Marriage of Convenience, Part 04
Aug. 7th, 2009 10:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wiseheartMARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
by Soledad
Disclaimer: The characters and the settings don't belong to me. Just the story idea and a few original characters.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PART 04
Five days later, taking an authorized break from patrol duty, they were sitting on the mainland, in Anais’ tent. It was a large and comfortable one, divided into separate sections by beautiful, woven carpets spanned over wooden frames. It had a warm, homely atmosphere that touched them at once.
That which counted as the equivalent of a foyer or anteroom had the usual thick, water-resistant floor of dark felt mats, over which colourful carpets were spread, with a long, low wooden trestle table in the middle, and flat pillows strewn around the table to sit on. Aside from the two if them and Anais herself, Halling was present, too, as the newly chosen leader of the tribe – the Emmagan – and an elderly women named Charin, representing the tribe Elders… the only one still alive from the original Elders.
This was the first time that Stackhouse took a closer look at Anais, and he decided that Jamie and he could have done a lot worse. She was not very tall, but sleek and deceivingly strong, like Teyla herself, yet with fair skin and a hairdo that reminded him of the traditional portraits of Joan of Ark (which seemed matching, somehow, as she, too, was a warrior), her eyes dark and serious.
“I thank you for considering my proposal,” she said, her voice pleasantly low-pitched. “I know this is not your way… and that your people would not all support you in this. But for me – for us all – it means a great deal. It means I can remain with my own people and still have a family of my own.”
“You do understand, though, that we can’t come to the mainland and live with you all the time?” Stackhouse asked.
Anais nodded. “Of course not. Your place is on Atlantis; but you can come and visit me and the children we may have. And I shall visit you on Atlantis as often as I can. Besides, once we have settled down a bit, I shall start looking for another female spouse, in order to bring balance into the marriage. That way, I will not be alone for long.”
Jamie looked at Stackhouse and grinned. “We’ll have to request bigger quarters if we’re gonna do this, you know. Do you think Atlantis has ones that are big enough for a foursome marriage?”
Stackhouse rolled his eyes. “Get real, Jamie, we’re not there yet, not by far!” He turned back to Anais. “I want you to understand very clearly why we are doing this.”
She smiled at him now, a gentle smile that softened her slightly hard features beautifully.
“I already know that,” she said, “and it is fine with me. Athosian marriages are usually arranged by the respective families and the tribe Elders, with the main goal of giving our tribe strong, healthy, resilient children. But I do find you pleasing to the eye, and I hope you will come to like me as well.”
“You have to learn to see things differently,” Charin added, eyes twinkling mischievously in her deeply lined face. “In your society, loving someone shuts everyone else off… at least in theory. We have found that sharing our love with third, fourth or more parties helps strengthening the spousal bond. So does the shared responsibility for all children born to a family.”
Jamie shook his head doubtfully. “I dunno… It still seems like cheating to me. What do you think, Stacks?”
Stackhouse shrugged. “I’ve already told you. I’m willing to share you, as long as I can have you. What’s your problem anyway? I thought we’ve agreed to do this.”
“It’s the kids,” Jamie admitted. “I never thought about having kids before… and frankly the thought scares me shitless. I know nothing about being a father – and mine wasn’t exactly the shining example to follow, was he? What if I suck at parenting? What if…”
“Jamie,” Stackhouse interrupted, “Don’t panic! You’re not alone in this. Between the two of us, we’ll manage somehow.”
“You are not on your own,” Halling added encouragingly. “It is custom among our people that older, more experienced parents help new families with their first children. This is something each of us have to learn… just like any other skill. I am certain that you will do just fine, Sergeant Markham… or do you prefer that we call you by your given name as well?”
“Jamie is okay,” Markham replied absent-mindedly.
Halling nodded. “Very well, Jamie. Do not worry; you, Anais and Adam will build a fine household… or are there any other concerns to be considered?” He paused discretely. “I am told that some Earth men are not interested in the opposite gender…”
Jamie shrugged. “I’ve nothing against women, if that’s what you mean. I like women. I just… I just like Stacks more.”
Anais grinned at him; it was a positively sultry grin. “I can live with that – and you will learn that the two things are not mutually exclusive. You Earth people just need to loosen up a little… and widen your horizon.”
Jamie blushed furiously and mumbled something about it being easier said than done, but it was clear that he had already given in. They were actually doing this, and Stackhouse felt a knot he had not previously realized to be there loosen in his stomach. He had just understood how much he wanted this to work. To be with Jamie without fear, without hiding, without lies – and still keeping up the screen that would shield them from malevolently prying eyes. He could learn to love Anais… if for nothing else, then for the gift she had given them.
“So, since this seems to be settled,” he said, “what is the next step?”
“There will be a proper ceremony,” old Charin explained. “We shall build a bonfire in the middle of the village, and the three of you will clasp hands in front of the fire… in front of everyone, and Halling will call them to witness your vows.”
“You must understand that a bond like this is for a lifetime,” Halling added. “Once it is done, it is binding – you cannot walk away from your responsibilities.”
“We don’t intend to,” Stackhouse answered quietly. “The chance to spend the rest of our lives together – however long that time in this galaxy might be – is a gift we never hoped for. Standing openly in front of everyone means a lot to us. Even if our own people will think that we’re just marrying Anais… we will know the truth. That’s enough.”
“Perhaps one day your people, too, will learn to be more open-minded,” Anais offered helpfully.
Stackhouse shrugged. “Perhaps they will; some of them already are. But not the military, I’m afraid. Not for a while yet.”
“What about the ceremony itself?” Jamie asked. “Are we supposed to do anything else but hold hands?”
“There are traditional words that have to be spoken to make the bond a legitimate and binding one,” Halling answered. “I shall teach you to speak them in our own tongue and in that of the Ancestors. Then I will call the others to witness… and it will be done. Nothing else is required.”
“Unless you want witnesses from your own people,” Charin added.
Jamie and Stackhouse exchanged uncertain looks. There were arguments both pro and contra, and they had already discussed their choices in this.
“We better do,” Stackhouse finally said. “We might need them later. We just haven’t decided yet who they should be… aside from Doctors Zelenka, Beckett and Corrigan who would be there by default, I assume.”
“Of course,” Halling said. “Carson and Radek already belong to our people, by right of their marriage, and Eric will do so, soon. You can decide whom else to invite between the two of you and bring them right with you to the ceremony. We do not keep written records, so there is very little that has to be prepared.”
Stackhouse nodded in understanding. “All right,” he said. “When?”
“Nine days from now,” Anais replied. “That is when my fertile cycle begins. According to Dr. Beckett, our genes are compatible enough for spontaneous fertilization… I think he used those words, saying that they mean we can beget children without his help--- but we might have to use the time well. We are similar, not entirely identical.”
“Okay,” Stackhouse said. “Which one?”
“I do not understand…”
“I’m told that only one of us is needed for the first time,” Stackhouse explained. “So that you can be sure who’s the actual father. Well, which one of us will go first?”
“That is a rule we no longer need to follow,” Anais replied, “as Dr. Beckett will be able to determine the father through a simple blood test. But I shall take him first, anyway,” she added, grinning at a suddenly very nervous Jamie.
Stackhouse grinned back at her. “So that he can’t chicken out in the last minute?”
Anais’ grin grew broader. “You have a devious mind, Adam,” she declared. “I like the way you are thinking. But you shall not be left out, either, I promise. If I catch from Jamie first, I shall see that you get your chance next time.”
For some reason Stackhouse, who had never thought of getting married and having kids before (since he could not have that with Jamie) found the perspective very appealing.
by Soledad
Disclaimer: The characters and the settings don't belong to me. Just the story idea and a few original characters.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PART 04
Five days later, taking an authorized break from patrol duty, they were sitting on the mainland, in Anais’ tent. It was a large and comfortable one, divided into separate sections by beautiful, woven carpets spanned over wooden frames. It had a warm, homely atmosphere that touched them at once.
That which counted as the equivalent of a foyer or anteroom had the usual thick, water-resistant floor of dark felt mats, over which colourful carpets were spread, with a long, low wooden trestle table in the middle, and flat pillows strewn around the table to sit on. Aside from the two if them and Anais herself, Halling was present, too, as the newly chosen leader of the tribe – the Emmagan – and an elderly women named Charin, representing the tribe Elders… the only one still alive from the original Elders.
This was the first time that Stackhouse took a closer look at Anais, and he decided that Jamie and he could have done a lot worse. She was not very tall, but sleek and deceivingly strong, like Teyla herself, yet with fair skin and a hairdo that reminded him of the traditional portraits of Joan of Ark (which seemed matching, somehow, as she, too, was a warrior), her eyes dark and serious.
“I thank you for considering my proposal,” she said, her voice pleasantly low-pitched. “I know this is not your way… and that your people would not all support you in this. But for me – for us all – it means a great deal. It means I can remain with my own people and still have a family of my own.”
“You do understand, though, that we can’t come to the mainland and live with you all the time?” Stackhouse asked.
Anais nodded. “Of course not. Your place is on Atlantis; but you can come and visit me and the children we may have. And I shall visit you on Atlantis as often as I can. Besides, once we have settled down a bit, I shall start looking for another female spouse, in order to bring balance into the marriage. That way, I will not be alone for long.”
Jamie looked at Stackhouse and grinned. “We’ll have to request bigger quarters if we’re gonna do this, you know. Do you think Atlantis has ones that are big enough for a foursome marriage?”
Stackhouse rolled his eyes. “Get real, Jamie, we’re not there yet, not by far!” He turned back to Anais. “I want you to understand very clearly why we are doing this.”
She smiled at him now, a gentle smile that softened her slightly hard features beautifully.
“I already know that,” she said, “and it is fine with me. Athosian marriages are usually arranged by the respective families and the tribe Elders, with the main goal of giving our tribe strong, healthy, resilient children. But I do find you pleasing to the eye, and I hope you will come to like me as well.”
“You have to learn to see things differently,” Charin added, eyes twinkling mischievously in her deeply lined face. “In your society, loving someone shuts everyone else off… at least in theory. We have found that sharing our love with third, fourth or more parties helps strengthening the spousal bond. So does the shared responsibility for all children born to a family.”
Jamie shook his head doubtfully. “I dunno… It still seems like cheating to me. What do you think, Stacks?”
Stackhouse shrugged. “I’ve already told you. I’m willing to share you, as long as I can have you. What’s your problem anyway? I thought we’ve agreed to do this.”
“It’s the kids,” Jamie admitted. “I never thought about having kids before… and frankly the thought scares me shitless. I know nothing about being a father – and mine wasn’t exactly the shining example to follow, was he? What if I suck at parenting? What if…”
“Jamie,” Stackhouse interrupted, “Don’t panic! You’re not alone in this. Between the two of us, we’ll manage somehow.”
“You are not on your own,” Halling added encouragingly. “It is custom among our people that older, more experienced parents help new families with their first children. This is something each of us have to learn… just like any other skill. I am certain that you will do just fine, Sergeant Markham… or do you prefer that we call you by your given name as well?”
“Jamie is okay,” Markham replied absent-mindedly.
Halling nodded. “Very well, Jamie. Do not worry; you, Anais and Adam will build a fine household… or are there any other concerns to be considered?” He paused discretely. “I am told that some Earth men are not interested in the opposite gender…”
Jamie shrugged. “I’ve nothing against women, if that’s what you mean. I like women. I just… I just like Stacks more.”
Anais grinned at him; it was a positively sultry grin. “I can live with that – and you will learn that the two things are not mutually exclusive. You Earth people just need to loosen up a little… and widen your horizon.”
Jamie blushed furiously and mumbled something about it being easier said than done, but it was clear that he had already given in. They were actually doing this, and Stackhouse felt a knot he had not previously realized to be there loosen in his stomach. He had just understood how much he wanted this to work. To be with Jamie without fear, without hiding, without lies – and still keeping up the screen that would shield them from malevolently prying eyes. He could learn to love Anais… if for nothing else, then for the gift she had given them.
“So, since this seems to be settled,” he said, “what is the next step?”
“There will be a proper ceremony,” old Charin explained. “We shall build a bonfire in the middle of the village, and the three of you will clasp hands in front of the fire… in front of everyone, and Halling will call them to witness your vows.”
“You must understand that a bond like this is for a lifetime,” Halling added. “Once it is done, it is binding – you cannot walk away from your responsibilities.”
“We don’t intend to,” Stackhouse answered quietly. “The chance to spend the rest of our lives together – however long that time in this galaxy might be – is a gift we never hoped for. Standing openly in front of everyone means a lot to us. Even if our own people will think that we’re just marrying Anais… we will know the truth. That’s enough.”
“Perhaps one day your people, too, will learn to be more open-minded,” Anais offered helpfully.
Stackhouse shrugged. “Perhaps they will; some of them already are. But not the military, I’m afraid. Not for a while yet.”
“What about the ceremony itself?” Jamie asked. “Are we supposed to do anything else but hold hands?”
“There are traditional words that have to be spoken to make the bond a legitimate and binding one,” Halling answered. “I shall teach you to speak them in our own tongue and in that of the Ancestors. Then I will call the others to witness… and it will be done. Nothing else is required.”
“Unless you want witnesses from your own people,” Charin added.
Jamie and Stackhouse exchanged uncertain looks. There were arguments both pro and contra, and they had already discussed their choices in this.
“We better do,” Stackhouse finally said. “We might need them later. We just haven’t decided yet who they should be… aside from Doctors Zelenka, Beckett and Corrigan who would be there by default, I assume.”
“Of course,” Halling said. “Carson and Radek already belong to our people, by right of their marriage, and Eric will do so, soon. You can decide whom else to invite between the two of you and bring them right with you to the ceremony. We do not keep written records, so there is very little that has to be prepared.”
Stackhouse nodded in understanding. “All right,” he said. “When?”
“Nine days from now,” Anais replied. “That is when my fertile cycle begins. According to Dr. Beckett, our genes are compatible enough for spontaneous fertilization… I think he used those words, saying that they mean we can beget children without his help--- but we might have to use the time well. We are similar, not entirely identical.”
“Okay,” Stackhouse said. “Which one?”
“I do not understand…”
“I’m told that only one of us is needed for the first time,” Stackhouse explained. “So that you can be sure who’s the actual father. Well, which one of us will go first?”
“That is a rule we no longer need to follow,” Anais replied, “as Dr. Beckett will be able to determine the father through a simple blood test. But I shall take him first, anyway,” she added, grinning at a suddenly very nervous Jamie.
Stackhouse grinned back at her. “So that he can’t chicken out in the last minute?”
Anais’ grin grew broader. “You have a devious mind, Adam,” she declared. “I like the way you are thinking. But you shall not be left out, either, I promise. If I catch from Jamie first, I shall see that you get your chance next time.”
For some reason Stackhouse, who had never thought of getting married and having kids before (since he could not have that with Jamie) found the perspective very appealing.
