Who'd Have Known 12/12, PG to NC-17, Cam/Vala, AU, Stargate SG1
Title: Who'd Have Known
Author: dizzydame and virkatjol
Rating: NC-17, most of it is PG-13 or less.
Summary: What would happen if Vala is found right after giving birth, taken back to the SGC with her baby and that baby doesn't age unnaturally fast?
Disclaimer: Nothing is owned by us. We are owned by the adorableness that is Cam/Vala
CHAPTER 12
They don't talk much on the drive. He can sense Sam's curiosity, but he thinks she might have a pretty good idea of what's going on. He doesn't think General Landry or General O'Neill would really come up with this on their own, so he has a feeling Sam has been planting seeds for a while now.
He's pretty sure he owes her a steak dinner, at the very least, but that can wait.
He pulls into the parking lot of a little shop he's passed a dozen times and wanted to stop in each time. He's resisted, unnerved by the very idea, until now.
"Wow," Sam says, staring at the sign on the door. "You sure?"
"Absolutely." He nods with grim determination, not unhappy with what he's doing, but understanding the enormity of it. "I have no idea what's gonna happen, but this is what I need to do."
"Good," she says.
Inside, Cam doesn't even know where to begin looking. He stares helplessly at Sam, who gives him back a shrug. "Hey, who made me the expert?"
"You've been engaged twice, haven't you?" Cam asks.
"Right, and married how many times? So clearly I'm not the person to ask." She's grinning when she says it, teasing him, and he laughs. "I think you know what Vala would like more than me."
"Yeah, but I'm also on a budget," he grins back at her. "And I don't happen to have a spare chest of gold and jewels laying around."
"Well... I guess we'll have to make do, then?" Sam steps over to a case and starts to look around. "Diamond, you think?"
"Yeah," Cam says, because while Vala would probably be happy with any sort of gem, he wants to do this right - the traditional way.
They both notice the salesman in the corner waiting for them to indicate that they are ready to look closer at something.
Cam and Sam confer over a few choices and then Cam motions for the man to join them.
"Can we see these three?" The man, whose tag says Frederick, reaches in and pulls out their choices.
"The one is a princess cut, half carat, nice clarity." He hands the ring over to Cam.
"I think that she'll like the platinum and the cut name will delight her." Sam likes that ring most of all, but she knows it will be costlier then the other two. They have smaller stones and are in a gold setting. "In fact, I think you should just go with it."
He see the price tag and it makes his stomach hurt a little. "I like it, but..."
"She's worth it, no?"
He thinks of all the money he's been spending on her and Adria and it hasn't made him blink an eye. The stone is not overly large, but it's definitely as big as he can afford.
"Yeah..." He says it again, with more confidence. "Yes, she is. I'll take this in size six."
"I'll get that wrapped up for you. Will that be charge or check?"
"Charge." He pulls out his wallet and hands him his credit card. It's been swiped more than normal of late and he's surprised that Vala hasn't worn the magnetic strip off yet. He smiles thinking about how delighted she is when he lets her pay with it though.
"How are you gonna do it?" Sam's looking over all the rings and comes back to him after Freddy leaves. "Got it all planned out?"
"Not at all," Cam says. "I don't know. I don't have a damn clue. Got any suggestions?"
Sam shrugs, helpless. "I'd say make it special, but I think your entire situation qualifies. Cam, however you ask, this is Vala. I think what you and she have already goes above and beyond."
Cam still knows that he wants to do something. He glances at his watch. "I'll take you back to the base now. I just needed someone to hold my hand through this."
She leans over and impulsively hugs him. "She's gonna say yes. She loves you."
He nods, though he's not quite convinced still.
He walks in to find Vala and Adria in the middle of nap time. Vala opens her eyes when he walks in, blinking and then smiling slowly at him. "Welcome home."
He shrugs out of his jacket and lays down on the other side of Adria, kissing her head. She wakes up and starts to fuss, yawning widely and putting her fingers in her mouth around her whimpers.
"Teething?" He asks.
Vala nods. "Can you get her ring..."
Cam gets up and walks over to the little mini fridge they've provided for Vala, pulling a frozen gel circlet out. Adria takes it and puts it in her mouth, her displeasure quieting slightly as her eyes droop again.
"Thank you. She's been up since you left. She doesn't realize mummy needs nap time just as much as she does." Vala smiles at her little girl, then looks up at Cam. "So how did it go?"
Cam reaches out and cups Vala's cheek, fingers across her skin. "We can talk about it later. Right now, I think a nap sounds pretty good."
"If you don't want to talk about it now then it must not have gone well..." She has an urge to be held, suddenly, it's overwhelming and she grabs his hand from her face and tugs him to lie behind her. Her stomach surges at him leaving her. She's never felt this type of need for another person.
He lies down behind her and puts an arm over her waist so he can rub Adria's belly as she gnaws on the ring.
"Vala... It's-"
"Please just tell me. I won't be able to sleep or do anything unless I know." She tilts her head back to look at him and he kisses her cheek. Her eyes close and she releases a sigh. "If it's bad news I just... I don't think I can handle it here, without you..."
Cam doesn't know what to do. He wanted to find a perfect time to ask her. He doesn't want to lie to her about the meeting, but asking her now would make her think that he had to. His brain scrambles for something, anything, to tell her that will ease her mind and not give away the fact that he's proposing.
"It's... Everything is going to be okay." He can tell she doesn't believe him. "It will. I am not going to let anything happen to either of you."
Vala looks at Adria and she's still settled quietly on the bed. She turns around and snuggles into his chest and his arm hugs her to him. She buries her face against his shirt and inhales, drawing the scent of him into her, calming herself.
"You're sure?" She knows that her voice sounds needy and weak, but she's feeling exactly that and she doesn't mind if Cam knows that about her.
"I love you." He gives her back a rub. "I love her. I won't let anyone hurt the people I love."
"Sometimes I don't understand how you can love me, but I'm so happy you do." Vala inches up his body until her face is level with his. She brushes her nose against his and then kisses his lips. "I love you too."
"Good, now sleep, baby. I'll be here with you making sure everything is alright." Cam kisses her and then she turns back around so he can spoon her. She's been particular about this position for the last few weeks. He loves the intimacy of it and how he feels like he's enveloping her whole body. She is so small and he's large enough to surround her. He loves it.
"Looks like Adria feels better, too." Vala closes her eyes and sleeps after seeing that the soothing motion of Cam's hand in addition to the teething ring have put her under the lull of sleep, too. Cam's too good to them both. She should mind, but she finds that she doesn't.
There's another mission, another few days apart, and Cam's unrest grows more and more. He sits outside of his tent and stares down at the picture of Vala and Adria that he carries with him now. It's worn and folded, and he thinks that he should update it soon because Adria's already looking older to him. He wants a whole collection, in a few years wants to be able to look back through them. His little girl growing up.
He tries to think about what she'll be like in a few years. Starting school, making friends. He wants that for her so badly. He wants everything for her; a life, a future, an education, happiness.
His eyes move from Adria in the photo to Vala and his heart trips a little. She's looking at the camera, mid-laugh over something Cam had just said to her. It's exactly how he wants to picture Vala always. He's seen her angry, seen her hurt, seen how she acts when she doesn't trust someone, when she's not sure what sort of ground she's on... he remembers her walking through the gate all cocky, clad in leather, trying to look like she owned the place. It makes him smile to remember now.
It's so far from the person he knows that she is. So much pain in her life, so much instability, and he wants to give her all he wants for Adria and more. He wants to give her happiness and care that he doubts many people in her life have. He wants Adria to grow up and be able to stand on her own; he wants Vala by his side until they're both old and gray.
It's still strange to want this at all, for himself. It's strange not to think of his job and feel that utter satisfaction that has carried him through the first half of his life. Now the job is still the job, but his loyalties are divided.
When he steps back through, he knows that he doesn't want a single mission more to come and go while he worries that she won't be there when he comes back. He's on autopilot through the medical exam and debriefing.
"Mitchell, I need you to come look at something if you have a minute," Daniel asks, stopping Cam outside the meeting room.
"Sorry, can't today," Cam says. He doesn't offer more of an explanation, and Daniel looks befuddled.
He catches Sam smiling at him as she walks away and knows that he's pretty transparent, to her at least. Which works in his favor...
He jogs after her to catch up. "Hey, Carter, I need a favor!"
Vala leaps into his arms as soon as Cam enters through the door to her quarters. He's not expecting it, but he catches her easily, wrapping his arms around her as she clings to him. He's thrilled with the exuberant greeting, carrying her over to the bed and dropping her onto it, their mouths meeting enthusiastically. They kiss with passion and all the desperation of two people very much in love who have been apart for too long.
Vala's bossy, impatient as always, and rolls them over so that she's on top. She kisses him again and says, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," he says, reaching up and pushing her hair out of her face. "I want to get out of here. Feel like blowing this popsicle stand?"
"You still think it's cute when you say things I don't understand, don't you?" She huffs.
"Yes." Cam is unapologetic.
"Well, I'm going to assume that you were simply restating your desire to leave." She leans back, letting him sit up with her still on his lap. "And I'm in favor of that idea."
"I thought maybe... I talked to Sam... if she'll sit for the baby then we can..." Cam trails off, knowing she'll get the picture.
Her face lights up. She loves her daughter beyond hope, but they so rarely get to be alone together without Adria. Even sex is something done with am emphasis on being quiet and not waking her or disturbing her. The more aware of things Adria gets, the more Cam realizes that at some point soon they'll have to come up with other arrangements.
He thought about taking her some place to ask. He tried to pull an idea out of his brain, something creative and classy. Nothing came to him. Then he decided that the location, in the end, didn't matter. It was about him loving her enough to declare himself as belonging to her, and vise versa, forever.
Getting a sitter was key because asking her to marry him was about her wanting to marry him. Not about the baby or him becoming Adria's father. That was part of the deal for him, but she isn't the reason that Cam wants to become her husband. He's in love with Vala. He wants to make sure that she understands that is the reason he's asking.
During the mission he'd decided to just bring her to the apartment. They'd catch up on the few days he'd missed and when the moment felt right, perfect, he'd ask her. He ordered dinner in the car and they stopped to pick it up. He'd go change and collect the ring from his sock drawer when they got home.
Vala carried the food in and set out the containers of chinese while Cam changed out of his work clothes. The food smelled delicious and it was nice to not have to fuss about feeding Adria first. She makes up two plates and carries them to the couch, tucking her feet up under her and digging into her favorite noodles.
When he walks out in his comfy clothes and bare feet, her stomach flips at the simplicity of it all. She's here with him, they're together and she has food. She thinks about the sex they'll be having later. Hot, wet, slippery, loud sex. A heat is already gathering in her belly and she squeezes her legs together to ease the pressure. He leans over and kisses her temple as he slips in beside her and picks up his plate.
"This is the best Chinese food this side of the Mississippi." Cam garbles over a mouthful of sweet and sour chicken. He looks over at her and she's nodding. Her hair is a little mussed, presumably from an earlier nap, and she looks comfortable. "You're beautiful."
"I'm starving," she says, around a mouthful of food.
He laughs, understanding her priorities right now. He picks at his food, mostly just watching her eat, until she's done. He grabs both plates and puts them away for her.
"Dessert?" She says, hopeful.
He laughs. "I think I have some ice cream..."
His fridge has magically become stocked with things that Vala likes - including double chocolate rocky road ice cream. He puts a few generous scoops into a bowl and sticks two spoons in it.
"You expect me to share?" She gasps when she sees just the single bowl, then narrows her eyes. "You realize it goes quite against my nature, don't you?"
"I think you'll make an exception," Cam says, sitting back down beside her. She snuggles in against him and starts in on the ice cream.
"You're lucky you're so cute." She picks up her spoon and takes a bite, moaning at the fudge-y chocolate. "This is why this planet is worth conquering. For this alone."
"What, so if we just get rid of the ice cream, all the bad guys will leave us alone? Now there's a thought." Cam ponders that. "I could live without rocky road if it meant..."
If it meant having Vala and Adria...
Vala seems to understand. She leans over and gives him a sticky, cold kiss on the cheek.
"Hey!" He protests, wiping it off. She leans and then drags her finger through the ice cream before swiping his nose with it. "No fair!"
She giggles to herself and he thinks that payback is definitely in order. He puts the ice cream bowl aside and she jumps up, running back around the other side of the couch. He advances on her slowly and she's all smiles and whimsy, enjoying the little game. He runs forward a bit and she darts away and then it's a full on chase until he grabs her, arms around her waist, both of them still moving slightly with the momentum, out of breath and laughing.
"Ohh, you've caught me," she taunts him, squirming. Her back is to his chest, but he's got a firm grip around her. "What are you going to do with me?"
He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out the box. He uses one finger to flip it open and puts it in front of her. "Marry you, I hope."
Vala goes still against him, no longer struggling. "What?"
"Vala..." He lets go of her, steps back and then in front of her, going down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
She just stares at him.
Her eyes are big and he thinks there might be tears in them. It makes his heart pound against his chest and he wonders if he chose the right moment. It just felt like the right time...
Her eyes flicker from the ring to his face. The diamond is probably a half carat and it's gorgeous. He's spent far too much money on her. For this, this thing that she isn't sure she can place. She loves him, but marriage hasn't ever meant much to her before. This time would be different. She can't answer him flippantly and it scares her. She falls to her knees across from him.
"You want to marry me?" She is still disbelieving. "Me? Space pirate, woman used by the Ori and Qetesh, with unknown roots and who knows how many people after me."
There's no hesitation. "Yes."
"Why? What is wrong with this?" The old fear prods around her senses and peers into her consciousness.
Cam's worried now. He didn't anticipate explanations. Although Vala's never been one to trick or fool. "First of all, I love you. I'm madly in love with you and want to spend the rest of this life making you happy." His hand palms her cheek and his thumb rubs along the bone there. "Second of all, I need to make sure that you're under the protection my name will provide-"
"Landry told you to marry me or risk having me shipped off somewhere, didn't he?" Vala pushed his hand away and stood up walking to the other side of the room. Cam was still on his knee, ring in the air when she turned to look back at him. She could see the truth in his eyes. "Is that why?"
"No, yes, not all of it..." He can hear her choke back a sob and his heart is breaking. He wanted to avoid this, but she's far too smart. "I want to marry you. No matter what the situation, the reason is because I love you. The time table might be moved up a bit, but this is where I want to be. Here, with you."
"I've been married quite a few times, Cameron," she says, parsing her words out. "I've married out of love, out of need, out of manipulation, and I think once simply out of intoxication. Marriage can be... many things."
"Not to me," Cam says, shaking his head. He gets to his feet, but doesn't walk to her. If she wants a little bit of space, he'll let her have it right now. "I've never been married. I never wanted to be married. You changed that. I want this because I love you."
She smiles at him and there's so much love in it, but he's sad for the mistrust he still sees there, sad for whatever has happened to her to make her think this before anything else. She says to him, "You gain nothing from marrying me."
"I gain you," he says. "And Adria."
"You have us already." She looks down at the ring box still in his hand. "You'd have us if we never did this."
"I want to keep you safe, and I can do it better like this. It's not a chore, Vala. It's not an assignment. It's my life, and I want to live it with you." Cam's frustration rises. "Do you want to be my wife? Answer me honestly."
"Yes," she says. "Do you want to be my husband?"
"Vala, I want nothing else. I'd still want it if Landry hadn't said a word." Cam says it with such passion and vehemence that Vala can't help but believe him. Tears well in her eyes and she lets them spill over, reaching out to take the ring. He pulls it back from her grasp, taking it out of the box and slipping it onto her finger for her.
"Yes," she says. "Yes."
Cam wraps his arms around her and pulls her in for a hug. "I love you so much."
"I don't deserve you, but I love you." She whimpers the words against his neck as they embrace in his living room. The metal is warming against her skin and the weight of it feels good. It anchors her and for the first time in her life she feels a permanence. She doesn't want to run or leave him behind, she just wants to get closer. Vala tugs on him with her arms, but she's already molded to him. There is a burning need in her, rising up her spine, to be with him. It's something more than the usual desire. It's deeper than that and she finds she actually cares where the feeling stems from.
His penis is hardening against her belly and it makes her sigh - he feels the same.
"You deserve everything. I wish I could be more for you." Cam's hands are caressing her back now, moving everywhere, soft, gentle motions. His fingers find the hem of her shirt and slip under it. The skin he finds is smooth and hot to the touch.
"Make love to me." The words are between request and demand. She doesn't think that he'll mind.
He smiles into her hair. "You see the difference."
"There are plenty of times for hot, sweaty, wild sex. Then there are times like this when I just want to feel you inside me. It's like just having you there will calm my body down... It's not just about the orgasm." She pulls back and yanks her shirt over her head. He's followed her lead and is half naked when she tosses the material onto the couch. Her bra is next and then she's in his arms again.
Skin again skin, heat next to heat. Every part of them seems to sigh in relief at the contact.
He backs her over to the couch and pushes her down, kneeling between her legs and stroking his palms over her thighs, spreading them apart. He tugs the sweatpants she's wearing off and she's not wearing anything underneath. He really shouldn't be surprised, but the sight of glossy dark curls and the way her lips are already pink and glistening just makes his mouth water.
"Naughty," he says, the word catching in his throat.
"You like?"
"Always."
He doesn't waste much time right now, leaning in and dragging his tongue over her. She slinks lower on the couch and whines, her fingers curling into his hair and tugging on the short length, trying in vain to get a better grip and force his mouth against her with more pressure, the kind she craves.
He shows her that this is making love too; he's showing her with his tongue, with his fingers, with touches and kisses, with the pleasure that he sends flowing through her. He shows her that she deserves this and that he'll spend the rest of his life bringing her every sort of pleasure that he can. Sex and security and the ability to have someone there to hold you up when you just can't stand on your own.
Right now, though - right now it's about the physical, about knowing her body as well as he knows his own. He brings her off quickly and thoroughly, ramping the pleasure up and up, stubble dragging across tender skin and his fingers finding that rhythm inside of her, hitting on all the right pressure points. Clit and cunt, a double attack that has her howling her pleasure so loudly that he's sure his neighbors will have things to say.
Cam is so revved up tasting her, feeling her and hearing her that he doesn't even think. He tugs his sweat pants down enough to free his cock and he's plunging inside her. She's still thrumming from her orgasm and her muscles ripple around him.
She's so full of him now, tighter from her climax and he seems to be so turned on, she can feel every vein of him. The ridge of his cock is sliding along her walls and it's building her back up towards a second orgasm. She hadn't a clue about how much something like a marriage proposal would increase the sensitivity. Her emotions are running on a new plane of existence right now and her body wants to try out the new place, too.
The heat surrounding him is intoxicating. She's so wet and her body is squeezing around him so tightly that he can barely breathe, let alone control himself. His mind keeps repeating her voice saying the word 'Yes' or is she muttering it again now? He speeds up the tempo and reaches down to hike one of her legs up over his elbow. The new angle sets him deeper inside her and both of them groan.
"Baby..." He can't speak, he's so out of breath from the thrusting. "Close?" She gets his meaning and reaches between them to make sure she comes with him. He grunts and tucks his head into the crook of her neck, licking and sucking the salty flesh there. He's going to blow his load in about five seconds. Every plunge into her body brings him exponentially closer.
"Go. I'm right behind you, Cameron."
The sweet sound of his name on her lips is what sends him across the line. He's shooting his cum into her body and fuck if it doesn't hit him right then what he's doing. He tries to pull out to release the rest of his seed on her belly, but an ankle is holding him fast and her body is coming with him and everything is lost. He empties himself right there, against her cervix. Her hand is still working her body as he softens and the rippling around him is quieting.
"I..."
"Shhh." Vala knows he feels guilty. "I probably won't."
"What if you do?" Cam nuzzles her cheek with his nose. "I was so careless and stupid."
"You were so turned on by me that you couldn't think. If I get pregnant from that, it will be worth it." She hears the sigh by her ear. "I doubt that I will, though."
"I won't let it happen again." Cam kisses her lips and eases out of her. He can't deny how amazing it felt to be naked inside her. And there is a part of him that wants her to have a child that is theirs. It's just not the best time.
The couch becomes too small for their bodies, or at least for Vala's urge to sprawl out. He holds her hand and they stumble quietly into the bedroom, crawling between the covers. He pulls her close to him, tired but not ready for sleep yet, and his hands keep exploring.
He strokes down her stomach, over her thighs. She makes a pleased little whining noise that goes straight to his gut in a burst of pleasure, and spreads her legs a little. He's caressing with care, but no purpose right now, just exploring her, doing what feels good. He's fascinated by the slickness between her legs that is no longer just her, dipping a finger inside to feel his come there.
"Wow..." He speaks without even realizing that he's going to. She hums in agreement, pressing back into him, clenching around his finger. He understands the hint there, the implied request, and drags the come out to spread it around her skin, rubbing over her lit, using it as lubrication. "That's so hot."
"I could feel it," she says, her voice low and dark. That voice does things to him. "When you came, inside of me."
"What did it feel like?" He asks.
"Heat... thick... tickling..." The words are nonsense, really, but he still understands what she means perfectly. "I want you inside of me like that again."
"We can ask Lam about it... birth control..." Cam says. "Maybe there's something..."
He can tell the idea is exciting her, because she's getting even wetter. He starts to rub faster and she gasps, coming quickly. It's not as intense as her last orgasm, but the sharp contractions are still so erotic.
His cock wants to respond, but he's spent for the night. Cam's fingers remain against her until he feels her body settle. He's sleepy, but they are both sweaty and sticky. His hand is covered with their combined fluids and he rests it against her abdomen.
"You think she'll be able to give me something?"
"I don't know... I'm not an expert by any means, but lots of couples have sex after having a baby and don't have more. I doubt they all use condoms." He kisses her neck. Their bodies are calming and it's nice to be able to lay here and enjoy each other without having to check on the baby. It feels indulgent. They should probably get cleaned up.
"Don't wanna shower..." Vala can hear his thoughts and the cooling wet fingers on her belly clue her in on the fact they they should probably clean up. "Just wanna lay here with you."
He stretches his legs, testing their stability while lying there. "I"ll take care of you." He gets up and heads to the bathroom.
She can hear the spray of the water and she closes her eyes in denial. She misses his heat, but she'd rather sleep now, not get wet and clean. She must drift off a bit because when he comes back she doesn't hear him and it startles her when he lifts her upwards into his arms.
At her startled gasp he chuckles. "I told you. I'm taking care of you." She snuggles into his neck as he angles them through the doorway and right under the spray of hot water.
"It's warm." She slides to her feet and while he's still holding her upright, she is able to assist in the washing. His hands are quick and gentle and the soap feels nice on her skin. "You're very good at this. I think I'll keep you." Vala's lips tickle along his shoulder, licking at the droplets of water.
"I'm glad I'm acceptable." He saves her hair for last and lathers up the thick strands and puts her arms around his neck so she can support herself while he does it. "I love your hair."
"I love you." She concentrates on his skin while he indulges himself with her hair. The conditioner takes far longer then she knows is needed, but she doesn't say anything. She just lets him play. Her head is tipped back, breaking the contact that her lips had with his neck. The water feels nice as it rinses out the product.
"My turn." He turns them around and speedily cleans himself. The water is shut off and he grabs the towel and dries himself first. Then he grabs the larger, fluffier towel and wraps her in it. She stands and shivers as the heat dissipates in the cooling air. The humidity from the shower has gone and thankfully she's almost dry.
"Do I get to be carried again?" She enjoys the roll of the eyes she gets before he willingly picks her up again. "A slave that never argues is a joy. They are so hard to find."
"I love to serve you, mistress Vala." Cam kisses her neck and chuckles. "Would you like to sleep now?"
"Mmhmm. Sleep sounds divine." He sets her down on the bed and pulls the covers around her. He tries to walk away and her hand catches his elbow. "But only with you here, too."
"Gonna go close everything up. I'll be back."
He smiles as she drifts off almost immediately. He's quick about shutting off all the lights and making sure the front door is locked before slipping back into bed behind her.
Cam has no idea what time it is when he wakes up, but it's dark out and Vala's hand is on his dick. He thinks that he's still dreaming for a few minutes, and those moments between really waking and still being caught in a web of sleep are a pleasant haze of imagination and reality, like floating through air. It's a slow descent into awareness rather than an abrupt tumble and by the time he makes it all the way there she's slinking down his body, hands and lips everywhere.
She's naked, and he can feel the peaks of her nipples dragging along his skin, the soft swell of flesh against his thighs as she licks around his cock, fingers dancing over his length. The skin goes tauter under her faint touch and it makes him shiver. She traces the veins under the flesh, down to play with his balls, such light caresses - not nearly enough to be truly gratifying, but enough to get him where she wants him, worked into a frenzy. She knows exactly how to play him.
He says her name in a choked off voice when her lips touch the head of his cock, slick and leaking. He can't see her anymore, since she's disappeared beneath the covers of the bed, but he can feel her every breath and move, like somehow the darkness surrounding them means that he's hyperaware.
She licks around the shaft now, finally giving in and really touching him. She's tracing patterns with her tongue, and it's enough to have him rigid and jerking eagerly for more direct stimulation. She teases and just when he's about to ask her for more she decides to take pity on him. She doesn't draw it out too much more, her lips enveloping him in warmth and wetness and just staying there and letting him rest against her tongue for a few moments before sinking down on him.
His hands clench in the tangle of sheets and his toes curl as she starts to suck, moaning around him. Something about that sound cutting through the quiet makes it even more intense. He can hear everything; sucking, wetness, skin on skin.
He says her name again and she whimpers. He's hard against her tongue and he won't last long, doesn't even try. He says her name in that same choked voice again, this time a warning and not a request. He's too disarmed to do anything but let it carry him off as he throbs and spills into her mouth, more quickly than either of them had expected.
He gasps and throws an arm over his face, trying to find words. "Uh... sorry."
She makes sure he's clean of his cum before easing back up his body. "What are you sorry for?"
He hums against her lips as she leans down to kiss him, the salty flavor startling him, but not displeasing. Her tongue is slow and lazy against his and she kisses like she's still partly asleep.
"It's impolite not to warn... when..." Her nose strokes along his cheek and her breasts are pressed against his chest as she rests all her weight onto him. Her head lays on his shoulder as her palm moves along the curve of his collarbone.
"I knew. Don't worry." She turns her head and kisses his skin. Something about laying there with him makes her always want to touch or kiss him. "I owed you one."
"It's not a contest, baby." His hands have regained function and one of them finds her back, stroking up along her spine with the tips of his fingers. "It was good for me, last night, too. I like making you come."
"I like it when you come in my mouth."
"Fuck, I can't argue with that." She smiles against him. He can feel her lips moving on his chest. "It's a great way to wake up."
"Do we have to go back?" Vala doesn't want this time to end. She misses her daughter, but the time she's had alone with him is so little, with long periods of time in between, that she just wants to linger in the moment.
"We do." Her groan makes him smile. Vala's never liked being told that she has to do something. "Adria probably misses us and we need to see Carolyn about getting you on something so we can..."
She perks up at that. She's sitting up and straddling him, bending at the waist and letting her hair make a veil around their faces. Her lips are inches from his before she speaks. "So you can come inside me."
If he hadn't just had an orgasm his cock would have reacted instantly to those words. Instead, he lifts his head up and finds her lips. The kiss is hard and wet. They devour each other. He wants more pressure, more control, so he flips them over. She laughs, but is interrupted as his mouth covers hers again, swallowing the whimsical sound.
Vala cradles him closely and lets him press her into the mattress. They can't get enough of each other now, or ever.
"It's going to be hard to get used to that. I'm going to have to work on my endurance."
"I hope it's hard." She smiles huge at him and he growls at her before kissing her again. It feels like forever when they finally ease the ferocity of their lips. They are just gentle pecks and light licks that turn into soft nuzzles and wisps of breath.
"We should get ready..."
"Don't wanna." Vala pulls out her best pout.
"We have to share the news with everyone. Don't you want to show off your new ring?" This seems to delight her and she pulls her hand over his shoulder so she can look at it. The light is bright enough to see well now and the early morning sunlight glints off the diamond.
"Oh yes. Yes, lets get going. Samantha is going to admire this with me."
He doesn't mention that Sam's already seen it. He's sure that Sam won't bring it up either.
Adria babbles loudly at them when she sees them, scooting over to the edge of her playpen and getting herself up. "MAMA DADA!" She squeals at them, gripping tightly to the playpen wall, but wiggling her body to show her enthusiasm at her parents returning.
Cam goes over to her and picks her up, but Vala's sidetracked. She stands in front of Sam and, positively beaming, thrusts out her hand, palm toward her.
Sam's face lights up. "Oh, Vala! Is that really-"
"We're getting married." Vala is doing a fair impression of Adria there, bouncing and wiggling in excitement. "Isn't it lovely? Isn't the gemstone larger than average?"
Cam laughs and kisses Adria's cheek. "Mommy's bragging now. Try not to pick that habit up from her."
"Mommy's allowed," Sam says, grinning. "Vala, it's gorgeous."
"We're going to be married," she says again, as if she can't quite believe it herself. She mock whispers to Sam, "I'm not sure if he realized exactly what he's just agreed to."
"Mama," Adria says to Cam, her eyes going wider, showing her distress. She's said hi to daddy, now she wants the food source.
Cam hands her over and says, "I think he realizes exactly what he got into."
"Being associated with a known space pirate who is, while brilliant, seen as quite wonko and overly annoying and with her daughter of unknown origins will surely help your reputation." She buries her nose in Adria's hair and looks up at him. "You sure you know?"
"I know that I love you. The rest isn't important." He pulls her shoulders under his arm and angles them out of the room. "We'll be back for the stuff later. Thanks for watching her, Sam."
"I'd say any time, but I don't know how much of a tiny version of Vala I can take once she starts talking like her mom." Sam winks at him and smiles. "She's lovely, you know I adore her, I'd be happy to help when you need me."
When he gets them back to their quarters, he looks around. It's become emptier and emptier the longer they've been dating. There won't be much to move.
"We should get some boxes. We'll leave some stuff here for during the day, but most of this can move to my place." Cam can't believe how right it feels- bringing her into his life, permanently. "You can stay at the apartment when you don't have work to do here. Or just come in with me to keep me company..."
She's unbuttoning her top and Adria settles into nursing as soon as she reveals her nipple. "I enjoy your company... Speaking of which, we need to talk to Carolyn. Soon."
"I'll stop by and get an appointment on my way to my office and then call and let you know." Cam kisses her on the forehead and caresses Adria's head. "It's about that time. I'll call you in a bit and see you later. Lunch, I'll bring it here in a few hours, Princess."
"Oh food sounds divine. I think I'll nap with Adria while you're away. I need to work on some translations for Daniel, too."
The door clicks behind him as she watches him walk out to go to work. Her finger glints in the lamplight and she smiles and lets out a happy sigh. It's still unreal to her. So wonderful and it hasn't quite sunk in completely. She thinks about her wedding, about how it will be and she decides that she doesn't want to do anything huge. Just him and her and Adria. Something that unites them forever.
The phone rings and interrupts her thoughts. Cam tells her to go see the doctor in twenty minutes. She reminds him how erotic their sex life is going to be after the appointment and she swears she can hear him hardening over the phone and he hangs up on her before it gets any worse for him.
He shows up with a pudding cup (one of Adria's new favorite things) and a couple of sandwiches, promising to wait on her for lunch.
She's relieved that he understands her unwillingness to take Adria with her without her having to ask. The less she has to take her daughter near Dr. Lam, the better she feels.
"No problem," he says, giving her a kiss. She catches his sleeve and keeps him close, prolonging it.
"Thank you."
"I love you," he says, leaning forward until his forehead touches hers. "That sort of covers all the small stuff, I think."
Vala nods happily. "That will take some getting used to."
"Well, good thing I'm patient." He kisses her again and then steps back, shifting Adria to his other arm. "Ain't that right, punkin'?"
She giggles and presses her open palm to his cheek before giving him a big smacking kiss - another of her new favorite things.
"Can we tell Momma byebye?" Cam tries to coax her into it, but Adria's only got couple words and she hasn't worked those out yet.
She does give a very enthusiastic, "MAMA!" at Vala, though.
He's playing peek-a-boo with Adria when she returns. The delightful giggles on both of their parts are heard in the hallway outside the door. She opens it and enters to a peel of laughter as Cam has started tickling the little girl.
He looks over at her and stills the baby. "How'd it go?"
She pulls the packet of pills from around her back and wiggles it. "It went flawlessly. I got a couple of looks when I waved my hand where the light would catch this giant gemstone best, but besides that we're clear for..." She looks at the baby and sees she's occupied with shoving her foot into her mouth. She sidles next to Cam, facing him, and puts her arms around his neck. "You can come inside me. But not for a week while these things start to take effect."
"I think I can handle that." He kisses her cheek. "Your daughter is showing us how much she's like you right now. Putting her foot in her mouth and all."
"I'm quite sure I've never done that in front of you before..."
"It's a saying." Cam loves her confusion. The squint on her face turns into utter disbelief at some of the earth sayings and then she shrugs it off and files it away for future use. The process is visible on her face. "You're cute when you don't understand."
"So that's why you keep saying things to me that won't make sense..."
"Perhaps..." Cam looks at the clock. He's got some work to do before lunch time. "I've got some things to finish up. But I'll be back to eat with you. I brought you two sandwiches. Save one for when I'm back so I can eat with you and not have half of my food poached because you didn't save anything for yourself."
"I can't help that I am hungry." Vala scowls at him and he laughs.
"Honey, you're insatiable and I love it."
"You're easy."
"I'm a man in love. We're a breed of easy." Cam smiles at her and leans against the door. She's rolling her eyes at him and playing with Adria. He thinks about where he was only a few months ago and how much it means to him to be here now. He's gained a family and he wouldn't trade it for the world.
She looks over and waves him off, blows him a kiss and barks at him to hurry back or she'll eat his food. He shakes his head and his chest swells with the love he feels and the amazing rightness of his world before heading off to work.
Everything he loves in one place. A man never hoped to be this lucky. He was glad he did something in his life to deserve it.
The End
Author: dizzydame and virkatjol
Rating: NC-17, most of it is PG-13 or less.
Summary: What would happen if Vala is found right after giving birth, taken back to the SGC with her baby and that baby doesn't age unnaturally fast?
Disclaimer: Nothing is owned by us. We are owned by the adorableness that is Cam/Vala
CHAPTER 12
They don't talk much on the drive. He can sense Sam's curiosity, but he thinks she might have a pretty good idea of what's going on. He doesn't think General Landry or General O'Neill would really come up with this on their own, so he has a feeling Sam has been planting seeds for a while now.
He's pretty sure he owes her a steak dinner, at the very least, but that can wait.
He pulls into the parking lot of a little shop he's passed a dozen times and wanted to stop in each time. He's resisted, unnerved by the very idea, until now.
"Wow," Sam says, staring at the sign on the door. "You sure?"
"Absolutely." He nods with grim determination, not unhappy with what he's doing, but understanding the enormity of it. "I have no idea what's gonna happen, but this is what I need to do."
"Good," she says.
Inside, Cam doesn't even know where to begin looking. He stares helplessly at Sam, who gives him back a shrug. "Hey, who made me the expert?"
"You've been engaged twice, haven't you?" Cam asks.
"Right, and married how many times? So clearly I'm not the person to ask." She's grinning when she says it, teasing him, and he laughs. "I think you know what Vala would like more than me."
"Yeah, but I'm also on a budget," he grins back at her. "And I don't happen to have a spare chest of gold and jewels laying around."
"Well... I guess we'll have to make do, then?" Sam steps over to a case and starts to look around. "Diamond, you think?"
"Yeah," Cam says, because while Vala would probably be happy with any sort of gem, he wants to do this right - the traditional way.
They both notice the salesman in the corner waiting for them to indicate that they are ready to look closer at something.
Cam and Sam confer over a few choices and then Cam motions for the man to join them.
"Can we see these three?" The man, whose tag says Frederick, reaches in and pulls out their choices.
"The one is a princess cut, half carat, nice clarity." He hands the ring over to Cam.
"I think that she'll like the platinum and the cut name will delight her." Sam likes that ring most of all, but she knows it will be costlier then the other two. They have smaller stones and are in a gold setting. "In fact, I think you should just go with it."
He see the price tag and it makes his stomach hurt a little. "I like it, but..."
"She's worth it, no?"
He thinks of all the money he's been spending on her and Adria and it hasn't made him blink an eye. The stone is not overly large, but it's definitely as big as he can afford.
"Yeah..." He says it again, with more confidence. "Yes, she is. I'll take this in size six."
"I'll get that wrapped up for you. Will that be charge or check?"
"Charge." He pulls out his wallet and hands him his credit card. It's been swiped more than normal of late and he's surprised that Vala hasn't worn the magnetic strip off yet. He smiles thinking about how delighted she is when he lets her pay with it though.
"How are you gonna do it?" Sam's looking over all the rings and comes back to him after Freddy leaves. "Got it all planned out?"
"Not at all," Cam says. "I don't know. I don't have a damn clue. Got any suggestions?"
Sam shrugs, helpless. "I'd say make it special, but I think your entire situation qualifies. Cam, however you ask, this is Vala. I think what you and she have already goes above and beyond."
Cam still knows that he wants to do something. He glances at his watch. "I'll take you back to the base now. I just needed someone to hold my hand through this."
She leans over and impulsively hugs him. "She's gonna say yes. She loves you."
He nods, though he's not quite convinced still.
He walks in to find Vala and Adria in the middle of nap time. Vala opens her eyes when he walks in, blinking and then smiling slowly at him. "Welcome home."
He shrugs out of his jacket and lays down on the other side of Adria, kissing her head. She wakes up and starts to fuss, yawning widely and putting her fingers in her mouth around her whimpers.
"Teething?" He asks.
Vala nods. "Can you get her ring..."
Cam gets up and walks over to the little mini fridge they've provided for Vala, pulling a frozen gel circlet out. Adria takes it and puts it in her mouth, her displeasure quieting slightly as her eyes droop again.
"Thank you. She's been up since you left. She doesn't realize mummy needs nap time just as much as she does." Vala smiles at her little girl, then looks up at Cam. "So how did it go?"
Cam reaches out and cups Vala's cheek, fingers across her skin. "We can talk about it later. Right now, I think a nap sounds pretty good."
"If you don't want to talk about it now then it must not have gone well..." She has an urge to be held, suddenly, it's overwhelming and she grabs his hand from her face and tugs him to lie behind her. Her stomach surges at him leaving her. She's never felt this type of need for another person.
He lies down behind her and puts an arm over her waist so he can rub Adria's belly as she gnaws on the ring.
"Vala... It's-"
"Please just tell me. I won't be able to sleep or do anything unless I know." She tilts her head back to look at him and he kisses her cheek. Her eyes close and she releases a sigh. "If it's bad news I just... I don't think I can handle it here, without you..."
Cam doesn't know what to do. He wanted to find a perfect time to ask her. He doesn't want to lie to her about the meeting, but asking her now would make her think that he had to. His brain scrambles for something, anything, to tell her that will ease her mind and not give away the fact that he's proposing.
"It's... Everything is going to be okay." He can tell she doesn't believe him. "It will. I am not going to let anything happen to either of you."
Vala looks at Adria and she's still settled quietly on the bed. She turns around and snuggles into his chest and his arm hugs her to him. She buries her face against his shirt and inhales, drawing the scent of him into her, calming herself.
"You're sure?" She knows that her voice sounds needy and weak, but she's feeling exactly that and she doesn't mind if Cam knows that about her.
"I love you." He gives her back a rub. "I love her. I won't let anyone hurt the people I love."
"Sometimes I don't understand how you can love me, but I'm so happy you do." Vala inches up his body until her face is level with his. She brushes her nose against his and then kisses his lips. "I love you too."
"Good, now sleep, baby. I'll be here with you making sure everything is alright." Cam kisses her and then she turns back around so he can spoon her. She's been particular about this position for the last few weeks. He loves the intimacy of it and how he feels like he's enveloping her whole body. She is so small and he's large enough to surround her. He loves it.
"Looks like Adria feels better, too." Vala closes her eyes and sleeps after seeing that the soothing motion of Cam's hand in addition to the teething ring have put her under the lull of sleep, too. Cam's too good to them both. She should mind, but she finds that she doesn't.
There's another mission, another few days apart, and Cam's unrest grows more and more. He sits outside of his tent and stares down at the picture of Vala and Adria that he carries with him now. It's worn and folded, and he thinks that he should update it soon because Adria's already looking older to him. He wants a whole collection, in a few years wants to be able to look back through them. His little girl growing up.
He tries to think about what she'll be like in a few years. Starting school, making friends. He wants that for her so badly. He wants everything for her; a life, a future, an education, happiness.
His eyes move from Adria in the photo to Vala and his heart trips a little. She's looking at the camera, mid-laugh over something Cam had just said to her. It's exactly how he wants to picture Vala always. He's seen her angry, seen her hurt, seen how she acts when she doesn't trust someone, when she's not sure what sort of ground she's on... he remembers her walking through the gate all cocky, clad in leather, trying to look like she owned the place. It makes him smile to remember now.
It's so far from the person he knows that she is. So much pain in her life, so much instability, and he wants to give her all he wants for Adria and more. He wants to give her happiness and care that he doubts many people in her life have. He wants Adria to grow up and be able to stand on her own; he wants Vala by his side until they're both old and gray.
It's still strange to want this at all, for himself. It's strange not to think of his job and feel that utter satisfaction that has carried him through the first half of his life. Now the job is still the job, but his loyalties are divided.
When he steps back through, he knows that he doesn't want a single mission more to come and go while he worries that she won't be there when he comes back. He's on autopilot through the medical exam and debriefing.
"Mitchell, I need you to come look at something if you have a minute," Daniel asks, stopping Cam outside the meeting room.
"Sorry, can't today," Cam says. He doesn't offer more of an explanation, and Daniel looks befuddled.
He catches Sam smiling at him as she walks away and knows that he's pretty transparent, to her at least. Which works in his favor...
He jogs after her to catch up. "Hey, Carter, I need a favor!"
Vala leaps into his arms as soon as Cam enters through the door to her quarters. He's not expecting it, but he catches her easily, wrapping his arms around her as she clings to him. He's thrilled with the exuberant greeting, carrying her over to the bed and dropping her onto it, their mouths meeting enthusiastically. They kiss with passion and all the desperation of two people very much in love who have been apart for too long.
Vala's bossy, impatient as always, and rolls them over so that she's on top. She kisses him again and says, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," he says, reaching up and pushing her hair out of her face. "I want to get out of here. Feel like blowing this popsicle stand?"
"You still think it's cute when you say things I don't understand, don't you?" She huffs.
"Yes." Cam is unapologetic.
"Well, I'm going to assume that you were simply restating your desire to leave." She leans back, letting him sit up with her still on his lap. "And I'm in favor of that idea."
"I thought maybe... I talked to Sam... if she'll sit for the baby then we can..." Cam trails off, knowing she'll get the picture.
Her face lights up. She loves her daughter beyond hope, but they so rarely get to be alone together without Adria. Even sex is something done with am emphasis on being quiet and not waking her or disturbing her. The more aware of things Adria gets, the more Cam realizes that at some point soon they'll have to come up with other arrangements.
He thought about taking her some place to ask. He tried to pull an idea out of his brain, something creative and classy. Nothing came to him. Then he decided that the location, in the end, didn't matter. It was about him loving her enough to declare himself as belonging to her, and vise versa, forever.
Getting a sitter was key because asking her to marry him was about her wanting to marry him. Not about the baby or him becoming Adria's father. That was part of the deal for him, but she isn't the reason that Cam wants to become her husband. He's in love with Vala. He wants to make sure that she understands that is the reason he's asking.
During the mission he'd decided to just bring her to the apartment. They'd catch up on the few days he'd missed and when the moment felt right, perfect, he'd ask her. He ordered dinner in the car and they stopped to pick it up. He'd go change and collect the ring from his sock drawer when they got home.
Vala carried the food in and set out the containers of chinese while Cam changed out of his work clothes. The food smelled delicious and it was nice to not have to fuss about feeding Adria first. She makes up two plates and carries them to the couch, tucking her feet up under her and digging into her favorite noodles.
When he walks out in his comfy clothes and bare feet, her stomach flips at the simplicity of it all. She's here with him, they're together and she has food. She thinks about the sex they'll be having later. Hot, wet, slippery, loud sex. A heat is already gathering in her belly and she squeezes her legs together to ease the pressure. He leans over and kisses her temple as he slips in beside her and picks up his plate.
"This is the best Chinese food this side of the Mississippi." Cam garbles over a mouthful of sweet and sour chicken. He looks over at her and she's nodding. Her hair is a little mussed, presumably from an earlier nap, and she looks comfortable. "You're beautiful."
"I'm starving," she says, around a mouthful of food.
He laughs, understanding her priorities right now. He picks at his food, mostly just watching her eat, until she's done. He grabs both plates and puts them away for her.
"Dessert?" She says, hopeful.
He laughs. "I think I have some ice cream..."
His fridge has magically become stocked with things that Vala likes - including double chocolate rocky road ice cream. He puts a few generous scoops into a bowl and sticks two spoons in it.
"You expect me to share?" She gasps when she sees just the single bowl, then narrows her eyes. "You realize it goes quite against my nature, don't you?"
"I think you'll make an exception," Cam says, sitting back down beside her. She snuggles in against him and starts in on the ice cream.
"You're lucky you're so cute." She picks up her spoon and takes a bite, moaning at the fudge-y chocolate. "This is why this planet is worth conquering. For this alone."
"What, so if we just get rid of the ice cream, all the bad guys will leave us alone? Now there's a thought." Cam ponders that. "I could live without rocky road if it meant..."
If it meant having Vala and Adria...
Vala seems to understand. She leans over and gives him a sticky, cold kiss on the cheek.
"Hey!" He protests, wiping it off. She leans and then drags her finger through the ice cream before swiping his nose with it. "No fair!"
She giggles to herself and he thinks that payback is definitely in order. He puts the ice cream bowl aside and she jumps up, running back around the other side of the couch. He advances on her slowly and she's all smiles and whimsy, enjoying the little game. He runs forward a bit and she darts away and then it's a full on chase until he grabs her, arms around her waist, both of them still moving slightly with the momentum, out of breath and laughing.
"Ohh, you've caught me," she taunts him, squirming. Her back is to his chest, but he's got a firm grip around her. "What are you going to do with me?"
He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out the box. He uses one finger to flip it open and puts it in front of her. "Marry you, I hope."
Vala goes still against him, no longer struggling. "What?"
"Vala..." He lets go of her, steps back and then in front of her, going down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
She just stares at him.
Her eyes are big and he thinks there might be tears in them. It makes his heart pound against his chest and he wonders if he chose the right moment. It just felt like the right time...
Her eyes flicker from the ring to his face. The diamond is probably a half carat and it's gorgeous. He's spent far too much money on her. For this, this thing that she isn't sure she can place. She loves him, but marriage hasn't ever meant much to her before. This time would be different. She can't answer him flippantly and it scares her. She falls to her knees across from him.
"You want to marry me?" She is still disbelieving. "Me? Space pirate, woman used by the Ori and Qetesh, with unknown roots and who knows how many people after me."
There's no hesitation. "Yes."
"Why? What is wrong with this?" The old fear prods around her senses and peers into her consciousness.
Cam's worried now. He didn't anticipate explanations. Although Vala's never been one to trick or fool. "First of all, I love you. I'm madly in love with you and want to spend the rest of this life making you happy." His hand palms her cheek and his thumb rubs along the bone there. "Second of all, I need to make sure that you're under the protection my name will provide-"
"Landry told you to marry me or risk having me shipped off somewhere, didn't he?" Vala pushed his hand away and stood up walking to the other side of the room. Cam was still on his knee, ring in the air when she turned to look back at him. She could see the truth in his eyes. "Is that why?"
"No, yes, not all of it..." He can hear her choke back a sob and his heart is breaking. He wanted to avoid this, but she's far too smart. "I want to marry you. No matter what the situation, the reason is because I love you. The time table might be moved up a bit, but this is where I want to be. Here, with you."
"I've been married quite a few times, Cameron," she says, parsing her words out. "I've married out of love, out of need, out of manipulation, and I think once simply out of intoxication. Marriage can be... many things."
"Not to me," Cam says, shaking his head. He gets to his feet, but doesn't walk to her. If she wants a little bit of space, he'll let her have it right now. "I've never been married. I never wanted to be married. You changed that. I want this because I love you."
She smiles at him and there's so much love in it, but he's sad for the mistrust he still sees there, sad for whatever has happened to her to make her think this before anything else. She says to him, "You gain nothing from marrying me."
"I gain you," he says. "And Adria."
"You have us already." She looks down at the ring box still in his hand. "You'd have us if we never did this."
"I want to keep you safe, and I can do it better like this. It's not a chore, Vala. It's not an assignment. It's my life, and I want to live it with you." Cam's frustration rises. "Do you want to be my wife? Answer me honestly."
"Yes," she says. "Do you want to be my husband?"
"Vala, I want nothing else. I'd still want it if Landry hadn't said a word." Cam says it with such passion and vehemence that Vala can't help but believe him. Tears well in her eyes and she lets them spill over, reaching out to take the ring. He pulls it back from her grasp, taking it out of the box and slipping it onto her finger for her.
"Yes," she says. "Yes."
Cam wraps his arms around her and pulls her in for a hug. "I love you so much."
"I don't deserve you, but I love you." She whimpers the words against his neck as they embrace in his living room. The metal is warming against her skin and the weight of it feels good. It anchors her and for the first time in her life she feels a permanence. She doesn't want to run or leave him behind, she just wants to get closer. Vala tugs on him with her arms, but she's already molded to him. There is a burning need in her, rising up her spine, to be with him. It's something more than the usual desire. It's deeper than that and she finds she actually cares where the feeling stems from.
His penis is hardening against her belly and it makes her sigh - he feels the same.
"You deserve everything. I wish I could be more for you." Cam's hands are caressing her back now, moving everywhere, soft, gentle motions. His fingers find the hem of her shirt and slip under it. The skin he finds is smooth and hot to the touch.
"Make love to me." The words are between request and demand. She doesn't think that he'll mind.
He smiles into her hair. "You see the difference."
"There are plenty of times for hot, sweaty, wild sex. Then there are times like this when I just want to feel you inside me. It's like just having you there will calm my body down... It's not just about the orgasm." She pulls back and yanks her shirt over her head. He's followed her lead and is half naked when she tosses the material onto the couch. Her bra is next and then she's in his arms again.
Skin again skin, heat next to heat. Every part of them seems to sigh in relief at the contact.
He backs her over to the couch and pushes her down, kneeling between her legs and stroking his palms over her thighs, spreading them apart. He tugs the sweatpants she's wearing off and she's not wearing anything underneath. He really shouldn't be surprised, but the sight of glossy dark curls and the way her lips are already pink and glistening just makes his mouth water.
"Naughty," he says, the word catching in his throat.
"You like?"
"Always."
He doesn't waste much time right now, leaning in and dragging his tongue over her. She slinks lower on the couch and whines, her fingers curling into his hair and tugging on the short length, trying in vain to get a better grip and force his mouth against her with more pressure, the kind she craves.
He shows her that this is making love too; he's showing her with his tongue, with his fingers, with touches and kisses, with the pleasure that he sends flowing through her. He shows her that she deserves this and that he'll spend the rest of his life bringing her every sort of pleasure that he can. Sex and security and the ability to have someone there to hold you up when you just can't stand on your own.
Right now, though - right now it's about the physical, about knowing her body as well as he knows his own. He brings her off quickly and thoroughly, ramping the pleasure up and up, stubble dragging across tender skin and his fingers finding that rhythm inside of her, hitting on all the right pressure points. Clit and cunt, a double attack that has her howling her pleasure so loudly that he's sure his neighbors will have things to say.
Cam is so revved up tasting her, feeling her and hearing her that he doesn't even think. He tugs his sweat pants down enough to free his cock and he's plunging inside her. She's still thrumming from her orgasm and her muscles ripple around him.
She's so full of him now, tighter from her climax and he seems to be so turned on, she can feel every vein of him. The ridge of his cock is sliding along her walls and it's building her back up towards a second orgasm. She hadn't a clue about how much something like a marriage proposal would increase the sensitivity. Her emotions are running on a new plane of existence right now and her body wants to try out the new place, too.
The heat surrounding him is intoxicating. She's so wet and her body is squeezing around him so tightly that he can barely breathe, let alone control himself. His mind keeps repeating her voice saying the word 'Yes' or is she muttering it again now? He speeds up the tempo and reaches down to hike one of her legs up over his elbow. The new angle sets him deeper inside her and both of them groan.
"Baby..." He can't speak, he's so out of breath from the thrusting. "Close?" She gets his meaning and reaches between them to make sure she comes with him. He grunts and tucks his head into the crook of her neck, licking and sucking the salty flesh there. He's going to blow his load in about five seconds. Every plunge into her body brings him exponentially closer.
"Go. I'm right behind you, Cameron."
The sweet sound of his name on her lips is what sends him across the line. He's shooting his cum into her body and fuck if it doesn't hit him right then what he's doing. He tries to pull out to release the rest of his seed on her belly, but an ankle is holding him fast and her body is coming with him and everything is lost. He empties himself right there, against her cervix. Her hand is still working her body as he softens and the rippling around him is quieting.
"I..."
"Shhh." Vala knows he feels guilty. "I probably won't."
"What if you do?" Cam nuzzles her cheek with his nose. "I was so careless and stupid."
"You were so turned on by me that you couldn't think. If I get pregnant from that, it will be worth it." She hears the sigh by her ear. "I doubt that I will, though."
"I won't let it happen again." Cam kisses her lips and eases out of her. He can't deny how amazing it felt to be naked inside her. And there is a part of him that wants her to have a child that is theirs. It's just not the best time.
The couch becomes too small for their bodies, or at least for Vala's urge to sprawl out. He holds her hand and they stumble quietly into the bedroom, crawling between the covers. He pulls her close to him, tired but not ready for sleep yet, and his hands keep exploring.
He strokes down her stomach, over her thighs. She makes a pleased little whining noise that goes straight to his gut in a burst of pleasure, and spreads her legs a little. He's caressing with care, but no purpose right now, just exploring her, doing what feels good. He's fascinated by the slickness between her legs that is no longer just her, dipping a finger inside to feel his come there.
"Wow..." He speaks without even realizing that he's going to. She hums in agreement, pressing back into him, clenching around his finger. He understands the hint there, the implied request, and drags the come out to spread it around her skin, rubbing over her lit, using it as lubrication. "That's so hot."
"I could feel it," she says, her voice low and dark. That voice does things to him. "When you came, inside of me."
"What did it feel like?" He asks.
"Heat... thick... tickling..." The words are nonsense, really, but he still understands what she means perfectly. "I want you inside of me like that again."
"We can ask Lam about it... birth control..." Cam says. "Maybe there's something..."
He can tell the idea is exciting her, because she's getting even wetter. He starts to rub faster and she gasps, coming quickly. It's not as intense as her last orgasm, but the sharp contractions are still so erotic.
His cock wants to respond, but he's spent for the night. Cam's fingers remain against her until he feels her body settle. He's sleepy, but they are both sweaty and sticky. His hand is covered with their combined fluids and he rests it against her abdomen.
"You think she'll be able to give me something?"
"I don't know... I'm not an expert by any means, but lots of couples have sex after having a baby and don't have more. I doubt they all use condoms." He kisses her neck. Their bodies are calming and it's nice to be able to lay here and enjoy each other without having to check on the baby. It feels indulgent. They should probably get cleaned up.
"Don't wanna shower..." Vala can hear his thoughts and the cooling wet fingers on her belly clue her in on the fact they they should probably clean up. "Just wanna lay here with you."
He stretches his legs, testing their stability while lying there. "I"ll take care of you." He gets up and heads to the bathroom.
She can hear the spray of the water and she closes her eyes in denial. She misses his heat, but she'd rather sleep now, not get wet and clean. She must drift off a bit because when he comes back she doesn't hear him and it startles her when he lifts her upwards into his arms.
At her startled gasp he chuckles. "I told you. I'm taking care of you." She snuggles into his neck as he angles them through the doorway and right under the spray of hot water.
"It's warm." She slides to her feet and while he's still holding her upright, she is able to assist in the washing. His hands are quick and gentle and the soap feels nice on her skin. "You're very good at this. I think I'll keep you." Vala's lips tickle along his shoulder, licking at the droplets of water.
"I'm glad I'm acceptable." He saves her hair for last and lathers up the thick strands and puts her arms around his neck so she can support herself while he does it. "I love your hair."
"I love you." She concentrates on his skin while he indulges himself with her hair. The conditioner takes far longer then she knows is needed, but she doesn't say anything. She just lets him play. Her head is tipped back, breaking the contact that her lips had with his neck. The water feels nice as it rinses out the product.
"My turn." He turns them around and speedily cleans himself. The water is shut off and he grabs the towel and dries himself first. Then he grabs the larger, fluffier towel and wraps her in it. She stands and shivers as the heat dissipates in the cooling air. The humidity from the shower has gone and thankfully she's almost dry.
"Do I get to be carried again?" She enjoys the roll of the eyes she gets before he willingly picks her up again. "A slave that never argues is a joy. They are so hard to find."
"I love to serve you, mistress Vala." Cam kisses her neck and chuckles. "Would you like to sleep now?"
"Mmhmm. Sleep sounds divine." He sets her down on the bed and pulls the covers around her. He tries to walk away and her hand catches his elbow. "But only with you here, too."
"Gonna go close everything up. I'll be back."
He smiles as she drifts off almost immediately. He's quick about shutting off all the lights and making sure the front door is locked before slipping back into bed behind her.
Cam has no idea what time it is when he wakes up, but it's dark out and Vala's hand is on his dick. He thinks that he's still dreaming for a few minutes, and those moments between really waking and still being caught in a web of sleep are a pleasant haze of imagination and reality, like floating through air. It's a slow descent into awareness rather than an abrupt tumble and by the time he makes it all the way there she's slinking down his body, hands and lips everywhere.
She's naked, and he can feel the peaks of her nipples dragging along his skin, the soft swell of flesh against his thighs as she licks around his cock, fingers dancing over his length. The skin goes tauter under her faint touch and it makes him shiver. She traces the veins under the flesh, down to play with his balls, such light caresses - not nearly enough to be truly gratifying, but enough to get him where she wants him, worked into a frenzy. She knows exactly how to play him.
He says her name in a choked off voice when her lips touch the head of his cock, slick and leaking. He can't see her anymore, since she's disappeared beneath the covers of the bed, but he can feel her every breath and move, like somehow the darkness surrounding them means that he's hyperaware.
She licks around the shaft now, finally giving in and really touching him. She's tracing patterns with her tongue, and it's enough to have him rigid and jerking eagerly for more direct stimulation. She teases and just when he's about to ask her for more she decides to take pity on him. She doesn't draw it out too much more, her lips enveloping him in warmth and wetness and just staying there and letting him rest against her tongue for a few moments before sinking down on him.
His hands clench in the tangle of sheets and his toes curl as she starts to suck, moaning around him. Something about that sound cutting through the quiet makes it even more intense. He can hear everything; sucking, wetness, skin on skin.
He says her name again and she whimpers. He's hard against her tongue and he won't last long, doesn't even try. He says her name in that same choked voice again, this time a warning and not a request. He's too disarmed to do anything but let it carry him off as he throbs and spills into her mouth, more quickly than either of them had expected.
He gasps and throws an arm over his face, trying to find words. "Uh... sorry."
She makes sure he's clean of his cum before easing back up his body. "What are you sorry for?"
He hums against her lips as she leans down to kiss him, the salty flavor startling him, but not displeasing. Her tongue is slow and lazy against his and she kisses like she's still partly asleep.
"It's impolite not to warn... when..." Her nose strokes along his cheek and her breasts are pressed against his chest as she rests all her weight onto him. Her head lays on his shoulder as her palm moves along the curve of his collarbone.
"I knew. Don't worry." She turns her head and kisses his skin. Something about laying there with him makes her always want to touch or kiss him. "I owed you one."
"It's not a contest, baby." His hands have regained function and one of them finds her back, stroking up along her spine with the tips of his fingers. "It was good for me, last night, too. I like making you come."
"I like it when you come in my mouth."
"Fuck, I can't argue with that." She smiles against him. He can feel her lips moving on his chest. "It's a great way to wake up."
"Do we have to go back?" Vala doesn't want this time to end. She misses her daughter, but the time she's had alone with him is so little, with long periods of time in between, that she just wants to linger in the moment.
"We do." Her groan makes him smile. Vala's never liked being told that she has to do something. "Adria probably misses us and we need to see Carolyn about getting you on something so we can..."
She perks up at that. She's sitting up and straddling him, bending at the waist and letting her hair make a veil around their faces. Her lips are inches from his before she speaks. "So you can come inside me."
If he hadn't just had an orgasm his cock would have reacted instantly to those words. Instead, he lifts his head up and finds her lips. The kiss is hard and wet. They devour each other. He wants more pressure, more control, so he flips them over. She laughs, but is interrupted as his mouth covers hers again, swallowing the whimsical sound.
Vala cradles him closely and lets him press her into the mattress. They can't get enough of each other now, or ever.
"It's going to be hard to get used to that. I'm going to have to work on my endurance."
"I hope it's hard." She smiles huge at him and he growls at her before kissing her again. It feels like forever when they finally ease the ferocity of their lips. They are just gentle pecks and light licks that turn into soft nuzzles and wisps of breath.
"We should get ready..."
"Don't wanna." Vala pulls out her best pout.
"We have to share the news with everyone. Don't you want to show off your new ring?" This seems to delight her and she pulls her hand over his shoulder so she can look at it. The light is bright enough to see well now and the early morning sunlight glints off the diamond.
"Oh yes. Yes, lets get going. Samantha is going to admire this with me."
He doesn't mention that Sam's already seen it. He's sure that Sam won't bring it up either.
Adria babbles loudly at them when she sees them, scooting over to the edge of her playpen and getting herself up. "MAMA DADA!" She squeals at them, gripping tightly to the playpen wall, but wiggling her body to show her enthusiasm at her parents returning.
Cam goes over to her and picks her up, but Vala's sidetracked. She stands in front of Sam and, positively beaming, thrusts out her hand, palm toward her.
Sam's face lights up. "Oh, Vala! Is that really-"
"We're getting married." Vala is doing a fair impression of Adria there, bouncing and wiggling in excitement. "Isn't it lovely? Isn't the gemstone larger than average?"
Cam laughs and kisses Adria's cheek. "Mommy's bragging now. Try not to pick that habit up from her."
"Mommy's allowed," Sam says, grinning. "Vala, it's gorgeous."
"We're going to be married," she says again, as if she can't quite believe it herself. She mock whispers to Sam, "I'm not sure if he realized exactly what he's just agreed to."
"Mama," Adria says to Cam, her eyes going wider, showing her distress. She's said hi to daddy, now she wants the food source.
Cam hands her over and says, "I think he realizes exactly what he got into."
"Being associated with a known space pirate who is, while brilliant, seen as quite wonko and overly annoying and with her daughter of unknown origins will surely help your reputation." She buries her nose in Adria's hair and looks up at him. "You sure you know?"
"I know that I love you. The rest isn't important." He pulls her shoulders under his arm and angles them out of the room. "We'll be back for the stuff later. Thanks for watching her, Sam."
"I'd say any time, but I don't know how much of a tiny version of Vala I can take once she starts talking like her mom." Sam winks at him and smiles. "She's lovely, you know I adore her, I'd be happy to help when you need me."
When he gets them back to their quarters, he looks around. It's become emptier and emptier the longer they've been dating. There won't be much to move.
"We should get some boxes. We'll leave some stuff here for during the day, but most of this can move to my place." Cam can't believe how right it feels- bringing her into his life, permanently. "You can stay at the apartment when you don't have work to do here. Or just come in with me to keep me company..."
She's unbuttoning her top and Adria settles into nursing as soon as she reveals her nipple. "I enjoy your company... Speaking of which, we need to talk to Carolyn. Soon."
"I'll stop by and get an appointment on my way to my office and then call and let you know." Cam kisses her on the forehead and caresses Adria's head. "It's about that time. I'll call you in a bit and see you later. Lunch, I'll bring it here in a few hours, Princess."
"Oh food sounds divine. I think I'll nap with Adria while you're away. I need to work on some translations for Daniel, too."
The door clicks behind him as she watches him walk out to go to work. Her finger glints in the lamplight and she smiles and lets out a happy sigh. It's still unreal to her. So wonderful and it hasn't quite sunk in completely. She thinks about her wedding, about how it will be and she decides that she doesn't want to do anything huge. Just him and her and Adria. Something that unites them forever.
The phone rings and interrupts her thoughts. Cam tells her to go see the doctor in twenty minutes. She reminds him how erotic their sex life is going to be after the appointment and she swears she can hear him hardening over the phone and he hangs up on her before it gets any worse for him.
He shows up with a pudding cup (one of Adria's new favorite things) and a couple of sandwiches, promising to wait on her for lunch.
She's relieved that he understands her unwillingness to take Adria with her without her having to ask. The less she has to take her daughter near Dr. Lam, the better she feels.
"No problem," he says, giving her a kiss. She catches his sleeve and keeps him close, prolonging it.
"Thank you."
"I love you," he says, leaning forward until his forehead touches hers. "That sort of covers all the small stuff, I think."
Vala nods happily. "That will take some getting used to."
"Well, good thing I'm patient." He kisses her again and then steps back, shifting Adria to his other arm. "Ain't that right, punkin'?"
She giggles and presses her open palm to his cheek before giving him a big smacking kiss - another of her new favorite things.
"Can we tell Momma byebye?" Cam tries to coax her into it, but Adria's only got couple words and she hasn't worked those out yet.
She does give a very enthusiastic, "MAMA!" at Vala, though.
He's playing peek-a-boo with Adria when she returns. The delightful giggles on both of their parts are heard in the hallway outside the door. She opens it and enters to a peel of laughter as Cam has started tickling the little girl.
He looks over at her and stills the baby. "How'd it go?"
She pulls the packet of pills from around her back and wiggles it. "It went flawlessly. I got a couple of looks when I waved my hand where the light would catch this giant gemstone best, but besides that we're clear for..." She looks at the baby and sees she's occupied with shoving her foot into her mouth. She sidles next to Cam, facing him, and puts her arms around his neck. "You can come inside me. But not for a week while these things start to take effect."
"I think I can handle that." He kisses her cheek. "Your daughter is showing us how much she's like you right now. Putting her foot in her mouth and all."
"I'm quite sure I've never done that in front of you before..."
"It's a saying." Cam loves her confusion. The squint on her face turns into utter disbelief at some of the earth sayings and then she shrugs it off and files it away for future use. The process is visible on her face. "You're cute when you don't understand."
"So that's why you keep saying things to me that won't make sense..."
"Perhaps..." Cam looks at the clock. He's got some work to do before lunch time. "I've got some things to finish up. But I'll be back to eat with you. I brought you two sandwiches. Save one for when I'm back so I can eat with you and not have half of my food poached because you didn't save anything for yourself."
"I can't help that I am hungry." Vala scowls at him and he laughs.
"Honey, you're insatiable and I love it."
"You're easy."
"I'm a man in love. We're a breed of easy." Cam smiles at her and leans against the door. She's rolling her eyes at him and playing with Adria. He thinks about where he was only a few months ago and how much it means to him to be here now. He's gained a family and he wouldn't trade it for the world.
She looks over and waves him off, blows him a kiss and barks at him to hurry back or she'll eat his food. He shakes his head and his chest swells with the love he feels and the amazing rightness of his world before heading off to work.
Everything he loves in one place. A man never hoped to be this lucky. He was glad he did something in his life to deserve it.
The End