Laps
by
Libkat
It had been a very busy afternoon. All of his big people had come because it was his big day. His birthday.
It had only been a few months since the glowy lady had brought him, naked and screaming, through the astria porta and left him here. Somehow his family had decided that today he would be one year old. He knew vaguely that something very bad had happened exactly one year ago. His big people needed happy memories to replace it.
He had done his best to make happy memories today.
He loved to make his big people happy. It was so different here, with smiles and hugs and kisses. People here could be warm with love, or hot with anger. They could even be chilly with meanness, like the bad Kinsey man. But they were never, ever icy cold with nothing like the glowy people were. Here was much, much better.
He had tottered around the yard, playing chase with his friend Cassie and her doggy, Sheba. He loved to play chase with Sheba and Cassie because whenever he fell down Sheba licked him all over his face and Cassie tickled his tummy and he giggled and smiled and clapped his hands. This made his big people laugh.
He had helped at lunch, holding the box of napkins up after each person had collected their burger or hot dog from the grill. He knew from personal experience that feeding yourself could be messy.
Then came presents, then playing with the presents and the boxes and the wrapping paper, then blowing out the candles and eating cake with his family. Yes, he had been a very busy boy.
It was time to take a little rest.
His big people had gathered on the deck, sitting in the warm summer breeze, enjoying the end of the daytime. He had a choice to make.
He considered his options carefully. Lou and Grampa George were best for fun time. Lou seemed never to tire of playing airplane and Grampa George was the peekaboo master. But he was too tired for fun time.
When he was scared there was almost no one better than Uncle Teal'c. That deep, rumbling voice could soothe away the most frightening dreams. But if Uncle Teal'c felt that it was time for beddy-bye, instead of just a little rest, there would be no appealing that decision.
Auntie Janet and Auntie Sam were good for sleepy times. They were softer and they smelled good. They would sing to him softly and rub his back or play with his blond curls.
But for some strange reason Janet believed that thumbs did not belong in people's mouths. AND she had pulled Auntie Sam into the war against the sucking of the thumb. Even though he was a big boy of one year old today, his reliable thumb always made him feel just a little more comfortable as he dropped off to sleep.
There had really been only one choice to make. He toddled over to the big chair, stretched out his little arms and demanded imperiously, "Up!"
Long, tanned fingers wrapped around his waist and he was settled comfortably in the best lap of all. A gentle kiss brushed the top of his head. And Danny Jackson O'Neill gathered a handful of tee shirt in one little fist, popped his thumb into his mouth and fell asleep in his daddy's arms.