A/N: Alright folks this is it the last chapter. I apologize in advance if any thing in this chapter isn't accurate, but I've never actually had first hand experience in dealing with pregnancies.
Also just to give you all a heads up so that nobody thinks I'm plagiarizing or anything if any part of this chapter sounds like someone else's story. I very, very, vaguely remember reading something that was similar to the first part of this chapter, but I can't remember the name of the story or the author to give credit for the inspiration, other wise I would.
A wee bit of language in this one.
Epilogue
It had been a little over five months since John and Elizabeth's wedding and in that time the two had settle back into routine life in Atlantis. It had been as if the two had never been away for the three month long vacation they'd taken on earth to visit family and to get married.
As much as John may have loved seeing his sister again and meeting Elizabeth's family it had felt good to be back in Atlantis and he hoped he wouldn't be leaving the Pegasus galaxy again any time soon and John had thought Elizabeth felt the same way; Elizabeth had been more anxious to get back to the city after being away for three months than he'd been. So it had been a surprise when a few days ago an eight months pregnant Elizabeth had told John in no uncertain terms that they would be returning to earth until after the baby was born, which had led to John's current situation.
He was being watched, John could feel their eyes on him, men and women alike- both groups equally interested in what he and his pillows were doing there alone. In truth he had no idea what he was doing there, okay so he knew the basic reason, and as he'd been reminded on several occasions lately, he knew this was all his fault.
"Major Sheppard?" A woman asked, moving over to stand next to John.
"Last I checked," John replied nervously, feeling like he was in a room full of Wraith sizing him up as their next potential meal.
"Good and I see you've brought your pillows, here's your book it's good to take notes."
"Thanks." John took the book and flipped though the pages before he felt too squeamish. And here he thought living in the Pegasus galaxy for several years had prepared him for anything – boy had he been wrong.
Hearing the door open John turned hoping that it was Elizabeth finally showing up to save him from his torture, but no such luck. Even though she was on maternity leave Elizabeth was at the SGC nearly everyday either talking with Rodney or Peter about city business or helping out with various things, like treaties, at the SGC. Today had been no exception and now she was late.
'Damn Elizabeth and her workaholic tendencies.' John thought as the woman from before seemed to make the decision that everyone who was coming was there and got started.
It was an hour later while the group was taking a small break and John was at the refreshment table grabbing some juice and a cookie that his missing wife finally decided to make an appearance.
"Sorry I'm late. There was a bit of a disagreement between some of the scientists I had to deal with." Elizabeth apologized as she took the cup of juice out of John's hand without asking.
"Sure no problem, I mean it's not like Rodney couldn't have handled his fellow beakers."
"Actually Rodney was part of the problem."
"Oh well then in that case I guess I can forgive you."
"Thanks. I miss anything important?"
"Just me wishing for a whole lot of Wraith to come barging through the door, other than that I'm sure this handy work book explains everything." John handed over the book, eating his cookie as fast as he could before Elizabeth managed to steal it too – John saw the way she was eyeing his cookie.
Finishing off John's juice Elizabeth handed the empty carton back to him as the woman telling the class to take their seats came up to the two of them.
"You must be Elizabeth." The woman looked down at her book.
"Yes."
"You're late."
"Sorry I got held up at work." Elizabeth blushed slightly in embarrassment; it usually wasn't like her to be late.
"Yes well he has your book," The woman pointed at John. "So let's get started."
"Wait a second you're telling me that something that big is gonna come out –?"
"Yes Major that's exactly what I'm saying. It's completely natural." Exasperated the woman cut John off. From the moment she saw John enter the room she'd had a feeling he was going to be her 'problem' student and hadn't be disappointed.
"Natural? That seems like the most unnatural thing I've ever heard of and trust me I know unnatural!"
"This process has been going on since the dawn of time, Major. I assure you it's nothing to be freaked out by."
"What?" John questioned as he sat back with a huff, seeing the look Elizabeth was giving him, as the woman started a video for the class about real people who had gone through this before them. The rest of the class went smoothly with only a few more minor disruptions from John.
"Well that was fun." John stated sarcastically, helping Elizabeth out of the car.
"Say what you will, but I found it to be helpful." Elizabeth replied.
"Yeah well if you ask my opinion the only reason they have these classes is to try and scare the guys."
"Funny you seemed to be the only one having a problem." Elizabeth taunted as they entered the house
"Lets just say I'm glad you're the woman... I'm not brave enough to take on that challenge. Give me the Wraith any day."
"Even after surviving the 'Prepared Childbirth' class?"
"Especially after taking that class. But at least one of us got something out of it." John wrapped his arms around Elizabeth's waist and kissed her temple.
(About a month later)
It was some time in the middle of the night when Elizabeth, lying wide awake in bed staring at the ceiling of hers and John's on base quarters, felt it starting. With the baby being due at any time Elizabeth and John had decided it would be a good idea to stay on base so that when Elizabeth did go into labor they wouldn't have to go very far to get to the infirmary. Plus it gave them extra time to have someone contact Atlantis; Carson, along with John's team had insisted that they be notified the minute Elizabeth went into labor so that they could be there when the baby was born.
"John." Elizabeth waited for a reply. "John it's time." She tried again getting no response from John the first time.
"Wha…?" John mumbled, not opening his eyes.
"It's time." Elizabeth restated, trying to nudge John awake.
"For what?" John finally cracked his eyes open, still not completely awake.
"The baby…" As soon as Elizabeth mentioned the baby John was instantly wide awake, jumping out of bed.
"You…infirmary…now." John quickly threw on some clothes while helping Elizabeth out of bed.
"Calm down John, there's no rush. There's still time before the baby comes." Elizabeth smiled; it wasn't everyday she got to see her husband panicking.
Upon reaching the infirmary John grabbed the nearest airmen he could find and ordered him to the control to have someone contact Atlantis. It wasn't even half an hour before Carson, Aiden, Teyla, and Rodney came bustling into the infirmary.
"Son of a bitch!" Elizabeth cried as another contraction hit her.
John smirked from where he sat on the edge of Elizabeth's bed holding her hand, who knew that she could swear up a storm like she was? The Marines back in Atlantis would be proud if they could hear their leader now.
"What are you smirking at?" Elizabeth demanded to know.
"Just at how proud the Marines back in Atlantis would be if they could hear the storm you're swearing up."
"Oh shut up! This is all your fault you know!" Deciding it was probably best to keep his mouth shut John just ran a cool cloth over Elizabeth's forehead.
"Shit!" Elizabeth shouted as another contraction hit. Grabbing John by the collar of his shirt Elizabeth pulled him closer. "Why'd you do this to me, you bastard?"
"Alright Elizabeth it's time for you to start pushing." Carson saved John from having to answer Elizabeth's question.
"Breath gotta remember to breath." John kept running the cool cloth over Elizabeth's forehead. "It's supposed to makes this easier, remember?"
After two more hours and a lot of swearing in multiple languages a tiny cry filled the room. Leaning heavily against John, Elizabeth watched as Carson carefully cleaned off the baby and then brought the small bundle towards them.
"You have a beautiful baby boy." Carson placed the baby in Elizabeth's arms.
Looking down at the small baby Elizabeth smiled as she watched one of his hands waving around while the other one was in his mouth being chewed on. John was in awe, he couldn't believe how lucky he was to be sitting there with a loving wife and the beautiful child they created together. To John the baby was perfect, as far as John was concerned he looked just like Elizabeth, with the exception of the hair. There wasn't much yet, but already John could tell that his son was going to have hair just like daddy.
"He's perfect just like you." John whispered as he bent down and kissed her forehead, sliding his fingers though her hair.
An hour later things started to settle down in the infirmary. Elizabeth was sleeping and Carson had just finished checking over the baby, who was perfectly healthy. John now gently paced around holding his new born son.
Seeing that Elizabeth was starting to stir John gently sat down on the edge of her bed. Opening her eyes Elizabeth smiled up at John.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" John questioned softly.
"Tired, very tired and sore," Elizabeth answered taking the baby from John.
"Hey can we come in yet?" Rodney's un-mistakable voice came from where he'd poked his head around the door. It had been over an hour since the baby was born and Rodney, Teyla, and Aiden still hadn't been allowed in to see him yet.
"If you must," John gave an exaggerated sigh like Rodney's request was an inconvenience. But honestly John was surprised that Rodney had actually waited as long as he did before demanding to see the baby.
"I'd like you all to meet the newest addition to our little family; Corbin Dallas Sheppard." Elizabeth introduced as Teyla, Aiden, and Rodney gathered around the bed.
"He's so small." Aiden spoke in awe. Being an only child Aiden had never seen a new born baby before, usually by the time he got to see a baby it was a few months old.
"Yes he is and I suggest we all enjoy it well we can." Elizabeth stated, grinning. "Because before we know it he'll be grown up causing all kinds trouble just like his daddy and then we'll all wish he was small again."
Letting the trouble comment slide for now, John watched as his friends – his family – interacted with his new born son. To John life couldn't get much better than it was right then.
Fin.