Chapter 25
Jacob finished his story and took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. Jack had sat attentively, quietly listening while Jacob spoke, then with a groan he stood and began to pace.
-Alright, Jacob, I get what you're trying to say. But, what am I
supposed to do? Sam's already adopted Brady.
-So take him back.
-Take him back?! How am I gonna do that?!
Jacob smiled mischievously, and his tone turned very professional.
-Tell me Colonel, how would you describe your mental state at the time
you signed the adoption papers?
-I was a wreck. I had just found out that I had a son and I was in
shock and.and I know where you're going with this. You're insane.
-No, you are. Or, more precisely, you were. You had a mental breakdown
and a slip in judgment. In the matter of a week, you found out you had
a son and were practically forced to sign away your parental rights.
Normally the adoption process takes months, years even. If they hadn't
rushed through the process, you would have come to your senses and
dispelled all notion of adoption.
Jack shook his head in exasperation.
-There's no way it'll hold up in court.
-It has before. And besides, there's no way Sam would let it get that
far. She wouldn't drag Brady through a court battle.
-So you think she's gonna just hand him over?
Jacob shrugged.
-Why not?
-I'll tell you why not!! She loves that kid, that's why! There's no
way she's gonna let him go. And even if she did, she would hate me
forever.
-If that's the price you have to pay.
Jack gaped at Jacob in bewilderment and dismay.
-Jacob, are you trying to pit your daughter and I against each other?
Jacob laughed lightly.
-Don't be absurd. I only want what's best for Brady.
-Uh huh.
-He belongs with you Jack. He's your son.
-I know that now Jacob, but I'm just afraid it's impossible now. I'm
afraid it's too late.
-And since when has that ever stopped you?
Jack heaved a sigh.
-Ok, I give up. You win. I'll call a lawyer friend of mine and see what he can do.
-Good. Well then, it's kinda late. I think I'll be getting back.
Jack chuckled.
-That's a good idea. See ya tomorrow.
-Take care. Oh, and Jack, let's not tell Sam that this was our idea huh?
-Your idea. Sure, it'll be our little secret.
-Goodnight.
-'Night. Drive safely.
-You bet.
With that Jacob walked out into the brisk morning air and hurried to the car. Once inside he hastily grabbed the cell phone and dialed a number from memory.
-Events have been set into motion that cannot be stopped.
The voice on the other end sighed loudly.
-That's enough with 'The Lord of the Rings' jokes.
-It's not a joke. I was quoting. Besides, I think I've got the right
to make jokes. I just got back from traveling around the galaxy, in
defense of this planet I might add, to discover that someone finally
made an epic movie out of my favorite book, three movies actually, and
no one even bothered to tell me!! Just because I've joined the Tok'ra
doesn't mean I've lost all interest in American cinema! I just saw the
first two today, and I'm darn well gonna quote from them if I please!
Another sigh from the phone.
-I'm sorry Jacob. It won't happen again.
-See that it doesn't.
-So, can I take your 'quote' to mean that you accomplished your objective?
-I've done my part, now you must do yours.
-I'll sure try.
-There is no try! Only do or do not.
-Jacob, that's from 'Star Wars', not 'Lord of the Rings'.
-You think I don't know that! I was simply venting my frustration over
the fact that I haven't seen that movie in almost 10 years!!
-Right. Well then, I'll do my best.
-Very well. See you tomorrow. On second thought, maybe I'll stay home
and watch the third installment.
-You do that Jacob. And get some sleep too while you're at it.
-I will.
With that, he hung up, started the car, and headed home.
Jacob finished his story and took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. Jack had sat attentively, quietly listening while Jacob spoke, then with a groan he stood and began to pace.
-Alright, Jacob, I get what you're trying to say. But, what am I
supposed to do? Sam's already adopted Brady.
-So take him back.
-Take him back?! How am I gonna do that?!
Jacob smiled mischievously, and his tone turned very professional.
-Tell me Colonel, how would you describe your mental state at the time
you signed the adoption papers?
-I was a wreck. I had just found out that I had a son and I was in
shock and.and I know where you're going with this. You're insane.
-No, you are. Or, more precisely, you were. You had a mental breakdown
and a slip in judgment. In the matter of a week, you found out you had
a son and were practically forced to sign away your parental rights.
Normally the adoption process takes months, years even. If they hadn't
rushed through the process, you would have come to your senses and
dispelled all notion of adoption.
Jack shook his head in exasperation.
-There's no way it'll hold up in court.
-It has before. And besides, there's no way Sam would let it get that
far. She wouldn't drag Brady through a court battle.
-So you think she's gonna just hand him over?
Jacob shrugged.
-Why not?
-I'll tell you why not!! She loves that kid, that's why! There's no
way she's gonna let him go. And even if she did, she would hate me
forever.
-If that's the price you have to pay.
Jack gaped at Jacob in bewilderment and dismay.
-Jacob, are you trying to pit your daughter and I against each other?
Jacob laughed lightly.
-Don't be absurd. I only want what's best for Brady.
-Uh huh.
-He belongs with you Jack. He's your son.
-I know that now Jacob, but I'm just afraid it's impossible now. I'm
afraid it's too late.
-And since when has that ever stopped you?
Jack heaved a sigh.
-Ok, I give up. You win. I'll call a lawyer friend of mine and see what he can do.
-Good. Well then, it's kinda late. I think I'll be getting back.
Jack chuckled.
-That's a good idea. See ya tomorrow.
-Take care. Oh, and Jack, let's not tell Sam that this was our idea huh?
-Your idea. Sure, it'll be our little secret.
-Goodnight.
-'Night. Drive safely.
-You bet.
With that Jacob walked out into the brisk morning air and hurried to the car. Once inside he hastily grabbed the cell phone and dialed a number from memory.
-Events have been set into motion that cannot be stopped.
The voice on the other end sighed loudly.
-That's enough with 'The Lord of the Rings' jokes.
-It's not a joke. I was quoting. Besides, I think I've got the right
to make jokes. I just got back from traveling around the galaxy, in
defense of this planet I might add, to discover that someone finally
made an epic movie out of my favorite book, three movies actually, and
no one even bothered to tell me!! Just because I've joined the Tok'ra
doesn't mean I've lost all interest in American cinema! I just saw the
first two today, and I'm darn well gonna quote from them if I please!
Another sigh from the phone.
-I'm sorry Jacob. It won't happen again.
-See that it doesn't.
-So, can I take your 'quote' to mean that you accomplished your objective?
-I've done my part, now you must do yours.
-I'll sure try.
-There is no try! Only do or do not.
-Jacob, that's from 'Star Wars', not 'Lord of the Rings'.
-You think I don't know that! I was simply venting my frustration over
the fact that I haven't seen that movie in almost 10 years!!
-Right. Well then, I'll do my best.
-Very well. See you tomorrow. On second thought, maybe I'll stay home
and watch the third installment.
-You do that Jacob. And get some sleep too while you're at it.
-I will.
With that, he hung up, started the car, and headed home.