J2 - An Unexpected Love - chapter 15B/16 - Mpreg
Title : An Unexpected Love 15B/16
Rating : R
Word Count : 13,052/ 162,136
Disclaimer : Really if they belonged to me do you think I'd have time to be posting.
Warnings : Talk of past abuse, Mpreg
Author : angels3 aka Angela
Beta : munibunny
Art and Soundtrack : ldyghst
Additional Art : wincest_drarry
Characters : Jensen/Jared, Steve/Chris, there may be more pairings along the way I'm not sure at the moment.Mike, Tom, Chad, Sandy, Sophia and Joshua Jackson will all be in this fic. There may be others as I find myself needing more characters.
Summary : Grief stricken over the death of his brother, cynical movie maverick Jared Padalecki did the unthinkable - he sought comfort in the arms of his brother's fiancee. The morning after, they both realized their mistake and left for their separate lives. Only Jared can't forget Jensen's soft lips and beautiful eyes. Even as Jared was beginning to think he had to see him again, Jensen came to him.
Jensen was pregnant with his child. His - not his brother's. Jared knew he wanted Jensen more than he'd ever wanted any other woman or man.
First he had to marry him.
Then he had to make Jensen love him.
Author Notes : I am basing this story off a book I read fourteen years ago. I do actually have the book but I will not be using it to write this story. I will be going from my memory of what happened in it, there will be some things that run the way the book did and lots that will not as this is a J2 and mpreg on top of that. The only thing that will be word for word, and then not really, will be the summary since I couldn't do it justice any other way.
Based on the book Scandals by JoAnn Ross
Harlequin Temptation Sept.1994 #506
Chapters 1 2 3 4A 4B 5A 5B 5C 6A 6B 7A 7B 8A 8B 9A 9B 10 11A 11B 12A 12B 13A 13B 14 15A 15B 16
Art and Soundtrack
Additonal Art
Two hours later, Jensen was dressed and just locking the baby gate so the puppies were in the kitchen out from under foot. Harley was scheduled for obedience school because every time someone opened the door he tried to escape. The poor puppy had a love/hate relationship with the squirrels that called the yard home.
He heard the security buzzer go off, and he checked the monitor just to reassure himself that it was the limo. Jensen picked up his keys and wallet, sliding them into his pockets, and reached for the door just as the knock sounded.
"I'm ready......" Jensen stumbled back, shock bleaching his face as he caught himself on the hall table, one of his hands curving around his stomach in a protective gesture.
"Joshua," he choked out.
Jensen stumbled backwards, sinking into the chair that sat in the hall. Joshua shut the door behind him and closed the distance between them.
"Guess you weren't expecting to see me, were you baby?"
Jensen couldn't form a reply. His heart was beating out of his chest, and his head was spinning. He should have known that Joshua would find a way to get to him. It didn't matter how long he had to wait or how far he had to go, he was never going to let Jensen escape him. Jensen shook his head trying to focus on what the man in front of him was saying.
"That's okay, I know you're surprised."
Jensen flinched back violently when Joshua reached out to run his hand down the side of Jensen's face. He stifled a yelp when Joshua balled a fist in his hair and yanked it up so he was forced to look at his own personal demon.
"I realize you've forgotten what I expect, but I don't think it'll take long for you to remember." Joshua released his grip on Jensen's hair. He noticed for the first time the expanded waistline that Jensen's arms were wrapped around protectively.
"How much longer before you have that thing?" he snarled.
"I'm due in another two weeks," Jensen answered, his throat trying to close up.
"Well, we'll find someone that'll get it out sooner than that, and you can leave it somewhere safe," Joshua mocked the fear in Jensen's eyes. "I know you're still soft hearted," he scoffed.
Jensen wanted to feel some relief at Joshua's comment, but he didn't trust the man to keep his word, and the thought of not being with his baby made him nauseous He didn't think even Joshua would stoop to hurting a baby, but the next words he heard solidified the fact that he wasn't taking any chances. He was going to have to do something to get away.
"You know it's a shame Jared didn't get caught in that avalanche then I wouldn't have to wait to have you back the way you were," Joshua mused, pulling an envelope from his pocket.
"What?" Jensen choked out.
"The avalanche. You didn't just think that was nature did you?" Joshua cocked his head, taking in Jensen's stunned expression.
"You did!" Joshua exclaimed smiling. Well, that explains why you didn't come back to me after.
No, baby, that was all me," he gloated. "I followed you on your little getaway. The weather had been so warm, the sun shinning on that nice new powder, all it took was the sharp crack of a riffle to set it rumbling down the mountain right on top of your fiancé. If I'd have known Jeff's brother was coveting his soon to be brother-in-law, I'd have made sure he was close enough for ot to take him out to."
Jensen slumped backward trying to process what Joshua had just revealed. It hadn't been an accident. Joshua had murdered Jeff and no one had known, would still not know if he didn't find a way out.
"I'm not real sure why he wanted you in the first place, since he seems to still like his fair share of the ladies." Joshua smirked, holding out an envelope.
Jensen slowly took it, opening the flap and removing the glossy 8x11's.
"First Jessica and now this fine little piece of ass." Joshua smiled at his big reveal.
Jensen looked down at the pictures in front of him. There was a woman standing close to Jared in the first, and in the second, picture the woman [she] was leaning in, kissing his husband with Jared's hands on her arms. The third made him take a deep breath. The woman was on her knees reaching for Jared's belt, a feral smile painted across her face.
"You have problems picking men don't you? Or is it that you just can't get it right, and they have to find it somewhere else?" Joshua asked.
Jensen wondered how he'd ever found this man attractive, even his voice was grating against every nerve he had. He looked back down at the pictures. Jared was leaning away from the woman as she kissed him, but the grip on the her arms wasn't right for a kiss, either. the captured motion more like he was pushing away than pulling forward. and The last one was the telling shot. At first glance, it looked as if the woman was entirely focused on Jared and the act she was about to perform, but when he looked closer, she was actually glancing to the side.
Jensen wasn't sure why Jared hadn't said anything. Maybe afraid that he would react the way he had over Jessica, or maybe Jared had been worried about the stress it would put him and the baby under. It didn't really matter in the long run. He trusted Jared and if the pictures were coming from Joshua then it had obviously been a set up. Jensen could tell from the light in the room it was early morning, and that it had been at Jared's temporary office. He'd bet his next showing's proceeds, if he got to have a next showing, Joshua had been the one standing outside the door taking the pictures.
He looked up at the man in front of him and couldn't hold it in any more. He started laughing.
Joshua jerked back, completely unprepared for the reaction. His face darkened and his lips thinned into a tight line. "What the hell is so funny?" he growled.
"You are," Jensen gasped out, not even caring what the retribution would be at that moment. "Did you really think I'd believe this shit?" He tossed the pictures onto the floor in distaste.
Joshua's hand swung out, catching Jensen across the cheek in a backhand, rage pouring off him in waves.
Jensen tasted blood where he'd bitten his lip, or maybe it had been his tongue, he wasn't sure. The pain spiked across the side of his face leaving behind a steady throbbing ache. He looked up at Joshua seeing the anger and the barely controlled violence and knew this was his one chance. and he had to make it count because he wouldn't get another one.
Jensen gasped, reaching up with trembling fingers to cover the side of his face, letting tears trickle down his cheeks. He licked the blood off his lips making sure he did it in one slow deliberate slide of his tongue. He felt triumph when Joshua tracked the motion with lust filled eyes.
"I'm sorry," Jensen whispered, voice cracking.
Jensen moved to the edge of the chair, sliding to the floor on his knees, and shuffling forward until he was right in front of Joshua.
"You'd better make it good, or I might just decide Jared needs to have a little accident like his brother."
Jensen swallowed thickly, reaching up to slowly unbuckle Joshua's belt as he quietly edged the chair closer to him. He was going to have to lean on it to get up again, and he knew he wasn't going to have a lot of time. He looked up at Joshua from under his lashes as he slowly pulled the man's pants down, making sure to stop at the knees. Jensen knew the moment his ex-husband thought he'd won he'd let his guard down and think Jensen wasn't a threat.
He waited until Joshua closed his eyes in anticipation of a warm, wet mouth around his cock. He drew back his fist and let it fly, punching Joshua in the groin as hard as he could. Jensen was already leveraging himself to his feet before Joshua hit the floor in a curled ball.
He ran through his studio and out the side door aiming for the beach exit. He almost stumbled and fell as he tried to slow down to get the gate open, thankful that you only needed a code to come in not go out. although it might slow Joshua down if it did. He heard the door slam and Joshua's pained bellows just as he made it to the water line. He was gambling on the tide hiding his footprints and the darkness at the waters edge to help conceal him.
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Chad watched Jared pace back and forth, muttering under his breath as he tried to call Jensen for the fiftieth time with no better results than the last.
"Jared, maybe they're just stuck in traffic," he offered, wincing as Jared snapped his phone shut so hard he was surprised not to be showered with plastic pieces.
"Then why isn't he answering his phone?" Jared growled.
"Maybe he left it at home?" Chad's responded unsurely.
"Chad, he's eight and half months pregnant. He doesn't even go to the bathroom without his phone just in case something happens," Jared explained exasperated.
"Do me a favor and get me the limo service number."
Chad watched out the corner of his eye while he went through his contacts for the number. Jared kept hitting redial and even Chad was starting to worry the longer Jensen was out of contact with them. He dialed the number and handed the phone to Jared, listening to one side of the conversation, his heart dropping with each word.
"No, I didn't cancel the car," Jared growled. "When was it canceled?"
"Three days ago!"
Chad was dialing the detective in charge of investigating all the problems they'd had recently before Jared was even off the phone.
"Don't you send out some sort of confirmation?" Jared asked incredulous. "Well, maybe you should."
Chad listened to the phone ring, his anxiety ratcheting up with each tone. He breathed a sigh of relief when it was answered and the speaker identified himself as Detective Lloyd. Chad quickly ran down what he knew so far and then handed the phone to Jared, who was already walking towards the parking lot where they had parked. He hurried to catch up so he could hear what the limousine company had said but he had a good idea just from Jared's responses.
Jared answered the detective’s questions, fighting to keep calm. He slid into the passenger seat of Chad's car knowing he could get them to Jensen much faster. Chad liked to spend some of his days off racing anything with wheels. Jared had always told him he'd get himself killed one day, but he had never been more grateful for Chad's suicidal hobbies as he was now.
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They could see the unmarked car of the detective and two squad cars as soon as the rounded the bend in the road, their lights bleeding across the landscape casting macabre shadows on everything it touched. Jared wanted to hit something, he'd berated himself all the way home. Chad had tried to tell him it wasn't his fault, but he wouldn't listen, all he knew was he'd left Jensen alone and he knew deep down in his gut that it was Joshua. The limousine could have been a fluke, an accidental cancellation if it hadn't been for the fact the person had used his name, his blood had run cold knowing that Jensen was alone and vulnerable.
Chad stopped in front of the gate, waiting for directions from the detective. Detective Lloyd told him to punch in the code and stop before they got to the house so the police could go in first. Chad did as he was told, heart beating out of his chest when he saw the limousine still sitting in the driveway. He hadn't even come to a full stop before Jared was out of the car and sprinting for the house. Chad wasn't sure who was cussing more, him or the detective who flew past his window before he could even get his seat belt off.
Jared went for the front door knowing that was the only one someone posing as the driver would go to in order to keep from looking suspicious. He heard the detective swearing behind him but there wasn't a chance in hell he was going to stand outside and wait for them to tell him what was going on. Jared was reaching for the doorknob when a hand landed on his shoulder, yanking him sideways and nearly knocking him off the steps.
"Jared, I swear to God if you don't stop I'm going to pistol whip you!" Riley huffed, trying to catch his breath from the flat out sprint he'd run.
"I'm not sitting out here when Jensen could be in there hurt!" Jared growled.
"I wasn't really expecting you to, but I'm going in first, and you're going to stay behind me and do exactly what I tell you so you don't get shot by one of the other officers." Riley waited for acknowledgment.
Jared nodded his head and stepped back, letting Riley go first. The detective pushed the door open, not really surprised that it wasn't locked. He almost stumbled over a chair that was lying on its side on the floor. Jared reached around him and flipped the switch on the wall, flooding the hallway with light. Riley took a few seconds to let his eyes adjust to the lights before he moved further into the room, careful not to step on the papers that were spilled across the floor.
Jared could hear the puppies in the kitchen scratching at the gate and whimpering, but his focus was on the pictures scattered in the hallway. He should have known that Joshua was behind that particular appointment. Jared didn't realize he was clenching his fists until Riley carefully extracted the photo from his hand.
"I'm assuming this means something to you," Riley asked taking a cursory look at it.
"Yeah, Chad usually does the initial appointments for new talent and then if he thinks they'd be a good fit for a part sometime down the road sends them to me for a second. His car wouldn't start that day so I did the two for that morning until he could get to the office. When she came in everything was just sort of off, and then she did that," Jared nodded his head at the pictures.
"What did Chad say about it?"
"I told him she'd been set up by one of our normal agencies but the secretary wasn't the usual one. I thought it was just a temp filling in," Chad answered, hovering in the doorway. "Did you ever tell Jensen?" he asked, directing his question at Jared.
"No, when I got home that night he was sick, and I didn't even think about it. I was too worried about him."
"Shit!" Chad muttered.
One of the officers stepped into the hallway and told them the back door was left open and that another officer was following what looked like two sets of prints going out the back gate.
"He wouldn't have left on his own?" Riley asked. He knew the probability was low, especially with the limousine in the equation, and now the two sets of prints, but he had to cover all the bases.
Jared never got the chance to answer. The echo of a car backfiring made him start, but all the policemen in the room swung around at the sound and tensed. Jared didn't have a clue what was going on. Riley started barking orders at the officers and into his radio, asking for backup and an ambulance on stand by at their address. It wasn't until he overheard someone else report shots fired that he realized it wasn't a car.
He jumped when there were two more pops in quick succession, his knees almost giving out on him. Jared watched in a surreal sort of detachment as all the officers except one shot out the back door.
"Jared!"
Jared swung around realizing that Riley must have called his name several times.
"Yeah?"
"The shots are moving away from us. Is there a way to get in front of them, cut off whoever's firing the gun?" Riley asked, herding him out the door and towards the car.
Jared struggled to think around the crushing desperation that had a grip on him. "There's a service road that runs along the beach at the back of the development."
"Then that's where we're going. You'll have to show me where it is." Riley slammed his door shut and put the car in reverse following Jared's directions.
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Jensen almost tripped and fell when he heard the first shot ring out. He swore he could feel the plume of air brush past him as a bullet ripped into the sand a few feet to his left. Jensen swerved to the right, moving further into the water where it was the darkest. He knew he was giving up speed for stealth, but if he couldn't outrun a bullet, but he might be able to hide from it.
His lungs were burning and he'd had wrapped his arms around his stomach to support the baby's weight. It helped him move a little quicker, and he hoped it was keeping the baby from as much harm as possible. If he could make it to the access road then he might be able to flag down a passerby. There wasn't a lot of traffic on the road but the security did sweeps and some of the maintenance crews would come out to check the lights periodically.
Luckily for him, they must not have been out very recently because he could see two distinct dark spots in the ring of lights just beyond the rocks that jutted into the water. He'd have to navigate his way around them in the water because he couldn't risk going over them. He'd be a target, as soon as he left the shadows. Jensen had heard two more shots, but they didn't seem to have been aimed in any one direction, so Joshua may know what he was doing, but he didn't know where Jensen was at.
He'd just reached the rocks and had started the perilous, time consuming attempt at skirting jagged rocks, his feet slipping on the submerged rocks, when Joshua started shouting. Jensen didn't stop. He carefully tested each spot before he put his entire weight down, knowing he couldn't afford a misstep. He kept one ear tuned to Joshua's ranting so he'd know how close the man was to his hiding place.
Jensen tensed when he heard the gun go off again and seconds later a piece of rock shattered above him. Joshua definitely knew his plan, but he still hadn't seen him so Jensen kept moving.
"I know what you're doing Jensen," Joshua yelled, his breathing harsh with a mixture of exertion and anger.
"You shouldn't have made me chase you. That's okay, though. When I catch you, I'll make sure you never want to do that again," Joshua shouted.
Jensen was almost to the other side of the rocks when he thought he caught a light out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure and it'd been for just a second, but if it was a vehicle on the road above he had to get there before it passed him by. It was his only chance. Even now, he could barely catch his breath, and he didn't know how much more he could run, but he wasn't giving up. Joshua wasn’t taking anything more from him without a fight.
As soon as he cleared the rocks he knew he'd be in the open until he hit the patch of sand that was hidden by the broken lights. Jensen only hoped Joshua wouldn't look in that direction until he was again hidden away in the shadows. He was three steps away from the blessed darkness when he heard Joshua's shout from behind him and another bullet slammed into the sand at his feet. Jensen didn't dare stop. He'd seen the glint of lights coming through the trees just a few feet away, all he had to do was get there before the car rounded the corner.
With what little bit of energy he had left he plowed ahead, ignoring Joshua's increased ranting and wondering how the man had breath to run and curse at the same time. He burst through the scraggly beach grass, clinging to the sand at the side of the road, and froze as the lights of the car bore down on him.
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Riley had rolled his window down, his being the closest to the beach, so he could hear better if there were any more shots fired. Jared jumped every time a shot echoed in the night, shredding his nerves into tatters. His fingers were digging into the door handle so hard there would surely be indentions left if he were ever able to pry his hand loose.
"They're wild shots, Jared. He's still not sure where Jensen is." Riley tried to calm him even as he strained to hear better, never taking his eyes off the road.
"How do you know?"
"The shots are aimed all over the place. There's no focused point to them, and it sounds chaotic," Riley answered.
"Sounds chaotic?" Jared asked, peering out the window into the dark, trying to catch a glimpse of something..... anything.
"I don't know how to explain it." Riley paused. "There doesn't seem to be a purpose to them yet. He's still searching."
"Riley, guns don't sound like anything except loud," Jared scoffed.
"Trust me, I know what I'm talking about."
Jared tightened his grip on the seat belt digging into his neck, yanking it away from his throat. The next shot that rang out had Riley tensing beside him.
"What?" Jared asked panicked.
"That one had a purpose, didn't hit the target though, but it was too damn close. Keep your eyes open, and if the shit hits the fan, get your ass down."
Jared felt the cars speed decrease a little, and just as he was about to complain, a blur shot out from the side of the road and froze in front of the car.
"Watch out!" Jared yelled bracing himself against the dashboard, as Riley slamed on the brakes and swung the wheel to the side to avoid the person in the middle of the road.
When the car rocked to a stop Jared could see the figure shivering in the middle of the road and was ripping his seat belt off and careening out of the car, Riley's shouts ignored in favor of getting to his husband. He'd just reached Jensen when he heard Joshua screaming in rage as he crested the rise onto the road.
Jared grabbed Jensen and swung him around so that he was facing away from Joshua, and Jared's body was shielding his body and the baby. He heard Riley yelling for Joshua to drop his gun and Joshua laughing manically behind him, all the while he was edging Jensen forward and to the side so he could get him behind the metal safety of the car.
"You know if I drop the gun, and you take me in, I'm just going to get out," Joshua sneered.
"I think you're going to find it's a little harder for mommy and daddy to get you out of this one," Riley responded, gun still poised to do whatever was necessary to protect himself and the two men behind him.
"You'll never be rid of me, Jensen," Joshua crowed. "No matter where you are, you'll know I'm going to come for you."
Jensen’s whole body shuddered in Jared's arms. They both knew Joshua wasn't lying. He would do everything he could to torment them and enjoy every minute of it, even if he was behind bars. Jensen reached up, latching onto Jared's arm when he tried to pull away, ready to end the bastards miserable life and go to prison if it meant Jensen and the baby was safe.
"I need you," Jensen whispered, digging his fingers into Jared's shirt.
Jared slowly relaxed, pulling Jensen even closer, trying to assure himself that his husband was okay. He could hear the gun when it hit the pavement and Riley pushing Joshua up against the car, none to gently if the grunt of pain was any indication. Riley was in the middle of reciting Joshua's rights when Jensen tensed in his arms and gasped, a low groan escaping his throat.
Riley looked up, shocked at the noise, and Joshua took the moment of inattention to reach back and grab for the gun in Riley's holster. Jared could hear the struggle going on behind him, and knew that if Riley didn't come out the winner they were all fucked, but he was trying to keep Jensen from falling to the ground. He lowered Jensen to the pavement behind the wheel, bracing him there while he searched the ground for the gun Joshua had dropped. Jared finally caught the gleam of metal at the edge of the road and was diving for it when Riley's weapon discharged in the struggle.
Jared shook his head, the silence from the blast would have been deafening if he could have heard anything past the ringing in his ears. He looked on as Joshua's body slid sideways as if in slow motion, a deep red stain spreading across the front of the man’s shirt. Somewhere in the back of Jared's head the producer/director was frowning at the color, he'd have to make sure they changed the shade of the fake blood for the next movie. The rest of him was overcome with relief as he looked into the empty eyes of the man that had caused Jensen so much pain.
His eyes darted over to Riley, who was wiping blood off his hand, when the detective caught sight of Jared staring he nodded grimly. "I'm fine. Take care of Jensen."
Jared didn't have to be told twice, he was kneeling in front of his husband searching for any obvious wounds. He heard Riley giving directions to the other officers and requesting the ambulance come as well. Jensen was soaked through and sand clung in clumps to his clothes. His breathing was still labored, and his face was without color. Jared took the blanket Riley offered and wrapped it around his shivering husband, he wasn't sure if it was Jensen being drenched, or if it was the shock finally setting in.
"I'm sorry," Jensen mumbled through chattering teeth.
"You've got no reason to be sorry," Jared answered, brushing strands of wet hair out of Jensen's face.
"Ruined your night," Jensen gasped out, doubling over holding his stomach. "I don't think the baby appreciated all that exercise."
Jared wanted to panic, cold dread had settled in his stomach. His frustration was mounting at not being able to do anything useful.
"You didn't ruin my night. You know Chad hates those things. He'd have nagged us all night long." Jared rubbed Jensen's back trying to relax the tense muscles, in his back hoping it would offer some relief from the pain.
"The ambulance will be here in just a minute," Riley interrupted softly.
Jared nodded, never taking his eyes or hands off his husband. He moved back only when the EMT's nudged him so they could start working on Jensen, but refused to release his hand.
They took Jensen's blood pressure, concerned at how high it was. His temperature was a little on the low side, not surprising considering his soaked clothes. When they lifted him onto the gurney Jensen squeezed his hand, face etched in pain. Jared leaned down to place a gentle kiss on his forehead, moving quickly as the ambulance technicians rapidly loaded the gurney in the back.
"It hurts," Jensen whimpered, closing his eyes against the bright overhead light.
"I know it does, baby. They're going to make it better I promise," Jared reassured.
The technician sitting beside him was preparing an IV and talking into a headset, communicating the information they had so far. Jared watched as they slid the IV in, relieved when Jensen started to relax, the warm blankets and safety taking away some of the tension in his body. He kept rubbing his hand that wasn't holding Jared's in slow circles over his stomach, worry evident in the furrow between his eyes.
"Whose his doctor?" the tech asked.
"Dr. Agnit," Jared answered, watching as the tech hooked up the fetal monitor and turned it on. The sound of their baby's heartbeat was a soothing balm against frayed nerves.
"It's a little fast but that's entirely understandable with the night you've both had," she announced, patting Jensen's hand.
Jensen offered a small smile, until another pain washed over him.
"The hospital is contacting your doctor, and he should be there by the time we get you upstairs. I can't give you any pain medicine because they'll want to do the epidural as soon as they get you in the room. Otherwise, your husband won't be able to be in there room with you," the tech explained, taking down notes as she watched the baby's heart rate.
Jensen nodded. He'd read the hospital information Dr. Agnit had provided. They wouldn't allow a spouse in the operating room if they had to put the patient under which is why it was so important to get the epidural before it was too late to do so. Men had the advantage in that respect because the baby couldn't get far down the birth canal, since they didn't have one. That didn't mean it didn't hurt like hell, though, because the baby and nature hadn't figured that out yet.
The ambulance pulled under the hospital canopy, and Jared jumped down, allowing the techs to pull the gurney out. The driver helped transfer all the lines from the machines and the tech that had been in back handed Jared the IV bag to hold up while they pushed Jensen in the doors and to the elevator. When they exited onto the labor and delivery ward, there were several nurses there to meet them. They had been apprised that time was of the essence and they each had a role to play.
A young nurse waited for Jared to assure Jensen he would be back as soon as he was dressed and then led him to a room so he could wash his hands and get into his scrub gown. Jensen, on the other hand was taken into a labor suite which confused him for just a moment until the older nurse explained that they were going to allow him five minutes to wash the sand and sea water off before they pushed him into the delivery room. He accepted the help of both the orderlies who assisted him off the gurney and into the bathroom, staying nearby in case he needed support.
Jensen felt having the remnants of his trauma with Joshua disappearing down the drain along with the sand and saltwater. The pain he was in was worth it knowing that he'd be comfortable after the baby was born and could concentrate on the baby and their family.
The orderly helped him dry and dress, lowering him into the waiting wheelchair before pushing him briskly to the delivery room. When the doors swung open Jensen was relieved to see Jared already waiting for him. Jared and the orderly helped Jensen onto the table, then stepped in front of his husband, so he could look him in the eye.
"We're going to be meeting our baby soon," Jared whispered.
"Yeah, I'm ready how bout you?" Jensen smiled at Jared's nod.
The nurse stepped up behind Jensen, untying the gown and swabbing the base of his spine with antibacterial wash, getting the area ready for the anesthesiologist to do the epidural. She told them the doctor was scrubbing up and would be in shortly. Jensen jumped a little when the anesthesiologist placed a hand on his shoulder and explained the procedure. He apologized for not being able to take his time with the explanation but he had heard time was of the essence, and he'd rather rush the talk than the needle.
Jensen agreed with him whole-heartedly and took the pillow he was offered to lean over and rested his head against Jared's chest. They waited for the last pain to ease before the anesthesiologist started the the insertion, and once done, Jensen was settled on the table and the nurses commenced with the draping and setting up.
Dr. Agnit strolled into the room bringing his calm, competent presence to bear. He stopped at the head of the bed, so he could speak with Jensen before he started the delivery.
"I hear it's been a rough night," the doctor stated.
"Bit of an understatement," Jared mumbled even as Jensen nodded his head at the doctor.
"Well, let's see if we can change that. I think there's a little jumping bean in there that wants to meet the daddies," he answered, moving into position.
Jared sat beside Jensen, running a finger over his husband's cheek. He wasn't sure whom he was trying to sooth, Jensen or himself. Dr. Agnit kept them updated on the progress of the surgery and before they knew it there was a tiny mewling sound followed seconds later by a wail that continued to increase in volume. Jared's grin couldn't be contained, and when he glanced down at Jensen, it was mirrored on his husband's face. They both saw their baby for the first time through a film of unshed tears.
The nurse holding the baby out to Jared smiled at the awe struck parents. "It's a girl," she told them as she placed the tiny baby in Jared's arms.
Jared couldn't imagine loving someone as much as he did Jensen, but it seemed like his ability to love had just quadrupled in a matter of seconds. He shifted the baby in his arms so that Jensen could get a good look at her. She still needed a cleaning, but she was a perfect pink color with ten fingers and ten toes. Her little face wrinkled in displeasure when Jensen kissed her on the nose and Jared couldn't help but laugh because it was an exact copy of Jensen's not happy look.
Jared followed the nurse to the side table and watched as his baby was weighed, measured, and footprinted. He watched them do all the tests that were typically performed at birth, and the nurse announced that she weighed 7' 11'' and was 21 1/2" long.
Jared sat with Jensen, talking to him softly while they waited for the doctor to finish putting Jensen back together. When the nurses came to move them to a room, Jensen sent Jared to the waiting room, knowing his parents and their friends would be waiting for word. Jared promised he'd be back just as soon as he let everyone know they were okay. He couldn't contain the smile that spread across his
face and the bounce in his step. Jared was excited to tell his parents that they had a grandaughter, but he was anxious to get back to Jensen, the need to reassure himself that his husband was truly fine after
the nights events.
It didn't take long to find his friends and family. Chris was pacing as Steve watched him move from one side of the waiting room to the other. Chad was talking quietly to Sophia, who was twisting her hair into knots that made Jared wince thinking about having to comb it out. His parents were sitting facing the door, and were the first to notice him standing there.
"Jared?" His mom asked, standing and moving to meet her son halfway.
Jared waited until everyone's attention was on him, so he could give them the news. He didn't want to spend too much time away from Jensen, and they would be bringing the baby to the room soon and he wanted to be there for the pediatrician’s visit.
"Jensen is fine," Jared assured everyone. "The doctor said he's going to be tired and sore, but he's going to be okay. Dr. Agnit thought that Jensen had probably been in the early stages of labor before all the excitement and the night's events had just accelerated it. Jensen was right though, we've got a little girl, 7' 11" and 21 1/2 inches long, and she's perfect. They're settling Jensen into a room, and then they'll bring the baby in."
"Have you named her yet?" Jared's dad asked.
"No, not yet. Jensen and I had a deal, if it was a girl like he thought he got to pick the name and if it was a boy I picked the name. I'm sure once they let visitors in that we'll have one for you," Jared assured them.
"How long before we can see them?" Chris asked.
"They have to settle Jensen, and the pediatrician is checking the baby and then they'll bring her down. After that two people can come up at a time. The baby's staying in the room with us, so they're not as strict on the just family clause."
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Jared entered the room quietly. The lights were turned down to a lower setting and Jensen was leaning back against the pillows dozing. Jared stood just inside the doorway watching his husband sleep. He couldn't believe how close he'd come to losing not just him but their baby. He sagged back against the wall, the emotions of the day draining the rest of his energy and making his knees weak.
"Why don't you come sit down before you fall down," Jensen suggested sleepily.
"I thought you were asleep," Jared replied, crossing the room and settling down in the chair next to the bed.
"I was, but I felt all violated. Someone was watching me sleep. That's kinda creepy you know," Jensen teased, grinning when Jared waggled his eyebrows.
"I didn't get the chance to tell you how brave you were." Jared reached out, grabbing Jensen's hand.
"I was scared to death," Jensen answered, shaking his head.
"Yes, but you did what you had to do and kept both of you safe until help could get there."
Jensen lay there quietly for a minute. "He killed Jeff." Jensen swallowed past the grief lodged in his throat.
"What do you mean?" Jared asked, confused by the turn of the conversation.
"He told me he was there that day, said he shot off a rifle to start the avalanche," Jensen answered watching Jared closely.
Jared sat lost in thought for a few minutes. "It's possible. There was a sharp crack right before everything went to hell, but I always chalked it up to the ice cracking. I wouldn't put it past him."
Jared looked back at Jensen's worried face. "It's not your fault," Jared told him, knowing exactly what Jensen was thinking.
"I know, but it feels that way." Jensen looked down at his hands.
"You know I never did anything with that woman right?" Jared asked since they both apparently needed to confess things that were Joshua's fault. "I was going to tell you what happened that day, but when I got home you had been sick, and I forgot about it."
"I know, if Joshua had pictures then it had to be a set up. I could tell by the body language it wasn't what it looked like," Jensen reassured him.
Jared sighed leaning back in his chair. "I'm tired."
"Me too," Jensen agreed.
There was a knock on the door before it was pushed open and a nurse wheeled the small cubicle into the room that held their daughter. She showed them where everything was located under the cart and then left them to meet their daughter again.
Jared gently picked her up and carried her over to the bed so Jensen could hold her for the first time. He didn't know if he'd ever see anything in his life that would touch him more than seeing Jensen's
face enraptured with the child they had created together. Jared sat down on the corner of the bed content to watch Jensen cuddling their daughter and breathing in that unique baby smell.
"Did you decide on a name?" Jared asked, knowing his husband had been batting around a few for some time.
"Yeah," Jensen looked up at him and then down at their daughter. "Meet Avery Grace Ackles- Padalecki."
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