Unexpected Miracle

Author: Orrymain and special guest co-author, Claudia!
Category: Slash, Humor, Drama, Angst, H/C, Romance, Established Relationship
Pairing:  Jack/Daniel ... and it's all J/D
Rating:  NC-17 (mild and mostly it's PG-13)
Season:  Beyond the Series - March 14, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Spoilers:  Children of the Gods, The Enemy Within, Emancipation, The Nox, Singularity, 2001, Red Sky, Rite of Passage, Avatar
Size:  1822kb Total
--Chapter 1 - March/April/Early May:  176kb   Revised: January 15, 2008
--Chapter 2:  May:  95kb
--Chapter 3:  June:  266kb  Revised:  January 15, 2008
--Chapter 4:  July:  121kb
--Chapter 5:  August:  203kb
--Chapter 6:  September:  185kb  Revised:  January 15, 2008
--Chapter 7:  October:  557kb (all parts combined)  Revised:  January 15, 2008
--Chapter 8:  November:  187kb
--Chapter 9:  December/January:  211kb
Written:  August 21-22, December 5, 2004, January 16-20, March 14-28, April 7, July 13-17,19-20,24, August 8-9,20-22,26, September 5, 8-10,13,18-21,28, October 8,12-16,18-24,28-29, November 3-11,17-21,24-30, December 3,5,10-11,16-18, 2005, January 1-2,6-9,11,14-15,17-20-31, February 1-28, March 1-31, April 1-18,27, 2006  Revised for consistency:  September 8-15,24, 2007  Revised Again per above.
Summary:  Jack and Daniel discover something unusual on another planet.  Can something normal for their new alien friends become an unexpected miracle for the lovers?  What other unanticipated joys await the Jackson-O'Neills?
Disclaimer:  Usual disclaimers -- not mine, wish they were, especially Daniel, and Jack, too, but they aren't.  A gal can dream though!
Notes:  
1) We had so much fun we decided to do it again ... and again.  Thanks to Claudia, my always beta, and now sometimes co-author!  She makes it so much fun to write some of these fics!
2) This fic was spawned from an idea by Jenn in an email on the JackDanielites list.  To say more would 'spoil' the story.
3) Hanky warning, so I've been told, especially Chapters 7 and 9.  Also, please note Ch. 7 is a very intense chapter, subject wise.
4) August short poem by Michelle L. Thieme in “August's Crown”.  Longer poem is by Elizabeth Maua Taylor.  Both were featured on gardendigest.com.
5) “I Get a Kick Out of You” lyrics by Cole Porter; “Fever” Words and Music by John Davenport and Eddie Cooley; “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller; “The Balloon Song” lyrics by Casey Beathard; “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.
6) Sometimes, Jack and Daniel speak almost telepathically.  Their “silent” words to each other are indicated by asterisks instead of quotes, such as **Jack, we can't.**
7) Silent, unspoken thoughts by various characters are indicated with ~ in front and behind them, such as ~Where am I?~
8) This fic stands alone, but it does reference my other fics, “I'm Fine,” “Stay Awake,” “Being Ourselves,” “The Little Ones,” “Detour,” “Murphy's Law Redeux,” “Hebetude,” “A Christmas Miracle,” “Blowout,” “The Burning,” “Life Really Sucks,” “Hidden Enemy,” “Brothers,” “In Memoriam,” “Boys at Play,” “It's Raining ... Kids?”
9) Thanks to my foreign language helpers:  Ali and Martin, Fex, D-Chan and Cathy, Kat, Jannen, Gaby, and Sineag
10) The Russian phrases are written phonetically since the Russian font is not common and not able to be printed as part of the text.  Using the 'sounding' of the words was the only way to include it as part of the story.
11) Thanks to my betas who always make my fics better:  Heather, Patti, Linda, Robert, QuinGem, Carol!

Unexpected Miracle
by Orrymain and Claudia

====
Chapter One:  What's a Womis?
====

Daniel shook his head vehemently, feeling frustrated as he tapped the tabletop with his pen.  He was dressed in his green BDUs, his jacket left unbuttoned.  He was standing, leaning on his arms in front of a large conference table in one of the meeting rooms.

Seated at the table were various archaeologists that worked on the SG field teams as well as many of those who worked in the base labs.  In front of them were notepads that each had available for their use.  Some had been taking extensive notes, while others were simply doodling.

The session had been going on for a half-hour at this point, and Daniel was a little frustrated by what he was hearing.  He'd headed the Archaeology and Anthropology Units from the beginning.  They had been responsible for handling any and all artifacts returned by SG teams on their various missions.

While no longer working full time at the SGC, Daniel was still heading the department, though relying more and more on others to handle the day-to-day decisions since his tenure was coming to an end.  In fact, though the others weren't aware of it, that's part of what this meeting was about.  Daniel knew he was going to have to recommend someone to take his place when he left the SGC for good, and he was having a hard time coming up with a name to suggest.

Contributing to the meeting were Nyan, the Bedrosian who had returned to Earth with SG-1 years ago and now sported the title of Off-World Cultural Expert, Doctor Cameron Balinsky, a civilian archaeologist assigned to SG-13, John Carpenter, a civilian archaeologist who worked in the research labs; Doctor Bill Lee, a civilian scientist, skilled in both the social and physical sciences, Doctor Renata Stone, a civilian linguist, Captain Neville Hagman, an anthropologist currently assigned to SG-11,  Captain Arnold Matthison, archaeologist for SG-8, and six others.

“You have to keep your minds open,” Daniel spoke, running the pen through his fingers as he stood at the head of the table.  “For example ... Neville, when you explore the ruins on PR9-642, remember, you're on PR9-642, not on Earth.  While our history can help us understand alien cultures, you must never forget that it's still our history, not theirs.”

“I understand that, Doctor Jackson, but if the contention we've been working under since the beginning of the SGC is that the Goa'uld essentially kidnapped people from Earth and transported them to other worlds, then the premise would still be the same -- we're studying ourselves,” Hagman argued.

“That would be an assumption, Neville,” Nyan refuted.  “My home world of Bedrosia ...”

“Bedrosia again?” Matthison mumbled.

“It is where I'm from,” Nyan rebutted simply.  He continued, “Our ancestors probably came from here, but our heritage has many differences.”

“Right, and that's exactly my point,” Daniel chimed in.  “Use what we know as a foundation, but beyond that, we have to be willing to see what's new and distinct about whatever culture we're studying.”

“With all due respect, Doctor Jackson,” Carpenter spoke.  “Isn't what we know about ancient cultures on Earth going to mirror what we find off-world, if the populace was taken from Earth in the first place?”

“That isn't what happened on Bedrosia,” Nyan commented.

“Or on most worlds we've been to,” Daniel quickly noted.  “Look, all I'm saying is that I've noticed a tendency to accept what's been discovered on the surface.  We need to look deeper, and we need to find out the significance of a discovery to the world we've discovered it on.  The moment that a populace was removed from Earth and transplanted, it began a divergent path.  While the new environment might be similar to Earth, it's still different.”  Daniel paused and then sighed, “It may be a cliché, but you have to think outside the box, *far* outside the box.”

“Doesn't that get us into trouble sometimes?” Renata inquired.  “Look at what happened with the virtual reality chairs.  We made a video game out of it, and the result almost killed two people, including yourself.”

“Uh, yes, but ...” Bill Lee began, coughing a bit nervously as he spoke.  “But the problem wasn't with the chair, but with the subject.”

“And that doesn't alter what happened,” Renata maintained.

“We're not talking about chairs,” Daniel insisted.  “Our mistake was in assuming we understood how the programming functioned, and we overlooked the differences in the Jaffa and human brains.”

“It was Teal'c's stubbornness,” Lee insisted.

“No, it was hundreds and thousands of years of Jaffa living as slaves,” Daniel refuted.  “It's difficult to believe a dream that's never even seen the light of day,” he added.  “We forgot that Teal'c's history isn't our history; that was our mistake.”  The archaeologist took a breath and walked to the other side of the room, trying to decide how best to make his point.  He turned back to face the group and said, “Remember the lesson of the Nox.  When SG-1 arrived on their planet, we assumed they were in need of our help.  We didn't listen to them.  We used our history and perceptions, and we were wrong, as wrong as we could be.  It took us a long time to convince the Nox that we could see beyond ourselves.”

“It would be nice if they'd share some of their knowledge with us,” Renata remarked.

“They do, but do I have to remind you that we aren't always the best listeners?” Daniel queried, searching out the eyes of almost everyone in the room.  He moved forward, once again leaning both hands against the edge of the brown table, and continued, “There's a reason the Nox are our allies, but from a distance.  We've never been to their city in the sky, and they sometimes hesitate to visit us here.”

“Maybe they just don't like to travel,” Carpenter smirked.

Daniel let out a snort, saying, “John, if you ever want to excel beyond the basics of archaeology, you need to broaden your scope.”  Looking at everyone, he added, “You all do.  Sometimes broadening our horizons gets us in trouble.  K'tau, for example.  We rewrote the program to suit our needs and almost destroyed a world, and yet, we have to be willing to take chances.  That's what exploration is all about.”

“Daniel, no one is arguing that,” Doctor Lee said.

“Then meet the challenge,” Daniel replied.  Walking slowly back towards the front of the room, he used his fingers to scratch his forehead as he talked.  “Curiosity is vital to our field and to the Stargate Program.  Ask questions, lots of questions,” he urged.  “When you visit another planet, don't ask yourselves just how they are like us, but how they are different, too.  Then try and figure out what we can learn from them.”

“We visit some primitive planets, Doctor Jackson,” Matthison countered.

“Yes, we do,” Daniel agreed, having reached the head of the table.  “Anyone thinking outside the box here?”

Balinsky leaned forward, interjecting, “Primitive is oftentimes in the eye of the beholder.  It's possible that being primitive in one way doesn't mean the entire civilization is less advanced than us.  Case in point - Simarka,” he said, leaning back in his chair again.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Daniel excitedly affirmed.  “The Shavadai were a Mongolistic society.  Their chief mode of transportation was the horse, and they lived in tents.  Primitive by our standards, correct?” he challenged.

“But they were the ones with that anesthetic, weren't they?” Hagman inquired.

Daniel nodded, answering, “Precisely.  Over the years, we've visited many worlds that had high degrees of technology, sometimes in medicine, weaponry, or industrial methods, and yet, in spite of that knowledge, they live a simple existence or aren't advanced in other ways.  As archaeologists and cultural researchers, we have to keep our minds open each and every time we encounter a new world.”

“And we have to be willing to be wrong,” Nyan noted, remembering how he had had to completely rethink his planet's evolution when proven wrong by the existence of the Stargate and the arrival of SG-1 on Bedrosia.

Smiling, Daniel affirmed, “Yes, we do, and those of you on SG field teams need to be more assertive.”  He heard a few snickers from several of those seated around the table, and he laughed, too.  “Okay, so I have a bit of a reputation, but I have to fight for what I believe.  I have to speak up for the new races we encounter who don't know our world, and I have to make sure the leader of the team I'm assigned to has choices.  That's part of my job, and yours -- to give choices.”  Daniel smiled, saying, “General O'Neill is infamous for saying there's always an 'or', but he's right, and that's part of the reason most SG teams have either an archaeologist or anthropologist on them.”

“Doctor Jackson, I have a mission briefing in ten minutes,” Hagman reminded.

Daniel glanced at the clock, replying, “Sorry, we've gone over.  Remember your focus when you're off-world and when you're studying artifacts or doing research.  Be true to your research; ask questions; stand up for your findings; and while making assumptions is part of the process of research and study, be willing to rethink them.  I want to see evidence that you're out there listening.  Okay,” Daniel concluded, motioning dismissal of the meeting.

The archaeologist picked up his notes, stuffing them into a file folder.  He stayed for a minute to make a few notes and then he set out for his office.  As he rounded one of the tiny jogs in the corridor, he overheard Hagman commenting to someone, “Listen?  What does he think we just did for the last ninety minutes?”

Daniel sighed, shaking his head, although he felt a tiny reprieve when he heard Balinsky's reply.

“He didn't mean that as literally as you took it, Neville,” Balinsky explained.  “Don't you feel it when you're out there?  It's exciting!  Every ruin we explore, and every artifact we find begs for us to discover its story.  When we do, we need to make sure that we learn what we can from it and make sure that we don't interfere with its existence.  Every place we go is different, and in their own way, those worlds are speaking to us.  We need to keep listening and looking for the subtleties.  You think you have it all figured out, and then some small, seemingly insignificant little thing right under your nose that you've been overlooking the whole time can change and rearrange everything.  That's what he's saying.  We have to be willing to do the slow, painstaking research and not just settle for what we find on the top layer.”

Nodding and with a tiny smile on his face, Daniel continued on towards his office.  He knew he had at least a year before having to submit his recommendation, and he was hoping that in that time, someone would step up and be able to see the potential in technology while also exhibiting a passion for other cultures that went beyond the visible.

====

“I thought I'd find you out here,” Jack Jackson-O'Neill said to his husband as he approached the younger man in their backyard several nights later.

With a light March breeze blowing Daniel's somewhat long hair in the wind, Jack thought his lover was the sexiest creature in all the universe, especially when he smiled, like Daniel just did.

Looking upward, Daniel motioned to the sky and softly observed, “It's a full moon.  Look how it lights up the world.”

~You light up the world,~ Jack couldn't help but think as he sat down next to Daniel on the lawn, near the tree house Jack had built for his lover almost two years earlier.

The archaeologist was seated Indian-style, but Jack chose to sit with his legs bent at the knees and stretched out to his right.  He made sure his shoulder touched his lover's, something that had always been a sign of their closeness.

It was 1:30 a.m., and each man had a monitor in front of him in case any of their children stirred.  Since renovating their home, the monitors hadn't really been needed, but the portable devices still came in handy whenever the couple was outside as they now were.  Besides, their beloved beagles, Bijou and Katie, were always on watch.

“You've been quiet lately,” Jack noted as he looked at their beautiful home.

“Have I?  I'm sorry.  Everything's fine, I promise,” Daniel assured, his eyes gazing into Jack's.

“Danny, tell me what you've been thinking about,” the older man requested.

“Just silly things.  I love you,” Daniel said as he took his left hand and reached over to caress Jack's right cheek, letting his thumb drag gently across the slightly stubbled skin.

Staring into his lover's eyes, Jack knew the answer to his previous question and asked, “Angel, you want to do it, don't you?”

Daniel seemed stunned at Jack's words.  His mouth opened, and his eyes widened slightly.  Even his breath hitched at the question.

“I ... I don't know wha...what ...”

“Daniel, stop,” Jack ordered gently.  “I remember a few years ago we both wanted the same thing, but neither one of us was able to say it out loud until it was almost too late.”

“The Mouseketeers,” Daniel acknowledged, a small smile on his face, remembering back to when they had adopted Jennifer, David, and Chenoa.  “We are lucky Molly was such a good con artist,” Daniel chuckled.

Molly O'Hanlon had run the shelter where the three Morgan children lived after the tragic death of their parents in a car accident.  With perfect timing, under the threat of the youngsters being separated, Molly had cajoled the lovers into admitting they wanted to adopt the three orphans, something each had individually wanted and yet been hesitant to admit to the other.

“Yeah.  What if we had hesitated in Molly's office?” Jack challenged.

“Gawd, Jack, I can't even imagine life without them,” Daniel confessed in a slightly stressed tone of voice.

~I know what he's thinking,~ Jack thought as he reached over and took Daniel's hand in his.  He raised it to his lips and kissed it.  He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he lightly mused, “I swear. I don't know why it's so hard to say what's in our hearts.”  He smiled as he silently pondered the question. ~We're so close; why is it so hard sometimes?~

“History,” Daniel answered.

“History?”  Jack pondered the idea for a moment and then let out a soft snort.  “Yeah, I guess so.  No matter how happy we are, those little rough spots from our past will always be in our memories, waiting to jump out and try to wreak havoc with us.”

Daniel nodded his agreement, then added, “Jack, I'm happy.  You know that.”

“Me, too,” Jack professed.  He leaned over and kissed Daniel's cheek.  “Happier than ever, but no changing the subject, Angel.  You want to do this, don't you?”

“I ... I never thought ... I mean it's impossible ...” Daniel stammered, still in awe of the possibility now facing them, a notion that had been presented to them earlier in the month.

“Is it?  Is it, Angel?” Jack questioned as he, too, considered the potential magic of their future.

//Flashback//
“Carter, this had better be good,” Jack bellowed as he stared through his sunglasses to check their surroundings.

“Trust me, Sir.  I think you'll find it very interesting,” Sam replied, her smug smile commentary in and of itself.

As they walked, Daniel commented, “Sam, the reports from SG-13 and SG-9 seemed a little ... vague.  Actually, they were pretty devoid of any information about this planet except that it was an advanced society that would be valuable to have as an ally.”

Sam cringed.  She had presented Jack and Daniel with edited copies of the SG team reports, and those copies said virtually nothing about why they would want to visit the planet.  In essence, she had asked her friends to trust her that there was a valid reason for this visit to the alien world.

“Look, guys.  I know your criteria for going through the Stargate nowadays.  Believe me I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize your lives.  You need to see this, first hand, not read about it in a report,” Sam informed them.

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look.  To the best of their knowledge, one month earlier, SG-13 had gone on a standard recon to PRW-112 where they had made first contact with the inhabitants, a people known as Pierolites.  They called their world Pierola.  They were an advanced society with medical and scientific technologies far exceeding that of the Tau'ri.  They lacked military know-how and weaponry, however, so SG-9 had been sent to negotiate both an alliance and an exchange.

While there, SG-9 became aware that Pierolites were divided into three major groups.  The ones they were negotiating with were the Aarolians. They were city dwellers, focused on art and family.  Far away in the northeast lived the Phelpians, and in the southwest, the Crochians.  Each group was an independent nation on Pierola, and they did not interact except on planetary issues.  Thus, SG-9 had recommended recons to the other sections of the planet, to learn about the cultures and technologies of those peoples.

One week later, SG-2, led by Colonel Lou Ferretti, had been assigned to visit the Phelpians, while SG-8 headed southwest to meet the Crochians.  In the end, neither nation had wanted to set up a formal alliance, but both were open to occasional return visits.

These basics were all Jack and Daniel knew, and the secrecy was making them nervous.  The couple was working for the SGC two or three days a week, depending upon the SGC's need and their personal schedules, and subject to the demands of their business, J-O Enterprises as well as their eleven children.  Though technically listed as consultants, Daniel still ran the archaeology side of things, and Jack was essentially Hammond's 2IC whenever he was on base.  The main difference between their work now and before they had 'retired' was that they were in control of their missions and they focused more on promulgating and nurturing relationships with their most needed and trusted allies, such as the Nox, Asgard, and Hedronix, rather than on exploring new worlds or doing search and rescue missions.

Several days earlier, Sam had showed up at their doorstep, supposedly to visit the children, but both men knew she had something else to say.

“There's something you two need to see,” Sam had told the two men.  “I can't tell you about it because ... well, you just need to see it.”

Getting nowhere in their questioning of the smirking female, Jack and Daniel had finally agreed to visit the Phelpians, especially when Lou showed up at the house in the middle of the conversation, apparently for the same reason Sam had.  He enthusiastically urged the couple to visit the planet as well.

“I wouldn't steer you wrong, Jack,” Lou had assured his friend.  “You *need* to go,” he had urged strongly.

Lou had piqued their curiosity.  He wasn't normally one to play games about off-world civilizations, but all they could get out of him was that SG-2 had enjoyed a pleasant visit with the Phelpians, and while there, Lou had made a discovery, one he didn't fully describe in his report, but had mentioned to Sam.

So, SG-1 walked through the Stargate onto the world of Pierola and headed for the nation of the Phelpians.
//End of Flashback//

The two explorers had had no idea what amazing surprises lay ahead of them on Pierola, and now, as they sat in front of their home, pondering what they learned, they were both exhilarated and frightened.

“Do you, Jack?” Daniel asked as his heart rate increased, the mere thought of what could be causing his body to react.

“What do you think?” Jack answered inquisitively.

“I think answering a question with a question is unfair,” Daniel replied with a pout.

“Why?  You do it all the time,” Jack teased.

“Do I really do that?” Daniel teased right back, knowing the answer which accounted for the smile on his face.

“All's fair in love and war,” Jack quipped with pride.

“No war here, Love,” Daniel said softly.

Jack smiled and leaned in for a kiss, and then the two gazed into each other's eyes, feasting in their shared emotions for awhile.

“The Phelpians are very unusual people,” Jack finally said, continuing their discussion.

“We couldn't tell anyone.  In a way, Jack, it's not fair to others,” Daniel remarked, wondering if they had a right to partake of this little miracle.

“Sometimes, Danny, we have to worry about ourselves and not the rest of the world,” Jack commented, firmly believing they were just as entitled to happiness as the next couple, and this event would definitely be a happy one; that is, if they decided to try it.

“It's tempting,” the younger man admitted, his hair shining in the moonlight.

~Sexy archaeologist!~  Jack laughed brightly and looked up at the stars, silently identifying several of the constellations that documented the night sky.  Then he echoed Daniel's sentiments, saying, “Very tempting.”

//Flashback//
They'd walked for a few hours when Jack asked, “How much further, Lou?”

The three nations were separated by a good distance, the Stargate being located almost centrally between them.  When necessary for planetary matters, airbuses (small spacecraft) were sent by the most advanced of the three nations to pick up and transport participants to a neutral meeting site.  Otherwise, what little travel was done between them was accomplished by horse or on foot and could usually be achieved in one day, depending on the weather and the pace of the travelers.

“About two clicks,” the colonel responded.

“Sure wish I knew why we were here,” Jack pried, glancing over at his comrade with inquisitive eyes.

“You aren't gonna believe it, Jack, but you gotta see it,” Lou answered, having the same smug smirk Sam wore earlier.

“So I've been told, over and over again, by both you and Carter.  This had better be good,” Jack groused, thinking he'd rather be home making love to his husband, playing with their kids, or even working in the yard rather than traipsing around some strange world.

Lou laughed, “Hey, if I'm wrong, I'll name my next child after ya.”

“Right.  Carolyn pregnant or something?” Jack joked.

“Please, Jack.  She'd shoot me even for joking about that, but, ah, you can name your next one after me.  How's that?” Lou joked.

“Gawd,” Daniel laughed.  “We have eleven; that's plenty.”

“Besides, they come with names already when we get them these days,” the general added.

“Right, right,” Lou responded as he increased his pace, whistling, “Rockabye Baby.”

“Daniel, I think Doc Fraiser needs to take a closer look at Ferretti when we get back.  The heat is getting to him,” Jack only half-teased.

Daniel laughed, curiosity beginning to swell within him as he pondered what could be so unusual about this place that would make Sam and Lou be so cryptic about it in such a lighthearted way.

~Guess we'll find out soon enough,~ Daniel thought as they continued on.
//End of Flashback//

At the end of their journey on the planet, the couple had been presented with an amazing opportunity, one they never expected could really happen.  Now, they had to decide whether they dared to move forward or not.

Daniel looked up at his husband, gazing into his eyes as he admitted, “I do want this, Jack.  I never thought it was possible, and now that it is ...”  He smiled at the wonder within their grasp.  “Even with the risk, I want this.”
 
“I want it, too, Danny,” Jack admitted, smiling.  He kissed his soulmate, sighing lightly afterwards as he confessed, “It would be easier with a guarantee, but then, life doesn't come with any, does it?”

“Jack,” Daniel said softly, pausing as he looked down for a moment.  He shook his head as if fending off his doubts and spoke, “We can't pass this up.”

The two kissed again, and Jack shook his head, still overwhelmed they'd been given the possibility for this very special gift.

“I can't believe they didn't warn us,” Jack commented about Sam and Lou.

Daniel grinned in response, then asked, “How long was it before we regained our senses?”

//Flashback//
“Filip, Harad!” Lou called out.

Two men were standing on the outskirts of the Phelpian's capital city, Phelpa.  They were waiting by the main gate of the tall, thick walls that enclosed the city.  Unlike the Aarolian city dwellers whose lives were centered around culture and who rarely ventured into the rural or country realm, about half the Phelpian population worked farms outside the walls while the other half had jobs inside the walls that were needed to provide materials and supplies for daily living.

The Phelpian farmers would work their farms during the daytime, but return to the protection of the large walls at night.  The reason the entire population lived within the city walls was that during their winter season, the winds were so strong that they would destroy any farmhouses or structures unprotected.  This meant that during their farming season, they would begin by building temporary structures to aid in their planting and harvests, even though they knew the buildings would be destroyed when winter came.

The natives always grew enough food to stockpile during the winter, and agriculture and food preservation were two of the areas in which their advanced technology shone through.  They had cooling chambers and greenhouses that could keep any food ripe and ready for eating for months.  It would take a minimum of seven months before any of their supply would rot, and by then, they would be well into their farming season again.

At the moment, a small group of boys were playing happily beside the two adults, and at Lou's shout, they came running towards the alien visitors, showing no sign of fear.

“Uncle Lou, Uncle Lou,” the oldest of the boys enthusiastically called out.  When he reached them, he flung his arms around Lou's legs.  “Have you come to teach us more games?”

Jack and Daniel exchanged a confused glance.  So far, the Phelpians didn't seem that extraordinary.  Sam and Lou caught the look and grinned at each other.

“Kyal,” Lou greeted as he untangled himself from the boys surrounding him.  He gestured with a wave of his hand towards Jack and Daniel, saying, “These are two of our friends, Jack and Daniel Jackson-O'Neill.”

Two heads shot up in surprise at this.  Although the lovers didn't need to hide their relationship anymore, to save confusion, they usually introduced themselves by their birth surnames when off-world.

One of the smaller boys looked up at Sam and asked, “They are matiered?”

Sam nodded as she answered, “Yes, Gliphus, they are matiered.”  She looked at her friends and explained, “Matiered means married.”

Grinning as Filip and Harad finally reached them, Lou stated, “Jack, Daniel, this is Filip and Harad Adylphi.  They are matiered as well.  Filip, Harad, these are the friends we were telling you about, Jack and Daniel Jackson-O'Neill.  Jack, Daniel, meet Filip, Harad, and their children -- their *biological* children.”

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look, but they weren't particularly shocked.  After all, they had biological children, too.

Sam could tell what her friends were thinking and clarified, “Their ... biological children, together.”  She smiled and stated even more clearly, “... as in the two of them, together, just the two of them.”

Daniel's face now resembled that of a guppy, his mouth open and eyes wide.  Jack was looking at his 2IC incredulously, his eyes challenging her words.

“It's true, Jack,” Lou stated, a gleam in his eyes.  “These two handfuls are their natural kids.”

Still, Jack and Daniel stood speechless.  They stared at the boys and then looked at the two men, who smiled in response.  Lou and Sam had already told them about the lovers, including some of their history and about their eleven children.

“Come to our casil; we have much to talk about,” Filip suggested as he subtly waved off the other boys to go play.

Jack nodded, did a quick shake of his head as if to wake himself up, and began to follow their hosts and his teammates.  He had gone several feet before he realized Daniel wasn't with him.

“Daniel?” Jack asked, having turned around to face his still lover.

Daniel looked all around him, taking in the panoramic scope of the vast area. He looked at the city's main gate that was in front of them and then back at Jack.

“Biological ... together?” Daniel asked, full of disbelief, amazement, and uncertainty.

Filip and Harad smiled, having stopped when they, too, realized their guests weren't following.  They kissed and held hands, and each held one of their sons' hands.  They nodded in answer to Daniel's question.

Daniel studied the children's faces carefully as he stood frozen, unable to move or speak until he finally stammered, “Jack, they are.  Their features ... the shape of their faces, noses, the...their eyes, skin tone, they ... there isn't a ... a hint of ...”

The younger man was very excited, seeing for himself that the boys' features were a solid combination of the two men.

Jack walked to his husband and tried to calm him, suggesting, “Come on, Danny; let's go find out what this is about.”

Realizing they were free to do so, Jack gave his husband a quick kiss of encouragement, and taking his hand, began to walk towards the main gate.
//End of Flashback//

Jack chuckled as he thought about Daniel's question.  It had taken the two men time to adjust to the words they'd heard and the living proof that had stood right in front of them.

“Quite a while,” Jack admitted.  “Mostly, you just stared at Filip, Harad, and the children.  For a minute there, I wasn't sure I'd get you inside the city.”

“I was so stunned once I realized what they were saying.”  Daniel looked outward, not really focusing on anything.  “It seemed so surreal, Jack.  The more they said, the more they explained it, it just ... I thought I was dreaming, and yet, the funny thing is, I've never really dreamed about this because it just never entered my head as being a possibility.”

Jack squeezed his lover gently, and for a moment, they simply held each other.

“You know, Danny, we've both said off-handedly that if we could, we'd have each other's child.  I meant it.  Even if it meant being a freak in our world, if I could have a child with you, just you and me, I'd do it in a heartbeat,” Jack spoke, his love for Daniel emanating from him in a thousand ways.

“Oh, Jack,” Daniel replied, smiling sweetly.  He moved his hand to caress Jack's neck as he leaned in for a kiss.  “I meant it, too, but do we have a right to do this?” the younger man questioned.

Thoughtfully, Jack replied, “Danny, for the greater part of our relationship, we've worried about other people and the moral implications of ... whatever, but on this, I don't friggin' care.  I don't think we should consider anyone but ourselves.  There's some risk involved, and whatever decision we make has to be for us.”

“What about our children, Jack?  I mean, what do we tell them, and how will they feel about it?  And ... and don't they have a right to be a part of this decision?” Daniel queried, his mind full of this and a hundred other questions that all were demanding answers that he just didn't have yet.

Jack pondered the situation.  This was an unique opportunity, but he wasn't sure yet what they should do.  He didn't care about anyone else, but, maybe, maybe their children did have a say in it.  He just wasn't sure yet.

“I don't know, Angel,” Jack finally answered.

“Do you really think this could work?  Leaving the womis there for others to look after just doesn't seem right, but bringing it here adds another element of danger to the whole process.  It's an unknown added to a thousand other unknowns.  Is it really possible to have this miracle?” Daniel asked uncertainly.

“Beats me.  You're the scientist,” Jack quipped.

“Of archaeology and anthropology, not of biology,” Daniel clarified dryly.

“You get an A-plus in anatomy from me, Love,” Jack teased, kissing his husband yet again.

Daniel took a big breath and began to reflect on what they had learned from their new Phelpian friends.

//Flashback//
“The architecture looks medieval,” Daniel quietly commented to his husband.

“Daniel, when's the last time you saw a stone building like this one that looks like it's out of The Flintstones with a palm scanner lock on it?” Jack retorted.

The archaeologist chuckled and replied, “Or corbels with digital weather reports on them?”

“Huh?” Jack asked, not having a clue what his lover was talking about.

Daniel pointed up at the large corbel, an intricately designed piece of stone that projected out from the building as it supported one of the arches, which was part of the building across from them.  Along the side of the corbel, built in, not constructed or added on, was a large digital readout of the weather conditions within the city and the farms outside it.

“You know, Daniel, this is fine and good, but we didn't come here to learn about their architecture and gizmos,” Jack whined in frustration.

“Don't tell me, tell them,” Daniel whispered.

Jack decided his lover's advice was sound.  He moved forward a couple of steps and spoke up, anxiously saying, “Look, we appreciate the tour of the city, and I don't mean to sound impatient, but you have to admit that was a helluva bombshell you laid on us out there.  We'd like to know what you're talking about.”

Filip, Harad, and their children were taking the long route to their home, using the opportunity to show Jack and Daniel their city.  Their unofficial tour had gone on for a good thirty-five minutes.  While it might have normally intrigued the soulmates, aside from some surface observances about the appearance of the city and the unusual technology that accompanied it, neither of them had heard much of what had been said.

They listened as Filip and Harad spoke in their native language, and they watched as Harad apparently gave some command to their children.  Politely, the two boys excused themselves.

“Our casil is this way,” Filip announced.

“Please, come with us,” Harad added invitingly, a smile on his face.

Seeing Sam's and Lou's wicked smiles now that they were headed directly to the couple's home, Jack threatened half-heartedly, “Carter, Ferretti, you may just find yourselves stationed at some dump somewhere,” Jack threatened.

Lou laughed, “Right, Jack,” as he began to follow Filip and Harad.

Sam smiled, but this time, it wasn't a 'ha ha, gotcha' smile, but a dreamy 'this is really wonderful' smile.

“Carter,” Jack warned.

“Let's go ... Jack.  Trust me, I've checked this out, or we wouldn't be here,” Sam remarked confidently.

Hearing his 2IC use his first name, Jack eyed Sam oddly.  He knew it was crazy that even after all these years they were still so formal with each other, but though they had tried to break the military ranks from time to time, it never lasted long.

Daniel discovered that his heart was beating faster, but once again, he was a statue in space.  He trusted Sam, and there was something in her look that made him believe this wasn't a fluke.  That, in itself, was terrifying.  Even living his dream life with Jack as he was now, part of him still expected to wake up one day and find it was all a dream.

“Danny,” Jack called out, again taking the younger man's hand and leading him towards their destination.

====

From their tour of the city, it had become clear that there was no taboo on homosexuality.  Same-sex couples wandered through the streets alongside heterosexual couples.

“This is the way it should be, Jack,” Daniel intoned softly.  “Love is what matters, not gender.”

“We agree with you, Daniel,” Filip opined as he looked at them and smiled.  “Prejudice, of any kind, is unacceptable here.”

Finally, they arrived at their hosts' small two-story house, the medieval structure's second floor jetting out slightly over the first.  Silently, Daniel couldn't help but be amazed at the medieval architecture which seemed at odds with the modernistic clothing they wore and their advanced technology.

The group entered the house and watched as Filip and Harad greeted a young girl.

“Thank you, Yasela.  How is Spoutis?” Filip inquired.

“Boring,” the girl said and then grinned at them.

Harad gave the girl a couple of gold coins before bidding her goodbye.  Jack and Daniel watched with curiosity as Filip and Harad walked over and caressed something that looked like a rubber pouch.  It was skin colored and shaped like a basketball-sized teardrop.  It was completely sealed at the top around a clear plastic tube that was attached to what looked like an IV bag filled with an orange colored liquid.

“Carter ...” Jack trailed off as he saw the side of the pouch move.
 
“Jack?”  Like his husband, Daniel was staring at the pouch  “Is it just me, or did that ... um, whatever it is, just ... move?”

Filip and Harad beckoned them over and then took their hands and placed them flat against the pouch.  It felt a little like rubbery skin, and then they both felt something they had only felt a few times before.

“Jack, it kicked!”  Daniel's eyes were huge as his brain processed the possibility lying before them.  “It's like ... I mean ... Kayla,” he observed softly.

“Yeah,” Jack agreed, feeling completely confused, remembering the incredible sensation of feeling his children kick, both from Kayla and from Sara.

Filip and Harad exchanged proud smiles as Filip announced, “Spoutis, our child, is due in one moon.”

“It's a boy?” Lou asked with interest.

Filip smiled, then answered, “We don't know.  Spoutis means ...” he gestured with his hands to indicate something very small.  “We wanted to call him or her something so decided on a temporary name, Spoutis.”

Jack looked up at them with incredulous eyes as he silently thought, ~They sound like my kind of people.~

“Did you just pay that girl to, uh, um ... well, watch over ... Spoutis?” Daniel asked.

“It is a bit extreme, probably unnecessary, but life needs protecting.  Not everyone in Phelpa does it, but we do,” Harad responded.

“How is all of this possible?” Daniel asked, still taking in the wonder that was in front of him.

Filip and Harad gestured towards a cluster of chairs, inviting their guests to sit down while they chatted.

“Many centas ago ...” Filip began.

“What are centas?  Centuries?” Daniel guessed due to the similarity of the words.

Filip and Harad talked in their own language for a minute, and then Filip answered, “Yes.”

“Oh, thank you,” the archaeologist replied.

Filip continued, “Many centas ago, the brightest of our people believed it was unjust for only half of our population to be able to have children.  They worked a long time, for many centacks.”

“Centacks is how long?” Daniel inquired.

“I figured it out before,” Sam interrupted.  “It's roughly a period equal to twenty of our years.”

“And finally, through the gift of above, they found an answer, the womis,” Filip stated.

“Womis?” Daniel asked, looking at the pouch.

“Yes.  All here, regardless of sexual preference, may now have children,” Filip explained.

Daniel was confused as he commented, “I don't, uh, I mean, your physiology must be ...”

“No, Daniel,” Sam interrupted again.  “Janet's done some detailed testing in the last week, just to make sure it was compatible, and ...”

“Fraiser?  The Doc has been here?” Jack asked in his command voice.

“Yes, Sir,” Sam responded.  “We ... wanted to be sure before we brought you here.”

Jack wasn't certain if he liked the answer or not, but he didn't say anything else.

Sensing his friend's uneasiness, Lou urged, “Jack, you have to trust us a little.  The Doc came to make sure this wasn't just some fairytale; you also need to understand that this is a limited opportunity.”

“So don't mess it up?” Jack asked.

“So just listen, with an open mind,” Lou responded calmly.  “Go ahead, Harad.  Explain it to the skeptics.”

~Sure am glad we warned these folks about Jack,~ Lou thought about his friend's perceived gruffness.  He and Sam had talked with the Filip and Harad extensively, and they didn't want them to be offended, or confused, by Jack's demeanor.  ~Yeah, they look okay with it.  Be quiet as a mouse, Jack; it'll pay off in the end.~

Harad nodded and continued the tale where Filip had left off, elucidating, “It took many tries, many sad losses and failures, to perfect the womis.  So much pain for our ancestors, but they believed all had a right to not only love, but to pass on that love with children of their own seed.  Now, the womis makes it possible.  It has answered our prayers; we have children, our own.”

“It sounds incredible.  How does it work?” Daniel asked.

Filip explained, “The womis is an empty pouch.  It acts much like skin.  It is then filled with magistra, that is what we call our ... Colonel Carter, I do not remember your phrase for it.”

“Uh, amniotic fluid,” Sam responded.

“Yes,  magistra is the same as this amniotic fluid.  The parents then give a pestule of blood each, which is used to calibrate the fluid in the womis.  An artificial egg is then injected into the womis, and it is ready to create life.”

“Create life,” Daniel repeated, his voice full of wonder at what he was hearing.

Harad expounded, “The contents of the egg depend on the gender of the parents.  For two males, the egg will be empty except for identis, a ... joining agent.  Finally, the parents inject a fresh sample of sperm into the womis.  The walls of the egg are programmed to recognize DNA and will only allow one sperm from each parent through.  Also, while the egg will not accept two Vara Chrama, it will allow two Fema Chrama through.”

Daniel looked at Sam expectantly as he guessed, “X and Y chromosomes?”

Sam nodded and explained for Jack, “We call Vara Chrama Y chromosomes and Fema Chrama X chromosomes.  A female child has two X chromosomes, and a male has one X and one Y chromosome.  Janet said that their physiology is almost identical to ours; they just have different names for things.”

Harad smiled, adding, “You each have both Vara and Fema Chrama so depending on which sperm makes it through the egg walls, you will have either a son or a daughter.  The egg will not accept two sperm with Vara Chrama.”

“Is this like ... guaranteed?” Jack quipped.  “Where do I sign up?” he smirked, wondering when the plug was going to be pulled.  ~I *have* to be on 'Candid Camera'.~

**Jack, stop it,** Daniel spoke via their near-telepathic communication.

**Sorry, but ...**

**Open mind, Jack.  We keep telling the SGC personnel to have open minds, remember?  Don't be a hypocrite,** the archaeologist chastised.

**I'm sorry, Danny,** Jack sighed.  ~It's just too good to be true.~

“It is guaranteed that the egg will not accept two Vara Chrama,” Harad answered.  “But there is no guarantee the sperm will bond and join within the egg.  It is like all creation of life; it is up to our Creator.  If life is to come, it comes.”

“This egg,” Jack said, still being skeptical, “it's artificial, so ...”

“You do not understand,” Filip responded.  “This gift our ancestors worked so hard on does not create artificial life in any form; rather, it allows our seed to join, with some help.”

“Carter?” Jack asked impatiently as his frustration grew.

“Sir, they've created a way to join the DNA from two sperm.  They don't use a clone or a surrogate, but their technology actually helps two sperm, or two eggs, depending upon the sex of the couple, to join.  The artificial egg, or sperm, is merely a ... conductor.  It brings the two together,” the blonde woman clarified.

“I *don't* understand how,” Jack huffed, standing.

“Jack,” Daniel said as he stood as well.  He put one hand on his lover's chest. “You have to remain calm.”

“Calm?  Daniel, I *am* calm, but I just want to know ...” Jack began.

“No, Jack, you're scared,” Daniel accused gently.

“Scared?”  Jack looked into Daniel's eyes and realized his lover was right.  He was petrified at something he didn't understand because he knew what the technology could mean, and that, being desperately desired and yet different, did frighten him.  He sighed, “I'm sorry.”  He looked at their hosts. “I'm just a dumb general.  I really don't understand.  You say two sperm are magically joined together and kept in some rubber pouch with a fluid that keeps them, what ... alive?  But that still doesn't tell me how they are joined.”

After Filip and Harad exchanged another look, shaking their heads, Harad clarified, “The identis is more than just fluid to support life.  It helps to give life.  If the sperm bond, they use the egg as a support.  The identis, and the blood that is required from the parents, make the life.  We are sorry; we do not know more about your biology to explain further.”

“Don't worry, I wouldn't understand it anyway,” Jack intoned, looking off to the side.

“Sir, Janet says the identis is like a facilitator,” Sam explained.  “It isn't adding anything, or altering anything, but it contains cells and genes taken from the parents.  Those cells are the link that helps the sperms to connect.”

“Well, if they can do it, why can't we?” the general inquired.

Sam sighed, “We don't have the technology to create the identis or the womis.  The Phelpians allowed Janet to take a lot of notes and do plenty of tests, but we're a long way from being able to create this ourselves.  Our scientists are still trying to understand the intricacies of the human genome.”

“Why are we here, Sam?” Daniel asked softly, ignoring the strange butterflies that were inexplicably fluttering in his abdomen.

Filip answered, “Because the Phelpians wish to offer you the chance to have a child, a child created together.”

Jack squeezed Daniel's hand and looked at the two men, still feeling like 'Alice in Wonderland'.  He was half expecting a white rabbit to pop up at any second.  What he was sure of, was that nothing ever came without a price.

“Not that we're not grateful or anything,” Jack stated, “but why would you do this for us?”

Filip smiled, and he answered, “Because we believe you, like everyone else in this universe, deserve the chance to have a child of your own.  We are also indebted to your people.  On his first visit here, Colonel Ferretti ...”

“Lou,” Lou reminded the Phelpians.

Filip gratefully acknowledged, “Lou.  He saved the life of Kyal.”

Jack raised a questioning eyebrow at his friend who waved his hand as if to dismiss the entire event.

“I just did what anyone else would have done,” Lou commented.  “You know, right place, right time.”

Harad shook his head in disagreement, stating, “We owe you a life debt, Lou.”

Filip looked at Jack and Daniel as he noted, “In our culture, gifts of life must be repaid.  It is not negotiable.  To retain the honored respect of our ancestors, payment of thanks must be made.”

Harad continued, “Lou told us that there was nothing he wanted for himself, but that he had two dear friends who had many beloved children, but none who were a ...”

The Phelpian looked at Lou not remembering the words.

Lou gave them a quick grin as he interjected, “None who were a genetic combination of them both.”

Harad and Filip nodded, and then Filip continued, “Your Doctor Janet conducted many tests and understands that the children from the womis are entirely the result of the parents' DNA.  There is nothing in Kyal's Chrama makeup that did not come from either Harad or I.”

Sam nodded her agreement, noting, “Janet confirmed that, Sir.  The child would be yours and Daniel's in every way.  The magistra and the nutritional fluids fed to the womis are like the food that a pregnant mother eats to sustain the child.  Jack, Daniel,” she implored softly, a smile on her face, “there would be nothing in the heritage of this child that did not come from the two of you -- nothing.”

Daniel squeezed Jack's hand.  He couldn't believe the opportunity they were being offered.  He'd never have believed it to be possible.
//End Flashback//

The lovers were on the verge of an incredible happiness, and yet, they wondered if it was really possible, given the realities of the modern world.

“Jack, if we did this, how would we explain our child?” Daniel asked.  “I mean, we can't say he or she is adopted, and we can't exactly go around saying this is our biological child.”

Jack took a breath as he thought, but it was only a moment before he responded, “Why do we have to say anything?  I don't segregate David from Jonny.  They are both our sons.  I don't see a difference.”

Daniel nodded as he contemplated the answer, replying, “Me, either.  I guess ... maybe we don't need to do this.”

“Maybe not,” Jack agreed, not totally sure at this point what he wanted or needed at this point.

“It's late, Jack.  We should go check on the children and try to get some sleep,” the younger man suggested.

Jack snorted, “Try being the operative word?”

“I just ... I don't know what's right and wrong here,” a still-perplexed Daniel stated.  “I don't know if we're entitled to this gift.  I don't even know if it's fair to our children.  I'm so confused.”

Jack concurred, “Yeah, what do we do, Danny, walk in one day with this baby and say, 'hey, you've got another brother or sister'.”

“I ... if we ... oh, gawd,” the younger man stammered, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the entire situation.

“You want the womis here?” Jack asked.

Daniel looked at his husband with eyes of surprise as he intoned, “Wouldn't you?  I wouldn't trust anyone else to care for it.  Plus, we'd have to go and supply the nutrients it needs at least once a week.  But then, by doing that, we'd be exposing our child to another danger, of us not being there to make sure everything is okay.  Still, wouldn't you want the womis here, too?”

Jack couldn't hide a smile.  The thought of being able to watch the life the two of them created growing every day warmed his soul.

“Yes, I'd want our child here, too,” the older man confided.

Daniel looked down, still trying to come to terms with everything, and wondered, “So, how would we keep it safe?  How do we explain the womis and the new life to our children?  How do we keep them from talking about?  How do we ...”

~We need a break.~  Jack put his hand over Daniel's mouth, rubbed his thumb across the moist, full lips, and then kissed them.  “Too many questions, Danny.  We need sleep.  We'll talk about it some more tomorrow.”

The lovers got up and went inside to check on their children.  They stopped first to check on the girls -- Aislinn and Jenny.

**I do miss having a baby.  They've grown up so fast, Jack.**  Daniel leaned his head against Jack's shoulder as he pondered the Munchkins and the twins.  The Munchkins were turning five and the twins four in September.  **It seems like yesterday when we brought them home from the hospital.**

**Never thought I'd miss diapers,** Jack lamented lightheartedly.

They smiled at each other, and then went to check on the youngest boys -- Jonny, Little Danny, and Ricky -- who shared the next room.  Jack pulled up Jonny's blanket that the youngster had thrashed off in his sleep.

**They won't tell anyone, Danny.  Our brood, we've taught them about honor and ...**

**Secrets?  That's what we've taught them, because of the Stargate.**

**Danny, secrets aren't always a bad thing.**

Seeing Ricky's old tan blanket, the one that had pictures of different animals on it, lying on the floor, Daniel picked it up and smiled in happy remembrance. The little boy had had the blanket from the beginning of his life, and while Ricky might claim to be a 'big boy' now, if he lost that blanket, he'd sound like a one-year-old again.

Carefully, Daniel placed the blanket against his son's body. Somehow sensing the blanket's return, Ricky turned his body and cuddled into it.

As he looked over at Jack and smiled, Daniel sighed, **The twins don't know yet, Jack.**

**It's time, don't you think?** the older man asked in their minds.

Daniel chuckled inwardly as he expressed the thought that, **Lya is going to end up being a great babysitter.**

**Danny, even Anteaus loves our brood, though he'd never show it.**

**We're too ... primitive,** Daniel mused, a smile on his face.

The two snickered, then put their hands over their mouths as Ricky showed signs of waking up.  They waited a minute to make sure he went back to sleep, and then Jack and Daniel went to check on Brianna.  Seeing her happily asleep, clutching her new hockey stick, the lovers laughed again.

**She might hurt herself, Jack.**

**Danny, I think the hockey stick is part of her body.**

Nodding in agreement, Jack and Daniel walked back down the long hallway to the older part of the house where they checked on the middle girls, Chenoa and Lulu, who shared what had been the nursery.

**Jack, if we have a baby, where do we put him or her?**

**With us, while it's a baby, and then if it's a boy, he can move in with David; if it's a girl, she'll room with Brianna, or we could move her in with Ash and Jenny.**

**Age-wise that would be better, if it's a girl.  David's room isn't that big, though,** Daniel observed.

Continuing their rounds, they went to David's room, which was right next to the old nursery.  Jack chuckled lightly as he walked to the bed and removed the science magazine that was in the boy's hands.  Then he gently slid off David's glasses and put them on the nightstand.  He placed a kiss on David's forehead and then returned to his husband's side.

**It's really too small in here for a new baby.**

**Danny, remember, David loves babies.  Can you imagine his reaction if we told him that once the baby was older, he'd be sharing a room with him?**

**Yeah, but he's older now.  He may not feel that way.**

Jack nodded, and then the two checked on Jeff and Jennifer, each of whom had their own rooms, Jennifer's over the garage, and Jeff's over the newer extension that housed the projects room, among others.

Their rounds completed, the couple returned to their master bedroom and undressed, each wearing only their boxers and tee shirts to bed since it was a fairly warm night.

“Jack ...”

“Danny, sleep,” the silver-gray haired man ordered.

“Dominator,” Daniel whined.

“Takes one ... <yawn> ... to know one.  Love you, Angel,” Jack said, anxious to get some sleep.

“I love you ... <yawn> ... too.”

====

The next afternoon, Jennifer, and her friends, Sheila and Amber, were sitting on the porch swing under the overhang at the back of the house, chatting about boys and school, boys and the mall, boys and music -- basically, they were talking about boys.  After a while, they decided they needed to focus on a project they needed to do for their English class.  Working independently of one another, each girl used their earphones to listen to their favorite music while making their notes.

The porch area stretched between the hospitality room and the game room, and at each end was a door to the rec room.  In the central space, two opposing benches were suspended and connected to a small platform-like section of floor. The entire structure pivoted on its supports when pressure was exerted against the floor with one's feet, making it move back and forth like a swing.  One or two people could make the swing move from just one side, but it was easier with one or two people on each side, if they kept in rhythm.

The structure of the rec room required the support of two large, deep columns at the back wall.  In between the columns was a five-foot diameter circular window with a stained glass transom above it.  A matching transom was above the door at each end of the porch.  The space defined by the columns had been dubbed 'the alcove', but the swing assembly had never been named.

“Hello, Sheila, Amber,” Jack greeted when he walked outside.

“Hello, General Jackson-O'Neill,” the two girls chorused as they looked up from their work.

“Listening to music?” Jack asked, grateful he couldn't hear it, whatever it was they were playing.

“Yes, Dad,” Jennifer answered, quickly adding, “And doing our homework.”

“Are you all listening to the same thing on those ... Jen, what do you call those things?” the general asked, pretending to play dumb again.

With a frustrated sigh, the teenager replied, “They're called iPods, Dad.”

“If you ask me, since you're all listening to your own music, they should be called mePods,” Jack quipped.

“Oh, Dad!” Jennifer exclaimed, shaking her head.  ~Sometimes parents can be so embarrassing.~

Laughing to tease his daughter, Jack sing-songed, “I pod, you pod, everybody pod pod, like peas in a pod.”  ~Geez, I'm good.~  As the girls laughed in spite of themselves, the general continued, “A bunch of peas who pod in a pod.  The Pod!” he stopped, looking more serious than before.

“What is it, Dad?” Jennifer asked quizzically.

“The Pod!  That's what this place is, Jen.  It's The Pod!” Jack exclaimed happily.

Whistling, the King of Nicknames walked away, having found the perfect name for the porch swing.

Jennifer shrugged and went back to her studies with her friends.

====

At the end of the month, after going round and round in circles, trying to cover every possibility about whether or not to take advantage of the Pierolans' offer, Jack and Daniel decided they needed more information. They had so many questions and concerns. Thus, they'd arranged for a mid-morning meeting with Janet at her home, instead of her office, to allow for extra privacy for this very special discussion.

Except for Jeff and Jennifer, who were at school, the children were at Sara's home for the morning. After the couple finished gathering information from Janet, they'd be taking their brood going to lunch. Afterwards, they'd pick up the teenagers, who were getting out of class early due to a teachers' in-service meeting, and head for movies, though the family would be splitting up and seeing three different movies at the cineplex.

“Janet, what can you tell us about this womis?” Jack asked as he leaned forward on the sofa.

“You already know the technical things, right?  Sam reviewed that with you?” the petite physician asked as she poured herself a cup of Starbuck's Sumatra blend coffee, having already served her guests.

“Yes,” Daniel answered and then took a sip from the cup.  “This is good,” he couldn't stop himself from saying.

Janet acknowledged the comment, adding, “Help yourself to some cinnamon bread while you drink it.  Trust me, the combination is just divine.”

“Thank you,” Daniel politely replied.

As Daniel reached for a slice of the fresh bread, Janet returned to the subject at hand, explaining, “I've done preliminary testing, and so far, everything points to this being completely possible.  It is natural, even though parts of it may seem otherwise.”

“Okay, that's what I want to know about,” Jack said strongly as he twisted his piece of bread into several pieces, his action earning the stares of both Daniel and Janet.

Daniel just shook his head as he silently thought, ~Why would I want another baby?  I'm married to one!~

“Think of it as being like our IVF,” Janet suggested.  Seeing Jack's mouth open, she rushed to clarify, “In Vitro Fertilization programs.  Sometimes it takes a few tries to achieve success.  What that means is that you would both have to inject your sperm into the womis once a week for six weeks.  I'll need to double-check my figures and talk more with the Phelpians, but that's what I've calculated at this point.  Now what that does is both make sure you've had sufficient opportunity for both sperm to join, but it also reinforces the DNA.”

“Reinforces?  Why?” Jack queried.

Janet explained, “It's part of the identis.  The stronger the genetic material, the better the likelihood is of conceiving.”

“Uh,” Daniel uttered as he looked at Jack.  He cocked his head slightly as he faced Janet again, asking, “Why just six weeks?”

“The womis is self-sustaining for eight weeks, but if the sperm, or eggs, whichever the case may be, don't join by then, it loses integrity.  It's like the joining, the pregnancy, if you will, is what enables the womis to continue to function.  If nothing happens, the womis shuts down, and a couple would need to secure another.”

“So, it's not a sure thing,” Daniel deduced.

“No, it's not one-hundred percent,” Janet answered frankly, though quickly adding, “But the data indicates the Phelpians have a success rate of over ninety-five percent.  This isn't a new technology,” she pointed out.  “They've been doing this for centuries.  However, this would be the first time it was tried with humans.”

“But it should work?” the archaeologist questioned.

“All the indications are that it should work,” the physician agreed, nodding her head..

“How do we know?” Jack asked before taking a piece of bread and dunking it into his coffee.

“Because the womis grows, Jack.  When it begins, it's small, just a few inches in diameter, but when the life inside of it grows, it expands, just a woman's abdomen,” Janet explained.  ~Good thing a womis doesn't have to worry about sitting down and getting up,~ she silently mused.  Verbally, she continued, “If the pregnancy occurs, the womis creates a placenta and grows an umbilical cord.”

“I was wondering about that,” Jack commented.  “Belly buttons are very important.”

“Jack ...”

“Daniel, you know ...”

“JACK!” Daniel warned forcefully.

“Sorry,” the older man apologized with a slight smile on his face.

“Jack, Daniel, your baby would be one-hundred percent normal in every way. This would be a human baby,” the doctor spoke confidently.  “The womis does some incredible things.  Maybe someday we can harness something like it ourselves.”

~I can't believe it.  Could this really work?~  Daniel didn't realize it, but he had a smile on his face.  It was a smile of enlightenment and amazement.  “So, if we bring it home, and it starts to grow, then we're pregnant?” the archaeologist queried.

“Exactly,” Janet answered.  “You'll have to measure the womis every four days because once the joining has occurred, you'll need to supply nutrients in addition to the sperm.”

“Wait, even if we're pregnant at week two, we continue to add the sperm?” Jack inquired, thinking that was an odd thing to have to do.

“Yes,” Janet confirmed.  “It strengthens the chain.  I know it's complicated,” she said, seeing the two confused faces sitting across from her.  She took another sip of her coffee, then continued.  “So, anyway, once you're pregnant, you start introducing nutrients, including a tiny bit of your blood.  You'll do that twice a week for four weeks, then twice a month until the baby is born.”

“Blood?  Why?” Daniel asked.

Janet elucidated, “The blood supplies food.  Again, it's a technology we don't fully understand, but the elements of your blood filter in with the identis, and that feeds the baby.”

“What if we get sick?” Jack asked.

“Don't,” Janet warned sternly.

“Janet?” Daniel asked with a bit of concern.

“Daniel, that's one of the risks here,” Janet admitted as she poured herself a refill of coffee.  “We don't know if it would make a difference or not.  There's an incredible filtering system that sort of grows with the womis.  Whether it fixes or eliminates any contaminated blood, I just don't know; nor do I know what kind of effect it would have on the baby.”

“So, don't get sick,” Daniel said, suddenly feeling sick himself at the thought of somehow harming their own baby.

“Right,” Janet affirmed.  “It really isn't that different for a pregnant mother.  Some illnesses won't affect the fetus, but others, like rubella, can have serious consequences.”

“Doc, what about coming through the Stargate?” Jack inquired.

“That's another unknown, to a degree.”  Again, Janet saw anxious faces. “Now let me explain.  Pierola is much like Earth.  The differences appear to be miniscule.  Our anatomies are very similar, and physiologically, I've found no significant differences.  Everything I know says it shouldn't matter whether the womis is on Pierola or on Earth.”

“But it's not one-hundred percent?” Jack asked.

Firmly and with a tad of frustration, Janet answered, “I can't speak in certainties about something so new and untried as this, Jack, but I can tell you what my gut says, and my gut says it will work.  To be honest, I think the real risk is the actual trip through the Stargate.”

“So, our baby could die before he or she ever had a chance?” Daniel asked, his tone sadder than before.

~It's a risk, but risk is in everything.~  Janet sighed, “Daniel, I know you're concerned.  I know this isn't foolproof, but ...”

“I know, Janet,” Daniel interrupted.  He paused, then supposed, “It's like any pregnancy, isn't it?”

~Bingo!~  Janet nodded as she responded, “There's always some risk.”

Looking at his husband, Jack sighed, “Thanks, Doc.  We appreciate your time.”

Janet stood, as did Jack and Daniel, who headed for the door.

“Janet, if it were you, would you do it?” Daniel asked.

“In a New York minute,” Janet answered, grinning.

“Thanks for the coffee and bread; it was great!” Daniel spoke appreciatively.

Jack gave Janet a hug, saying, “Thanks for your help, Doc.”

The three exchanged a smile and then Jack and Daniel headed to Sara's.

====

“What do you think?” Jack asked his lover as he drove the SUV towards the Wilson residence.

“I think I want to think about it some more,” Daniel replied, uncertainty filtering through him.

“It'll never be a sure thing, Danny,” Jack opined as he hit the brake for a stoplight.

“I know, but I still have questions,” the younger man confessed, glancing over at his husband.

“About the brood?” Jack asked, returning the glance for a moment.

“Yes, and what we tell the world,” Daniel answered.  “There are issues, Jack, and we have to have those worked out if we're going to do this.”

“Okay, we think about it some more,” Jack resolved just as the light turned green.

Daniel smiled half-heartedly as he replied, “As tempting as it is, I just don't think we should jump into it.  It's only been three weeks since we visited Phelpa.  Maybe we should go again.”

“We could, if you want to.”

“Let's think about it for a while,” Daniel suggested.  ~I just don't know.  I want to, but the moral and social implications ... the children ... how will they feel?  Gawd, I just don't know what to do.  And ... and what if I get sick?~

Jack nodded, adding, “We're not on the clock with this.”  After a moment, he changed the subject.  “I talked with Mrs. V a little while yesterday.”

Sophia Valissi was their next-door neighbor, a spry senior citizen who thought of both Jack and Daniel as if they were sons.  Her own son, Evan, lived in Italy with his partner of many years, Robert.

“And?” Daniel prodded.

“I think she's a little lonely,” Jack sighed.  “She talked about wishing she could spend more time with the brood.  She actually asked if she could hire David to do some chores around her place.”

“He'd probably like that,” Daniel responded, knowing the boy was eager to add to his savings account so he could purchase a new telescope, one with more extras and a further range than the one he had now.

“So, no objections?” Jack asked.

“Why would I have objections?  She's a wonderful person.  Maybe some of the others could start spending more time at her house, too,” Daniel pondered.  “Jen loves to be there.”

“We could give Jen permission to take the younger ones with her sometimes when she's baby-sitting,” Jack suggested.

“That's a great idea, Babe,” Daniel agreed.  Changing the subject, he asked, “What do you think about Alex's girlfriend?”

Alex Dennison was the designer of the couple's renovated home.  Until recently, he'd had little time or inclination for a social life, but just recently, he had dropped in on Jack and Daniel to introduce them to his new girlfriend, Soncirria Suvulpo.  Of course, that was after Daniel had spent several weeks trying to convince the successful hard-working man that there was more to life than architecture and design.  It had been a hard sell, but, apparently, Alex was finally seeing the light.

“She's a looker,” Jack remarked.  “Runner-up to Miss Florida.  Mmm-mmm good,” he quipped.

“Down with the testosterone, Babe,” Daniel warned.

Jack chuckled, “She's got the figure, Danny.  That's hard to miss.”

Daniel nodded hesitantly, saying, “All the curves in the right place, filled out nicely at the top, and ...”  He paused to gauge Jack's reaction, and, seeing Mr. Jealousy's horns poke through his husband's hair, Daniel decided to throw another log on the fire, just for good measure.  Continuing more boldly, he said, “And that Alex -- every hair in place, just the right amount of muscle, great suntan, great six...pack ...”

“Daniel?” Jack called out a bit testily.

“Yes, Love?” Daniel asked innocently while desperately trying to suppress his laughter.

“How about we agree that both Alex and Sunny are good lookers and move on to another subject?” Jack proposed.

Chuckling, Daniel agreed.  He settled, though, when his soulmate began to laugh a bit louder.

Taking note of Daniel's curious look, Jack explained, “Can't help it, Danny. It's her nickname, Sunny ... from Florida -- Miss Sunny Florida.”

Daniel shook his ahead, though admittedly amused by the connection of Soncirria's nickname and residence, and instructed, “Jack, don't you ever dare say that to Alex, or her, or our brood.  The Munchkins are all three-foot-plus DVD recorders, and you know that.  You can't ... promise me you won't, ever.  Jack ...”

“Oh, all right, spoilsport, I promise,” the older man agreed in mock aggravation.

====

“This is becoming habit, Danny,” Jack said, sitting down on the lawn opposite his husband.

It was 2 a.m. on a cold, early-April morning, and both had coats on.

“I like it out here,” the younger man admitted, adding, “I always have.”

“Yeah, I know,” Jack acknowledged as he reached across and took Daniel's hands in his.

Both knew the reason for Daniel's presence on the lawn in the middle of the night.

“I wish I could just say 'yes', Jack, but there are questions I have that still haven't been answered, partly because we've been busy, and partly because I'm not sure we want to know.”  Jack's challenging gaze penetrated Daniel's concerned eyes.  “Okay, it's me.  I know you're scared, but so am I.”

“What are you afraid of, Angel?” Jack inquired quietly.

“I don't know, Jack.  Something going wrong, our children being jealous, I ...”

“Of loving this one more than the others?” Jack dared to ask.

“What?”  Daniel's head shot up as he looked at his lover's face.  Shaking his head, he denied, “No, I could ... I mean.  Oh, Jack, I can't imagine it, but at the same time, I'm scared to death of it.”

Jack squeezed Daniel's hands gently as he responded, “Danny, let's speak a little truth.  When the Munchkins were born, we went to great lengths to make sure we didn't know which one belonged to whom, biologically speaking.  We did the same with the twins.  Are you going to sit there now and tell me you don't know whose genes are in which child?”

“I ... I ...”  Daniel shook his head in defeat.  “I don't think about it.”

“Neither do I, but I know,” Jack confessed as his eyes again bore into those of his soulmate, challenging him to speak the truth.

“I guess I do, too,” Daniel admitted.

“Does it matter?” the older man challenged with a bit of a grin.

Daniel smiled, and his smile grew as he shook his head decisively and answered, “Not one bit, Jack.”

“I don't think about it, either, Angel, and that's exactly the point.  All of those children are part of us, and we love them all equally, including the ones that don't technically have our genes in their makeup.  Why should this child be any different?  Okay, it's both of ours, and yes, I know that child would be the only one in our world to be fortunate like that, but I'll love this child the same way I love Jonny and David and Ash and Jenny and Bri and Little Danny and Noa and Lulu and ...”

“You're mixing them up on purpose,” Daniel observed, noting that Jack's calling out of the children's names wasn't in any order.

“Because there's no difference, not for us, and not for them,” Jack professed emphatically.

“Human nature, Jack,” Daniel replied dryly, wanting to believe and yet still doubting himself.

“We have to believe in ourselves,” Jack told his husband.

Daniel nodded, saying, “I'll work on that.”

“I'll help,” Jack said.

“You always do, Babe.”

====

“Colonel Carter, why wasn't I told about this during the first mission to PRW-112?” General Hammond asked tersely one week later.

Sam squirmed a little as she responded, “Because, General, we wanted to protect General Jackson-O'Neill and Daniel.”

“I should have been told,” Hammond admonished in a tone that warned it had better not happen again.

“I know, Sir,” Sam replied tentatively, gulping slightly at Hammond's intense stare.

“Am I correct in assuming that Colonel Ferretti intentionally left this out of his report?” Hammond interrogated, the frown on his face unmistakable.

Hesitantly, and yet trying to sound confident, Sam explained, “He didn't deem it important or relevant to the negotiations going on at that time.”

“But he told you?” Hammond challenged.

Sam took a big breath and then answered, “Yes, Sir, but General ...”

“I understand his reasons, Colonel, but I don't like being kept out of the loop, and I don't want it to happen again.  Is that understood?” Hammond commanded gruffly.

“Yes, Sir.”

Still staring at the blonde, Hammond finally sighed, “Colonel, the Jackson-O'Neills are scheduled to be on base tomorrow.  Is that correct?”

“Yes,” the woman concurred, grateful she wasn't being assigned to cleanup detail.  ~But he hasn't dismissed me yet, either.~

“I want them, Doctor Fraiser, Colonel Ferretti, Teal'c, and yourself in Daniel's office at ten-hundred hours, and make sure the room is secure.  You understand my meaning?” Hammond asked sternly.

“I do,” Sam acknowledged.

“Dismissed.”

Sam exited Hammond's office and quickly made her way to the archaeologist's office.  Though security equipment was no longer 'on' there unless the base was at DEFCON 3 or a higher level of alert, she knew Hammond wanted the room swept, just in case.

~He's not happy with Ferretti and me, but ...~  Sam couldn't help but smile.  ~... he's intrigued.  General Hammond loves being a grandpa!~

====

“Be prepared, Lou,” Sam warned as they met for a late break later that day.

“Not happy?” the Italian colonel asked.

“No, definitely not,” Sam answered, stirring her coffee to cool it a bit.

“Any regrets, Sam?” Lou asked.  “The general could kick both our butts right out of here.”

Sam sighed, contemplating the question, but quickly enough, she shook her head and smiled as she answered, “Not one.  General O'Neill and Daniel have done too much for Earth to not give them this chance.  We owe them.”

“That's a crock, Sam,” Lou challenged.  Seeing her funny look, he clarified, “They're our friends, Sam.  That's why we did it.”

Sam nodded, smiling again when she confessed, “They're more than friends; they're family, and I guess sometimes family has to come before orders and protocol.”

“To independent thinking,” Lou said, holding up his coffee mug.

Sam chuckled, “And to KP for life,” as she clinked her mug against Lou's.

====

“General,” Jack greeted when Hammond walked into Daniel's office the following day.

“Colonel,” Hammond brusquely spoke as he stared at the blonde woman.

~Okay.~  Sam nodded and closed the doors, locking them.  “All security equipment is off, General,” she reported.  “I've swept the room as well; it's clean.”

“Wish the laundry was,” Jack quipped, thinking about the stacks of laundry to be done at home.

“Jack!” Daniel warned.

The older man just shrugged, causing Daniel to sigh before redirecting his attention to General Hammond.

Hammond stated, “I want to take this from the beginning.  As of now, the only official record of the trip through the Stargate to PRW-112 are the first two missions.  Doctor Fraiser, tell me about this procedure that has two of my colonels so stirred up that they withheld information on official reports.”

Everyone stared at each other.  Hammond's displeasure at recent events was clearly evident, and he was making his opinion known demonstratively.

“Well, Sir, I know it's a shock to think that it's possible for two men, or two women for that matter, to have a child together, but I've run extensive tests on Filip, Harad, and Kyal,” Janet explained.  “Their biology is almost exactly the same as ours, and Kyal is definitely the biological child of Filip and Harad.  I've studied the process they use, and, theoretically, there is no reason why this method of reproduction couldn't be used on Earth.”

“Then why haven't our scientists developed any theories along this line?” Hammond asked pointedly.

“General, we don't have the technology to create the artificial egg or the womis, and I'm afraid that getting the funding for the required research would be difficult,” Janet admitted, looking at Jack and Daniel with apologetic eyes.

“You mean our world isn't about to spend thousands of dollars so two men can have a baby?” Daniel asked in frustration.

“With all the illnesses and diseases out there still needing to be cured, what do you think the general population would say to diverting a million dollars from cancer research to ... womis creation?” Janet challenged.

“It's a small world, Jack,” Lou interjected upon seeing his friend's scowl.  He added, “and that isn't a reference to Disneyland.”

“Yeah,” Jack sighed, looking away as he briefly thought about the prejudice that still existed in the world.

“What happens to the egg?” General Hammond asked, getting back to the direct topic at hand and not yet fully understanding how the process worked.

“After fulfilling its function, its absorbed into the amniotic fluid, or the, uh, magistra, as they call it.  General, as far as I can tell, there is nothing to distinguish Kyal from any other child on Earth,” Janet said reassuringly.

“What about a birth certificate?” Daniel asked, thinking back to the difficulty they had in trying to have both their names on the triplets and twins birth certificates.  He saw the blank stares.  “If it weren't for the President, we wouldn't have the ones we have for the Munchkins and the twins.  How are we going to get a birth certificate for this baby?  We'd have to tell the President, and then what?”

“Gentlemen, there's no way you're going to bring anything through that Stargate of this nature without the approval of the President of the United States.  I need more information,” Hammond informed them sternly.  “Colonel Ferretti, what do you know about this?”

“My report is accurate, General, with the exclusion of what we learned about the children of same-sex couples.  Militarily, I was wrong to exclude that information, but on another level, I make no apologies.  This opportunity is too important, and before letting the political muckity mucks mess it up, I had to do it this way,” Lou argued.

“You've been to PRW-112 more than once, haven't you, Colonel?” Hammond interrogated, seeing right through his personnel.

Lou grumbled as he visibly squirmed.

“Colonel?” Hammond asked.

~Geez, I remember that look,~ Jack thought, flashing back to his very first meeting with the general. Hammond had seen right through Jack, knowing his report about the mission to Abydos had been fabricated in part. He'd had no choice but to come clean, admit his report had not been completely accurate, and that one Daniel Jackson was alive and well and living on Abydos, not dead and blown into a zillion pieces along with the rest of the planet as his report had stated. ~Sorry, Lou, but he's got your number.~

“I had to make sure I trusted these folks myself before bringing Jack and Daniel in on it. I've been there three times, getting to know them.” Lou looked at his friends and informed, “We've interviewed other Phelpians, not just Filip and Harad. They're on the up and up. I'd swear to it.”

“And he was helping me, Sir,” Janet admitted.  “We wanted the testing to be as thorough and complete as possible.  The tests I've run have been very complex.”  Janet braced herself for the fallout, confessing, “I went through once myself, General.”

Hammond's eyes glared, but he wasn't the least bit surprised.

~Told you.  He knows it all,~ Jack thought in amazement at Hammond's ability to see through cover-ups.

“And you're sure, Colonel?” Hammond asked the physician.

“I'm as sure as we can be,” Janet answered.

Hammond shifted to challenge Sam, pointedly asking, “Colonel Carter, why did you decide to inform me about this now?”

“Frankly, Sir, I knew Daniel had questions and concerns that we couldn't answer on our own. I also knew that for this to become a reality the President would have to agree. It was time.”

“We had a lot of questions, Sir,” Daniel interjected.

“Have,” Jack corrected, since they still had a lot of things to consider.

“Have ... a lot of questions,” Daniel concurred. “Jack and I have been going back and forth about this for the last few weeks.”

“It's been difficult,” Jack acknowledged.

Sam looked at Jack and Daniel, smiling as she asserted, “We're as sure as we can be. Lou's checked out the population, Janet's done the testing, and I've ...”

“Lied,” Daniel stated.

“Lied?” Sam questioned.

“Yeah, you know, fibbed, told an untruth, misled the troops ... lied,” Jack clarified in his usual sarcastic wit.

“For us,” Daniel added softly.

“We didn't want to bring you in until we were certain that having a child in this way was a bona fide possibility,” Sam stated.  ~And I'd make the same decision again.  I was not going to let you guys get your hopes up for something like this for nothing.  Okay, I lied.  Fine.  I ... lied.  Sue me.~

“Even at the risk of being court-martialed?” Jack asked, looking at his 2IC and seeing a smug expression on her face.

“I learned from the best, General,” Sam replied to her CO, her smug look transformed into a wicked smile.

Jack shrugged guiltily, knowing the threat of court-martial had never kept him from doing anything he wanted to either, except for the dreaded game of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' that he'd had to play for years.

Hammond let out a loud sigh, saying,  “I do not like being kept in the dark, people, and I don't want it to happen again.  I'll make the call.  Wait here,” he ordered, turning and exiting Daniel's office.

“I think that went well,” Daniel remarked, standing with his arms folded.

“I think so, too,” Sam replied, bobbing her head up and down nervously.

“Couldn't have been better,” Lou quipped, smacking his lips as he made a face.

“We're still here,” Janet chuckled as she rifled through the papers she was holding in her hands.

Sam coughed her question about the Air Force base in Alaska -- “Elmendorf maybe?”

“Nah,” Lou said, shaking it off.  Deciding that Hammond would transfer them to the South Pole based instead, he offered, “McMurdo.”

Janet thoughtfully contributed, “Thule maybe,” referring to the facility in Greenland.

“Altus?” Sam teased.  “We can be Okies,” she said in reference to the Oklahoma base.

“Bolling,” Jack said with a grimace about the Washington D.C. base.

“Bolling, Sir?” Sam questioned, wondering why that base was being mentioned.

Jack gave a mock shiver, “Yeah, it's too close to all those political muckity mucks.”  After the chuckles subsided, he confided, “You know sometimes I think Hammond has eyes in the back of his head; he knows everything.”

“He'll forgive us,” Sam spoke unconvincingly.

Nodding, Daniel agreed, “I'm confident.”

“Me, too,” Lou added.

“After he makes us suffer a while,” Jack only partially teased.

“Right,” Daniel sighed.

====

“How long do we wait?” Sam asked forty minutes later as they continued to wait for Hammond's return.

“Personally, Sam, after that last look he gave me, I'm not budging from here until General Hammond orders me to,” Lou said truthfully.

“You shouldn't have done this for us,” Daniel said quietly as he sat at his worktable.

“Doc, I have no regrets,” Lou replied straightforwardly.

“Neither do I,” Sam added.

“I don't, either, and I doubt General Hammond is really angry,” Janet intoned.

“I just don't want you to get in trouble because of us,” Daniel said appreciatively.

“You two didn't even know about this until we checked things out,” Sam stated.

“Yeah, but ...”

Daniel stopped talking when General Hammond walked into his office and shut the door.

“Informally, I've spoken to the President, and, in consideration of your continued service to our nation, he's more than willing to have a birth certificate issued with whatever names on it you choose,” Hammond assured them.  “If you like, for convenience, a certificate can be issued with you both as fathers and the mother simply listed as unknown,” he finished, unable to keep the merest trace of a grin from grazing his lips.

“General,” Jack leaned forward, shifting his position a bit on the stool he was sitting on; he clasped his hands together and asked, “what about the idea in general.  How'd the President respond to this news?”

“He was amazed, surprised, and very curious,” Hammond answered.  “I believe, Doctor Fraiser, that you may be contacted by other medical personnel within our government.”

“There's not a lot more I can tell them,” Janet responded, scrunching her face slightly as she responded.

“Sir, the Phelpians made it clear,” Sam interjected, “that this is a one-time offer, just for Jack and Daniel, and it's only because of their cultural belief that repayment needs to be made for when Colonel Ferretti saved Kyal's life.  They don't want their planet invaded with researchers.”

“General,” Daniel asked with trepidation in his voice, “is the President going to let our child be a ... guinea pig.”  **I won't do it, Jack.**

**Neither will I, but let's see what he says.**

“No, Son,” Hammond replied.  “President Hayes assured me that no one will know the truth except for those of us in this room and himself.  As far as the medical issues involved, he wanted to get some theoretical discussions going.  He may reconsider that after I talk to him again,” Hammond confided, his eyes communicating that, in retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea to even start up the discussion with governmental researchers.

“Lou, how about the rest of your team?” Jack asked.

Lou shook his head as he answered, “Just Ravelli, our linguist, knows.  She had to help with some of the technical terms at first, before I really knew what was going on.  She doesn't know what Sam and I were cooking up, though, and no one else knows anything at all about it, Jack.”

“So, it's basically just us, Ravelli, and the President,” Daniel sought to verify.

“That's correct, Doctor Jackson,” Hammond confirmed.  “What happens next is up to the two of you.”  Hammond turned and headed for the door.  With his hand on the handle, he turned back to face them.  “No more unauthorized trips through the Stargate, people, or you *won't* be happy.”  Then, as a sly smile graced his face, he added, “For what's it worth, I wouldn't mind another grandchild.”

Jack and Daniel couldn't help but smile, and Sam actually let out a giggle once Hammond was gone.

“I guess it's up to us,” Daniel spoke hesitantly.

“You'll make the right decision,” Janet asserted as she tapped lovingly on Daniel's hand.  “I need to get back to the infirmary.”

“I have a training session with some new recruits,” Jack said, glancing at his watch.  “Danny?”

“I'm okay. We have a lot to talk about, Jack,” the archaeologist replied.

With a nod, Jack said, “I'll meet you at 1300 hours.”

“We need to make sure we're home when Cassie arrives,” Daniel stated about their surrogate niece who was coming for a visit.

“I can't wait to see her,” Sam interjected, smiling at the prospect.

“Me, too. Thirteen-hundred, Daniel,” Jack reminded as he left his lover's office, followed by Lou.

“Daniel, I like being an aunt,” Sam spoke with a grin as she walked out the door.

====

A day or so later, in Sophia Valissi's sewing room, Jennifer and the older woman sat reviewing the day's sewing lesson.  The neighbor and friend of the Jackson-O'Neills was a tailor and seamstress in the classic old-world tradition, and she was passing on her life-long love of homemaking to the surprisingly eager-to-learn teenager.

“Mrs. Valissi ...” Jennifer began, hesitating slightly.

“Come, now, Jen, you know me well enough to call me by my first name,” Mrs. Valissi stated warmly.

“Thank you, but I'd feel funny about it, and ... well, I don't think Dad and Daddy would like that, and ... and ... well, your more like ... like a grandmother to me,” Jennifer confessed with a shy but bright expression on her face.

The teen froze for a moment, wondering if she had offended her older friend by not suggesting that she was like a mother to her.

Mrs. Valissi smiled and said, “Now there's a thought.”  Seeing the teen's smile, she intoned, “I love my son and his partner dearly, and I'm glad they're happy, but it's not like they're going to surprise me with a grandchild.  Jennifer, if you're comfortable with it, you may call me 'Grandma'.”

“How about 'Grandma Sophia?' because sometimes that's what we call Grandpa.  Ah, well, not Grandpa Sophia,” Jennifer stammered nervously, “but Grandpa George.  Not always, but sometimes,” she added as she struggled to express her emotion.

“I think it's perfect,” the older woman said, pulling her adopted granddaughter into a hug.  “Now Grandma Sophia says it's time to have some cookies.”

Chuckling, Jennifer replied, “Thank you, Grandma Sophia.”

====

“Daniel, I think you're worrying too much,” Sam opined as the two met for lunch at O'Malley's one day towards the end of April.

“That's what Jack says,” Daniel said as he clinked his fork again his plate.

“So he wants to do it?” the blonde inquired, a smile in her heart at the thought of this special dream coming true for her friends.

“Yes,” Daniel answered.  “So do I.  It's just, I need to be sure, or as sure as I can be.”

“I thought our meeting last week with General Hammond reassured you about a lot of things.”

“It did, or at least it answered a lot of questions,” Daniel intoned quietly.

Daniel twisted the spaghetti around his fork until it was a tight bundle of pasta.  He looked at his friend who was smiling at him.

“It really is up to Jack and I.  Sam, do you believe the President?” the archaeologist inquired, his face riddled with his internal strife about the potential of this miracle baby becoming a guinea pig at the hands of the government.

“He's never lied to you, has he?” the blonde colonel asked.

“No, he hasn't, but ...”

Sam challenged, “Daniel, do you want to live your life with what ifs, or do you just want to live your life?”

“When did you get to be so smart?” Daniel queried as he reached for a piece of garlic bread.

Sam laughed, “I have to be to keep up with a certain archaeologist I know.  He keeps thinking outside the box, challenging me to do the same.  Daniel, I'm thinking outside the box on this.  Now is not the time for you to suddenly stay inside of that box.”

Daniel smiled warmly at his friend.  Nodding, he whispered, “Thanks, Sam.”

====

Meanwhile, Jennifer was again visiting with Mrs. Valissi as the creative and artistic woman told her about the couple of years she and her late husband had spent in Austraila.

“My late Robert was gone for long periods on business, and our neighbors up the road were sheep farmers,” the woman recalled.  “It may be hard to picture it, Jennifer, but I even learned how to shear sheep!”

“You're kidding?” a fascinated Jennifer responded.

“I wanted to know how to do everything,” Mrs. Valissi explained.  “Eventually, I learned the entire process of cleaning, carding, dyeing, and spinning the wool into thread and yarn.  That's when I learned how to knit and to weave as well.”
 
“I'm impressed, Grandma Sophia,” Jennifer replied.  Her own mother had been a seamstress, and spending time with Mrs. Valissi, made the teen recall some happy childhood memories.  “My mother would have loved you.”

“That's nice of you to say, Dear,” the woman replied.  Then she continued, “Most people have no idea how precious cloth was for most of human history.  People, mainly women, spent huge amounts of time after their families were asleep spinning, spinning, and spinning some more,” she chuckled.  “They spun thread to weave cloth to make the clothes on their backs and blankets to keep them warm.”

“It's easier now to buy,” Jennifer interjected.

“Yes,” the woman acknowledged.  “We have the luxury of cloth being so cheap that people no longer sew for economy.  We have rags, Jen, cast off clothing, that we can use for all sorts of tasks -- cleaning, painting.  People of even a hundred years ago would marvel at how quickly we tire of our clothes, get new ones, and discard the old.”

“We live at the mall,” Jennifer mused about the teenagers of her generation.

Chuckling the older woman said, “I must be boring you.”

“No, you're not!” Jennifer exclaimed, admitting, “I find it all so fascinating, Mrs. ... I mean, Grandma Sophia, to actually make cloth.  I wish I could try it.”

“There's nothing stopping you, Dear.  Of course, if you're really serious and not just humoring these old bones, then you'd better get hopping and learn about a loom.”

Jennifer sighed loudly, expressing, “How?  Where?  Kids my age don't even know what a loom is.”

“Do you?”

Jennifer giggled lightly, but then answered, “Yes.  I mean, I've heard of it.”

“Would you like to see one?” the woman asked, a smile gracing her face.

“Do you have one?” Jennifer asked excitedly.

Smiling, Mrs. Valissi walked over a few steps and pulled a sheet off of an object which turned out to be a loom.  It was just under four feet wide and less then three feet deep.

“I was glad to find one that was small enough to fit in here with the rest of my equipment.  It folds up out of the way, even with a project on it.  It will weave up to thirty-six inches,” Mrs. Valissi stated.

“Wow,” the teenager replied as she got up to examine the object.

After Jennifer looked the loom over, continuing to show her interest, Mrs. Valissi opened a cabinet and pulled out a book, handing it to Jennifer.

“Here, Dear, this will explain all about the different kinds of looms and what kinds of weave structures each one is best suited for.  I'm no expert, but I weave to relax, and it reminds me of how good we have it today.”

“Dad and Daddy are always reminding us that we've got a lot of things, but that if we ever take them for granted, they'll pull the plug,” Jennifer noted.  “I don't think we're spoiled, but sometimes I look around, and it's pretty easy to see how lucky we are to have so much.”

“Yes, Jennifer, all of us here on this street have a lot, and still, we complain about things that are relatively small in importance.  Every now and then, I catch myself becoming upset at the price of my favorite fabric or gas for the car.  Then, as your dad would say, I kick myself in the butt and get back to the basics, back to a time when I felt lucky to have any material at all, let alone a car.”

“Grandma Sophia, I'd like to learn,” Jennifer professed as she held the book close to her body.

“Then learn, and if it turns out you really enjoy weaving, there's no reason you can't become an accomplished weaver,” Mrs. Valissi replied.

“Can you show me some things you've done?” Jennifer requested.

During the next hour, Mrs. Valissi showed her young apprentice some of the things she had woven over the years -- table runners, place mats, pillows -- but what really captured Jennifer's attention was a tapestry of the Last Supper.

“This is incredible,” the teen spoke with awe about the tapestry.  “It's so detailed, and look at all the colors.  I wonder ... could I ever do anything so wonderful?”  Suddenly, Jennifer realized she'd spoken out loud.  “Oh, I don't think I could, but to make something like this would be ...”

Mrs. Valissi smiled warmly as she interjected, “Tapestry is a very complex form of weaving.  It's done with small bobbins of thread to create the picture, not like typical weaving in which the thread is carried back and forth across the entire width of the loom.  It takes a great deal of time and patience, but the results can be as awe-inspiring as any painting.”  Seeing the excitement in the girl's eyes, she laughed, “You'd better start with something basic.”

“I think you're right, Grandma Sophia.  Thank you,” the teenager spoke.

====

“Danny, if you keep doing this, I'm going to move the bed out here,” Jack teased.

The younger man laughed as he reached out to join his hands with his husband.  It was almost sunrise, on an early May day, and once again, they were seated on the lawn in the backyard, near Daniel's tree house.

“Sunrise: a new beginning,” Daniel said confidently.

~Sounds like a book.~  Jack quipped, “Is that like 'Chicken Soup for the Archaeologist's Soul?”

“Gawd, you're incorrigible,” Daniel chuckled as the two kissed.

“Are you ready to say 'yes'?” Jack inquired, turning serious as he caressed Daniel's hand in his.

“I'm still not sure about the President, and I'm concerned about our children.”

“Hayes is out at the end of next year, and I think we should get this done well before he leaves office.” Jack paused as he considered what they'd learned. Then he made a little smacking noise and added, “Hammond said their conversation was private, *very* private. I think we have to trust them.” He paused again, as if silently confirming his decision, and then suggested, “As for the brood, let's ask them.”

“Most of them are still too young.  Jack ...” Daniel began.

“Danny, you're worrying way too much,” Jack accused lovingly.

“Maybe,” Daniel admitted.  “I just ... gawd, I'm scared.  I'm so scared of making the wrong choice,” Daniel stated with an anxiety-ridden voice.

“You know what I think, Angel?” Jack asked tenderly.

“No, but I hope you tell me,” Daniel responded.

“Listen to your heart,” Jack advised, quickly adding, “And stop trying to have an answer for everything.  Follow the voice within you.”

“Right now, that voice is saying 'kiss me',” the younger man quipped.

“Love that voice,” Jack spoke softly as he moved in to soothe his anguished lover with a kiss.

====

Later that morning, the Jackson-O'Neill family was beginning its daily routine.

“Jen, are you going to eat your breakfast or just sit there all day?” Jack asked, giving his daughter an amused grin as she continued to play with her Froot Loops, something she'd been doing for fifteen minutes.

“Is everything okay, Jen?” Daniel asked with a trace of concern.

Jack and Daniel exchanged a nervous glance as their eldest daughter lay her spoon down and stared at them.  They weren't prepared for her words.

“I should ask the two of you the same question.  *I'm*fine; I'm just waiting for you two to stop pussyfooting around.  Something is going on, and it's *been* going on for weeks.  You're both doing that whole 'are we being fair to the kids thing' instead of just asking us, which you will do anyway before making up your minds about whatever this is.”  She rolled her eyes and turned to Jeff and Brianna.  “Can you believe they still keep doing this?  Every time they have a decision to make they spend days or weeks agonizing over whether to tell us, how to tell us, what to tell us ...”

“Smart aleck,” Jack grumbled in pretend annoyance, the effect somewhat ruined by his grin.  ~Jen knows us too well.~

Brianna laughed, “So what are you agonizing over this time?”

Daniel fidgeted, silently asking his husband, **Should we tell them, Jack?**

**Isn't that what you want, Angel?  You've been saying they have a right to be part of our decision making, and I'm not arguing that point.**

Jack looked at their three oldest children who were sitting at the table expectantly, and though confident about asking them, finding the words to do so, proved a hindrance for him.

“Dad?  Daddy?” Jennifer tried to prod.

Finally, Jack stammered, “Ah, how would you kids feel about ... uh ...”

Brianna made a 'get on with it' gesture.  As Jack glared at her in response, she simply grinned back at him.

“Stargate, Jack, mine, baby,” Daniel blurted out in a nonsensical ramble.  He shook his head at his poor communication.  “Gawd, a freakin' linguist; it's a good thing there isn't a language police, or they'd be knocking on the door to take back my degree.”

Jack pulled his husband into his arms, and that was when Jennifer understood.  She let out a whoop of delight and ran over to hug the two surprised men.

“A baby!  A baby!  A friggin' baby!  I love the you-know-what!” Jennifer shouted.

Jack and Daniel exchanged a happy smile, Jennifer's enthusiasm meaning the world to them.

Brianna and Jeff were still exchanging confused looks.  Jennifer turned to them, still grinning.

“Don't you get it?  Somehow, Dad and Daddy can have a baby: their own baby -- both of them.”  The teen girl turned back to the stunned adults. “How does it work?  Who gets pregnant?  When are you having it?”

“It's like a Jackson-O'Neill family baby,” Brianna said, grinning, as she stood and hugged the two men.  “A baby we all get to see from the very beginning.”

Jeff sat back contentedly, quietly saying, “I love this family.”

“Now wait a minute, Kids, we haven't decided anything for sure yet,” Jack said, trying to calm the excited children down.  “The twins don't even know about the Stargate yet.”

Jennifer and Brianna both rolled their eyes and said in unison, “So tell them already!”

Jeff laughed as he added, “You two might not have decided, but we have.”

“Look,” Daniel said, sitting down at the table, “this isn't as simple as saying 'yes' or 'no'.”

“Why not?” Jennifer asked.

“Because there are a lot of questions that need answers,” Daniel answered seriously.

“Answer them,” Brianna offered.

“That's our Bri,” Jack teased as he stood by the sink, rinsing out a dish.

Daniel sighed and began to get lost in his thoughts.

“Daddy, don't you want to have a baby?” Brianna asked.

“Gawd, yes,” Daniel answered without thinking.

“Dad?” Brianna asked, looking over at the older man.

“Like Daniel said, it's not that simple,” Jack answered.  “We both would love to have this child, but there are things to think about.”

“Oh, wow.  One of them has to get pregnant,” Brianna announced, suddenly thinking about her fathers with extending bellies.

“No, I mean ... oh, this is complicated,” Daniel sighed.

“Where's Carter when you need her?” Jack chuckled.

“You called, Sir?” Sam responded on cue.

“Carter?” a surprised Jack exclaimed in question.

“She was at the door when I looked outside,” David explained, having entered the kitchen with her.

“David ...” Jack began.

“It was just Aunt Sam, Dad,” David groaned, trying to fend off the scolding for having opened the door.

“Did you need something, Sir?” Sam asked courteously.

“Yeah, uh ... David, go check on your brothers and sisters,” Jack told his young son.

David looked around, carefully studying the faces of his parents, and then asked, “Something's up, isn't it?”

“David!” Daniel forcefully admonished.

“Yes, Daddy.  I'm always too young,” David whined as he hurried upstairs, his grumbling continuing the entire way.

“Carter, we're talking about having a baby.  Explain it to them,” Jack ordered.

Sam's eyes widened as she asked, “Excuse me?”

“He, uh, means tell them about how it works, on P...whatever it is,” Daniel nervously clarified.

~Daddy's funny,~ Jennifer thought as she laughed out loud at Daniel's nervousness.  It all seemed so simple to her.  ~We're getting a baby!~

“We're going to go check on the brood, make sure David isn't conducting any experiments on the twins,” Jack said, giving Sam a teasing look as he thought back to her involvement with some of David's past experiments.

The blonde gulped from the memory, one she feared Jack would never let her live down.

As Jack and Daniel walked out, Sam asked, “Hey, wait, just how much ...”

“Everything,” Daniel answered, looking at the three children.  “No secrets about this.”

“We'll only be a few minutes,” Jack informed their friend, leading Daniel towards the stairs.

“Well.”  Sam smiled a bit apprehensively at the three children.  She fidgeted for a moment and then took the seat where Daniel had been sitting.  “So, what have they told you?”

“Nothing,” came the response from all three children.

“Oh, well, then I guess we'll start at the beginning,” Sam decided.

====

The night before had been 'in the womb together' night at the Jackson-O'Neill homestead.  It was something they did very rarely, but when they did, the younger children got a kick out of it.  Thus, every now and then, Ricky and Aislinn would trade places for the night so that the Munchkins slept together in one room while the twins slept together in the other.  Currently, Jack and Daniel were with the twins in what was normally the girls' room shared by Jenny and Aislinn.

“Princess, one pink sock and one black sock will get us all kinds of funny looks,” Jack told Jenny as he took the socks away from her.

“Like pink,” Jenny exclaimed, unsuccessfully reaching towards her father to reclaim her socks.

“Okay, let's find another pink one,” Jack suggested as he began to finger through the sock drawer.

“Like black, too,” the spirited little girl pouted in frustration, letting her lower lip quiver slightly, much as she had often seen her daddy do.

~They all have that down pat,~ Jack thought about the pout and look of defiance.  He smiled and replied, “Well, let's find the other black one.”

“NO!” Jenny expressed stubbornly, folding her arms, raising her head arrogantly, and looking off to the side.  “No wear socks.”

Seeing Jack looking at him for what he knew was moral support in the father-daughter battle, Daniel, who was holding Ricky in his arms, just smiled and stated, “Don't look at me; mine cooperated.”  He nodded at their fully-dressed and perfectly-behaving son and thought, ~Thank you, Ricky.~

~Of all the days for Ricky to cooperate,~ Jack grumbled silently.  “Princess,” he tried again, “you're only supposed to wear one color.”

“Who says?” Jenny asked pointedly, her hands now firmly on her hips as she fought back.

“Who?  Well ...”  Jack sighed loudly.  “Jenny, it doesn't matter who; it's just not something we do.”

“Why?” the little girl inquired, refusing to accept Jack's answer.

“Because we don't,” Jack answered, beginning to get a bit frustrated by the entire conversation.

“Why?” the young girl asked again.

“Be...cause ... because no one else does,” Jack stuttered.

“So?” Jenny challenged, her eyes wide open and bearing into her father's.

Jack responded, “So ... so ... so ...”  He chuckled and sighed, “So you're right. Who cares?  Here,” he chuckled, handing her back the socks.  “Do you want some help or ...”

“Big girl; put on own socks,” Jenny insisted, plopping down onto the floor and proceeding to put the pink sock onto her foot.

“Pardon me,” Jack apologized.  **For a second there, I thought I was back in the terrible twos.  Where'd that come from?**

**Just testing you, Babe.**

**Jenny's full of fire,** Jack replied.

**I know.  I wonder who she gets that from, Jack,** Daniel mused as the two smiled at each other.

Jack smiled, and when Jenny had her socks and shoes on, the twins scurried off to join the Munchkins in the boys' rooms before going outside to play.  Jack and Daniel remained for a few minutes, straightening Jenny's bed.

“Shouldn't she be doing this?” Jack asked as he tucked in a corner.

Daniel laughed, “She's testing you, Jack.”

Not particularly fond of that revelation, Jack asked, “Why isn't she testing you?”

“She already tried,” the younger man explained.

“She did?”

Nodding, Daniel answered, “Yes, a couple of weeks ago.”

“Oh, well, who won?”  Jack asked.  Then he saw his husband's smug smile.  “Danny?”

“Jack, have you ever seen our daughter wearing two different colored socks before?” Daniel questioned.

“Smart-aleck!”

Daniel laughed, but his laughter soon calmed to silence.  With Jenny's bed made, the two lovers sat side by side for a moment.

“Angel, are we making this whole thing out to be more complicated than it is?” Jack wondered about their very important decision that needed to be made.

“I don't know,” Daniel answered.  “I just don't want to make a mistake.  Gawd, Sam told me I was thinking inside the box.  I ... I guess I'm too afraid not to.  This is important, Jack.”

Taking Daniel's hand, Jack sighed, “You've been agonizing over this for weeks, ever since our visit to the Phelpians.”

“I'm not sure agonizing is the right word, but ... I guess, well, I just ... Jack, there are moral implications in our decision, and we do have to think about how we explain the presence of another child, not just to our children, but to our extended family and our friends,” Daniel intoned seriously.

“Maybe we just say 'here's our baby', and leave it at that,” Jack suggested.

“They'll have questions,” the younger man realized.

“Daniel, we've evaded or skirted around all kinds of questions for years,” Jack responded as his thumb rubbed and pressed gently against the palm of his lover's hand.

The archaeologist nodded, but then cocked his head slightly as he asked, “What about the questions this child would ask?”

~I have a headache,~ Jack thought as he stared at Daniel and then at the wall.  “Think Carter's finished explaining yet?”

Daniel looked up at his lover with a mischievous grin as he clarified, “You mean your brain's about to explode thinking about this, and it's time to let it go for a little while.”

“Something like that,” Jack concurred.

Mischievously, Daniel tugged gently on his soulmate's hand, pulling them up as he suggested, “Let's go see how Sam made out.”

====

Jack and Daniel entered the kitchen just in time to see Brianna pouting, Jeff laughing, and Jennifer giving them the benefit of her experience by opining, “... Dad and Daddy get there in the end; they just have to work through these things, and eventually, they catch up ...”

Jennifer suddenly realized her parents were in the room and trailed off with a sheepish look.

While Jack raised an eyebrow at Jennifer's comments, Daniel looked at Brianna with concern and asked, “What's wrong, Bri?”

“I wanted to see what you looked like pregnant!” Brianna answered truthfully.

Daniel's mouth fell open in surprise while Jennifer, Jeff, and Sam doubled over in hysterical laughter.

Brianna sighed, “It's still cool, but it would have been so funny to see one of you with a big, fat belly; and, you know, having to work at sitting up and down; all that stuff.”

Jack patted Daniel's abdomen fondly and whispered in his husband's ear, “You'd look gorgeous pregnant.”

Daniel glared at his soulmate and then grinned evilly as he taunted, “I still have the photos, Jack.”

Ignoring her older father's scowl, Brianna brightened, eagerly asking, “Photos?  What photos?”

Sam sniggered, her mind imagining her two male friends as being with child.

Daniel grinned in remembrance and elucidated, “When Kayla was pregnant with the triplets, we borrowed a couple of empathy bellies.  I wanted to know what being pregnant felt like.”

Jack glared at Daniel as he added, “And I was foolish enough to humor your father and actually wore the stupid thing.”

Sam was looking like all her Christmases had come at once, eagerly inquiring, “And you have pictures of him wearing it?”

Daniel nodded and clarified, “Of both of us wearing them.  Kayla took them. She thought it would be cute to show the pictures to the Munchkins when they got older.”

“Yes, he does, Carter, and if he doesn't want to sleep on the couch for the next month, he won't be showing them to anyone, EVER!” Jack warned with a slightly raised voice.

Sam sprayed out her coffee that she was drinking.  She ran her hand across her mouth, but she couldn't stop laughing.

“What's so funny, Carter?” Jack asked as Jeff rose to get Sam a new cup of coffee and a sponge to wipe the table.

“Sir, you ... making Daniel sleep ... on ... on ... oh, gee,” Sam guffawed.

Jennifer was laughing, too, unable to control her snickering.

“I fail to see what's so funny,” Jack stated as if offended.

Daniel was laughing as well, though he was making an attempt not to.  Unable to stop his chuckles, he buried his face in a towel, only slightly masking his jocularity.

“DANIEL!” Jack shouted.

“Dad, give it up already,” Jennifer told her father.  “You live in dire fear that Daddy will make *you* sleep on the couch, but you making Daddy sleep on the couch?  I don't even think the twins are that gullible.”

The laughter tripled, Daniel doubling over, his hands dropping to his side and letting the towel dangle against the cabinet.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” the general whined.

“Daddy, tell me the truth, though,” Jennifer said.  “Have you ever *really* made Dad sleep on the sofa?”

Slowly regaining control of his laughter-turned-snorts, Dani