Simon watched River sitting with Jayne, and wondered quite when he’d accepted this particular pairing. Was it when he’d asked Jayne to help his sister, when Jethro was killed? Or maybe after he himself shot the ex-mercenary in a fit of misunderstanding. Or perhaps it wasn't until she walked down the aisle, blooming as only she could, smiling so widely he was surprised she didn’t self-combust. He had the horrible feeling it was the day Jayne walked into the infirmary and told the doc, in no uncertain terms, that he was going to sleep with River, and that he wanted to be tested for any diseases. It had taken so much for the big man to screw his courage up, it had to be then.

He studied his sister. She had Caleb between her knees, a pad and pencil in her hands, while the big man posed for her, grumbling all the time, but letting her tell him where to sit, how to hold himself as he tried to maintain his bad guy image and not grin widely.

The doctor shook his head slightly. He couldn’t believe how perfect they were for each other, accepting all the faults and failings both of them had, and loving even more for it. Jayne continued to surprise him, but he knew he could trust the big man with his sister, that they were destined to be together as long as they lived, and that was probably a lot longer now that they were together.

The worst thing was that Jayne was a natural father, something Simon always felt like he had to work at. Although how a man who’d spent the majority of his life with a gun in his hand could be so caring, so gentle … Simon shook his head. Yet his ability with first Bethie, then Ethan, and now Caleb made Simon feel … cheated somehow.

He sighed, then realised River was looking at him, her dark eyes gazing into his soul.

You are a natural father , he heard in his mind, and his jaw dropped a little. She hardly every talked to him like this.

Am I? he thought as clearly as he could. I wonder.

Bethie loves you, as does Hope. And so will the new baby.