Sheppard's Family Idea #1

“What's the matter?” John rolled over and blinked at her sleepily.

“Nothing.” She shifted, trying to find a comfortable spot in the bed.

“Bullshit.” He chuckled softly and slipped his arm under her head. Sliding his arm over her belly, he gripped her hip and made her turn toward him. Her belly rested against his and she breathed a little sigh of relief when the worst of the pressure disappeared. Gently, he stroked a hand over her. “The boy's restless again tonight, huh?”

“I think your son's are going to be football player's” She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “Because they sure as hell have been kicking the crap out of my kidney's all day.”

He laughed and his hot breath stirred her hair. “It won't be much longer, Suzie Q. Just a couple more weeks and...”

“And then the real fun starts.” She sighed softly. “God, I feel like such a cow.”

He ran his hand lightly over her breast and his fingers came away wet. “Want me to milk you?”

“Ha ha, Sheppard. Very funny.” She shifted slightly and reached down to push his hand away. “Hands off buddy. Your boy's are going to be the only one touching these udders for the next few months.”

“Still sore?”

“And wet.” She sighed again. She'd been lactating for weeks now, her body preparing for the children growing inside her belly. She felt a tiny foot against her side and she had to bite her lip to keep from gasping. God, if they could kick like that now she was going to have to invest in a good pair of running shoes once the little guy's started walking.

John sighed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She was a comfortable weight against him and he loved holding her like this. With her pressed against him he could feel the baby's when they kicked and it excited him to know that a part of them both was growing strong and healthy inside of her.

“You know, we still haven't picked out any name's yet.”

“Got any suggestions?” His hand moved up to her hair, pulling the loose strands back from her face so that he could see her eyes.

“I've got a couple.” She pressed her lips to his chest, her teeth nipping and pulling at the hair curling around his nipples until he groaned. Laughing, she rested her cheek against him. “Wanna hear 'em?”

“Do that again and I'll do anything you want me too.” He gasped and tightened his arm around her.

“Remind me of that after these kid's are born.” She smiled and pressed her hand against his chest. “But about their names...what about Johnathan Joseph and Patrick Ryan? John after you and Joseph after my brother. Then Patrick after your Father and Ryan just because I like the name.”

“Jonathan Joseph and Patrick Ryan.” He rolled the name's around on his tongue. They sounded right to him and he smiled slightly. “What do you think about it, guys?” He rubbed his hand over her belly and chuckled when he felt the baby's roll against his hand in a gentle motion.

“I think they like it.” John grinned. Then he tapped her on the end of the nose with his finger. “But the first jackass that calls my son Patty is gonna get the shit kicked out of him.”

One of the baby's rolled again and she had to laugh. “Somehow I think that one is going to have your temper.”

“Good.” He grinned.

“Not good.” She shook her head and grinned back at him. “Their Daddy is handful enough. What the hell am I going to do with three of you?”

“Love us.” He whispered a kiss across her mouth and rolled her into his arms. After awhile, she settled against him and finally fell asleep but he stayed awake. Staring at the ceiling, he watched the shadows move while he trailed his fingers through her hair and listened to the soft sound of her breathing.

A smile touched his lips when she rested her arm across him, her palm flat on his chest. He cuddled her close and then finally closed his own eyes. As he finally started to drift off to sleep one thought kept running through his mind.

He actually had something that he'd never had before.

A real family.

2.

“Well lass...” Carson turned away from the monitor and gave her a grin. “The wee ones are healthy but I'm afraid I've got a bit of news for you.”

“What?” Susan tried to sit up but John's hand on her shoulder kept her down. She smacked at his hand. “You can let go of me now.”

He ignored her and scowled at Carson. “What? If they're healthy...”

“I'm afraid that there might be a problem with one of the babes-”

“You just said that they were healthy.” John did let her go then. “So what's the problem?”

He started around the exam table. Carson laughed and held up a hand. “Nothing serious, Colonel.” He nodded toward Susan. “Mrs. Sheppard, here was telling me the names that you've picked out and I'm afraid that you're going to have to change one of them.”

John gave him a confused look. “What the hell are you talking about, Carson?”

Carson winked at Susan and she started to laugh. Reaching out she grabbed Sheppard by the arm. “I think he means that we're not going to have two boys.” John still looked confused. “One of them is going to be a girl, honey.”

Sheppard's Family Idea #2

Lightening flashed and thunder boomed so loud that it rattled the glass in the window. Susan yawned and rolled over, listening as the rain began to patter hard against the glass. Feeling her move, John nestled against her, his arm slipping around her waist and resting comfortably on the growing swell of her belly. Smiling slightly, she settled into his warmth and was nearly asleep again when she had the oddest sensation that she was being watched.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself staring into a pair of very frightened deep green eyes. “JJ. Baby, what are you doing up?”

“I'm scared, Mama.” The lightening flashed again and she saw him tremble and shoot a terrified glance toward the window. “Can I sleep with you and Daddy?”

“Sure.” Throwing back the covers, she reached down and helped him climb up on the bed beside her. Clutching his teddy bear, he snuggled in tight against her and buried his face in her chest when the thunder rumbled again.

Lightly, she stroked her fingers over his back, trying to soothe him. He was shaking hard and she wrapped her other arm around him and held him tight. “There's nothing to be scared of, baby. Its just a storm.” She stroked her hand over his hair and breathed in his soft, sleepy smell. “Besides, we're with Daddy. No silly old storm is gonna bother us.”

“Promise?” He whimpered softly and she looked down at his little face. He was a handsome boy with thick, unruly dark hair and eyes the same color as his father's. She smiled slightly thinking that this must have been what John had looked like when he was a little boy.

“Yes, baby. I promise.” Cuddling him close, she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep but he wiggled against her when her belly bumped against his foot.

“Mama?”

“Yes, baby?” She yawned sleepily.

“What was that?” He looked up at her, his eyes wide and shining in the darkness.

“What was what?” She smiled slightly when she felt John's hand move and the pressure of his chin against her shoulder.

“Somethin' bumped my foot.” JJ's eyes were bright when he looked at her and he smiled when he realized his father was looking at him.

“That, my man...” John reached over her and plucked the boy out of her arms so that he could nestle him between them. “Was your little brother.”

“Or little sister.” Susan smiled as she rolled over toward her son and husband. “Give me your hand.” Gently, she took JJ's small hand in hers and pressed it against her stomach. “Feel that?” The growing life inside her rolled and JJ's eyes went wide.

John laughed and rested his hand on her hip. “I think I had that same expression when you were carrying this little guy.”

“Oh, I think you were worse.” Susan chuckled. “If I remember correctly Carson threatened to have you kicked out of the infirmary a few times.”

“Didn't work did it?” John smirked. “And then of course there was your Uncle Rodney...”

“I'd rather not talk about Rodney, if you please.” Susan shot her husband a look.

“What's the matter with Uncle Wodney?” JJ's little brow furrowed.

“Never mind, son.” John's eyes glittered and Susan put her hand over her mouth and bit back a laugh. Her little boy couldn't quite speak all of their names just yet and it tickled her to no end every time JJ called him 'Wodney'.

“But-”

“Shh...” Susan put a finger over his lips. “We can talk about that in the morning.” She pulled the cover up and rolled over on her back so that JJ's little feet wouldn't be pressing into her belly. “Right now, we need to get some sleep. Now, scrunch up and tell your father to quit hogging the covers.”

“I am not hogging the covers.” John laughed and tickled the bottom of the boys foot, making him giggle and squirm. Susan turned her head and looked at him, her expression softening when he rubbed his hand over her neck and pulled her close for a kiss.

JJ's soft hair rubbed against her shoulder and she took a deep breath. It was hard for her to believe that after the three years since this little miracle had been born, she was still so hot and so in love, with the man that had given him to her. When she looked at John, she saw that his eyes were sparkling. Gently, he rubbed his thumb over her lips.

“How much more time did Carson say we had left before-” He glanced down at the little body pressed against his chest. JJ had settled down a bit and he was fighting just to keep his eyes open. Finally, he gave it up and curled up between them, his head resting against her shoulder.

“A couple of weeks.” Susan said softly and turned slightly so that she could look at him. “So if I were you, Sheppard I'd make it good while I could.”

“I intend to.” He grinned wickedly. He stroked a hand over JJ's dark mess of hair and when he spoke his voice was a rough whisper. “Is Teyla still going to watch him for us?”

She nodded. “He's got an over night play date with Toran and since he absolutely adores his Aunt Teyla-”

“Mmm...good.” John moved carefully so that he wouldn't wake JJ. He slid his hand under her shirt, rubbing over her belly and then up to gently flick his thumb over a swollen and sensitive nipple. “Because I have been looking forward to screwing you silly all week.”

“Shh!' She smiled softly and turned into him. “And to think that you kiss your son with that mouth.”

“I do even worse to my wife with it.” He grinned and gently squeezed his fingers over her as slid closer on the pillow.

“Show me.” She reached for him, sliding her hand over his arm, her mouth opening when his lips touched hers in a hungry kiss.

“Mmm...damn it.” He sighed and reluctantly pulled away from her when JJ squirmed.

She laughed softly and kissed the top of her son's head. “Maybe Daddy should wait until tomorrow night before he tries to feel up Mommy.”