8
Jack was grinning from ear to ear and couldn't seem to stop.
They settled at the long table for the evening meal, Sherline taking a moment to pat Jack's shoulder in passing.
Once again the little pups whimpered for a lap and Jack held the little girl, reveling in the thought of his own baby soon enough.
This raised a question, would it be a pup or a baby.
As if reading his mind in that unerring way he seems to do, Ford mouthed 'baby' and Jack grinned more.
The little girl was smacking her lips as Jack chose a piece of meat and held it out, watching her little milk teeth gleam as she politely took it.
"They are big enough to eat from their own plates you know!" Sherline scolded and Jack smiled at her.
"I love fussing" he said with glee, "When my little girl was a baby my wife told me I would smother her with all the love. I took her everywhere, even in the bath with me. I love every little smile and burp … oh, and the little farts in her nappy. All of it!"
"Alice?" Ford asked and Jack nodded.
"For a man you have quite a maternal side" Leia said as she watched Ford caress the little boy's back as he sniffled in sleep.
"I am both sexes" Jack said calmly, "Male and female. I can reproduce, ya know."
Everyone stopped talking as Andy leaned forward and Owen spoke first.
"So our Wolf-boy might knock you up?"
Ford could see Jack was busting and smiled with a gentle nod to give permission.
"He could, but it would be bad timing since I've already put a bun in his oven!" Jack said with undisguised glee, watching the table erupt.
Andy was frozen with his mouth open as Leia leapt across the table, spilling food as she went and landing in Ford's lap.
The little boy slept on as she embraced Ford with glee, kissing his face as she gushed and the entire room seemed to be talking at once.
"Enough" Jack said and everyone sat, still overflowing with excitement.
"Ford's kind can reproduce as males and apparently I am as virile as ever. Yes, he is in pup, yes it's mine, yes he wants your love and approval as well as your protection" Jack said and watched several people nod, "Also, this is a secret as those who are seeking to harm us would love to hurt him now."
Low growls and snarls filled Jack with pride and Ford smiled warmly at his family.
Melva leaned across, "Let them come. I may be old but my teeth are still sharp and my heart is strong. I will fight to the death for that wolfling!"
"Thank you Sister" Ford said warmly.
"I'm going to be a big brother" Andy said with wonder, "Me! A big brother!"
"Put a ring on this and you might have a pup of your own soon enough" Leia said as she waved her hand at Andy, "Oh, I want one too!"
Everyone was laughing and Jack blinked as he stared at her, then ford.
"So, you bond and have a wedding, then a baby?" Jack asked and Ford's smile faded as he turned to look at his mate.
"Jack, I don't …"
"No, it's OK." Jack smiled as he pulled him into a hug, "I love a wedding, me. Your Tad and I would love to help with the event, I would love the excuse for a party."
Ford smiled as he looked over at his son and hoped for a grandpup.
Jack started to scheme.