Love's Journey

by jakefanatic

A tribute to two wonderful characters created by Tels. This is another adventure in the lives of Jacob and Rhi, Selmak and Zach. A sequel to No Greater Love and Jericho Rose.

5. Chapter 5

"Looking in your eyes I see a paradise. This world that I found is too good to be true. Standing here beside you, want so much to give you this love in my heart that I'm feeling for you." – Starship 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'

Labor and Delivery

It was chaos!

Laura woke up to the sound of Mark shouting. Followed by his cursing!

Glancing at the alarm clock, she saw why…it was blinking.

The power had gone out during the middle of the night. Worst case scenario for a Monday morning: everyone was late getting up. Laura rushed the kids into their clothes and downstairs for breakfast. Meanwhile, Emily was clinging onto her mother and crying because she needed her diaper changed and she was hungry. As Mark headed into the shower, Laura grabbed a diaper, the wipes and some fresh clothes and quickly took care of Emily before heading down to the kitchen.

When she arrived, she quietly thanked God for Dad and his military background. He really got Ryan and Jen in shape. They were quiet and dutifully eating their breakfast when Laura arrived. Even the puppy, Mickey was sitting quietly, wagging his tail as Dad prepared his breakfast bowl. Normally the kids were loud and out of control when Mark was making breakfast for them. And if Dad or Rhi wasn't in the kitchen Mickey was barking for food. And on a morning like this, Laura needed the kids to listen to her and needed the puppy to stay out from under her feet.

"Coffee's ready for you Laura," Dad smiled, setting her cup on the counter. "Want me to feed the baby?"

"Thanks Dad, but I got her. Rhi, you doing ok?"

"Just tired," she sighed, leaning against the counter.

Dad immediately reached down and massaged Rhi's lower back. Laura noticed Rhi grimacing slightly but it was only for a moment. Only she didn't have time to follow that train of thought as Emily was starting to cry again, this time while chewing on her fingers, the phone started ringing and Mark came rushing into the kitchen buttoning up his work shirt. He was nearest and grabbed the phone.

"Hello…Oh, hi Karen! Yeah…he's right here," Mark smiled and then handed Dad the phone. "It's for you, Dad."

Dad hesitated. He looked a little scared and anxious.

Laura couldn't blame him. First Dad had to wait three weeks after the baby shower to meet Karen as she was out of town spending Christmas with her folks in Florida. The meeting was worth the wait because she had taken him to see several homes that fitted his criteria the same day she met him. That was last Monday. Tuesday morning he made bids on four of them. But then he had to wait while Karen talked with each of the owners.

Problem was his wasn't the only bid on each of the four homes and he knew his wasn't the highest bid. The result was that Dad hardly slept! Laura had found him pacing in the living room when she had come down to warm up Emily's bottle in the middle of the night for her regularly scheduled feeding. Laura could swear the Emily was going to be in the military because she at her meals at the same time each and every day.

For six nights in a row, Laura sat and talked to him sometimes letting him bottle-feed Emily. It wasn't until last night that he finally told her about the house he really wanted. From the excitement in his voice and the way his eyes lit up when he described it, Laura knew he wanted that house badly. He thought it was perfect for Rhi and the baby, especially the room he would have liked to turn into the nursery. He even described the way he'd decorate it in full detail. But the problem was that Jacob was the sixth person to make a bid on that particular home. It was heartbreaking to see Dad nearly in tears because he knew in his heart that he was never going to get that home.

"Dad, she did sound excited," Mark added when Dad didn't take the phone.

Rhi squeezed his hand, kissing his cheek. A mutual look passed between them, similar to the one Laura and Mark often passed to each other. Jacob smiled and kissed her hand before taking the phone from Mark.

"This is Jacob," Dad said.

Laura watched him head out of the kitchen for some privacy. She quickly placed Emily in her highchair and grabbed a jar of baby food then proceeded to feed the starved child before she ate her soggy fingers.

"Rhi, sit down…you look like you need too," Mark exclaimed, helping her into a chair with the kids.

"I'm fine," she smiled. "I'm just worried about Jacob. I don't think he can take anymore disappointment."

"Dad will be fine, Rhi. You just take care of that baby," Mark insisted. "There's nothing more important to Dad than you and that baby."

"And you and your family, Mark," Rhi smiled then her smile faded.

Laura turned to see Dad had returned. Her heart sank upon seeing the disappointment on his face.

"So, how did it go?" Mark slowly asked.

"I have an appointment with Karen in an hour," Dad said sadly. "Apparently, I'm going to be spending a few hours…filling out the paperwork for the house!"

"What?" Laura asked, unsure if she heard him correctly.

"We got the house!" Dad said excitedly, hurrying to Rhi.

"The one we walk by every evening?" she asked, sounding every bit as excited as Jacob.

"Yes! Wait until you see the inside of it Rhi! It's perfect for you and the baby!"

"Oh my God! That's great Dad!" Mark exclaimed. "But how…I thought it was impossible with all the other bids ahead of yours!"

"It was Karen…she really sold our case to the owners. Apparently, Rhi being pregnant and so close to her due date was a huge factor in persuading them! I have to fill the paperwork, the house will go into escrow and by the time the baby is born, we'll have a home!"

"Congratulations, Dad," Laura smiled, giving him hug.

"We owe it to you Laura, if you hadn't gotten me in to see Karen last week…"

"Dad, you don't owe me or Mark anything. We're family and we take care of each other."

"Does this mean we can visit you on the way home from school, Granddad?" Ryan asked.

"Only if it's ok with your parents," he answered. "But I don't see why not as we'd only be a couple of blocks away and are closer to the school you and Jen attend. Oh…crap! Rhi, are you and the baby going to be ok by yourselves a little longer than I had planned? After the paperwork I have to do shopping for our trip."

"We'll be fine," she smiled brightly, her hand rubbing her belly.

"Dad, why don't you post pone your trip," Mark suggested.

"We can't," Dad seriously said. "I already put the trip off one week so I could meet with Karen and pick a house. Rhi and I have to be at Cheyenne Mountain for the delivery of this baby."

Mark was about to question Dad why again, but Laura stopped him by grabbing his hand and squeezing it firmly. They didn't know exactly why Dad and Rhi were so adamant about having to be in Colorado Springs but Laura knew it was important to them.

"Don't worry Dad," Laura smiled. "Do what you have to do. The sitter won't mind taking care of Emily a little while longer. Now, kids go finish getting ready for school…we leave in ten minutes. Mark, you better get moving, you're already late."

"I know…talk to you later, Hon," he said, kissing her cheek.

"I'm going to take a quick shower," Dad said to Rhi and gave her an affectionate kiss on her lips. He stopped and cooed to Emily, "You be a good girl today." Emily cheered and grinned at her Granddad. "I love you too, Emily. Thanks again Laura."

"You're welcome, Dad," she smiled and watched him leave. Alone with Rhi, Laura turned to her. "Rhi, you haven't eaten. Are you sure you're feeling well?"

"Just tired and I'm not very hungry this morning," she said, as she worked to get up onto her feet. "I think I'm going to go back to bed, my back's really killing me."

"You have the heating pad, right?"

"Yes, I'll have Jacob position it before he heads out. I'll be fine by myself. He calls me every twenty minutes on that cell phone he bought me."

"He loves you."

"Yeah…I know," Rhi smiled brightly then waddled out of the kitchen.

"And you little girl, let's get you cleaned up," Laura cooed to Emily as she plucked her from the highchair.

The rest of the morning went smoothly. Kids were on time to school and the sitter was more than happy to keep Emily for a few extra hours. Work was busy but not hectic so Laura found a couple of minutes and called her husband.

"What's up?"

"Mark, do you have time to go home and check on Rhi before lunch?"

"I don't know, I'm kind of busy…maybe after lunch. Why?"

"Oh, I don't know. Call it woman's intuition…but I noticed that the baby has changed its position. He's significantly lower than two days ago. Hon…I think Rhi's going to have her baby before her due date."

"She just saw the doctor a few days ago!"

"I know, but I've actually been pregnant Mark. You haven't. I can tell when a baby is ready to come out. And I'm telling you, by the end of the week, Rhi is going to have that baby."

"Care to wager?" he joked.

"Mark! I'm not being funny!"

"Ok…ok! I'm sorry, Laura. I promise. I'll drop by and check on Rhi after lunch. Want me to call you afterwards?"

"If you could, please."

"Honey, I gotta go! I'll call you."

"Love you Mark."

"Love you too."

Laura set down the phone. Then picked it back up and started dialing home. She stopped before pushing the last number because she realized that Rhi wouldn't answer the phone. She only answered the cell phone that Dad bought her. Besides, Laura knew that Rhi needed her rest and decided not to wake her.

---

Selmak could feel this overwhelming sense of relief and joy that had come over Jacob after they got word from Karen about the house. To find out they finally had a home was like a great weight had been lifted from them. And it couldn't have happened at a better time because they were leaving town tonight with Rhi. Karen saw no complications once it went into escrow and was confident the house would soon belong to Jacob. He was so glad because that meant they would have a home to return to when they came back to San Diego with the baby.

When they first saw the house Selmak instantly agreed with Jacob that the house was indeed a lovely home. There was a large backyard that was perfect for Mickey. Mickey, the puppy who from the size of his feet, was going to grow into a rather large dog. Although, Selmak was working on Jacob to make Mickey an indoor dog because she didn't like the idea of her dog sleeping all alone outside. He already had a dog bed that he slept on and he never climbed on the furniture. Two positives in his favor that were quickly eradicated two days ago when he peed on the kitchen floor. Selmak kept telling Jacob it wasn't the dog's fault as she hadn't taken him out after he had eaten. Still, it was only a minor set back. She wasn't about to give up on the making Mickey an indoor doggy!

The backyard was also perfect for Birthday Parties and for family gatherings. All of which Jacob and Selmak were hoping there would be lots of. Plus since visiting Kendarra was out of the question now, Jacob and Selmak were hoping to have many romantic evenings under the stars with Rhi and Zach.

The front yard had a small flower garden below the large window of the family room. The kitchen was large, spacious with lots of windows overlooking the backyard. Also, included on the first floor were a living room, a dining room, and a bathroom. There was a small laundry room in the two car garage. The upstairs had four bedrooms a bath with a larger bath in the master bedroom. Perfect for Rhi because the previous owners loved their baths too judging by the size of the tub. Both Jacob and Rhi could fit with room to spare! When touring the house Jacob and Selmak easily imagined themselves in the tub with Rhi, Zach and the baby splashing at the bubbles.

From what Selmak learned sifting through Jacob's memories, it was the one experience Jacob did enjoy when his other children were babies. Though he held them tight in his arms in a shower. Mark and Sam both had a fascination with the water and squealed with delight when it hit his chest. And neither were afraid of it if it had hit their faces. Something Jacob did his best to do was instill confidence in his babies. No child of his was going to be so afraid that they'd burst into tears over the slightest thing.

All that aside, the main reason why Jacob loved the house was because it was a few blocks from Mark's house. The bond between father and son had grown very strong over the past several weeks while Jacob and Rhi stayed at Mark's house. Selmak could see that Jacob and Mark seemed so eager to make up for lost time. She couldn't have been happier for both of them because she knew how deep the pain had penetrated Jacob's heart when he and his son fought so long ago.

But with this baby, Jacob literally felt like a brand new father and not an experienced father. Mainly because so much of what he had been experiencing through Rhi's pregnancy was all so new to him! Selmak, who had been experiencing everything for the first time too had been so caught up in her own excitement didn't notice the anxiety that Jacob felt until it completely overwhelmed him at the baby shower.

There was nothing Selmak could say to Jacob while he was hyperventilating. She couldn't even control his breathing as he had panicked and blocked her from taking control or helping his breathing. Thank Egeria Mark showed up. Mark had helped to put Jacob's fears to rest, giving him the advice that Jacob had never given Mark. And later, Rhi was able to give Jacob back the confidence he had lost.

Now that all was well with three more weeks to go, Selmak was just as excited and so looking forward to the birth of the baby as Jacob was. They knew Rhi was tired and wished it was all over as she was having a difficult time moving around or even getting comfortable in their bed. To make her feel better, Jacob and Selmak gave her long massages to her back and her feet and legs and any other body part that needed tending too. They even bought extra pillows to make her as comfortable as possible while resting, just like the book showed them.

They even went to Lamaze classes with Rhi and practiced their breathing in the evening alone with her in their room. They knew Rhi was a little afraid when they read the chapter on labor and delivery. And Jacob along with Selmak wanted her to feel confident when going into labor. So while practicing their breathing Jacob would recite love poetry to Rhi, anything to help her relax.

Of course, Selmak had to reassure Jacob as well by telling him she would give him the strength to endure the labor with Rhi, no matter how long it took. And the three of them were looking forward to this day because then Zach was to rejoin them and they all missed his company. Especially Selmak. She could almost count the days on two hands, if she actually had hands.

Selmak sighed. Yes, all was well and right in the universe. So right that Jacob didn't stop her from humming a lullaby within his head whenever she felt like it. On a number of occasions he was humming right along with her.

---

With the last signature down on the form, Jacob was finally finished. He stood and stretched, so grateful that Selmak had cured his arthritis when they had blended and kept his hand from cramping while filling out the paperwork. And he was so grateful that Selmak had given him the energy needed to handle Rhi, shopping for the baby and finding a house, all while celebrating Christmas and New Years with Mark and his family!

Just a week into the New Year and Jacob so looked forward to his new life and a new beginning for him, Rhi, Selmak and Zach. The baby was coming in twenty days, give or take a day or two. He had hoped the baby would have its own nursery to come home to but was content with the fact that he was soon going to hold his child in his arms. Karen, their new real-estate agent pulled all the strings she could to find the home and Jacob knew from the moment he walked through the front door that it was the perfect home for them.

"Congratulations, Jacob," she smiled, shaking his hand. "I honestly don't foresee any problems during escrow and you could possibly have the keys in your hand before that baby is born."

"I can't say thank you enough times, Karen."

"It's my job. Plus, I'm a parent. I understand what you're going through. Believe me, the stress of a pregnancy is enough to deal with all on its own. You do not need the stress of finding a home on top of that."

"You right of course, but still…thank you. Thank you so much," Jacob smiled.

"You're very welcome," she said. "I'm just sorry Laura didn't call me sooner. You and Rhi could have been living in your new home by now."

"Maybe…but it might not have been this home," he countered.

"That may have been so but I would have found you a lovely home regardless," she replied and then turned to the side, picking up something off the floor behind her desk. Jacob's mouth dropped at the size of the gift basket. "Here…this is for the baby."

"I can't except this…you've done so much…"

"It's was my pleasure," she interrupted with a smile. "I know from experience that you and Rhi are going to need all of this."

Jacob wanted to cry. His luck had changed for the better and it was almost too much for him. Only he was not going to cry in front of Karen.

"Well, thank you…again. Rhi is going to love this," he grinned admiring the contents of the basket and getting to his feet.

"You're welcome, Jacob. Have a safe trip. Make sure you make plenty of stops so Rhi can stretch her legs for a few minutes. It's a long drive and it's important that she keeps the blood flowing to her feet."

"I will. Thanks."

On the way out to his SUV, Selmak started purring softly within his mind, blissfully happy just like him. And they hadn't even made love with their wife in over a week! Jacob was hoping to keep Selmak that way because once the baby was born he and Selmak weren't going to be able to make love to their wife for another five or six weeks! And Selmak didn't know that yet!

His stomach suddenly gurgled loudly as he pulled the vehicle out onto the street.

'Sel, what do you feel like eating for lunch?'

'Steak and Seafood!' she cheered. ' I know just the place! It's near the shopping center! We can eat then get the supplies we need for the drive up to Colorado Springs!'

'Perfect!' he said, reaching into his pocket for his cell phone.

The phone rang three times before Rhi answered. Her voice was cheerful, making him feel bad for insisting that she stay home and rest before their trip. He hated the idea of her being home alone especially since she was pregnant.

'It was for the best, Jacob,' Selmak reminded him.

"Hi, my love! All done?"

"Yep! Just have some shopping to do!"

"Did you eat yet?"

"On my way now," he smiled.

"Selmak, make sure he eats well and you lay off the sweets! And don't think you can get away with it! I can already smell the chocolate on your breath!"

Selmak's mouth dropped. They only had a tiny Hershey's Kiss at Karen's office.

"She'll behave!" he laughed. "Do you need anything?"

"No, only you and Sel!"

"We'll be home in a few hours…hopefully before the others get home!"

"Jacob!"

"I was thinking we could have a bubble bath together…that's all!"

"Pfft! There's barely enough room for me! Just hurry up with your shopping and come home to me!"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Jacob hung up with half a mind to head straight to the house. Only he couldn't. Selmak's batteries were running low. He needed to eat. And they needed to do the shopping because they had to drive up to Colorado Springs. He promised Rhi that Dr. Abrahms would deliver the baby. The woman had made a special trip down to San Diego last week for Rhi's exam.

Rhi and the baby were doing well, right on schedule. Only they couldn't fly. Jacob knew Rhi didn't like to fly and he didn't want her to be under any kind of stress at this point. So their only option was to drive. Jacob planned on driving all night with regular interval stops until noon the next day. Then they'd check into a hotel to rest until the following morning. Sam said the guest room was all ready for him, Rhi…and the baby. Even Mark and his family were coming up for a week after the baby was born.

Jacob never regretted his decision in having Rhi deliver the baby at the SGC. He had made a promise to a couple of friends. And he knew Malek and Jared were eager to see the baby. Plus, according to Jillian, everyone at the Alpha site were anxious about the baby as they had all put together a gift package that she gave to Jacob and Rhi loaded with gifts for expecting fathers and mothers, even plenty of clothes for the baby.

Rhi had a wonderful time filling in the thank you cards to everyone who had given them a gift. Because of Zach's presence, Rhi had perfect memory and knew who bought them what, making each thank you personal.

Their gift to Mark and Laura was a four-day getaway to Cancoon in late spring, just the two of them. All expenses paid. Laura about burst into tears, she had always wanted to go to Cancoon. And Mark was speechless. Still, it was the least Jacob could do for his son and daughter-in-law for all they had done the past several weeks.

'Oh…Jacob! Jacob! There! We have to stop there!' Selmak shouted excitedly to him.

'Where?' he asked looking around while they were sitting at a red light.

'The pet store! We need a carrier for Mickey so he's secure during the drive.'

Jacob smiled to himself. He never thought it would happen, but he'd grown rather fond of Mickey. Even sneaked him table scraps when Selmak wasn't paying attention.

'Wal-Mart has them too and cheaper, Sel,' he told her feeling her anxiety. 'It's on the list I made, see?'

Selmak hugged him tightly, sending her thanks and appreciation through their emotional bond.

'Do you have any ideas about what we should get for Zach?' Jacob asked. 'You know…a welcome back gift or something to let him know he was missed.'

'So, you're looking forward to his return then?' she countered in a playful tone.

'Of course. I've missed him just as much as you have.'

'Why don't we both pick out something?' she asked excitedly.

'Sounds good to me. Let's just do this quickly. I want to get home and rest for a few hours before we head out.'

'Don't worry, Jacob. If you need to sleep, I can drive us. I've been practicing!'

'So, that's why I had those nightmares last week!' he joked. 'Driving while I'm sleeping! I hope that ticket was a dream and not real!'

'The police office let me off with a warning when I told him I was making a run to the 24 hour market for Rhi who was actually having a craving for Oreo cookies, String Cheez and Dr. Pepper,' she answered honestly.

Jacob merely laughed. Right now, he didn't care if he got a speeding ticket or that Selmak was driving without him knowing. He was riding on too much of an emotional high for anything to bring him down.

---

Rhi had gotten up shortly after Jacob had left. He was the last one out of the house this morning. The house was quiet except for the occasional barking from Mickey in the back yard. He called for his master…Selmak. Rhi had to laugh to herself as Selmak spoiled that dog to death. As a result the dog latched onto Jacob too because he smelled and looked just like Selmak. Rhi knew that Jacob only pretended he didn't like the dog because Rhi spotted him playing with the dog in the backyard the other day.

When Mickey stopped barking all was quiet again. Only the quietness did not calm Rhi. She was restless. Her back had really been bothering her most of the night. It kept cramping up every so often keeping her awake. She had done her best to remain quiet and still so as not to wake Jacob and Selmak. They needed their rest with the long drive ahead of them tonight.

During moments like this Rhi missed Zach. Even when she was alone, she wasn't because he was always there. With him being dormant, she really missed his company and especially missed his healing abilities!

With nothing to do and no one to talk to, Rhi headed down to the kitchen and cleaned up the breakfast mess. It wasn't her house but she and Jacob had been Mark and Laura's guests for nearly two full months. So it was the least she could do. Only once she was done with the dishes and cleaning the counters, the table and stove, not that much time passed. So, she started cleaning up the fridge inside and out. Anything to make the time pass quickly until Jacob and Selmak returned.

Her back had continued to spasm every so often during the cleaning. Nothing painful. Just an annoying twinge here and there! She thought that if she moved around it would take her mind off the pain or even thought it would go away.

When her cell phone rang, she saw it was now eleven thirty in the morning. Her husband called no doubt to check up on her. Looking at the caller id, she was right.

"Hi, my love!" she purred. "All done?"

"Yep! Just have some shopping to do!" he replied sounding so excited.

"Did you eat yet?" she asked.

"On my way now."

"Selmak, make sure he eats well and you lay off the sweets! And don't think you can get away with it! I can already smell the chocolate on your breath!" she grinned, knowing that Selmak could never resist a chocolate treat wherever Jacob went.

"She'll behave! Do you need anything?"

"No, only you and Sel," she sighed.

"We'll be home in a few hours…hopefully before the others get home!"

"Jacob!" she exclaimed, pretending to be shocked.

"I was thinking we could have a bubble bath together…that's all!"

"Pfft! There's barely enough room for me! Just hurry up with your shopping and come home to me!"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Rhi laughed, easily imagining him saluting her as she hung up the phone. Talking with him reminded her that she should eat something. Only she still didn't feel like it. She hadn't touched the toast that Jacob had brought up to her before he left. Like earlier this morning, the mere thought, never mind the smell of food actually made Rhi want to puke. In fact, the banana she forced down only came back out a minute later.

Since she wasn't hungry, she decided to work some more. Perhaps she simply needed to work up an appetite. So for a little over an hour she vacuumed the rugs and dusted the wood furniture. Once done, she decided to head up stairs to clean their room and change the sheets on the bed. They were leaving tonight so she figured the room might as well be clean for the next visit, just in case their home wasn't ready when they returned.

Midway up the stairs her back cramped up again and she gasped.

"Whoa…that was intense!" she said to herself, leaning against the rail.

As before, the discomfort passed quickly and Rhi continued up the stairs. Only once she had reached the top her back cramped again. That was unusual! It normally happened just once, not twice or at least not so close to each other.

Rhi instinctively reached for her cell phone in her dress pocket. Only she didn't call Jacob. She realized she had simply over done it a bit with the cleaning. The last thing she wanted to do was worry her husband. He was finally worry free and she planned on keeping him that way.

"Maybe if I lie down for a short while," she told herself, then headed for the bedroom.

It took several minutes before she got the pillows situated just right so that she felt comfortable lying on her side. One leg lay on two pillows as she leaned forward as much as she could while hugging one pillow. Of course, she missed Jacob's warm body against her back. His warmth always made her back a little more relaxed when in this position.

She stared at her cell phone that she'd set on the bedside table, watching the minutes slowly tick by.

Not even ten minutes later, Rhi gasped loudly, squeezing her eyes shut. Her first impulse was to curl up into a tight ball just as another pain hit. Of which she did, making the pain worse. Only this time the pain was accompanied by the desperate urge to pee.

As quickly as she could, Rhi shoved the pillows out of her way and hurried down the hallway. Just before she reached the bathroom door a cascade of water fell from her getting her legs all wet and splashing all over the rug and onto the tile in the bathroom as she continued to move.

Rhi cried out with shock and pain. She knew what was happening now and she was terrified. After dropping a couple of towels on the rug and floor she suddenly remembered something she had read how hot water made the pain more bearable.

While doubled over, Rhi filled the tub with water as hot as she could stand it. She didn't even bother undressing before she climbed into the bath. Her cry resonated off the walls as another intense spasm hit. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing for it to stop. It didn't. In fact it only became more and more intense until it finally peaked and faded.

"Jacob…" she called out, even though he wasn't there to hear her.

Just then her cell phone rang. Problem was it was beside the bed. It may as well have been in another universe as there was no way she could move to get to it. She was afraid and she couldn't get up from this position without help anyway.

Rhi wept, not knowing what else to do. She was alone, scared and in pain. Not even Zach was there to help her. He couldn't help anyway. If he awoke prematurely and while she was not in a medical facility, the danger was too great for the baby. But none of that stopped her from instinctively calling out for him.

---

The sense of loneliness and fear was so overwhelming that Zach nearly woke from his slumber. It was Rhi. She was in great distress and discomfort. He could even feel her reaching out to him. Only he didn't dare reach to her. He couldn't risk anything happening to the baby if he woke too soon.

All he could do was wait. He wept for Rhi. But he took comfort that the time for rejoining his family was nearly upon him.

---

"Ow!" Jacob cried out, grabbing his stomach as he hunched over. The pain faded as quickly as it hit. Only the pain came back with vengeance when he tried to stand up straight.

'Selmak!' he shouted in his mind, doubling over.

'I told you not to eat so much!' she grumbled.

Like that, the pain was suddenly gone. Jacob stood hunched over with his hands on his knees in the middle of the aisle. Looking up, he saw his shopping cart had rolled a short distance away.

"You ok, Sir?" a young lady asked.

"Yeah…I'm fine," Jacob nodded, standing up straight, holding his stomach. "Just a little indigestion!"

"You sure?"

Jacob nodded.

"Thank you for your concern," he smiled then headed to his cart.

'Selmak, what the hell was that! I hadn't had a stomach cramp like that for a long time!'

'I don't know. I'm not detecting any indigestion or heartburn,' she honestly replied.

Jacob suddenly had a sick feeling in his gut. His hand shot to his cell phone and dialed for Rhi. Her phone rang until he got her voice mail. So he dialed again. Same result. He called the landline and got Mark and Laura's voice mail.

'Jacob, she could be sleeping,' Selmak gently suggested. 'We told her to rest. And Rhi's been sleeping so soundly every since we bought all those pillows to make her comfortable.'

Could be. But Jacob's instincts were telling him differently. He left the full shopping cart where it was and raced out of the store. As he climbed into his truck, he called Mark's cell phone.

"Hello, this is Mark."

"Mark! It's Dad!" he said, as he started the vehicle.

"Dad! What's up?"

"It's Rhi…she's not answering her phone!" he said, glancing around to see if the coast was clear.

"Dad, aren't you being a little over protective again? Last time you were this way, when you wouldn't let Rhi pour herself a glass of orange juice, you two got into it a little bit. You need to remember, she's pregnant, not an invalid!"

"Damn it Mark!" Jacob barked, throwing the SUV in reverse and stepping on the gas, hard, the tires making a squeezing sound as rubber burned on the pavement.

"DAD! Whoa…you're not driving are you?"

"Something's wrong! I know it!" Jacob yelled, not even realizing that he was yelling.

Hell, he could barely hear Selmak who was trying to calm him down.

"Ok..Ok! I'll try and call her myself."

"I tried…three times!"

There was silence for a moment.

"Ok, I'm about a ten minute drive…I was heading to the house anyway. I'll check things out."

"I'm on my way there now!"

"Still, I think I should be there..ok?"

"Kay."

"Dad…deep breaths…try to relax. I'm sure she's fine."

"I hope so," Jacob said as he hung up his cell phone.

'Jacob…slow down! This is a thirty-five mile an hour zone!' Selmak shouted, when Jacob veered around a car. 'You're driving fifty!'

'Sel…something's wrong…I know it!'

'Ok…let's just calm down. And SLOW down! If something is wrong, we want to get there in one piece! And you don't want to get pulled over for speeding as that will only hold us up even more.'

Jacob couldn't stop the feeling in his gut. It wouldn't go away. He had that same feeling the day Allison died and the day Malek told him Rhi and Zach were dead.

'I left her alone, Sel,' he wept, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes so he could see the road clearly. 'I left her all alone. What was I thinking? I left her alone!'

He instantly felt Selmak hug him tightly. Her words tried to reassure him. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he left Rhi all alone and that she desperately needed him. The only words of Selmak's that he did listen to was to slow down his SUV. He did slow down though he was still driving well beyond the speed limit. But when he finally saw the street in sight, Jacob pushed harder on the gas, ran the stop sign and then came to a screeching halt before burning more rubber as he turned his SUV into the drive way.

He didn't think. He just ran from the SUV to the front door. The door was locked. Jacob frantically searched his pockets for the house key before he remembered he didn't have the copy of the key anymore having left it on the kitchen counter this morning.

"RHI!" he shouted pounding on the door.

There was a moment when he thought her heard her voice shouting for him. It was hard to tell through the door.

'Whoa…Jacob! Mark might not like this!' Selmak shouted as Jacob threw his shoulder against the door.

Damn door wouldn't budge after two hits. So Jacob begged Selmak for her help and the next time he used his foot and kicked the door in, splintering the frame in the process.

"RHI!"

"Jacob!" came her strangled cry from upstairs.

A rush of fear could be felt from Selmak now!

'She's in pain…hurry!' Selmak told him.

Jacob didn't need to be told twice. He raced up the stairs two and three at a time. Running into their room, he frantically searched for her.

"Rhi!"

"In the bath…" she cried out.

"DAD!"

Jacob didn't even hear Mark down stairs as he ran down the hall to the bathroom. He was running so fast he didn't notice the towels on the rug or that the floor was even wet. Luckily, because of Selmak his reactions were quick and kept him from slipping on the wet floor.

"Rhi!" he cried out.

Rhi looked up at him…terrified.

"Jacob…" she wept, her hand reaching for him.

He rushed to her side, kneeling beside the tub. His hands trembled not knowing where to touch her or hold her. And he shook hard as Rhi suddenly gritted her teeth and leaned her head back. Tears stung his eyes as she cried out in pain.

The color faded from his face as he noticed the water she was sitting in was tinged red.

She was bleeding!

A flood of images bombarded his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to block the images.

Jacob's heart stopped. The feeling within him was so familiar and comforting, yet the woman on the bed was so battered and covered in blood that he didn't recognize her.

Rhi cried out slightly as he moved her.

"Ssh, it's all over my love. The pain will be gone soon," Jacob whispered lovingly, his arms shaking slightly as she continued whimpering. "I'm so sorry my love… I failed you…"

"Dad…DAD!" Mark shouted.

Jacob felt his body being shaken hard. He opened his eyes to see Mark in front of him. The images of Rhi's beaten and bloodied body still fresh in his mind.

"I left her alone," Jacob wept. "Oh…God….Mark…I promised her I would never do that again! What have I done?"

---

Mark should have beaten Dad home. Only he got held up at work while trying to explain to his boss about his father being so worried about Rhi and that Mark felt it was important for him to be there for his father. It was apparent from the fresh skid marks on the pavement leading into the driveway that Dad got home first. Mark could see that Dad left the door to his SUV wide open. Upon closer inspection, he found that the keys were still in the ignition. Mark grabbed them, locked up Dad's truck and then headed to the house. Only to his dismay he found his front door smashed open.

"Damn it Dad!" Mark cursed as he inspected the doorframe.

"Rhi!" Dad's voice shouted getting Mark's attention.

He had never heard that tone from his father before. Not ever! Dad sounded…afraid.

"DAD!" Mark called, trying to locate where his father was.

Dad didn't respond but Mark heard heavy footsteps racing along the hallway upstairs. Realizing that something might actually be wrong, he headed up the stairs. Once he heard Rhi's cry of pain he hurried to the source.

In the bathroom he saw the little spots of blood on the floor, Rhi was in the bathtub fully dressed and in blood-tinged water, and Dad was holding her hand, trembling and crying. They both looked petrified!

Mark remained strong as the both of them appeared to need his strength at the moment. Something similar happened to Laura when she was pregnant with Jen. Only difference, Laura was taking a bath when her water broke. She was calm about it, Mark was not.

He hurried to his father's side, knowing the fear he was experiencing.

"Dad…DAD!" Mark snapped, shaking his father who suddenly blinked a couple of times as if he just came out of a stupor.

"I left her alone," he wept, huge tears streaming down his cheeks. "Oh…God….Mark…I promised her I would never do that again! What have I done?"

"Dad, you did nothing wrong!"

Dad buried his face in his hands. Mark shook him again to get his attention.

"I want you to listen to me. Ok?" Mark said, locking his eyes onto his father's.

Dad nodded his head.

"We need to get Rhi to the hospital…."

"No…she's supposed to have the baby at Cheyenne Mountain!" Dad stammered.

"Dr. Abrahms is supposed to deliver my baby! I don't want anyone else!" Rhi cried out.

"Dad…Rhi…that's not going to happen," Mark told them calmly, not allowing himself to get caught up in their fear. "You're in San Diego…"

"I'll call Jack!" Dad exclaimed, feeling around his pockets for his phone.

"Ok…good…call Jack but first we have to get Rhi into the car."

"I don't even have a suit case ready," Rhi wept turning her face away.

Then Rhi suddenly arched her back and grimaced in pain. Mark recognized that face having seen it on his own wife. Rhi was definitely in labor.

"Dad, hold Rhi's hand and talk to her," Mark ordered while grabbing Dad's cell phone. "I'll call Sam and tell her what's going on. Hopefully, your Air Force can get Dr. Abrahms here in time."

---

Sam ran passed Daniel and Teal'c not even hearing their shouts to her. General O'Neill wasn't answering his phone because he was in a debriefing. However, this superceded the debriefing.

"Sam…what's up?" Daniel asked as he and Teal'c caught up with her.

"It's Rhi…she's in labor."

"I thought the baby wasn't due for another three weeks!" Daniel said.

"Mark says she's definitely in labor. From what he was able to get out of Rhi she's actually been in labor most of the day but didn't realize it. He thinks the contractions are still far enough apart that there's time we can get Dr. Abrahms down there."

"I'll go contact the Alpha Site!" Daniel said.

"I'll arrange transport to the Airfield," Teal'c said.

Both were quickly gone on their way as Sam raced up the stairs.

"Carter…we're having…" the General started to protest.

"Sir…it's Rhi!" was all Sam needed to say.

"Reynolds, we'll debrief another time. Dismissed!"

Sam followed the General into his office.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Rhi's in labor!"

"She can't be in labor!" he protested. "The baby's not due for another three weeks!"

"That's what everyone keeps saying! Only her water broke…the baby is coming! Mark says Rhi is still in the early stages of labor but he's a little concerned as her contractions are rather intense. He and Dad are taking her to Mercy Hospital as we speak."

"Crap…this is the last thing we need! We can't have civilians around Rhi or Jacob during this delivery!"

"Daniel's contacting the Alpha Site right now. Teal'c's arranging the transport to the Airfield. It's only a three and a half hour flight, Sir."

"I'll call Peterson…I better arrange for a jet large enough to take SG-1, a small security detail, and any staff Dr. Abrahms needs. Oh, Carter…contact Malek. Per Jacob's instructions, Malek's to be contacted once we've received news that the baby is on its way so he could be there."

"Yes, Sir!"

---

Since Mark's car wasn't big roomy enough, they decided to take the SUV. While Mark got the car ready, Selmak helped Jacob wrap Rhi in a blanket and carried her downstairs.

"I'm scared," Rhi wept, clinging on to them.

"Shh, everything will be ok," Jacob told her.

Selmak could feel that Jacob wasn't as confident as before. The sight of Rhi in pain and bleeding had disastrous repercussions on Jacob. So much so that Selmak wasn't prepared for them as her host's fear overwhelmed them. If Mark hadn't been there Selmak wasn't sure if she could have snapped Jacob out of his flashback or not.

'Talk to her Jacob…remember the breathing exercises,' Selmak gently reminded him as he held Rhi in his arms on the back seat of the SUV.

"Sam called, she said Dr. Abrahms will be on her way within the hour. Rhi, how long since your last contraction?" Mark asked as he backed out of the driveway.

"I don't know…twenty minutes or so," she answered and Selmak could feel both Rhi and Jacob trembling. "Like I said before, I've been have this uncomfortable pain once every hour since this morning."

"This morning?" Jacob asked in disbelief. "Rhi…why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think I was in labor," she sniffled, her emerald eyes filling with huge tears. "I'm sorry."

Jacob held her close, resting his face against hers.

"You have nothing to be sorry for…"

"Ow!" she cried out, her body tensing as she tried to curl up.

"Dad, don't let her curl up! Get her to breathe!"

Jacob nodded. Selmak could see he was crying. But his voice was steady as his hand grabbed Rhi's.

"Rhi, honey, you have to breathe…just like we practiced, ok?"

"Ok," she grimaced.

Selmak helped Jacob as best as she could without Mark detecting her presence. This was the worst case scenario: Rhi and Jacob about to have their baby without any security or their doctor. Of course, Selmak didn't mention anything about the lack of security to Jacob, he was a nervous wreck as it was.

However, before they knew it they were at the hospital. Again, thank Egeria that Mark was there as Jacob didn't even think to grab Rhi's medical card that was on their dresser. Of course, since they were living on Earth now Rhi was given an identity and placed on Jacob's medical insurance. She even had a driver's license. Mark grabbed that too. In fact, it was Mark who also filled out the paperwork as Jacob sat with Rhi helping her with her breathing while in the waiting room.

Selmak could see that Rhi was scared and nervous. She had never been to this hospital. Selmak and Jacob weren't too happy either but they had no choice. From what Mark told them was that Rhi probably still had a ways to go until the baby was born. He sounded confident that Rhi's doctor would arrive with time to spare before delivering the baby.

Once their paperwork was processed, a nurse led them to a private room. There, Jacob helped Rhi into a hospital gown. It had been awhile since she had a contraction but since her water had broken she had to be checked into the hospital for the baby's safety.

For an hour, all was going well. Mark came in and sat with Rhi and Jacob while they waited for the Doctor to stop by. Mark told them that Laura was bringing some of Rhi's things, which made her so relieved. Which in turn also made Jacob feel better. Then Jacob and Selmak both listened intently as Mark continued coaching them. Selmak could feel Jacob was finally calming down to where he felt comfortable and ready to assist Rhi.

That's when Jacob suddenly freaked!

A male Doctor walked into the room, head down flipping through Rhi's medical chart.

"Well, Mrs. Carter…I'm Dr. Hamner. I'm here to examine you," he smiled, reaching for the blanket that covered Rhi's lower half. "Now, let's see how far along you are."

Selmak could see the fear in Rhi's eyes and knew she was terrified by the way she backed up slightly on the bed. Selmak instantly felt the anger rise within her host. Only she literally had no control over Jacob as he suddenly charged the Doctor.

"You are not touching my wife!" Jacob growled, grabbing the man by his lab coat.

Jacob actually lifted the guy several inches off the ground!

"Whoa! Dad, what are you doing?" Mark asked in disbelief as he grabbed Jacob's arm.

'Yes, Jacob…what are you doing? You can't do this in front of Mark!' Selmak shouted at him.

Only Jacob wasn't listening and he was masterfully blocking any of her attempts to control his arms or hands or anything else for that matter.

"Mr. Carter…I'm just here to check on your wife!" the doctor nervously sputtered.

Then Jacob did a HUGE no no! A nifty trick he learned from being blended with Selmak. A trick, she wished now she hadn't taught him. A trick, she knew General Jack O'Neill was going to give them hell over. And Selmak couldn't do a single thing to stop Jacob because of how protective he was over Rhi.

"No man other than myself is going to touch my wife!" he snarled, using Selmak's voice and making his eyes flash.

Selmak covered her eyes with her flippers after she saw the Doctor's eyes widen in fright and Mark jump back slightly in fear.

'Oh, Jacob…you've done it now!' she muttered shaking her head.

"Perhaps…a female doctor would be better," Mark suggested, looking nervously at his father. "Her doctor is a woman."

"Yeah…we can do that!" the doctor quickly said as Jacob set him back down.

As soon as he was released from Jacob's grip, the doctor fled the room. Jacob's eyes locked onto Mark's for a moment. Selmak could see that Jacob's son had all kinds of questions he wanted to ask. Only he didn't ask because at that point Rhi cried out. She was having another contraction, much stronger than the previous ones and their attention was focused only on her.

---

The atmosphere aboard the plane as it finally took off from Peterson was filled with anticipation. Carter, Daniel and Teal'c were excited about the baby being born even though it was early. Dr. Abrahms had a worried look in her eyes and was anxious to get to Rhi. Two of her nurses chatted quietly with each other.

Jack was feeling it all. He was excited about the baby being born. He was worried because of the security headache that lay ahead of him. He was anxious to get to Jacob and Rhi before their baby was born in order to protect them all, including Selmak and Zach. And Jack was as solemn as Malek looked thinking about a talk he was going to have to have with Jacob after this baby was born.

"You ok, Malek?" Jack asked quietly, looking at the Tok'ra sitting across from him. "Not worried about the baby being narcissist, are you? It is a genetic trait for the Tok'ra and Gou'ld, right?"

"Harcisis, General O'Neill," Malek smirked. "And no, I am not worried. Jared and I are as anxious and as excited about finally getting to see Rhi and Jacob's baby as the rest of you."

"Really…I couldn't tell."

"But I'm smiling…I almost never smile."

"You call that a smile?" Jack joked as a cell phone rang.

"Carter…oh…hi Mark," she smiled then suddenly held the phone away from her ear.

She was sitting two seats away from Jack and he could almost make out the words Mark was yelling…sounded like 'Where the hell are you?' And 'What the hell happened to Rhi on her mission?' Jack, along with everyone else fell silent. Dr. Abrahms leaned forward in her seat, probably wanting to ask a few questions about Rhi.

"We're about two hours away," Carter replied calmly. "What's going on?"

Jack observed her intently noticing the excitement she had a moment ago was gone. Her eyes suddenly widened.

"His eyes and voice did what?" she asked, her eyes glancing Jack's way for a brief moment.

Jack rubbed his temples feeling a headache coming on. Selmak losing it was exactly what he was afraid of. And it was exactly the last thing he need right now. Mark was an intelligent man. He was going to ask questions.

"Mark…I can't…its classified!"

"Carter, what is it?" Jack quickly asked.

"Mark, hang on," she said and then covered the mouthpiece of the phone. "Apparently, Dad freaked when a male doctor came in to examine Rhi. His eyes glowed and Mark's said his growl sounded a bit funny."

"Damn it, Selmak…"

"It may not have been Selmak," Malek quickly inserted. "A host can be taught to make their eyes flash and use their symbiote's voice. Jacob was a quick learner and he could mimic Selmak convincingly…and vice versa."

"Great," Jack sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Sir…Mark wants to know exactly what happened to Rhi during her last mission. Thinks it has something to do with how Dad's acting right now. Sir, Mark has a right to know something of what happened. He's tried to get it out of me before because Dad won't ever talk about it. And he's worried about Dad being so overprotective of Rhi."

"Alright! Tell him what you can without compromising national security!" he relented, knowing that Carter would just go on and on.

"Colonel Carter, can you find out how far along Rhi is, please?" Dr. Abrahms asked.

Carter smiled and nodded, then moved to a quieter part of the plane to be alone while talking with her brother. Jack trusted her judgment and knew she wouldn't compromise the SGC and the Stargate Program.

"What is troubling you, General O'Neill?" Jared asked, startling Jack a bit.

"Jacob and Rhi are troubling me," Jack answered. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and spoke quietly so the others couldn't hear. "Rhi and Zach are totally unaware of the potential dangers they're in while on Earth. And Jacob and Selmak, who know better, are blinded by their love and by this baby. Then there's the baby…the baby could be as much of a target as its parents. The Joint Chief's have been all over my ass about getting Jacob and Rhi to wear a locator beacon in order to track them incase they're abducted. They want the baby tagged too. I happen to agree with them. As a father, I know exactly how Jacob would react if anything happened to his baby. But what is troubling me is how to approach the subject with Jacob."

"Be open and honest with him and Selmak," Jared simply said. "If you explain to them what you just said to me, I'm sure they would understand. What kind of tracking device have you developed?"

"Something my Government's been working on. Thanks to some of the technologies we've brought back through the Gate, we've developed a nanochip that can be injected into a bone or muscle of the subject. Each chip would transmit its own frequency. It's already been put to use by undercover operatives and even the President has one…although he doesn't know he has it. The idea being to track them in case something goes FUBAR."

"Whatever you do, don't hide it from Jacob or Selmak," Jared seriously said. "Deceit is what nearly killed their wife. They have zero tolerance for lies. Be sure to express the safety of Rhi, Zach and the baby first before mention Jacob's or Selmak's safety. Do this, and I do not foresee any problems."

"Thanks…I may just do thank," Jack smiled.

"Rhi's only four centimeters," Carter announced. "Her water has broken but the baby is doing fine despite the intensity of some of the contractions."

"How long until the baby is born?" Jack asked Dr. Abrahms.

"At four centimeters and if Rhi's labor progresses normally, she could have this baby around midnight…give or take an hour or so," the doctor answered.

"Good…that gives me time," Jack said.

"We could call ahead, warn the hospital of the security coming," Carter suggested.

"Oh…we will but I was worried because I forgot the box of cigars on my desk," he joked, more for himself because he needed to relax. "If Rhi doesn't have the kid until midnight, I have time to buy some cigars before he's born."

---

It was difficult to figure out if the fear Jacob felt was all his own or was a combination of his and Selmak's. All he did know was that Rhi was in excruciating pain during each contraction and it was all his fault. As a result, Jacob felt completely and utterly helpless because there was absolutely nothing he could do to take her pain away.

"Rhi, honey, don't curl up," Laura told her as Mark tried to keep Rhi from pulling her knees up.

Jacob sat there and held Rhi's hand. He couldn't get the image of Rhi's brutally beaten body out of his mind.

'Selmak…I don't know what to do,' he wept within his mind.

She hugged him back. The feeling of helplessness and guilt was mutual.

Rhi relaxed as the monitor indicated the contraction was over. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Can I have some more ice?" she asked him.

Jacob numbly nodded as he got to his feet.

"I'll go with you, Dad," Mark smiled. "Don't worry, Rhi, we'll be back in a few minutes. Laura will keep you company."

"I have time…about fifteen twenty minutes until the next contraction," Rhi smiled wearily.

"Be back, Hon," Jacob managed to say, forcing a smile.

Out in the hall, Jacob followed Mark. Jacob could barely hold his head up. His heart was heavy with guilt. And he had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. His vision blurred from his tears and his knees suddenly buckled. Selmak couldn't even help as Jacob pressed his back against a nearby wall and slid down.

"Dad…you ok?" Mark quickly asked, kneeling on one knee before him.

"What have I done?" Jacob asked, his tears falling.

"Dad, this is a part of bringing your baby into the world. You and Rhi both knew this. And quit blaming yourself…it's not your fault."

"She's pregnant with my baby! In labor and in pain! How is this not my fault?" Jacob snapped, feeling so angry with himself.

Mark suddenly grabbed Jacob by his shirt and yanked him up onto his feet. That fiery temper that Jacob had seen in Allison's eyes was there before him in his son's eyes.

"Pull you head out of your ass!" Mark growled harshly. "This is not the same thing as Rhi being beaten to within an inch of her life! And that was no more your fault than this! Only difference is that Rhi is in labor…a labor of love to bring your baby into this world! And the last thing she needs is a selfish husband wrapped up in his own self-persecution! Dad, she needs you to be the man that saved her from that bastard Gwynn. Your strength is her strength! Together you can and will deliver this baby!"

Jacob blinked away his tears rapidly. He and Selmak were both stunned by Mark's harshness. But if Mark wanted Jacob's attention, he got it! Plus, Jacob and Selmak were both trying to figure out how Mark found out about Gwynn as Jacob nor Selmak never talked to anyone about what had happened to Rhi.

"I love you, Dad," Mark smiled, putting his hands on the sides of Jacob's head. Tears filled his eyes. "I understand what you're feeling…I would be too if anything like that ever happened to Laura. You love Rhi so much that it hurts when she's in any kind of pain. But remember it was that love that saved her. And I promise you that love will get her through the pain now. Don't hold back now when she needs you most. No matter what comes out of her mouth in there, you just hold on tight and keep telling her you love her…understand?"

Jacob nodded, wiping his tears away.

'Mark's right, Sel,' Jacob mentally sighed. 'We're doing more harm than good in there.'

'Agreed. We've forgotten that this is supposed to be a joyous day.'

'I sure did.'

'We did and I'm sorry for not blocking the unpleasant memories. I was equally shaken. And I must admit…Mark was right, no matter how prepared you think you are…you're not.'

'Yeah…so much for the plan.'

'Since when does life follow a plan?' she countered, making him smile.

"Ready to go back in there?" Mark asked, stepping away from Jacob.

"Yeah…I'm ready," Jacob smiled.

"Just remember," Mark continued, putting his arm around Jacob's shoulder as they walked onto the ice machine. "As each minute passes, you are that much closer to holding that baby in your arms. And when the moment happens…there's nothing else in the world…hell in the universe like it. I promise, you will treasure it for the rest of your life."

---

The moment Jacob went out the door, Rhi burst into tears. Laura couldn't console her. No one could. Once again, Rhi was hurting her husband. He didn't have to say anything to her…she could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. No matter what she did, she always ended up hurting him and Selmak.

"Hey…Hon, how are you doing?" Jacob asked softly, his hand caressing her face, his other hand firmly grasping one of hers.

Rhi opened her eyes to see Jacob's face close to hers. Behind him she could see, Mark grabbing hold of Laura's hand and pulling her out of the room.

"Jacob?"

"And Selmak too," he smiled.

Rhi blinked her eyes a few times. This was not the same man who left only minutes ago. But he was definitely her husband and the Jacob Rhi fell in love with. The Jacob who made Rhi feel safe and secure after her nightmares and during dark times.

"I'm sorry," she wept.

"For what?"

"For causing you to worry so much…for the baby coming early…for scaring you."

He pulled her into his chest resting his head on top of hers.

"Rhi, my sweet love, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"But the baby is coming and we don't even have the keys to our home yet. I didn't even prepare a bag. I've made a mess of everything."

"Everything will be fine," he cooed into her ear. "And Laura brought you some things, including the nightgown you were planning on wearing during the delivery. Right now…you just concentrate on our baby."

"Ok," she sniffled then suddenly tensed up that the twinge of pain in her sides and her abdomen.

Jacob quickly but gently set her down and held onto her hand.

"Breathe, Rhi…come on…just like we learned in class," he instructed, doing the breathing for her until she finally followed suit. He glanced at the monitor. "Almost there…just a few more seconds…keep it up Rhi, you're doing great!"

Relief!

"It's over!" he smiled, pushing her hair back. "See…that wasn't so bad now was it."

"That depends on your point of view…I'm the one in labor here, you're not," she countered.

"But I'm going to be here, every step of the way…promise," he said, then this smirk shined on his face. "Would you like me to help you into your nightgown?"

Rhi laughed and relaxed a little.

"How can you think of about that during a situation like this?" she asked, as he helped her off the bed.

"I'm just trying to get your mind off the pain," he smiled warmly.

She smiled, leaning against him as he removed the hospital gown and put her own soft gown on. It was a gift from Laura who suggested to Rhi that she wear something as comfortable as possible during labor and delivery.

"What?" she asked, when Jacob's hand rested on her bare, tight belly.

"I love you, Rhiannon," he whispered, kissing her ear.

Tears glistened in her eyes, blurring her vision as he dressed her. After helping her back onto the bed Jacob climbed onto, sitting behind her and massaging her lower back. When the next contraction hit, he pulled her into his chest. His hands moved soothingly around her belly as he spoke in her ear, coaching her through the contraction.

"I love you too," she sighed, once the contraction was over as she relaxed onto him.

A delicate hand moved her hair and tender lips pressed against the back of her neck, making Rhi smile.

"Talk to him, Sel," she whispered. "He may not hear, but I do and he will know everything I know once he wakes up."

"The moment is almost upon us my beloved, Zach," Selmak whispered, kissing the back of Rhi's neck affectionately. "Jacob and I have missed you so much."

'As have I,' Rhi mentally sighed.

---

While General O'Neill was speaking with the hospital administrator Jillian didn't hesitate to go into Rhi's room. She walked in as Rhi was in the middle of a rather intense contraction. General Car…Jacob was doing his job well by holding Rhi's hand and coaching her. He was even breathing with her.

"Is it over yet?" Rhi gritted through her teeth.

"Almost…and…there…it's over."

Rhi fell back into her pillow, breathing fast and hard.

"So, we going to deliver a baby this evening?" Jillian asked, as she approached them.

"Evening?" Jacob asked in disbelief.

"It's nearly 1700 hours now, Sir."

"We've been here for hours…please tell me it's almost over," Rhi gasped. "Better yet, can I go home now and come back tomorrow and have the baby?"

"I've heard that line a few times," Jillian smiled, pulling Rhi's gown up. Jillian quickly put on a latex glove and examined Rhi. "Six centimeters and from the EFM, the baby's heart rate is doing well."

"Only six centimeters?" Jacob asked. "Doc…she has to be further along than that. Her contractions are already so intense."

"Why don't you walk her around a bit, it might speed up the labor process. Rhi, just listen to your husband, do the breathing, and I promise you your baby will be born within the next six to eight hours."

"Pfft! If it's going to take that long, you can have it!" Rhi snapped sharply as she got off the bed. "Come on Jacob…let's go for a walk!"

Rhi snatched her robe as Jacob apologized to Jillian for his wife's sudden rudeness. Jillian smiled and shook it off. She knew from experience that Rhi's rudeness wasn't going to stop and all her anger was going to be focused directly on her husband.

---

Selmak gently massaged Rhi's back while Jacob held the wastebasket. All that ice Rhi had been eating for the past several hours just got puked up during a rather intense contraction. Rhi had her hands on the wall as she leaned forward, face down towards the floor.

General O'Neill and the others were about to come over and help when Jacob shook his head no at them. He like Selmak knew Rhi would only be embarrassed if her friends saw her like this, puking up melted ice into a trashcan.

"I'm done," Rhi sighed, straightening up.

"Do you need to rest?" Selmak asked using Jacob's voice so as not to draw attention to themselves like Jacob had done earlier in the day.

"I'm fine…I'm ready for another trip around the floor," Rhi answered.

Jacob set the wastebasket back down and then grabbed hold of Rhi's hand. Selmak kept massaging Rhi's back with Jacob's other hand. They moved at a snails pace as Rhi wasn't actually waddling or walking. More like shuffling her feet along as if she was afraid to take big steps.

Selmak and Jacob had no idea it was going to be this exhausting and they hadn't even reached the delivery yet! Jacob's hand was already white from Rhi squeezing it repeatedly. And each and every time, Selmak had to do her best to keep the blood flowing to his fingertips!

Then from all the breathing with Rhi they had been doing, Jacob's mouth had gotten rather dry. So he was drinking as much water as Rhi was munching down ice! They were rapidly reaching the point where Jacob was going to have to relieve himself.

'Sel, the bathroom's near the waiting room. We can leave Rhi with the others for a quick minute.'

'That's if she'll let go of our hand!' Selmak countered.

"Ow…I want to go lie down now," Rhi gritted, cradling her belly with her arm.

'So much for that idea,' Jacob scoffed, picking Rhi up.

'Don't worry…we'll figure something out.'

'I'll figure something out…hands off for you, remember.'

"Will you two quick chatting!" Rhi gently chastised.

"Sorry," Jacob smiled.

"There's your friend…you really must apologize to him," Rhi snickered as they passed Dr. Hamner. The doctor took one look at Jacob and hurried in the opposite direction. "Jacob…I can't believe what you did!"

"Did? Did what?"

'You've got to be kidding me!' Selmak shouted.

"You don't remember?" Rhi asked.

"No…what did I do?" Jacob asked, with absolutely no recollection he had done something wrong.

"Selmak, why don't you show him," Rhi suggested and Selmak did.

Jacob's hand came up to his mouth.

"Oh…crap…I had no idea!" he gasped. "Right in front of Mark too!"

"You were trying to protect me," Rhi smiled. "Make sure you explain that to Jack when he questions you about it."

'Better hope, Jack doesn't find out, Jacob! He'll blame me!' Selmak told him.

"First thing first…let's have this baby," Jacob smiled.

Selmak agreed. The minutes were ticking. Soon the baby and Zach were going to be here.

---

Rhi was exhausted. She had lost track of time long ago. She just knew it was a long time only because she remembered the sun setting outside the window and it had been dark for some time now.

"Rhi, you're doing well," Jillian said as she gently pushed Rhi's legs back down. "You're almost fully dilated now."

"You hear that? Our baby will be here soon!" Jacob smiled, wiping her brow.

Rhi weakly smiled and nodded. She was so ready for this to be over. The pain had been unbearable or so she thought as a contraction hit. Jacob was dutifully coaching her to breathe but she was even too tired for that! She felt like her stomach was in a vice grip as another contraction came, causing her to cry out.

"Let's get you ready for delivery," Jillian insisted, moving the stirrup things into position.

"I am NOT sticking my feet in those things!" Rhi growled. Then she shot a look at Jacob…her husband…the man responsible. "You! You are not touching me again!"

"Technically…I didn't touch you!" he smiled innocently.

"You know what I mean!" she screamed and then groaned. "Next time…I'm going dormant and Zach can have the baby!"

"Zach wouldn't be able to tolerate the pain!" Selmak added.

"THEN YOU HAVE THE BABY!" she gritted.

Rhi fell back, feeling some relief. Enough for her to try and catch her breath. Then the sudden urge to go came on strong.

"Need the restroom," she panted.

"Sure, I'll take you," Jacob said.

"No," Jillian insisted.

"I really have to go!" Rhi yelped.

"I'm sorry, Rhi but it's the baby coming," Jillian said, trying to grab hold of Rhi's feet.

Rhi sat up and glared at Jillian, using Zach's voice.

"I AM NOT STICKING MY FEET IN THOSE THINGS!"

---

Jacob's heart was beating so hard and fast he could barely hear Selmak coaching him while he was coaching Rhi. A good thing Mark gave Jacob a talking to. And a good thing Jacob, Selmak and Rhi practiced. Once Jacob pulled his head out of his ass, he was able to assist his wife masterfully, as the breathing lessons learned were second nature.

Still, this was all so new to him. Selmak was working overtime on keeping his hand from falling off and blocking the pain. Jacob literally felt nothing as Rhi's grip seemed to get tighter and tighter as her labor progressed.

After growling at Dr. Abrahms…really, it sounded just like one of Zach's growls…Rhi slid off the bed, absolutely refusing to use the stirrups. Jacob didn't blame her. They looked menacing. And from Selmak's impression, one he happened to agree with, they made a woman feel vulnerable.

"It hurts!" Rhi cried out, crouching on the floor, tears pouring down her flushed cheeks.

'Get on the floor with her you idiot!' Selmak yelled at Jacob as Rhi clung onto the rail of the bed, rocking back and forth on her heels. 'She's holding her breath!'

"Breathe Rhi!" he shouted, kneeling beside her, rubbing her lower back. "That's it Hon…just keep breathing…"

"YOU KEEP BREATHING!" she shouted then growled even louder than before while clinging tightly to his arm. Then she started gasping for air as the contraction stopped. "Make it stop…please."

Jacob just held her against his chest cooing into her ear about how much he loved her and what a wonderful job she was doing. Anything to give her the confidence she needed.

Rhi suddenly yanked on his arm, nearly pulling it out of its socket as another contraction it. She moaned loud and long as both her lips trembled. Jacob could feel her entire body was tensed up. He and Selmak felt so bad for Rhi as the contractions were coming one after the other not even giving Rhi a chance to catch her breath.

"Let's get her back on the bed!" Jillian urgently ordered.

"NOOOO!" Rhi cried, grabbing onto the base of the bed and not letting Jacob grab hold of her. "I don't want to use those stirrup things. Please, Jacob…I won't be hung out for the world to see!"

Jacob gently pushed a hand through her hair and smiled, "Hon its just Jillian and two nurses."

"I don't care…I wanna go home," she wept, tears streaming down her face, her bottom lip quivering as she looked into his eyes. "I wish Zach was here…OW."

He could see the fear in her bright emerald eyes. He and Selmak hated seeing Rhi like this. Selmak didn't want Rhi to use the damn stirrups and gently reminded Jacob of what Rhi had told them about the woman's wedding night on Rhi's home world. How the actual consummation was done in front of several witnesses and was not an act of love. Rhi was giving birth to his baby here. The greatest act of love ever and was entitled to do it in whichever way she chose.

'And if she doesn't want to use the stirrups, then so be it,' Selmak finished.

'I know,' he sighed.

Jacob was torn between what his heart and what his head were telling. He knew Jillian had done this before and therefore she knew what was best from a medical standpoint. And this was his wife here. He wanted to do what Rhi wanted but he also desperately wanted to protect her, from herself if necessary. He didn't want her or the baby to come to any harm and need surgical intervention.

'Try talking to her Jacob…give her confidence,' Selmak suggested.

"Rhi, honey…you're doing such a wonderful job. Soon our baby will be here," he whispered pushing aside the damp strands of hair off her face. He leaned in, putting his face close to hers. He caressed her face. "Hon breathe," he said gently and calmly, trying to keep his own fear and worry under control as he knew they couldn't deliver this baby on the floor. "Look at me…"

Rhi looked at him.

"Each contraction is one closer to the baby," he smiled warmly. "After that it will all be over."

"I'm so tired," she panted.

"I know," he smiled, kissing her lips.

"I can't do this anymore…" she said and then cried out again as the pains seem to come continuously now.

Tears stung Jacob's eyes as another contraction took hold. Rhi gritted her teeth, screaming. Her beautiful face nearly matched the red of her hair from the exertion. Her long, lovely hair and gown were drenched with perspiration.

"Rhi please get back on the bed," Jillian insisted, kneeling beside Jacob. She gave him a nod then smiled to Rhi. "You can sit however you want okay?"

Rhi nodded.

Not wasting a moment, Jacob quickly lifted Rhi and gently laid her on the bed.

Dr. Abrahms inclined the bed to where Rhi could lean back and not have to lie all the way down. Jacob presumed so Rhi could relax in between pushing. Still, this position was not exactly how Jacob and Rhi practiced their breathing exercises but one thing Jacob and Selmak were good at was improvising.

Rhi cried out. Pain shot up Jacob's arm from his hand that was being squeezed so hard he was certain he heard something pop. Selmak quickly dampened the pain. And even though Jillian was standing mere feet away her voice sounded as if she were across a great canyon as she ordered the two nurses into action. The only sounds he could hear were his wife's cries of pain and exertion.

"You ready to deliver a baby, Rhi?" Jillian asked with that bright smile of hers.

"What do you think?" Rhi countered, through her grinding teeth.

"Jacob, you ready?" Jillian asked.

He nodded. The adrenaline of excitement filled him and Selmak. This was the moment they had been waiting for during the past nine months.

Jillian ducked down for a moment.

"Ok…ten centimeters…Rhi I want you to push during the next contraction!"

Rhi nodded, leaning back, breathing like she had been taught but holding her breath every so often. Jacob blinked back his tears…he loved her so much. And he knew she had to love him so much to go through all of this for him.

"Remember to breathe," Jacob helpfully added.

"What do you think I've been doing!" she snapped at him harshly.

He blinked at her a couple of times but remained calm and continued breathing the way he was supposed to during delivery. Rhi followed his lead.

Then the final stage of delivery started. Rhi drew her knees into her chest and leaned forward, bearing down.

"PUSH RHI!" he coached her, not even realizing that he was yelling.

"That's it…PUSH Rhi!" Abrahms reiterated.

"I AM PUSHING!" Rhi growled, glaring at Dr. Abrahms.

Jacob let a smile slip and Rhi saw.

"WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! I MEAN IT…NEXT TIME SELMAK'S HAVING THE BABY! IT'S ALL HER FAULT! SHE STUCK ME WITH THAT NEEDLE AND PUT THIS BABY INSIDE OF ME! HOW WOULD SHE LIKE IT IF I STUCK HER WITH A NEEDLE?"

Jacob felt Selmak quivering. He quickly hugged her.

'Remember, Mark warned us about this…the woman will say things under the duress of labor that she doesn't mean,' he calmly told her.

"You're doing good Rhi…keep it up," he smiled as she leaned back panting heavily.

She managed to flash him a brief smiled before leaning forward again, grunting hard.

"Rhi, the baby's crowning!" Jillian shouted.

Jacob and Selmak quickly looked down between Rhi's legs. Rhi tried to look too but couldn't see because of her belly. He suddenly remembered the mirror and grabbed it off the bedside table so that she could see.

"See Rhi…there's our baby," he smiled through his tears.

Rhi wept tears of happiness this time.

"I love you," she managed to said before bearing down again.

"I love you too," he wept, kissing her forehead. Jacob blinked back his own tears. "You can do this… one more big push…"

Jillian smiled at her. "Pant… don't push until I say so…. If you push you'll tear…"

Jacob pulled Rhi's face back towards his.

"Just like we practiced," he smiled, panting.

"You … sound… like … Mickey!" Rhi gasped panting through the next contraction.

"Woof!" he managed, pleased when he got a slight smile from Rhi.

"This is it Rhi…big push now!" Jillian cheered.

Jacob held his breath as Rhi leaned forward bearing down as best as she could. He and Selmak both were filled with awe and wonderment as they watched the baby's head slowly emerge.

Slick black hair covered its head. Its eyes were squeezed shut. It made a face like this was not a fun experience!

'I think he has Rhi's ears,' Selmak commented.

'Hey…it could still be a girl!'

Jacob held the mirror for Rhi again.

"Look at our baby's head!" he shouted excitedly through his tears.

---

Rhi cried out and instinctively pulled her legs into her chest as tightly as her belly would allow. Tears poured down her face. She was floating in a sea of pain despite the breathing, as the contractions hit one after the other. Her hand holding on tightly to Jacob's already white hand and refusing to let go.

Her body was telling her one thing and one thing only. Time to get this baby out! She cried out in pain.

"Rhi, the baby's crowning!" Jillian shouted.

Rhi tried to look but she couldn't see. As usual, her stomach was in the way. She watched anxiously as Jacob grabbed a mirror.

"See Rhi…there's our baby!" Jacob smiled as tears streamed down his tired cheeks.

She couldn't help but cry too. Their son's hair was dark…like Jacob's.

"I love you," she breathed.

"I love you too," he said, kissing her. "You can do this… one more big push…"

"Pant… don't push until I say so…. If you push you'll tear…" Jillian smiled

Rhi's felt her husband's gentle touch as he turned her face towards his.

"Just like we practiced," he smiled, panting, reminding her of the puppy when Jacob had the leash in his hand.

"You … sound… like … Mickey!" Rhi panted through the next contraction.

"Woof!"

Rhi wanted to laugh but couldn't so she smiled.

"This is it Rhi…big push now!" Jillian cheered.

Rhi gasped to catch her breath as quickly as she could. The contraction hit and she bore down as hard as she could. The pain was so unbearable that she squeezed her eyes shut and grunted in pain. The pressure was building as she continued to push. It literally felt like she was trying to force out a watermelon!

Then…it was stuck…right between her legs!

"Look at our baby's head!" he shouted excitedly holding the mirror for her again.

Rhi giggled. She immediately recognized that crinkle between the eyebrows…it was definitely Jacob's scowl. He guided her hand down, placing her hand on the baby's wet head. Jacob's hand slid off hers and cradled the baby's head.

"He's beautiful, Rhi," Selmak smiled.

"Well done," Jacob added.

"So far…one more big push Rhi!" Jillian ordered.

This time Rhi was ready. She screwed up her eyes, crying out as she pushed. Jacob was shouting for her to keep going. Jillian was shouting for her to keep going. But Rhi was going so she could hold that baby in her arms. To feel his head wasn't enough…she wanted more.

Then all of a sudden she felt the baby slide out. She fell back exhausted against the bed, feeling empty within.

"It's a boy!" Jillian shouted pulling the baby up for them to see.

Rhi laughed as she looked at her son for the first time.

"You were right," Jacob exclaimed, kissing the top of her head. "It's a beautiful boy…"

"He's not crying," Rhi said worriedly.

Just then her son gasped, taking in his first breath of air. His tiny chest inflated his mouth opened, his eyes still shut, his tiny hands balled up, his little legs trembled, and he let out his first cry announcing to the world that he arrived.

"I love you!" Jacob whispered, his lips covering her face. His tears mingling with hers. "I love you so much! My God Rhi…he's so beautiful!"

"I love you too," she wept, leaning against him, finally relaxing her legs back down.

Together they watched as Jillian lay their son down on Rhi's lap. Jillian quickly suctioned his nose and mouth. His trembling body was wiped then securely wrapped in a comforter, leaving the umbilical cord area exposed. Rhi gently stroked her son's damp hair the entire time.

"Jacob…would you like to cut the cord?" Jillian asked.

Jacob suddenly looked unsure.

"Go ahead, Jacob," Rhi smiled confidently at him.

After a shaky hand, a quick snip, and a gentle clean up, the baby was placed in Rhi's arms. She held him so that Jacob and Selmak could see the baby's face. His cries began to die down.

"You were right," Jacob whispered, his face against hers. "We have a son."

"Here…for his head," Jillian smiled, handing a little cap. "Newborns tend to lose body heat through their head."

"Be a shame to cover all that hair up," Jacob smirked as he gently put the cap on his son.

"Yeah, if he's anything like his father, he'll be bald soon enough!" Selmak added, making Rhi laugh.

"Don't worry Jacob, my father had a full head of hair there is still hope for our son," she smiled.

The boy stopped crying and opened his eyes wide.

"That's an odd color of blue," he commented moving his face a little closer. "Thought he would have brown or green eyes."

"Remember, in the last chapter…all babies are born with blue eyes. They'll change in about six weeks," she reminded him. "Jacob, would you like to hold your son?"

Rhi smiled glad that this moment finally arrived. The moment she wanted so desperately to pass for the past couple of years. A moment she went through vomiting, exhausting, cravings, and all kinds of body changes for!

She gently put Jacob's son in his arms and watched. He sat on the edge of the bed beside her. The baby's tiny hand grasped Jacob's finger.

"He's so beautiful…and so tiny!" Jacob gasped softly, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"He didn't feel so tiny coming out!" Rhi scoffed.

Then suddenly a voice sounded within. All the pain she was still feeling was dulled. Rhi wept, closing her eyes as Zach hugged her tightly. Their re-blending consumed them as she shared all her memories, emotions and experiences that occurred during the past nine months. And Zach shared all his dreams and experiences with her.

---

A host's body had never been in such chaos as Zach felt from Rhi's. Instinct told him that she was in labor and that he was wise to not wake when she was first in distress. The time was not right to wake but it was close. He patiently waited until finally calmness fell over Rhi's body. Only then did he know it was safe to wake.

'Rhi…he is so beautiful,' he whispered to her. 'Has your ears and…he even has your lips. But the rest is all Jacob…you both did such a wonderful job.'

'Zach…' she gasped.

Rhi was so happy! His mind was bombarded with experiences she was desperate to share with him. He was so overwhelmed by the range of emotions she went through during the pregnancy. The ups and downs with Jacob and Selmak right there…always.

Then his heart pounded with fear when he learned how he and Rhi had almost lost both Jacob and Selmak in an explosion. Then he was overcome with joy as Jacob orchestrated it so that the Tok'ra would never bother them again.

And now…he could feel the pride Rhi felt as Jacob held their son. It was the moment she had been waiting for. A moment that she never dreamed possible a little over nine months ago.

"Rhi…what's wrong?" Jacob asked.

"It's Zach," she smiled through her tears.

Jacob smiled, gently setting the baby back in Rhi's arms.

'What is it?' Zach asked Rhi.

'Jacob has something special for you,' she said, moving back and allowing Zach to come fore.

"Jacob?" Zach questioned.

"We missed you so much, Zach," Jacob sighed, leaning in to kiss Zach.

The kiss was gentle and affectionate then changed as Selmak came fore.

"We wished so much that you could have been with us during this pregnancy," Selmak wept.

"The wait was worth it…for this," Zach smiled rocking the baby who was watching them all intently. "What's his name?"

"I do not know…Jacob says the baby has a special name. I will allow him to reveal it, my beloved."

Jacob smiled. His hand pushed through Zach's hair. He could feel Rhi's anxiousness within for she had no idea what this special name was either.

"His name is Jordan," Jacob said softly, his hand cradling the baby's head. "Jordan Zachary Carter."

Zach's eyes instantly welled up. He couldn't think of a better way to honor Jordan than this way. For if it wasn't for an act of heroism by Jordan, Zach never would have blended with Rhi. Rhi never would have fallen in love with Jacob. Zach never would have gotten back with Selmak. And this baby never would have existed.

"I thought it the best way to honor the man who was partly responsible for this moment," Jacob continued. "Jordan's act of heroism saved Rhi. And Zach…a nickname for Zachary, an Earth name…for you because if you hadn't blended with Rhi, I never would have fallen in love with her…or you."

"And this baby never would have existed, if you hadn't told me, my beloved," Selmak added.

"I…I don't know what to say," Zach wept looking down at the baby.

"You don't have to say anything," Jacob smiled and then pressed his lips against Zach's.

Zach relinquished control back to Rhi in mid kiss. When they parted, Rhi looked down at their son.

"Hi Jordan…we are all so happy to finally see you," she wept as she and Zach hugged each other tightly.