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BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - ROMANCE
This chapter can be read as an alternate beginning of the story for those who don't care to (or shouldn't) read graphic sex. This AU story takes place 9-10 years after "Serenity, the Pilot," and is Mal/Simon slash. Don't read if that's not your cuppa. You have been warned! Mal and Simon have been married for five years. Are they enough for each other, or do they want more? Simon asks Zoë a question.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3536 RATING: 9 SERIES: FIREFLY
DISCLAIMER: Don't own it, never did, just having fun playing.
A/N: This is primarily a Mal/Simon story, although some short stories that deal with minor plot points that involve other characters will be written as companion pieces. There are a couple of NC-17 chapters, but most of the story is PG-13.
A huge thanks to kispexi2 for betaing this, my first multi-chapter effort! Wouldn't want to do it without you!
For translations of the Chinese hover the mouse over the word or phrase, and the meaning should appear. If it doesn't, please let me know so I can try to fix it.
Feedback makes me happy!
Family--Part 1, Chapter 2 Simon asks Zoë a question.
Mal and Simon left their bunk, hand-in-hand, ready to face the day and their crewmates. Simon was wearing the new silk vest Mal had given him for their fifth wedding anniversary, and Mal had on the new suspenders that were Simon's gift to him. They figured they were in for some good-natured ribbing, and maybe even a party, due to the nature of the day, but together they could face anything.
Just before they stepped into the dining area, it began. There was a banner stretched across the doorway with the words "Happy Anniversary!" written on it in Chinese and English. It looked like Kaylee and River had done most of the work, but it also looked like they'd had some 'help'. Sure enough, there was the sound of a squeal and tromping feet coming from the kitchen before four-year old Edward 'Eddie' Alleyne Washburn launched himself into Mal's arms. "Unca Cap! Unca Doc! Looka what I he'p'd make!" he shouted as he pointed at the banner.
Mal smiled at him and asked, "Didja now? What part did you do?" He carried Eddie closer to the banner while they continued to discuss Eddie's help. Simon watched them in silence, smiling at the picture of Mal carrying their 'nephew'. He'd always thought Mal would make a wonderful father, and seeing him with Eddie the last four years had just reinforced that belief. Mal turned with a smile and held out his arm for Simon to join them. Simon hugged them both briefly before thanking Eddie for his help. They continued on their way to the dining area, where everyone else was waiting. They were greeted with a chorus of "Happy Anniversary!" as Wash came up to take Eddie from Mal's arms and took him to sit by a very pregnant Zoë.
"Don't know why you have to give us a party every year," complained Mal half-heartedly, "we've never done this for Zoë and Wash."
"Don't be puttin' any ideas in those girls' heads, Captain," commented Zoë. "I've got all I can deal with with baby showers and birthday parties." There was general laughter in response to that.
River came up to Simon and Mal, embracing first one and then the other. "Happy Beginnings," she said with a smile. "Nice vest, gē ge. Good color. You did right, Captain."
"Thank you, Albatross. I do my poor best," Mal said with a small bow. River giggled as she walked back to sit by Kaylee.
"Are those new suspenders, Cap'n?" asked Kaylee. "They sure are shiny."
"Yeah, my husband here seemed to think I needed some new ones," Mal grinned while holding Simon close.
"I, too, do my poor best," Simon stated calmly, while surreptitiously squeezing Mal's butt. Mal gave a quick cough, and moved away to get them some coffee.
Simon sat in one of the vacant chairs near the head of the table, next to Inara. She smiled at him, and then at Mal as he brought Simon a cup of coffee. "Zhōu nián kuài lè," she told them both. "It's so good to see you both so happy."
"Thank you. Never thought I'd ever be this happy," Mal said quietly. Simon just nodded, holding Mal's hand as he took a sip of his coffee.
Book offered his quiet felicitations, as well, before Jayne interrupted loudly with "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I just wanna' know--when's our next job, and how much coin we gonna' get out of it?" He winked broadly at Mal and Simon as he said it, though, so everyone knew he was joking. Everyone smiled, and the talk turned to the normal everyday cares of nine people (and a child) on a ship wending its way through the black of the 'verse.
***
Later that day Zoë and Wash came into the infirmary for another pre-natal check-up. Zoë was doing just fine, but she was so close to her time that Simon had asked her to stop in for a few minutes every day, just to ease his mind, if for no other reason. Zoë had smiled and given in graciously, though Wash still tended to hover nervously.
Her check-up finished, Zoë and Wash were headed out the door, when Simon suddenly asked, "Zoë, can I speak to you for a minute?" Wash got a panicked look on his face, and started back in, but Simon reassured him. "No, no, Wash, it's okay. Zoë's fine, I promise. I just want to talk to her for a minute about something else."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. I swear."
"Well… okay... if you're sure."
"Husband," Zoë said with just a hint of her usual steeliness, "I think I can handle this."
"Right, dear, sorry." Wash gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and left to return to the safety of the bridge.
Zoë smiled as she turned back to Simon. "What can I do for you, Doc?"
Simon began puttering nervously with his equipment, trying to gather his courage for what he wanted to ask. Zoë stood patiently for a few moments, but it looked like it was going to take forever for Simon to get to the point, so she finally cleared her throat, signaling him to get on with it before she decided to leave. He looked up quickly. "Sorry. It's just…. I don't know…. You've known Mal longer…. I thought you might…."
"Doc, you're not making a whole lot of sense here. Best you just ask straight out, whatever it is you want to know. Obviously, it's about Mal. Think you'd best ask him, not me. But…"
"Yes, yes, it is about Mal. And, yes, I will ask him. But, I wanted to ask you, too." Taking a deep breath, Simon blurted out, "Do you think Mal misses not having children of his own? I mean, during the war, or at any other time, before I came along, did he ever talk about having children?"
"O…K… You really need to talk to Mal about this, not me."
"Yes. I know. I will. But…"
"But…" Zoë took a turn around the room as she thought about whether or not she should answer this question. She liked the doc, really she did. And he was good for Mal. Good to him, as far as that went. She knew Mal thought she'd forgotten that long ago conversation, but she hadn't. Should she say anything? After all these years… Simon deserved the truth.
Simon watched Zoë pace around the infirmary. She looked like a caged panther. He hoped like hell she wasn't going to pounce on him for endangering her 'young'. Even nine months pregnant, an angry Zoë would be a force to be reckoned with, and he didn't know if he'd be able to withstand that force. When she stopped pacing, and turned to face him, he held his breath.
"Yes, during the war we talked about how many children we'd have when it was over. Not together, you understand. Just in a general sort of way. He's never mentioned it again. Wasn't real thrilled when I got pregnant with Eddie, if you'll recall, although he took it better this time. Still…"
Simon did recall Mal's reaction when Zoë was pregnant the first time. It had not been pleasant, to say the least. They'd only been married a few months, although they'd been together for three years before that. They'd had a major fight that had lasted far too long. He hoped they never had another one that bad. Wait a second, what had Zoë said? Yes, that was it. Mal did want children, at least at one time. "How many…"
"Six."
Simon stared at Zoë in total shock, "Six!?!"
"He's an only child, remember?"
"So are you."
Zoë lifted an eyebrow as she answered, "So?"
"So, how many do you want?"
"Don't rightly see that's any of your business, Doc."
"Huh? Oh, right. Sorry. Blame it on the shock." Simon waved his hands in apology. "Six?"
"Don't worry, Doc. I'm more reasonable than Mal."
"Thank God for that."
"And Wash."
"So, when you gonna' have this conversation with Mal?"
"Don't rightly see that's any of your business, Zoë." Simon grinned slightly, acknowledging his temerity in throwing her words back at her.
"Uh huh."
"Thanks for being honest with me, Zoë."
"You're welcome, Doc. Let me know how it turns out?"
"I'll try."
Zoë laughed quietly to herself as she left the infirmary. Should she share this conversation with Wash? Oh, yes, I should. Things are going to get interesting around here. Even more interesting than usual.
Chapter 3
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