A/N: Again, this is one of those stories where the basic plot is given away in the title. And remember, you have ladygris to thank/blame for its original inception.

Feliz Navidad,

Sandy

What Child is This

Christmas Eve

Late Morning

Rodney hustled down the corridor toward the quarters he shared with his wife. Jennifer had made a frantic call imploring him to come home and to hurry!

He slapped his hand over the sensor, threw his tablet, which he hadn't bothered to put down, on the desk and called out. "Jennifer! Jennifer!"

"Rodney! Oh, thank God. In here!" She sounded relieved and anxious at once.

Following the sound of her voice he finally located her in the second bedroom sitting in one of two matching rocking chairs. Her face was twisted in pain and both hands were resting on the lower curve of her swollen belly. "What? I-Is it time?"

"Time?" Jennifer gave him a sheepish smile. "No, honey. I'm…stuck."

"Stuck? What…"

"I can't get out of this damn rocking chair and really, really have to pee." She extended both hands. With profound relief he pulled her to her feet. Keeping hold of one hand, he led her to the bathroom. When he made to follow her in, she stopped him with a squeeze of his hand. "Thanks. I can take it from here."

"But what if…"

"I'll call. Just don't leave yet." The door closed in his face. Her muffled voice continued to reach through to her husband.

"Are you sure you're up to going to the Christmas party tonight?"

"Definitely." The water came on, shut off and a moment later Jennifer opened the door. "I am going if they have to take me there on a gurney."

"Okay." He finally relented. "You aren't gonna make me wear that tie again, are you?"

"But you look so handsome in it." Jennifer rested her hands on her husband's chest. "Besides, I'm very fond of that tie. You were wearing it when you proposed."

Rodney let his hands rest on her shoulders and slide down her back to her hips. He leaned forward to kiss her tenderly, the best he could do with her pregnant belly in the way. "It is a nice tie, isn't it?"

Stepping away from his embrace, she headed for the bedroom. "I'm gonna take a nap. Wanna join me?"

"Mmm. Of course." They lay down on the bed, Jennifer kissed him and before he knew it, they'd removed their clothes and were engaged in one of their favorite activities.

When they were through, Jennifer turned on her side as Rodney cuddled into her back and pulled the covers up over the both of them. She was asleep within minutes. He eased away, tucked the covers up around her neck, gathered up his clothes and went into the other room to dress. She'd called him in the middle of an experiment or he would have stayed. Setting the alarm to wake her in an hour, he brushed his lips over her cheek, whispered "I love you" and went back to work.

1530 in the Mess Hall

"Oh!" Jennifer's hand went to her belly massaging gently.

"Are you alright?" Teyla was sitting across from her friend in the Mess Hall. "Shall I call Rodney?"

"No. It's just Braxton-Hicks contractions." At the Athosian's blank look, she explained. "False labor. I'm not due for another three weeks."

"Ah. I did not experience that with Torren. And aside from giving birth in a Wraith Hiveship, my labor was relatively easy."

"Lucky you…oh!" Jennifer's hand gripped the edge of the table, breathing hard. "Whoa, that was a big one. I'll just go lie down for a while." The medical doctor stood, picked up her tray, took three steps and bent over groaning in pain. It eased up after a few seconds, she took a few more steps and the tray crashed to the floor as an even more intense twinge washed through her.

Teyla was at her side immediately gripping her hand, one arm around her waist. "Come. I will take you to the Infirmary."

"I'm fine."

"You do not look fine."

Jennifer took one more step and splash. A puddle of liquid hit the floor between her feet. "Nononono! It's too early!"

"I have learned that what the mother wants means very little when her child is ready to be born." The hand on Jennifer's waist reached up to tap her headset. "Teyla to Rodney. Jennifer is in labor. Meet us in the Infirmary." She didn't wait for an answer, just helped her friend to the transporter.

Christmas Morning

Jennifer lay in the hospital bed with the head raised cradling her newborn son. In the next bed over her husband of almost three years did the same with their daughter. Of the four, she was the only one still awake though weariness started to creep in around the edges of her consciousness. Her hand reached for the bed controls but a muted commotion at the Infirmary entrance stopped her.

John entered followed by Ronon, Teyla carrying Torren, Radek, Woolsey, Chuck, Amelia, Lorne and about ten others, mostly Rodney's staff. Carson, Amanda, Marie and several of the medical staff came from the Infirmary's interior. Chuck and Ronon were carefully pushing a flatbed cart between them. On that cart was a Christmas tree with presents stacked under it.

"Hey, Doc." John came to stand between the beds giving a quick glance at each tiny face. "How you doing?"

"We are doing wonderful though Rodney's a bit out of it." She gave them a puzzled look nodding at the tree. "What's all this?"

"Well, the McKays couldn't come to Christmas party so we brought the party to the McKays."

"You didn't have to."

Teyla stepped up next to John. "Nonsense. It would not have been the same without out you and Rodney." While she didn't share the same beliefs held by many of the expedition members, she did respect the traditions though she was often puzzled by them.

"Thanks, guys. Whose idea was this?"

"Mine."

Jennifer turned her head when Ronon spoke up not really surprised. He'd always been a thoughtful friend to her and Rodney. She gave him a smile of gratitude.

Amelia was at her husband's side with a look of pride on her face that changed to genial annoyance when John said, "We all thought it would be a good idea."

Radek went behind the tree to attach the power cable and moments later the lights came on. John shook Rodney awake and the party, though subdued due to presence of the sleeping babies, commenced.

John and Carson were holding the babies while Rodney and Jennifer opened their gifts. They carefully handed the small bundles back to their parents when it came time for Teyla to present hers.

The Athosian handed a dozing Torren to Ronon and stood before the new parents. "Rodney, Jennifer, I have recently learned a traditional song for the celebration of the birth of your savior. Though it does not exactly correspond to the circumstances of the birth of your own children, it is still a beautiful melody." There was no musical accompaniment. She took a deep breath and began to sing.

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleasing.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

When the last note faded away, Jennifer reached up and wiped a single tear from her cheek. "That was beautiful, Teyla."

Rodney smiled fondly at his friend. "Yes, it was. Thank you."

The silence was broken when Carson stepped forward. "I think there's been more than enough excitement for one day. Everyone out and let them get some rest."

The day after Christmas Rodney and Jennifer returned to their quarters. In the twins room they found two Athosian cradles beside the white cribs that had been sent by Jeannie and Jennifer's family along with the changing tables and chairs. They nestled the babies inside and set them to rocking gently. It was late and tomorrow they would thank Teyla in person for the second gift of the cradles, but for tonight, they were happy, content and very tired.

Rodney started to lead his wife to their bedroom just across the hall but she seated herself in one of the rockers instead. "I just want to watch them for a little while."

"Yeah." He took the other rocker, their hands still linked. "Me, too."

"Our little Christmas miracles." Jennifer gave Rodney a loving smile. "What're we gonna name them? We've never talked about it."

"I'm glad you asked because I have a few ideas. What do you think of…"

END

A/N: Yeah, yeah. Every time I write a fic with Rodney and Jennifer having children I always give them fraternal twins. I just like the idea of twins for the two of them because it would befuddle Rodney. So, get over it and just enjoy the story. ~ Sandy ~

"What Child is This" is a traditional English song sung to the tune of "Greensleeves" with lyrics by William Chatterton Dix.

"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune, a ground of the form called a romanesca.

A broadside ballad by this name was registered at the London Stationer's Company in 1580 as "A New Northern Dittye of the Lady Greene Sleeves." It then appears in the surviving A Handful of Pleasant Delights (1584) as "A New Courtly Sonnet of the Lady Green Sleeves. To the new tune of Green sleeves."

The tune is found in several late 16th century and early 17th century sources, such as Ballet's MS Lute Book and Het Luitboek van Thysius, as well as various manuscripts preserved in the Cambridge University libraries. (Wikipedia)