Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Normal Routine
Jack was sitting on the couch with Johnny and Greer while Zale and Zada were speaking with their tutors. Zale's was Andrew something, Jack couldn't remember and Zada's helper was Michelle. The one helping the twins was Sally. All of them were retesting the kids' levels again and even after only a week, Jack knew from the disbelieving expressions that they were doing much better than McAdams and his lackeys had ever imagined. Daniel would be thrilled to hear when he got home.
Greer was doing well; his reading was improving with time. Johnny was curled up next to Jack and he couldn't get over the fact that Jack could hear Johnny speaking in his mind, reading along with the book set on Jack's lap.
Jack loved getting that call from Daniel to tell him that Tyan was there to pick him up to take him to the cafeteria, then hanging up on Daniel was the most fun Jack had had with Daniel in a while. Tyan, Hammond and Janet not to mention anyone else he could get in on this venture were going to do everything in their power to make sure Daniel was fed every day and getting kicked out of the mountain in a timely fashion. Jack was hoping it wouldn't continue to be a problem but Jack would do what he must to make sure Daniel wasn't alone.
He heard the door open and all the children without waiting for word from their teachers ran to the door to greet him as Daniel called out, "I'm home!"
"Daddy," came squeals from the girls. Jack released Johnny who raced to his smiling daddy. Jack watched as Daniel lifted each girl to kiss and hug her before he slipped Johnny against his hip. Jack was married to the most wonderful man, but in these daddy moments Jack could see the true beauty in him. Daniel stooped on his way to hug Zale and Zada who were speaking of all the tests they took today and how they were doing.
"Are you done with your tests for the day?" Daniel asked.
"No," they chorused so Daniel pointed and off they went with nods, giggles and waves. Daniel walked Johnny back to the couch, slipping the little boy into his lap as he sat down next to Jack.
"Hey Danny, how was your first day back?" Jack asked, leaning over to kiss Daniel on the lips.
He snorted in reply, "As if you don't know. I'm sure you have a link to the cameras in the mountain, not to mention calls to Hammond and Tyan."
Jack grinned, Daniel sounded annoyed but at the same time, his light blue eyes were shinning with love. "I only called Tyan once about lunch, I didn't call Hammond at all today. I have been here reading with our son and hanging out with the kids while they show McAdams and his people not to underestimate a Jackson."
Daniel chuckled, "I'm sure you are going to call Hammond tomorrow."
Jack just waited.
"Wait, what about the kids?" Daniel asked.
Jack grinned, "They have earned another grade and have started working on the next. Much of what you and the Vannas people taught them has come in handy."
Daniel grinned, "Like you say, never underestimate a Jackson." With that he winked at Jack and leaned close to kiss him quickly before he turned his attention to Johnny as their youngest started reading in their minds. Jack grabbed another book in placed it in front of Greer. They only had a little while longer before the tutors would leave and dinner would be after that. First though they would all have some time to enjoy being kids, something that Jack and Daniel worked very hard for.
"Well we are done for the day, see you tomorrow Mr. O'Neill." Andrew something said as he closed up his books and packed them away. The others moved to follow and Jack stood to walk them to the door. Daniel helped everyone to put away their schoolbooks and notebooks in the newly minted bookcase in the living room that held trays and such with each child's name on it. It was Daniel's idea to keep each one on track with their path and as they successfully moved from test to test, there was a paper trail.
Daniel's idea of course, Jack just nodded and understood that Daniel would do the best for their children as the young man had done since they first learned that Lust and Desire were pregnant with Zale and Zada so long before.
As soon as all the books and papers were put away, Daniel led all the kids in through the kitchen and out into the small backyard. Jack followed behind and enjoyed the view as Daniel chased Claire and JC around the yard while Zale sat in the newly refurbished swing set, slowly sliding his foot along the dirt with his head leaning against the bars. Jack frowned and walked across the yard even as Zada started running with her sisters. Johnny and Greer were settled on the porch with little G.I. Joe men that were a gift from someone in the SGC. Greer was speaking quietly and Johnny was nodding and Jack could feel his son talking in return, even though they weren't touching Johnny's words were strong enough to create a hum in the back of Jack's mind, Daniel's as well as they had talked about it several times since he started speaking in their minds.
Jack slipped into the second swing and rubbed a gentle hand across Zale's head and around the back of his slim neck, "What's going on Z-Man?"
"Xylander speaks to me, he confuses me sometimes."
Jack sighed, "Why haven't you put him back in his box?"
"Because he is capable of hurting people from there as well, at least this way I will more clearly know what is happening within. He is not trying to force me into hating you and Daddy, just constantly speaking in my mind, which pulls my attention away from my studies. He believes they are a waste of time and another distraction to keep me from honoring my powers and becoming the Vannas I should have been."
"Z, you are going to be an amazing man one day. There is no other choice with Daniel as your daddy, and you are going to do it without being told by some arrogant Magis in your head constantly telling you what your life should look like."
Zale nodded, "Papa, I'm afraid he will never be happy until he can force his will down upon the lives of those all around and especially of those I love."
Jack squeezed his grip around the back of Zale's neck, "We will see you through this, just like we have done everything else up to now. Why don't you push him back and go play with your sisters."
Zale shrugged but stayed where he was, since Jack was not someone to push his kids to do something they didn't want to do unless he had a reason he leaned down and kissed Zale and walked back to the porch where Johnny and Greer were still sitting.
Jack just watched them for a little while, Johnny pressing Greer's fingers into the symbol for 'G' then 'R', spelling out the boy's name in sign language, which Johnny had taken a shine to since it would give him a way to speak to people outside his family. They even had a system so Johnny would sign and speak the words into Jack or Daniel's mind but they could be interpreters.
Jack sat and talked to Johnny and Greer about school for a while and watched Daniel play before he stood up and walked back inside the house to start dinner. He started pulling food out of the fridge, everything to make a roast with vegetables and potatoes. It was one of the easiest meals to make where everyone would have enough food and Jack had spent a lot of time lately learning how to cook since Daniel was so tired sometimes when he returned him.
He was slipping the potatoes into their tinfoil jackets when the phone rang and he washed his hands quickly before reaching across the counter and turning on the phone and slipping it between his shoulder and head. "O'Neill here."
"Hey son!" Ben called over the phone line.
"Hey Pop," Jack returned excitedly. "Missing us already?"
"Well mostly Daniel and our grandkids but sure you too."
"Har har Pop, you are too funny," Jack responded sarcastically.
"I do try," Ben said. Then he fell silent and Jack frowned.
"What is it?" Jack asked apprehensively.
"Henry's hearing was today and his lawyer is insisting that if Daniel wants his accounting to be taken seriously then he should come and witness."
Jack sighed but it wasn't all that surprising. If the lawyer could call into question the witness and make him falter on the stand then maybe some of Henry's sentencing could be minimized. He waited the idea of letting Daniel back into the same room with his crazed brother but Daniel would undoubtedly want to do it. "When?" he asked.
"The trial is next Wednesday, gives you the weekend to get here and we can stay with the little ones when you have to go in."
"Thanks for the heads up Pop, I will talk to Daniel about it tonight when the kids are in bed."
"Sorry to deliver rotten news but this lawyer seemed the type to leave it to the last moment and not give you a chance to get here."
"Slippery snake," Jack hissed then with a sigh, "Do you want to talk to Danny or the kids?"
Ben chuckled, "Of course I do, you're lucky I talked to you this long."
"That's my husband, go find your own," Jack grumbled good naturedly.
"I don't have to, he's my boy too now."
Jack laughed, "I love you Pop."
"Love you too Jackie, now go find me my Danny."
Jack walked towards the back door even as he replied, "My Danny."
"What Jack?" Daniel asked while Ben was chortling on the other end of the line.
"Pop wants to talk to you and the kids," Jack responded and enjoyed watching Daniel scrabble to his feet and race across the yard to grab the phone, pausing to give Jack a kiss before he slipped the phone to his ear.
"Ben—I mean hey Dad." Daniel tripped up and Jack smiled. Daniel was taking time getting used to the fact that he had Jack's family too now. Hopefully he would get used to it at some point, Jack thought as he returned to the kitchen to finish dinner.
