Now we get to meet –dramatic theatrical booming– the twins!
Wouldn't want you to think I don't love ya, Skwerels ;-)
Mornings and Love Part 28
"Hey Rob, Rick! – John and Sam are here!" Liz announced as she led the two into Jack's cabin.
Jack lowered the suitcases to the ground inside the door; Sam followed suit with the duffle bags. In the kitchen just a few yards up, she could see a man with a day or so's worth of growth on his chin. She guessed he was maybe fifty or so.
"Johnny," he drawled, standing and walking around to greet him.
"Richard," Jack replied steadily.
"Rob's in the shower, but he'll be out soon," Richard told him
"Can't wait," mumbled Jack.
"And you must be Sam," Richard said, smirking at Sam. His eyes instantly traveled to her stomach; she felt a twinge of irritation. Why did that have to be the first thing everyone noticed about her? "And I see my good for nothing brother's gone and done you already. Poor woman."
Sam frowned. "That's none of your business. And for the record, there's nothing poor or pitiful about it."
Richard laughed. Sam looked over to Jack, whose scowl was deepening by the second. "Glad to meet you, too," Richard said. "So how'd you end up with my brother? I thought you had brains. So why'd you go with an idiot like him? And he must be fifteen years older than you, at least."
"Ten," she corrected. "This bothers you?"
Jack snorted, and Richard replied, "No. But it'll bother Dad. He'll probably pay you to leave him."
The idea shocked Sam to the core, but she didn't let it show. "Your dad could offer to crown me Queen of England and I'd still refuse," she replied smoothly.
That seemed to shut Richard up. She smiled charmingly and said, "Jack, show me around?"
"Gladly," Jack said, linking his arm with hers, smiling at her boyishly.
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Sam stepped out and gasped. The scenery was amazing; such a dramatic change from the anger in the cabin. Blankets of white snow covered everything; the pond was frozen stiff. Puffs of frozen air floated away from her mouth.
"It's a winter wonderland!" she exclaimed softly.
"Yeah, it is."
Robert, Richard, and Liz were inside, Rob in the shower, and Rick and Liz were in the kitchen talking about something or the other.
Jack hugged her gently from behind. "I love you," he whispered into her ear, kissing her neck.
Sam smiled. "Wow. I should tell your brothers off more often," she joked.
He groaned. "Saaaaaam," he groaned, burying his face in her jacket-bundled shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"Can we leave now?"
Sam laughed. "Sorry, Jack," she said. "I haven't even seen your father yet, let alone been interrogated by him."
"You won't like it," he told her grimly.
"Probably," Sam agreed, leaning into him and sighing. "God I wish Mom had been able to give me advice for this moment," she whispered sadly.
"Huh?"
Sam froze. Oops. "I'm sorry, Jack," she apologized. "I'm not exactly being the gracious, courteous, positive girlfriend, am I?"
"Bull, Sam. You haven't had a chance to shine yet. Well, except at the car. Liz adores you already," he said, smirking at a memory.
Sam turned in his arms, though she couldn't be pressed up against him as close as she'd like, she could now return his smirk full-blast. "I seem to recall something about you adoring me already, oh, about seven years ago?" Silently she added, I wish that pond wasn't frozen. I'm gonna get you back for pushing me through the 'Gate that day – well, sooner or later! "If I also recall correctly, I became your," she glanced down at her stomach, and she quoted Liz, "very pregnant girlfriend."
Jack threw back his head and laughed. "Yes, you are," he agreed fondly, kissing the tip of her nose.
"So what's the game plan again?" Sam asked.
"Let's see…" Jack said thoughtfully. "One week. We get Ma and Dad later today, keep everyone for the next two days, then on Wednesday we get rid of the twins. Thursday, we get to kick out my dad and politely ask Ma to leave. Friday, we say sorrowful farewells to Liz, and Friday…" Jack wagged his eyebrows. "Saturday is Christmas, so we spend a wonderful Christmas in winter wonderland here."
"Mmm…sounds wonderful," Sam said, leaning in to capture his lips in a kiss, something she did very often and thoroughly enjoyed.
"Hey lovebirds! Get in here, Ma 'n Dad are home!" hollered Liz from the door, effectively breaking the kiss and ending the sweet, sweet moment.
Playfully unsure if she liked her lover's sister anymore, Sam giggled at Jack's groan. "Come on, Jack!" she exclaimed determinedly, steering him toward the cabin. "We're off to see the wizard!"