Chapter Forty-Four
Since They've Been Home
Months had gone by. Jayden was exceeding his grade level. Jayden loved the seasons and the change of leaves and the world. When Christmas finally came around, he saw the snow for the first time. The first snow, Cameron, Katelyn, and Jayden went and made snow angels, snowmen, and had a snowball fight. Jayden absolutely loved everything about winter.
When Christmas was only days away, they went to Jack's house and decorated since that was where they were going to spend the Christmas holidays. Jayden enjoyed all the decorations and had a blast putting ornaments on the tree. When the whole tree was finished and the star was the only thing left, Cameron lifted him to the top where Jayden put it on completing the decorations.
On Christmas Eve afternoon, Katelyn and Cameron drove to Jack's house where the rest would be meeting them. They knocked on the door. Sam answered. "Auntie Sam." Jayden said hugging her. "Hey there Keiki, Merry Christmas." She said. "Merry Christmas." He replied running in the house. Katelyn and Cameron kissed Sam on the cheek and walked inside to find Jack. "Jack." Katelyn said smiling. "Hey Katelyn." He said kissing her cheek as well as giving her a hug. "Sir." Cameron said to him and General Hammond when he walked in. "General." Katelyn said not having seen General Hammond since the barbeque the summer before. "Hello Katelyn." He said. General Landry came over next and the same greetings followed.
After that, Daniel and Vala walked through the door and soon after Teal'c. Everyone who was going to be there for Christmas Eve was there. They played Christmas carols and drank eggnog. They also played Charades. It may have been from the beer, but after charades, Jack began a speech. "I owe everything to the SGC. I had a good life before the SGC, but I didn't know life could be as great as it has been the last ten years. You know after Charlie died, I was pretty lost and depressed. I didn't know what I was going to do. Then General West called for me for one last mission before retirement. When they told me I was going to another planet, I thought they were crazy. That's when I met this guy," Jack told grabbing Daniel's shoulder. "I didn't like him at first. He sneezed too much, he was nerdy, and he was a scientist. I have a thing with scientists, but we made a pretty good team there on Abydos. I left Daniel there and never thought I was going to see him again. After I got home I retired, I thought for good. It was going good, and then a year later General Hammond here called me out of it. Once again the planet was being threatened. I never thought about going back through that gate. I thought it was going to be a one time thing, but boy was I wrong." Everyone smiled slightly knowing the story.
"That would be where I met the beautiful Captain Carter. She was also a scientist. We didn't get along the greatest at first, but we got on better terms. We were sent to get Daniel back. That launched our epic battle against the universe that lasted for years. I've gone through that gate too many times to count in these ten years and I didn't think I was going to go ever again after that first trip." He smiled at Sam and held her in a side hug.
"We met Teal'c in our quest to find Daniel's wife. We all owe him our lives. He saved us from that prison. It's been a long struggle trying to let everyone know that he's a friend. A few years later, Dr. Warner over here comes and joins our little team. She was a great addition. Although these years have been the best of my life, they have also been some of the hardest. When Daniel died, no one knew what to do, what we were going to do, but with all death we had to move on, no matter how hard it was." Everyone was quiet for a moment remembering that time.
"That's when Jonas joined our planet exploring team, he made Daniel's death a little easier to handle, although he was by no means a replacement. Soon, though, Daniel made his way home, as he always does. I know it was not an easy route, for anyone, but home he was to stay. We were hit by a massive heartache again when our dearest Janet was taken from us. We knew she was not coming home. It was a deep pain that hit so many, but she will always be remembered. About a year later things began changing and it was a very emotional time for everyone. General Hammond was no longer commander and we didn't think we'd stop Anubis from destroying us, but as we always had before, we prevailed. It was probably just luck, but luck seems to be on our side. Hopefully it will be here to stay." Some of the things Jack was talking about were hard to think about, but everyone felt it needed to be said.
"When I became commander of the SGC, a job I never wanted, I didn't know what to think. I was kind of sad I wouldn't be going to missions with my former team. Going to other planets was definitely some of my best memories. In another year I wasn't really apart of the SGC anymore. I was gone and SG-1 was disbanding. It took a great leader to bring them back together. Colonel Mitchell brought the greatest team back together, stole the heart of Katelyn, and kept it going. And then there was Vala. No one trusted her in the beginning, but she proved herself and her knowledge from her previous life has helped us." Everyone laughed for a quick moment. "Then we've got Jayden. He was a gift from God, or whoever we have up there. We have all grown from his presence. I've learned a lot in my time. I've found my family and I love you all so much. I've gained lifelong friends and I've done things and seen things I wouldn't change for the world. Everything we've been through together has only made us stronger. Even through all the pain and all the happiness, we've always prevailed. I owe a lot to the SGC. It gave me a family again, it gave me the time of my life, and it gave me a chance to fall in love again." Jack went on giving a loving look to Sam. "I would not be the same person without all that has happened. I would not be the same person if it wasn't for all you guys. I am thankful for that and things have never been better than they are right now."
That ended Jack's speech, but it did get everyone thinking of their time at the SGC and all that it had given them. They all knew they paid a price for this life, but it was well worth it. They finally all sat down to eat dinner. Before they ate, General Landry lifted his glass. Everyone followed. "This night is to the job we've all worked so hard at." He said thinking of their emotional job. "It's to the planet we protect." Jack said afterward remembering all the times they've saved the world. "And to the worlds we've explored" Sam said knowing they've seen some incredible things. "To the knowledge we've gained." Daniel said learning so much from exploration. "To the friends that we've made." Vala chimed in knowing this was where she belonged. "It is to the bonds that hold us together." Teal'c said in a deep voice thinking nothing could pull them apart.
"And the family that's come from it." Cameron said knowing this was his family. "It's to those lost along the emotional, windy road of our lives." General Hammond stated thinking of Janet. "And to those who were found." Katelyn said looking at Daniel who had come back to her. "This night is to love, which has held us together and made us stronger." Jayden said.
Everyone knew it was love for the job, for the planet, for each other that kept them going. "To the future!" Everyone said at once holding up their glasses knowing it was the past that defined their lives and who they were. They knew it was the future that was going to decide how they spent the rest of their lives and that the future was only going to make them stronger.
Soon SG-1 began missions again and all the while Vala wanted to know whom she got together. She had guessed everyone but Daniel. Teal'c didn't say a word, however. Jayden had been the best he possibly could be, but soon it was time for Cameron and Katelyn to go back to work. A car was sent everyday after school for him to come to the SGC where he would see his family. When they were gone on a mission, Jayden would stay with General Landry or Kaycee. Jayden loved his new life on Earth. He still missed his other parents from time to time, but was eternally grateful for the way things turned out. He wouldn't change anything for the world.
Jayden and General Landry sat in the control room looking down at the empty gate room. SG-1 was about to embark on another mission. Once they walked in, Jayden smiled. "You know, your parents are some pretty great people." General Landry said. Jayden gazed down at his mom. "Yeah, they are. So are all of you though." Jayden pressed his little hand to the glass and smiled down at them. Katelyn saw him up there and smiled holding up her hand as well. Sometimes when she looked at Jayden, her heart swelled and for a minute she couldn't breathe. Love for a child is a different kind of love, unconditional and with no limitations.
Teal'c, Katelyn, Cameron, Daniel, Vala, and Sam sat in the gate room. The gate was spinning. They were waiting to go on another mission to save the world. "You know Teal'c did tell me a few things I learned from the Asgard knowledge database." Daniel said. "He did? Like what?" Vala asked. Teal'c bowed his head slightly. "Well let's see, beggars can't be choosers, better late than never, look before you leap." Daniel started. "The best things in life are free." Cameron said looking at Katelyn who smiled at him. "Let me guess, beauty is only skin deep." Vala said. Katelyn smiled. "Silence is golden." Daniel said looking at Vala. "Jack of all trades, master of none." Katelyn said. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Sam put in there. Vala looked at Daniel and smiled slightly. "Life's too short." She said. Daniel looked at her in a way he never had before. "Good things come to those who wait." Teal'c said looking at Sam knowing all that time saved their lives. She smiled at him.
"Godspeed SG-1." General Landry said over the intercom. For just a moment, Katelyn was brought back to before. General Hammond was up there saying his farewell and Jack was leading them through the gate to Katelyn's first mission. So much has happened since then, so much has changed. Katelyn looked up and saw her beautiful son pressed against the glass. She smiled at him again and waved blowing a kiss at him. She smiled at her past and all that it brought and taught her and looked forward to her future with wide eyes and open arms.
