A/N I'm sorry for the ending but it had to be done to move the story!
"Happy Birthday, busy bee!" Darius said as the little girl jumped in his arms.
"What is a birthday?" Iris asked.
"It is a celebration of the day someone is born. Today is your birthday! You have been alive for one year." Darius explained, squeezing Iris.
"That's a long time!" Iris said.
"It feels long and short at the same time." Ashley said, smiling.
Ashley wasn't sure if she was going to come back to the SGC. Not only couldn't she protect the babies, but she was close to the guard, Bradley, that had died trying to save them. Ashley decided she loved the little ones too much to leave. Her two weeks home, seeing her family, had helped make her feel some better.
Ashley pulled out some balloons from the other room! They were all colors, some she had blown up by mouth and others filled with helium and attached with ribbon.
"Balloons!" Iris said, giggling as Ashley gently bounced one off her head.
Before Daniel could stop him, Simon bit into a balloon, causing it to pop loudly in his face. Simon screamed.
"He's mad that balloon popped in his face, come here, baby." Janet cooed, taking Simon from Daniel.
The others and Janet were down in the nursery to celebrate the babies birthdays as well. Everyone was going to be too busy Christmas eve to celebrate the babies' birthdays.
"It's amazing how much they have grown!" Bill said, bouncing Angelica. The little girl gave him a grin, showing her mouth full of thorn teeth. Her face was round like her dad's. She had brown, thick hair with vines like Iris. With sparkling, dark blue-green eyes. She was stocky but one of the first ones to take a couple of steps by herself.
"Hopefully after Max's surgery you can meet your little brothers!" Cam said as Violet clapped her hands.
Violet was still the smallest of the group, but she had grown a lot. Her light brown hair had grown some vines and she could stand up by herself, but had not tried taking any steps yet.
"When is Max's surgery?" Janet asked as Simon laid his head on her shoulder.
"The first week after the new year. We are giving him time to gain more weight. Luckily the hole wasn't as big as we first thought so he can have more time to put on weight." Cam said.
"That's good news!" Ashley said.
"Should I show you your birthday present?" Darius asked.
"Yes!" Iris cheered.
They bundled Iris and the babies in jackets and snow suites then Darius took her hand and walked out of the nursery. The others and Ashley followed. They rode the elevator up to the top level, where they went outside. Darius led them into the woods, where there was a large area fenced off by a large wooden privacy fence. Darius unlocked the fence and put Iris down as she ran into the fence. Everyone walked in the fence and smiled. There was a playground with slides of a swing set sizes for both Iris and the babies.
"I climb up the stairs and slide down like in the book you gave?" Iris asked.
"That's right, climb up!" Darius said, as he wiped some snow from the bottom. Iris climbed up the slide. She scooted to the edge as she slid down fast. Darius caught her easily.
"That was so fun!" Iris said, hugging Darius.
"It will be more fun when the weather warms up but General Hammond let me build this for you all!" Darius said, smiling.
"This is great! I have been asking for some kind of play area for the kids for a while," Ashley said, looking around the area.
"I know and General Hammond was trying to figure out how to fit a play area in the budget, but I purchased each piece by piece and Hammond reimbursed me using other accounts." Darius explained.
"Thank you!" Ashley said.
Even the babies enjoyed the swings and slides. Simon belly laughed as Janet let him go on the slide and Daniel caught him. Simon hugged Daniel as he took Simon back to Janet to do the slide again. Daniel hugged Simon back and placed a kiss on his head as he gave Simon back to Janet.
"I think you like the slide!" Janet cooed as Simon hugged her.
"We better get inside if we want to have cupcakes before we have to get back to work!" Darius said.
"I don't want to go!" Iris whined.
"You can come back out later. Let's go have cupcakes with your daddy before he has to go!" Ashley assured.
"OK." Iris said, sighing as she took Darius' hand reluctantly.
Adam sneezed as they got back on the elevators to go back to the nursery.
"Bless you, buddy! You probably got allergies like the rest of the family." Teddy said, pulling a tissue from his pocket.
"Winter is the worst for my allergies!" Ashley said.
They got back down to the nursery. The techs had set up a table that they could strap the babies into.
"This is cool!" Cam said as he slipped Violet's legs into the table like a highchair.
"They can all have a snack at the same time now, it makes things a lot easier." Ashley said, smiling.
"Easier is good, especially since Angelica loves food!" Bill said as he tickled Angelica's chin.
"They all like food, Bill!" Daniel said, chuckling as Simon banged on the table.
Ashley passed out the milk cups as Darius brought in the cupcakes. The frosting was different in bright colors. Some of them had flowers on them.
"They're so pretty!" Iris said, grinning.
"You remember how we talked about blowing out the candles? You want to do that?" Darius asked as he pulled out candles and matches.
Iris jumped up and down excitedly. Darius stuck a candle in a cupcake and lit the candle. He bent down it front of her and everyone sang happy birthday. Iris blew out the candle.
The babies made a mess with the cupcakes, but everyone was happy when the adults had to go back to work.
It was a few days later. Jack took Hannah out of his truck at the busy mall. It was only three days to Christmas and Sam had some work to do, so Jack took off early. He already had Sam's Christmas present, but he wanted this to be a surprise. The daycare center had taken a class picture with Santa. Hannah had been one of the few babies not screaming in the photo. Sam had thought the picture was adorable, but they wouldn't have time to take Hannah to get pictures of Santa by herself. Until today, Jack knew it was going to be busy and hopefully Santa wasn't grumpy, but Jack wanted Sam to have a picture of Hannah with Santa. He had dressed Hannah in her cute red dress with white fluffy trim and a Santa hat. He took her into the warm busy mall and they went to the Santa area in the middle of the mall. As he expected, there was a long line of excited and scared children and their parents.
"We got to wait, baby girl, but you are going to smile big for Mommy's picture. We will put it in a frame and say it is from you. She will love it and put it on her desk at work." Jack said, switching arms.
Hannah looked at the line of people. She could feel the excitement and the fear. She wasn't sure how to feel about this man with a great white beard and a loud laugh. Hannah laid her head on Jack's shoulder.
"Don't get shy on me now, Banana. Santa is a good guy. He comes into your home and brings you presents. Please do this for Mommy. she has worked hard so you can have a nice Christmas. She has been so tired lately. I think a sweet picture of you will make her smile." Jack explained. He knew Hannah understood what he was saying: she was a genius like Sam.
"Speaking of mommy is calling! Hello!" Jack answered the phone.
"Hey! I'm going to be a little longer, but I thought we could do Chinese takeout and a Christmas movie tonight. What is that noise? Are you out somewhere?" Sam asked, yawning into the phone.
"That sounds like a splendid plan! Banana and I are out grabbing some last-minute stocking stuffers! We'll grab the takeout on the way home!" Jack said, smiling down at Hannah.
"What are you two doing?" Sam asked, chuckling.
"I told you the stockings need stuffing, Carter! We'll see you in a little while with food. Love you!" Jack said as he moved up in line.
"Ok, I'll see you two in a little while. Love you too!" Sam said, and they hung up.
Jack watched as parents with two, and three children went up to see Santa. He hoped one day that would be them. Of course, if things had gone the way they had planned, they would have had two children by now, maybe working towards another, but their perfect little genius took her sweet time coming to them. Sam wanted more children badly. She was a wonderful mother.
The line moved faster than Jack excepted, and soon Hannah was next.
"I like your dress!" A woman dressed as an elf said to Hannah.
Hannah smiled at her.
"Say Thank you, Cassie got it for me." Jack said.
"What is her name?" The elf asked low to Jack.
"Hannah!" Jack whispered.
"Here are our picture options. Of course you don't have to purchase a picture for Santa to give your child a present." The elf did her. We'll practice sales pitch showing Jack the computer screen.
"What do you think Banana, we'll get this size picture for mommy and key chains for the team?" Jack asked as Hannah looked at the screen. She reached out and touched the picture option Jack showed her.
"Good choice!" The elf smiled.
It was Hannah's turn. Jack walked up to Santa with Hannah. She hid her face in Jack's shoulder.
"Merry Christmas, Hannah Banana!" Santa boomed. Hannahlookedup at the big furry man when he saidher name. Jack smiled. Santa reached downbesidehim and pulled out a wrapped box with a bell on the bow, t jingled as he pulledthe box up. Hannahreached for the box.
"Sit righthere and see what you Santa got you!" Jack said carefully, puttingHannahon Santa's lap.
"Thank you, Jack!" Santa said as Jack slowly backed away.Jack looked surprised.
"I don'tknow why I'm so fascinated with this bell, but I am!" Hannahsaid, shaking the bell. Santa chuckled.
Santahelped Hannah take the top off the box. Hannah grinned as she pulled out a red, green, and white dog.She hugged it close. The elf had been taking some pictures.
"Hannah, can you look here and say cheese?" The elf asked Hannah looked at Jack, who was standing next to the elf. Jack smiled and waved. Hannah giggled and shook the bell again.
"Santa knows you, Banana, stuffed animals and noises makes are you think." Jack said as he walked up to get Hannah.
"You keep being a good girl, Hannah Banana, and I'll see you real soon!" Santa boomed. Hannah patted Santa's hand.
"Thank you, Santa!" Jack said, removing Hannah.
"Have a Merry Christmas, Jack. Tell Samantha to take a break soon. She's going to need her strength." Santa said, his voice lowered.
Jack froze, staring at the jolly man.
It was Christmas eve. Hope was over taking pictures. Like, last year Laney and Missy came over, except this time they had four walking babies making things more interesting. The babies were all dressed as elves this year. Sam put Hannah in front of the tree again with the others and moved quickly away so Hope could take pictures before everyone made a run in different directions again.
"This is definitely harder than last year. Despite the colicky baby and diaper explosions. Hormones all out of whack." Sam said, as Jack put his arms around her.
"A different harder for sure, but she is having the time of her brief life." Jack said, watching Hannah toddle over to Martouf. He picked her up, and she kissed him on the cheek.
"Get the pictures with Hannah and Marty before she takes off running again! Dad, get pictures with Hannah too." Sam said.
"Come here, munchkin!" Jacob said, taking Hannah from Martouf. He tossed her in the air, making her squeal. Jacob went to change Hannah's diaper and put her in her silver snowflakes dress. He had on a black sweater with snowflakes and Martouf wore a blue sweater with snowflakes.
Sam leaned back into Jack's arms. He nuzzled his face into her neck.
"Hey, Jack, I learned how to do a flip last week at gymnastics!" Ryder said, walking up to them.
"That sounds flexible!" Jack said, nodding.
Sam smiled at the confused look on the four-year-old's face.
"He is getting very good and making lots of friends," Jeremy said, looking fondly at his boy.
"Look at Lilly!" Ryder said, pointing at his little sister. Lilly had crawled under the tree and was reaching for a string of colored lights.
"Lilly, no ma'am!" Jeremy said firmly, hurrying over to the tree.
"I wanted too!" Lilly fussed.
Jeremy picked Lilly up.
"No, toasted babies tonight please!" Jack said, smiling.
"Toasted babies sounds gross!" Davis said, wrinkling his nose.
"You are so right!" Laney said, tapping Davis's nose.
"You are very talented!" Jacob said, as Hope had him look at some pictures.
"Thank you! It is easy when we have such cute and sweet clients to photograph." Hope smiled as Hannah grinned up at her.
"Ok, a few more with the older ones and the littles and then I think we need to get everyone home and ready for Santa!" Missy said, smiling as Hannah wanted Laura to pick her up.
"Is Santa coming to your house, Jack?" Davis asked.
"He sure is, buddy! Hannah has been a pretty good girl this year!" Jack said, picking up the now five-year-old.
There was a knock on the door.
"I didn't think they would make it!" Sam said, looking at her watch.
Janet walked in with Cassie, who was carrying Jordan. Daniel came in carrying baby Patrick.
"Jordan!" Benny squealed.
"Benny, you said my name so good!" Jordan said, surprised.
"He is talking better every day. We missed you but glad you got to spend time with your grandparents." Missy said, smiling as she walked over to hug him. Cassie sat Jordan on the couch.
"Sorry we are late. We didn't think Patrick was going to take such a long nap!" Janet explained.
"Glad you guys could make it. We love the pictures from last year!" Sam said.
Benny ran over to the couch and climbed up next to Jordan.
"Hey, buddy!" Jordan said as Benny hugged him.
"You two are so sweet!" Missy cooed.
Hannah wandered over to the couch where Daniel was holding the eight-month-old. She pointed at the baby.
"Hannah, can you say hi Patrick" Daniel said turning the baby towards Hannah.
"Hey, kiddo. How is it going?" Hannah asked Patrick.
"Mommy and uncle Darius left me with these people. They're nice but I want mommy. I'm glad Jordan is here." Patrick said.
"Uncle Daniel, Aunt Janet, and Cassie are the best. You will get used to them." Hannah soothed as she reached up to touch the boy's arm.
"Good job touching gently, sweetheart," Sam said, walking over to Hannah.
Sam bent down to scoopHannah up. Sam then sat next to Daniel with Hannah.
"Hey, big guy! You are growing so fast." Sam said, stroking Patrick's chubby leg.
"He is such a wonderful baby. He only fussed when he wanted to eat and sleep." Cassie said.
"He's a very happy baby." Jordan nodded.
"Is Santa coming to your house, Jordan?" Davis asked.
"Yeah, I asked for a Gameboy and some games." Jordan said excitedly.
"I'm sure Santa will make his way to your house!" Missy said.
It was after Christmas and New Year. Janet was in the infirmary when there was a call for a med team. Which wasn't unusual, but Janet's heart sank when she realized they had exposed Daniel to radiation, a lethal dose. Janet made him as comfortable as possible. Her heart was breaking every moment. She felt so sick. He had comforted her. Told her how sorry he was but he had to do what he did. Janet didn't know what she was going to tell Cassie.
Janet held back the bile as Daniel got worse and there was nothing she could do. Poor Sam had tried to help with the hand device, but it didn't work. Jacob was on a mission for the Tor'ka, but he had been called back. Janet felt helpless as Daniel's friends came in to say goodbye. Cam came in. He had taken some time off after Max's heart surgery.
Jacob came back from his mission he hurried with George and Jack to the infirmary. He hugged Sam tightly, then looked at Janet.
"I'm so sorry!"
"I tried to use this, but it didn't work." Sam said, handing Jacob the healing device.
Jacob put the device over Daniel's body.
"His condition is grave. I don't know if I can restore him to a healthy state." Salmack said.
"Do what you can." Janet said.
Jacob was healing Daniel when Jack told him to stop.
"It's what he wants, "Jack said.
"Does anyone else want to tell me what to do?" Jacob looked around the room.
Janet's heart broke even more when Jack told Jacob stopped. Daniel's heart stopped.
"Colonel?" Janet asked, wanting to save him.
"It's what he wants." Jack said.
Suddenly, a bright light appeared, and Daniel disappeared. It devastated Janet. Sam held Janet as she sob in her arms in the locker room.
A couple of days later.
Janet was shaking so much she couldn't pick the positive test up from the sink. They had wanted this now he was gone.
"Mom, are you ok?" Cassie called through the door.
"I'm fine, sweetheart, I'll be right out!" Janet said, wiping off her face and taking a deep breath before leaving the bathroom.