River didn't make it all the way to the doorway without being distracted, though. As he passed Sam's bed, he saw that the curtain was open – somewhat – and more importantly, Sam saw him walking by and called his name. He detoured from his original goal and moved the curtain slightly, smiling at Sam – who was holding an incredibly tiny baby in her arms.

"Hey, Sam. How are you doing?" He asked, coming over to sneak a peek. "Wow, he's tiny."

"So I've heard," Sam told him with a smile. "This is Jacob."

"Hey, Jake…" River made the shortening of the name naturally, and looked reached out and touched the infant's lower lip, which was protruding slightly. "He's cute."

Sam wasn't above a little impishness herself, and her next words proved it.

"Want to hold him?"

She expected the same reaction that she'd gotten when she'd asked Shawn and Cassandra both that question; quick panic – or paleness – followed by a shaking head and some lame excuse. What she got, however, was a big grin, and River's blue eyes lit up as he dropped the bag in his hand and held his arms out.

"Can I?"

Surprised, she handed the baby over, and to her surprise found that the transfer was incredibly smooth. Then he held Jacob close, crooning down at him and supporting him perfectly – even better than Sam.

"Not the first baby you've held?" Sam asked with a wry smile.

River shook his head, his attention still on Jacob, who was staring up at him.

"Not even close. I have a million little sisters remember? Who do you think put them to sleep when my mom and dad were busy with touring details?"

Sam had forgotten the sisters – or just hadn't considered that – but it didn't matter. The Cadet was holding Jake easily, and not looking at all nervous about it – which made Sam not worry about it, either.

"He's really small, though…" River commented. "None of my sisters were so little."

"He'll grow."

"We got him something," Shawn said, bending over and picking up.

"What?"

"First birthday present goes to us," River said, smugly, looking down at Jacob. "Hear that, kid? When someone asks you twenty years from now who got you your first present, you'll be able to say River and Shawn."

Jacob didn't pay any attention to him, but Sam smiled.

Since her hands were free, Shawn reached into the bag and pulled out the present, handing it to her. It was an incredibly tiny navy blue sweatshirt – with a hood – and across the front of it, in bold but tiny letters were the words Air Force Academy. It was too big for him, now, but by the time next winter came along it would fit him.

She smiled, looking at the guys, who were beaming.

"It's adorable."

They both preened.

"We thought you'd like it – and it is appropriate, since you're an alumni."

"It's great."

She pulled Shawn into a hug, feeling tears once more threatening.

"Hey… there are laws in this state against making the moves on your step-mom."

Jack's voice came from behind them, and Shawn and Sam broke the hug to turn and greet him.

"Hi, Jack."

"Hey, Shawn. What do you think of your little brother?"

"He's cute."

Sam held up the sweatshirt so Jack could see it, and he took it from her, smiling.

"'Air Force Academy'? Who'd want to go to that crummy school?"

Sam stuck her tongue out at him and Jack's smile grew.

"I-"

"Hey! Where's my present?"

The voice clearly belonged to Ian, and it was annoyed. He'd waited long enough for his present, and he was stuck on the wrong end of the infirmary and without anyone to visit, when he knew Sam had a whole roomful of people with her and Jacob and could spare one or two – preferably whichever one was carrying his birthday present.

River rolled his eyes and passed Jacob to Jack, who cuddled him close.

"We'd better take Ian his birthday present before he starts throwing things."

Shawn nodded his agreement and the two of them vanished behind the curtain, Shawn still carrying the bag and River checking out nurses and medics – and doctors – he wasn't a snob, after all. He'd flirt with anyone female.

Ian, of course, was watching from his bed, and he shook his head when they got close enough that he wouldn't have to yell, his expression annoyed but his dark eyes filled with good humor.

"What?" River asked, innocently. "Can't a guy look?"

"Not when it makes him look like a moron," Ian said once they were beside his bed so the females in the room couldn't overhear them. "Girls don't always want a guy checking them out, you know?"

"I'm not checking them out," River said, resuming his previous spot on the edge of Ian's bed. "I'm just…"

"Checking them out…" Shawn said.

"Maybe a little."

"Maybe you should try talking to them instead of ogling them." Ian said scowling. "Pretend you have an education – that might impress them."

"I'm educated," River stated, grinning. "I'm taking all advanced classes and I'm bilingual. What more could a woman want from her man?"

"Speaking Klingon doesn't count as bilingual," Ian told him sarcastically, checking out the bag in Shawn's hand. "Is that my present?"