Chapter Eleven: Visitation Rights
Daniel was in the middle of teaching the kids some translations and starting to work in Aramaic when there was a knock at the door. Ben waved him off and Daniel smiled as Jack's dad walked over to door and opened it. Daniel refocused on Zale for a moment when the little boy asked for clarification then halfway through his statement he froze and stared at whomever came into the house. Daniel frowned, taking his son's hand before he turned to see Lust and Desire walking in through the door, surprised at the biological mothers of their children walked in. Lust smiled at Daniel and looked around the room, looking at Janet and Claire, then moved along to Johnny who was sitting on the couch with Greer. Zada and Zale were both staring at the two women in shock and trepidation. Daniel stood and watched as Jack peaked in from the kitchen at the sudden silence, speaking as he was drying his hands, "Who was at the door?" then he looked up and frowned, "Okay," he said drawing out the sound of the two syllables.
"We do not mean to intrude but we wished to see the fruit of our loins," Lust stated and Jack coughed at her wording.
"Okay then," Jack said loudly and looked at all the children who took their cues from their Papa incredibly well, "Why don't you guys go play in the backyard for a little while. We need to speak to our lady friends."
Zale and Zada hugged Daniel a little desperately and Johnny did as well when he walked past Daniel. He was concerned about their responses but didn't understand it so he stood from the desk and joined Jack as the retired soldier pulled himself to his 'general' pose, as Daniel liked to think of it. It was that moment when Jack was a warrior and it was clear for everyone with eyes.
"What are you doing here? We haven't seen you for something like six years, not even when the twins and Johnny turned one. What the hell are you doing here now? You know its confusing for them," Jack said and Daniel couldn't help but agree with the forthright attitude since these women had never really been interested in being a part of the children's lives. All they had ever wanted was to give them away.
Desire stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lust as Ben moved to sit down at the far desk so he wasn't in the middle of what was happening as well as he could keep an ear out for the children who were playing in the yard. As the weather was constantly warm during the day, Jack and Daniel rarely closed the back door especially if the children were out there, especially after the kidnapping. "We are here to see the children we helped to create, you have always wanted us to be a part of their lives."
"But you didn't want to be," Daniel returned evenly, "And what's worse is they know that. Didn't you see how freaked they were when you walked in? Don't you care about what this does to them?"
"Do you know what it does to them to never know their mothers?" Lust spoke out, "They are missing a crucial part of who they are, you would be doing them a disservice to deny them that."
"No we were denying them the knowledge that despite the fact that you helped to create them, you had no intention of knowing them. Daniel and I were very open about having them know you but you decided against it. What's worse, because of the magical connection you share with them through carrying them, they already knew. Coming here now will only confuse them," Jack said sternly.
Daniel wanted to run to the backyard and hug his children, they hadn't heard much about it in recent years but when Zale and Zada were around five they had a lot of problems emotionally because they could feel the connection they should have had with their mothers but because Lust and Desire never reached out across the bond, it never solidified. Akina at the time had assured them that with time the kids would not even notice the women's absence and the bond would fade from not using it and it did. Now the women were back to poke at the closed wound, forcing it open once more.
"You cannot deny us the right to them," Desire hissed, tossing her dark and lustrous hair, which she shared with her elder offspring. It hurt Daniel's heart to see the resemblance, unlike Johnny and the girls, Zada and Zale had always taken on their biological mothers' features and coloring. Zada was going to look and sound a lot like this woman as she grew up into adulthood.
Jack stepped forward; putting himself slightly in front of Daniel in that protective stance he can't help but adopt when he feels his family is being threatened. Daniel didn't correct him because it was just who Jack was and Daniel respected that about his husband. "Actually we can, please go. We need to discuss this with our children before you are allowed to have time with them, this has to be their choice not yours or ours."
Desire huffed and took a step forward but Lust pulled her sister back and they walked out of the house and all three men took a deep breath and Daniel couldn't help but rush to the other side of the house and walk out into the backyard and counted heads, pleased to find all his children and Greer still running around. He looked over as Teal'c stood guard at the edge of the fence and Daniel realized he could hear the Jaffa's children as well. Daniel smiled and spoke, "Keep an eye on them please?" he requested and Teal'c bowed his head in affirmative.
Daniel nodded and returned to the living room where Jack was pacing angrily and Ben was watching his son in concern. Ben was sitting on the couch, his head going back and forth as Jack walked from one end of the living room to the other then turned back to repeat once more. Daniel walked over and put himself in Jack's path and the retired soldier stopped dead so he wouldn't hit Daniel. The Scientist reached out and pressed his hand into the side of Jack's neck and waited for Jack's shimmering gaze to connect with his then he moved forward and kissed Jack gently.
"It's okay Jack, the kids are here with us and we are not going to let that change no matter what the girls say."
"How do you know that Daniel? We don't know if there is a way for them to claim the kids in the magical birthright kind of thing. We don't know what the hell could happen."
"Do you really imagine Akina would allow them to take the children from us?" Daniel asked, chiding Jack gently with his tone. Akina had always been one of their biggest supporters, not to mention their protectors.
Jack shrugged and leaned down to press his forehead into Daniel's temple and they hugged desperately, "This is what Johnny saw, its happening and who knows if we can stop it."
Daniel tutted and pulled away to frown at Jack, "What the hell is this talk O'Neill, you are the tough-as-nails, scares all the cadets Jack O'Neill and you are the greatest Papa ever, so knock off the defeatist talk, do you hear me?"
Jack smirked, a welcome sight to Daniel, "Yes dear," Jack responded gently.
Daniel chuckled and they could hear a sniffle coming from the couch and they both turned to Ben who was wiping away what could be imaginary tears as the older man was smirking as well.
"What's so funny old man?" Jack demanded.
"You guys are good men, good parents and good partners. I miss that but I am glad to see it here."
Daniel smiled a little, kissed Jack and then watched as his spouse walked out back and brought the kids back inside. Johnny was holding Greer's hand gently and Daniel smiled at his son, despite the screaming and terror the premonition caused a couple nights ago, Greer had not broken his word and slept with Johnny so they were a little clingy during the day but both Jack and Daniel were so happy their son was getting some distance and time with just his family that they weren't going to push for at least a couple days. Janet and Claire immediately rushed over to the couch and climbed up to sit next to Grandpapa, carting a book for him to read. Daniel didn't think this decision had to start with the girls so Daniel led Jack, Zada and Zale into his office and shut the door gently. He leaned against the door as Jack scrubbed a hand through his hair, looking tired and drawn all of a sudden while the twins settled on the small couch that was always in Daniel's office, there was also a small basket of toys for those times when one of the kids needed a little quiet time and they had always been welcome in Daniel's office to find the peace they required.
"What were they doing here Papa?" Zale asked quickly, wrapping his hand around Zada's while she was still looking at her hands and not looking at Daniel or Jack.
"They came here to see you, to get to know you apparently."
Zale shook his head, "They did not want us or love us. They destroyed the bond we once had and now they want to be a part of our lives!" Their little boy was probably as pissed as Jack was about this, Daniel realized quickly.
"Z girl?" Daniel asked his daughter gently.
"I do not want them here Daddy, you do not know the pain it caused when the bond starved and snapped, I do not want them here either. They did not care of our pain before, why should they now after all this time?"
Daniel moved over to sit next to her, tugging her close and pressing her face into his neck, "I know baby. It's okay baby, Papa and I are always going to be your parents, we love you and would never give you to someone that could harm you, even emotional harm."
Zada nodded into his neck and Daniel could feel when the couch dipped on the other side when Jack sat down and he curled around Zale's little body. Both of the children took in shuddering breaths, letting go of the free and Daniel knew that they were going to do whatever necessary to figure this out. If Lust and Desire's mere presence was going to hurt and confuse the children then they didn't need to be there.
With that decided, the four Jackson-O'Neill clan members just stayed in the office for a few more minutes then they rejoined the others, to discuss what had happened with Lust and Desire since the twins and Johnny didn't seem to know what the women were to them.
