Chapter 6

Family & Traditions

It had been three months since Teyla and John were engaged. The wedding was going to follow the traditions of an Earth wedding because the Ethosian customs were relatively simple. There was a feast and the father of the bride would announce it at the table. Very simple if you compare it to an Earth wedding. Dr. Weir had told Teyla more about Earths customs when it came to a wedding; Teyla found herself enjoying those traditions more than the Ethosian ones.

The agreement was that they would combine both the Earth and the Ethosian traditions. John and Teyla were on one of the balconies and they were discussing their wedding plans. "Where are we going to get dresses and tuxes for everyone?" John asked. As much as he liked the ides that both traditions would be combined, he would of much rather preferred to just do it the Ethosian way. It sounded so much easier, besides he hated wearing a tux.

The only minor issue he had with the whole Ethosian way of things was the whole 'father' bit. John didn't even know that Teyla's father was alive. He knew she had one, obviously, but he just thought that he was dead or something. It was definitely something he was not looking forward too, that's for sure.

Teyla already had a plan on the whole clothing bit. "That is what I was worried about but strangely enough, Teyla has told me that there are some human clothes in the West peer that should be suitable. Plus Elizabeth said that each human from Earth brought something formal when you came to Atlantis."

John rolled his eyes. "Ah she told you about that?"

"Yes she did." She got up from the chair she was sitting in and went over to his and sat on his lap. "Come on we must be going.

Dr. Beckett said that he wanted to see us." John let out a sigh. "Let's go." She said as she started to get up.

"Alright, alright." John said and got up.

John and Teyla arrived in the infirmary and were told by a young nurse to wait in Beckett's office. "What do you think is wrong with us?" John asked pessimistically, but still seriously looking at Teyla waiting for an answer.

Teyla rolled her eyes. "Nothing's wrong with us. He just said that he wanted to see us." Teyla shook her head.

John couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark. "Well you never know, now do you?" He nodded his head agreeing with himself. Teyla couldn't help but smile.

Just then Dr. Beckett walked in. "Why hello there lass'. I'm glad you came by. Teyla I got the results back from the blood work we did when you got back from your most recent mission."

He handed a folder to Teyla, which was already open to a specific page. She glanced over it quickly and saw what it said. "Is it true?" She had tears in her eyes. John still hadn't quite caught on.

"What? What is it? Teyla are you okay?" He asked, still not knowing what exactly what was going on. Beckett sighed.

"Major look at the papers." He sighed. John leaned over to look at them.

He quickly skimmed through what was on the page. "What?" He was still confused. Teyla looked at him and smiled.

Beckett stepped in, "Congratulations Major your going to be a father." John's eyes widened with shock. They both waited for a response. Nothing, he just started in front of him. "Major?" Beckett asked.

"Fa, fath… father, as in a dad, like she's pregnant?" John asked his eyes still filled with absolute shock.

"Yes!" Teyla said both overwhelmed and excited. John took a breath and then passed out right there in his chair.

He woke in the infirmary, listening to annoying beeps. He opened his eyes slowly. "John, are you awake?" It was Teyla; there was concern in her voice.

"You didn't take the news to well I see." It was Elizabeth's voice. John smiled at her comment.

"You fainted!" Rodney grimly said. Elizabeth playfully hit him for his sarcastic remark. Something was going on between them and it was getting more and more obvious as they days went by.

"Passed out." John replied defensively.

"Don't worry lass' it's often normal for a future parent to react that way when they are told about a baby. Don't take this the wrong way but I sort of expected it would happen when I told you." Beckett smiled.

John sat up and looked at Teyla. "Can we just have a moment here?" John asked looking at the others.

"Sure, Okay's and I was just leaving's. Were the replies they got from the others and everyone then left the room.

"Teyla babe I really am happy about this. It's just so, so…"

"Surprising?" She said.

"Yes. And believe me I love you way more than you could ever possibly imagine. I just didn't expect it, that's all. I honestly thought that something was wrong with one of us when Beckett said he needed to see us. But a baby is so real, so different and right now it was unexpected." He said looking at her. He had felt bad about it and was now worried about how she felt.

Teyla sat herself beside him on his bed. "I know it is. I didn't even expect it and to tell you the truth, I'm surprised I did not 'pass out'."

"So seeing as you are technically human, I'd say that we have some planning and preparations to do. Nine more months and we're actually going to be parents." He stopped and smiled at Teyla. "I'm going to be a dad." He grinned and pulled her close to kiss her.

They broke away and Teyla spoke. "I'm so excited. Not more than four days from now we're getting married and now we're having baby. I can't wait until my family arrives. I haven't seen them in ages." Teyla smiled excitingly.

'Ah crap. Her parents. I totally forgot about that. Teyla was always so excited about her mom coming and always going on about it, but when she talked about her father she sometimes seemed like she was warning me. That's what was freaking me out so much. Sure she was discreet, but he knew what that meant. Her father was going to be watching my every move practically. She had said that he was just very protective of her. The other day when I asked Haling about him, he seemed a little paranoid just talking about him. He said that William Emmagan was extremely protective of her.' John stared off into space as he thought this to himself.

"The other day, the people of Arnieka sent word that my older brother Marcus would be able to join us here in Atlantis. "I cannot wait." She smiled excitingly and hugged him. An extremely worried look washed over Johns' face.

"Teyla as much as excited as I am as you are. I'm just a little but concerned about your father. Hauling said that." Teyla cut of his words.

"That he was protective of me? Yes it is true but I am his only daughter. Marcus was so distant from him and my mother. It was sometimes as though I was an only child." Teyla sighed.

John sighed. He himself was an only child. John sighed. "Come here. I'm sure we'll get along just fine. Marcus and your father and I will just get along fine," he couldn't help but add in one sarcastic remark. "Hey, we'll watch some football, talk about ferrous wheels, and eat popcorn…" His words drifted off. Teyla smiled at his sarcastic humor. He definitely knew how to make her laugh.

"We should be going we are still scheduled for a mission in an hour," He was about to cut off her words. "Do not worry many among my people have traveled through the stargate while pregnant, I see no harm, it is just a routine mission so that Dr. McKay can check on his scientific equipment on the planet." She placed a finger over his lips before he could protest. "Come on." She said and continued to walk towards the exit and head to the 'gear-up' room.