John continued carrying Meredith as they went down the stairs into the Gate room from Operations after the technician had dialed the address Alex had given him. He looked at the wormhole, part of him not wanting to let their little girls go through alone. But he knew - he and Fred would be there to meet them. There was no way they wouldn't be there for them if they could be.
"I'll see you on the other side, grey hairs and all," he promised Meredith, hugging her tightly. "Mommy too."
"Okay, Daddy," she whispered. "I love you."
For a moment, she didn't seem to want to let him go, but finally, she slid down onto the ground and looked up with him for a moment before going over to say goodbye to her mother. As she did, John turned to Alex. She hugged him, her arms around his waist as John bent over her.
"Thank you," he told her. Because of his daughter, their entire family would still be alive ten years from now. "I can't wait to be your dad."
Leaning up, she kissed his cheek. "See you soon, Dad."
Soon, they were heading through the Gate, looking back before they disappeared. As they did, John felt his throat tighten. He knew they'd be fine, that they would have a good life with him and Fred, but still seeing them go wasn't easy. Especially when Fred turned and embraced him tightly. He understood - somehow, without her saying anything, he understood.
"I know," he told her softly. Reaching down, he rested his hand over where Alex was still growing inside Fred. "I know. Come on."
Taking her hand, he led her out of the Gate room and to their quarters, knowing Alex would be with them soon.