fic: "Back Home" [Pt.12]
Title: Back Home - Pt. 12
Author: renisanz
Summary: Settling down won't be easy for either of them. A sequel to “Making Up the Past.” Ronon/Keller.
Category: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Words: 2,064
Beta: journeyman07
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, but they're fun to play, not for profit.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back Home - Pt. 11
As they pulled into the lot in front of the medical center, Jennifer became particularly antsy at Ronon's side. She leaned forward in her seat and instructed her aunt to pull the car up to the front of the building to drop her off.
“Alright, I understand you're eager to get to your father,” Aunt Jo said.
“Oh, yeah...” Jennifer mumbled as if she'd forgotten. Then he heard her whisper something that sounded a lot like “bathroom” and her remembered that her pregnancy caused her to have to go a lot more often.
Aunt Jo maneuvered the vehicle alongside the curb, and the car had barely rolled to a full stop when Jennifer flung her door open and made her exit. Ronon did the same, and he waited as she scurried around to meet him.
A dull humming sound reached his ears, and Ronon turned to see the front passenger's side window lowering. Rachel's reddish brown waves blowing across her face as she stuck her head out into the wind. “Uncle Jim's room number is 3802,” she said.
“I'll call and let him know you're coming up,” her aunt added.
“Ok, thanks,” Jennifer nodded, and then Ronon followed her as she walked briskly toward the sliding glass doors of the infirmary entrance.
He stayed closely behind Jennifer as she took a moment to get her bearings in the place. She looked around, and then seemed to see what she was looking for, and rushed off to the left. She turned and nearly ran into Ronon's chest, obviously not expecting him to be so close.
Jennifer flushed as she tipped her head back to look into his face. “I'll be right back.”
“Ok,” Ronon shrugged.
She was so nervous, and he wished there was more he could do to lessen her uncertainty. He backed out of the main walkway and leaned against the nearest wall as he waited.
Jennifer appeared a few minutes later, looking noticeably refreshed. She smiled as she approached him and then grasped his hand, lacing her slim fingers through his as she led him to the elevators. The thick metal doors slid closed after Jennifer pressed the button that would take them to the third floor. Ronon still didn't like confined spaces such as this, but this elevator car was larger than the one all of them had been crammed into at the airport in Colorado Springs. After looking around, he glanced up, and saw himself staring back at him from the mirror on the ceiling.
It was then that he decided to finally do it.
. . . . . . . . . .
Ronon stopped short behind Jennifer as she halted in front of the door. On the wall beside the jamb were the numbers that matched what Aunt Jo had told them.
3802.
Though Ronon couldn't see her face, he could feel the tension almost radiating off her slight form.
Suddenly, she spun around, and Ronon stepped back slightly.
“What's wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Jennifer replied a little to hastily. She was talking in a low voice. “I just. . .I think it's better if I talk to my dad a bit first. Just a few minutes, then I'll come fetch you. Is that alright?”
Ronon figured he didn't have much choice in the matter at this point, but her proposal made sense. He did feel weird about her father knowing nothing about him. “Yeah, it's fine,” he said after a moment. “Your family will be up in a minute,” he shrugged.
Jennifer nodded. For a moment, she looked as if she was debating on whether to say something else. Abruptly, she turned and raised her fist to the door, tapping three light knocks as she slowly pushed the door open.
. . . . . . . . . .
“Dad?” Jennifer said as she walked into the room. She could see his sheet-covered feet at the foot of the bed. The room was dim, the curtain drawn, and it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust.
Her father didn't respond, and as she approached the bed and saw more of his lower body revealed. Eventually, her eyes rested on his head and face. It was turned away from her, towards the window, Two pillows were propped up against his back. In his lap, was a folded up newspaper, and a black ball point pen was clutched in the fingers of his left hand.
Jennifer smiled at the sight. If not for the sterile, bland setting, her father seemed right at home, having falling asleep working the crossword puzzle in the Sunday issue of the New York Times.
He didn't look ill, and that, at least, was comforting.
“Dad,” she coaxed again, this time placing a hand on his arm, shaking gently.
It was then that her father stirred. He seemed disoriented at first, and Jennifer leaned back as he opened his eyes, so that he would be able to focus on her face.
Confusion crossed his features only a moment, and then recognition set in immediately after. “Aggie?” He just stared at her for a moment, apparently shocked. “How did you get here?”
“Well, dad, there's this wonder of engineering called an airplane...” she smirked.
“Jo. It was her, wasn't it?” he accused as he sat up more in his bed. “Where is that traitorous sibling of mine,” he looked around as if expecting her to be hiding behind the curtain.
“Downstairs parking the car,” Jennifer informed him before mumbling, “Don't sound so happy to see me.”
“Of course I'm glad to see my one and only daughter who's been holed up working on some secret project for the past two years. I did get your photo cards, though. Very nice,” his eyes were warm with mirth at that.
“Dad...” Jennifer rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. She was truly thankful to find her father in good spirits. She was glad to see the familiar glimpses of his wry old self that had been missing for so long after her mom...
“How are you feeling?” Jennifer asked.
Her father calmed down then. “Well, pretty good, considering, and-is that my chart you're holding?”
“Huh,” Jennifer feigned innocence as she looked down to the metal clipboard clutched just in front of her belly. “Oh, this?” She pretending to read the name on the chart, “Patient James M. Keller. Well, I guess it is.”
“Well?” her father prodded.
“Hmm?” Jennifer looked up from the list of medications they had given her father so far and met his sharp blue eyes.
“How are they doing?”
“Uhm...” Jennifer mumbled as she absorbed the barely legible writing. “Ok, I guess. I would have prescribed the different blood thinner, as this one has too many adverse side effects, but...” Jennifer paused as she remembered the man she'd left outside the room. Waiting.
“What is it?” her father asked as he noticed the change in her demeanor.
“It's fine, dad. I'm just glad you're well, considering,” she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss.
She walked to the foot of his bed and replaced in its holder.
What now, she thought, as she absently trailed her fingers over the smooth edge of the footboard.
She decided to start simple. “Look, Dad. I know you didn't want me to leave everything behind and come here to see you,” she glanced up at her father to see that so far, he had a neutral expression as he listened. “Under different circumstances, I might not have been able to come. However, things have been pretty slow lately, with work and all, so, I was able to make the trip.
She folded her laced her fingers together the to stop the nervous fidgeting, a tell-tale sign of her nervousness. She paused, opening her mouth and closing it again as a lump formed in her belly. She hadn't imagined this would be so hard.
“What is it, Jen?” her father said, using the middle name she preferred rather than the pet name for her.
“There's someone I'd like you to meet.” She said.
At first, her father said nothing, but his graying eyebrows raised noticeably as he studied his only daughter. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Jennifer said as she felt her cheeks warming. “He's-“
A slight knock on the door was heard before it swung open. Jennifer wasn't surprised that Ronon may have grown impatient standing outside the door, but the figure that came into the room was quite a few inches shorter, and definitely had less hair.
Definitely not Ronon.
“Ah, Dr. Andrews,” her father greeted the man. This is the daughter I was telling you about.” The man smiled politely as her father and then turned his eyes to Jennifer.
“Jay Michael?” Jennifer asked; she knew exactly who he was-John “Jay” Michael Andrews.
The doctor just stared at her, seemingly taken aback by her recognition of him. Jennifer wasn't surprised, though. She looked a lot different years ago, in medical school. Slimmer, a lot less pregnant.
“Wait...Keller? Jennifer Keller?”
Ok, so he did remember her. “Wow. It's been a while. You look, uhm, very well.”
“I am, thank you,” she gave a small smile. “Good to see you made it through school..and became a...cardiologist?”
“Yeah,” he chuckled, as he reached over to retrieve her father's chart. “Took a bit longer than I would have liked, but yeah, made it.”
“I see,” Jennifer nodded. “My dad said he told you about me, though?” she said, wondering why he did not recognize her initially.”
“Yes. He mentioned his daughter was a doctor, but he said your name was...Aggie?”
Oh, gee... Jennifer felt her cheeks warming. Her dad had the unfortunate tendency of using that name over Jennifer, to her long-suffering embarrassment.
Jay Michael looked at her, apparently expecting some explanation of the alternate name, but when neither she nor her father gave one, he turned his attention to the older man once more. “So, how are you feeling, Mr. Keller?” the doctor asked.
“Oh, I'll be much better when you tell me I can go home.”
Jennifer's just rolled her eyes and smiled. It wasn't in her father's character to just sit around and wait to get better. He must have realized though, that the more he rested in the hospital, the quicker he would be able to go home.
“I don't imagine they'll keep you here much longer, dad,” she said, as she looked at Jay Michael-Dr. Andrews, now-for confirmation.
“You've been recovering remarkably well, so far, sir. I'm going to consult with our primary physician to be sure, but I think you can expect to be discharged by tomorrow afternoon at the earliest, barring any complications,” he said as he scribbled something onto the medical chart.
. . . . . . . . . .
“Hey.”
Ronon looked up from the recent message on his mobile phone. “Hey,” he said, as he nodded to first Rachel, and then her mother who was a few paces behind her.
“What are you doing out here?”
“Waiting,” Ronon replied.
“Ah,” the girl nodded. “So...Jen's in there?”
“Yeah. Doctor went in not too long ago,” he told them.
“Oh, good. Hopefully he came bearing a good prognosis,” Aunt Jo said to no one in particular. “You coming?” she asked Ronon now, as she held her hand on the door, ready to push it open.
“I should probably....wait,” he finished with a shrug.
“Alright,” Joanna nodded in understanding. She turned her gaze to her daughter.
“I'm gonna head to the caf. Kinda starving,” she looked between her mom and Ronon.
“Ok,” her mother accepted, appearing more amused than anything at daughter's words. Joanna gave Ronon a small smile before walking into the room.
Ronon expected Rachel to bounce away once her mother was gone.
She didn't.
Instead, Rachel lingered beside him, taking up a space on the wall not far from him. From the corner of his eye, he could see her playing with the ends of her hair in a way similar to how Jen would pick at her nails.
“So,” she said, and he turned his head to the left and down to meet her inquisitive brown eyes. He wasn't sure he quite like the slightly accusing look in her eye as she spoke what was on her mind.
“You're going to propose to my cousin.” It was the fact that she didn't say it like a question that caught him off guard.
. . . . . . . . . .
Part 13
A/N: There are a lot of elements going on in this story that require a gradual build, so thanks for continuing to be patient. I may have fudged a bit on the medical jargon. Sorry, It's late. Feedback is very much appreciated and expected. :)
. . . . . . . . . .
Author: renisanz
Summary: Settling down won't be easy for either of them. A sequel to “Making Up the Past.” Ronon/Keller.
Category: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Words: 2,064
Beta: journeyman07
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, but they're fun to play, not for profit.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back Home - Pt. 11
As they pulled into the lot in front of the medical center, Jennifer became particularly antsy at Ronon's side. She leaned forward in her seat and instructed her aunt to pull the car up to the front of the building to drop her off.
“Alright, I understand you're eager to get to your father,” Aunt Jo said.
“Oh, yeah...” Jennifer mumbled as if she'd forgotten. Then he heard her whisper something that sounded a lot like “bathroom” and her remembered that her pregnancy caused her to have to go a lot more often.
Aunt Jo maneuvered the vehicle alongside the curb, and the car had barely rolled to a full stop when Jennifer flung her door open and made her exit. Ronon did the same, and he waited as she scurried around to meet him.
A dull humming sound reached his ears, and Ronon turned to see the front passenger's side window lowering. Rachel's reddish brown waves blowing across her face as she stuck her head out into the wind. “Uncle Jim's room number is 3802,” she said.
“I'll call and let him know you're coming up,” her aunt added.
“Ok, thanks,” Jennifer nodded, and then Ronon followed her as she walked briskly toward the sliding glass doors of the infirmary entrance.
He stayed closely behind Jennifer as she took a moment to get her bearings in the place. She looked around, and then seemed to see what she was looking for, and rushed off to the left. She turned and nearly ran into Ronon's chest, obviously not expecting him to be so close.
Jennifer flushed as she tipped her head back to look into his face. “I'll be right back.”
“Ok,” Ronon shrugged.
She was so nervous, and he wished there was more he could do to lessen her uncertainty. He backed out of the main walkway and leaned against the nearest wall as he waited.
Jennifer appeared a few minutes later, looking noticeably refreshed. She smiled as she approached him and then grasped his hand, lacing her slim fingers through his as she led him to the elevators. The thick metal doors slid closed after Jennifer pressed the button that would take them to the third floor. Ronon still didn't like confined spaces such as this, but this elevator car was larger than the one all of them had been crammed into at the airport in Colorado Springs. After looking around, he glanced up, and saw himself staring back at him from the mirror on the ceiling.
It was then that he decided to finally do it.
. . . . . . . . . .
Ronon stopped short behind Jennifer as she halted in front of the door. On the wall beside the jamb were the numbers that matched what Aunt Jo had told them.
3802.
Though Ronon couldn't see her face, he could feel the tension almost radiating off her slight form.
Suddenly, she spun around, and Ronon stepped back slightly.
“What's wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Jennifer replied a little to hastily. She was talking in a low voice. “I just. . .I think it's better if I talk to my dad a bit first. Just a few minutes, then I'll come fetch you. Is that alright?”
Ronon figured he didn't have much choice in the matter at this point, but her proposal made sense. He did feel weird about her father knowing nothing about him. “Yeah, it's fine,” he said after a moment. “Your family will be up in a minute,” he shrugged.
Jennifer nodded. For a moment, she looked as if she was debating on whether to say something else. Abruptly, she turned and raised her fist to the door, tapping three light knocks as she slowly pushed the door open.
. . . . . . . . . .
“Dad?” Jennifer said as she walked into the room. She could see his sheet-covered feet at the foot of the bed. The room was dim, the curtain drawn, and it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust.
Her father didn't respond, and as she approached the bed and saw more of his lower body revealed. Eventually, her eyes rested on his head and face. It was turned away from her, towards the window, Two pillows were propped up against his back. In his lap, was a folded up newspaper, and a black ball point pen was clutched in the fingers of his left hand.
Jennifer smiled at the sight. If not for the sterile, bland setting, her father seemed right at home, having falling asleep working the crossword puzzle in the Sunday issue of the New York Times.
He didn't look ill, and that, at least, was comforting.
“Dad,” she coaxed again, this time placing a hand on his arm, shaking gently.
It was then that her father stirred. He seemed disoriented at first, and Jennifer leaned back as he opened his eyes, so that he would be able to focus on her face.
Confusion crossed his features only a moment, and then recognition set in immediately after. “Aggie?” He just stared at her for a moment, apparently shocked. “How did you get here?”
“Well, dad, there's this wonder of engineering called an airplane...” she smirked.
“Jo. It was her, wasn't it?” he accused as he sat up more in his bed. “Where is that traitorous sibling of mine,” he looked around as if expecting her to be hiding behind the curtain.
“Downstairs parking the car,” Jennifer informed him before mumbling, “Don't sound so happy to see me.”
“Of course I'm glad to see my one and only daughter who's been holed up working on some secret project for the past two years. I did get your photo cards, though. Very nice,” his eyes were warm with mirth at that.
“Dad...” Jennifer rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. She was truly thankful to find her father in good spirits. She was glad to see the familiar glimpses of his wry old self that had been missing for so long after her mom...
“How are you feeling?” Jennifer asked.
Her father calmed down then. “Well, pretty good, considering, and-is that my chart you're holding?”
“Huh,” Jennifer feigned innocence as she looked down to the metal clipboard clutched just in front of her belly. “Oh, this?” She pretending to read the name on the chart, “Patient James M. Keller. Well, I guess it is.”
“Well?” her father prodded.
“Hmm?” Jennifer looked up from the list of medications they had given her father so far and met his sharp blue eyes.
“How are they doing?”
“Uhm...” Jennifer mumbled as she absorbed the barely legible writing. “Ok, I guess. I would have prescribed the different blood thinner, as this one has too many adverse side effects, but...” Jennifer paused as she remembered the man she'd left outside the room. Waiting.
“What is it?” her father asked as he noticed the change in her demeanor.
“It's fine, dad. I'm just glad you're well, considering,” she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss.
She walked to the foot of his bed and replaced in its holder.
What now, she thought, as she absently trailed her fingers over the smooth edge of the footboard.
She decided to start simple. “Look, Dad. I know you didn't want me to leave everything behind and come here to see you,” she glanced up at her father to see that so far, he had a neutral expression as he listened. “Under different circumstances, I might not have been able to come. However, things have been pretty slow lately, with work and all, so, I was able to make the trip.
She folded her laced her fingers together the to stop the nervous fidgeting, a tell-tale sign of her nervousness. She paused, opening her mouth and closing it again as a lump formed in her belly. She hadn't imagined this would be so hard.
“What is it, Jen?” her father said, using the middle name she preferred rather than the pet name for her.
“There's someone I'd like you to meet.” She said.
At first, her father said nothing, but his graying eyebrows raised noticeably as he studied his only daughter. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Jennifer said as she felt her cheeks warming. “He's-“
A slight knock on the door was heard before it swung open. Jennifer wasn't surprised that Ronon may have grown impatient standing outside the door, but the figure that came into the room was quite a few inches shorter, and definitely had less hair.
Definitely not Ronon.
“Ah, Dr. Andrews,” her father greeted the man. This is the daughter I was telling you about.” The man smiled politely as her father and then turned his eyes to Jennifer.
“Jay Michael?” Jennifer asked; she knew exactly who he was-John “Jay” Michael Andrews.
The doctor just stared at her, seemingly taken aback by her recognition of him. Jennifer wasn't surprised, though. She looked a lot different years ago, in medical school. Slimmer, a lot less pregnant.
“Wait...Keller? Jennifer Keller?”
Ok, so he did remember her. “Wow. It's been a while. You look, uhm, very well.”
“I am, thank you,” she gave a small smile. “Good to see you made it through school..and became a...cardiologist?”
“Yeah,” he chuckled, as he reached over to retrieve her father's chart. “Took a bit longer than I would have liked, but yeah, made it.”
“I see,” Jennifer nodded. “My dad said he told you about me, though?” she said, wondering why he did not recognize her initially.”
“Yes. He mentioned his daughter was a doctor, but he said your name was...Aggie?”
Oh, gee... Jennifer felt her cheeks warming. Her dad had the unfortunate tendency of using that name over Jennifer, to her long-suffering embarrassment.
Jay Michael looked at her, apparently expecting some explanation of the alternate name, but when neither she nor her father gave one, he turned his attention to the older man once more. “So, how are you feeling, Mr. Keller?” the doctor asked.
“Oh, I'll be much better when you tell me I can go home.”
Jennifer's just rolled her eyes and smiled. It wasn't in her father's character to just sit around and wait to get better. He must have realized though, that the more he rested in the hospital, the quicker he would be able to go home.
“I don't imagine they'll keep you here much longer, dad,” she said, as she looked at Jay Michael-Dr. Andrews, now-for confirmation.
“You've been recovering remarkably well, so far, sir. I'm going to consult with our primary physician to be sure, but I think you can expect to be discharged by tomorrow afternoon at the earliest, barring any complications,” he said as he scribbled something onto the medical chart.
. . . . . . . . . .
“Hey.”
Ronon looked up from the recent message on his mobile phone. “Hey,” he said, as he nodded to first Rachel, and then her mother who was a few paces behind her.
“What are you doing out here?”
“Waiting,” Ronon replied.
“Ah,” the girl nodded. “So...Jen's in there?”
“Yeah. Doctor went in not too long ago,” he told them.
“Oh, good. Hopefully he came bearing a good prognosis,” Aunt Jo said to no one in particular. “You coming?” she asked Ronon now, as she held her hand on the door, ready to push it open.
“I should probably....wait,” he finished with a shrug.
“Alright,” Joanna nodded in understanding. She turned her gaze to her daughter.
“I'm gonna head to the caf. Kinda starving,” she looked between her mom and Ronon.
“Ok,” her mother accepted, appearing more amused than anything at daughter's words. Joanna gave Ronon a small smile before walking into the room.
Ronon expected Rachel to bounce away once her mother was gone.
She didn't.
Instead, Rachel lingered beside him, taking up a space on the wall not far from him. From the corner of his eye, he could see her playing with the ends of her hair in a way similar to how Jen would pick at her nails.
“So,” she said, and he turned his head to the left and down to meet her inquisitive brown eyes. He wasn't sure he quite like the slightly accusing look in her eye as she spoke what was on her mind.
“You're going to propose to my cousin.” It was the fact that she didn't say it like a question that caught him off guard.
. . . . . . . . . .
Part 13
A/N: There are a lot of elements going on in this story that require a gradual build, so thanks for continuing to be patient. I may have fudged a bit on the medical jargon. Sorry, It's late. Feedback is very much appreciated and expected. :)
. . . . . . . . . .