[AU (Future) Hub] Torchwood Hub Future Scenario - Ewan and Sarah - 2018

[his_sarah_jane]

My bags drop on the cold stone tiles of the House as the door closes behind her. The trip to Cardiff has been more than successful. In fact, it has surpassed anything my wildest dreams can come up with. Visiting old friends has been a breath of fresh air, as has returning to the place where, in effect, this all had started for me.

But Scotland is home now. Or, more to the point, Ewan and our family are my home. I love them all more than words could ever describe, and, as much as I still despises cliches, there really is nothing like being home. I take a deep breath of the musty air and smile to myself. My smile turns brighter when the Lady floats by. She's officially the first to welcome me back.

Placing a hand on my stomach, I nod in confirmation to her unasked question. Yes, I'm pregnant. Yes, there will be another child within the House in eight months. Yes, this time the pregnancy will last. The Lady has been my sole secret keeper - occasionally spying on me during those awful mid-mornings spent throwing up in the bathroom or when the fatigue got to be too much. I don't know how the ghost knew I was pregnant. It's just easier to accept.

The ghostly woman floats away, leaving me alone in the foyer. No one expects me to be home tonight. I wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow morning, but I couldn't wait. I have to surprise Ewan with the news. The twins ought to be asleep by now; it's 9 pm and those blessed little ones always managed to wear themselves out by half past six. I'll check in on them after, preferably with their father in tow.

Beaming, I abandon my bag and the hockey sticks at the door and take off in the direction of the Smith-Harrow apartment. I have my leman to surprise, after all. And I can't wait to see the look on his face when I tell him the news.

Comments

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

"Look, I've had just about enough of this conversation."

I'm raising my voice at the Torchwood equivalent of a speaker 'phone, on a conference call with people who should know better. I'm in my study, which is a large alcove adjacent to the bedroom I share with Sarah Jane Smith, lover and mother of my children, bless her. I'm standing in my bare feet, in my silk pajamas - new and blue in a gift from Sarah last Christmas - and a ratty old bathrobe is a bright red tartan - long story for another time - and I was relaxing, until the call.

An annoying male voice says, "Professor Harrow, please be reasonable -"

And that's my cue to do the opposite.

"Get off the 'phone, you stupid git! I'll talk to Winnie, but not to you and I don't care that you're now the one in charge of UNIT, Mr. Fancy Pants."

"That's Dancy-Vance, and Brigadier to you," the male voice asserts.

"Professor?" That's Winifred Bambera, the Brigadier I know. Not the brightest bulb in the box, but I've encountered far worse. "Maybe now isn't a good time for this particular topic." I know she's being diplomatic, but it isn't going to work. Not today.

"Sorry, Winnie dear, there's not going to be a good time for this topic."

"Professor Harrow -"

"Oh, fuck off, Fancy Pants! I won't discuss it, and that's bloody final!"

And that's when I realize I'm not alone.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Fancy pants?"

He's still on the phone and, from what I was able to overhear, on the phone with UNIT. As much as I still hold the organisation dear, in the past ten years, I've come to understand the frustrations Torchwood possesses with the group. The new employees (exceptions being amazing individuals like Martha) are rather inept, push comes to shove.

My hands cover my mouth as I laugh, trying hard not to be much of an interruption. I can tell he's on speaker; he's pacing far too much otherwise. Smiling warmly, I place a hand on his forearm. It's supposed to be a calming action.

"Brigadier?" I interrupt, not waiting for Ewan to reply. "Winnie? I'm afraid Professor Harrow is now otherwise occupied. This... conversation, as it is, will have to continue tomorrow afternoon. Goodnight, to both of you."

Polite but firm. Always the best way to deal with UNIT.

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I stop pacing when she places a hand on my forearm. My love, my star.

"What she said," I declare to the room, then, "Computer, disconnect the call."

Then I turn to Sarah and am about to ask what on Earth she's doing here when she wasn't supposed to be here until tomorrow morning, but I decide to kiss her instead. It wasn't been the best evening I've had on this planet - until she arrived.

I wrap my arms around her and draw her to me, my lips meeting hers.

Leman, your timing is brilliant.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I hear the familiar click of the computer disconnecting the phone line and smile. Privacy, at last.

The look on his face when he realises that it's me standing here bossing about UNIT HQ is priceless. I can feel the love radiate within the room already. I stand there basking within it and sigh. Oh, how I've missed home these past few days. How I've missed him.

Who knew that I'd ever turn out to be such a homebody?

And I'm quickly reminded of why when he kisses me - gentle yet fiery, a perfect hello after a few days apart. Mentally, I laugh at his statement. I'll have to ask him about this conversation later, but right now there are more important things.

Like wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him back. Like my surprise.

Years of practice, darling. I may not have any power, but I do have an amazing sense of intuition. Especially when it comes to you.

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

Oh, you have power, Sarah Jane - over me.

I deepen the kiss and swing her down into a dip, holding her securely in my arms as I do so. Reminds me we need to practice our ballroom dancing routine for the next class. The things we do in our 'spare time'...

I pull her upright again and break the kiss, rubbing the tip of my nose gently with hers.

"You've been sneaky," I murmur, grinning. "You're still supposed to be in Cardiff. What, did you do something naughty and Jackie-boy sent you packing?"

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Even after all these years, his words still make me blush. I laugh again in my mind when he dips me downward. My mouth is far too busy attacking his. It's almost as if we're in a dance - which we very well could be if I wasn't exhausted.

I take a deep breath when he breaks the kiss, feeling flushed already. Definitely pregnant - oh most certainly. A little over three months, exactly ninety-five days and most definitely feeling it. After our noses rub, I rest my forehead against his.

Home.

"Me?" I retort, my voice low. "Do something naughty? As if I ever would. Perhaps I just missed you. Or, perhaps, there's a mystery I needed you to solve."

I've learned how to shield parts of my mind from him by now, blocking certain thoughts with thoughts about mindless things. Like dancing. He'll never be able to guess from invading my thoughts, at any rate.

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I look at her in mock astonishment.

"You? Naughty? What was I thinking?" And I kiss her again, because I can, a nice, slow, lingering kiss, letting her come up for air eventually.

"I hope you missed me, because I certainly missed you, and the twins have been beside themselves." I grin. "Of course, that's how they usually sit at the table. Beside one another. Besides themselves. D'you get it?" I sigh. "Well, I thought it was amusing..."

She's thinking about dancing and I ask, "Or do you have a mystery? I could use one of those."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I take a deep breath when he lets me up for air. And he called me naughty. A mouth like his ought to be illegal. I'm thankful it isn't. It's rather hard to live a day without it.

At his joke, or attempt there of, I raise an eyebrow. "Please don't ever consider a career in comedy, love."

I laugh, this time seizing the opportunity to kiss him. There's certainly a reason behind the number of individuals who have mistaken us for married. We are madly in love - still - and we do have our family. But push come to shove, a legal binding couldn't begin to define our relationship.

"It could be a mystery," I continue, slowly beginning to back us out of the alcove. "Would you like it to be a mystery, Ewan? Or would you like me to tell you? Or shall I stay silent on the whole matter?"

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I give her a heavy sigh.

"Doesn't anyone appreciate my sense of humour?"

Then she's kissing me this time, with a passion and joy I've come to recognize as my leman in a very happy mood. When she lets me up for air, she plays coy and backs us out of my study area and into the bedroom proper.

My king-sized, four-poster bed - complete with nice, heavy curtains - had seemed appropriate to the House when I became the head of Torchwood Two all those years ago, and I've never changed it. We're headed in that direction as she gives me options to choose from.

"I didn't know it'd be a multiple-choice question," I say, smirking. "Can I buy a clue?"

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Oh, this has become fun. I smile when I realise that he's walking us towards the bed now. I ought not to be surprised. It's probably our favourite place to spend time in the apartment, aside from the nursery. The curtains make it reclusive. It makes it our sanctuary.

I shrug in response to his query. My bright smile is now permanent on my face. I'm home again, with my love, and have news that'll make tonight a night in which neither of us will ever forget.

"That depends," I answer slowly, pretending to consider the request. "Have anything to barter with?"

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

She can't seem to stop smiling, and I take that as a good sign. If there's truly a mystery to solve, I doubt it's one involving murder and/or mayhem.

I'm steering us toward the bed, because that's where I want to go. She's back home and I haven't held her in my arms for days and days. I don't feel the cold, so I could care less about my bare feet, but I want to make sure she's nice and warm and comfortable. She traveled a long way by herself...

"I might have something to tempt you," I say, shedding my tattered, tartan robe - story later - and continuing to back her toward the bed in my silk pajamas. Then I pounce, scoop her gently into my arms, and roll us across the bed.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I protest playfully when he scoops me up into his arms. It's an old game by now. He tries to carry me and I fight and fight the entire time. Except those days where I'm far too tired to care. Or those days where I just want to be loved.

"Tempt me with what?" I ask, nipping at his chin and tickling his sides as we roll in to the bed. At some point, I kick off my shoes and kiss his cheek. I snuggle up against him and rest my head against his chest. I've spent too many days in an empty bed.

"It'll have to be good, you know. Because my mystery is very, very good, Ewan darling." I look up at him, letting myself be lost in his beautiful blue-green eyes for a few seconds. "You see, we're not alone in this room right now. I know why. But you, love, will have to figure it out."

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

She tickles me - damn, but I hate being ticklish - and I laugh and let her snuggle against me. I've missed her, far too much to be a positive thing for my sanity. When she gazes up at me with those big, brown eyes of hers, I'm lost.

I raise my eyebrows at the clue. "We're not alone? Well, it can't be those UNIT idiots... And the twins are asleep." I look at her with puppy-dog eyes and whisper, "My barter is very good..."

And I lick her throat with the tip of my tongue.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I squirm when he licks my throat. He knows all the sensitive spots on my body by now. It's not fair, not fair at all.

"And I promise you my answer will be even better," I respond quietly. It's those puppy dog eyes. They do me in every time.

I had meant it when I said Ewan Harrow could talk me into anything. It had been like that ever since he said he loved me.

"I'm pregnant," I whisper. I know I'm practically glowing. "No miscarriage this time. The egg held. We're having another child, Ewan. Another little boy."

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure your answer will be..."

And I stop and stare at her as she says two very important words.

"You're pregnant?" I whisper. Where has my vocabulary disappeared to? I gape at her, my eyes searching hers. We've been trying for another child, but to hear that it's actually worked -

"You're... absolutely, positively sure, Sarah Jane?"

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I nod eagerly, smiling and laughing. It's the reaction I expected. I've surprised him speechless. The way he's staring at me is absolutely wonderful.

"I am, Ewan. I had Owen run all the necessary tests while I was in Cardiff. I'm ninety-five days into the pregnancy, a little more than three months. He's developing normally - on the same sort of path the twins took."

I laugh again and reach for his hand to place on my stomach, right above the spot where our son is growing within me. I don't break gaze the entire time.

"You're going to be a father again, Ewan Harrow."

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I nod vaguely, filing all the information away, but knowing that I'm not really absorbing it properly right now. She takes my hand and places it on her stomach.

"Developing normally," I repeat faintly, looking down at our hands, which are resting on another life. Another child for us. Another successful inter-species child.

Another Roshkind...

"You're going to be a father again, Ewan Harrow," she tells me proudly.

A big grin grows on my face. "I never stopped being a father, Sarah Jane Smith, but now I'll have even more wee ones to keep track of." I can feel my eyes are a little damp and I blink them rapidly as I look back up to Sarah's happy face. "Fuck, but I love you," I say, and pull her in with my free hand for another kiss.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Before he kisses me, I wipe away a stray tear from his cheek. My own eyes dampen as I watch him. He looks lost, confused as the news settle. As he realises what our hands lie above.

Then it clicks and he beams. A surge of love washes over me. I'll never forget this moment - we'll never forget this moment. I feel so proud, so happy, so absolutely elated all at once.

"We're stopping before we reach seven," I tell him with a laugh. While I've always wanted children, I only ever pictured having one or two. But with Ewan, knowing how much family means to him, seeing this sort of reaction, being able to give him this sort of gift... oh, it's so hard to say no.

He tells me he loves me and before I have a chance to respond, I've been pulled in for a passionate kiss. I return it eagerly, happily - so very, very pleased. My eyes close and I move to rest my hand on his cheek.

I love you, too. I love you so much. I never thought... never thought that I'd have a family like this. Oh, I love you, Ewan.

Our kiss turns salty. I've begun to cry.

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I love you, Sarah Jane.

I break the kiss, and wipe a hand across her tears.

"Sarah, I didn't think I'd ever have one child, never mind three," I say, my voice shaking. "Please, don't worry about trying to match my family in numbers... Oh, let me get you a tissue."

I TK the box swiftly into my hand, pull one out, and daub at her cheeks.

"Well, aren't you sneaky, then? Had the good doctor check you out while you went down about the birthday party. How convenient." I can't seem to stop smiling, even though I'm still crying, apparently. I take a tissue for myself and scrub at my eyes. "Och, what a day."

I feel like I'm radiating joy. It's wonderful.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

I laugh when he responds and daubs at my cheeks with a tissue. His voice is shaking. I can hear the joy. It makes me cry more. Oh, the joys of being pregnant. I'm already emotional enough in every day life. I become ten times worse with all these hormones bustling about my system, it seems. It's okay, though. Oh, it's more than okay.

Especially if he's crying as well.

"This is why... I couldn't wait for tomorrow," I tell him. My own voice is just as shaky. I intertwine our fingers, keeping them firmly planted on my stomach.

"I had to tell you. As soon as Owen told me that we - the baby and I - were in good health, I knew I had to come back home. I just... oh, Ewan, there'll be another wee one about soon and our family... It's perfect. You, the twins, this little one," I pat my stomach as I say that, "any others we may have down the line - it's more than I could ever ask for. Thank you."

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've set her off with fresh tears. Ah, me...

"I... understand why you couldn't wait, Sarah." I drag my free hand through my hair and attempt to pull myself together a bit. there's new life started inside my little Human. I am truly blessed. Never, in a million years, did I think to have a mate, never mind wee ones.

Now I'm crying again at her sweet words.

"Oh, stop it, or I'll be bawling like this all night. I should be thanking you, for putting up with all this. You're the one that has to do all the incubating, not me."

I lean down then and kiss the hand that she has in mine, and whisper to the occupant inside her, "Don't write on the walls..."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"I don't mind," I say, after watching him talk to my stomach.

Oh, he was meant to have children.

"Even when I'm fat again, and even more hormonal and..."

Oh. I'll be fat again soon, won't I? And unable to properly have sex with him and...and... Now my tears become tears of worry and fear. What if he decides, after this, that I'm only good as an incubator? What if he decides he's better off with Eileen or some other human woman? What if...?

"Oh," I cry, letting go of his hand to hide my head against him. My words are interspersed with sobs. "You'll still love me when I'm fat again, won't you, Ewan? An' when we can't... can't... not going to leave me or just... use me?"

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

More tears from Sarah Jane and her words are familiar from the previous pregnancy and - I sigh as she presses her head against me and wrap my arms around her.

Here we go again, I think, perhaps uncharitably, but I'm smiling. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone when she was last expecting, and this time probably won't be any different. But it's wonderful, the whole baby thing, and I love her, so very much.

"You needn't worry, leman," I say quietly, rocking her - and the very wee one - slowly. "I love you no matter your size, no matter how many tears or how frequently you yell or throw things at me. You wanted to have another, remember? You offered yourself, though you knew the risks. I... I can't imagine by life without you, lover and mother of my children."

I can feel tears on my face, tears of joy, tears of sensing Sarah's pain and fear, but I just let them flow. My voice is hushed but fairly even as I speak.

"I will never leave you or our children."

Though of course, someday, she will leave me, but I try not to think that far into the future.

I start to hum softly, not certain what it is until a few moments have passed. A lullaby. How fitting...

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

It's started again. He knows it as well as I do. I've become a bloody wreck already. Fourth month in and I'm already in tears over the most irrational of thoughts. I should know better than to think that Ewan would ever leave me. But I can't keep that thought in my head. All I can think of is every horrible alternative.

He holds me and starts to rock me, humming a lullaby softly. He's comforting me already. His patience is increadible.

The fact that Ewan always seems to know how to calm my incessant fears more so.

"I know," I whisper. "I'm being daft again, aren't I?"

[exiled-prof.livejournal.com]

I kiss her on the forehead and sigh.

"Aye," I say, agreeing with her rather then not. We both know the score, after all, and I do my poor best to be as honest as possible. "You're being daft as a post, but not as daft as Harold in the greenhouse." I'm talking about the 'gardener ghost', as he's called. I don't know his name, but 'Harold' seemed about right for him. Mostly harmless, though he leaves tools lying about from time to time and we have to watch out for him with the shears.

"Leman, everything is going to be fine, but feel free to disagree with me later." I grin. "I know you will."