Family Dinner

Title: A Quiet Family Dinner
Author: Tels
Fandom: Stargate SG1
Characters: Jacob/Selmak/Garshaw/Yosef/Mark/Sam
Rating: R
Word count: 3,919
Prompt: #24 – Family
Summary: Jacob takes Yosef to meet his children.
Notes: Comes after Birth

Jacob walked slowly down the tunnels to his chamber. He seemed to be spending less and less time there now. Selmak and Garshaw were getting along fine. The symbiote breeding programme had done well and the spawning cycle had finished three weeks ago. Not that that had stopped Selmak and Garshaw. They seemed to be making up for lost time.

Jacob hadn't yet slept with either Garshaw or Yosef. He wanted to do things properly. After all...they could live a couple of hundred years! That's more than a couple of lifetimes to be someone's mate! What if they hated each other? They'd been spending a fair bit of time together and he was really fond of both of them just unsure how to make the next move. He retreated when Selmak and Garshaw were alone and he knew that Yosef did the same.

Sometimes he'd fall asleep in his own bed and wake up somewhere else, knowing full well that Selmak had spent time with Garshaw while he'd slept. At first it had been because of the spawning cycle and he hadn't minded. Then it had carried on and he was not exactly jealous but… He had felt left out almost. So he had started dating Garshaw and Yosef properly. They'd gone for walks and romantic dinners and he'd kissed her a few times when he'd walked her back to her back to her quarters. The last time it had almost gone beyond kissing but he'd stopped.

He felt he really ought to introduce her to the rest of his family but wasn't sure that now was the right time. And he definitely couldn't do it if he'd taken the next step in the relationship. He'd blasted Mark for sleeping with his then girlfriend under his roof when Mark was only 17 and hadn't even introduced the girl to Jacob until he'd walked in on them! It would be hypocritical of him to do the same thing. Not that he was 17 or living under his father's roof but around Yosef and Garshaw sometimes he felt it.

It wasn't that he didn't want to make love to her because he did. So much so that at times, like last night, he had to literally tear himself away. He just wasn't sure if he could do it with Selmak in his head. Still, the issue of introducing Yosef to his children remained. He sure as hell knew he couldn't introduce her to Mark and Sam after he'd made love to her. That be…uncomfortable…maybe even embarrassing…to Jacob anyway. Because of the love he had for his children's mother he ought to at least introduce them to Yosef before he took the next step in the relationship.

But that brought about a whole new set of problems. What if they didn't like her? What if they think she's a replacement for their mother? More importantly, what will they think of him for loving another woman?

Selmak thwapped him. <Jacob! You're thinking way too much and giving me a headache. I know you want your children's approval but at the rate you're going your grandkids will be all grown up! Don't be afraid to take the chance…seize the moment!> She paused. <Is sex at your age taboo on your planet?>

<Selmak!> Jacob hissed, feeling his cheeks colour at her comment. <There are certain things you don't discuss on Earth… with anyone. Your sex life is one of them. And you most certainly do not discuss it with your children!>

<Why?> she asked. <It's not like they're five years old! They are adults and I'm sure they're both having sex lives. Mark does, he has kids. And Sam…well I'm sure she's done it! They know you have at least twice maybe more!>

Jacob stopped and ran his hands over his face. <Yeah well that doesn't mean I go telling everybody about it! And we do not discuss it with our children. Or parents come to that. Sex is a private thing between two people. Just because you Tok'ra seem to be at it all the time with no doors doesn't mean the rest of the galaxy is.>

Selmak tutted. <So is that the reason you haven't taken her to meet Samantha and Mark yet? Because you are sleeping with her and don't want them to know?>

Jacob took a deep breath. <It's you and Garshaw who are having the affair> he said bluntly. <Yosef and I are hardly past the kissing stage yet.>

Selmak laughed. <Too much of a gentleman. Garshaw said Yosef is crazy about you. They both are but you're the man and as Malek told me they are waiting for us to make the move here.>

<Malek said... wait a minute... you've been discussing our sex life with Malek???>

Selmak shrugged. <It's more like…lack of sex life for you and…well it might have slipped out once or twice... but hey he talks to me about stuff..> She paused. <So are you gonna take her to meet the kids or not?>

<I can't believe you'd discuss something like that with Malek> Jacob muttered tuning her out.

Half an hour later he made his way slowly to the bathing pools. He needed to clear his head and for that he needed to bathe. A shower man he normally avoided the pools but there were times when he gave in to Selmak's nagging. Like when he needed to think. His mind was miles away trying to sort through things and he wasn't really concentrating.

Garshaw looked up and smiled as he entered the chamber. She was a creature of habit, always bathing at the same time every day. And usually alone. “Hi,” she said warmly. “Join us?”

Jacob looked at her horrified. He could hear Selmak hollering at him to do so in his head but something stopped him. He blushed, avoided making eye contact with Garshaw and turned round leaving the room fast.

<What are you doing?> Selmak yelled. <You've seen her with nothing on before!>

Jacob stopped in the tunnel just outside and leaned against the wall. <That's different. That was you and Garshaw…>

<But it's the same thing…>

<It's not the same thing!> Jacob said. <It's very different. I…>

Selmak hugged him. <It's okay> she said realising what was bugging him. <You really like her huh?>

<Yes… hence this whole do I tell Mark and Sam thing.> Jacob glanced up feeling someone stand next to him.

Garshaw smiled at him. “Are you alright? You left hurriedly.”

Jacob looked at her. “I hadn't realised you were there, I'm sorry.”

“You don't need to apologise,” she said. “You have seen us like that before.”

Jacob looked down. “Well technically that was Selmak. I ummmm… Selmak says I'm too much of a gentleman ”

Garshaw nodded. “I will leave you to your bath.”

Jacob shook his head and grabbed her hand as she turned to leave. “Can I talk to Yosef?” he asked.

Garshaw nodded and let Yosef fore. She blushed as she did so, aware that he was holding her hand firmly.

Jacob kept his eyes on her face. “I was thinking,” he said quietly. “That is… Selmak raised the issue and…”

<Oh for Egeria's sake just ask her!> Selmak sighed.

Yosef looked at him. “What's wrong? Have I done something?”

Jacob shook his head. “No nothing like that. It's just… would you… that is…?” He took a deep breath. “I like you. A lot. Actually I… think I have fallen for you both.”

Yosef smiled. “And that makes you uncomfortable?”

Jacob shook his head. “Not at all,” he smiled. “I love you both,” he said, finally admitting it to himself as well as them. He could hear Selmak cheering inside his head.

<At last> Garshaw whispered her comment echoing Yosef's thoughts. Yosef smiled. “And we love you both too, so very much.”

Jacob pulled her into his arms and kissed her firmly, for once not caring that they were in the middle of a busy thoroughfare.

Yosef responded to him, her hands mimicking his movements on her neck.

Finally breaking for air Jacob looked deep into her eyes. “I'm going back to Earth next week. Would you like to come with me… meet Sam and Mark?”

Yosef smiled. “We'd love to.”

Jacob looked at her surprised. “You would?”

She nodded. “Yes, we would. Your children are an important part of your life.”

Jacob smiled. “Yes they are. As are you two.”

She smiled back. “And you are both very important to us.”

--- --- ---

A week later, Jacob parked the car and looked across at Yosef in the passenger seat. “Are you sure you're okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes. Nervous… I mean I have met Samantha before but…”

“Not like this,” he finished. He smiled. “You'll be fine.” He kissed her cheek softly.

“I wish I were so sure,” Yosef answered. She looked over at the entrance to the restaurant. “Samantha is already here.”

Jacob followed her gaze and nodded. “That's Mark with her.” He undid his seat belt. “Just remember not to mention Garshaw or Selmak or …”

Yosef nodded. “I understand.”

Jacob got out of the car and made his way round the other side opening the door for Yosef.

She got out of the car and took a deep breath. This was crazy, she wasn't nervous when she'd agree to do this but now…<I can't do this> she whispered.

<Malek isn't on the council> Yosef laughed.

<Made you laugh though> Garshaw replied feeling her host relax slightly.

<Thank you.> Yosef slid a hand nervously into Jacob's as they walked across the parking lot. She had given a lot of thought to her appearance and chosen something she hoped was appropriate. She wanted to make a good impression. She knew Jacob had been alone a long time, but didn't want to appear be trying to take over. She loved him so very much and had spent the last week walking on air since he told her he loved her.

Mark watched his father park and sit there for a moment. He took note of the woman sat next to him. He wouldn't exactly say she was pretty. She was more handsome. Not that he'd ever described a woman as handsome before but this one was. And she wasn't as pretty as his mother had been. It was strange, seeing his father with another woman. In fact when he'd rung and said he had someone for them to meet, Mark's first thought was how disgusting it was at his age!

He watched as his father kissed her before leaving the car. His stomach flipped again. Was his father trying to replace his mother here? Okay she'd been dead a long time but they didn't need another mother. And he definitely didn't want the images filling his mind right now. He was determined to make sure this woman wasn't simply after his father's money.

Sam smiled slightly. She'd heard rumours about her father and Garshaw and her host Yosef. Although from what she'd heard it was more Selmak and Garshaw. There were also rumours of a new generation of Tok'ra fathered by Selmak although how true that was she had no idea as the Tok'ra were as tight lipped on that subject as they were on any other these days.

Jacob smiled as he reached them. “Hey Sam, Mark,” he said hugging them.

“Hey Dad,” they replied. “How are you?”

“I'm good. You two?”

“Fine,” Sam replied.

Mark nodded. “We're good. Laura sends her love and says hi. She had a meeting at work she couldn't get out of.”

Jacob smiled. He took Yosef's hand again. “Sam, Mark… I'd like you to meet Yosef.” He looked at her. “These are my children… Sam and Mark.”

Yosef offered her hand as Jacob had shown her. “Pleased to meet you,” she said.

Sam took her hand and shook it. “Hello,” she said.

Mark sized the woman up for a moment before offering her his hand. “Hello,” he said. He noticed the way his father was holding her other hand securely. He obviously cared a great deal for this woman.

Jacob led them inside and then followed the waiter to the table. They were given one by the window.

Mark looked at Yosef over the menu. “So how long have you known Dad then?” he asked.

Yosef looked at Jacob. “Almost six years,” she replied. “We met through a mutual friend.”

“Ah… which friend?”

Jacob looked at his son. “Dr Selmak,” he replied.

Mark nodded. “So you a medic too?” he asked.

Yosef shook her head. “No I am in the military like your father,” she said hoping he wasn't going to ask too many more questions.

Jacob looked at her. “Special ops,” he said using the cover story.

Mark nodded. That answer effectively ended that line of questions as he knew it was as classified as his father's work was. “So are you on the same base?” he asked.

“Most of the time,” Yosef answered. “Although sometimes its like ships in the night… if that is the right phrase.”

Mark nodded. “I'm guessing from your accent that you're not American,” he said.

Jacob rolled his eyes. “What is this Mark?” he asked. “20 questions?”

“No… just making conversation.”

The waiter came for the order precluding any more 'conversation' for a while. Then Jacob poured the wine and raised his glass sipping it. What he really wanted to do was knock it back followed by another four but that wouldn't solve anything.

Mark looked over at Yosef. “I would guess English but with a name like Yosef maybe Israeli?”

Jacob dropped his wine glass heavily on the table. <Selmak let me feel some of its effects> he begged.

<Why do you want to get drunk?> she asked.

<I didn't say drunk... I'm driving remember. But if I have to survive the next couple of hours I am going to need it.>

Sam noticed Jacob's reaction and elbowed her brother hard and glared at him. “So how are the kids?” she asked him.

He looked at her. “Kids are fine,” he said. He looked back at Yosef, waiting for an answer.

Yosef took a deep breath. <What do I say?>

<Make something up. You're doing fine> Garshaw replied hugging her.

“I am English but my mother was Israeli,” she replied thinking quickly, using the terms that Mark had used. She had no idea what either of them meant but hoped she'd get away with it.

Mark smiled. “Cool. Which part of England ?”

Jacob choked on his wine and disguised it as a coughing fit.

“The South,” Yosef replied. “Are you okay?” she asked turning to Jacob.

Jacob coughed again. “I'm fine,” he said. He looked at Mark. “So how's work?” he asked trying to get the conversation away from Yosef.

Mark went with it for a while. He watched the way Jacob acted towards Yosef. His father was clearly besotted with the woman and she seemed to care a great deal for him. He noticed the sidelong glances and the way his father's hand kept vanishing under the table. He looked over at Sam. She was busy working on her salad and not paying any attention to him. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw his father down his third glass of wine. "Dad, you're not nervous... are you?" Mark asked as Dad filled his glass again, emptying the bottle.

Jacob looked at him. “Why would I be nervous Mark?” he asked a slight edge to his voice.

Mark just stared at him for a long moment. If he was nervous he didn't let it show. Although his hand did tighten around the wine glass, only not enough to break it. “It's just… you're acting like a guilty school boy. What are you hiding?”

Jacob glared at him and took a long drink. "I'm not sleeping with her if that's what you're thinking!" he hissed. He put the glass down and looked apologetically at Yosef. “I'm sorry… this was a mistake.” He pulled his wallet out and threw enough cash down on the table to pay for lunch and then pulled his car keys out of his pocket. “Let's go.”

Not wanting to further inflame things Yosef stood up. “It was nice meeting you,” she said quietly. Then she followed Jacob out into the parking lot.

Sam rounded on Mark. “Well that was well done!” she said harshly. “First time Dad's plucked up the courage to bring her to meet you and you go do this.”

“What did I do?” Mark protested.

“Gave her the inquisition for one thing.” She shook her head. “I'm going after them. See if I can repair some of the damage you did.” She pushed back from the table.

Mark grabbed her hand. “Sam?” he asked.

She looked at him. “Dad really likes her,” she said. “Anyone can see that. Anyone except you! For crying out loud! You can't expect him to live like a monk for ever! He finally found someone he loves the same way he loved Mom. And who cares what they get up to in their own time. We don't question what you and Laura do! He loves her and wants her to be part of his life, the same way he wants you part of it too. Only you can't see past your own selfish feelings on this!”

Mark looked down. “I…” he began.

“Dad doesn't want Yosef to replace Mom and she doesn't want that either.” Sam got up. “Now if you'll excuse me I have to get going.” She tossed a bit more cash onto the table. “You can settle the bill.” She left the building and ran across the parking lot. “DAD!”

Mark shrank slightly in his seat, alone and totally aware that half the restaurant customers were staring at him.

Jacob had walked across to the car not saying anything to Yosef. He opened the door for her and then went round the other side. He felt sick and angry and totally humiliated. <Shouldn't have come> he said quietly, longing to retreat and hide.

Selmak hugged him. <Ignore him, you know how you feel and how Yosef and Garshaw feel and nothing else matters> she said trying to console him. Really she wanted to come fore and knock Mark into the middle of next week but couldn't.

Jacob got in the car and closed his eyes leaning back heavily in his seat. “I'm sorry,” he said quietly.

Yosef reached over and took his hand in hers. “It's alright,” she said.

“No its not!” he blurted out. “I knew it would end like this, I told Selmak it would and that's why I didn't…” he broke off. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't take it out on you.”

Yosef shifted round in her seat and took Jacob in her arms. “Please my love,” she said. “Don't upset yourself. You don't need your children's approval. It would be nice to have but...” she looked at him. “I love you… we both love you. Nothing else matters.” She turned his face to look at her and kissed him gently.

Jacob looked at her. “But…” he began.

Yosef shook her head. “We feel no differently about you now than we did yesterday.” She kissed him again.

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. “We love you,” he told her. Then he looked up as he heard Sam shout. He sighed slightly and opened the car window. “Yes Sam?” he asked.

Sam looked at him. “I don't feel the same way Mark does,” she said. “I'm really happy for the both of you… well four of you,” she finished quietly. “Just don't let him spoil it.”

Jacob shrugged. “Why should things be any different now,” he said. He looked over her shoulder as Mark came over to them. <What does he want now?> he wondered silently.

<I would zat him for you but I didn't bring it with me> Selmak said. <There is always the gun you keep secured under the driver's seat…>

<As much as I would love to shoot him, Laura would never forgive me> Jacob said smiling slightly.

Mark reached the car and looked at his father sheepishly. He felt rotten. Sam's words had struck home hard. He'd been horrid. A total cad as the Brit he worked with would say. His father had looked awful as he'd left. Devastated even. “I'm sorry,” he said. He looked over at Yosef. “And I owe you an apology too. What I did back there was extremely rude. I can see how much Dad cares for you. It's been a long time since he's cared like that about anyone.”

Jacob glowered at him for a moment then his expression softened slightly.

Mark continued. “And if things work out for you guys then I'm happy for you.” He paused. “Look there's an ice cream parlour down the road. We didn't finish dinner. How about we go get dessert, on me?”

Jacob looked at Yosef and then nodded. “Sure.”

Yosef had never had ice cream before but trusted Jacob's judgement when he chose one for her.

Mark was desperate to make up for his bad manners before and didn't ask a single question. Instead he kept the conversation on neutral topics.

Back on the base later that evening Jacob sat on his bed. He'd seen Yosef back to her chambers and then come back here to read but he was unable to concentrate. He had a slight headache from all the wine he'd drunk earlier but all he could think of was how he'd messed up. A voice made him look up. “Hi,” he said quietly.

Garshaw watched him put the book down. “We have something to ask you,” she said.

“Actually, I…we have something to ask you,” he said, getting to his feet. “But not here…”

She took a deep breath. “This can't wait,” she said.

Jacob looked at her wondering what. His mind went back a few weeks to her asking him the last favour. Only now he'd take her up on that offer! “What's that?” he asked.

“We were wondering,” she said taking hold of his hand. “If you and Selmak would do us the honour of becoming our mate,” Yosef finished.

Jacob looked stunned for a moment whilst Selmak did a happy dance inside him.

Yosef looked at him. “What's wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing… just women on my world don't normally do the asking,” Jacob answered.

“They don't?”

He smiled and gently shook his head. “No… we love you and would love to become your mates… on one condition.”

“What's that?” she asked.

“Come with me.”

Jacob led her to the surface and they walked to the top of the sand dunes. There as the sun set, blazing its golden red hue across the sand, Jacob dropped to one knee and proposed to both Garshaw and Yosef.

Yosef blushed as he spoke, amazed at the eloquence of his words. She could feel Garshaw blushing too and then she beamed at him, answering for both of them. “Yes, we would like that very much.”

Jacob got to his feet and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her. “We love you.”

After he kissed her he said “You sure you want to be part of my family having met some of them?”

Yosef smiled. “We are sure, else we would not have asked.”

Fin

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