CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
General Hammond picked up his niece topside on Sunday morning. She was wearing the same jeans; she figured that she had only worn them for a few hours, and another blouse that Jack had gotten her. He smiled at her, "you look nice."
"Thanks Uncle George, Jack got me some clothes. Look he bought me this cell phone, too. He wanted me to have kind of a safety net."
"Well, that certainly was thoughtful of him. I thought I'd pick you up first and we could get the girls together."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
When they pulled up to a house the front door opened and three blurs ran out of it. Two smaller ones yelling, "Grandpa! And a larger one yelling, "Vicky!" Her cousin almost knocked her down as she launched herself to hug Vicky.
"Karen? Wow, look at you, you're all grown up!"
"I couldn't believe it when Dad said that you were still alive and had been a prisoner all this time! I'm so glad that you're alive."
Vicky smiled at her, "me, too, kid. You understand that my doctor wants me to take it slowly with people for a while, don't you?"
"OF course, as soon as you're ready call me and we'll go to lunch and shopping."
"I'll look forward to teat."
"Now meet my girls, this is Jessica," she indicated the older girl who had honey brown hair.
"Wow, she looks just like you!"
Jessica stepped up and said, "I'm glad to meet you. I'm sorry that bad people took you and were mean to you."
Vicky had tears in her eyes when she squatted down to hug Jessica.
"And this is Elizabeth." A solemn strawberry haired little girl came and hugged Vicky.
"We'll make sure no body hurts you again cousin Vicky. Grandpa told us we can teach you about DVDs and VCRs and things"
"That would be great, but first we are going to the park so that I can get some fresh air. I have been cooped up in the hospital so long I want to be outside for a while."
"Yeah! We love the park! Mommy said that it might rain later so it's good that we'll go there first, and if it does rain Grandpa keeps an underbrella in the trunk."
"It's umbrella, dummy!"
George frowned at her, "Jessica don't call your sister dummy."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Well, you get under it don't you?"
"That makes sense to me."
Thanks, Cousin Vicky."
So they all went to the park where they walk around and the girls showed Vicky there favorite places and swings. George bought them all ice creams and Vicky made almost as much of herself as the girls. They saw the sky getting darker and Vicky took the girls to wash up in the bathroom so that they wouldn't make a mess of the car. Then they headed to George's house.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Come on Vicky we'll show you how to use the DVD player and we can watch a movie. I like Monsters, INC."
"I don't know, aren't monsters scary?"
The girls gilled, "Not these monsters, they're silly! And Boo is SO cute!"
George got them popcorn and juice while Vicky and the girls settled on the floor with pillows. He then settled in a nearby chair. He would never tell anyone but Monsters, INC was one of his favorite movies. One of the girls snuggled into either side of Vicky and as they watched the movie they each pointed out their favorite parts.
After the movie Vicky showed them the cell phone that Jack and they got the idea to color a piece of paper with "HI JACK!" On it and George took a picture of Vicky and the girls holding the sign and Vicky sent it off to Jack.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack was watching an old taped hockey game when his phone rang. He flipped it open and smiled when he saw the picture. He took the phone and hooked it up to the printer and ran several copies off, he figured he would give George and girls each one as well and one for himself and Vicky. He trimmed two of the sheets and put them in frames. HE would keep on e on his desk and he knew his wife would want to do the same. Then he sent a text message to Vicky.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky's phone sent out the music she had chosen to indicate that she had a message. She opened it and saw, "cute! Thanks for the picture. I'm glad to see you having a good time, love, Jack"
This caused her to have a big smile on her face. The girls started yelling, "Let me see! Let me see!"
"No it's just a message from Jack thanking me for the picture." George knew there probably was a little more to that if she wouldn't show them the message.
"Grandpa, can we see another movie?"
"No, it's time to take you home. You can watch another one next week."
"Please? Please?"
"No, Vicky's doctor doesn't want to have her out for to long until she gets used to being with people again."
With that they stopped begging him and started to clean up by putting the pillows away and taking their dishes to the kitchen. They each grabbed one of Vicky's hands as they went back to the car and Elizabeth skipped as they went.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
When they pulled up to the girls home everyone got out to walk them to the door, which their mother opened. Karen gave Vicky a big hug and told her she wanted to see her again soon. Vicky knelt down to each of the girls a hug and told them, "I had a very nice time today and I hope we can do this again soon."
Each girl hugged her in turn and they both went to hug their Grandpa before they scampered inside. Karen gave her yet another hug before she, too, went inside.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
On the ride back to the base The General noticed that his niece seemed tired. "Did we keep you out to long?"
"No, Uncle George, I'm just not used to this much...emotional, I guess...excitement. I've kept everything walled up for so long it's exhausting." Seeing his look of concern she continued, "Don't get me wrong, this has been great, it's just feeling anything...it's kind of like exercising in a way you're not used to, you need to build up stamina."
"How did your lunch with Jack go?"
Oh, Uncle George, it was wonderful. HE bought me these clothes, do you know, the sneaky devil asked the Quartermaster my sizes! You would not believe what he spent on these sneakers!"
"Yes, I would, I've spent a hundred dollars on sneakers for the girls and they outgrow them in six months!"
"And he took me to this wonderful little Italian restaurant, and the people who own it made us this special meal that was out of this world. I the beginning I made the mistake of asking if he had ever taken Carter there."
George looked her a little worried. "And?"
"He said that he's always gone there alone since his divorce and that the only time that he and Sam have done anything off base was when they did something as a team."
"They have never given me any cause to doubt that."
"I know, Uncle George, it's just I know that they have feelings for each other. I know that I have no right or any cause to worry, but sometimes it's not my mind that thinks these things it's my heart. He was so sweet. We got past that and had a great time."
"I'm glad for you. You know that Jack is a good man and he was devastated when you died."
"I was devastated when I knew that I would never see him again. To me it was almost like he had died."
"You had no one to help you through it, I'm so sorry, honey."
"Well, that's past and with everyone's and the Doctor's help I'll be fine."
The pulled into the parking lot and before George could park the car Vicky said, "Don't get out, Uncle George, I can get back just fine. There are armed Marines right there. I'm just going to go to my room and take a nap before dinner."
"If you're sure..."
"I'm sure," as she slid across and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky had signed herself in and had just gotten off the elevator when her phone rang. She flipped it open and said, "O'Neill."
"O'Neill, here."
She smiled and he continued, "So, are you back yet?"
She pulled the phone away from her ear and frowned at it. Then it dawned on her, "Damn you, Jack, you had the SF's call you when I signed back in!"
//damn, she's way to smart for me\\ "Umm...OK, I did. I just wanted to make sure you got back safe."
With that she smiled again, "should I tell Uncle George that you don't trust him to keep me safe?"
"NO! NO! Please don't!"
Vicky snickered, "just kidding. It was really sweet of you."
"That's me, Jack Sweet O'Neill!"
With that she laughed out loud.
'So...I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, Jack. I'm going to take a nap now."
"Sweet dreams then."
"I will. Bye Jack."
"Bye, Honey, see you in the morning."
General Hammond picked up his niece topside on Sunday morning. She was wearing the same jeans; she figured that she had only worn them for a few hours, and another blouse that Jack had gotten her. He smiled at her, "you look nice."
"Thanks Uncle George, Jack got me some clothes. Look he bought me this cell phone, too. He wanted me to have kind of a safety net."
"Well, that certainly was thoughtful of him. I thought I'd pick you up first and we could get the girls together."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
When they pulled up to a house the front door opened and three blurs ran out of it. Two smaller ones yelling, "Grandpa! And a larger one yelling, "Vicky!" Her cousin almost knocked her down as she launched herself to hug Vicky.
"Karen? Wow, look at you, you're all grown up!"
"I couldn't believe it when Dad said that you were still alive and had been a prisoner all this time! I'm so glad that you're alive."
Vicky smiled at her, "me, too, kid. You understand that my doctor wants me to take it slowly with people for a while, don't you?"
"OF course, as soon as you're ready call me and we'll go to lunch and shopping."
"I'll look forward to teat."
"Now meet my girls, this is Jessica," she indicated the older girl who had honey brown hair.
"Wow, she looks just like you!"
Jessica stepped up and said, "I'm glad to meet you. I'm sorry that bad people took you and were mean to you."
Vicky had tears in her eyes when she squatted down to hug Jessica.
"And this is Elizabeth." A solemn strawberry haired little girl came and hugged Vicky.
"We'll make sure no body hurts you again cousin Vicky. Grandpa told us we can teach you about DVDs and VCRs and things"
"That would be great, but first we are going to the park so that I can get some fresh air. I have been cooped up in the hospital so long I want to be outside for a while."
"Yeah! We love the park! Mommy said that it might rain later so it's good that we'll go there first, and if it does rain Grandpa keeps an underbrella in the trunk."
"It's umbrella, dummy!"
George frowned at her, "Jessica don't call your sister dummy."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Well, you get under it don't you?"
"That makes sense to me."
Thanks, Cousin Vicky."
So they all went to the park where they walk around and the girls showed Vicky there favorite places and swings. George bought them all ice creams and Vicky made almost as much of herself as the girls. They saw the sky getting darker and Vicky took the girls to wash up in the bathroom so that they wouldn't make a mess of the car. Then they headed to George's house.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Come on Vicky we'll show you how to use the DVD player and we can watch a movie. I like Monsters, INC."
"I don't know, aren't monsters scary?"
The girls gilled, "Not these monsters, they're silly! And Boo is SO cute!"
George got them popcorn and juice while Vicky and the girls settled on the floor with pillows. He then settled in a nearby chair. He would never tell anyone but Monsters, INC was one of his favorite movies. One of the girls snuggled into either side of Vicky and as they watched the movie they each pointed out their favorite parts.
After the movie Vicky showed them the cell phone that Jack and they got the idea to color a piece of paper with "HI JACK!" On it and George took a picture of Vicky and the girls holding the sign and Vicky sent it off to Jack.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack was watching an old taped hockey game when his phone rang. He flipped it open and smiled when he saw the picture. He took the phone and hooked it up to the printer and ran several copies off, he figured he would give George and girls each one as well and one for himself and Vicky. He trimmed two of the sheets and put them in frames. HE would keep on e on his desk and he knew his wife would want to do the same. Then he sent a text message to Vicky.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky's phone sent out the music she had chosen to indicate that she had a message. She opened it and saw, "cute! Thanks for the picture. I'm glad to see you having a good time, love, Jack"
This caused her to have a big smile on her face. The girls started yelling, "Let me see! Let me see!"
"No it's just a message from Jack thanking me for the picture." George knew there probably was a little more to that if she wouldn't show them the message.
"Grandpa, can we see another movie?"
"No, it's time to take you home. You can watch another one next week."
"Please? Please?"
"No, Vicky's doctor doesn't want to have her out for to long until she gets used to being with people again."
With that they stopped begging him and started to clean up by putting the pillows away and taking their dishes to the kitchen. They each grabbed one of Vicky's hands as they went back to the car and Elizabeth skipped as they went.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
When they pulled up to the girls home everyone got out to walk them to the door, which their mother opened. Karen gave Vicky a big hug and told her she wanted to see her again soon. Vicky knelt down to each of the girls a hug and told them, "I had a very nice time today and I hope we can do this again soon."
Each girl hugged her in turn and they both went to hug their Grandpa before they scampered inside. Karen gave her yet another hug before she, too, went inside.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
On the ride back to the base The General noticed that his niece seemed tired. "Did we keep you out to long?"
"No, Uncle George, I'm just not used to this much...emotional, I guess...excitement. I've kept everything walled up for so long it's exhausting." Seeing his look of concern she continued, "Don't get me wrong, this has been great, it's just feeling anything...it's kind of like exercising in a way you're not used to, you need to build up stamina."
"How did your lunch with Jack go?"
Oh, Uncle George, it was wonderful. HE bought me these clothes, do you know, the sneaky devil asked the Quartermaster my sizes! You would not believe what he spent on these sneakers!"
"Yes, I would, I've spent a hundred dollars on sneakers for the girls and they outgrow them in six months!"
"And he took me to this wonderful little Italian restaurant, and the people who own it made us this special meal that was out of this world. I the beginning I made the mistake of asking if he had ever taken Carter there."
George looked her a little worried. "And?"
"He said that he's always gone there alone since his divorce and that the only time that he and Sam have done anything off base was when they did something as a team."
"They have never given me any cause to doubt that."
"I know, Uncle George, it's just I know that they have feelings for each other. I know that I have no right or any cause to worry, but sometimes it's not my mind that thinks these things it's my heart. He was so sweet. We got past that and had a great time."
"I'm glad for you. You know that Jack is a good man and he was devastated when you died."
"I was devastated when I knew that I would never see him again. To me it was almost like he had died."
"You had no one to help you through it, I'm so sorry, honey."
"Well, that's past and with everyone's and the Doctor's help I'll be fine."
The pulled into the parking lot and before George could park the car Vicky said, "Don't get out, Uncle George, I can get back just fine. There are armed Marines right there. I'm just going to go to my room and take a nap before dinner."
"If you're sure..."
"I'm sure," as she slid across and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky had signed herself in and had just gotten off the elevator when her phone rang. She flipped it open and said, "O'Neill."
"O'Neill, here."
She smiled and he continued, "So, are you back yet?"
She pulled the phone away from her ear and frowned at it. Then it dawned on her, "Damn you, Jack, you had the SF's call you when I signed back in!"
//damn, she's way to smart for me\\ "Umm...OK, I did. I just wanted to make sure you got back safe."
With that she smiled again, "should I tell Uncle George that you don't trust him to keep me safe?"
"NO! NO! Please don't!"
Vicky snickered, "just kidding. It was really sweet of you."
"That's me, Jack Sweet O'Neill!"
With that she laughed out loud.
'So...I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, Jack. I'm going to take a nap now."
"Sweet dreams then."
"I will. Bye Jack."
"Bye, Honey, see you in the morning."