A/N: Thank you so much to bailey1ak for all your help and encouragement.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.
Spoilers: Reunion season 4
I appreciate your reviews. Any type of criticism is helpful. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Hey Sweetheart … good to hear you made it okay. I bet it's weird to be back at the SGC. I miss seeing you at the dinner table. It's funny, there always seems to be an empty chair. Guess we're all waiting for you to run in late and grab the last seat.
Have you seen Laura yet? How does she look? I miss my girls. I'll be picking my dates for leave soon so let me know what your plans are. I want to come see you wherever you end up.
Love you Jen,
Evan
Lorne finished his email and headed out for a late morning mission. This was just a quick supply delivery and should only take a couple of hours. Hopefully they'd be back before dinner.
Ronon decided to take a longer than normal run to try and clear his head. The past few weeks had felt like a waking nightmare. It had been over three weeks since Jennifer left on the Daedalus but it was still hard to believe she was gone. He'd found himself walking past the infirmary several times a day… mostly out of habit but a small part of him was hopeful that Jennifer would turn and wave to him as he walked by. The constant anger and darkness was slowly ebbing away leaving him in a state of sadness that he wore like a blanket.
Lorne and Sheppard had finally forgiven him. Teyla kept inviting him to movies and trips to see her people but mostly Ronon just kept to himself. He never imagined the pain would be so strong … never considered when he pushed her away that she would leave. He thought he could love her from afar and keep her safe, it had been such a selfish thought and he knew that now.
Jennifer met with Carolyn at the end of the week and they finalized the paperwork and schedule for Jennifer's new position at the SGC. Jen had decided to stay on base for now in her present room until the baby was born.
She quickly settled into a routine and did pretty well as long as she stayed away from thinking about the past. Try as she may, she always came back to thoughts of Ronon as soon as the lights went off at the end of each day. Jennifer realized there'd be no "moving on" in her life but she was content for the moment with the decisions she's made. Carolyn had even found a small room close to the infirmary for her to use as a research lab.
Laura and Jennifer spent a couple of days hanging out together before work started for Jen and Laura returned to Area 51. Laura would split her time between SGC and Area 51 for another 4-5 months before she returned to duty on the Daedalus. She was hoping it would drag out long enough to be with Jennifer when the baby was born.
4 Months Later
Jennifer was between her eighth and ninth month of pregnancy and feeling every day of it lately. Hating to have down time, she found herself working longer hours in her lab. She had nothing to compare it to but this last month seemed unusually hard.
"Hey Jen … what're you working on?" Daniel asked as he entered the lab.
"Just some research I started back in the Pegasus galaxy," Jennifer answered. "How are you doing this evening?"
"I came to collect you. You've been working way too hard since you got here and it's date night," Daniel explained.
"I'm not sure I follow," Jen responded.
"Vala is gone this week so I'm taking you to movie night … won't take no for an answer." Daniel said firmly. "Popcorn, chick flick and good company, what more could you want?"
Jennifer opened her mouth to protest when Daniel pulled a box of Whoppers out of his pocket and started shaking them heading toward the door. Jennifer smiled as she started shutting everything off in her lab. This was probably the first social function she'd participated in since she arrived on base.
After locking her door, Daniel threw an arm around her as they walked to the Rec hall together. "Have I told you I'm glad you're back home again? You were missed around here," Daniel said sincerely.
"Yes, about once a week you mention it," Jennifer laughed. "But thanks, I appreciate that a lot, Daniel," Jennifer answered quietly. She really cared about her old friends here at Stargate Command and would never correct them but her heart still belonged on Atlantis and she would always consider that home.
Daniel found them seats on a couch close to the front of the room just as the lights dimmed. Jennifer made it through the first third of the movie before she had to take another bathroom break. It felt good to walk around a bit. This had been a hard week on her physically and she knew she'd have to take it slower in the days to come.
Easing herself back on the couch, Jennifer snuggled up against Daniel and promptly fell asleep. Daniel was surprised she made it as far as she did before surrendering to the needs of her body. He couldn't remember a time when she actually made it all the way through a movie … ever! He couldn't help but laugh as he reached across her snatching her box of whoppers to enjoy with the rest of the movie.
Jennifer woke early but not feeling well she decided to go back to bed and sleep in. She was far enough along in her pregnancy that she no longer worked shifts in the infirmary. Instead, she spent her time in her lab working on research. Today she was thankful she didn't have any obligations. She hadn't felt good all week and it seemed to get worse every day. "I'll be glad when this pregnancy is over," she thought to herself.
Waking again late in the morning Jennifer felt an overwhelming urge to get some things done she'd been procrastinating on. First thing on the list was an email to Evan to explain her condition. Until now, she'd never had the courage to tell Evan she was pregnant. She couldn't find the right words so she just kept putting it off. She needed to do that today as well as clean her quarters and pack a small bag to take to the infirmary when the time came. "This must be what that whole 'nesting' thing was about," she thought smiling to herself.
She walked over to her desk and grabbed her laptop and a pad of paper to make a list.
Email Evan
Clean room
Pack bag
Shop for baby clothes
Go through baby name book again
Eat
First things first Jen thought as she opened her laptop.
Dear Evan … I miss you to pieces. Are you sitting down? You need to be for this next bit of news. First of all, please forgive me for being so late (no pun intended). I couldn't figure out how to tell you and didn't want to do it in an email. I guess I kept hoping that Laura would be back on the Daedalus by now and she could do this for me.
Oh well … here goes … I'm pregnant. So, are you sitting down now?? I realized this morning that I couldn't put this announcement off any longer especially since I'm due pretty soon. You're going to be an uncle (again)! All kidding aside, I'm getting pretty scared. My emotions range from guilt to shame to wonder and back again. I'll be much happier when I have this little one and can get off this emotional roller coaster.
How does Ronon look? Is he taking care of himself? Are you looking after him for me? Evan, he would be so happy to know he was going to be a father – hence the guilt. The future looks so impossible to me right now but I know I'll find some way to tell him in time. Please keep this to yourself for now.
Are you keeping safe? I wish your leave were this month instead of next. I really need you right now. I have good friends here but it's not the same. I'm scared of the whole mother thing. What if I mess it up? I need one of your pep talks!
As always, I love and miss you.
Jennifer
Jennifer checked Evan off the list and proceeded to start in on her room. Thankfully, she was living in guest quarters so there wasn't much to clean. Most of the time was spent on cleaning off flat surfaces and organizing her closet. The lunch hour rolled around and Jen met Carolyn for a quick bite to eat before proceeding down her list.
"How are you feeling today?" Dr. Lam asked as she poured dressing over her salad.
"Actually, I'm feeling a bit energetic today so I'm trying to catch up on some personal things," Jennifer replied smiling. "I've actually crossed off two items from my list.
"Great. What two items did you get done already?" Carolyn inquired.
"First of all I slept in this morning. Rats, I should have put that on my list then I could have crossed off three things. Anyway, I cleaned my room and finally emailed Evan," Jennifer said beaming, all proud of herself.
"Major Lorne?" Carolyn asked raising her eyebrow.
"Yes. We email each other every week but I hadn't sent the 'I'm pregnant' email yet," Jen explained sighing heavily.
"Why would that be a problem for the Major?" Carolyn asked looking a bit confused.
"I'm sure it won't be a problem more like a worry. Evan and I are best friends and have been since our days back here at SGC years ago. I just didn't want to tell him in an email so I kept putting it off. I'm sure he'll be concerned until he knows the baby is here and we're both fine." Jennifer explained. "He'll be here on leave next month but I could sure use his comforting face right about now. I hate being so emotional!"
"The emotions are pretty normal at this point in your pregnancy. Do you have anyone to help you through the delivery?" Dr. Lam inquired.
"Laura is going to try and make it. Or I might wait until Evan gets here on leave," Jennifer said grinning knowing she didn't have any control over the situation.
"If it were just that simple," Carolyn laughed. "Come round later this afternoon I want to give you a quick checkup.
"Will do. I think I better continue down my list. I'm off to the local baby store. It's about time I buy a few things for this little one," Jennifer said rubbing her stomach.
"Are you telling me you don't have anything put aside yet?" Carolyn asked incredulously.
"Have I told you I'm a procrastinator with everything but work?" Jennifer laughed.
"I'm starting to see a different side of you Dr. Keller," Dr. Lam added grinning at her newest doctor. "Seriously, Jennifer, I'm really thankful you took this position. You bring a lot of positive talents to the job. Now, you better hurry with your shopping and be back in the clinic by 1600 hours for your appointment," Dr. Lam instructed as she shooed Jennifer out of the mess hall.
Jennifer arrived back on base with diapers, blankets, booties and nighties all in neutral colors stuffed in a huge diaper bag. Her new found energy was quickly disappearing and she still had half her list to go.
Grabbing her list, Jennifer inserted 'doctor's appointment' at the bottom and put her shoes on to head to the infirmary.
"Hey Jennifer, how did the shopping trip go?" Dr. Lam asked as she entered Jennifer's exam room with her file in hand.
"I think I got at least one of everything I need," Jennifer answered proudly.
Dr. Lam gave Jen a thorough exam. She determined that Jen was just starting into the early stages of labor. Her cervix was thinning out and there was some slight dilation, which only concerned Lam because Jennifer didn't have any solid support system in place yet to help her through the birthing process. Dr. Lam knew that beneath the cool professional exterior Dr. Keller projected there was a young woman scared to death of all the changes taking place in her life. Jennifer really needs a familiar face to be the voice of reason right now.
"Well, Dr. Keller, I think it's time for you to give Lt. Cadman a call and put her on stand-by," Dr. Lam instructed smiling.
"Whoa … are you saying soon? Because I'm not ready. I have the rest of my list to complete and I'm right in the middle of an experiment that needs to be finished. Plus, I'm not due for a few more weeks. I don't even have a bed for the baby or a place to live," Jennifer rambled unable to accept the news.
"Jennifer! Slow down. This baby will come when he or she is ready. You will be fine I promise."
"What if Laura can't get here in time. I don't think I can do this alone," Jennifer whispered as tears began to fill her eyes.
Dr. Lam took her hand and firmly assured her, "Jennifer you can do this. You will make a wonderful mother and believe me, you will have lots of eager hands to help you. Remember, we take care of our own – you won't be doing this alone."
"Come see me again tomorrow and we'll see how things are progressing." Dr. Lam instructed.
Jennifer woke from her prescribed nap remembering her exam room melt down. The sleep gave her a new perspective calming her fears. She put in a call to Laura explaining her situation and the new due date. Unfortunately, Laura wouldn't be able to come for another week. It was the best she could do so Jennifer purposed to wait until she got here. She decided to rest and stay in bed hoping that would give her the extra days she needed till Laura arrived.
At 1600 hours Jennifer made the trip back to the infirmary hoping for better news today.
"Jennifer, how are you feeling this afternoon?" Carolyn asked.
"I've been resting and eating properly. Laura can't make it until next week so I'm just going to wait. I'll stay in bed the whole time if I have to," Jennifer explained.
"Jennifer, I'm sorry but this baby will not wait that long," Carolyn said hoping Jen would accept the situation and prepare herself.
"But I can't do this alone, I really believe I can wait," Jennifer answered firmly. "We're only talking six more days. I'll stay off my feet and do whatever it takes."
"Jennifer, you're a doctor. You know this isn't like treating the flu. You won't be able to control the timing so you need to prepare yourself," Dr. Lam replied as she took her hand to encourage her. "I want you to go back to your room and rest. I'll have someone bring you some dinner. We'll check you again tomorrow but rest until then."
"No problem. I'll make it … you'll see," Jennifer said confidently. "Thank you, Carolyn. I'm thankful for everything you've done for me starting with taking me in when I needed a home."
"You're very welcome, Jennifer. Now get back to your room and get some rest," Carolyn ordered smiling.
Carolyn took an early dinner joining Daniel Jackson at his table. She informed Daniel of Jennifer's present condition and the worries she had with her emotional state. Carolyn asked Daniel if he had any ideas of someone who could stand in for Laura but the answer was a definite no, at least not in this galaxy. Daniel loaded up a dinner tray and stopped by Jennifer's room after he left Carolyn.
Jennifer was just waking up when she heard the knock on the door. Figuring it was probably dinner she yelled 'come in' as she sat up in bed. Daniel quickly entered finding her in the bedroom.
"Hey Jennifer. Brought you some dinner," Daniel greeted as he handed her the tray.
"Thanks. Can you stay for a few?" Jennifer asked as she situated the tray on her lap.
"Sure. How're you doing?" he asked thinking he'd seen her look better.
"Not very well tonight. Besides being terribly uncomfortable, I just don't feel well." Jennifer answered frowning.
"You must be getting excited about the baby. Looks like it shouldn't be long now." Daniel smiled.
"I'm waiting for Laura so I just have to hang on another 5-6 days. Actually, I'm a bit more worried about it than excited. I'm afraid my life's about to fall apart … not that it was in great shape to begin with," Jennifer said laughing at herself.
"Jennifer, you have a lot of people here at the SGC that want to be an active part of your life. We're here to support you and help out however we can. Don't forget that. Now, what can we do if Laura doesn't make it here in time?" Daniel inquired.
"I know I'm just being a baby about all of this but I'm counting on her being here. I really do love all of you and wouldn't have made it all these months without everyone's friendship. It's just that Laura is part of my Atlantis family and I just need someone from home right now. I feel pretty sure I'll be able to wait till she gets here," Jennifer said sounding more confident than she felt.
"I understand, but we're all going to be here backing her up so don't forget that. I need to run, get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." Daniel stood and kissed her cheek as he headed toward the door.
Jennifer placed her empty tray on the floor and settled back under the covers trying to fall back to sleep. All she could think about was Ronon and how much she missed him. In a perfect world he'd be the one holding her hand and helping her breathe through the labor pains. But she lived in more of a Pegasus world and the timing was never what it should be.