet he does he just knows to keep his opinions to himself." Jesse muttered under his breath. "I heard that." "Of course you did."
Brennan sat staring out the window of the airplane over his wife's head. He loved thinking of Shalimar as his wife. His wife had her head against his shoulder and was sleeping soundly.
Shalimar roused herself ." Hmmmm?"
"Shhh Shal, you don't need to wake up yet."
"Are we almost there?" Shalimar asked as she snuggled into his arm not opening her eyes.
Brennan kissed the top of her head, "Yeah we should be touching down within an hour."
"As much as I loved Italy, It'll be so nice to be home."
"Yeah it will. Adam contacted me and let me know that there will be a limo waiting for us at baggage claim, it will take us to the safe house Adam will then pick us up from the safehouse. Then we'll be home and we can get snuggled into our, well one of our beds and get some more sleep."
"Did Adam ever tell you what the surprise was he had for us was?" Shalimar asked as she opened her eyes.
"Nope, I wonder what it is? He'll probably tell us when we get home. By the way how's B doing?"
"B is just fine and so am I. Bren, I want to go back to Italy."
"Right now?"
"No! I was thinking maybe for an anniversary, maybe on our tenth or our twentieth?"
"It's a date, but why not just our tenth why wait until our twentieth?"
"Well I figured by then this one will be nineteen and the younger kids will be in school and doing their own thing, It would be easier for us to get away."
"Kids? As in more than one?"
"Yeah. I know we haven't sat down and really discussed it, but I'd like at least one more. I hated being an only child. I know I'm not one now but I want to grow up with at least one sibling maybe two."
"Three kids huh? Why not make it four so we can have three and three."
"That could work. But you expect me to go through this 3 more times?"
"Twins run in my family and mammalian crossed ferals are more likely to have multiple births. You might have to only go through this once more or just twice more. Let's see how you and B here make it through this pregnancy. We'll talk more then. Okay?"
"Okay, but you're open to the idea of having more kids?"
"Yeah, I'm open to it."
"Great, so do you think everyone will like all the pictures we took?"
"I think they'll like the gifts we got them more."
"Brennan are you saying our family is that superficial?"
"Of course they are. Close your eyes and get some more sleep."
"Fine but if I have to so do you."
"Okay." Brennan said as he wrapped his arms around Shalimar and rested his head against the top of hers and closed his eyes. As he fell asleep he realized he held his whole world.
About two hours later
Emma was passing by the lab when she saw Adam's private line ringing. She decided to go toward the console and let the person know Adam would be back shortly.
"Miss DeLauro."
"Well if it isn't our bearded Dominion rep. I have to call you that because we don't have a name for you. Of course if you like we can call you deep throat instead."
"Where is Adam Miss DeLauro?"
"Picking up the newlyweds. Should I tell him you've called or would you rather I take the information and get started on the it."
"I'll give you the information. It has come to out attention that several POW's from the Vietnam war as well as the remains of several other soldiers have been recovered."
"That's great but what does that have to do with us?"
"One of the men found alive is claiming to be one Michael Brian Mulwray." "Brennan's father but he was supposedly killed in the 1970's. Brennan has his dog tags."
"What is the saying. Rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated. We need Mr. Mulwray to go to Vietnam with a War representative to see if he recognizes him."
"How can he do that? He has never seen his father."
"Then with his DNA we'll be able to identify the man for sure. He says his dog tags were switched with that of a another. Have Adam talk this over with Mr. Mulwray and contact me tomorrow."
"I'll tell him."
Once the screen went blank Ema wrote down the information, and then left the lab. She wouldn't allow this news to mar Brennan and Shalimar's homecoming.
"Jesse!" Emma called as she went toward the living room.
"On the phone Em be right there."
Emma got to work arranging the decorations around the living room area. She then arranged the trays of food on the tables.
"What do you need Emma?" Jesse said as he came up behind her and slung an arm around her shoulders
"You sound happy. Can you go over there and tell me if the banner is straight?"
"Sure." Jesse walked over to where Emma had pointed. "Yep it's straight. Of course I sound happy the decorator has some great ideas for our suite."
"You're really excited about Lexa moving in with you."
"Yeah. This is the closest I've been able to get her making a commitment to me, to us."
"She's scared Jesse. Lexa has been hurt a lot in the past, some of it has to do with her brother and some has to do with The Dominion."
"And the rest?"
"I'm not sure."
"Emma before everyone comes back. I need your advice on a situation and I need it to be just between us."
"From Lexa too?"
"It has to do with the both of us and our future together. So I'll be telling her that I talked to you. I won't keep secrets from her."
"Okay this will be just between us."
"I guess I need to know if I handled something wrong or right. Lexa was with me, in fact she helped me break into Shal's medical files for Brennan. She had what I call a weird reaction to the discovery of Shal being pregnant.
"That night when we were in bed, I broached the subject of kids. I asked her I we were safe as we hadn't exactly been a hundred percent careful about birth control since we had gotten back together. On my part we weren't always careful. I asked if she was safe, thinking maybe she was using another form of birth control. That is when she told me I didn't need to worry. She couldn't have children. Lexa said Dr. Marcus had examined her a couple of years ago and thanks to Eckarts many experiments she has less than a five percent chance of conceiving a child and an even smaller chance of carrying the child to term."
"Jesse I'm sorry."
"Me too. I mean I always knew I'd like to have children. But it never was really tangible until I had a conversation with Lexa before we got involved the first time and then with the discovery of Shalimar being pregnant. I thought about Lexa having our baby, babies. A little girl with black pigtails and her beautiful blue eyes. Leading her little brother into all sorts of trouble. When Lexa told me that wasn't possible my heart broke no just for me but for us and the children we would never have. I want to have children Emma, but only if I can have them with Lexa."
"What happened then?"
"Lexa started to act all secretive and strange. She began disappearing for secret meetings. She began avoiding me. When I finally confronted her, Emma she was ready for me to slap at her. She told me she would understand if I wanted to break up with her to be with someone who could give me children."
"The Jesse I know would never have let her get away with that."
"Hell no. I told her that she couldn't run away from this. We would deal with this together. I also told her we weren't even married yet, but when we decided we were ready for a baby we could look into our options. Who knew what advancements had been made since she got tested. I also told her there was no guarantee that I could have children."
"You two are almost as bad as Bren and Shal once were. Do you think she heard what you were telling her?"
"I don't know Em. I'm so crazy about her. I can't lose her, I won't lose her especially not due to her fears."
"Well if it makes you feel any better. I think that is the problem, Lexa's fear. She expects to be left Jesse. Lexa hasn't gotten past a lot of her childhood pain, she may never get over all it. SHe loves you Jesse with everything she has, that's why you have te immense power to destroy her. I don't have to be psionic to see what you to have.."
"Good because I've never loved anyone the way I lover her. Even with what I felt for Alisha, it's a pale comparison to what I feel for Lexa. Emma do you ever wonder what would have happened to us if Naxcon hadn't happened?"
"Sometimes. We may have gotten together, but I don't think you would have ever felt for me, what you feel for Lexa. I love you Jess you're my family. But I don't think you and I would have ever worked romantically not in the long run. We would have been happy but we would have been settling. Michael makes me feel like Tyler did. I think we found the ones we're supposed to be with."
"That is what I was thinking as well. I love you to Emma, it wasn't the same without you."
"If Lexa agrees why don't I talk with her after she comes back. See if she is willing to talk to me. If she does I won't be able to talk to you about it, but I can see where her head is at. Maybe I can help her get past some of her no so great past."
"Thanks Em, I really appreciate it. Something in my gut is telling me she's up to something."
"Don't worry so much. She's a survivor, she knows how to take care of herself. She is just having to learn that she can depend on you to be there when she needs you." "Jesse! Emma! We're back!" Adam's voice came through their comm rings.
"We hear you Adam." Jesse said.
"Good because now you can help with the luggage," said Adam as they all walked into the living room together..
Jesse and Emma exchanged grins before getting up and going to hug the newlyweds.
Bren kissed the top of Shalimar's head. "Shal why don't you sit down and have a bite to eat. Jesse and I will bring in the luggage and dump it in my room."
"Hold that thought Brennan. I think it's time for you to to see my wedding gift to you two. Follow me."
Shalimar and Brennan exchanged confused looks and followed Adam down the corridor. Jesse and Emma followed them to see their reactions to their surprise.
Adam came to a stop in front of a door with a big red bow on it. "I know you've been wondering what my surprise wedding gift to you two would be. I was thinking about what you could use and I came up with this.." Adam said as he threw open the door.
Shalimar stepped inside followed by Brennan. "Oh Adam."
"I know that both of your bedrooms were too small for the three of you. So you have this living room area behind the bar is a mini kitchen through there is the master bedroom and bath. In here is the room you can use for the nursery." Adam opened the door and they saw in a pale green room, baby furniture still in boxes as well as several boxes with either Brennan's name on them or Shalimar's. "Most of your personal items and clothing are already put away, but this is what was left in your rooms."
"Adam Thank you it's great." Shalimar said as she hugged Adam with tears rolling down her face.
"Yeah Adam this is so much more than we expected." Brennan chimed in.
"Well enjoy your new place I'll leave the four of you alone to catch up. I have a conference call I have to make. I'll see all of you tomorrow. Shalimar I want you in for a check up tomorrow, okay?"
"I'll be there."
"Thanks again Adam. Why don't you girls bring in the food and drinks, while Jesse and I go get all the bags."
"Okay babe."
Twenty minutes later Jesse and Brennan brought in the last of the luggage.
"Shal did you leave anything in Italy?" Jesse complained.
"You know just for that crack I'm not giving you your present."
"Present for me? Where?"
Before Shalimar could answer him, Brennan called to her from outside the suite. "Shal come here. We have to do this right."
"What do we have to do right?"
"I have to carry you over the threshold."
"Brennan!"
"Shalimar!"
"Fine."
"Emma get the camera ready." Brennan said as he lifted Shalimar into his arms.
Emma dutifully picked up the camera and took a few shots of Brennan crossing the threshold and of the two of them kissing.
"You can put me down Brennan." Shalimar said when they broke off the kiss.
"Nope you and B need to have a nap."
"Bren! I slept on the plane I'm not tired."
"Shalimar."
"Put me down I have a compromise."
Brennan placed her on her feet and waited for her to continue.
"Adam didn't bring my pompasan chair in. Why don't you go get that from my old room and I will sit there all relaxed and gossip with Emma and eat and tell you and Jesse where to put everything."
"All right. Is there anything else you want from your bedroom?"
"I don't think so. But l will go with you to make sure, then I will sit my behind in the chair and not budge."
"Fine. Em, Jess can you start grabbing some of the boxes out of the nursery, and bring them into the living room so we can put stuff away?"
"Sure."
Forty five minutes later
"Okay this is the last of the boxes to go through and put away." Brennan said as he put the last two boxes down on the floor. The empty boxes were already outside the door of the suite.
"Anything else we need to do?" Shalimar asked from her position on the sofa.
"Yep now that the two of you are back we need to activate your secondary rings and get your computers set up in here."
"We also have to finish unpacking Bren."
"We also need to make a list of what you'll need from the grocery store."
Emma decided to put her two cents in. "You can do that tomorrow. I want to hear about Italy."
"Well we have hours of video and tons of pictures. I was thinking in a few days or so we can all get together and watch the show. After we edit the film and get all the pictures processed and put together in an album." "Tell me where you went."
"We were in Rome, Sienna, Florence, Verona, Venice, Asissi, Sorrento, Isle of Capri and we stopped by Pompeii."
"Wow."
"Wow is right. It is such a beautiful country."
"Shal you look like you're about to fall asleep on your feet. Why don't you go take a shower and crawl into bed. I'll finish up in here. We'll tell Jesse and Emma about Italy tomorrow."
"You know I hate it when You're right. I'll see you two tomorrow."
"I'll come over tomorrow morning to help you finish unpacking okay?"
"Thanks I appreciate it. "Shalimar said as she walked over and kissed Brennan good night. "Don't make it too late okay?"
"Okay."
Shalimar walked into the master bedroom and past the huge gold four poster bed into the huge green marbled bathroom. She quickly took a shower and dressed in the pajamas she found in her dresser drawer. She then climbed into the huge bed and snuggled into her pillow and was asleep when her head hit the pillow.
Emma was sitting on the sofa with Jesse and Brennan when she realized she had forgotten to tell Adam about the call about Brennan's father.
"I'm gonna go guys. I promised Michael I would call him tonight." Emma said as she got up from the sofa she kissed Brennan on the cheek. "Welcome back and I'll see you two tomorrow. See you in the morning Jess."
"C'mon Jess Help me get the rest of this stuff put away. Shal sometimes roams at night and I don't want her tripping over anything. Have you heard from Lexa since she left?"
"Yeah she called earlier today. You know you and I don't the pick the easiest women to fall in love with."
"Nope, but who wants easy? Are you forgetting what happened when Shalimar found out Lexa made out with me when I went undercover?"
"Nope. I do remember Lexa having a few choice things to say about you smacking her ass."
"C'mon Jess when was I ever going to get another chance to do that. Besides she said I was a lousy kisser. It took Shal hours to sooth my fragile ego."
"Really?"
"Oh like you didn't offer to kiss and make it better for Lexa."
"I refuse to answer that."
"Jess, all joking aside, there was never anything romantic between me and Lexa. She might have been fun as maybe a one night thing, but once I realized you wanted her it was hands off for me. Plus I was in love with Shal. Beside Lexa still hasn't completely forgiven me for her brother."
"Brennan she knows it wasn't your fault."
"I know but she and I have both lost a twin. Hers to death and mine to the unknown. I see her like Emma as a kid sister."
"Sometimes I wonder what really goes on in that head of hers.."
"Man you do realize that you are so whipped."
"I'm sorry which of us has a pregnant wife in the next room?"
"Funny."
"Listen I think we have almost everything done. I'm gonna hit the sack. Worrying about my girl wipes me out. I'll see you in the morning. It's good to have you back."
"I'll see you tomorrow bud."
"Jesse Brennan?" Adam's voice came through their rings.
"Yeah Adam?" Brennan asked.
"Could I see the two of you in the lab. Please?"
"We are on our way." Brennan said as he wrote a note to Shal just in case she woke up. He then followed Jesse into the lab.
Adam was looking particularly grim.
Who died?" joked Brennan.
"No one Brennan but you might want to sit down."
"Something's wrong with Shalimar or the baby?" Brennan made a move as if to go toward their suite.
"Brennan, everything is fine with the baby and Shalimar. This about your father. "
"My father has been dead for almost thirty years."
"I just received some information that has lead my contacts to believe that he may not be dead."
"What?"
"I just called one of Dominion contacts. There is a man who claims to be Michael Brian Mulwray. He says his tags were exchanged for that of another prisoner. That prisoner is who was killed. Since you had never met him, they need to have a sample of your DNA to test against his to prove who is."
"What happens if he's alive. He was only twenty four when he disappeared."
"If he's your father Brennan he'll be welcome here or we'll find a place where he is comfortable. He'll probably need a month or longer at a hospital to get him healthy and get him up to par. I need the sample as soon as possible so we can get this taken care of. I'll let you tell Shalimar in your own way."
"Okay," Brennan said as he rolled up the sleeve of his blue button down shirt so Adam could take the blood sample.
"Get some sleep Brennan. We're all in for a big day tomorrow."
"Okay Thanks Adam." Brennan said as he rolled down his shirt sleeve and went ot join his wife in bed.
"Adam I need a favor." Jesse asked after Brennan left the lab.
"What can I do for you Jesse." Adam asked as he prepared Brennan's blood sample.
"I need you to run some tests on me."
"Why are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. I want you to rn some fertility tests on me."
"Why? Are you and Lexa thinking about children? You do know-"
"I know about her condition," interrupted Jesse. "I want to know what condition I'm in. I want to know what our options are.l"
"I see."
"Adam I love her. But, ever since she told me about her condition. It's like she's waiting for me to leave her. I figured if I knew where I was, we could take it from there."
"You know, you are so good for her. I confess when I arranged for her to be the one to come in I had hopes for the two of you. I know you're both adults and you don't need my blessing but you have it. She needs you in a way she's never needed anyone before. I'm very happy the two of you got back together. You are able to accept her just as she is, and she needs that above all."
"Yeah I do, but she accepts me too. At least most of the time. I have to force her sometimes to let me in. To be honest Adam when we got back together I purposely wasn't careful about birth control. I was hoping if she became pregnant she'd let me marry her. I wanted little Lexa, but one who got to be a little girl, not some science experiment first and then her brothers keeper. When she told me that dream wasn't going to be possible. I got disappointed, because I want children. I realized something when she told me that. I want those fictional children with her. You know I always picture two of them a boy and a girl. The looks like Lexa and the boy looks like me. I guess I hoped that if there was a problem with me, she'd stop waiting for me to leave her for a woman who can give me children."
Adam nodded, "That's our Lexa. All right here." Adam said as he handed Jesse a plastic cup.
"What is this for?"
"I need a sample."
"A sample of what?: Jesse asked. Then realization dawned, "Never mind you need a sample." Jesse said as he cheeks turned bright red.
"We have to start somewhere Jesse. Get it back to me as soon as you have created the sample. It needs to be fresh for the tests."
"I will thanks Adam."
Adam watched Jesse go to his room. The two of them were so alike, it was scary. Jesse didn't know that when Lexa came back she had had Adam run some more tests on er. In fact it was right after they had gotten back together. He'd actually been able to give her some good news about the future babies she wanted with Jesse. With help, a lot of help a pregnancy was possible, however due to the extensive scar tissue there was more then a ninety percent certainty she would miscarry. Adam had suggeted to Lexa that she wait a few months and let him do some research.
There might be a procedure that could be done to get rid of some of the scar tissue, and not only make a pregnancy possible but she'd be able to carry it to term. The pregnancy would still be high risk and she probably would need to be on bed rest for most if not all of the pregnancy, but if she followed all of the instructions she could possibly have the baby she wanted. Adam had already done analysis on the probabilities of Lexa and Jesse's children coming out healthy. He had also done the same for Brennan and Shalimar. With both Jesse and Lexa being Moleculars there was more then a ninety percent chance of their children being perfectly fine. Mutants but fine. Amazingly enough Brennan and Shalimars was closer to ninety five percent. His children would live on in future generations.
Lexa had begun to ask a lot of questions. Adam realized then how much she loved Jesse. Here was a woman who didn't think mutants should have children, but because of Jesse was willing to risk everything for a child she knew he wanted. It made him happy that all his girls were going to eventually be happy. If a child could be born form sheer force of will Lexa would already be pregnant. When that child was born Adam had no doubt it would be the little girl Jesse wanted, with his blue eyes and Lexa's dark hair.
If Sanctuary was going to grow with all of these children, Adam needed to get to work. He wanted his children to have the luxury of growing old and seeing their grandchildren be born. Jesse already being stabilized was safe. Brennan and Shalimar right now had the luxury of sometime. But Lexa if they didn't want to lose her he would have to get to work. Her last scans had revealed that something had given her a stay, but her DNA still wasn't completely stabilized.