Reluctantly stepping out into the hallway, Mark's mom closed the door and told him softly. "You have to be careful. Until this calms down, those two could be dangerous around you." Jack nodded, mumbling out as he leaned against the wall by the door. "I know... but I feel like I'm always away from him." Mark's mom put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a little squeeze as she told him. "It's just for a bit longer." Lightly pulling on his shoulder, she asked him curiously. "Come on. Help me with the kids. They are tired and getting fussy." Smirking, Jack made his way over to Mark's old bedroom. Inside the room, Mark's mom showed him that Sam was resting in her crib. While Barry was sitting in another playpen in the corner. She rubbed his back, telling him sweetly. "I'm going to help Trey with dinner. Keep an eye on them. Don't do anything strenuous. You need any help, just call for me. Ok?" Jack nodded, watching her leave the door open just a little. He felt like he was being babied now.

Walking up to the thick large plastic playpen, he opened the door and slipped in. Barry was laying on his back with his head resting on a 'U' shaped pillow. Barry was chewing on a water toy and reaching up with his other hand to tap at hanging stars that blinked. Laying down beside him across the soft fuzzy green rug, he propped his head up and watched him. Barry's big brown eyes looked at him and he smiled with a soft giggle. His legs and arms kicking and waving more with excitement. It was the most he'd seen Barry move. Barry dropped his water toy, making soft cooing sounds as the stars finished playing a calming tune. Noticing the baby piano in the pen, Jack pulled it closer and started to play what he knew of the Christmas songs that had been playing in the living room. He started with O Holy Night. It was his favorite Christmas song, and it was usually so lovely on the piano. He wasn't much of a piano player, but he did what he could. As he played, Barry stopped moving around. Rolling to his side, Barry watched him play with wide eyes.

Jack smirked at him, asking him sweetly. "Like it? Mark can play it better on the guitar. He learned it so that he could play it for me while we video chatted one Christmas." Barry squirmed trying to roll off the pillow. Jack helped pull the pillow away and Barry reached out toward the piano with his small hands. Smiling, Jack reached out to wrap an arm around Barry to pull him up against his chest. Barry rocked happily on his belly by his chest, slamming his hands down on random keys. When Jack's hand returned to the keys, he began to play Silent Night. Barry hit keys that threw off the song, but it made Jack smile to hear him giggle and look at him like he wanted him to be proud. When Barry lifted his hand, Jack slipped his hand under Barry's and continued to play. Barry kept his hand on the back of Jack's, watching the keys light up as Jack played. As Jack played, he wondered if any of his kids would take an interest in music like Mark and himself had. He hoped that at least one of them did. He liked the idea of playing with one of them.

As he began to play O Christmas Tree, Barry laid his head down but kept his hand on Jack's. Barry seemed to really like to sleep to music. When he stopped playing, Barry's head would sleepily pop back up. Chuckling, Jack would start playing again and watch as Barry would slowly lay back down. When Jack moved his free arm to lay it out to play with both hands, Barry shifted to rest his head on Jack's arm. He couldn't imagine that it was comfortable for him, but Barry liked it. His hand eventually moved off Jack's to suck on his thumb, but his sleepy eyes stayed watching Jack's fingers play on. He played it so much that he was surprised that the keys had other colors that they'd light up with. He only felt a little silly playing Christmas songs on a kids toy. He kept expecting the toy to tell him that he was a baby genius or something. Seeing Barry was trying hard to stay awake, Jack leaned down over his little ear and began to hum along to the songs he played. Barry smiled around his thumb, his eyes closing completely. Jack played for a bit longer, then stopped to give his fingers a break.

Realizing Barry was completely out, Jack pulled a blanket over and carefully draped it over Barry's little body. When he was tucked in, Jack let himself lay down with his arm positioned better for Barry to keep sleeping on. Rubbing Barry's back soothingly, Jack felt himself start to drift off. Sleeping just felt like the right thing to do. There wasn't more he could do with them until they woke up. He heard someone call his name and started to stir, until a soft hand touched his shoulder and told him in a whisper. "It's ok. Stay. I just didn't hear anything for a while." Jack put his head back down, wrapping his arm around Barry to pull him close. He could feel Barry's head on his hand now and his body draped over his arm like he was a body pillow. The person giggled softly, then draped a larger blanket over them. Just as he was falling back into a deep sleep, he heard the person whisper to someone softly. "Hey. You can't be here. Go. You'll wake them." The familiar deep voice replied in a whisper. "You can't let him sleep like that. It's not comfortable. Let me at least take Jack to the bed-" The person shushed him and Jack heard nothing else.

Jack woke to something touching his neck sometime later, causing him to jerk his head up. Snuggled against him, Barry giggled. His hands outstretched toward him. Groggily looking around, he saw daylight coming in from the window and froze. Had he slept all night? Rolling onto all fours over Barry, Jack stretched like a dog and yawned. Beneath him, Barry made grabby hands and squealed a little. Leaning down, Jack buried his face into Barry's neck and blew a raspberry. Barry squealed louder, patting Jack's head as he began to laugh. Getting up with a bit of trouble, Jack gave Barry a toy and told him in strained voice. "Stay here. Don't move. I'm going to the bathroom and I'll be back. No escaping." Barry rolled over with the toy, then abandoned it as he saw the piano and started banging his hands on it. In the crib, Sam was watching him through the bars with groggy eyes of her own. She'd clearly just gotten up too. Heading to the door, Jack opened it and jumped at the sight of Mark. Mark was sleeping against the wall with his hands wrapped around his knees. Jack shook his head but smiled as he heard him snore.

He wondered how long Mark had been there for. Reaching down to run a hand through his hair, Jack smiled. There was a strange comfort in knowing that he was worried enough about him to be close by. Even if his mother probably warned him to stay away. Mark was just too much of a good dad to leave his family. Slipping off to the bathroom, Jack relieved himself and then made his way to the kitchen. In the living room, Trey slept on one of the couches. While Jason slept on the other. The tv was on like they had fallen asleep watching it. Heading quietly into the kitchen, Jack turned on the coffee pot and got to work making the babies breakfast. On the counter was a wrapped up plate with his name on it. Last night's dinner. Meatloaf. Putting it in the microwave, he zapped it. His feet hurt too much to be up for much longer. He'd never be able to make himself breakfast and he was starving. Gathering the warm bottles and his plate on a tray, he made his way back down the hallway. Mark hadn't moved.

Putting the tray down in the room, Jack picked up the extra coffee that he'd made and moved out into the hallway again. Crouching down, he gently blew the steam toward Mark. The smell of coffee got Mark up. Stretching his stiff legs out, Mark groaned. Jack smiled at him, whispering sweetly. "Top of the morning." Mark grinned, sleepily mumbling out. "Is it morning...?" Jack handed him the cup, telling him a bit slowly. "Ya. Why didn't you go lay down like everyone else?" Mark inhaled the coffee, then told him swiftly. "I wanted to be close in case something happened, and you needed me." Jack smiled warmly, reaching out to touch his arm as he told him. "I appreciate that... but Mark, I'm ok." Mark's eyes were big and fragile, when he looked at him and said a bit pained. "Last time... I... If Nico hadn't heard you..." Jack lifted his hand to touch Mark's chin, bringing his lips to his in a brief tender kiss. Pulling his lips away, Jack told him in a loving voice. "You were there for me then. And you are here for me now."

Mark's hand reached out to touch his cheek, pulling him in for another kiss that was deeper. Jack stroked his hands down Mark's chest, breaking the kiss to chuckle out lightly. "Did you really attack Dr. Trey? You know we need him, right?" Mark blushed, mumbling out guiltily. "I thought you were in pain... and when Trey told me to stay away from you... I just... It wasn't fair. I was there when you delivered the first time and I... I want to be there this time. Even if you crush my fingers again." Jack blushed with a smile as Mark added. "I don't want you to feel like you are going through this alone..." Jack leaned in to hug Mark. Mark kissed his neck, then told him happily. "My back is killing me though... I hope you slept better?" Jack pulled back, chuckling out. "Believe it or not, I did. That fluffy rug is amazing." Mark chuckled and Jack thought about kissing him again. Until Sam began to cry. Sighing, Jack got up onto his sore feet, telling Mark. "Well, duty calls. Enjoy your coffee. And go to bed!"

Making his way back into the room, Jack went to the baby crib to pull out Sam. Sam's crying stopped when he picked her up, cooing out to her. "I hear you. I'll change you and then you can fill the new one..." Jack laid her down on the changing station, wincing as his feet hurt from standing. He had slept fine, but his body was starting to ache the longer he stood for. He ignored the pain and pushed through it to change Sam. He just got her changed into a fresh diaper and was reaching for her bottle, when he knocked it over with his shaking hand. Jack jumped a little when a hand caught the bottle. Setting his coffee down, Mark moved up behind him and whispered over his shoulder. "Sit. I got them." Jack shook his head stubbornly, but Mark nipped his neck playfully and growled out. "Sit. Or I'll smack you and put you to bed." Jack snorted sarcastically, stepping aside as he mumbled out. "Sure. I'd like to see that... Ass." Mark lightly tapped his ass to move him aside quicker, making Jack squeal in surprise. On the changing table, Sam began to laugh.

Taking his plate of food and his coffee, Jack sat down outside the playpen to eat. While he ate, he watched Mark closely. He worried about him being in here after being warned so much. Yet, Mark seemed more distracted with Sam. Giving her the bottle, he tried to shimmy her into a Christmas onesie. Sam kicked and wiggled. Laughing as Mark grunted out to her. "Look you. Put this on! Or... I'm grounding you to your crib!" Sam squealed, twisting herself up in the clothes. When Mark finally looked at Jack, he asked curiously. "What are you eating?" Jack held up the block of meat, answering carelessly. "Meatloaf." Mark rolled his eyes, carrying a squirming Sam to put her into the playpen as he told him with disapproval. "Last night's dinner? Jack, you should be eating breakfast. Not that!" Jack pointed to it, saying curtly. "Hey, there is bacon on it. And... stuff." Mark bent over to get Barry, getting a closer look at Jack's plate before asking with concern. "Jack...? Is that chocolate syrup?" Jack chewed a little slower, guiltily mumbling out. "Maybe... I had a craving. It's good. Wanna try?"

Mark hefted Barry out, taking him to the changing station as he grunted out. "No. Thank you. When I'm done, I'm making you a real breakfast. Jeez, Jack..." Jack licked the chocolate off his fingers just to tease him. Cleaning up Barry and giving him his bottle, Mark laid him across his pillow in the playpen so he could drink better. Then took Jack's empty plate as he told him with a smirk. "You're going to make that kid in you sick." Jack huffed, telling him flatly. "Meatloaf is good for me and so is pizza." Mark narrowed his eyes on Jack, stating back. "Not what you are putting on it." Jack shrugged, retorting. "They are cravings. Which Trey says is the baby's way of telling me what it needs. And it wanted chocolate. So, don't blame me." Mark shook his head, saying softly. "I can't tell if you are lying to me or not." Jack grinned and crossed his arms. Groaning, Mark left the room and Jack chuckled. Jack began to help the babies drink their bottles. When Mark returned with a 'proper' breakfast.

People in the house were starting to stir as Mark set the plate down and told him reluctantly. "They'll drag me out any minute now. I can feel it." Getting to his feet, Jack took Mark's hand and pulled him close. Wrapping his arms around his neck, he whispered to him. "I know it's a bit early for giving you your Christmas Eve present... but here. Merry Christmas." Jack pulled Mark into a passionate kiss. Jack put everything into the kiss. His love and affection. His desire to be with him. The kiss was slow and deep. By the time they broke the kiss to breathe, Mark breathlessly whispered as he put his forehead to his. "Merry Christmas." Jack stepped closer to him, his hands sliding down Mark's chest to his belt. Curling his fingers around it, he pulled him closer and whispered over Mark's lips just as breathlessly. "Maybe that will help hold you over until this all blows over." Mark's hands went to Jack's waist, his voice turning deeper as he replied a little wickedly. "You know... We could sneak off to the bedroom. I could lay you down and rub your sore joints... Then maybe I can give you my present?"

Jack blushed, his eyes drifting down as he said shyly. "Mark... They'd hear... and we can't-" Mark raised a hand to Jack's lips, purring to him sweetly. "I was talking about your wedding ring." Jack looked into Mark's eyes and his heart skipped. Before he could say anything, Mark's mom stepped into the doorway. The second she saw them, she blurted out in shock. "Boys? What are you doing? Mark, didn't I tell you last night to-!" Mark nodded, raising a hand to stop her as he cut in nicely. "Yes, I know. I was trying to-" Mark's mom stepped into the room more, raising both of her hands now to stop him. Upon opening her mouth to say something though, she stopped. Her attention going to Jack. Jack was slightly leaning over, watching something run down the inside of his leg. When Mark's attention turned to him, Jack breathlessly exhaled out. "I think my water just broke..." To Be Continued...