AN-A few family ones that I couldn't help but write, and as always please read and review.
Are you taking his side over mine?
"You can't be serious?" John yelled as he tried to hit the ball.
"What Sheppard? Can't stand being beat at something." Rodney responded, returning the small ball across the table.
John waved his bat and missed spectacularly. In some way, he was glad it was over, even if he and lost. Putting the bat on the table, he stepped around and offered his hand out to Rodney.
"Well done, least you're good at something other than being a geek and annoying. Rematch next week, cards since it's my choice." John smirked as he shook Rodney's hand.
Rodney didn't say anything, just nodded and turned to walk away towards a group of people who were all gathered around someone sitting down. As John looked over at the small group of people he saw Elizabeth was one of the small group. Now his curiosity was peaked. Walking over slowly, he tuned in to hear what was being said and by who. The voice belonged to Major Lorne and it sounded like he was discussing who had won what. John laughed a little, he had obviously stumbled on a little betting ring. Taking a step forward he placed one hand on Elizabeth's hip and leaned his chin on her shoulder, looking down to see Major Lorne. He saw Elizabeth take a small amount of cash and pass it to Evan as she turned her head to face John.
"Are you taking his side over mine?" John snorted as he looked at Lorne then Elizabeth.
"John, you're just as bad at cards, especially against Rodney. No matter how much I love you we need to start stocking up on supplies." Resting her hand on her slightly swollen abdomen.
John's hand slide from her waist and rested on top of hers, his fingers locking with hers. She did have a point, he was just as bad at cards as Rodney seemed to be able to find a strategic way to win. Since they still had plenty to buy for their soon to be family he just squeezed her hand and kissed her neck. He would leave the gambling up to her and no doubt get his ass whooped at cards, even if he did have a reason to lose now.
"Hand over the girl." "Not going to happen."
His head was fit to burst. He had heard enough and his brain and ears couldn't take anymore. He had found so many reasons so far why doing as he was asked was a bad idea. He feared the next time he was asked he would end up telling Rodney the real reason he was so adamant. Elizabeth had said he couldn't put it off forever and Rodney was the only one left. As he sat on the couch with Elizabeth tucked up beside him, her head resting on his shoulder he knew it was coming, he could tell by the look on Rodney's face.
"Hand over the girl," Rodney asked as he held out his arms.
"Not going to happen," John replied, feeling Elizabeth shift a little so she could look up at John.
"Why not?" Rodney retorted, looking at Elizabeth as he spoke.
"Two reasons, actually make that three. First off she has a name. Second, do I need to remind you of the what happened last time and last but not least, she's mine." John told Rodney as he held on a little tighter.
"Okay, the second one is not a valid reason, Teyla said it wasn't my fault I dropped him. I have held him since then just fine. So how about we try again. John, please hand over Ella, I am the only one who hasn't held her yet." Rodney practically whined the last bit as he looked at John then Elizabeth.
John moved his head a little and looked at Elizabeth then at the tiny baby in his arms. He didn't want to give her to anyone to hold, she was his and he didn't want to share her. Every person in Atlantis knew John did not part with his daughter easily. Feeling Elizabeth elbow his ribs he knew he had lost. Looking at Rodney and then at his daughter he shifted a little, giving Elizabeth time to sit up. When she was sat up John shuffled off the couch and stood up, his daughter still tucked tight against his chest. Walking slowly over to where Rodney and Carson were sat on the opposite couch, he looked at his daughter before slowly and ever so gently placing her in Rodney's waiting arms. He was just about to hand out a verbal list of do's and do not's when Carson moved a little closer just in case. John gave him a nod of thanks before he moved away and sat back down beside Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth moved back and snuggled against him he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. He had never felt this happy and content in his life. With his wife resting against his side and their daughter somewhat safely cuddled in with her future godfather John smiled, his life was perfect.
As a child, he had been told dolls were for girls.
When John was growing up his brother and himself had always had a large assortment of toys to play with. There were cars and trains, and lots of planes and helicopters. It was the collection of planes and helicopters that had first peaked his interest in flight and flying. When he started school his teachers had always steered the boys to play with the boys toys.
So as a child he had been told dolls were for girls. Yet as he sat on the floor surrounded by plastic tea cups and plates with a doll on his knee he was surprised how much fun playing with dolls was. The little girl sat beside him with her frilly dress and tiara on seemed happy enough.
"Daddy, has princess Sam had tea and cake yet?" She asked, looking at the doll currently sat on John's knee.
"No, Ella she hasn't. You want to pass me some so she can sit and have hers while I drink my Coffee." Sitting the doll on the floor, making sure she stayed sat up.
He had suffered the wrath of his daughter when her doll had fell face first onto the floor. She could copy her mother's eyebrow quirk to a tee and could pull his puppy face perfectly. She had characteristics of both her parents and she knew how to use them to the best of her advantage. That was how John found himself playing princess tea parties with his four-year-old daughter. Elizabeth was working and he had been away for four days on a trade mission. Ella had been more than happy to milk the fact she had missed him and loved him, hence how he was playing tea parties. She had nearly tackled him to the floor when he arrived in their quarters. He hadn't really seen Elizabeth since he got back, a quick hello in the gate room and a thirty minute debrief was all he got.
They both tried to keep things separate so the time they did spend together was precious. He wasn't sure what time Elizabeth was due to get back, but going by her desk, he didn't expect it anytime soon. He had just settled back against the couch with his coffee cup in one hand and his other hand planted on the floor behind Ella when the door to the room opened. Tilting his head, he couldn't hold back the huge grin on his face. Ella turned and looked at the noise and was straight up and on her feet, running to collide with her mother.
"Mommy, you're home. Look, mommy, daddy's back. He's playing princess tea party with me. You want to play too?" Ella asked Elizabeth as she was swept up into a tight bear hug.
"How about I get changed first darling. Then I will go and get dinner and we can all play together after that. How does that sound?" Elizabeth asked her daughter as she set her back down on the floor.
"Sure mommy, daddy can play till dinners ready can't he?" Ella asked her mother as she sat back down beside John.
"Sure, as long as he can help me for a few minutes before he plays again." Watching as John hauled himself off the floor and walked over to where Elizabeth was stood.
"Back in a minute," John said to Ella as he followed his wife into the bedroom.
As soon as they were in the bedroom and the door was shut over John and Elizabeth practically launched themselves at each other. After fours days apart they wrapped their arms around each other as their lips crashed together in a passionate kiss. They only moved when they had both ran out of oxygen but stayed holding each other, their faces buried in the others neck. They stayed that way till they heard a knock on the bedroom door and a little head appeared around it. They separated as Ella entered the room and jumped on the bed.
"Come on daddy let's go and play," Ella yelled as she took her father's hand and jumped down from the bed.
Elizabeth laughed as she watched John scoop up Ella and tickled her before smiling and heading out the room, leaving her to get changed. John settled back on the floor using the couch to prop himself up. Ella took her seat next to him and she continued her game as if there had been no interruptions. Picking the doll back up from where it sat on the floor he put it on his knee, playing with dolls wasn't so bad after all. He wasn't sure about the crown on his head, but dolls were okay.