Chapter 6: The Art of War
A/N: This chapter definitely ended in a place than where I intended. It turned out to be a bit more Jeb/OC than I thought, but it's just too cute to undo. Hope you enjoy!

"They've been in there for hours," Glitch said pacing the tiled floor. He stopped in front of the swinging metal doors and peered through the tiny window. "Something has to be wrong. I should be in there."

"You should be out here," Cain corrected him. "You won't be of any help in there and you might just end up getting yelled at."

"Or have something thrown at you," Ahamo chimed in speaking from experience. He rubbed his forehead remembering where the book had hit him after it was magically flung from the bedside table while Lavender had been in labor with Azkadellia. DG's delivery found him dodging a number of pillows.

"Or zapped with magic," Cain added.

Glitch's shoulders sagged in defeat as he dropped into the seat between the two men. He leaned his chin on his fists and glared at the door.

"Trust me Ambrose," Ahamo said clapping his son-in-law on the back, "you do not want to be within twenty feet of a Gale woman while they are in labor. It's best to just wait patiently at a safe distance."

A silence fell over the room and all those occupying it. Jeb and Sarah sat in a pair of chairs across from the others, their hands clasped together, Jeb's thumb rubbing the back of her hand and occasionally coming up to caress her gold wedding band. Opposite them Ahamo, Glitch, and Cain sat with tense muscles. Dani sat on the chair beside her father idly playing with her favorite doll. At nearly four years old she was excited that her Aunt Az was having a baby but didn't understand why she had to wait.

"Daddy? What are we waiting for?"

Cain was silent for a moment, attempting to think of the right way to put this. "We're just waiting for the baby to get here, Sweetie."

This satisfied Dani, but only for a second. "Where is the baby?"

Cain sighed rubbing his hand over his face. Jeb was trying to contain his laughter at seeing his father being grilled by a child. "The baby's not here yet. It's still in Aunt Az's belly."

"Is she hiding?"

"I…uh…"

"How do you know it's a girl?" Glitch asked. He met Cain's look—which just screamed 'Thank You'—before turning his attention to his niece.

"Cause it will be," Dani stated very confidently. Her curiosity sated for the moment, she returned her attention back to the doll.

Sarah smiled at the little girl, amazed at her curiosity and self confidence. As conversation lulled again, she turned to stare out the windows that lined the outside wall of the waiting room. The gardens below glistened with freshly fallen snow, pulling their limbs to the ground. It had been snowing for the last few days and while most people complained about the weather, Sarah was thrilled. In her mind Finaqua in winter was absolutely magical. It reminded her so much of her childhood in the countryside.

Glancing at Dani who sat slouched down in her seat, Sarah was suddenly struck with an idea. It was about time she relived a little of her childhood. "Dani?"

"Yeah Aunt Sarah?"

Okay so technically she wasn't the little girl's aunt, but it was just easier than explaining what the term sister-in-law meant. Sarah smiled, "I think Jeb and I are going to go for a walk in the garden. Maybe make some snow angels? Do you want to join us?"

Immediately Danika's eyes widened and seemed to shine. "Yes! Daddy can I go? Please!"

Cain eyed his son who looked as though he had absolutely no idea what was going on. "Sure Sweetie. Make sure you bundle up though. Your mother will have a fit if I let you catch a cold."

The little girl leapt up from her chair and ran toward her aunt. Grabbing Sarah's hand she literally pulled her from the seat all the while exclaiming in joy. "C'mon, c'mon! Let's go!" Sarah laughed as she followed the little girl from the room.

"I suppose I should go with them," Jeb sighed.

"Have fun," Ahamo laughed.

OZOZOZ

By the time Dani was fully dressed in all her winter outerwear she could barely move. That didn't stop her from taking off at a sprint the minute they entered the gardens. Sarah and Jeb followed behind, each wrapped in their own set of warm clothes, hands intertwined between them.

Sarah pulled her coat tighter around her. "It's so beautiful out here."

Jeb mumbled in response making sure to keep a watchful eye on his little sister. He knew the guards were there, posted at each corner of the garden, but for his peace of mind it was better to keep Dani within view.

"You know I've been thinking lately," Sarah began, watching Jeb out of the corner of her eye.

"About what?" he asked tuning to look at her.

"About Azkadellia and Ambrose. About the new baby." She watched Dani jump into a large pile of snow, disappearing for a moment before her smiling face and bright green hat were seen again.

"If she ever has it," Jeb laughed. He opened his mouth to add something when a large clump of snow hit his leg. He looked left to see Dani smiling and laughing. "Hey!" She giggled and ran to hide behind Sarah. "I'm gonna flay you like a munchkin," Jeb threatened.

"Oh no," Sarah exclaimed. "Run!" She grabbed Dani's hand and pulled her further into the garden. "Hurry, we gotta hide." The pair dashed behind a hedge and crouched to the ground, watching Jeb through the gaps in the leaves.

Sarah looked over at Dani surprised to see her patting some snow together. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Makin snowballs," the little girl answered. "So we can hit Jeb with them."

Sarah laughed as she began to make her own pile of ammunition. "Sounds like a plan." They quickly amassed a healthy pile of snowballs of varying sizes and shapes and were poised for battle. "Now we just have to wait until he comes closer." Watching through the leaves, Sarah waited until Jeb was about ten feet away from their hiding place before leaping to action. "Now!"

Jeb heard his wife scream only a second before the snow started to fly. A multitude of snowballs attacked him, but thankfully most flew past him. He dropped to the ground and gathering up some snow into crude balls, Jeb began firing back.

"He's fighting back," Sarah yelled. She reached for another snowball but found only air. "Oh no, our ammo is gone."

"What do we do now?" Dani laughed. A snowball hit the bushes in front of them showering both girls with white powder.

"You run that way and I'll go this way," Sarah instructed. "Go!" They both took off at a sprint in opposite directions.

Jeb watched the pair split up and decided to follow Sarah, giving chase right on her heels. She made it around a corner before losing her footing. The slip up delayed her just enough for Jeb to catch her around the waist, dragging her into a snow pile. They hit the ground laughing, Jeb's body lying half on top Sarah's.

"Now that wasn't very nice," Jeb said.

"I had no choice," Sarah defended herself. "It was Dani's fault."

"Oh that's mature. Blame the child."

"It's true. I was just protecting her."

Jeb smiled and pressed his lips against hers. "You always were very protective," he whispered. He kissed each cheek, her forehead, each eyelid, and her nose before returning to her lips. "You're going to make a great mother."

Sarah gasped and stared at him. "Why did you say that?"

Jeb grinned, "I know that's what you were talking about earlier. And truthfully I've been thinking about it for a while now."

"Really?" she asked. Jeb nodded in response before Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and brought their lips back together.

"Ewww!"

OZOZOZ

Nearly four hours later, while Dani was busy napping in her parents' bed, Azkadellia welcomed a daughter into the O.Z. With cinnamon eyes and a head of unruly black hair, she looked a perfect mix of both her parents.

"She's absolutely beautiful Az," DG exclaimed.

"Looks just like her mother," Glitch added placing a kiss on Az's cheek.

"Dani's going to be so disappointed she wasn't here," DG smiled down at the bundle in her arms before handing the child back to her sister.

"I wouldn't say that," Jeb announced walking into the room with Dani in his arms. She looked barely awake with her head leaning against his shoulders.

"Dani, guess who's here," DG sang. She took her sleepy daughter from Jeb's arms and took a seat on the bed next to Azkadellia. "This is your cousin, Mara."

Dani leaned over her aunt's body to look at the baby. "She's little."

Azkadellia laughed. "Yes she is. But she'll grow up to be as big as you." Dani met her aunt's gaze and smiled.

Leaning back against her husband's broad chest, Sarah watched the scene from the edge of the room. She felt Jeb's arms circle her waist as his chin came to rest on her shoulder. "Some day we'll have one of those."

Jeb smiled moving his hands from her hips to rest against her stomach. "Hopefully it will be some day soon."

Happy Inauguration Day!