Chapter 10
Vala starts preparing for dinner just after breakfast. Cam gets a kick out of seeing her be domestic like this, though really for Vala 'domestic' is a somewhat relative term. She enlists Tyler and Adria to help clean up the living room, even letting Adria run the vacuum cleaner, while Cam focuses on the turkey. They're not having a huge dinner; just 'family' - for them, that includes Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c. They'll have dinner then once the guests have gone, will exchange presents among them all - just a couple, since most of what they get will come from Santa the next morning.
Teal'c arrives first, seating himself on the couch and accepting with quiet dignity the dogpiling that followes. Cam is all set to tell them not to crowd Uncle Teak when he realizes that Vala's leading the assault, trying desperately to find what Vala swears is his one - very well hidden - ticklish spot.
Vala gives up after a minute but winks at Cam when the children continue to try and find the ticklish spot.
She slips back into the kitchen to make sure that her mashed potatoes are turning out well. "Not exhausted yet?" Cam asks. She's been going all day, and he knows she doesn't like it when he fusses too much or babies her but he can't help it sometimes. "Go take a nap if you want to."
"Cameron, I'm pregnant, not feeble," she reminds him. He doesn't point out that she takes naps often enough even when she isn't pregnant. He wonders if that's not secretly one of the reasons that she's been wanting another baby - ready excuse to nap every day.
"I know," he says, just smiling. "Can't help it, gotta fuss a little."
She puckers her lips and blows him a kiss. "I'm feeling wonderful, though, for the record."
The doorbell rings and she reaches past him to swipe a bit of the turkey he's just now cutting. She bites down on it and winks and then goes to answer the door.
She peeks out the curtained window on the side despite knowing full well it's Sam and Daniel, but she's wanting to see something more. She's delighted when she catches their hands locked together and they are standing closer than normal. She quickly opens the door and startles them apart.
She giggles at their embarrassment. "You two are adorable. Trying to hide it even though we all know now." They both smile sheepishly and Vala ushers them in and they get tackled by two flying children when they enter the living room.
She heads back to the kitchen with Cam and catches him also tasting the turkey. "What?" He doesn't have to justify it - she didn't. "Just cause you're the pregnant one doesn't mean I don't get to have some extra food too."
She pats his stomach. It's still nice and fit but she loves to tease him. "We don't need you to develop a sympathy baby now, dear."
"Wasn't I just telling you how it didn't matter how you looked?"
Vala leans up and kisses his cheek before grabbing more side dishes to set on the table. "I never agreed though."
xxxxx
Dinner is a hit. The kids are laughing at their uncles bantering with their father and both of the women keep staring at their men as if they can't remember them being so happy. There is a light air about the night and everyone seems to just be in a grand mood. Christmas spirit has taken precedence over everyone's work and problems.
"Unca Danny, you can help me clean my room?" Tyler is making a castle out of mashed potatoes and then joyously destroying it with the mouth monster.
Daniel's confused. "Why would I be qualified to help with that?"
"Cause dusty. Momma says you just move dust around all the day. She also always saying she needs to dust all my toys." He's very certain that Daniel would be the perfect room cleaning assistant.
Sam, Cam and Vala are all in pain from laughing so hard. "Maybe you could do the whole house after you're done with Tyler's room." Cam, miraculously, gets the words out before he's halved over in laughter again.
"It's not that funny guys." Daniel tries to defend himself. "I don't just dust..."
"He's right." Sam tries to collect herself. "He definitely wouldn't be good at dusting. I've seen his office and he just moves the dust off one thing and onto something else."
"Oh, Sam, that hurts." He acts wounded but Vala can see the way the banter lights up their eyes. Just like when she teases Cameron.
"Indeed, Daniel Jackson. She has a point."
"Teal'c, man, you too?" He just gets a grin and a tip of the head from the big Jaffa. "The world is against me. I'm just a defenseless archeologist."
Adria slips out of her chair and walks over to Daniel. "Don't worry Uncle Daniel, I know that your dusting is to help lots of people."
"See?" He doesn't see anyone around the table looking convinced.
"Just cause it's dusty and old and boring doesn't mean it's not important." Adria hugs him before going back to her meal.
Vala and Cam both 'awww' at their daughter's kind heart that's able to add a jab into what she's just said and still sound nice. "Just like her mother." Cam mutters.
No one disagrees. "Is it time for pie?" The little girl is bored of the main meal and is looking forward to dessert.
"Definitely takes after her mother." Vala gets up and starts clearing the table. Everyone has been finished for awhile now. Sam touches her shoulder and points to her chair.
"I'll get it. Daniel can help me." Daniel looks grumpy about being wrangled for dish duty but he doesn't argue with Sam, just gets up and starts helping. Cam pulls out the dessert dishes and starts slicing the cherry pie.
"Who wants pie?" He doesn't know why he asked there is a chorus of 'me's and he just smiles and dishes out 7 slices.
xxxxxx
After pie, the kids get their presents from aunts and uncles, and then Cam and Vala unceremoniously usher them out. Everyone understands; they, are a group, are one kind of family... but Cam and Vala have their own family.
"Presentspresentspresents!" Adria says, all but running around the room in circles, her energy boundless.
Tyler bounces on his feet and claps and joins in, wiggling and kicking his chubby little legs when Cam picks him up and swings him in the air. "Daddy, fly!"
Cam flies him around and that's enough to entertain Tyler and even make him temporarily forget what he was so excited for to begin with, but Adria has a longer attention span and is undeterred. "Daddy, it's time for presents."
Cam decides to have a little bit of fun with her. "Oh, Addy, honey, I forgot to tell you- your mom and I decided that we are just gonna wait on-"
Adria doesn't even give him a chance to finish it. "Daddy, you can't fool me. All the presents are right there under the tree. Come on, what do you take me for?"
She's standing with one skinny leg cocked, hand on her hip, hair pulled back into a ponytail that a few curly wisps are escaping, and looks so much like Vala that Cam just has to reach out and hug her.
She wiggles but she's laughing and not really trying to get away. She still weighs nothing when Cam picks her up, and carries her over to the couch where Vala's sitting. The lights in the living room are dim and the tree is dancing colorfully, the twinkly little lights reflecting off of the ornaments. It's decorated in a very typical Vala fashion; all sparkly and glitz. She loves the shiny baubles of Christmas. He remembers how her eyes had widened the first time they'd walked into a shop to get their first Christmas tree decorations. Of course, she knows that none of them are real, but she loves them all the same.
Tyler has his truck from his Gramma and Grampa in one hand, but he's also eying the pile of presents contemplatively. "Presents time, Daddy?"
"Yep, I think so." Cam says, sitting down beside Vala and putting his arm around her. She snuggles in close to him, resting her head on his shoulder as they watch their children.
xxxxx
"The kids are nestled all snug in their beds."
"With visions of candy?" Vala knows that's not right but it must be close.
Cam just chuckles as he walks to his dresser. He pulls out socks and finally gets to what he wants. The present for Vala. There is a small box and an envelope and both are something he wants to give to her when it's just the two of them. He's bought her a few things from himself and a few more things from the children for under the tree.
"You're close." Cam tosses his clothes off before bringing the two things into bed with him. He hands her the box first.
Vala lights up. "For me?"
He rolls his eyes and nods. She carefully weighs it pretending to try to guess. He just waits on her, enjoying the delight that she shares when she gets a present. When she finally cracks the lid he hears her gasp. Her eyes glitter with unshed tears as she pulls out the small locket. She opens it expecting to find a picture of the children. But it's not. There is an etching of the stargate - if you didn't know what it was it wouldn't look like anything other then abstract art. The cursive script that runs across the two sides makes her heart beat faster.
I've loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
-Gallileo
"I thought it was perfect for us, all we've been through. How we met, how strong you are..." Cam can't tell if she feels the words like he does.
She runs her fingertip over the inscription, nodding at his words. "It's perfect. So, so perfect." She palms the lockets tightly and leans across to hug him. His arms catch her before she tumbles over because of the awkward balance from her large belly.
"I love you. Through everything. No matter what." He tucks her closely as they fall down into the mattress. She's staring at the words.
"I thought for sure there would be pictures of the children."
"You can't fit three pictures in a typical locket. I had to be creative." Cam kisses her cheek, it's the closest part of her. "Besides. This is about us. About our love. They're a large part of that, but not everything is about them. No matter what Adria insists."
Vala eyes the forgotten envelope that's become crumpled slightly between them. "There's more?"
"Mmhmm." He picks it up and hands it to her. She tries to pull it away but he holds on. "This is from Mom and Dad too."
Intriguing. She gets to open it now. There are two vouchers inside. Vouchers for plane tickets. "Where are we going?"
"Anywhere you want to. For a week." He loves how much joy she gets from this. In all honesty he can't wait to cash these in, even if it will be a long while. "After the new one can get on for that long without momma. Mom and Dad are going to stay here and babysit for the time we're gone. Mom said we needed more us time. I didn't want to argue. I love my family time but Vala time is a precious commodity."
"Who am I to argue with your dear mother..." Vala leans forward and kisses him, putting her hands against his cheeks to hold him still.
"No mentioning my mother while we're in the bedroom," Cam reminds her.
He moves to deepen this kiss, hoping they can pick up where they left off the night before. The shower encounter was hot as hell but he's in the mood for something a little more lingering. He thinks he knows just how to fill the time between now and when he'll get up to go put out the children's presents from Santa, long before they awake.
He's moving his hand with purpose but Vala leans back, looking troubled suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Cam asks. He can't imagine what about his gift might have potential to be upsetting to her. He might be horny but he's not stupid. The best way to ensure he doesn't get any is to offend the pregnant woman.
It takes her a moment, but he's patient, not pressing her. He knows when she finds just the right way the words will come. Sure enough, she sighs, and says, "I don't have anything for you nearly so-"
"Vala," Cam cuts her off. "You don't need to get me anything."
"But I want to- I wish I had-"
He reaches out and covers her mouth with his hand. "Shut it."
Her eyes widen at him, but this time it's his turn to take his time. He moves the envelope and puts it in the nightstand beside their bed, then sets the box with the locket in it on her bedside table.
"Cameron-"
He just shakes his head, now reaching out to turn the lights off.
He stretches out on the bed beside her and finally addresses her again, resting a hand on her stomach. "Trust me, you've got it covered in the whole giving meaningful gifts department. Just remember this moment when you're in labor and begging the doctor to remove my balls, okay?"
"I love you," Vala smiles at him sweetly. "But no promises."
xxxxx
"Oooof!" Cam's awake now. Little elbows, knees and chins poking against his body. Jumping on daddy to wake him is supposed to be a no-no. Supposed to be...
He opens his eyes and comes face to face with a pair of big blue eyes framed by curly dark hair. Her teeth are bared in a grin that's full of mischief. She drops closer when she sees he's looking and presses her nose and forehead to his. "You awake now, daddy?"
"I'm in pain. I might need a trip to the doctor."
"We barely jumped on you, daddy." Tyler squeezes his head in next to his sister's.
Cam tries to hold back a smile. "Dad is old. He breaks easy."
"Daddy doesn't break he is tough!" Tyler doesn't believe it. "Plus it's CHRISTMAS!"
"Are you sure?" Cam loves to play along just as much as Vala does. Speaking of... He can tell he was alone in bed when the kids came and woke him.
"Yes! Santa came!" Adria is wiggling with excitement and Cam grabs them both and flips them over, pinning them to the bed. "Daddy!"
He just smiles at them and begins kissing them everywhere. They are laughing heartily now. "Where's your momma?" He asks after they all catch their breath.
"Making breakfast. She said to wake you up." Adria is quick to tattle.
Cam looks between them. "Did she also say to jump on me?"
"Nope." Tyler glares at his sister. Cam knows that she did, but Tyler will go to his grave before outing his mother. "Daddy, there are PRESENTS!" He's also grasped the concept of changing the subject quite well already.
"There are? From Santa?" Both kids nod. "I don't know, I'm pretty tired." He flops dramatically back to the bed.
Both of them slide down to the floor and grab a hand. They tug and pull trying to drag him out of bed. "Come on daddy! Mom says we can open presents after we eat breakfast!"
"Is there bacon?" He can smell that there is.
"Yes!"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" The children let out a chorus of 'yay's as they race from the room and head down the stairs.
xxxx
He's cleaned up and in flannel pajama pants when he heads to the kitchen. The smell of bacon tickles his nose and his stomach rumbles. At least they weren't fibbing about that to get him out of bed. Cam's quiet as he enters the room. Vala is flipping some pancakes and he sidles up behind her and wraps his arms around her.
"I hear someone told the children to jump on me."
She gasps and leans back into him. "And who said that?"
"Certainly not Tyler." He can envision the smirk on her face when she finds out she wasn't actually outed. "But there was a lot of back and forth eye conversation between two children."
"Well, if no one's talking then there is no proof." She sets the spatula down and turns in his arms. The bump on her belly seems to have grown since the last time he's held her. The angle gets more awkward all the time and she's getting to the point where she's tired of it. Only four more months...
"I was sure I'd have to go in for some broken ribs..."
"Poor old man." They kiss and she rakes her fingers through his hair. "Hope you're hungry. I've made enough for an army."
"It smells delicious." He kisses her ear and then draws in a deep breath - emphasizing what he thinks smells best.
"Well, so does a harpalla, but we all know about those."
Cam's not sure he wants to know. He strokes her belly and kisses her once more before bringing the food to the table. The kids are already in their chairs, eyes big and forks at the ready. He dishes up them each a pancake and they enjoy squirting far too much syrup on them. He puts three on Vala's plate and a couple on his before handing out the bacon and then pouring everyone juice.
When everyone is seated they dig in and there is a cacophony of noises that indicate how good the meal is.