Vala picked at the food on her plate, her mind whirling with what Daniel had told her about their baby. Apparently, a problem pregnancy meant that it was going to die anyway, and she shouldn't waste time or energy caring for it through herself. Up till that point, she had understood that her life was the one in danger, so far. If only she could survive long enough to give birth to her baby, that was all that mattered. It was why she had struggled to protect her baby, struggled against the odds, the outside forces, the what-have-you that were conspiring to kill her baby and take her with them. Her life was meaningless, so long as her baby lived.
"You okay?" Cam asked, tapping her foot under the table. Vala nodded, keeping her eyes on her food. Somehow, she would find the strength.
"I don't want you talking to Jackson until the baby's born." Mitchell announced suddenly. Vala's head snapped up in surprise, her eyebrows arching upwards slightly. "When he calls, you go into a depression that lasts for days. Just as you start coming out of it, he calls again. Depressive funk is back. I took your cell phone out of your room, deleted Jackson's number from it, and programmed it to restrict unknown calls. Until that kid pops out, I don't want him getting in touch with you." He explained.
"Why is Daniel so against the baby?" She asked then, her grey eyes dark with worry.
"He's scared. Plain and simple. He knows you're going to…" He waved a hand vaguely, she nodded in understanding. "He doesn't understand why you think risking your life for a baby that probably is going to…" Another hand wave, she nodded again. "He's afraid of losing you, the person he can touch, taste, smell, hear. To him, you're most important. To you, your baby's most important. I like you both, I don't like watching someone I care about and call a friend dying on my watch, but you've made yourself perfectly clear on this matter. I believe in your decision. May not like the end result, but you can count on me in your corner. You want this baby over your life, I can understand. I don't like it. But I'm not the kind of guy that fights a losing battle. I tend to back a winning horse. I don't believe he's gotta' pressure you into a decision, which is why I'm proud of how you're sticking to your belief." Cameron slid a slice of toast out of the toaster and began buttering it as Vala returned to her food.
"Is he right?" She asked a few moments later.
"Doesn't matter if I think he's right. What matters is if you think you're right. Stick to that." Mitchell smiled.
"I need to know why it's wrong, what Daniel wants me to do." she pleaded softly.
"It's murder. Plain and simple. Just because it's an inconvenience, or even that it's going to eventually kill you, doesn't mean you kill it. Just means that we get to love it more after you're gone." Mitchell explained, sitting down and taking a sip of coffee. Vala nodded and stared at her food, teasing her fork through the now cold meal.
"Tell me why you want me to talk about me having a life with my baby? If I'm going to die, what's the point of having any discussion at all about it?" She suddenly asked.
Aaah, the true heart of the matter.
Sighing, he leaned against the back of his chair. "Because even though you and I both know you're not going to be around, it won't hurt to dream. Keep your spirits up, as it were. You never know, miracles can sometimes happen when and where you least expect it. Case in point, the Ori told you in no uncertain terms that you would never carry another child. Yet, here we are, several months in, and, what is this inside you? A baby. They may try, but they'll never win. This is your miracle, Vala. Just because you won't be around to see it, doesn't make it any less special, or miraculous. As far as Jackson goes, he doesn't see the miraculous. He just knows that he's going to lose you. He can't see that a baby will be a good thing. Even if he doesn't want it, I guarantee you, I will make certain your baby has a good home. Sam and Jack, probably will take him in. If they don't, I will. But I promise you, nothing bad will ever happen to your baby. And, who knows? Miracles sometimes happen twice. 'Bout time SG1 stopped getting kicked around, anyway. But all this worry is going to burn you up. You need to let go of the bad stuff and worry about the good. So, in the spirit of what we just talked about, do you have a name picked out yet? What room in yours and Daniel's house are you going to redecorate as the nursery? What colors? What theme? What bedtime story are you going to start it off with? You know, all the good stuff."
"I was thinking maybe one Teal'c knows, about the Go'auld Setesh. He swore it wasn't frightening, and that my child would definitely have to know it, be able to pass it down to his or her own children. As for the room, since I'm almost positive it's a boy, I want to paint the walls and ceiling dark blue."
"Sounds good. Hey, got your list of stuff you want me to pick up for you while I'm out later this evening? If not, just leave it on the table when you're ready. I snagged Jackson's credit card from his wallet while he was showering last week, so I'd say shoot for the moon." Cam grinned, holding up his friend's black American Express card.
"And you wait until now to tell me this?" Vala sputtered in pretend anger.
"Figured you could use some cheering up." He smirked, bumping her shoulder with his hip as he passed. "Landry called, Samantha was injured on the last mission, he's giving the team some time off. Why didn't you tell me Samantha was hurt?" Vala asked then.
"Because I know you. You'd scramble up and out of here so fast, your head would spin. It wouldn't be good for the baby if you did all that excited moving. You'd want to make sure she was okay, keep her talking about girl stuff until long into the night when she needs to rest. Speaking of rest, I have something that might get her kicked off the team. If I tell you, you'll have to swear to me that you won't tell a soul."
"Sworn. Agreed, sworn. Now tell me."
"Sam's pregnant too. You promised you wouldn't say anything, remember? You have to act as if you don't know anything until she tells you. She found out a few days ago, she's not telling anyone right now until she can tell General O'Neill. I just happened to find the pregnancy test on the counter when we were switching off in the bathroom. She forgot she left it until she was halfway down the hall, came flying back and pounded on the door until I let her in. Searched the trash to find it. She completely flipped when she saw me looking at it, threatened to have Teal'c pound me into atoms if I breathed a word to anyone. So, same threat, but on you." Mitchell grinned. Vala sighed heavily and chewed her lip, staring at the table.
"How far along?" She finally asked.
"Two weeks, or so Carolyn thinks. That would put her three monthsish behind you."
"We'll have to arrange a playdate for her little girl and my little boy. Yes, Samantha's having another little girl. Wonder what they'll name this one?"
"Ella Grace Naomie was a good one. Sam told Jack she'd let him name the second one if she could have first baby's name. Here's hoping he goes for Lisa Simpson O'Neill." Mitchell slipped on his shoes and paused at the back door.
"Heading out for a run, you need anything before I go?" he asked.
"Daniel's credit card, and the Victoria's Secret catalogues. Other than that, I've got the cell if I need anything." Vala smiled Cam nodded and handed over the card. "Thank you so much Cameron. You won't regret this!" She squealed, reaching to hug him.
"Right. I won't, but Jackson will." Cam hugged her, ever careful of her barely there baby bump. "You two be good." he teased, tweaking her nose and pushing open the back door. Vala patted her baby's small resting place and headed for her room to rest with the Victoria's Secret.