Time After Time-10

by Annie

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Over the next few months Jax watched Jennie bloom right along with the spring flowers. Everyday of her pregnancy made her more beautiful. It was almost May now and Jennie was nearing the end of her seventh month. So far the pregnancy was going smoothly.

They had gotten into the habit of having dinner together whenever their schedules allowed, usually at Jennie's apartment. They took turns, either Jax brought takeout or Jennie cooked. They never ran out of conversation, whether they were sharing memories, discussing current events or just life in general. Even if they didn't always agree, each valued the other's opinion.

Jax was almost always showing up with some sort of gift for the twins. Jennie joked that soon there would be no room left in the nursery for the babies. Slowly she was getting prepared, stocking up on blankets, diapers, baby clothes, etc. Two cribs with koalas painted all over them were set up in the nursery courtesy of Jax. "They're going to think they're in Australia instead of New York." Jennie teased. She loved them of course.

After her latest doctor's appointment, Jennie stopped at the grocery store and picked up a few things for dinner. She walked in her apartment to find Jax setting the table.

"Hi, how did it go?" He asked as he took the groceries from her and followed her into the kitchen. He noticed she looked pretty tired. "Is everyone okay in there?"

Jennie smiled, "Yes, everyone's just fine, thank you."

"Glad to hear it." Jax answered as he saw her swollen feet. He stood in her way as she tried to get to the grocery bags to start unpacking them and get dinner started. He finally took her by the shoulders and made her sit in one of the chairs by the table. "What are you doing?"

She looked up at him exasperated. "I'm trying to make dinner."

He gave her a glass of water. "Nope, you're going to rest. I'm cooking tonight."

"You?" She tried hard not to laugh. "Jax, I know you have many talents, but I've never heard you even mention cooking anything."

"Well, I'm not exactly what you would called skilled but I can manage without causing major damage or poisoning anyone. Besides you're here and you're going to tell me exactly what to do."

"I am?" She raised an eyebrow. Is he serious? Nah. "Come on Jax. I enjoy cooking, remember." She started to stand again. "It's only pasta and a salad. It won't take that long."

"Ah, ah, ah! Sit back down. That's all the more reason why I should do all the work." He pulled another chair over and lifted Jennie's feet off the floor onto it. "You stay." He commanded. "And tell me where I should start."

She sighed realizing this was another one of those times when there was no point in arguing. "Okay, fill that pot with water for the pasta and set it on the stove. At least let me chop the veggies for the salad while I'm sitting here."

Jax decided this was acceptable and handed her the cutting board and knife. She began chopping carrots, then tomatoes. He started pulling the groceries out of the bags and putting them away. "No spinach?" He asked when he was nearly finished. Lately it seemed that whenever he saw her, morning, noon, or night, she was munching on a spinach 'salad', which consisted of a bowl full of spinach leaves, a couple croutons and a little vinaigrette. "Oh, nevermind." He answered himself upon finding the last bag filled with fresh spinach. "As much as you eat it, I think you're going to give birth to two bunches of this stuff." He teased.

"Very funny." She gave him the evil eye. "Be nice or I'll go hormonal on you."

"Ooh, I'm shaking." He rolled his eyes and turned to see if the water was boiling yet.

Jenny watched him for a minute and decided this was as good a time as any. "Jax?"

"Hmmm?" He murmured as he studied the directions on the linguine box.

"Jax, I have something important to ask you."

He finally looked up at her. "I'm sorry." He put the box down and sat across from her. "You said it's important, go on."

"Yes it is, I have a question for you, but first I want you to know that you're free to say no. It won't be a problem and I won't be hurt or disappointed, okay?"

"Okay." He agreed. "Sounds serious."

Taking in a deep breath she started. "The doctor said it's time to start thinking about the birth and make some decisions about how I want things to be."

"Alright. So where do I come in?"

She bit her lip nervously. "Do you want to be in the delivery room with me when the babies are born?"

Jax gasped and grinned broadly. "Are you kidding? Of course I do! Jennie, I'd be honored!" He was practically beaming.

"Are you sure? Maybe you should think about it. I'll probably be totally unbearable and it won't be pretty. You'll have to go to classes with me and be available 24/7 the last couple weeks before my due date, just in case."

"I think I can handle all that. I've put up with you so far, and I was planning on being here for you then anyway." His broad grin returned. "This is so cool! I'm excited."

"Really? I'm starting to freak out myself."

"You'll do fine, and I'll be there to hold your hand so you don't freak out too much. We'll make a good team."

He reached out his hand and Jennie took it, holding on tight.

********

Two weeks later they attended their first childbirth class. Jax paid close attention and asked questions to make sure he understood everything. The last part of the class was a tape of an actual birth. Jax was fascinated, but all Jennie could see was the bond between the parents. They were overjoyed by the birth of their child and cried from sheer happiness together.

She was quiet on the way home. Jax was excited about everything he had learned, but Jennie just sat and stared blankly out the window. When the car pulled up to her building, he opened the door and got out extending his hands to help her maneuver out of the car. "Do you want me to walk you up?" He asked.

Jennie looked up at him with hopelessly sad eyes. "Can you stay with me?"

Without hesitation he told the driver to go ahead and wrapped his arm around Jennie's shoulder as they made their way to her apartment. Once inside Jennie walked around almost aimlessly, finally stopping to look out the window at the lights of the city. Jax wondered if she was thinking about Charlie.

She was in a way. Jennie was tired and wanted to go to bed but she couldn't stand the thought of being alone. Her heart felt empty and abandoned. If Jax weren't here she knew she would be sobbing all night. Almost instinctively Jax came over to her. He hugged her tightly and kept one arm around her as he led her to her bedroom. After helping her get her shoes and socks off, he went into the kitchen to get her some warm milk while she changed. She took a few sips before she laid down and Jax pulled the covers up around her. "Are you okay?" He whispered.

"Yes."

He kissed her forehead and turned out the lights except a small one on her dresser, then sat in a chair a few feet from the bed. He didn't think he was tired but not long after Jennie was asleep, so was Jax.

A few hours later he woke up stiff and sore from the hard chair. He tried to find a way to stretch out but it was impossible. In his uncomfortable, drowsy state, the empty space on Jennie's bed looked like heaven. Without thinking he crawled right into it and collapsed in divine relief as he was finally able to straighten out his legs and back. Almost immediately he was sound asleep.

Jennie opened her eyes to the morning light. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and the sun glinted off her wedding band. She stared at it on her finger for a while, remembering how she had felt the night before and wondering what had happened to Jax. Had he gone home after she was asleep? Her question was answered as she felt the bed jiggle beside her. It took her a minute but she managed to turn herself over to face him. "Jax?" She reached over and touched his cheek. "Jax?" She said a little louder.

His eyes flew open and he sat up straight and wide eyed, straining to remember how he had gotten there. "I, I,.... I'm sorry." He stammered. "I was going to sleep on the couch after you fell asleep. I have no idea how I ended up here, believe me."

"Relax!" She laughed at him. "It's okay." This opportunity to tease him was just too good to pass up. "If you wanted me that badly you should have just told me. It's been a while for me too you know, maybe we can work something out." She bit her tongue to try to keep a straight face.

Jax on the other hand had no problem with in that department. He looked at her with a deadly serious face as he tried to figure out what to say. Finally he took a deep breath and started. "Jennie, I-"

He was interrupted by her uncontrollable burst of laughter. "Gotcha!" She held her stomach as her laughter carried on.

After a brief moment of confusion he grabbed a pillow and pretended to smother her with it. That only made her squeals of laughter even louder. "I will get you for that if its the last thing I do!" He pulled the pillow away and finally joined in laughing. "And just for that, you have to make me breakfast."

"That's a small price to pay for seeing that look on your face." She got out of bed and headed for the kitchen laughing all the way.

Jax soon joined her and sat at the kitchen table, raking his fingers through his hair and looking adorably rumpled after sleeping in his clothes. Jennie made omelets and set out fresh fruit. She looked at him and grinned.

"Don't even start." He warned her, smiling. "I guess you're feeling better then?"

"Yeah. Everything just got to me last night. I'm okay. Thanks for staying."

"You're welcome. I'll always be here when you need me."

Her mood turned to serious. "I know you will. I hope you know I'll be here for you too. I just happen to be the needy one right now."

"Jennie, you've helped me so many times I can't even count them, just by making me laugh or being here to talk about anything except Brenda and my broken heart. I've been able to get on with my life and it's thanks to you. I hope you can see that."

Her heart did a little leap as he spoke. She was so happy to know she had helped him, her eyes began to fill with tears.

"Hey, I didn't say that make you cry." He rubbed her shoulder.

"I'm not crying." She laughed as she wiped a tear away. "You should be used to this by now."

Jax smiled and got up to get her some tissue. He was.

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