16 - baby
When he was finally done with his bathroom rituals, Jules was already comfortably settled in bed, a book propped up on her abdomen. Her usual DIY reading materials had been replaced with pregnancy and baby related books. Sam's mind momentarily went back to the time when a short pile of wedding magazines was stacked on the nightstand, courtesy of his sister. His heart gave a slight twinge of despair at the memories that soon followed – memories of what was supposed to be the best day of their lives that had quickly turned into a string of nightmares for both of them and for so many other people.
His eyes instinctively try to seek out the still red scar on Jules' leg, and felt more than a little relieved that the sheets were covering her up to her torso. The corner of his lips twitched into a smile. It was as easy as that - like somebody had flipped a switch. The smile turned to a full grin. Jules had a belly now.
Sam quietly slipped into bed and scooted down until he was eye-level with her belly, one hand supporting his head while the other tugging the sheets down. If he had been so enamored with her belly after he found out there was a baby, it was nothing compared to now that Jules had started showing. Thinking about how long until she had to borrow his clothes because her nightshirts didn't fit her anymore, he pushed her tank top up until it's tucked beneath her breasts. His wife let him; had probably resigned to the fact that this was going to be their nighttime ritual until the baby was born. He pressed a kiss on the exposed skin.
The bump was small and she could still fit into her SRU uniforms and jeans, but it was undeniably there. He wasn't imagining it, the team -well, his old team- had also pointed it out. Jules hadn't been gaining the baby weight he had expected she would have and in fact, had lost some. Almost as if the baby knew the cat was out of the bag, the morning sickness finally came with a vengeance. The mere sight of food and the smell of coffee made her stomach churn; her appetite was barely existent. Of course, it didn't help that they were still recuperating from the aftermath of the chaos Faber had deliberately and inhumanly caused.
He had been worried, was still worried and was sure would continue to be worried until their baby was born (who he was kidding though, he would always be worried about them – the most important people in his life) but Jules' doctor had reassured them that everything was working properly. That their baby was growing and developing how they're supposed to be. And Jules had demolished her dinner a few hours ago.
He was worried, but things were getting better.
He nuzzled her with his nose, warm hand stroking the firm expanse of her belly gingerly, almost carefully, cherishing both mother and child. Jules set her book aside and ran her fingers through his hair. He had once told her in passing that as a kid, he had never once seen his father give his mom similar gestures when she was pregnant with either of his sisters, what with being away most of the time and having adopted a mindset that such open sentiments were inappropriate. The General was a good, responsible father and husband, but giving hugs and expressing feelings were definitely out of his forte.
However, it wasn't a matter of trying to proof that he was better than his old man. He simply couldn't imagine not showing Jules and their child as much affection as he could. Couldn't imagine not being there in every doctor's appointment, or not voluntarily give his hand to hold -to crushed- by her when it was time for her to push. Couldn't imagine not telling her that she was more beautiful than ever when her belly was swollen with the life they had created that she couldn't see her feet. Couldn't imagine not loving Jules and their baby even more than he already had as each day passed.
"What are you thinking?" Jules whispered as he pulled himself up to rest against the headboard; his hand never ceased its gentle tracing along the slight slope of her belly. Then his pinky finger sneaked into her navel. "Sam," she laughed, squirming. "Tickles. What are you doing?"
He grinned and kissed her neck, pillowing his head on her shoulder. "Holding hands with my baby."
I'm feeling kinda sappy, so. Daddy Sam is my favorite. Thank you for your reviews and I'm sorry for the lack of writing. I'm really trying. I hope more people will write more Sam and Jules too. The lack of Jam fics is really making me sad. Let's keep inspiring each other, shall we? Reviews are loved.