Chapter 21: A New Beginning

Lexa completely understood Marc's reaction, for it wasn't but about ten minutes ago that she too went through the same initial shock. She knew he just needed to relax so she decided to proceed with a little humor. "What, you were expecting a boy? She's the next Protector, of course it's a girl." Marc took a moment to process everything and then smiled. At that moment he blocked everyone else out, and they were the only two in the room. He reached out a hand and pulled Lexa up out of her seat and over to him. He kissed her comfortingly and then pulled back to look her in the eyes with a grin on his face. Lexa diddles as he brushed her bangs from her face and she slid her arms around his neck. The two were lost in their owe little world and just stood smiling at each other, for there were no words for the moment that they were engulfed in.

The others gave them a minute or two and then Sheppard subtly coughed to interrupt them. "Well tht certainly explains a lot," he smirked. Lexa threw him a sour expression and he added "Oh come on, like you didn't see that one coming? But seriously, it's nice to know what's going on. So, who's up for a baby pool?"

Teyla and Ronan looked to each other puzzled as the rest of the group laughed. The laughter quickly died down and Teyla asked what a baby pool was. "They want to guess when the baby will be born, and place bets on it," Lexa answered. "Actually, I think it'd be more fun to guess what interesting things will happen before she's born."

Elizabeth smiled, "Well, looks like we're going to have an eventful nine months, not that things around her are ever boring."

"More like eventful seven months… And that's all the hints you're getting." Lexa smirked at John.

Just then the meeting received another interruption as an SO led Kaali into the Conference room. "Sorry Ma'am, she insisted," the young officer apologized as he escorted the young girl in.

"Alexa, it's so good to see you're alright," Kaali smiled as she took off the necklace and walked over to Lexa. "This belongs to you," she said as she handed it to its rightful owner. "There's nothing I could ever do to repay you for what you have done for myself and the others, thank you."

Lexa hugged her new friend, "You don't have to do anything, just the look on your face when we get you over to the mainland and back with your family will be reward enough." Lexa then turned to Marc and handed him the necklace. "Here, this is your thing." He took the necklace and slid the ring off and back onto her finger. Lexa grinned," Hmm, looks like we're gonna have to rearrange some things." It didn't take very long after that for her to come up with a reason for her and leave, even though the debriefing wasn't officially over. For once actually, she told the truth, that they had a few things to discuss and that easily got them their out. They strolled through the corridors arm in arm and when they arrived at their room, took a seat on the couch.

During the walk, Marc did a few calculations in his head based on the seven month marker Lexa had just given him and the rest of the senior staff. "So, if I did the math right, you're telling me this happened back on Earth."

Lexa bit her lip and mumbled out a "Yeah." She took a moment to relax and then continued, "And believe me, when Carson told me, I totally cursed the morning after pill. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm not happy, I'm just not sure I'm ready for this. I mean, we just got back together, I was enjoying the fun."

Marc put an arm around her and pulled her close, "I know what you mean and I also know what you're thinking. Don't worry, you're going to be a great mom."

"You sure you don't have a power of your own, cause this whole reading my mind thing is starting to freak me out." Lexa tried to stay serious, but she couldn't help but giggle.

Marc chuckled too and answered with a stoic "Maybe" as they curled up together and began planning out their future.

The next hour quickly passed and the couple was interrupted by a summons to the Conference room. Carson was done with the check-ups on the villagers and they were in the midst of discussing their relocation. It seemed that a handful of them did not want to go to the mainland and wanted to go back home, that was, if they even had a home to go back to. They began dialing the Gates provided by the refugees and began sending MALPs to survey the planets. After everything they had seen over the course of two years the Atlantis team was very surprised that five out of twelve planets were still populated. Teams were sent to the planets to escort the refugees to their villages while the ones who stayed were being loaded onto Jumpers for transport to the mainland.

Lexa and Teyla accompanied Kaali and the refugees on their flight. When they got to the village the Athosians greeted them with open arms and Kaali soon found her family. Lexa's beamed with a smile as she watched the reunion and as she turned to go back to the Jumper Kaali grabbed her arm. She stepped back in line with her family and introduced Lexa to them, "This is Alexa, she's an angel, she saved all of us and nearly sacrificed her own life to save me." Her family was grateful and invited her to stay for dinner, just a small gesture of their gratitude.

"That's not necessary, you don't have to do anything. I was happy to help Kaali," Lexa began and then focused on the young girl. "Besides," Lexa blushed, "I need to spend some time with Marc, we've got a lot on our plate right now."

"There's nothing wrong between the two you is there," Kaali inquired.

"No Kaali, it's nothing like that, it's all good. We've just got a baby to prepare for and a wedding to plan," Lexa explained with a grin on her face.

Kaali hugged Lexa and told her, "Well, seeing what the two of you have done for us, I'm sure you'll be the perfect parents. Congratulations, and don't be a stranger." Lexa nodded and then headed for the Jumper. As they flew back to Atlantis, Lexa gazed out over the ocean and finally let the past go as she looked towards the future. When she returned to her room she found Marc on the couch reading a book, and she went over to her dresser and took out the photo album that Jack sent for her. She cuddled up with Marc and began flipping through the beginning of the album. As a tear fell down her cheek she murmured "Hakuna Matata." The two laughed and new that moment was the beginning of their whole new life together.

The End

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I hope you all enjoyed the story, I sure had a blast writing it. Also, be on the look out for a sequel.