Title: A Thin Blue Line
Author: Tels
Fandom: Stargate SG1
Characters: Janet/Jacob/Sam/Mark
Rating: R
Word count: 8,410
Prompt: #15 - blue
Summary: How something as simple as a colour can change someone's life for ever.
Notes: The medical terms and scales I use are British and come from my sis who is a highly qualified ER doc.

A Thin Blue Line
By Tels

Janet sat on the edge of the bath with the small stick in her hand. She was merely ruling out this possibility she told herself. She had food poisoning nothing more. It had just gone on longer than she would have liked that's all and none of the over the counter remedies she had tried had worked. The fact that her coffee tasted vile was purely because she must have picked up the wrong blend when she went shopping last week. There was no way it was anything more than that. Even if her periods were non existent right now, that was simply the birth control she was on. It was no more than that.

Her stomach turned again and she dropped to her knees heaving over the toilet. She didn't bring anything up this time, having already emptied her stomach several times since she woke an hour ago. When the heaves finally subsided she pulled herself to a sitting position and looked at the white stick. A single thin blue line was what she wanted to see, what she hoped she would see. In it's place, two blue lines stood out against the stark whiteness. She stared at it almost uncomprehendingly. No. It fell from her hand and she closed her eyes.

No… she couldn't be. It wasn't possible. She was on the pill for one thing and for another she knew her lover was always careful. There must be a mistake, a faulty test that was it. She would do another test later at work. She shoved the test in the bin. She sealed the bag and put out the trash before returning to the bathroom. She washed her hands before getting dressed. She then brushed her teeth and went back into the bedroom. She looked at the still sleeping figure in the bed and leaning over him, kissed his cheek. “Morning my love.”

He turned and opened his eyes enough to kiss her back. “You going already?” he murmured.

Janet nodded. “Early shift today. See you tonight.”

He pulled her in for another kiss before letting her go and letting himself drift back to sleep. A day off for him was a rarity so he intended to make the most of it.

Janet drove into work getting in before most of the day shift arrived. One good thing about working in an infirmary was a good supply of everything you could possibly need. She picked up two tests and slid them into her lab coat pocket before heading to the ladies restroom. Five minutes later she sat in her office in stunned shock. Three tests all with the same result. Shoving them into her lab coat pocket, she closed her eyes, burying her face in her hands. What was she going to do?

An hour later SG1 turned up for their post mission physicals. They sat on the beds for a few wondering where Janet was. Then Jack got up and moved over to her office. He watched her through the open door for a few moments and then tapped on the frame. “Hey Doc, any danger of us getting our check-up's soon?”

Janet looked up. “Colonel? Oh yes… sorry Sir. I'll be right there.”

Jack looked at her as she pulled her hair back and tied it up. “You okay Doc? You look a little peaky.”

“I'm fine,” she said. “Just tired.”

He nodded. “You're the doc, Doc.”

Janet checked them over and then declared them healthy and fit to be debriefed.

Sam looked at her. “You okay Janet?”

She nodded. “Just tired… maybe going down with flu or something.”

Sam nodded. “Maybe we take a rain check instead of going to the movies tonight.”

Janet nodded. “Might be…” she broke off putting a hand to her head as a wave of dizziness came over her. Blood rushed in her ears and her eyes closed. She could hear her name coming from a long way off and it seemed long and drawn out. She crumpled to the ground, feeling someone's arms cradle her just before she hit the floor.

Jack gently scooped her into his arms properly and laid her on the bed. “MEDIC!!” he yelled. His fingers automatically went to her neck.

Sam looked at him. “Sir?”

“She's got a pulse,” he said. He looked up as Dr Warner ran over. “She just collapsed,” he told him.

Warner nodded and started to examine her, shooing SG1 from the room. He did a full check up and then ran a series of blood tests.

Sam looked at the others as they left the room. “Hope she's okay.”

Jack put a hand on her arm. “She'll be fine; she's in the best place.”

--- ---

When Janet came round, she found herself lying in a bed with an IV attached to her arm. She looked round and tried to get up.

Dr Warner came over and pushed her back down. “They do say doctors make the worst patients. You gonna prove the theory Janet?”

“What happened?” she asked looking at him.

He looked at her. “You fainted,” he told her looking at the clipboard in his hand. “Your blood sugar was so low I am surprised you stayed on your feet as long as you did.”

“How low?” she asked.

“2.8,” he told her. “You should be taking better care of yourself.”

Janet looked at him. “I don't know what you're talking about,” she said.

Warner looked at her and pulled the curtain around the bed before putting the two tests on her lap. “They were in your pocket,” he told her. “And the blood test confirms it. Janet… you're twelve weeks pregnant.”

Janet closed her eyes. “I'd hoped…” she whispered.

Warner watched her reactions and knew instantly that this was not a planned pregnancy. However what she did in her own life was her business and it was not his place to comment or pass judgement. In any event he would never do so. But as her doctor his first concern was for her health and welfare. “Did you not have any indications like morning sickness or tiredness or any other sign you might be pregnant?” he asked gently.

Janet shook her head. “I've been sick, all day and night…thought it was just food poisoning,” she muttered and looked up at him. “I just never thought I would get pregnant since my partner is very careful and I'm on the pill.”

“And you know that's not 100% effective. You'll need to stop taking that now.” He looked at her notes. “I also need to do an ultrasound and a series tests on both you and the…”

Janet held up a hand. “Please don't. And not here.” This was too big a thing for her to get her head round right now and she needed time. She also didn't want the SGC rumour mill going into overdrive just yet.

Warner nodded. “Okay… we'll hold off for now. Once the IV has gone through and I am happy with your sugar levels you can go home. You'll need someone to drive you though.” He paused. “Janet, you don't need to make any decisions right now but you do need to make one soon.”

Janet nodded. Decisions she thought. What decision was there to make? Did he expect her to want an abortion? After all she was old for a first time mom. There would be risks to her and to the baby and … no. She couldn't just take a life like that. She didn't agree with abortions anyway and was glad her line of work meant she never had to deal with that. Then there was the father's point of view anyway.

She paused in her thoughts for a moment. What about him? How was he going to react? Did he even want kids… it wasn't something they had ever discussed. She had Cassie and having more kids had never entered into the equation. Would he want anything to do with her and the baby? Would Cassie want anything to do with her? Sure she didn't mind having a father figure around sometimes but it wasn't a permanent arrangement. He wasn't around the base often enough to warrant a permanent arrangement. She didn't even know if he wanted that out of the relationship.

Both she and the father worked, both AF, both knew the risks if their relationship were discovered. And now this would effectively end their careers. Unless she resigned. She closed her eyes leaning back against the bed. She was tired from so many unanswerable questions and she still felt sick again. She was tired of feeling sick. Maybe if she slept for a while, at least while the IV ran through she'd feel better when she woke.

Sometime later she opened her eyes to find both Sam and Jacob sitting by the bed. “Hey,” she said. “What are you both doing here?”

“Waiting for you to wake up,” Sam smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Better thanks.”

Sam nodded. “That's good to hear. So what's it like being a patient in your own infirmary?”

Janet pushed herself up the bed, pleased to find the IV gone at least. “Infuriating,” she said. “My blood sugar plummeted. My fault for skipping breakfast.”

Jacob frowned slightly at her. “You of all people should know better, Doc. You're still looking pale though.”

“Just tired,” she said. “Too much work and not enough sleep… you know how it goes.”

Sam looked at her. “Dr Warner said you could go home but needed a ride and as I have to work…”

Jacob interrupted her. “And I have the day off; Sam called me and asked if I would mind.”

Janet looked down and then back up. “Not that I don't appreciate the offer but I can get a cab or get one of the airmen to drive me home.”

Sam looked at her. “Dr Warner also said you needed to eat.”

Janet pulled a face. “I am quite capable…” she began.

Jacob looked at her. “I'm sure you are,” he said gently. “But Sam's in mother hen mode, I wouldn't argue.”

Janet half smiled as Sam shot Jacob a filthy look and protested. “Seriously,” she said over their voices. “It's fine.”

Warner came over at the sound of Janet's raised voice.

“Is everything ok?” he asked making everyone go silent. “Yeah, that's what I thought. If you two wouldn't mind giving me a few minutes I'd like to check on my patient.” He watched as General and Major Carter nodded and walked away. Then he turned back to Janet and lifted her wrist to check her pulse. “It's a lot better than it was and your sugar levels are up now.” He looked at her sternly. “I over heard General Carter say he will take you home.”

Janet looked at him. “There is no need for that. I can get…”

Warner held up a hand. “Stop being a difficult patient. Take General Carter up on his offer. Or you can stay here,” he told her. “It's non negotiable.”

Janet sighed heavily. “Okay.”

Warner nodded. “You also need to start eating and drinking properly. Now, I want you back here tomorrow for the repeat bloods. If they are fine then you can go back on duty. Not otherwise.” He paused and smiled at her. “Janet, it's none of my business so I'm not going to ask. As your doctor and your friend, my only concern is you and the baby. I can understand you not wanting to be treated here by people you work with. I went through medical school with a good obstetrician. He's highly qualified and one of the best. I could make you an appointment so that you and the baby get a complete check-up.”

Janet nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Warner smiled. “Now go home and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow at 1100hrs.”

She looked at him and nodded. “Okay.”

He gave her her clothes back and left her to change.

--- ---

Janet let Jacob walk her to the car and help her in. She didn't say anything the entire drive home, her mind whirling wondering how she was going to explain to both Cassie and her partner about the baby. She had a feeling Cassie might like the idea but she was a teenager and one could never guarantee what a teenager was going to like. Or whether that opinion would be the same two days running. What she liked one day she usually hated the next. Then there was the baby's father. He was a responsible man who loved her dearly just as she loved him. However she was scared as to how he would react to this unexpected news.

Far sooner than she wanted Jacob was pulling the car onto the drive and helping her out of the car. She took hold of the arm Jacob offered as he led her from the car. She fumbled the keys dropping them to the snowy path, too dizzy to bend and pick them up. She groaned slightly.

Jacob smiled. “I'll get then,” he said as he bent and picked them up. “I promised Sam and Doc Warner I'd make sure you got in and ate something.”

“I couldn't,” Janet protested; her stomach turning at the mere suggestion of food.

“It's not an option,” he said gently. “How about cinnamon cocoa?” he suggested leading her inside and sitting her on the couch.

She nodded, kicking off her shoes and leaning back, closing her eyes. It didn't say pregnancy was this exhausting in any text book she had ever read.

Jacob moved round the kitchen with the ease of someone who knew where everything was. <Least we don't have to sneak around right now.>

<True… do you think she's really okay?> Selmak replied. <She's trying to hide it but she's not well. Hasn't been for a week or so, if not longer.>

Jacob paused as he put the milk into the microwave a sudden rush of fear twisting a knot in his stomach. <You think it could be serious?>

<I don't know… I hope not but…>

Jacob ran his hands over his head. <The kids don't even know I am dating her and … what if we lose her Sel?>

<We won't. Look we brought the hand scanner right… so just check her over.>

The microwave beeped and Jacob took the milk out. He stirred in the cinnamon and chocolate and carried the cup into Janet. “Here hon,” he said.

Janet smiled. “Thanks,” she said. She took the cup and set it to one side, a wave of nausea filling her.

Jacob sat next to her. “Jan,” he began.

“Uh oh… you ever only call me that when you want something…”

“I'm just worried honey; we both are,” he said. He slid an arm round her and kissed her. “You haven't been well for a while now and today you faint at work.”

Janet looked at him. “Jake I'm fine; it's just my blood sugar…”

“It's more than that… honey please… let me just check you over, just to be on the safe side.” He pulled the scanner out of his pocket.

Janet raised a hand. She didn't want him scanning her. It'd tell him and she didn't want him finding out that way. She had no idea how to tell him but that was not the way to do it. “There's no need…”

Jacob shook his head. “Yes there is… there is every need… Jan hon if you're sick…”

Janet took a deep breath. She felt incredibly sick and not just the normal nausea either. She was terrified of telling him, of telling him anything. Frightened of his reaction. She could feel her heart pounding within her and for an instant couldn't catch her breath.

Jacob looked at her. “Jan…”

Janet reached out and took his hand. “Jake…” She just had to tell him. No pussyfooting around here, he was the type of man who liked his information plain and to the point. “I'm not sick… I'm pregnant.”

Jacob looked at her. “What?”

“I'm pregnant,” she repeated. “Twelve weeks…”

Jacob's eyes widened and he took a deep breath looking at her. “Three months?” He slid his arm off her back and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don't… I mean… how?”

Janet looked at him. “How?” she repeated. “Do I really have to tell you how?”

Jacob shook his head. “No… I mean…” He looked totally flabbergasted. “I thought… aren't you on the pill?”

“What's that got to do with it?” she said, not liking the way he was seemingly blaming her. “I thought that Selmak prevented you from getting a woman pregnant.”

Jacob closed his eyes. < SELMAK!!!! >

<Yes?> she answered. <There is no need to shout… I heard. Janet's expecting your baby. What's wrong with that?>

Jacob did a double take. The words ‘ your baby' echoing through his mind. < My baby?> he breathed.

Janet looked at him. “Jake what's wrong?”

He let out a long breath. <Did you have anything to do with this?>

<No> came the almost too quick reply.

Jacob looked at Janet. “She says it wasn't her.” He stood up and walked slowly over to the window, pulling the curtains against the darkening sky.

Janet rested a hand against her stomach. “We have to talk about this… decide what to do…”

Jacob nodded. “I know… it's just…” he broke off and ran a hand over the top of his head again.

“Just what?” she asked. “Don't you want it?”

“I don't know… it's a … I thought that part of my life was over you know…” He broke off as Selmak thumped him hard.

<What are you doing you idiot?> she screeched.

Janet looked at him. “I see,” she said quietly. She got up and pulled her sweater down. “Well I am going to go and lie down. When you have decided how you feel on the subject let me know.” She turned away and left the room, heading to her bedroom. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes fighting the tears.

Jacob stood in the lounge for a long moment after she left. Then he picked up his coat and left the house.

Janet heard the front door shut and gave into the tears.

--- ---

Jacob walked blindly through the snow covered streets, Selmak yelling at him as he walked. <You are an idiot!> she yelled. <No more than an idiot! You are the biggest most stupendously foolish imbecile I have ever come across. The most thick thickity thick person in the whole of Thickville!> She paused. <In fact you're reacting just like a man!>

<Have you finished?> he snarled.

Selmak's eyes narrowed in her anger. <No I have not! You never take anyone's feelings other than your own into consideration do you? The woman you love is carrying your baby… bet you didn't react like this when Alison got pregnant.>

Jacob turned away, tuning her out like he did when she started ranting.

Selmak thwapped him hard, making him wince and rub the back of his neck. <What is the matter with you?>

<Nothing… just shut up and keep out of this will you? It has nothing to do with you.>

<WHAT?> she shrieked. <Of course it does…>

<You told me you had nothing to do with this and I quote ‘Janet's expecting your baby' and ‘the woman you love is carrying your baby' unquote. Therefore nothing to do with you!>

Selmak paused. <I didn't mean… Jacob…>

Jacob shook his head, incredibly hurt by that comment, far more so than he was going to let on. <Just shut up Selmak. This is my problem for me to work through on my own.> He walked until he came to the park and then sat on a bench over looking the small lake. He sat on the bench by the water and pulled his collar up against the cold, then shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He had walked here with Janet many times; feeding the ducks and watching the seasons paint the leaves different colours. He'd always thought he and Selmak were one on how they dealt with things, in particular their relationship with Janet. But apparently not.

He sighed, watching a duck try to make its way from one side of the frozen lake to the other. He loved Janet, that wasn't the problem. And nor was the baby. The problem was far deeper than that apparently. He moved his left hand and ran his fingers over the box deep in his coat pocket. If he and Selmak weren't one on this then how could he make any kind of commitment to Janet? Particularly the one he wanted to, the one he had intended to later today? That's assuming of course she wanted anything to do with him now.

--- ---

Cassie ran past Jacob's car and unlocked the door. She let herself in and hung her coat in the hall. The house was quiet so she imagined her Mom and Jacob were upstairs. She smiled to herself. They acted like she didn't know what was going on but she knew and was pleased her Mom had finally landed herself a guy. And Jacob was a great guy, a little on the old side but not bad looking all the same. And Selmak had a wicked sense of humour, not that he was around much but when he was he was just as much fun.

She ran up the stairs making just enough noise to let them know she was home and threw her bag onto her bed. She had been studying at Emily's for a test the following day. She couldn't wait for school to finally get out for the Christmas break. Two more weeks left and that was it. She flicked on the computer and headed down the hall to the bathroom.

She heard something coming from her Mom's room as she passed but didn't stop. On the way back from the bathroom however she paused. It was definitely crying she decided. She tapped on the door. “Mom? You okay?” When she didn't get an answer she knocked again. “Mom? Jacob?” That would let the cat of the bag, she thought but still there was no answer.

She pushed the door open to see her Mom lying face down on the bed sobbing into the pillow. “Mom.” She ran across the room and climbed on the bed next to her. “Mom?”

Janet looked up. “Cassie…” she managed.

Cassie gathered her into her arms and held her.

Twenty minutes later Janet sat curled up on the bed with Cassie next to her. “So…” she finished. “I want to keep the baby but if you don't want…”

Cassie flung her arms round Janet. “I think its wonderful Mom,” she whispered. “I'm going to be a big sister.”

Janet found tears streaming down her face again.

Cassie held her tightly. “I'm going to help as much as I can.”

“Thank you.”

Cassie paused. “Have you told Jacob?”

Janet nodded. “Yeah…”

“And what did he say?”

Janet shrugged. “See him around right now?” she said. Then she patted Cassie's hand. “Guess it's just you and me.”

Cassie looked at her. “He walked out?”

Janet nodded. “He didn't say much… so…”

Cassie looked at her. “It'll be okay. You and me and the baby. What more do we need?”

Janet smiled slightly. “Isn't that meant to be my line?” she asked.

Cassie grinned. “Does this mean I get to be Mom?”

Janet let out a short laugh despite herself. “And what does that make me? The unmarried teenage pregnant daughter?”

Cassie elbowed her. “Well if the cap fits…” She looked serious for a moment. “We'll be okay. Now you look dreadful. Get some sleep.”

Janet shook her head. “Yes Mom,” she said. She was tired though and so much had happened she just wanted to shut everything out for a while. “Just half an hour or so though.”

Cassie nodded. “Sure. I'll wake you when dinner's ready.” She kissed Janet and went back downstairs, taking Jacob's bag with her. She made herself some coffee and then she sat in the window recess waiting for him. She knew he'd be back, as his overnight bag was still here. And when he did, she had a few things she wanted to say to him.

--- ---

Jacob hesitated with his key hovering over the lock. Then taking a deep breath was about to unlock the door when it suddenly swung open and an angry Cassie stood there. “I want to talk to you,” she hissed. “In.”

Feeling like the situation was reversed and he was the child not the parent Jacob did as he was told and followed Cassie into the kitchen.

She spun to face him. “You made Mom cry,” she said accusingly.

“What happens between your mother and I…” Jacob began.

“Don't give me that!” Cassie yelled. “You made her cry! She told you she was carrying your baby and you walk out.”

“And that's not something I am proud of!” Jacob shot back. “But I came back didn't I?”

Cassie pointed to the door. “There's your stuff and there's the door. Get out!”

Jacob looked at her. “Not before speaking to your mother.”

“No… I am not going to have you upset her again. I mean who do you think you are?”

Jacob took a deep shuddering breath. “Okay… if that's what you want.” He paused and then stood up. “I do love her you know.”

Cassie shook her head. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

Jacob bit his lip and headed towards the door. He bent and picked up the bag.

Cassie looked at him. There was something about his stance. “Jacob?” she said.

He turned and looked at her, his eyes glistening and an expression on his face she hadn't seen before. “What?”

She looked at him. “You can say goodbye but if you hurt her again…” She let her voice trail off, the threat obvious.

--- ---

Jacob tapped gently on the bedroom door. He could hear sobs coming from within. His stomach twisted and guilt flooded him making him feel horrible. It was his fault she was crying. He heard a muffled “Come in” and opened the door. “Jan?” he said.

Janet sobbed once more and then ran a hand over her face. “What do you want?” she asked.

Jacob looked at her and instantly felt a hundred times worse. He moved over to the bed and dropped to his knees next to it. “I'm sorry,” he said.

Janet just looked at him.

“I shouldn't have walked out or reacted the way I did. I just never expected you to say that you were expecting my baby.” He paused. “We just never talked about having children and to be honest I thought I was too old to have any more anyway.”

Janet took a deep breath. “Medically speaking men are never too old.”

Jacob looked at her. “I...” he began. He shook his head, trying to get his thoughts and words into some kind of coherent pattern. “I was wrong in the way I reacted. Way wrong and I am so sorry for that. I walked for a while and then sat by the lake thinking about you and the baby, trying to decide what to do. The thought that you are now carrying my child is amazing…”

Janet looked down at her stomach, laying her hand on it. “Okay. So what did you decide?”

Janet looked at their hands and laced her fingers into his. “You're a big part of my life now. When you walked out… I thought that was it, that I had driven you away. I don't ever want to feel that alone again. And you're not totally responsible for this baby. Last I heard it took two.” She leaned forward and kissed him. “Jake,” she whispered. “I love you too.”

Jacob looked at her, feeling the baby move under his fingers. “Did you feel that?” he asked excitedly.

Janet looked down at her stomach, her eyes widening. “It moved,” she said. “The baby moved!”

Jacob looked at her, all his doubts falling away. He loved her and she was having his baby and he wanted to be with her forever. Nothing else mattered. “Forgive me,” he whispered.

Janet ran a hand over his face. “Of course,” she said kissing him.

Jacob leaned into the kiss, his body reacting the way it always did to her.

She pulled him up onto the bed, her hand moving over Selmak.

Jacob gently slid his hand under her sweater, her response the same as it always was.

--- --

Jacob lay in bed, Janet sleeping softly next to him. He watched her for a moment, the way she was curled up, her arm flung across his waist. The slight bulge in her stomach where his child was growing. His child. Then his thoughts turned to Selmak. He wasn't going to make the first move here. He wasn't in the wrong. The fact she hadn't been present in their lovemaking to Janet just now also spoke volumes. Just reinforced what she had said. She no longer wanted anything to do with him or the baby.

Selmak sulked still. There was no way she was going to make the first move. Besides, he told her to shut up. So she had done so. Even being with Janet hadn't been enough to pull her out of her mood.

Jacob ran a hand though Janet's hair. He looked over at their reflection in the mirror and then back down at her stomach again. The more he thought about becoming a father again the more excited he became. There was only one blot on the landscape which tempered his growing happiness.

Selmak stirred. <Jacob?> she began.

Jacob closed his eyes. <Yes?>

Selmak shifted uncomfortably. He had never used that tone with her although she'd heard him use it on Delek and others he didn't have time for. <I can go away.>

<If you want… you obviously don't want to be here, to be part of this.>

<What?> she said. <Where did that come from? You told me to shut up so I did.>

Jacob sighed. <Because I thought we were a partnership. Thought you loved Janet as much as I do. That was the whole point of today was it not? To propose to her over dinner tonight?>

<We are a partnership. And I do love Janet, you know that. Want to marry her just as much as you do.>

<So what the hell was all that about earlier. The it's your baby business… This is our baby Selmak… not just mine.>

Selmak took a deep breath, realising what had upset him. <Technically it is just your DNA but…>

<Ours> Jacob insisted. <You played as big a part as I did. In fact if I remember rightly it would have been you that initiated things that night… we were camping under the stars.>

Selmak smiled slightly. <But the child is not Harsesis> she insisted. <So not mine.>

Jacob thwapped her. <To quote Malek for a child to be Harsesis it has to have TWO Goa'uld parents Sel. TWO! And unless Janet was blended without us knowing that isn't possible.>

<I guess… I was kinda freaked… I forgot that.>

<You weren't the only one. Sides this baby is a product of our love for Janet right… so it's OUR baby.>

<I'm sorry.>

Jacob hugged her. <Forgiven.>

Selmak smiled. She didn't want to leave either Jacob or Janet and that is what would have happened because she messed up the way she did. <Why don't you ask her when she wakes instead of later tonight?>

<Sounds good to me. > Jacob moved a strand of hair from Janet's face and kissed her forehead gently.

Janet opened her eyes and smiled up at him. “Hey you,” she said.

Jacob leaned down and kissed her. “Hey… you feeling better?”

Janet snuggled down into his chest and nodded. “Mmmmm much,” she said.

“Good. Honey can I ask you something?”

Janet looked at him. “Sure…”

Jacob kissed her. “Be right back,” he said. He pushed the sheet back and got up.

Janet watched his lithe form cross the room. He looked just as good with nothing on as he did dressed she decided. She kept watching as he leaned over the chair and grabbed his coat and pulled something out, before crossing the room again. Then watched in amazement as he knelt by the bed. “What are you doing?” she asked, pushing herself up on one elbow.

Jacob looked at her. “I was going to wait til tonight. Sel and I have been planning this for a while and wanted to do it properly but… well things have changed and we don't want to put it off for a moment longer.” He opened the box and held it up to her. “Janet we love you. So very very much. Will you marry us?”

Janet looked down at the ring and her eyes filled with tears. “Jake…” She flung her arms round him, crying hard.

Jacob held her tightly. “Is that a yes?” he asked.

“Yes it's a yes!” she replied. She pulled back and smiled at him. “I love you.” She kissed him and then laughed. “So were you always going to propose to me in that outfit?”

Jacob laughed, knowing he had nothing on at all. “Hadn't planned it.”

She kissed him again. “Something to tell the grandkids.”

He poked his tongue out at her. “Brat. You will not.”

Janet pulled him back onto the bed. “So give me a reason not to.”

Jacob slid the ring onto her finger and then looked at her. “I think I can do that.” He pulled her close and wrapped his arms round her kissing her.

--- ---

An hour later, Jacob looked at Janet. “We really should get up,” he said reluctantly. “As nice as this is, Selmak says we can't live on love and you need to eat something.”

Janet pulled a face. “But it's so yummy.” Just then the doorbell rang. Janet rolled her eyes. “Then again maybe we should get up.”

Cassie answered the door on the fifth ring. “Hey Sam, come in.”

Sam came in. “I just came to see how your mom was doing. Wasn't expecting to see Dad's car still here though.”

Cassie looked at her. “Ummm yeah… he is still here. Want some coffee?”

Sam nodded. “Sure.”

“Let me go and get Mom and I'll go make it.”

Sam nodded and hung her coat up as Cassie ran up the stairs. She couldn't work out what her father was still doing here, especially as Cassie was now home.

Voices echoed down the stairs, Janet's and Cassie's and there was something suspiciously like a squeal of joy. There was one more voice, but it was too low to catch properly. Then Cassie ran down the stairs. “She'll be right down,” she said.

Sam glanced up the stairs and did a double take not believing what she was seeing. “Dad,” she said trying to ignore the fact she had seen him tucking in his shirt and leaving Janet's room.

“Hey Sam,” he said, knowing from the look she gave him he'd seen her leave Janet's room. He moved quickly down the stairs to hug her. “Come to see how Janet is?”

Sam nodded and returned the kiss he gave her. “Yeah, I thought I would. I wasn't expecting you still to be here. Is everything okay?” She told herself it wasn't what it looked like. There was no way… no … her Dad and Janet?

Janet came downstairs. “Hey Sam,” she said hugging her. “How are you?”

“Fine… shouldn't it be me asking you that?”

Janet smiled. “I'm fine. We were just about to have something to drink. Want to stay for some?”

“Sure.”

“Cassie put the kettle on sweetheart, we'll be in the lounge.”

--- ---

They sat in the lounge in silence. Sam felt very uncomfortable, like she was intruding which was ridiculous. She looked at Jacob and then Janet. Her father looked plain guilty and Janet was positively glowing. There was something going on here and she was being kept in the dark and she hated that.

Cassie came running in a huge grin on her face. She dropped down on the sofa next to Sam and grinned at her then looked over at the others. “The tea won't be long,” she said.

Jacob looked at Sam and knew she'd seen him leave Janet's room. He took a deep breath and took hold of Janet's hand. “Sam, we need to talk to you,” he said.

She looked at him and then at his hand firmly in Janet's. “What about?” she asked, the sick feeling growing. Her Dad and her best friend??

Jacob looked at Janet and smiled. “We've been seeing each other for a while now and an hour or so ago I asked Janet to marry me. And she said yes.”

Sam looked at Cassie who was still grinning. “Did you know?”

Cassie smiled at her. “I saw the ring just now, I guessed. Isn't it wonderful?”

Sam refused to look either Janet or her Dad in the eyes. “Excuse me,” she muttered. She got up and left the room.

Cassie looked at Jacob crestfallen. “Did I do something wrong?”

He shook his head. “No honey, I'll go and talk to her.”

Sam stood in the kitchen, watching the kettle boil.

Jacob took it off the heat and looked at her. “Sam… What is going on?” he asked.

“How could you!?” Sam said angrily. “That's disgusting,” she said. “I thought I was seeing things just now when I saw you coming out of her room. Or at least I hoped I was.” She paused. “Dad Janet is a year younger than I am…”

Jacob looked down. “You can't chose who you fall in love with Sam.”

“No, but you can chose whether or not to act on it!” she shot back. “I really don't believe this. You and my so called best friend!”

Jacob rolled his eyes. “And that's different from you and your CO how?” he shot back.

Silence fell. Jacob looked at her. “What? You didn't think I knew?”

Sam just looked at him. “That's different,” she said.

“Why? Just because you haven't acted on how you felt, doesn't make the feelings less real!” he said.

Sam glared at Jacob.

Jacob looked at her. “Now you listen to me young lady…I love Janet and I intend to marry her as soon as I can, whether you approve or not! I would rather you did as I don't want to come between you and Janet.”

Sam just looked at him then over at the door. “Janet...” she said suddenly seeing her stand there.

Janet moved over to them. “Sam, I do not intend to become your mother. Just being your friend is enough, assuming you still want that.”

Sam looked at her. “Janet both you and Dad are Air Force. You know the regs as well as anyone does. The risks you take if the relationship is discovered and this will do it.”

Jacob looked at her. “Technically two officers can have a relationship if one is part of the medical personnel.” He paused. “But I don't care what the regs say. I can retire if need be.” He looked at her. “What matters is having your approval.”

Janet looked at her. “Sam I promise I am not taking your Dad away from you.”

Sam looked at her Dad and then at Janet. “And if I say no what will you do? Elope?”

Jacob looked at her but didn't answer.

Sam shrugged. “Fine elope… but I am gonna fight Cassie for flower girl.”

Janet smiled. “How about matron of honour?”

Sam beamed and flung her arms round her father. “Just take care of my best friend huh Dad?”

Jacob hugged her back tightly. “Of course I will.”

Sam held out a hand to Janet. “And I would love to be matron of honour. Just don't let him bully you.”

Janet let herself be pulled into the hug. “Your father or Selmak?” she asked innocently.

Sam pulled a face. “You know what… I don't wanna know,” she laughed. “But you are going to need to tell Mark.”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah, but I don't know how to?”

“Take a few days off and we'll fly down,” Sam said.

Jacob nodded. “Okay but what do I tell Malek, I'm due back in the morning.”

“Just tell him something's come up.” Janet suggested.

Jacob shook his head at her, knowing full well what she meant and then nodded. “Okay.”

--- ---

Three days later Mark and Laura sat in the den in their place in San Diego. Mark had arranged the day off work as his Dad had rung and said he needed to come down and talk to them. It had sounded serious. Mark had rung Sam several times since and tried to get out of her what was going on. He'd even gone as far as to threaten to cross her off his Christmas card list but as she knew he didn't mean it that threat hadn't worked.

Mark was worried. They were due to fly north for Christmas anyway and for Dad to insist on seeing him now rather than waiting another three weeks made him wonder what was wrong. Then Dad had insisted on hiring a car and driving himself from the airport. He peered from the window to see if they were here yet and noticed the car pull up outside. He recognised his father driving and Sam in the back, but not the two others in the car.

Jacob parked the car outside Marks' house and looked at Janet. “You ready hon?” he said.

Janet smiled at him. “Yeah. After Sam's reaction how bad can he be?”

Sam smiled. “That's not fair,” she complained half heartedly. “Daaddd, she's picking on me.”

Jacob rolled his eyes and looked at Cassie. “Kids!” he mouthed.

Cassie laughed. “Can we go in now?”

Jacob nodded and taking Janet's hand led the way up the path to the house.

Mark nudged Laura, his quick mind putting two and two together. “Look,” he hissed, “He's holding her hand.”

Laura grinned. “About time too,” she said. “He's been alone far too long.”

“Even if she's young enough to be my sister?”

“Since when do you men think age matters?” Laura smiled.

Jacob took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He'd noticed the curtains move and guessed Mark was watching him. He really wasn't sure of the reaction he was going to get here but hoped Mark wouldn't throw as big as scene as Sam had done.

Mark opened the door. He smiled. “Hi Dad,” he said reaching out to hug him. “How are you?”

Jacob hugged him back. “I'm fine thank you. You?”

“I'm good.” Then he looked beyond his father and smiled as he saw Sam. “Hey sis. I wasn't expecting to see you too.”

Sam smiled and hugged him. “Nice to see you too bro,” she said.

Laura appeared behind Mark and hugged Jacob as Mark released him. “Hey Dad,” she said,

Jacob hugged her warmly. “Laura. How are you?”

“I'm fine,” she said.

Mark shut the front door and then looked at the woman standing close behind his father. “And you must be Dad's girlfriend?”

Janet blushed.

Jacob shook his head. “Can't get anything past you can I? This is Janet and her daughter Cassie. Honey this is my son Mark and his wife Laura.”

Janet shook his hand and then Laura's. “Hi.”

Mark took their coats and led them towards the den. He looked at his father as they walked. “Hey come on, you make a big thing of something important to tell us and then turn up with a woman in tow.” Once everyone was settled Mark asked “Tea or coffee? Cassie we have juice if you'd rather?”

Cassie nodded. “Please.”

Sam was the only one who wanted coffee. She looked at Janet. “Since when do you not drink coffee?” she asked. “Your coffee drinking is renown at work.”

Janet shrugged as they moved into the den. “Since I got sick. They told me to cut down on it.”

Mark put the kettle on and went back into the den. He noticed the way Jacob sat close to Janet and the way he held her hand and the way she responded to him. “So how long have you been hiding her Dad?”

Jacob shrugged. “We've been seeing each other for a year, more or less.”

Mark raised his eyebrow. “And you think I'm sneaky.”

Jacob looked at him. “But I thought it was about time you met her.” He paused. “Janet and I are going to get married.”

Mark beamed. “Hey that's wonderful. Congratulations.”

Jacob looked surprised. “Thank you.” After the way Sam had reacted he wasn't expecting Mark to be so easy. The real hurdle would be telling them about the baby.

Mark took Janet's hand and pulled her back down to the couch. “So tell me about yourself.”

--- ---

Twenty minutes later Mark finally remembered that he hadn't made the tea and went to do so. “Can you give me a hand Dad?”

Jacob got up and followed him.

Mark got the cups out. “I surprised you with my reaction huh?” he said.

Jacob nodded. “Yeah, Sam threw a fit. Janet is her best friend so she wasn't impressed.”

Mark smiled. “Her loss,” he said bluntly. “Though she seems okay at the moment.”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah,” he said quietly.

Mark looked at him. “So when's the baby due?” he asked.

Jacob looked at him shocked for a moment then smiled. “How did you know?” he asked.

Mark just grinned. “I've been around pregnant women,” he said. “So I know the signs. Not drinking coffee is a classic. So is sitting with your hand over your stomach.”

Jacob shook his head. “You're too observant.”

“So how far along is she?”

“Thirteen weeks,” Jacob grinned. “And cranky and sick and now she's discovered tea drinks it a lot.”

Mark smiled. “Laura's pregnant too. Amazingly she's also thirteen weeks as of this morning,” he said, his excitement mirroring his father's. “And you don't need me to tell you how cranky she gets if I give her the tea cold.”

Jacob beamed. “That's wonderful news!”

“Ditto,” Mark said. “Does Sam know?”

“Not yet… I wanted to tell both of you together.”

The two men carried the teas back into the den. Cassie had gone to explore the garden with Ryan and Jen who had now come back from school.

Mark handed Sam her coffee. “Hey won't it be kind of cool having your best friend as part of the family?”

Sam looked at Janet. “Yeah, I guess…I refuse to call her Mom though.”

Janet frowned. “But I wanted to be the wicked step mother.”

Mark looked at her. “You still can. So long as its Sam you lock up in a high tower and not me that's fine with me.”

“Hah!” Sam snorted and threw a cushion at Mark.

He caught it deftly and threw it back.

Jacob rolled his eyes. “You sure you want my kids?” he asked Janet.

She grinned. “Yeah… all of them.”

Jacob smiled and sipped his tea. Then he looked at Mark. “There was something else we wanted to tell you.”

Mark beamed. “We have news of our own but after you.”

Jacob smiled and took Janet's hand, lacing it across her stomach.

Laura looked at her and then at Mark, her own hand going to her stomach, mirroring Janet's move.

“Janet's going to have a baby.” Jacob said with a huge smile.

Sam looked at him and then at Janet, noticing the slight bulge for the first time. “You're kidding?”

Janet took a deep breath. “Interesting choice of phrase Sam,” she told her.

Sam looked at her. “You're pregnant?”

“Thirteen weeks.”

Sam pushed her hands through her hair. “I don't…”

Mark looked at her and beamed at Janet and his father. “That's wonderful news!” he said not letting on he already knew.

Jacob smiled. “Somewhat unexpected but yeah, a very good thing.”

Sam looked at them not knowing what to say. She was just getting used to the idea of her father and Janet being together and now this. She sat there whilst everyone hugged each other, thinking for a moment.

Janet looked at her. “Sam… Having children was never something I had thought about but now it's happened, I'm glad. Cassie's over the moon about it and so are we.”

Mark grinned at her. “How about that… I'm gonna be a big brother again.”

Sam looked at him. “How can you be so okay with this?”

Mark looked at her. “Sam how old is Ryan? And when did we get married?”

Sam looked at him. “Oh,” she said.

Mark nodded. “I can't blame Dad when I did the same thing. Besides, you're going to be an aunt again in about six months anyway.”

Sam's eyes widened. “Laura?”

Laura smiled and nodded. “Twins.”

Jacob almost choked on his tea. “Twins?!” he spluttered looking at Mark.

Mark looked innocently back.

After another round of congratulations, Sam looked at Janet. “So when do I get to be a big sister then?”

Janet smiled. “About six months. You gonna be okay with this?”

Sam looked at Mark and then at her father. Then looked back at Janet. “Yeah…” She paused. “Can I just point out that the job of aunt and sister does not extend to changing diapers?”

Fin
© Tels Sept 2006.