In less than a month, the Asgard managed to contact several of the surviving Ancients. One of them, now a young woman named Anya, agreed to be transported to Othalla in hopes of helping Alyssa. Anya and Grace were old friends. As a child, this young woman had been one of the forever young Innocent who'd taught the twins to manage their abilities. Though she'd abandoned her ascended status and her abilities years ago, Anya's knowledge of her ascended life was surprisingly intact.
THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE
"The arrival of the 'Othalla branch' of the family, as we'd started to call them, was met with great excitement that Christmas Eve," Sam recalled. "Joyous greetings complete with warm hugs and kisses were the order of the day. Jack was the most excited, and relieved, of all. Though he'd never have admitted it, my dear husband worried he might die before 'his girls' arrived. He wanted so much to be able to see them both one more time, to say goodbye…"
While Grace hugged Sam warmly, Alyssa immediately made her way to her grandfather. Once in front of Jack, who of necessity remained seated in his chair, the young girl got down on her knees and threw her arms around Jack's neck. He returned the gesture, holding her to himself as closely as possible given the awkward position.
"I love you, Papa," Alyssa said softly, unnoticed by the others who were caught up in their own greetings.
Soon her aunt and uncles were coming over to greet Alyssa and she briefly left her position by her grandpa's side. Grace and Sam walked over arm in arm, while in the background, Anya stood quietly by Jake's side, a soft smile gracing her lips and her hand entwined discretely with his. Alyssa embraced a tearful Sam while Thor approached Jack, taking in his weakened state with an expression akin to sadness.
"O'Neill, I am glad you are still with us," Thor began. "I feared we would arrive too late to greet you."
"As always, little buddy, your timing is impeccable," Jack answered, his tone strained and his breathing a bit labored. "Glad to see you too! Thanks for taking such good care of my little girls."
"I and the Asgard race are the ones in your debt, O'Neill," the Asgard leader proclaimed in a somber tone. "As you know, Alyssa is the missing link between our races. Having her with us these past few years has done much to help our scientists improve our cloning technology. I am glad her stay has also been beneficial for your family."
OoOoOo
Thor left the group shortly after his unannounced arrival. He planned to return for his three passengers "in a few days" and pledged to be available if needed in the meantime.
By then it was late afternoon. Janet, Beth, Jon and Tom had gone to the kitchen to prepare a holiday meal for the extended family, while the others visited. Alyssa accompanied her grandfather to a quiet sitting area, and closed the door. Jack marveled at the girl before him. It had been two months since they'd seen each other and it seemed she'd grown so much in that short time. As always, her bearing was that of someone beyond her years in both wisdom and knowledge. This extraordinary child was determined to have time alone with her Papa; clearly she had something to say.
"I've missed you, Papa," Alyssa began, her violet eyes twinkling as she spoke. "I wish we didn't live so far away."
"Me too, little girl," Jack said sadly. In the years since Grace and Alyssa had left for Othalla, there'd been nearly monthly visits but some were less than a day at a time. It simply wasn't enough. "How are you?" he asked tenderly.
"I'm good, Papa," the five foot tall ten-year-old said in a voice mature beyond her years. "I'm in control most times now, Papa. I've learned much about myself and about the universe."
Though she insisted all was well, Jack felt a pang of regret. His granddaughter had been forced to give up so much of her childhood because of the "gift" she'd been given by accident of birth. Her circumstance reminded him of Merrin, the little girl he'd met so long ago on another planet, a child bred to serve the needs of her people. Children should have the luxury of play and not have to worry about the problems of the world, he thought. But he knew Alyssa was different; like it or not, she'd come to accept the responsibilities of her special station.
"I'm very proud of you, Alyssa," Jack said quietly, all the while looking at her lovely face intently. "You've been very brave."
"You're very brave too, Papa," the wise child said, taking his face in her hands. She sensed the dying man's concern not only about her but for the others he would be leaving behind, especially her Nana. "And you are very worried."
Can't fool her, Jack thought. And then it started. The healing Alyssa had mastered at an early age began to flow to her Papa. It was a healing of memories and of emotions. Jack was bathed in a feeling of calm that had been missing for weeks. Though he knew his acceptance of death had been the right decision, his anxiety, particularly for Sam had been intense. Now, in the hands of this innocent child, much of that anxiety faded away.
"Thank you," he said softly, his voice choked with emotion.
Both were silent for a few moments, neither knowing exactly what to say. Finally Alyssa acknowledged her fondest wish.
"Papa, when you leave us, will you see my Daddy?" the child asked.
"I don't really know, little girl," Jack said simply. "None of us know how that works for sure."
"I think you will," Alyssa said authoritatively. "Anyway, if you do, will you tell him something for me?"
"Of course, sweetheart," Jack said tenderly, "anything."
"Tell him I'm sorry," she said, her eyes filled with tears.
In that moment there were no questions to be asked. Alyssa had never spoken to Jack of what had happened the day her father died. From tearful conversations with Grace, Jack knew his granddaughter remembered everything in great detail and had most likely come to understand her role in the tragedy. Grace had told him of terrible nightmares, where her little girl would wake up screaming for her father.
"Tell him I'm sorry for the fire," Alyssa said in a childlike voice that broke Jack's heart. "I didn't know that would happen. I miss him so much."
As best he could, Jack gathered the child into his arms, wishing for the incredible gift of healing she'd bestowed on him.
"Alyssa," he whispered in her ear. "Your daddy knows all that's in your heart. He loved you and so do I."
"But you'll tell him," she protested softly.
"Yes, Alyssa, I'll tell him," he said.
"I'm going to miss you too, Papa."
OoOoOo
Meanwhile, Sam had walked Grace upstairs to the remaining bedroom where she and Alyssa would be sleeping.
"I'm so glad you're here Grace."
"Me too, Mom," the now middle-aged woman replied in as light a tone as she could muster. "I'm afraid I was pestering Thor to speed it up all the way here." Then sitting next to her mother and taking her slightly chilled hand in her less winkled, warmer ones, Grace asked, "Dad's nearly ready, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is," Sam said simply. "I don't think it will be long now. Janet thinks he's been waiting for you and Alyssa." In spite of her best intentions, Sam's eyes swam with unshed tears as she verbalized what she knew to be true: Jack's time with them was almost up.
Grace's eyes soon matched her mother's, the early stages of grief descending upon her and awakening the loss she'd suffered a short five years earlier. Right now she regretted having run from her family after Paul's death. How was she ever going to encourage her mother to come to her for help, when she'd run from everyone.
"Mom, I have a little idea how hard it's going to be when Dad's gone. I really want to help anyway I can," she said. "I can come home for awhile, you know."
Sam smiled through the tears, reaching up to wipe the same moisture from her oldest daughter's face. "I know, Princess, I know," Sam said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "We'll talk about that when the time comes, but right now, I want you to do something for me."
"Anything, Mom," Grace answered simply.
"You understand far more than your sister and brothers, what it means to lose someone you love," Sam began. "The way I love your dad, the way you loved Paul."
Grace nodded silently, easily calling Paul's face to mind. After five years her memory of him was strong as the day he died. She wouldn't have it any other way.
Sam continued; she was intent on making herself understood. "Grace, don't let them try to stop me from grieving. You know what I mean. I'm afraid my sadness will scare them. After all, I'm a frail old woman, right? I don't want tranquillizers or anything to make me feel better. I want to be allowed to feel all the feelings that will come. I owe that to your father and to the love we shared. Do you understand?"
"I think I do, Mom," Grace replied.
OoOoOo
After supper that night, everyone gathered around the fireplace. Jack and Sam had included a modest upright piano in their furnishings for this room when they moved in full time. Though neither of them played, they knew it was something Jake enjoyed from childhood. Each time he visited, they noted with pleasure that his technique had continued to improve. Where he'd found the time to practice, they had no idea.
The family clamored for Jake to play tonight, as they always did. Most often, the man jumped at the chance to play for his favorite audience, especially at Christmastime. Tonight was a slightly different story. With an uncharacteristically timid smile, Jake told his family he had an announcement to make before any music would be had that night.
"An announcement?" Daniel questioned. "What announcement could be more important than Christmas carols tonight?"
"This announcement is more important, Uncle Daniel," Jake said in the strong professional voice that reminded them all of Jack O'Neill. "I wanted to share this news with all of you together, especially Mom and Dad," he said, walking over to his parents and motioning for Anya to join him. "Mom, Dad, I've asked Anya to be my wife and she's said 'yes'".
TBC
A/N: As always, waiting anxiously for your reviews!
Thanks for reading.
