Wow! twelve reviews all in just a few hours and for a tiny little 3,000 word chapter. You shall all be rewarded with another chapter tonight and then another tomorrow night. And the next few are longer. PS: Bar Harbor is my favorite place in the world.
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xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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John sighed in relief as the rental car finally crossed over the bridge onto Mt. Dessert Island. It would only be about fifteen minutes more until they reached the cottage in Hull's Cove right outside the town of Bar Harbor. He honestly wasn't sure he could even wait that long.
The twelve hours on the Midway Station had been okay for the most part. He and Teyla had kept TJ in the small room watching a few movies they had brought and the young boy had slept for the last 5 hours of that time. He had stayed asleep for the most part during the trip through the gate and infirmary check. That is until Lam had poked a needle in his arm. That had woken him up. And he hadn't been happy about it.
The almost two hour trip to the Denver airport had been miserable as he had needed to stay strapped into a car seat and they had booked a commercial flight to Maine. The closest Air Force Base in Maine was a four hour drive and was basically on the Canadian border. He had figured flying into Bangor International was a better choice, even with the hour layover in Chicago.
He hadn't banked on a cranky, half asleep, three and a half year old boy who he'd needed to carry the whole time. And that in itself had been quite difficult as the airline security protocols were so much more stringent since 9-11. And they had a good deal of luggage since they would be on Earth for two weeks. He, Teyla and TJ each had a good sized bag and John hated to see Teyla carry too much in her condition, no matter how much she said she could do.
In the end, Teyla had carried the two lighter bags while he carried his larger duffle bag and TJ's backpack stuffed with toys while also balancing the boy on his shoulder. Luckily a few of the airline personnel seemed to feel bad for them and pushed them through without too much hassle, even with the falsified i.d.'s that Teyla and TJ had.
John seemed to think it was his military i.d. Teyla flashed knowing eyes at him and said it was because he had flirted blatantly with the female security guard. John didn't deny that maybe he'd given her an extra warm smile but he'd never admit to flirting, certainly not in front of Teyla.
They'd rented a car in Bangor and it should have been only slightly over an hour until the island but John knew once they were on the island everything would be much more expensive and the selection would be next to nothing. So they had stopped in Ellsworth, just before the bridge and done some shopping. Teyla had gotten some maternity clothes that would be acceptable as John had suggested that a few of her outfits might stand out too much on Earth. TJ had gotten some summer clothes and they had all gotten a swim suit.
Then they had stopped for groceries and both he and Teyla had succumbed to Torren's whines and allowed him to get some Froot Loops, not that John wasn't partial to these himself, and some powdered donuts that they started feeding him as soon as they were back in the car.
Now John was finally driving past Pepper's Pizza telling Torren they'd get lunch there at least a few times during their trip. TJ didn't seem to care as he was on his third donut and his lips were covered in white powdered sugar. John glanced at the clock on the dashboard of the car and saw it was only 5:20 PM local time. But on Atlantis it would be just about noon again and John hadn't slept since they'd left.
John drove down the small, private road that only sported a few cottages and pulled into the driveway of his. His? That sounded so bizarre. The place had always belonged to his parents and then his Dad but now he owned it. John hadn't been here since college. Looking around at the scenery and the amazing blue ocean, he knew it hadn't changed all that much. It was still beautiful. And very private.
Once the bags were pulled out of the car and John had dragged them upstairs, he and Torren put on some of the new cargo shorts they had just gotten and cruised through the kitchen to see if Teyla needed any help.
"I can manage the groceries, John. You should perhaps get some sleep. It has been far too long since you have managed any."
"I'm pretty sure you haven't had a whole lot either, Teyla," John retorted back anxiously. "And you need it more than I do."
"Yes, but I was able to sleep on the Midway Station and plane while you were keeping Torren occupied with all the stories you read to him."
John gave a small grimace. "We should probably try and acclimate to the local time here anyway. So if we put him down in a few hours I think he may actually sleep for a while and then hopefully only wake up once it's morning here. And at that time I think I might just follow him right down."
John picked up the small boy and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "How about right now, Baby Bear, you and I go outside and check out the ocean?"
Torren rolled his eyes, just like his mother often did, and wiggled to get down complaining, "I not a baby any more, Daddy. I a big boy now."
Teyla smiled and informed him, "You will always be my baby, Torren."
Torren managed to get down and scampered over to his mother. He reached up and rubbed her enlarged stomach. "No, Mama, you got a new baby in your belly now, wight here."
She placed her hand on Torren's head and on her tummy and gave a great smile. "Yes, I do. Now go with Daddy and I will make a few sandwiches and cut up some fruit for dinner. I will call you when it is ready."
John gave her one last look as if to ask if she needed any help. She shook him off and continued pulling food out of the bags from the store.
He took Torren's hand and walked out the back onto the large porch that extended the whole length of the house. John stopped and enjoyed the view from here. It was absolutely breathtaking. The day was sunny and the water as blue as the sky with just little wisps of white caps rolling along the tops of the waves.
"We goin' in a water, Daddy?" TJ said looking up at John with wide, excited eyes.
John started down the few steps to the large expanse of lawn between the house and the ocean, pulling TJ along with him.
"Not right now, Pal. We'll just walk down and get close. Mommy's getting us a little supper and we don't want to be dripping wet to eat it, do we?"
Torren just shook his head, his eyes still wide taking in everything about this new place they had just arrived in. John could tell he was pretty happy to finally be out of a confined seat. The hopping and jumping he was doing while still holding John's hand was a big clue.
They reached the edge of the yard and looked down onto the shoreline and TJ pulled on John's hand to head down but John paused for a second.
He knelt down next to the child and got his attention. "Hey, listen Pal, before we go down there we need to talk about a few of the rules for this trip, okay."
"I know," Torren sighed resigned. "No widin' a horses without Unta Dave."
John chuckled that he'd remember they had discussed that a while ago. "Sure, that's a good rule but I'm talking about here in Maine. First, this isn't Atlantis so not everyone knows who you are. I need you to make sure that you always stay right with Mommy and me, okay. No wandering off."
The boy nodded solemnly and John continued. "Second, this water here has what they call an undertow. It's some very strong waves that you can't really see because they're under the water and they can be very dangerous. So you can't go in the water unless me or Mommy is with you. Do you understand how important that is, TJ? Your Mom and I don't want anything to happen to you because we love you so much."
TJ almost looked scared and then glanced at the water with an anxious expression on his face. John didn't want him afraid of the water but he did want him to have a healthy respect for it. He pulled the boy a little closer to him.
"The water's a lot of fun and I want you to have fun and I don't want you to be afraid of it but I do want you to be smart and stay with a grown up when you're in it. Okay?"
"Aleeah says I a smart boy, Daddy," Torren announced proudly with a big smile on his face.
"Oh, I know that, Pal. That's why I know you'll remember all these rules. And I just have one more. See down by the water there's lots of rocks; well here in Maine there aren't a whole lot of sandy beaches like we sometimes see on some of the planets we visit. So you can't really walk barefoot in the water or you'll get your feet all banged up and cut."
Torren nodded and remembered their recent purchase. "We got a shoes for a water, wight?"
John smiled and nodded, glad they had stopped at the LL Bean outlet on the way here to purchase some gear they'd need. These new water sneakers were great either in the water or hiking along the trails that he wanted to explore while they were here.
John stood up and held the boy's hand again as they moved their way over the big rocks until they were down on the shore, the water lapping close to their feet. John laughed as TJ jumped and ran after then away from the small waves that rushed in and out in rhythm. He couldn't wait to actually allow the child to truly explore the water and everything else about this place. He knew he'd love it just as he and Dave had loved it when they'd been kids.
They walked up and down the shore for just a short distance and John took note of the changes since he'd last been here. There were a few new cottages here and there but for the most part, things hadn't changed too drastically. He was glad of that.
John kept his eye back on where their cottage was and when he saw Teyla come out on the porch and wave he turned Torren around and said, "Look, Mommy's giving us the signal that our supper's ready. Let's head back, okay?"
"Yup," TJ shouted, his cranky mood dissipated from earlier. John figured all he'd really needed was to stretch his legs and move. Being still too long always made John more than a little cranky, too.
Dinner was simple and light and John filled Teyla and TJ in on some of the adventures he and Dave used to have when they came here as kids. Teyla listened intently but he could tell she was exhausted and it looked like TJ wasn't going to last much longer either. He smothered a yawn knowing he'd be right behind them when it was time to sleep.
John and Teyla both cleaned up the minimal dishes from dinner while TJ explored some of the toys that had been left here through the years in the closet. John got a chuckle when he pulled some out. They had been his and Dave's when they had been kids. He couldn't believe they were still here and hadn't been destroyed by now.
With everything clean, John suggested they go outside and just sit and enjoy the end of the day. He knew there was nothing more relaxing than sitting and listening to the sound of the ocean. It was one of the reasons he loved living in Atlantis so much.
They sat on the porch swing with TJ snuggled in between them. John knew the child wouldn't last much longer and allowed his head to drop onto his lap when fatigue finally took over.
Teyla leaned into him also still gazing at the stunning vista in front of them. "This is exquisite, John. It is the perfect spot for us to relax and revitalize. I am pleased that you suggested it."
"Me too," John responded, his voice soft and low. "And we don't have to think about work or the Wraith or anything else except enjoying ourselves. You know this is really our first vacation ever as a family. And I really want this to be a true vacation where we have absolutely nothing to worry about except what restaurant we want to eat at each night or which trail we should take hiking."
"That sounds lovely, John," Teyla said and tried to stifle the yawn that came out of her mouth.
John knew they were all beat so looked down at TJ in his lap and suggested, "Why don't we get him in bed and head that way ourselves. Dave said Charlie Brewer who manages this place made sure the sheets were all changed and fresh so we shouldn't have to do more than get in bed; pajamas optional."
This last had been said with his eyebrows waggling up and down. Teyla laughed because she knew neither of them would be capable of much more than a goodnight kiss tonight.
John stood up and carried TJ into the house. He asked Teyla to close and lock the back door and shut the lights off as they made their way up the stairs.
TJ woke only briefly when they pulled his clothes off allowing him to sleep in just his underwear. It was very warm and John knew he would be fine with just the sheets and blanket.
As the confused eyes looked up at his parents, John explained, "This is the room you'll be staying in while we're here, TJ. Mommy and I are right across the hall in the room I showed you earlier. If you need us, just come get us, okay? Love you, Pal. Goodnight."
John kissed his head then Teyla leaned down and gave him her assurances and good night kiss as well. The boy mumbled his own good night but was sound asleep before they even made it to the door.
They took minimal time cleaning up for bed and John didn't do any more than shuck his clothes and slide under the covers. Teyla had on a once loose tank top and panties only. John couldn't even muster any desire when she crawled in next to him in the skimpy attire. He simply pulled her in close and did what he did every night.
He shifted the top enough to expose Teyla's expanded tummy and kissed it saying, "Good night, baby girl. Love you." The he moved back to take Teyla in his arms and place a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Night sweetie. Love you, too."
Teyla sighed as she relaxed in the familiarity of her husband's embrace. "I love you as well, John."
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xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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John opened his eyes as the light filtered into the room. He and Teyla hadn't closed any shades last night when they'd stumbled into bed but it had barely been eight o'clock. The sun had just gone down and the twilight had still lingered in the sky.
He moved his wrist and checked his watch; 05:12. He had checked and sunrise was in about seven minutes. He debated whether he wanted to get up and see it, as the balcony from the master bedroom got an unbelievable view of the ocean. Or should he linger here spooned up against Teyla's enticing behind which was pressed snugly into a most intimate spot?
When he did the math and realized they'd actually slept for nine hours he knew he should check on TJ before he did anything else. The boy usually slept well at night but they had been in a strange location and their regular schedule had been shot to hell over the past day and a half.
He slipped quietly out of bed and padded barefoot across the hall to the room he and Dave had always shared as kids. And there was TJ, still out cold although John could tell that he'd drifted out of slumber briefly; his thumb was in his mouth and he was sucking furiously.
He and Teyla had tried to break him of that habit but John usually didn't try too hard as he knew he had sucked his own thumb until he was five. Of course he never did it where anyone could see him, especially his Dad. His Dad would have had a fit and probably done something extreme like cut his thumb off.
John chuckled as he tiptoed back out and allowed the boy to continue getting his much deserved rest. Okay, maybe his Dad wouldn't have cut his thumb off but he most likely would have covered it in something foul tasting to discourage him. Good thing he had been great at subterfuge and had kept his little habit hidden from everyone. Well, maybe not from Dave but his brother had been his protector back then and would have died before giving up John's little secret.
John walked back into the main bedroom and crossed to open the doors to the balcony. He looked out and knew the sun was just about to peek over the horizon and really wanted to share this with Teyla. Hopefully she wouldn't get sore with him for waking her up.
He moved quickly to her side and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Hey, Teyla, come on sweetie, wake up. You're gonna miss the most amazing sunrise."
He kissed her cheek again, this time with a bit more pressure and he saw her stir, albeit slightly. He leaned down and placed his lips on hers now and began to kiss her in earnest and her eyes finally opened, although they had desire written in them quite clearly.
When she saw John standing next to the bed, those eyes grew puzzled. Usually he kissed her that way when he was still in bed and wanted to stay there for a bit longer. But he threw back the covers now that she had woken and pulled gently on her hand.
"Come on, the sun's coming up and you'll miss it," John whined like a little boy and he wondered if he hadn't picked some of that up from Torren.
Teyla smile indulgently and followed him. When she realized she was still only wearing a snug tank top and panties, she paused. John tugged again and said, "No one else is up at this time and the cottage is fairly private. Unless someone is walking along the shore and happens to look this way with binoculars, we won't be seen."
Teyla conceded the point and stood at the railing with his arms around her and they watched as the beginnings of the bright yellow orb rose over the horizon. They stayed that way until the sun was sitting on the ocean looking like a beach ball just bobbing there.
Teyla turned a bit and smiled at John. "Thank you for bringing me out here to view this. It was remarkable."
"So you aren't mad I woke you up?" John checked although her face showed her to be quite contented.
"I believe we slept for a good many hours. The sun had just set when we got in bed last night. I wonder if Torren is still asleep."
John tightened his arms around her the best he could with her growing waistline. "I just checked on him and he's still sleeping so … maybe I could convince you to climb back in bed with me. It's still a little nippy out here since the sun hasn't warmed up the night air yet."
"Perhaps," Teyla said slyly, "if he is still asleep when I go look."
John just rolled his eyes and followed Teyla back in. It only took her a few seconds to see that Torren was still happily slumbering and she slid back under she sheets she had vacated only a short while ago.
John grinned and slipped in behind her. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and caressed her skin. Teyla leaned her head back and settled it on his shoulder as his hands glided over her rounded stomach and up to her golden globes.
He let a little groan escape as his hands stroked her breasts. Teyla had always been beautiful in this area but since she had been pregnant they had gotten rounder and bigger. John figured he needed to get as much pleasure out of them as he could now since once the baby was born, she'd have first dibs.
John adjusted his position and lifted Teyla's top to view the astounding sight he'd just been touching. It took him a few seconds of staring before he broke the spell and lowered his mouth to pay homage to them with his lips. John smirked as Teyla's head tipped back even further against the pillow.
This exposed her fabulously slender neck and throat and John was torn. He replaced his lips with his hands again and ran his tongue up her throat to her neck and then from ear to ear. But the lips roamed back south again and captured one perfect nipple to lavish it with attention. The whimpers coming from Teyla's mouth now were turning him on almost as much as the sight of her.
Teyla's hands pushed themselves into John's hair as she enjoyed his passionate ministrations. With a child at home and the ever growing bump in her midsection, they had not been able to enjoy each other as often as they had in the past. She hoped while on vacation, so far from anyone who would need John's services, they would perhaps be able to focus more on each other. Once this child was born, it would be a while before she felt well enough to participate in any sexual activities.
She felt John's hand glide over her stomach and the baby inside fluttered rapidly then gave a tiny kick. Teyla sucked in a little breathe and John paused in his stroking and looked up at her.
"Was that just the baby?" His eyes were alight with joy and she remembered a similar expression when they had been locked in Rodney's lab during the quarantine and he had felt Torren kick.
"Yes," Teyla answered. "She can feel your hands rubbing over her and she is enjoying it as I am, although I believe for different reasons."
"Cool," John whispered and felt the baby, his little girl, move again. He wished he could connect to this child as Teyla did. He couldn't even imagine how intense that would be.
Teyla ran her hands through John's hair as she felt his lips on her stomach again but now she could feel his emotions and feelings quite strongly as well. He was in awe at the wonder that was his daughter and he was also envious that she had such a connection to their child and he did not. Teyla wished she could help him connect in some way. During this vacation she would have to ponder if indeed that was possible.
She had been able to link to John's feelings quite easily now and had been since he had been infected with the Iratus retrovirus and had his DNA changed, although her connections to him back then had been very fleeting. Now with them living together and their deep love for the other, his feelings flowed into her as easily as the air that she breathed. Those feelings kept her centered and strong at all times. They were as important to her now as that air she breathed.
John continued to talk to her belly, all thoughts of passion seemingly forgotten. Teyla sighed but so loved hearing him speak to their child that she allowed her own desire to wane.
"I can't wait until you're here and I can finally hold you," John told his daughter. "It's gonna be so amazing and just wait until you see where you live. It's this place called Atlantis and it's the most incredible place in the world, in a lot of worlds actually."
John's lips and hands caressed some more and the baby continued to flutter. One hand did move back to her breast and Teyla breathed deeply wondering if John's focus was returning to where it had been before. She hoped so as she did so enjoy John's attention on her.
"Mama, Daddy?" a small voice came from the direction of the hallway and John sat up quick and Teyla swiftly pulled her top back over her bare breasts. Torren took that moment to enter their room.
"Hey, Pal," John greeted the boy who sleepily rubbed his eyes. "D'you have a good sleep?"
Torren nodded slowly then looked curiously at his parents. "I'm just talking to your sister," John informed him and caressed Teyla's tummy again. He held out his hand and allowed the boy to climb on the bed with them.
"Good morning, precious boy," Teyla greeted her son and held her hand out to touch his face.
"Hi Mama," he responded and placed his hand on her belly as John was doing. "Hi, baby."
Teyla smiled at this as Torren had picked up many of John's habits and mannerisms. She cherished that Torren desired to be like his Daddy and found many ways to mimic him.
John grinned too when he saw TJ lower his lips and kiss Teyla's exposed belly and begin talking to it. "Hey, baby, we on vatation and we gonna go swimmin' and Daddy and Mama said Unta Dave and Auntie Julia are tummin up soon too. And I get to stay with them and wide a horses when Mama and Daddy go to a weddin'."
John watched as TJ started laughing and smiling wide and then kissed Teyla's belly again.
"She lite it when I talt to her," his eyes were wide and excited and John narrowed his eyes in curiosity.
"Can you feel what the baby is thinking, TJ?"
Torren nodded quickly. "She lite when you wub Mama's belly and tiss it. She knows you love her and she loves you too, Daddy."
John smiled but Teyla could tell it was not quite genuine. And she could feel that he was bothered by the fact that he was the only one of them who could not connect to the new child. Teyla sat up and immediately changed the subject.
"Yes, we all love each other because we are family. And right now I know I would love to eat something. Should we get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast?"
"Yup!" Torren crowed and bounced on the bed then looked at his parents sitting next to him. He started to giggle into his hands. "We all in our underwear."
John grabbed him around the waist and blew raspberries on his bare belly. "It's okay to hang out in your underwear when you're on vacation. You don't have to worry about emergencies and people needing you at all hours of the day and night."
John stood up and plunked the child back on his feet. "It's gonna be warm today so put on some shorts and then we'll eat."
Torren hopped to the door then stopped and looked back, his eyes shining hopefully. "We tan eat donuts?"
Teyla slid out of bed and moved to the closet to pull out a sundress. Her mouth twisted as she responded to her son. "Perhaps one donut. But you must eat something else as well."
He nodded and continued hopping to his room. John threw his clothes on fast while Teyla took a quick shower and he had eggs, bacon and fruit just about ready when she came down, her hair still damp but pulled up in a large clip. Torren had been down eating his donut and gave her a powdered sugar smile.
While they were eating breakfast John asked what everyone wanted to do on their first real day of vacation.
"You are the one who is familiar with this location so I feel I am not qualified to answer adequately," Teyla said. Torren was too busy chewing on his fourth piece of bacon and didn't reply.
"You know Dave used to love bacon when he was a kid," John reminisced, looking at TJ. "There used to be a place around here that had a breakfast buffet and there was all you can eat bacon, along with a ton of other stuff. I swear, back then, Dave could just about eat his weight in bacon."
John rolled his eyes at the thought and wondered if Torren took after Dave in that aspect. Then his mind kicked in and he acknowledged that Torren and Dave weren't really blood related as the boy was not his biological son. But he loved him as such and often times forgot that nagging little fact.
"Well there's a ton of stuff to do on the island and in Acadia National Park but some of it you need to drive to. I'm thinking after so long in planes and cars yesterday we should just stick around here and relax for the day. If we're ready for a little drive later, we could go to the top of Cadillac Mountain and see the sun set."
He looked pointedly at Teyla and grinned. "It's even better than the sunrise."
Teyla's eyes showed her excitement and they finished eating while John mentioned a few other things he wanted to see or do while they were here.
When they were done and cleaned up, Torren jumped up and down and asked, "Daddy, we go swimmin' in a ocean?"
John looked at his watch and saw in was barely 08:00. He loved the water but he wasn't sure the sun was warm enough for swimming quite yet.
"It's still a little early for swimming, Pal," John explained. "How about we go and play in the yard for a while. I think I saw a ball in the closet when you were looking in there yesterday."
"Yup!" Torren nodded excitedly and ran to the closet to find it. A moment later he galloped to the back door with the ball in his arms. "I weady, Daddy. You tummin' Mama?"
Teyla walked behind her two men and replied, "I will come out and play for a short while but I fear I will not be as swift as both of you."
They spent the next hour kicking the ball around and Teyla eventually sat on one of the outdoor chairs that was placed on the patio right below the porch. She closed her eyes and soaked in the warm rays of the sun and relished the sounds from John and Torren as they played.
Soon she heard another sound and was unable to identify it at first. When she opened her eyes she saw what she thought to be a dog from this world. It ran around the yard trailing a long leash and Torren was jumping up and down with excitement. But when it approached him and began to frolic near him, he became nervous and yelled, "Daddy!"
John saw the little black and white Spaniel enter the yard and wondered whose it was. The nearest neighbors, the Brewers, used to have some Spaniels but he didn't know if they still did. Rosa and Wes Brewer had lived next door for as long as he could remember but he had heard Wes had died a few years back. And their son, Charlie, lived nearby with his family and took care of this cottage for him and rented it out over the summer months.
John had some of the rental money deposited into his bank account but he knew he had told Dave to give much of it to Charlie in payment for taking good care of the place. He was glad the man had as it had been just what he and Teyla had needed for their vacation on Earth.
John looked up at the soft command he heard for the dog to sit and saw Mrs. Brewer, Rosa, entering the yard from the direction of her cottage next door. He figured she must be in her late sixties by now but he knew it was her.
John knelt down to grab the stray leash and settle the dog as the woman approached him. "Mrs. Brewer, it's great to see you. I take it this little guy is yours."
Rosa gave a great big smile and held out her arms. "John Sheppard, my word I can't believe it's you. When Charlie told me you were coming to spend some time here I just about jumped up in excitement. It's been far too long. I'm so sorry about your Dad by the way but I'm glad he left you this cottage. You always did have an affinity for this place."
John rose and embraced the woman and gave her a huge smile too. She had been such a great support system the summer after his Mom had died. His Dad had wanted to keep everything as normal as possible and so they had still come to spend a few weeks here. But their Dad had never been the one to keep them occupied and out of trouble. That task had always fallen to their Mom.
But Mrs. Brewer had sensed the boys needed some mothering and had made sure they came and hung out with Charlie and the dogs and she had kept them filled with chocolate chip cookies and warm hugs. John thought it was the only thing that had gotten him through that time.
John felt small arms wrap around his leg and looked down to see TJ looking up at him anxiously. Sometimes new people threw him off although if she had been wearing a marine uniform the kid probably would have been fine.
John reached down to haul him into his arms and Mrs. Brewer gave the boy a large smile. "And I take it this little guy is yours."
John kissed TJ's cheek and introduced, "This is TJ and..." He looked over to where Teyla was walking toward them and finished, "This is my wife, Teyla. This is Mrs. Brewer, she lives next door and her son is the one who takes care of the cottage for me."
"It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Brewer," Teyla greeted in her usual graceful manner, bowing her head.
Rosa's eyes lit up and she replied, "It's lovely to meet you, Teyla. And your son is beautiful. You must be especially wonderful to have caught the attention of John Sheppard. There were lots of girls around who tried to get him to notice them but he was always looking to the sky and craving adventure."
She looked back at John and said, "I saw all the reports about you and your marvelous city of Atlantis. I always figured you'd find that ultimate adventure you were searching for. It looks like you found something else too." And she blatantly looked at TJ, Teyla, and Teyla's belly.
John reached for Teyla's hand and pulled her close to his side. His eyes held a smug look as he gazed at his wife and son. "Yeah, I did. I had to go to another galaxy to find it though."
John then looked down at the dog and asked, "This can't possibly be one of the ones you had years ago. Is it related?"
Rosa reached for the leash that John held out for her and answered, "Yes, remember Freckles? This is from her line. His name is Domino. He's a great little one but he does have a tendency to pull away from me if I put his leash down for even a second. Luckily he doesn't go very far."
John knelt down but kept hold of Torren as he patted the dog. "You can pat him, TJ, he won't hurt you. You just have to be gentle."
Torren reached his hand out tentatively and placed it on the animal's soft fur. His eyes lit up when the dog placed his nose on John's leg and nudged TJ's hand to pet him some more.
"He likes it, Pal," John encouraged and scratched the dog around the ears and neck. "Dogs sometimes like to be scratched too, like this."
Once Torren had begun and then discovered that the Spaniel liked his belly scratched as well, John placed him on the ground and stood up.
"Can we offer you something, Mrs. Brewer, a cup of coffee or some iced tea?" John suggested.
"Yes," Teyla added. "We would love for you to join us for a while. I would be interested in hearing about John when he was a young child."
John gave a grimace and both women laughed. "I would love some iced tea, thank you, John, Teyla. As long as it isn't any problem."
"The iced tea is only instant," John apologized. "Hope that's okay. I'll get it, Teyla, you sit and talk. And no embarrassing stories, Mrs. Brewer, please."
Teyla swept her arm to guide the woman to one of the patio chairs, leaving Torren a few feet away still playing with the dog. John bounced up the steps into the house.
Teyla leaned closer to the woman and whispered conspiratorially, "I would actually like to hear an embarrassing story about John. Perhaps I could use it as ammunition at a later time."
Rosa laughed and her eyes filled with mirth. "Oh, I'm so glad to see John back here and with such a lovely family. You don't know how much I worried about those boys, especially after their mother died. Not that Patrick didn't love them with all his heart, he did. He and his wife Beth were very good friends and we would see them every year when they came up to spend a few weeks. Sometimes they would even spend over a month. But Patrick was a bit of a workaholic and after Beth died he seemed to expect so much more from his sons."
Rosa glanced back up at the house as if she didn't want John overhearing what she was saying. "I know there were some difficulties between them for a while. Did Patrick and John ever work out their problems before he passed away?"
Teyla shook her head sadly. "No, and I know John carries a great deal of guilt because of that. However a year ago he came across a letter his father had written but had not sent. It was difficult for John to read but in it his father apologized for many things and let John know that he was always loved by him. It helped to some degree I believe."
Now Teyla looked up at the house and continued, "But John is not one to freely discuss his emotions and feelings and is very uncomfortable with conversations of this kind."
"That I do remember," Rosa nodded. "So let's discuss this new child you are having. When are you due?"
"The baby should arrive in the month you refer to as December. John thinks it will be a lovely Christmas present however I hope she does not wait that long as I am due at least three weeks prior to that."
"She?" Rosa questioned. "So you know it's a girl."
"Yes," Teyla acknowledged. "And John is quite excited about that. I do wonder if this child will have him completely under her control from an early age. He already is very susceptible to the pleadings of Torren."
They both looked at the little boy who was rolling on the ground with the dog licking his face and hands, obviously having fun.
"Spoils him a bit, huh?" Rosa asked.
"I don't spoil anyone," came John's defensive voice as he walked down the steps with a tray loaded with a large pitcher and some glasses. He placed the tray on the table and planted a kiss on Teyla's cheek. "Except maybe Teyla, … when she allows it."
Teyla laughed. "Yes, that I will admit. John would have me sit around and be waited on during my entire pregnancy if it were possible. Unfortunately I have a job and a young child to take care of and I feel I would be extremely bored and unfulfilled if I did."
John poured iced tea for all and Rosa began asking questions about Atlantis and the work they did. John made sure to keep all the dangerous stuff out of the conversation and they talked much about the city itself and Teyla's diplomatic responsibilities.
John had found a tennis ball and given it to TJ. He showed the boy how to throw it just a short distance and watched as the dog ran and got it and brought it back. That kept them both occupied for a while.
Rosa finally called the dog and picked up the leash. "It was wonderful seeing you again, John and meeting you, Teyla. It does my heart good to see you so happy and settled with a family of your own. I hope I'll get a chance to see you again before you leave."
"Oh, absolutely," John responded. "You're welcome over here any time. We'd love to see you. And Dave and his wife, Julia will be here at the end of the week. We should make some plans to have a cookout and have you and Charlie and his family over. I'd love to see him again and thank him for taking such good care of this place. I know I haven't been here in a while but hopefully it won't be another twenty years before we get back."
Teyla placed her hand on John's arm and agreed. "Yes, this place is very beautiful and relaxing. I can see that it might become my favorite place if we are back on Earth."
John laughed. "Only if it's summer, sweetie. Maine in the winter is quite a bit different although no less beautiful, just a lot colder."
As Rosa walked off, Torren galloped over, his face sad at losing his little friend. But he turned big eyes up to his parents and begged, "Daddy, we get a dog?"
John remembered that he once said all kids needed a dog. He just wondered what Woolsey would say if they returned to Atlantis with something soft and furry.
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