A/N: This is a full-length chronological version of the Claire storyline from my Songfic compilation. It includes additional scenes that aren't in the original. Enjoy!
Namaste,
Sunny
"She knows that she is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will never be another child like her."
Claire
Chapter 3
A Heart to Call Home
Keras nodded, the gong sounded, and the very wind seemed to hold its breath. Rodney and Jennifer stepped into the rings as instructed holding their hands out in front of them palms up.
"Please repeat these words. These are the hands that will passionately love and cherish you… through the years, for a lifetime of happiness… These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes… tears of sorrow, and tears of joy… These are the hands that will comfort you in illness… and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind… These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times… These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams… With every beat of my heart, everything we wish for can be realized."
As they repeated the words, Rodney and Jennifer walked the paths that ran from the separate circles to the larger one in front of Keras so that by the time they'd repeated the final sentence, they were standing side by side.
"Jennifer and Rodney have brought from their world the tradition of exchanging rings." Keras held them up for all to see. "These rings will be worn by them for the rest of their lives to express the love that they have for one another." He waited while they slipped the rings onto each other's left hands. "These rings mark the beginning of a long journey together. Wear them proudly, for they are symbols which speak of the love that you have for each other.
"And so now, inasmuch as Rodney and Jennifer have announced the truths that are already written in their hearts, and have witnessed the same in the presence of their family and friends, we observe joyfully that you are now joined for life."
Jennifer leaned forward to whisper a few words to Keras. The young man smiled and nodded. "There is another tradition the newly joined couple wish to include. I have been asked to say these words: You may now kiss the bride."
As Rodney and Jennifer sealed their union with a kiss, the gong was struck seven times. The last note had just faded away when the joyful setting was pierced by the shrill cry of a newborn.
~~O~~
The baby continued to cry, and that could only be a good thing as far as Rodney was concerned. Crying meant breathing, and breathing meant she was alive. Taking Jennifer's hand, they ran to Arianne's home. He held the curtain out of the way, and followed Jennifer into the shack.
The cries tapered off as Amanda carefully checked the baby over. Behind the curtain, they could see Carson, Marie, and Juan moving around trying to save Arianne, though they all knew it was futile.
The beeping of the heart monitor slowed then stopped, becoming a steady drone. The defibrillator whined through the start-up, there was a thunk, and Rodney saw the shadow of Arianne's body twitch. Carson made the attempt several more times. With a tired and sad voice he asked Juan, "Time?"
"Fifteen oh two, doc."
The steady tone of the vital signs monitor shut off just as Jennifer fell into Rodney's embrace, her hands clutching the back of his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her as she wept on his shoulder. The need to comfort her kept him from doing the same.
"Jennifer?"
Amanda's voice cut through the sorrow, and Jennifer lifted her head, turning to see the small body nestled within the clear sides of the incubator. "Is she…"
Smiling, Amanda motioned them closer. "The baby's fine. It's only a precaution. We'll give her a full going over when we return to Atlantis. I'm sure she'll only need to be in it for a few days at most then you can take her home."
Leaning down to look at their child, Rodney placed a hand on the side. "Can we touch her?"
"Of course. But you need to scrub first." When Rodney and Jennifer were ready, the doctor showed him how to open the portal. He eased his hand inside, but the physicist was hesitant so Amanda was quick to reassure him. "It's okay, Rodney."
On the opposite side, Jennifer had already begun to stroke a finger lightly down the smooth cheek of their child while she drank down the formula from the small bottle held in her mother's other hand. Though eating well, she was restless until Rodney slipped his forefinger under her nearest hand. The tiny fingers curled around it, and the agitation immediately stopped. In that second, he knew that he'd do anything within his power to keep her safe. She also deserved to have her birth mother here with her. And so, the man who had claimed on numerous occasions not to believe in God prayed.
If You have to take someone, please spare Arianne, and take my life instead.
He waited, but nothing happened. His mother had once told him that God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is no. Accepting that it was so in this case, he reached his free hand through the second portal to touch Jennifer's hand.
Keras and the elders came into the shack then. "This is truly a day of happiness and sorrow. The funeral of Arianne will be performed at sunset then you will take your child home and begin your life together as a family."
Three Years, Less Two Days Later
"Unca John!" Claire ran to John, a bright smile dumpling her chubby cheeks.
John set the box he was carrying on the coffee table and lifted her into the air swinging her around in a circle before holding her close. "Hey, kiddo!"
She wrapped her arms around his neck hanging on and giggling. "Unca John, its almos' my birffday!"
"I know! It's my birthday too." He set her on the floor then squatted in front of her. "And you know what else?"
"What?"
The excitement in her voice made him grin. "I got you an extra special present for your big number three."
"A pwesent?"
"John." Jennifer's voice held a warning. "I don't think…" Before she could finish speaking, John handed Claire a box wrapped in pink and purple paper with cats all over it. Her favorites.
She ripped the paper off, and John helped her open the box. The clothing nestled inside was made of black fabric with pockets over the chest. Pulling it out, she held it up showing it to be a child's size duplicate of the same black uniform shirt worn by all the staff when on offworld missions. An American flag patch graced the left arm, the standard Atlantis patch, in use for nearly ten years, on the right. A black t-shirt and pants completed the outfit. Underneath was a bright pink fanny pack.
When Claire saw what it was, she squealed. "Now I gots a 'form too n' c'n go wid Daddy on missions n' to the ZedPM room." She fingered the American flag. "Dis is Mommy's flag, but where's Daddy's?"
"Right here, kiddo." John wiggled his large fingers into one of the shirt pockets and pulled out a Canadian flag patch. "Wear that one the next time you ask Daddy to take you on a mission."
Reaching out, she touched John's wristband. "C'n I wear one o' dese too"
"I have a bunch at home. You can have this one." He slid the stretchy material over her right hand. It was a little loose, but that could easily be fixed with a needle and thread. "There. Now you're all set."
"Uh, John." Jennifer had been mostly quiet since John had arrived, but now it was time to intervene before the fact. Motioning him close and lowering her voice, she told him what he already knew. "Rodney is not going to be happy."
"Then he shouldn't have told the kid the reason she couldn't go on 'missions' was because she didn't have a uniform." John crossed his arms and grinned proudly. "Now he has to live with the consequences of lying to my godchild." He felt a small hand tugging on the leg of his pants.
"Unca John?" She gestured for him to come down to her level then she again gave him a hug. "Dis is da bestest pwesent ever! I wuv you."
John hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. "You too, kid!"
~~O~~
"And I have to go why?"
Radek was so used to Rodney's snarking it didn't faze him. He pushed his glasses up his nose and continued working. "Because it is your turn. You should not be complaining as the rotating schedule was your idea."
"I know, but I didn't think it would be my turn again so soon." Rodney glared at the Czech with suspicion. "You didn't change the schedule so you wouldn't have to go, did you?"
"Of course not. Though I cannot speak for others." A snort forced him to look at his friend and colleague. "Face it, Rodney. You will be going to 677 tomorrow with your daughter and Major Horvan's team to maintain the shield emitters."
Rodney's stiff posture relaxed slightly. "You're right. I did promise she could go with me when she got a uniform. I just thought she'd be, you know, an adult."
"I am sure that you and Claire will have a wonderful time."
Now the physicist's face softened. "I guess I should enjoy this time with her now before she turns into a teenager, and avoids me like the plague."
~~O~~
"What we doin' 'gin?"
If anyone else had asked the same question as many times as his companion had Rodney would have been up in their face with a smart remark, most likely about that person's intelligence or lack of same. But he had worked very hard not to say a cross or sarcastic word to his daughter though it didn't always work. All of three years old today, she'd begged to join him on the quarterly maintenance of the shield emitters on her birth planet, and for once he agreed. He didn't really have a choice now that she had her own uniform, courtesy of her Uncle John. But he would be careful of which missions he took her on. This one was relatively safe. He glanced over his shoulder noting that the squad sent with him maintained a discreet distance. "Checking that everything works the way it should."
"Why di'n't Unca John 'n Unca Ronon come wid us?"
"Because they're busy." Keeping his pace slow so Claire could keep up, Rodney looked down at her. She'd insisted on helping carry his equipment so he'd given her his canteen. He'd shoved several power bars and pieces of fruit into the fanny pack that John had brought her from Earth his last trip home. All blond pig-tails, bright pink fanny pack, and both arms wrapped around the canteen as if it was the most important part of their gear, she looked up at him with the adoring eyes of a daughter. The picture she made sent flutters through his heart and stomach.
"Doin' what?"
She really was an inquisitive child and it made him proud that she was so much like him yet like her mother as well. Smart, funny, and full of laughter and kindness, and not afraid to speak her mind. Again like her dad. "They're, uh, oh, we're here. Let's get to work so we can get home. Mommy has to work late so it's you and me for dinner tonight." He couldn't tell her they'd stayed behind to decorate for her birthday party.
"Coo'." Claire gave him a lopsided grin with one eyebrow lifted. Now Rodney did roll his eyes because she looked just like John when she did that. Without meaning to, he began walking faster in order to traverse the remaining distance more quickly.
"Daddy!" Her tone was scolding… like her mother. "Don't you walk so fast!"
"Sorry, honey."
Arriving at what remained of the Ancient facility, he slung his cases to the ground next to the pillar that housed the ZedPM. He entered the code that would allow him access to the circuitry without disturbing the field surrounding the villages. "Daddy…"
"Hmmm…" Rodney sounded distracted, but he always kept an eye and an ear on her.
"How long zit gonna take t' fix the 'mitters?"
"Not sure, but I need to concentrate so can you be quiet for a few minutes?"
"'Kay." That lasted all of a minute and a half then she was tugging on the back of his jacket. "Daddy?"
"Hmm?"
She tugged harder. "Daddy!"
Rodney pulled his attention from his work, focusing on Claire with his back to the ZedPM console. "What, sweetie?"
She pointed her tiny finger. "Red means bad, right?"
He looked where she was pointing. The light blinked faster and faster until it became a steady glow then it began to buzz. There wasn't time to shut down that particular circuit before it blew so he scooped Claire up, and ran behind what was left of a stone wall a short distance away using his body to protect her from the debris caused by the explosion.
When the smoke cleared, they both peeked over the top of the wall then glanced at each other. She stood when he did following him back to stare at the fried panel. With a sigh, he opened the larger of his two cases, pulling out everything he'd need to complete the repairs. If he didn't hurry, they'd be late to her birthday party.
"Zit gonna take a long time t' fix it?"
Rodney pried the front panel off and set it aside, waving away the last few wisps of smoke. "A while. Did you bring something to play with?'
"Nope. I comed so's I c'n watch you work. Mommy says you c'n do mir'cles."
Chuckling, Rodney pulled out several crystals to replace the fried ones. "Mommy exaggerates. Uh, that means…"
The small girl huffed, her hands going to her waist and a glare sparking in her eyes. "I know what 'zagg'rates means. I'm a McKay!"
Her expression was so serious Rodney couldn't help chuckling again. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "You most certainly are!"
Slender arms wrapped around his neck squeezing tight until he set her back on her feet. "Wuv you, Daddy."
"Love you too, Claire."
More Than Two Years Later
"In bed no later than 1930. Got it. And you'll be back around 2300." John stood inside the McKay quarters holding their five-year old daughter, his niece and godchild. Rodney and Jennifer kissed the little girl good night, and the door closed behind them. "It's just you and me now, kiddo. What d'you wanna do?"
"C'n we play dolls again?"
He resisted rolling his eyes at her question, and didn't bother to correct her. He'd told her on several occasions that they were action figures, but she insisted on calling them dolls. "Sorry. Didn't bring mine."
"Call Aunt 'Manda and have her bring dem."
The smile John had been wearing slid away as he put the girl on the floor and followed her into her bedroom. "That's a great idea, but your aunt, well, she's not speaking to me right now."
"Why?"
He rubbed the back of his head. "It's complicated. That means…"
"I'm a McKay. I know what com-i-cated means."
The diminutive curly-haired blonde frowned, looking and sounding so much like her father John wanted to scream. But he didn't because he was an adult tasked with the care of a small child. And besides, it wouldn't be dignified. In the far corner of her room sat a small table with four chairs in pink and purple. "Since you f'got your dolls, we're havin' a tea party instead."
"Cool."
She carried the plastic teapot into the bathroom and he was relieved to hear the water running in the sink. While she did that, John went to the kitchen and snagged a package of cookies from Rodney's stash. He set them on the table so his little hostess could serve, which she did with the grace of a duchess entertaining royalty, and he played the part making sure his pinky was fully extended just as hers was.
A few minutes later, they were munching on chocolate chip cookies and drinking "tea" from tiny pink cups. They talked about her friend, Torren, how much she wanted a cat, and how much she loved Mr. Niggles, the teddy bear John had given her for her last birthday. She was born on June fourteenth, which just happened to be his birthday. He told her that meant they had a special bond and that they'd always be friends, no matter what. It was the truth. There was just something about this little girl that got to him in a way he couldn't describe, especially when she looked up at him and smiled. Every time, without fail, his heart did a little flip.
~~O~~
At exactly 1930, John tucked his charge into bed, pulling the covers up to her chest, making sure Mr. Niggles was covered as well. "What story should I read tonight?"
Claire's big blue eyes watched him move around the room. "C'n we just talk for a while?"
"Sure." John dragged the rocker over next to the bed. "What's up?"
"Unca John, do you love me?"
The question hit John from out in left field. "Of course. Why do you ask?"
"'Cause when I say it you never say it back. You always say, 'you too, kid'." She did a passable imitation of his much deeper voice.
Thinking back, he realized it was true. Not once had he told this beautiful child he loved her. And he did, more than he thought he could ever love anyone. "Sorry, kiddo. I'll try to do better, okay?"
"'Kay." She hugged the teddy bear to her and he could see that she wasn't done with this particular subject. "Do you love 'Manda?"
Before he could stop himself, John answered the guileless question honestly. "Yes."
"Did ya tell her?" His silence spoke for him. "You should tell her, 'n then she wouldn't be mad at ya no more."
"You have a point." Pushing out of the rocker, he kissed her on the forehead. "'Night." He'd almost made it to the door when she asked another out-of-the-blue question.
"Unca John, will you marry me someday?"
John might have laughed if it hadn't been for the serious expression in the bright blue eyes. He gave her a wink. "You bet. Now go to sleep."
~~O~~
Out in the living room, John thought about what Rodney and Jennifer's daughter had said about his relationship with his wife, Amanda. She was right about everything. Taking the headset from his pocket, he hooked it over his ear. "Sheppard to Cole."
"Go ahead."
"I'm at McKay's. Can you come by, just for a minute?"
There was a long silence on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh. "Be right there."
John paced in front of the door almost jumping when the chime rang. He touched the sensor. The door opened, and the sight of Amanda momentarily took his breath away. When he didn't immediately speak, she crossed her arms, tapping one foot. "I, uh, I love you. Just thought you should know."
Her eyes widened, and her arms dropped to her sides. "Why are you telling me this now?"
John glanced over his shoulder thinking about what Claire had just said. If he wanted this marriage to continue, and not end in divorce like his first one, he had to open up a little more. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done, or he'd lose one of the best things in his life. "I need you. For what you do for me, and for who you are."
"Oh?"
She sounded intrigued. Good. "It's the things you've brought into my life. Softness, beauty, the ability to see beauty in places where there's so much harshness and death. Warmth when it's cold. Kindness in the face of apathy or indifference. But most of all, you've brought love when I thought I'd never be able to find or feel it again."
Amanda was so shocked, she didn't say anything so he leaned down to kiss her. When he stepped back, she continued to stare as the door closed between them.
~~O~~
Settling on the couch, John booted up his laptop taking the opportunity to catch up on some paperwork, only to be interrupted a few minutes later by the sound of small feet padding into the bathroom. "Get back in bed, kiddo. It's late and your parents will have a fit if you're still up when they get home."
"I f'got ta brush my teeth. An' I need a drink."
"No. You can't have a drink or you'll be up all night." The footsteps came down the hall and there she stood in the doorway, hands on hips, and that scowl again. "Fine. Then go… back… to bed."
"'Kay." But she was back again in a few minutes. "Unca John, c'n I sit in your lap a while?"
"You promise to go to sleep?" She smiled and nodded, the blonde curls bouncing. Pushing off the sofa, he took her hand and walked back to her room.
~~O~~
Rodney and Jennifer entered their quarters to find the living room empty. They tiptoed down the hall and into their daughter's bedroom. John sat in the rocking chair with the girl on his lap clutching her teddy bear, both of them sound asleep.
Jennifer took the blanket from the bed to cover her child, and John. Brushing a finger down the girl's soft cheek, she smiled fondly. "Oh, Claire. What have you done to your Uncle John?"
She joined her husband at the door, turning for one last look before taking Rodney's hand and heading to bed.
A Few Weeks Later
Sitting at their usual table, Rodney and Jennifer kept their eyes on their plates because John and Amanda were sitting at the table behind them acting like newlyweds. They'd never seen this behavior from the couple. Not even when they'd been first married, at least not in public. It was more than a little disturbing. Their heads together, John and his wife were laughing and talking softly. Every few minutes the talking would stop, replaced by kissing.
Finally, Rodney could take no more. He turned and tapped John on the shoulder. "Get a room, you two."
Amanda glanced at the physicist then back at John, her lips turned up in a smirk. "Have one, but we gotta get out once in a while."
"Yeah about that. When did this…" Rodney waved a hand, "…start?"
"Jealous?" John smirked as well.
"No. I just don't think where people are eating is the place to be doing… that."
John spared Rodney a quick glance before turning back to his wife. "You know, that kid of yours is smarter than you are."
"Of course she is! She's a McK… Wait! What did she do?"
His question wasn't answered because John had leaned close to Amanda, his mouth next to her ear. "I think we should have a kid or two of our own."
Rodney just stared as he took a bite of his biscuit then choked when Amanda said, "We already are. Well, one at least."
John had just taken a drink of iced tea, and did a spit-take at her announcement. Amanda slapped him on the back a few times until he got himself under control enough to shoot a glare at Rodney's next remark.
"Oh great! Another you running lose in the galaxy. How will we ever survive?"
TBC
A/N: The wedding ceremony in this chapter was taken in part from a hand binding ceremony found on the Internet with changes made by the author to fit the culture of M7G-677.
