The funeral for Vala was held in the gate room of the SGC. Just like Daniel's funeral had been once or twice or maybe more he'd lost track. The only person missing that was close to Vala was Carolyn who had volunteered to stay home with Nyssa, Daniel's daughter. Nyssa had become an extension of Daniel in the past week. Honestly, his daughter was the only thing holding him together. The amount of people he'd lost in his life seemed to still be increasing. Too many people around him had been taken in their prime. It'd seemed that no one at the SGC died of old age. Granted, he knew that their chosen profession came with the possibility of death every time they stepped through the gate. A risk that SG-1 use to all be fairly ok with taking. Now, Daniel wasn't sure if wanted to take that risk anymore. Nyssa was his life now.
Over the past week he had been heavily considering quitting The Stargate Program completely. That idea had never sat quite right with him. The morning of the funeral he had come to a decision. He could no longer be apart of a team that goes off world but he couldn't turn his back completely on something that had proven all of his theories right, brought him together with his closest friends whom he thought of as his family, and ultimately what brought his beautiful baby girl in to the world. With out the Stargate he'd probably be penniless and a mockery in his field of study. The Stargate had also brought him a great deal of pain, physically and mentally.
Sam and Jack had driven Daniel to the compound and back to his home. Honestly, the whole day, no, whole week had been a blur for him. From losing Vala to gaining Nyssa he wasn't quite sure how he was suppose to be feeling so he settled for numb. He couldn't allow himself to wallow in his wife's death but he also didn't feel like he could be overly excited or happy about his daughter. He loved Nyssa, he loved everything about her. She already had quite the little personality but it was such a bittersweet thing to have happen. He knew his friend's meant well and they were trying their hardest but only time could heal his wounds if his wounds could even heal. It felt like Vala's death would always be there at the surface plaguing him.
Daniel didn't blame the hospital for the loss of his wife. He didn't blame his daughter or Vala. He knew Vala was a fighter and probably did everything to stay alive but in the end the blood loss was too much. He blamed the Ori for the first couple of days but even his subconscious wouldn't allow that for long. He would never be able to fully prove what the real cause of Vala's death was. Well he knew the cause but the little voice in the back of his mind would always wonder if the Ori had somehow booby trapped her or maybe just the physical strain of carrying the Orici had created a hostile womb environment. The possibilities were endless and exploring them would never bring Vala back. Daniel could only hope that maybe she had ascended. They had talked about it on many occasions when Vala couldn't sleep but he wasn't sure if Vala could let go of the burdens she carried.
"I just put Nyssa down for a nap. She had a bottle while she was up and I changed her." Carolyn said as she greeted Daniel at the door.
"Thanks Carolyn. I really appreciate it." Daniel gave her a sincere look and began taking off his jacket. Though it rarely rained in Colorado it seemed fitting that it would rain today of all days.
"Think nothing of it Jackson." Cam bellowed as he entered the home. Jack reappeared from the kitchen with a cold beer in hand.
"Yeah Daniel you know we're here for ya." Jack added and then took a sip of the beer letting out a satisfied sigh after. Daniel looked from Jack to the rest of the group. He really did know they meant well but it was starting to become overwhelming having all this support.
"No offense guys but I think I'd kind of like to just be…alone tonight." Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets hoping his friends would understand.
"Of course Daniel." Sam shot Jack a look that said put the beer down. Jack being Jack quickly chugged it and set the empty bottle on the counter.
"Right we have the boys to get home to anyway. God only knows what they've destroyed today." Jack opened the door to let the group start filing out. Cam and Carolyn were the first to leave followed by Jack with Sam bringing up the rear.
"We're only a call away if you or Nyssa need anything." Sam said as she stopped short of the door. Tears glistening in her eyes. Daniel had been so wrapped up in himself he hadn't really stopped to think of how Vala's death had affected the others. Daniel mentally kicked himself and hugged Sam. Sam and Vala had grown to be best friends. It was nice that Sam had another close female friend after Janet died. Even Sam couldn't resist Vala's certain kind of charm. Jack had, of course, loved Vala from the beginning. Anyone that could torture Daniel as well as Jack had was a-ok in Jack's book. The two of them often ganged up on the poor archaeologist. Lord only knows how General Hammond would have dealt with the space pirate if he had ever met her. Vala made Jack look like a perfect angel sometimes. Sam backed out of the hug first, gave Daniel a kiss on the cheek and closed the door behind the door shut a small cry emanated from the nurses at the end of the hall. Daniel sighed and headed in to the nursery.
"Hey baby girl," Daniel cooed in his softest voice. He picked up the squirming child that seemed to have wiggled her way out of the blanket that had previously swaddled her. He settled in to the rocking chair that Vala had found at a garage sale that summer. He held Nyssa against his chest shushing and rocking in the chair with her. Before long Nyssa settled down and fell asleep against his chest. Daniel swore he was only going to close his eyes for a second but soon he, too, was fast asleep.