Rating: PG to PG-13, for frank talk about homosexuality
Series: Part 3 of my four-part series focusing on events in Joxer and Meg's lives between Looking Death in the Eye and Livia. The other stories in this series are "In Healing Arms", "Love Changes Everything", and the upcoming "Past Best Forgotten". This third part of the series, unlike the other stories, is a series of vignettes taking place over five years, starting with shortly after Virgil's birth and leading to the birth of his younger brother Briax (from my Christmas story "A Time of Healing").
Pairings: Joxer/Meg
Content Warning: There are references to Meg's past and to childbirth in this story. Though there is nothing graphic, this story is not recommended for younger readers.
Disclaimer: Joxer, Meg, Jace, Xena, Gabrielle, and any other familiar characters don't belong to me, they belong to Rob Tapert and company. The other Briax mentioned in the story was created by Ru Emerson and was featured in her trilogy of Xena novels. Everyone else belongs to me. Also, like I did in the first story of this series, I did not phonetically spell Jace's words.

Jacinda didn't have the time to sit down and relax. She moved from pot to pot, making sure the food was almost done. Joxer and Meg were due to arrive at any minute, and she wanted everything to be just perfect. She already had the table set. She was just putting the finishing touches on her lamb stew when she heard the knock at the door. "Just a second!" she called out. As soon as she put a dash of salt in the stew, she hurried to the door. She opened it and saw Joxer and Meg bundled up in blankets from the early February chill.

"Hi, mom," said Joxer, giving her a hug.

"Hi, Joxer. Hi Meg," she said with a smile. "So, where's my little grandson?"

"Right here," said Meg, pulling back the blanket. She'd kept Virgil wrapped up enough to keep him warm, but not enough to smother him, holding him against her chest in a special device she used for the horseback ride to the house.

"Can I see him?" Jacinda said, holding out her arms. Meg handed Virgil over gently. The baby fussed at being moved, and Jacinda held him closely. "Hi there, I'm your grandma," she said in a high-pitched voice. The baby started to calm down. "Thanks for bringing him over," she said in her normal voice, without taking her eyes off the baby.

"We wanted you to see him as soon as possible," said Joxer. He was beaming, obviously proud of being a father. "We came as soon as Meg was strong enough."

Jacinda sympathized. "I know how that felt. First kids are the hardest, and I had three at once." She moved toward the kitchen, still holding Virgil, with Meg and Joxer following.

"Can ya give me any tips?" Meg asked. "I mean, I'm still learning how everything works. I've been around kids before, but not for anything long-term, ya know?" She and Joxer took a seat at the table.

"No problem. That's what grandmas are for," said Jacinda. She handed the baby back to Meg. "You know, he looks a lot like you, Joxer." Joxer was positively glowing.

Meg sighed. That was almost all she had heard from anyone the last two weeks.

Jacinda saw Meg's face. "Of course, he's not as pale as Joxer was as a baby."

Meg perked up. "Really?"

"Mom," Joxer whined.

"Are you kidding?" Jacinda told Meg. "Joxer was so much smaller and paler than his brothers. People were always asking me if he was feeling okay. Truth is, Jace and Jett got a lot more colds than he did. So far, Virgil's looking just fine."

Meg smiled as she looked at Virgil. "Thanks, Jacinda, that means a lot." As much as she liked Joxer's mother, she'd never gotten used to the idea of calling her "mom", preferring to call her by her real name instead. Jacinda didn't seem to mind.

Jacinda went back to preparing the stew. "Hey, I know how you're feeling, Meg. My boys all look just like their father. Did anybody ever mention they had my eyes? No."

Meg looked back and forth between Joxer and his mother. "Hey, you're right," she said.

"You know, you two can stay here for a couple of days, if you want to take a rest," said Jacinda. "I have the guest bedrooms already set up, baby bed and everything, so you don't have to rush back home."

"That's great mom, thanks," said Joxer.

"The stew'll be ready in a few minutes," said Jacinda, going back to the stove. "It's lamb stew, so I hope you brought your appetites with you."

"Are you kidding? We're starving," said Joxer.

Jacinda chuckled. "So, tell me how it's going so far, Meg."

Meg rested a sleeping Virgil against her right shoulder. "Well, it hasn't been too bad yet."

"But we haven't gotten much sleep," Joxer added. "I mean, he cries all night long."

Jacinda chuckled. "Most newborns are like that. Trust me, it'll get better." She brought the finished stew over and started pouring it out. "Here, I'll take the baby while you eat," she offered Meg.

"Thanks," said Meg, and handled Virgil over gently. Jacinda put Virgil in the same position Meg had just had him in, and waited while Meg and Joxer ate. As they finished up, Jacinda said, "Joxer, I know you invited Jace over too."

Joxer sighed. "Mom, don't start."

Jacinda didn't back down, though. "I just wanted to point out-"

"No, mom," said Joxer, getting up from the table to put his dish and Meg's by the sink. "I know what you're going to say, but I don't want to hear it. Jace is my brother, and I want him to know his nephew."

"I'm not saying he shouldn't," said Jacinda.

"Yes, you are," said Joxer, hurt in his voice. "I know you're uncomfortable with Jace and the way he lives. You've said it before."

"Well, maybe it doesn't bother me so much anymore," said Jacinda. "But I still have to ask you-"

Virgil started getting upset, so Meg got up from the table. "Can I have the baby? I'll let you two talk it out," she said.

"Oh, sure, dear, no problem," said Jacinda, handing the fussing baby over. Meg headed for the front part of the house, close enough to hear their conversation but not close enough that Virgil would get upset.

Jacinda turned back to Joxer. "Joxer, I don't hate your brother. I love all three of you just the same. It's just... the way he is, that's what I've got a problem with."

"Mom, he's a hom-"

"Sssh!" said Jacinda quickly so that Virgil wouldn't hear.

"Homosexual," said Joxer in a lower voice. "Why can't you just say it?"

"Because it's not right," said Jacinda in a loud whisper. "I wanted all my boys to grow up and have families, and I can't get that from him. I... I've come to accept it, but-"

"No you haven't, or we wouldn't be talking about this right now," Joxer whispered.

Jacinda sighed. "Listen, honey, I just don't want Jace to be an influence, you know? I don't mind if he visits, but I just don't want my grandson exposed to that-"

"Mom, there you go again!" said Joxer, raising his voice. He started pacing around the kitchen. "You're the one that drove him out of our lives. You're the one who wanted me and Jett to stop talking about him, like he's some sort of criminal. Jett's done worse, but you never told me to keep quiet about him. Besides, it's not like Jace is going to talk to Virgil about it right now!"

"Hey! Ssh!" Meg reminded them from the next room.

"No, no, you're right, he won't say anything now," said Jacinda, lowering her voice. "But what about down the road? What if he grows up thinking this is okay? I mean-"

"Oh, come on, mom!" said Joxer, making sure to keep his voice lowered. "You know, you're such a great mom, but when it comes to Jace-"

"Hello, is anyone home?" called a familiar fake-accented voice from the front door. Joxer put his finger to his mouth to remind his mom to keep quiet, then rushed to the front door, encouraging Meg to let him answer the door. "Jace!" he said when he opened the door.

"Aw, little brother!" said Jace, crushing him in a bear hug. Jace was dressed in a very toned-down outfit, for him, obviously because sequins or feathers would be inappropriate for handling an infant. The coloring was still a bit outrageous. "It's been too long! I had to come see you when I heard the news," he said as he let go. "So where is my little nephew?"

"Right here," said Meg, getting off the couch. Joxer stepped aside. "Virgil, meet your uncle Jace," said Meg, handing him over.

"Aw, nice to meet you, little guy," said Jace. "He looks just like you, Joxer."

"Thanks," said Joxer. Meg was able to just smirk this time.

Jacinda came out of the kitchen, showing no signs of being upset just a few minutes ago. When Jace looked up and saw her, though, the tension on his face was obvious. "Hi, Jace, I'm glad you came," said Jacinda.

"I wouldn't miss seeing my first nephew for all the dinars in the world," said Jace, the tone of his voice very even. "Good to see you too, mom." He turned his attention back to the baby. "I promise to be the most fun uncle ever, little one. You can come see my shows, and we can play together any time you want."

Joxer didn't say anything, but he had the sinking feeling he knew what Jace was really trying to say.

Jacinda nodded her head curtly. "Right. Well, would you like some lamb stew? We still have some left over."

"That would be great," said Jace. He handed the baby back to Meg and followed his mom into the kitchen.

Meg went to the guest bedroom that Jacinda had set up and put Virgil down for a nap in the baby bed. She closed the door on her way out, and joined Joxer on the couch in the main room. "What's this all about, Joxer? What're you two fighting about in there?"

Joxer sighed. "My mom's a great person. You know it, and I know it. But when it comes to Jace, she can't handle him being... you know... different."

Meg thought about it for a moment. "Oh, because he likes-"

"Yep."

"And he doesn't like-"

"Nope."

"Oh," said Meg. She paused for a minute. "So what's the big deal? I've known plenty of girls and guys who swing that way, you know? It's not a problem for me."

"Yeah, but it is for mom," said Joxer. "You should've seen her the day Jace took home his first boyfriend. He knew dad'd probably kill him, and he thought mom could handle it a lot better. He waited until dad was at war so he wouldn't know. Mom thought the guy was just a good friend, but when she found out...." Joxer paused for a moment, clearly upset by the memory. "She got hysterical, you know? Jace stormed out the door, went on the road, and we didn't see him for years. Mom asked me and Jett not to mention him in public. Jace went to see her after we met in Melodia, I know. I don't know how that went, but I do know they've barely seen each other since Jace left the house that time."

Meg nodded. "That's harsh."

"Hey, don't get me wrong, mom's still a great lady," Joxer said quickly. "I just wish she'd be more understanding. I finally made up with Jace after we met up in Melodia ten years ago. I hope mom and him can make up too."

"Yeah, me too," said Meg quietly.

Jacinda decided that it would be okay for Jace to also spend the night, in the room that used to be the triplets' bedroom, so Joxer hoped that it meant she was okay about Jace. He hadn't heard them talking about anything besides what Jace had been doing. He just hoped that they didn't get into an argument in the morning instead.

Meg made sure that Virgil was asleep in his bed before she joined Joxer in the guest bed. "I hope Jace'll be okay sleeping in the same house with a baby."

"What do you mean?" asked Joxer as Meg snuggled close to him.

"I mean if the baby cries all night," Meg said.

"Oh," said Joxer. "Well, I guess we'll see how he feels tomorrow."

"Yeah, if his eyes are all dark underneath 'n everything," said Meg with a chuckle. "And if he's cranky or anything."

Joxer chuckled. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen him cranky. With Jett, 'cranky' was his middle name."

"What's a middle name?" asked Meg.

Joxer rubbed his eyes. "I've been in Rome too many times," he mumbled. "C'mon, let's get some sleep before Virgil-"

As if on cue, the baby started to fuss. Meg and Joxer sighed. "Just a minute, baby, mommy's coming," said Meg, getting out of bed.

The next morning, after three overnight wakeup calls, all four adults gathered in the kitchen, with Meg holding the baby. Jace was already at the breakfast table and Jacinda was cooking when Meg and Joxer came in.

"My little nephew's got quite the voice," said Jace, giving Meg and Joxer a tired smile.

"Yeah," said Meg sheepishly. "We're sorry, we figured it'd be hard for you to sleep with that."

"Oh, no problem," said Jace. "Hey, if your kid keeps it up, he'll be great in my show someday."

Meg and Joxer laughed and joined Jace at the table.

Jacinda gave each of them some eggs, then she took the baby while they started eating. "You want to know a good way to calm a baby?" she asked Meg.

Meg nodded. "Sure. What?"

"Rub his back," said Jacinda. "I'll show you after breakfast. Give him a nice little massage, especially on the back, like when you were holding him against your shoulder yesterday. It'll calm him down. Trust me, it works. The secret's been passed down in our family for generations, and it always works."

"Thanks, Jacinda," said Meg, smiling.

"Hey, I promised I'd give you some advice before you left," said Jacinda. "We've got a whole day yet we can talk."

After finishing his breakfast, Jace got up from the table. "Well, I've got to be hitting the road. My group's playing in the city this weekend, and we've got to get ready."

"Oh, I'm sorry we can't make it," Meg said, grimacing. "I want to go with Joxer, but we don't have anyone to watch the baby this weekend."

"Nah, don't worry, I can take care of him," said Jacinda. "Stay two more days, and I'll be glad to watch Virgil while you're out. It'll give you a break."

"Yeah, but I don't want to leave Virgil that long," said Meg.

"Mom's right, honey," said Joxer, putting his arm around Meg's shoulder. "I think we can use a break."

"Are you sure?" Meg asked. Joxer nodded. Meg chuckled. "All right, two more days. But then we'll really have to get home."

Jace leaned over and gave them both a hug at the same time. "Don't worry, mi amigos, you'll enjoy your freedom again someday."

"Yes, you'd know a lot about that, Jace," Jacinda said evenly as she picked up the breakfast dishes.

Jace turned and looked at her, hurt, then stormed out the door.

"What-?" asked Jacinda, flustered.

Joxer put his head in his hand. "Mom, you've gotta stop that," he said. He got up and went after Jace. "I'll be right back," he shouted back.

Jace was already almost off the property by the time Joxer caught up. "Jace, wait!"

Jace whirled around. "Joxer, I can't take mom's cracks about me. I wish I could change for her, but I can't! This is me. I like to look flashy, I like to entertain people, and I like men. Why can't she handle that?!"

Joxer sighed. "I don't know, Jace. But I know she still loves you. And me. And Jett."

"But she doesn't like what I do!" said Jace, his voice cracking. He took a minute to control himself. "I just... want her to stop telling me to be more like you. She said it before I walked out on her, and she said it again after I came back. I can't be like you, I've got to be me!"

"Hey, you don't think I know what you're going through?" asked Joxer. "All dad ever wanted for me was to be like Jett, to be a warrior instead of an idiot. You don't think I hated hearing that all my life?"

Jace looked away. "It's not the same."

"Of course it's the same! It's exactly the same!" said Joxer. "The only difference is, mom still likes you. Dad couldn't care less about me!" Now Joxer was starting to get upset.

Jace turned back. "And what about you? You and Jett couldn't even talk to me for years. You know how alone I felt out there, on the road, without any family around? You know how much that hurt?!"

Joxer took a shaky breath. "I know. I'm sorry, honest. After we made up in Melodia, I... I realized you weren't all that bad. I... I should have stayed in touch. I'm sorry."

Jace nodded, starting to calm down. "It's all right." They hugged as tightly as they could, holding it for several minutes. They wiped their eyes as they pulled away.

Joxer cleared his throat. "So, uh, you still heading out?"

Jace nodded. "Yeah, but I think I'll talk to mom again later."

Conclusion >>>