-- Chapter Ten: Seven is Enough?

Jack and Daniel were taking a few minutes to themselves, standing outside on the roof deck. It was early evening, and all the children were either playing, watching TV, or sleeping.

"Jack, I've been thinking."

"When are you ever not thinking?" Jack said as Daniel leaned back into his hold.

"Do you think we should reconsider the baby's name? I mean, I wouldn't want to Jennifer to feel displaced or anything."

"I've thought a lot about that, too."

"I love Jen. I don't want her to feel like she's second fiddle to our baby."

"She won't be. Danny, I think it'll be okay. We know baby Jennifer will complete our family. She's who we've been missing. Or maybe it is Jen. I don't know anymore."

"Hi!" the teenager walked out onto the deck, holding Aislinn in her arms. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No problem, Sweetheart," Jack said as he walked over and took his baby daughter. "Are you feeling better, Ash?"

"Her temperature is down and I think she's hungry, but I didn't want to go ahead and feed her without you guys saying it was okay."

Aislinn had been suffering from a slight cold. Actually, all of the Munchkins had been sick, a vicious cycle that had begun with Little Danny's cold a week or two earlier. Though his cold had gone away, it had been passed on to Jonny who had apparently returned the favor by giving it back to Little Danny, and now it was Aislinn who had fallen victim to the colds that so often plague babies.

"Thanks, Jennifer," Daniel smiled. "How'd you do with that essay?"

"I'm not really sure about it."

"Would you like me to take a look?"

"Would you, Daniel? History just isn't my thing."

"I'd love to."

"Oh, um, I heard what you were talking about. Daniel told me about the baby a long time ago. I think you should follow your hearts. There's a lot of Jennifers in the world. I don't mind sharing."

"You sure?"

"Yep. I'd feel horrible if you changed your plans because you thought I'd be upset. I promise, I won't be. I mean I'm not. Oh, you know what I mean."

"Thanks, Jen. We do," Jack replied gratefully.

Aislinn let out a whine, so the group headed downstairs, Jack to work on dinner for the family, and Daniel to help Jennifer with her homework.

"Breakfast is done," Jack announced.

David said something that sounded like mumbo jumbo to Jack. Daniel laughed and responded in more mumbo jumbo, prompting David to laugh.

"Here you go," Jack said, trying to ignore the exchange. "It's great stuff."

David said something else that made Daniel snicker, and again, Daniel replied back. Both Daniel and David laughed loudly at the comment, making Jack extremely paranoid and frustrated, especially with the little glances he was getting from the two.

"Oh, for crying out loud, ENGLISH, people! Can't we speak ENGLISH in this house?"

"Sorry, Love," Daniel laughed. "David was just saying that your Froot Loop Pancakes looked a bit ... uninviting."

"I'll have you know Froot Loops goes great with anything."

"But IN pancakes?" David asked skeptically.

"In ANYTHING!" Jack insisted, seeing Daniel shaking his head.

"You eat it, Jack. David and I are sticking with waffles."

"Traitors," Jack said as he sat down in his chair and reached over to ruffle David's hair.

Jack sauntered into the house, not sure what he'd find. Now that there were six children running around the place, he never knew what to expect. He loved that, but still, he sometimes missed the intimacy and freedom that he and Daniel used to have. He was determined not to let their love affair become secondary, pushed back by a house full of responsibilities, no matter how much he loved and wanted those same responsibilities.

He smiled, seeing Daniel asleep on the sofa. He went upstairs and found Jennifer just walking out of the triplet's room.

"They're taking their nap."

"I'll just sneak a peak," Jack said as he walked in to check on his precious babies.

He shook his head at his cherished miracles, sometimes still questioning the wonder of their birth, that it had really happened, and that he and Daniel were finally living their dream.

"Where's David and Noa?"

"In David's room. He's teaching her about pharaoh's or something. Bij and Katie are in there, too."

"Why do I have a feeling I have another archaeologist in the family?"

The teenager chuckled, then said, "He's always liked that kind of thing, and with Daniel as a role model now ..."

Jack nodded, letting out a mock sigh.

"Hey, do me a favor, will ya?"

"Such as?"

"Such as keep them upstairs for a little while."

"Why?"

"Um, well, I ... "

Jennifer smiled, knowingly.

"You want to make out with Daniel!"

"Jennifer Renee!"

"That's my name. Don't wear it out, Jack," the teenager laughed as she walked towards David's room. "Don't worry. I've got your six."

Jack raised his eyebrows and then laughed.

"Geez, I love those kids."

Daniel hadn't moved. For a moment, Jack just watched him sleep. Daniel had on casual attire -- old, worn out blue jeans that had a hole over the left knee and a short sleeve gray tee-shirt that had a few blue paint stains on it from the week before when they painted David's room to the colors he liked. The young man was barefoot. He had his right hand behind his head and the left resting on his stomach. His glasses were at the top of his forehead, as if he had lifted them to rub his eyes and simply fallen asleep in the process.

Then, Jack noticed the archaeological magazine on the floor. He could tell it must have slipped out of Daniel's hand. He knew Daniel had been wanting to read it for days.

Bet you never even made it through one article.

Jack carefully picked up the magazine and placed it on the coffee table. The older man moved to sit on the side of sofa. Gently, he removed the glasses from Daniel's head, putting them atop the magazine on the table. Jack leaned over and kissed Daniel's left eyelid. Daniel sighed. Jack kissed the right eyelid.

"Hmmm."

Daniel moved his body slightly as he began to wake.

Next, Jack placed a series of tiny kisses from the edge of Daniel's right earlobe, across his cheeks all the way to the left earlobe. Daniel chuckled.

"This isn't supposed to be funny," Jack said as he kissed Daniel's nose.

"Tickled."

Daniel smiled just as Jack's lips touched his. Soon, their tongues were dancing together as their kiss took on a passionate edge.

"Hmmm. Miss you, Jack."

"Miss you, Angel. Geez, so much," Jack said before ravishing Daniel's mouth again. "Brought you something."

"You did?"

Jack reached over and placed a tiny bouquet of red roses on Daniel's chest.

"Just to remind you how much I love you."

"Oh, Jack, they're beautiful," Daniel spoke happily. He sniffed the roses, taking in their aroma, and then still holding the flowers in his right hand, he moved his arms around Jack's shoulders, and the two kissed some more. Suddenly, Daniel startled. "Jack, the children?"

"All taken care of. The Munchkins are taking their nap, and Jen is riding herd over the other two in David's room. The girls are in there, too."

"Oh." Daniel smiled, pulling his husband down to him for more kissing. "Gawd, I want you."

"The feeling is mutual, Love. Come on," Jack stood up, then reached down and grabbed Daniel's left hand, pulling him up.

"Jack, what are you doing?"

"Giving us what we both want while we have time to do something about it."

"Jack, we can't. The children."

"The children are fine. Let's go."

"Jaaaack," Daniel tried to argue, but Jack literally pulled him up stairs. "Jack!"

Daniel finally got a foothold at the top of the stairs.

"Ground rules," Jack said.

"What?"

"Ground rules. Follow me."

Jack headed for David's room, leaving Daniel standing, feeling totally clueless.

"Wait! What are you going to do?"

Daniel hurriedly ran after Jack.

"Hey Kids!"

After a couple of minutes of chit chat about what David was teaching Chenoa and what they'd be having for dinner, Jack said, "We need to talk about a couple more very important ground rules."

"Jack," Daniel warned.

"Number one ground rule. No one leaves the house without permission."

"We already know that one," David smiled as he spoke.

"Yeah, I know."

Jack went through a few other rules, usually with the same result. Of course, it was all a smokescreen for the whopper rule. Finally, he got to the point.

"Okay, one really, really, really important ground rule. When Daniel and I are in our bedroom, and the door is closed, no one comes in ... for any reason ... without knocking AND waiting for us to say it's okay."

"Unless it's an emergency," Daniel hastily added, not really pleased with Jack's actions at the moment, and at the same time, dying to try it out.

"And let's define 'emergency'!"

Jack went on in great detail, discussing the definition of what was and wasn't an emergency, Daniel adding his own thoughts every now and then.

"General Jack, I think we got it," Jennifer stated a bit dryly ten minutes later.

"General?" he asked, curious why Jennifer would use that moniker again.

"Yes, right now you're giving orders ... over and over. Aye, aye, Sir."

Daniel tried to hide his laughter, but wasn't very successful. Jack ignored the sniggers coming from his spouse and and continued on.

"Okay, well, the Munchkins should be asleep for a little while longer. You guys doing okay here?"

"Pharows. Gold," Chenoa said as she laughed and pointed at the pictures.

"We're fine," Jennifer said again. "I'll watch them. I promise."

Jack leaned over and placed a peck on Jennifer's cheek.

"Thanks, Jen."

He turned, taking Daniel by the hand and led him back to their bedroom. Once inside, Jack locked the door and began to kiss his lover again.

"Jack, it feels ... funny. I mean ... they're just ... outside."

"Get used to it, Angel. They're going to be just outside for the next twenty years."

"Oh, gawd. Come here."

Daniel suctioned his mouth to Jack's. He wasn't about to wait for Friday night. He wanted Jack now, and all of a sudden, he knew he had to get used to the idea of making love with Jack with the children in the house.

The two made their way to the bed, Daniel walking backwards, their mouths still connected to the other's. Jack reached under Daniel's shirt and felt the soft skin.

"Geez, what you do to me."

Daniel's hands ran under Jack's shirt. He felt Jack shiver, and then he realized he was trembling from Jack's touch, too. Their need was taking over. Daniel pulled Jack's black tee shirt over his head, and then Jack lifted Daniel's dingy tee off, throwing it onto the floor. Jack pushed them onto the bed.

Soon, their bodies were united as one, as if the two were a magnificent artwork, their legs, groins, and torsos seemingly glued to the other's. They'd been as quiet as their muffled cries would allow, but their hearts were screaming with ecstasy at their togetherness. As their orgasms overtook their minds, their bodies convulsed in the aftermath.

Jack placed his head on Daniel's sweat-soaked chest as they struggled to regain control of their breathing.

"Oh, that was good," he gasped between breaths.

"Good? Gawd, Jack. I saw stars."

"Not bad for love in the afternoon," Jack chuckled before placing more kisses on Daniel's chest.

Daniel's fingers ran through Jack's silver-gray strands of hair and then massaged the back of Jack's head.

"Did I thank you for the flowers?"

"Oh, yeah. Big time," Jack mused until Daniel laid a gentle slap on his upper back.

"I wish we could just lay here awhile."

"We can. Jen has the kids under control."

"I feel guilty."

Jack lifted his head so he could look into Daniel's eyes.

"Don't. Our life is never going to be how it was when it was just the two of us, but we're not going to lose this. I won't let us, Danny. I need this. I need you. I want ... I want our love affair to keep growing."

Daniel smiled as he cupped Jack's face.

"Love you, my Silver Fox."

"Space Monkey," Jack chuckled.

After a few more minutes, the two took a shower, where more cuddling, fondling, and kissing occurred, much to the pleasure of both; then they made their bed and went out to check on their brood, finding them as content and peaceful as they had been when they'd escaped for their afternoon rendezvous.

"Have fun?" Jennifer teased.

"Oh, gawd," Daniel blushed, turning away from his daughter.

"We had a great time. Thanks for asking."

"Gawd, Jack."

Daniel leaned his head against Jack's shoulder.

Jennifer laughed as she headed for her own bedroom to read a book.

"Carter, how are things in Neverland? ... Good, good! Listen, I was wondering. Jen needs some things for school and, well, just things, girl things. Danny and I aren't good at that stuff, and I was wondering if ... Thanks, Carter."

"This is nice of you, Sam," the teenager said as she got into the car.

"Well, it was the General's idea."

"Jack is funny."

"Funny? Yeah, I guess so," Sam agreed. "We'll stop by and get Kayla and then the afternoon is yours."

"She's about ready, isn't she?"

"Soon."

Later that afternoon, Sam, Jennifer and a very pregnant Kayla sat down for a leisurely treat.

"They are so funny. I just don't understand."

"Understand what, Jen?" Kayla asked.

"My parents couldn't keep their hands off of each other, and neither can Jack and Daniel."

Sam and Kayla exchanged a look, but it was Kayla who dared to ask the question.

"Does it bother you?"

"Bother me? Oh, you mean because they're both ... Nah, I think it's cool. Some of the kids at school don't get it, but I don't care, not really."

"Have you had problems with your classmates?" Sam asked.

"No, not really. They're ... curious when I tell them that I live with two men for parents, but I don't talk about it that much. It's no one's business. Besides, I don't care what they think. Jack, he ... he made me feel like a teenager again, and like I'm worth something, and Daniel. Geez, David is just like he used to be now, and I know that's because of Daniel. And ... well, they've kept us together. It's nice living with them. Besides, it's so cool to tease them," the girl giggled.

"Tease?" both Sam and Kayla asked.

"They are so hot for each other, just like my parents were. Ewwww, I mean it's embarrassing sometimes ... but, oh, not because they're both guys, just because they do it all the time. I mean ALL THE TIME!"

"It?" Sam asked nervously.

"Ground Rule Number One: If the door is closed ... blah blah, and lately, the door is closed a lot."

Jennifer laughed louder. She saw the questioning look of the two women.

"Really, I'm fine with who they are. Mom and Dad taught us that love is the single most important thing in the world, and everything will fall into place, if we just keep focusing on the love. When they open that door, the looks on their faces ... and, okay, it's not just then. Jack ... if they weren't married, I'd want to marry him myself, well not him, but someone like him."

"The General?"

"He's so romantic. He's always doing little things for Daniel, to surprise him. Sometimes he'll come home with red roses, and sometimes just some dandelions he picked at a field or something. He'll make Daniel his favorite coffee before doing anything for himself. He'll walk by headed for the kitchen or the study, and he'll just stop and kiss him, saying something like 'just because' or 'just looking' or something really silly. Daniel smiles so big when he does stuff like that."

"I wish I had one of those," Sam laughed. "Oh, I do. Pete's my fella. Maybe one of these days we'll actually have that wedding."

"I've always thought Daniel would have been the romantic one," Kayla said as she sipped her water.

"Oh, he is. He does stuff, too. Honestly, they're embarrassing, and I wouldn't change them for anything. But you know what I like the best?" She saw Sam and Kayla listening carefully. "It's the quiet times. Daniel will just lean again Jack and ... I don't know, it's sweet."

"I think we bought out the store, but I'm not sure the General is going to approve of a couple of those outfits, Jen."

Kayla laughed as she agreed, adding, "Don't say we didn't warn you."

"Don't worry. I can handle Jack."

"Oh no!"

"No, really, Kayla, I can."

"No, that's not what I mean. Sam ... it's time!"

"Time? You mean?"

"Oh, yeah ... big time, that's what I mean. I've been having contractions for an hour or so."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"I've had them before, but this time ... it feels different. This is definitely it."

"Holy Hannah. Jen, grab my cell out of my purse, please."

"What's going on?"

"I'm having a baby!" Kayla spoke anxiously.

"I know, but ... Oh!"

Jack was spending a few minutes actually reading his latest copy of Flight Journal. There was an article in there he'd been anxious to read since the magazine had arrived in the mail five days ago. Jack eased into his favorite spot on the sofa in the study. He took a sip of his Coke and then read two paragraphs when Daniel walked in.

"Jack?"

"Yes, Love?"

"We're having a baby," Daniel said nervously, his arms folded.

"I know that."

"Now, Jack."

Jack's eyes darted up to meet Daniel's. Seeing the pale face of his spouse, he leaped up off the sofa and hurried over to him, placing his arms on Daniel's shoulders.

"Now? As in NOW?"

"That was Sam on the phone. It's really fast. Sylvia told her to go straight to the hospital. Jack, we don't have anyone to babysit. Gawd, I shouldn't be so nervous."

Jack smiled confidently.

"It's okay, Love. This one will be easy as pie."

"Jack, we're stuck here! Sara and Mark are out of town, the General is in Washington, Teal'c's on Chulak, Cassie is out of town for that debate thing, Mrs. Valissi is in Europe, Christa and Jacob are playing bridge at the Johannsens in Denver, Lou is off-world, Carolyn has the flu, Janet is ... I don't know where Janet is, but she's not home. JACK, NO ONE IS HOME!"

"Danny, it's okay. We'll ... we'll take them with us."

Daniel's eyes grew wide.

"ALL OF THEM?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"Oh, gawd."

Not knowing what else they could do, Daniel turned and headed upstairs to get the triplets while Jack rushed up to the garage.

"Jen, we're having a baby. Get a move on!" Then Jack remembered Jennifer was with Sam and Kayla. "Get a grip, Jack. Hold it together. Whoa!"

Jack shook his head and went to the nursery.

"Where were you?" Daniel asked.

"You don't want to know. I'll get David and Noa."

Jack headed towards David's room where the boy was playing with little Chenoa.

It took a while, but soon the Jackson-O'Neills were headed for the hospital in their SUV. David and Chenoa were wearing headphones as they watched a Disney movie on the DVD player. Daniel smiled at them, then looked at his husband.

"This is insane. Jack, what do we do when we get there?"

"I don't know. I'm taking this one step at a time."

"But no one is here. Sam will be at the hospital, but we can't leave the children ..."

"How about Molly?" David suggested, having temporarily removed the headset to get a more comfortable fit.

"Molly?" Jack repeated without much thought.

"MOLLY!" Jack and Daniel said at the same time, Daniel reaching for the cell phone. "Good idea, David," Daniel said, but when he looked back, David's attention was back on the movie, his headset again in place. Daniel grinned. David was definitely gaining in confidence.

Molly hadn't yet moved to Ireland. She had gone for a visit to make arrangements for housing with her family, but she still had some loose ends to tie up in America before moving permanently. After calling their friend, the couple tried to remain calm.

"Jack, Septembers are going to be crazy from now on. Do you believe it? The Munchkins are almost a year old."

"Yeah, what a year."

Jack reached over and touched his husband's hand for a moment as they quietly celebrated their precious babies, soon to be toddlers.

"They're walking around, falling down a lot, but getting back up. Saying words, learning about the world. Our babies ... a year old, and now we're about to have another one. It seems like a dream."

"A wonderful dream, Angel. Hey, I was thinking about David," Jack said with a quick glance back to make sure the boy was still engrossed in the Disney movie.

"What about him?"

"Well, Danny the Mouseketeers were home-schooled. I know he's just in first grade, but it's only been a couple of weeks, and he's already bored stiff."

"I noticed that. He says the teacher repeats a lot. He gets whatever she says on the first try. Besides, he already knows most of what they're teaching."

"Angel, what about private school?"

"Jack, I'll bet Sara would know a place."

"I think so, too. Actually, I already know. She happened to call earlier today, and we started talking about it. She's sending some recommendations over in an email tomorrow."

"Good. I think you're right, Jack, about David. What about Jen and Noa?"

"Nnnnaaah," Jack slowly grunted. "Danny, Jen needs to be a teenager, and right now, making sure she is one is more important than learning about the cultural significance of Greece, or whatever it is they teach these days. I have a hunch being in a regular school is best for her right now. What do you think?"

"I think you're right again, and I also think we should let Noa stay home. Jack, when I took her to that kinder camp thing, she liked the children, and she had fun, but she kept looking at me."

"To see if you were still there?"

"That's how I felt. She's too young. I know some of our friends have said it's never too early, but I disagree. Gawd, how much have I changed?"

"Plenty. Danny, you learned that there's more to life than books. Books are great, but you just don't want them to overshadow everything else. Noa stays home ... at least for a while."

"Until she knows she's home."

"Yeah." Jack sighed anxiously. "Almost there. You ready for this?"

"Are you?"

"Of course."

"You're so full of it, Jack."

The older man laughed as he pulled within two blocks of the facility.

By the time they reached the hospital, Molly was there to meet them, with Jennifer by her side. As it happened, she lived only five minutes from the facility so had quickly gotten to the hospital to be with Jennifer while she waited for the rest of the family to arrive.

"Aw, me darlin's. You look so well loved," she said hugging the newest additions to the Jackson-O'Neill family.

After giving quick hugs to the parents, Molly shooed the two away, and they just made it to the Delivery Room in time.

"I wasn't sure you two were going to make it," Sylvia said as she sat on the stool at the end of the bed.

"Neither were we," Daniel sighed.

The two men smiled at Sam and walked over to Kayla, giving her kisses on the cheek.

"Sam, Molly is outside with the children."

"The children? All of them?"

"We didn't have a choice. No one's home," Daniel explained.

"I'll go help. Good luck, Kayla!"

Sam smiled as she left the room, placing her hand supportively on Daniel's shoulder as she passed by.

Sylvia made sure everything was ready as she prepared. "It shouldn't be long now," she told the expectant fathers.

"Tell me ... again ... why I ... agreed ... to do ... this again?" Kayla asked as she experienced another contraction.

Jack chuckled his response -- "Because you're a wonderful woman!"

"Right now ... General ... this ... wonderful ... wooooooooooooooooo ... oh my gawd ... woman ... wants to ... KILL YOU!"

"Sorry," Jack gulped, moving to a safer distance behind Sylvia.

Daniel grinned at Jack's behavior.

Thought you were supposed to be a big, brave General.

One with a good sense of self preservation.

Eight hours later, the latest Jackson-O'Neill entered the world, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"It's a girl!" Sylvia exclaimed.

"We knew it would be," Jack said, leaning over to kiss Daniel.

"Daniel," Sylvia called out for him to come and hold their newborn.

"No, this time you go first. No arguments, Jack."

Jack smiled and took his baby daughter into his arms.

"We're complete now, Angel. Look at her, Danny. Our little Jenny."

"Jenny?" Sylvia asked. "You already have a Jennifer."

"Jennifer Samantha Jackson-O'Neill," Daniel crooned. "Jenny and Jennifer. It'll work, won't it?"

"Sure, it will," Jack said confidently. "Jenny and Jen."

Daniel chuckled. Nickname Jack was already prepared, and this time, Daniel wouldn't be arguing.

"Here, Angel, hold our daughter," Jack said, carefully handing the infant to his soulmate.

"She's perfect, not that I'm prejudiced or anything."

"No, not at all, Love!" Jack laughed.

"How ya doin', Kayla?" Jack asked.

"Oh, just ... peachy, Jack."

"She's so precious. Another girl, just like we knew it would be. How crazy is that, Jack?" Daniel leaned forward and kissed Jack.

"Crazy as all get out, but I'm definitely not complaining! Love you so much, Danny," Jack said as he gazed at their newborn daughter.

"Oh, geez, ne...ver ... NEVER ... again," Kayla shouted.

"We're almost done. One more."

Jack and Daniel stared at each other, and at the same time, they turned to face Sylvia and spoke in unison, "ONE MORE?"

Sylvia laughed, looking up for just a moment.

"I didn't even try to tell you this time. You're having twins."

"Twins?" Jack and Daniel said together.

"Oh, gawd. Eight?" Daniel asked, not only looking panicked, but his voice screeching the words.

Jack roared with laughter, then teased, "Just like the TV show, Love. Eight is Enough!"

Daniel still held their daughter in his arms. He stared down at her and said, "With perfection like this, I don't think the word 'enough' should exist."

A cry interrupted Jack's response. He turned and watched Sylvia cleaning the newest member of the Jackson-O'Neill family. Sylvia handed the baby to Jack.

"It's a boy."

Jack beamed. Both he and Daniel stood facing each other, their babies in their arms.

"I love you" they said as they kissed and then looked at their babies some more.

The nurses came and took the babies for their first post-natal checkup, and Jack and Daniel looked at Kayla, gratitude and love on their faces. They would never be able to thank her enough. There were no words nor any deed they could ever do to repay her for what she had given them.

Kayla didn't need words or reciprocation, though. All she needed was to see the total look of love on the two faces that peered down at her now. She may never give birth again, but she would never regret having been the surrogate mother for these two men.

"Apparently," Kayla smiled, "there's a history of multiple births in my family. Maybe that's why Janet never got pregnant," she laughed.

After a few moments, Jack and Daniel walked over to see their little babies again. The nurses were putting the twins through the usual screening tests, checking their heart rates, muscle tone, reflexes, skin color, and breathing.

"Passing grades for both," one of the nurses said as she logged the results on a chart. "We already gave them their Vitamin K shots."

"That's for the blood clotting thing, right?" Jack asked.

"That's right," the nurses answered. "Babies can't make Vitamin K, and it's essential they have it for a few days. Carol, do you have the eye drops?"

Jack and Daniel watched as the twins were each treated with medicated drops that would protect them from bacterial infections, and then the newborns were put through a quick hearing test, and again, passed easily.

The baby boy let out a funny sound that made Jack laugh, reminding him that he and Daniel had another piece of business to settle.

"Danny," Jack laughed, "What about the little guy? We need another name."

"No clue," Daniel leaned his ahead against Jack's shoulder.

"Patrick Henry or Patrick Scott or Patrick ..."

"No, Jack."

"But he's our son, and he should be named after you."

"Little Danny is named after me, and Jonny after you."

"Right, so we're back to you, and Patrick is your middle name."

"No, it wouldn't be ... even. Gawd that sounds horrible, but no."

Jack sighed. He knew he was about to get into trouble, but this was their son.

He gulped, "Okay, Patrick Richard."

"If we were going to use that, it would be Richard Patrick because it sounds better, but like I ..."

"That's my middle name ... Richard."

Daniel pulled away, wanting to scream. Jack saw the look and gulped. He was in so much trouble.

"Long story short, Love. I just never think about it. I've been Jack since I was a baby. Because of that, whenever anyone introduced me, even in a formal situation ..."

"LIKE OUR WEDDING?" Daniel screamed in whispered voice.

"Yes, sort of like that, but they'd say Jonathan Jack and so, the old middle name just got ignored."

"Jack ... JACK ... I ..." Daniel grunted, walking out of the room and into the lobby where their children were being looked after by Molly and Sam.

"I am in such big trouble," Jack muttered as he followed his husband out.

"Daniel? What's wrong?"

Sam had seen Daniel standing outside the delivery area. She excused herself, leaving the rest of the children with Molly, fearing something had gone wrong since her friend looked upset.

"Oh, nothing. I'm sorry. Jack just threw another surprise at me, that's all. I'm getting a little used to it."

Sam smiled as she reached out to rub Daniel's arm with her hand. She asked, "What about the baby?"

"Baby? Oh gawd! Sam, we have twins!"

"Tw...twins?"

"I'm sorry, Sam."

"Deal with it, Carter. What's one more?"

"Right ... Sir," Sam smiled weakly at her former CO who had just joined the two.

"If it helps, we named her after you," Jack said, smiling.

"Wha...what?"

Daniel grinned at their name for their new daughter as he explained, "Jennifer Samantha. We'll call her Jenny, but she'll know she was named after you. You're a terrific friend, Sam. Gawd, you're family, and you've done so much for us. We can never thank you enough."

"Aw, geez, guys. That was sweet. Thank you."

Daniel hugged Sam, and then looked at Jack.

"Richard!"

Sam did a double take as Jack coughed and moved forward to give Sam a hug, too.

"Uh, Richard?"

"Middle name. Didn't tell him. He's a little upset."

Sam looked into Daniel's eyes.

"I don't think 'little' is the right word, Sir."

"Don't remind me."

"Hey, twins. Who? Number two?"

"Our son," Daniel spoke softly. "Richard Patrick."

"Danny, you aren't really mad at me, are you, Love?"

"Excuse me. I have to go tell our children about our ... children."

"Ouch. Doghouse time."

Sam just laughed. It was just another day in the life of the Jackson-O'Neills.

"Oh my gosh!" Jennifer said, staring at the words in front of her.

The teenage girl went into the study where Jack was listening to Opera and reading the newspaper. On his lap was Aislinn.

"Thank you for the help, Ash, but I'd really like to finish the story before I turn the page."

The baby laughed as she flung her hands forward, swatting at the newsprint and pushing it downward.

"Yeah, I guess your right, Princess. I don't much agree with that guy's opinions anyway," Jack said as he kissed the top of his daughter's head.

"Jack?"

"Hey, Jen? How's the homework?"

"All done. Daniel said I could spend some time on the internet, so I've been doing that for a while."

"No chat rooms, Jen," Jack said sternly.

The girl gave an "Oh, Please, like I'd do that" expression, and then admitted, "Daniel already gave me that lecture."

"Well, consider it doubled!"

Jennifer rolled her eyes, but decided to forge ahead with the reason she'd approached Jack in the first place.

"Jack, you were born in Chicago, weren't you?"

"Sure was," Jack said, playing with Aislinn's arms as if she were a puppet. The little baby loved it, cooing and laughing the entire time.

"And your middle name is Richard?"

"Yes, as you may recall, I was in the doghouse for a few days when that came out."

Jennifer laughed, shaking her head.

"I can't believe you never told Daniel your full name."

"Yes. Well, I never really thought about it."

"That seems a little weird."

"It's small fries, Jen. Some things are so trivial to me, I just don't think about them, including a name I've never used."

The smiling girl nodded as she bit on her lower lip, reaching out to wave to her little sister.

"And ... your mom's name was Elizabeth?"

"Jen, why the twenty questions?"

"Well, I was goofing around on the internet, and I went to one of those unclaimed money sites, just for the heck of it. I put in my name because I could sure use some extra money."

"Jen, you're thirteen. You've got as much as you're going to get right now."

"But I have expenses!"

Jack glared at her, and she sighed.

"Anyway, I put in your name and ... a claim popped up."

"Nah, not me."

"How many Jonathan Richard O'Neills, born in Chicago, with moms named Elizabeth are there?"

"Probably more than you think."

"Well, I think you should look at it. It's ... very old like ..."

"Don't say it, not if you want to go to that school dance on Friday."

"Don't be such a prude! Anyway, come look ... please."

She's still spunky, and snarky, too. Love it. "The things I do for my children," Jack smirked as he stood, and with Aislinn still in his arms, walked up the stairs to Jennifer's bedroom.

"Here, hold the Munchkin," Jack said, handing the baby to her sister, and then sitting down in front of the computer.

"Hmmm," Jack followed the instructions, reading the details. "Holy Hannah, it is me!" Jack said as he reviewed the information.

"How much?"

"Probably nothing. It was ..." Jack's eyes bulged, he sat stunned. He flipped down the lid of the laptop and stood, "Jennifer Renee, do not. I repeat, do NOT open that computer under threat of never having a life outside of this room. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

Jack walked to the doorway, then increased his pace. He walked, then jogged to the other stairway, and took them two at a time. He ran into the nursery, looking desperately for Daniel. He checked the den but Daniel wasn't there.

Jack groaned, "Where is that man when I need him? DANIEL! DANNNNNNNNNNNNNIEL!"

Jack ran back down the stairs.

"Jack? Jack, what's wrong?" Daniel ran in from the backyard, Jonny in his arms, and Chenoa on his tail.

"Danny, you have to see this ... NOW! Follow me."

"Jack, we're not at ..."

"NOW, DANIEL!"

Daniel flinched, looking at Chenoa he shook his head.

"He just thinks he can get away with this, but ..."

"DANIELLLLLLL!"

"All right ... General!" Daniel went back outside. "David, I'll be upstairs for a minute. Can you watch these two Munchkins for just a minute?"

David's smile was huge. It was the first time that either Jack or Daniel had left two of the babies with him.

"Okay, I'm taking Noa with me, and I have the monitor, so you just yell if you need me. Okay?"

"I promise. I won't take my eyes off of them. I promise, Daniel!"

Daniel smiled. This wasn't easy, but at some point, he knew he had to start being a little less protective. The Mouseketeers had more than proven themselves.

Still, when he got to the patio door and looked back, he leaned down and whispered to Bijou and Katie, "Your dog door is open. You come get me if you think David needs help, okay?"

"Woof!" both dogs responded.

"Thanks, girls." Daniel smiled, picked up Chenoa, and headed upstairs. "Okay, Jack, what's the crisis?"

"Danny ..." Jack looked up at Jennifer, "Uh, honey, would you mind? And take Noa, too. Please."

"Whatever," Jennifer said reluctantly, taking her sister from Daniel. "Just remember, I'm the one who found it."

"Yeah! Yeah! You're in my will already." Jack smirked

Jennifer laughed, leaving Daniel still totally perplexed.

"Okay, Jack, what's going on?"

"Danny, look at this. Tell me if I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing."

Jack got up out of the chair and Daniel slid into his place.

"Unclaimed money?"

"Yeah, Jen found it."

"What's she doing on this site?"

"I don't know. She said you gave her permission to surf. You did, didn't you?"

"Of course, I did. It's just an interesting choice. I mean of all the sites a teenager could go to ..."

"Daniel ..." Jack nodded towards the screen.

"Sorry, let's see ... it's you, and it shows you have a claim for ... wow! Jack, where did this come from?"

"Mom," Jack answered, "I think. Or ... maybe my grandmother."

"There's not a lot of information here," Daniel said, hitting the keys as he searched for more clues about the funds.

"Danny, that's a nice hunk of change."

"I know that. I'd just like to know where it came from ... but ... that information isn't here."

Daniel spun his chair around, his hands hanging between his legs. He pursed his lips as he thought.

"Jack, do you have any idea what this is for, or when it began, or ... or anything?"

"No, none."

"Okay."

Daniel turned and hit some more buttons on the keyboard, and then hit the print key.

"What are you doing?"

"Printing out the form. It has all the information that the site has, and then we can do some checking ... in, uh, the den."

"Really?" Jack spoke over the phone to the manager of a bank in Chicago. "So what do I need to do? ... Got it. Thank you."

"What did he say?"

"It was my grandmother. She set up an account back in 1957, kept adding to it, but I never knew about it. I'm not sure my parents knew about it, either. When she died, this account must have been lost in the shuffle. No one knew to look for it."

"So ... like a trust?"

"Just a nice big savings account, Danny."

"How do you claim it?"

"Just have to prove my identity. Easy enough," Jack spoke as he stood and walked over near the recliner in Daniel's den.

Daniel moved from where he stood and took Jack's hands in his, and then kissed them. Then, he put his arms around Jack's neck.

"I love you."

"Me or my money?"

"Jaaaack!"

"I love you, too, Angel. This is really going to help with the kids."

"Jack, why don't we divide it up. I mean, we already have little accounts that we started a couple of years ago."

"The bonds ..."

"Yes, so, let's set up real trust funds. By the time they're ready for college, it'll pay their way and more."

"No worries."

"Not as long as you keep that winning streak going with the Stock Market, and J-O Enterprises keeps its head above the water."

"What a blessing."

"Hmm-mmm."

Daniel leaned forward to kiss his husband.

"Geez, I wish we could ..."

"Me, too." Daniel fiddled the collar of Jack's shirt. "Soon. Tomorrow is Friday night."

"Ut oh. Who's covering with the brood?"

"Janet, Cass, and Sam ... girls' night."

"They're going to corrupt our daughters."

"In all the best ways."

Jack kissed Daniel soundly, each reveling in their passionate union.

"Oh geez, not again," Jennifer laughed, tapping lightly on the door. "I swear, you two need a room."

"We have one," Jack stated.

"We also have eight children," Daniel said, as he pulled away and walked towards the oldest girl, "and I assume you're here for a reason?"

"Um, yeah."

"Um, yeah, what?" Jack asked.

"My friend Michelle asked if I could go to the movies with her tonight."

"It's a school night, Jen," Daniel answered.

"That's what I thought you'd say," the girl sighed and turned to walk away.

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look.

"But ..." Daniel added, "What's the movie? Where's it playing? When does it start and end? How are you getting there and back? And most importantly, is your homework done?"

"You sure you don't have more questions?"

Seeing two piercing glares, Jennifer threw her hands in front of her as if shielding herself.

"Just kidding," she said, and then she answered all of their questions, making sure they were aware that she had finished her essay for English class and had read the assignment for history.

Jack and Daniel exchanged another look.

"Michelle is the cute blonde with the mom who belongs in Playboy and the Dad who looks like the Terminator, right?"

Jennifer rolled her eyes as she answered, "Yes, that's her."

"Okay. You take your cell, and you keep it on, but you don't use it. I want to be able to get through if I want to," Jack instructed.

"And no detours on the way home, and if you or Michelle have a problem, we expect you to call us, and we'll come and get you."

"Really? You're going to let me go?"

"Reluctantly, yes." Jack said.

"Jennifer, you've earned our trust. Make good choices, and you'll keep it," Daniel stated calmly.

Jennifer hugged her new fathers, saying, "Thank you."

A few minutes after Jennifer left the house, Jack stood and stretched, "Think I'll ..."

"No, Jack, you won't."

"But ..."

"But we have to trust her. We said we did, so unless or until she does something to show us we were wrong to trust her, then we're sticking to our word."

"I trust her, Danny, but she's only thirteen, and I don't trust those wackos out there."

"Did you talk to Mister Evans?"

"Yes."

"And he's picking them up at the mall, right?"

Jack fidgeted.

"She's our daughter, Daniel."

"I know, and I'm not saying it's easy, or that I'm not going to worry until she walks in the front door, but we can't follow her around, Jack. Now, sit down and read your magazine. Better yet," Daniel said hearing the cry in the monitor, "go see who wants what."

"Dictator!"

Daniel laughed as Jack headed up the stairs to tend to their babies.

"Gra'pa," Aislinn cooed, reaching her hands up after toddling over to Major General George Hammond who had just arrived for the triplet's first birthday party.

"How's my girl?" Hammond asked as he leaned over and picked her up.

"Gra'pa. Cake!"

"I see you've learned all the important things about life from your Dad."

"Loops."

Sam chuckled, as did Daniel.

"What's so funny?" Jack asked, as if insulted.

"Nothing, Sir," Sam bravely answered.

The birthday party for the Munchkins was in two parts, beginning with a big blast with their extended family. Anyone who was anyone in the Jackson-O'Neill circle of family friends was there, much like their weddings.

"Daniel, I can't believe how big they are, and now you have the twins, too? Geez, Bro, you're putting me to shame," Suzanna said.

Suzanna Simpson was the only foster sibling Daniel remained in contact with over the years, and she was still single, but anxious to have a family.

All the guests fussed over the triplets, including the Ferrettis, Cornells, Rancolinis, and Svensons. The twins had their share of attention, too, especially from Mrs. Valissi and, curiously Jack thought, Dominic.

I really need to have another talk with that young man.

Jack and Daniel noticed that everyone was eager to befriend the Mouseketeers as well. For some of their guests, like the sisters they'd met at Disneyland -- Frances and Crystal, this was the first time they'd met the older children and seen the twins. They were happy that so many seemed to be taking time out to get to know the older children.

"Danny, look at Teal'c." Daniel did as Jack had requested and saw the Jaffa didn't look happy. Then he realized why. From the first moment she'd seen him, Chenoa had taken a liking to the Jaffa, and it seemed to be mutual, Teal'c showing he had infinite patience where the young toddler was concerned.

Chenoa hadn't met Teal'c at the shelter during his many visits there, being too young for the history lessons he had taught, but the day Jack and Daniel had brought the Mouseketeers home to stay, Chenoa had been in awe of the tall, strong man. That particular day, though, had been full of emotion, and she had needed to be with her siblings and new parents, so while she had stared at Teal'c for quite a while, she hadn't said much of anything to him.

Upon their next meeting, however, everything had changed. As soon as the tiny blonde had caught sight of Teal'c at her new home, it was ... well, love at first, or maybe second, toddler sight!

Flashback - Several Weeks Earlier/
Sam and Teal'c dropped by the Jackson-O'Neill residence for a visit.

"You remember our little cutie pie," Jack said lovingly. "Her name is Chenoa."

"Indeed. I am honored, Chenoa," Teal'c said, bowing his head courteously.

Chenoa was awestruck as she looked up at the man wearing the funny hat.

"Noa, Honey, this is our friend Murray. You met him the day we brought you home. Remember?" Jack asked.

The youngster smiled and nodded shyly, but said nothing for a while.

While Jennifer and David watched over the triplets upstairs, Chenoa sat down on the floor near the beagles, who were having a great time, thanks to Sam who was now giving them a thorough rubdown, leaning down to reach the two dogs.

"Good thing I have two hands," the Lieutenant Colonel said with a grin.

As the adults chattered away, Chenoa stared at Teal'c, and then she began to laugh. While Daniel was seated to the left of Sam on the sofa, Jack and Teal'c were still standing as they talked. Chenoa used her hands to push herself up and quietly toddled over to where her father and the new man in her life stood.

She tugged on the man's black pants. Teal'c looked down, surprised. He raised his eyebrows as he asked in a low voice, "Yes?"

The Jaffa looked like a mountain to the young girl -- so tall and strong. She'd never seen anyone like him before. Bravely, the twenty-three-month-old reached up, both arms extended as far as she could go. She stood on her tippy-toes, bouncing, and her fingers made little motions as she tried to make her wishes known.

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look, both smiling, but it was Sam who told Teal'c, "She wants you to pick her up."

"Indeed," Teal'c said dryly, causing Chenoa to giggle a little.

Hearing the small laugh as he watched the fidgeting child, Teal'c considered what to do. He glanced quickly at Jack and Daniel, and then bent down and picked up the young girl. She laughed again, her face bright and clearly happy.

Her hands went to Teal'c's face and then up to the hat, knocking it off. She again noticed the gold-like tattoo the Jaffa bore on his forehead.

"That?" she asked in abbreviated toddler-speak, pointing at the emblem on Teal'c's forehead, tapping it gently and quickly pulling her hand back.

"It is a symbol."

"Sym...ball?" the toddler asked, totally clueless what 'symbol' meant and not able to speak the word, either.

"Yes. It is a symbol of slavery."

"Snake," she said, tracing the emblem with her fingers. "What's slav'y?"

"Slavery is when one person forces another to do something."

"Noa," Daniel moved to make sure she could see him. "Remember the other day when you decided you wanted to play with Katie in her play yard?"

"Katie funny. Dig."

"Right. Well, if you were a slave, then whoever owned you wouldn't let you play with Katie, or dig in her play yard. In fact, they might not ever let you play with Katie."

"Love Katie," the little girl said, a frown on her face from the thought of not being allowed to play with her.

"I know, and don't worry, you can play with her all you want because you're free, but if someone owned you, they might not let you. You'd have to do whatever they said."

"You would be a slave," Teal'c added.

"No. Slav'y bad."

"That is correct."

"Slave?" the curly haired girl asked innocently as she jabbed her finger against Teal'c's chin.

"I was once, but now I am free and fight to make sure all Jaffa are free."

"Jafall?"

"I am a Jaffa."

"Oh," Chenoa said, not understanding.

"It is a name for my people," Teal'c paused, "just as you are a Tau'ri."

"Story?" she perked, thinking her new friend was about to read her a story.

"Tau'ri, Noa," Daniel corrected as he listened to the conversation. "It's just another name for human beings."

"It is what much of the universe call the people who live on Earth."

"Earth?" the confused girl asked.

While she was following some parts of the conversation, other parts didn't make any sense to her. Jack stepped in, explaining, "Chenoa, where we live, all of us, is on a planet. Big round thing. Like the sun and the moon. It's called Earth."

"Oh."

"Indeed, there are many planets, Chenoa, and perhaps ..."

"Uh, Murray, I don't think she's ready for that," Jack interjected as he stood next to Daniel.

Teal'c thought for a moment, and then spoke, "It is a big universe. No doubt somewhere there is life. Would you not agree?"

"What's a unihurse?"

Jack burst into laughter, and Daniel chided him with a shushing noise, gently slapping Jack's arm in retribution.

"Universe," Jack corrected, then desperately trying to hide his snort, he told Teal'c, "Go ahead. Answer her question, big guy."

Ignoring Jack's snorts, Teal'c looked at the toddler and replied, "The universe is ... where the Earth is"

"Oh." Chenoa was deep in thought. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why unihurse?"

Teal'c looked confused. Jack leaned forward and whispered, "I think she wants to know why the Earth is in the universe."

Teal'c's eyes widened, as if to say, 'why didn't she say so?', but what he said next was, "Because that is the way it is."

Though he had answered the inquiry, he found it difficult to answer the question without talking about other worlds.

"Why?"

"Oh, gawd," Daniel laughed as he envisioned at least three more minutes worth of "Why" questions.

"Because we cannot change it."

"Why?"

Teal'c thought for a moment. He heard Jack snickering and had already observed Daniel trying desperately not to laugh.

"Because your fathers said so. You must ask them, and they can tell you why."

Teal'c looked over to the couple. He wore a smug expression on his face.

Chenoa looked to her fathers and asked, "Why?"

Sam, still seated on the sofa and petting the two beagles, bowed her head, trying to suppress her own laughter.

"All yours, Love," Jack said as he walked away.

"Thanks," Daniel smirked as he walked a few steps closer towards Teal'c and Chenoa. "Um, Noa, it's that way because ... well, because ..." Daniel looked over at the mantle at the photo of Charlie. His mind went back to a Christmas when Charlie had made a miracle happen, and then to yet another miracle that had occurred at another time, when Jack and Daniel had planned to retire. Daniel had almost died that time. He took a breath and exchanged a look at Jack, and then he focused on their daughter. "It's that way, Noa, because God made it that way, and sometimes, we just have to accept that. There's no answer. It's just ... the way He made it."

"'kay," the young girl smiled, happy with the response. She looked at Teal'c and asked, "Tea party?" Teal'c raised his eyebrows, having no idea what she meant. Chenoa asked, "Tea with me?"

"She wants you to have tea with her," Sam said as calmly as she could, wondering if the Jaffa had any idea at all what a toddler tea party was like.

"I am aware of what I have been asked, ColonelCarter."

Jack was desperate to roll on the floor laughing. He turned to face the fireplace, determined not to let his precious daughter see him, but the thought of Teal'c at one of Chenoa's tea parties was just too much for him to handle. Suddenly, he gasped out an "Excuse me" and ran out of the room towards the study.

Daniel was self-hugging, not for the old protective and defensive reasons, but also to try and keep from laughing. Even Sam had turned to face the back of the sofa, trying to hide her face and the sounds of repressed laughter.

Teal'c saw the reactions. He looked into Chenoa's eyes and said, "I would be honored."

Chenoa lit up like a Christmas tree. She motioned for Teal'c to put her down, and once he did, she ran to Daniel.

"Dan'l, tea? Pleeeeeeeeease?"

Daniel knelt down and smiled. Usually, their tea parties were all pretend, but this is obviously a special occasion. He knew exactly what his daughter was asking. She wanted real tea.

"Sure, Noa. Why don't you take Murray to your tea room, and I'll bring it up in a minute."

"Thank you, Dan'l!"

Chenoa reached out for Teal'c's hand. He looked at her for a moment and then let her take hold of his hand and lead him up the stairs to her room.

Jack and Daniel had a small table and chairs with a tiny kitchen area set up in one corner of the nursery, the part they'd been working hard to make age-appropriate for their daughter.

"I've just got to see this," Sam said, following Daniel up the stairs.

Jack, too, had rejoined them and trailed Sam up the steps. When they got there, Teal'c was seated, lightly, very lightly, on one of the small chairs. Chenoa had her tea set out.

"General Jack? What's going on?" Jennifer asked Jack as they made their way upstairs to see the unusual sight of a Jaffa at a tea party.

"Noa invited Murray for tea. Why don't you and David go downstairs for a while."

Jack looked over at the crib and checked on the Munchkins, still asleep and undisturbed by the current happenings. They'd had their quota of sleep, so if they woke up, he figured it would be okay.

"Here you go, Noa," Daniel said as he entered a few moments later. He placed the small pitcher of tea on the table. "Would you like me to pour?"

She shook her head, then said, "Go, Dan'l."

"Oh." Daniel looked stunned as he stood up and backed away a couple of steps. Chenoa got up and went to him. She tugged on his pants, so Daniel leaned over. She whispered in his ear, "Love you, Dan'l."

"I love you, too, Noa."

"Tea party -- Mur'y."

Daniel knew what she meant. This was a private tea party, just Chenoa, Teal'c ... and the sleeping triplets.

"Oh, okay. You have fun with your guest."

Daniel smiled at Teal'c, a silent thanks in Daniel's eyes, and then he walked out, Sam right behind him. Daniel sighed as he realized they were missing someone.

"Jack!"

"What?" Daniel glared at him. "Oh, all right, I'm coming."

Reluctantly, Jack followed Daniel and Sam back downstairs.

"That was cute. Looks like your daughter has a crush on Teal'c," Sam commented.

"Think the big guy is good enough for our daughter, Danny?"

Daniel just shook his head, and then the trio went downstairs to join Jennifer and David. Jack and Daniel didn't know what their future held, but they knew life would only get more interesting with each and every day.
End of Flashback

At the end of their tea party, Chenoa had asked Teal'c if he would come back again the following Saturday. He had agreed, and once again, the two sat down for tea, only this time Jack had surprised his friend by having a more sturdy chair for the warrior to sit on. Teal'c acknowledged the new chair with a nod, and Jack had said, "It is the least I could do for my daughter's new beau."

Currently, however, Chenoa was being fussed over by Erik Wilcox, a friend of Jack's from Chicago. "He's jealous. Look at the brow and the scowl. He's so not happy."

Daniel saw Jack was right and chuckled, and was silently glad they had all the weapons locked up and out of reach.

When things settled down, Kayla, Janet, and Cassie volunteered to stay and clean up, and also to babysit the Mouseketeers and twins while Jack and Daniel spent some private time with their miracles. Bundling the toddlers into the truck, and with Bijou and Katie in tow, they went to their Colorado cabin for the night. They'd have breakfast and lunch there before returning to the Springs in time for dinner.

It was a special twenty-four hours at the cabin, Daniel reading stories to the toddlers, Jack teaching them how to fish (well, as best as he could), and just romping on the grass. They were glad the snow hadn't fallen yet, and while there was a slight chill, it was still pleasant outside.

They had eaten lunch, and the triplets had all three fallen asleep. The two beagles were relaxing on the bed with them. Jack was doing the dishes, and when he finished he found his husband standing in the doorway watching the sleeping Munchkins. Jack put his arm around Daniel's waist and kissed his forehead.

"La mio bello stella cadente, I love you."

"You haven't called me that in a long time," Daniel said softly as he leaned his head against Jack's shoulder.

"Danny, no matter how hectic our life gets, you'll always be my beautiful falling star."

"I love you, Jack. I can't believe how this feels. I ... I swear I'm going to explode."

"I know what you mean. A child changes everything, and we have eight of those now."

"Happy birthday, Munchkins," Daniel said softly. Then he turned to his spouse. "Jack, dance with me."

"We don't have any music."

"Yes, we do. We have the music of our hearts."

Jack smiled, reached out to take Daniel's hands, and leaned over to kiss them. They moved into the living area and joined their bodies together as they danced for thirty minutes to the rhythmic music of their hearts.

"Are we agreed?" Jennifer asked her siblings as they sat on the bed in her bedroom. David and Chenoa nodded. "Okay, then. This is a big step, so you have to be sure. No going back."

"I love them, Jen."

"Love them," Chenoa laughed in agreement.

"So do I. I think Mommy and Daddy would be okay with it, too. Let's go!"

Jennifer took Chenoa by the hand and helped her down the stairs that led from the teenager's garage room to the first story of the house, near the study. They walked slowly as they looked for Jack and Daniel, finding them snuggling on the sofa.

"Oops, sorry," Jennifer laughed.

"That's okay. We were just sitting," Jack said, his arm securely around Daniel's shoulders.

The triplets and the twins were all in the downstairs cribs and the beagles were in their beanbag. A fire was blazing in the fireplace, and Jack had one of his favorite opera CDs on.

"What's up?" Jack asked, sensing there was a purpose to the sudden appearance of the three children.

"Well, we've had a Mouseketeers meeting, and now we want to have a family meeting."

"Oh?" Daniel asked, sitting up straighter.

Jennifer moved her siblings so that the three stood in front of the coffee table that sat by the sofa. David and Chenoa stood in front of the teenager who had one hand on David's right shoulder and another on the top of Chenoa's curly hair.

"We love our parents. We miss them tremendously, and no one will ever replace them," Jennifer said firmly, a quiver in her voice.

Jack and Daniel both started to respond, but the young girl continued, "But they're gone, and they'd want us to have a family, and we want to have a family. We, the three of us," Jennifer said as she looked down at David and Chenoa, "love you both, and we want to be a part of this family."

"You are, Jen," Jack said.

"No, I mean, we ... we want the Munchkins and the twins to be our brothers and sisters, totally. We want a Dad and a Daddy, too, and we want to change our names. That is, I mean, if you really want us."

"Oh, gawd," Daniel shot up like a cannon and went around to the children, beating Jack by a fraction of a second. He put his hands on the three siblings, going back and forth as he said, "We love you so much. We can't replace your parents, your mother and father. We don't want you to forget them, but we'd be honored to be your fathers now."

"So it's okay?" David asked softly, adding, "I can call you Daddy?"

Daniel nodded as a tear fell from his eye.

"And Dad?" Jennifer looked to Jack who couldn't stop his own tears as he held his daughter in his arms.

Chenoa laughed, loving all the happiness and love in the room, and then found herself scooped up by Jack.

"Love you, Noa!"

"Dad?"

"That would be me," Jack said with pride.

"Daddy, can I come in?"

Daniel turned his chair around from his desk and smiled.

"Hey, David. Come on in. How's the website going?"

David entered Daniel's den, a sheaf of papers clutched in his hands. He had a very intense look on his face. Clearly, he'd been studying hard, trying to figure out some puzzle. Now that he was in a private school, getting one-on-one instruction, the boy was thriving as he pursued his education.

"Do you think Stonehenge was supposed to be a temple? If it was a temple, then why are there no hieroglyphs or drawings? I read that a temple almost always has something about whomever they are made for, but I don't see anything like that at Stonehenge."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, there are some shards, but not enough to tell us anything."

"Do you have any ideas? Remember, you don't have to agree with accepted theories."

They'd talked about Stonehenge before. David didn't understand all of it, but from his talks with his father, he'd learned quite a bit.

"It could be a calendar because the stones mark the midsummer and midwinter solstices, but that's a lot of work for a calendar, and they had way too many stones."

"Let's rule that out for now then. Do you remember we discussed the bluestones?"

"Yes. It was the moving thing."

Daniel smiled. There were so many theories. It was a lot for a six-year-old to learn. He was so impressed with the child's knowledge and ability to learn quickly.

"Right. Some people believe that the stones were hauled over a great distance from Wales to Salisbury where Stonehenge is."

"I don't think they'd do that. Sure would be a lot of work just to move some stones."

"Well, what about the glacier theory?"

"Wouldn't they have been found in other places, too, then?"

"It makes sense," Daniel responded. "Have you read about bluestones being found anywhere else?"

"No, just at Stonehenge."

"So what conclusions are you coming to?"

David looked nervous about revealing his thoughts, and Daniel smiled encouragingly at him.

"Remember, David, you don't have to have all the answers. In fact, if you think you do have all the answers, you wouldn't be a very good archaeologist."

"I don't think we'll ever know who built it, but I think they were smart and knew how to do a lot more than we do. I don't believe it was a calendar or a temple, but ... I don't know what it was built for, Daddy."

"Does it matter that you don't know?" David considered the answer to the question as Daniel continued. "Now that you've asked some questions, you can look for the answers. If you just accepted the traditional views of archeologists even when you didn't believe them to be right, no one would ever look for new possibilities."

"Daddy, would you look at my website for me? It's on Dad's computer in the study. I'm just not sure if the layout is okay. Mrs. Arnold is really finicky about the appearance of the website and how it's set up."

"Let's go check it out."

Daniel stood up and walked to the study, discussing David's project with him as they walked. Silently, the archaeologist wondered if David's IQ was higher than his. He couldn't remember doing anything quite this involved at David's age. Of course, computers didn't exactly exist on digs in Egypt. He smiled at the memory of his parents encouraging his explorations and wondered if they'd enjoyed it as much as he was enjoying helping David.

Jack and Daniel loved the school they'd selected for David. The programs were individually designed to help nourish and encourage a child's natural desire to learn. David had a keen interest in ancient cultures, and he learned how to use a computer practically before he could talk and walk, so his main instructor, Mrs. Arnold, had developed a plan to utilize both interests, getting him to create a website to display what he had learned about Stonehenge, including its history and potential purpose.

Daniel smiled at Jack as he entered the study, but didn't break off his discussion with David. He was determined to make sure that David always felt encouraged by his parents and never that they were just humoring him. He looked at David's project and felt a surge of pride at the boy's accomplishment.

"This is great, David, but don't be afraid to doubt the accepted opinions of the experts. It's necessary to acknowledge the various opinions that are around, but always have the confidence to challenge them."

"So I should add something down here about what I think?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me."

"So, I can say what I told you, about the calendar being possible but that I don't think it's right?"

"Is that all you'd say?"

"No, I'd explain why. Is that what you mean?"

"Exactly. Never just criticize. Speak your mind, but explain it as best you can."

Jack listened as Daniel worked with David on his homework. He loved it, the look in Daniel's eye, the sound of his voice ... and David's broad smile and the intensity with which he listened and discussed the topic at hand.

Sitting at Jack's feet as he sat on the sofa, Chenoa played quietly with some Lincoln Logs. Jack smiled seeing the unusual cabin she was building. It was missing a wall and was a bit lopsided, but to Jack, it was perfect.

Bijou was seated by Jack's side, his left hand massaging her ears as he pretended to read an aviation magazine.

Upstairs, Jennifer was sitting with the Munchkins and the twins as she read a book. Katie was with her, sitting on her lap, keeping a firm eye on the cribs.

As Daniel concluded his sentence, he glanced towards Jack. He wasn't focusing on anything in particular, caught up as he was in the mysteries of Stonehenge, when his eye caught hold of one of the photos on the wall. Surrounded by various degrees and diplomas of both Jack's and Daniel's, this particular photo was purposely placed in the middle, as a sort of centerpiece.

The five by seven photo of a young Jack and Daniel was a reminder that all work and no play was not only dull, but unhealthy. The picture had been taken by Janet a couple years earlier when the couple had been turned into children for a week. They had thought they were brothers, and during that week, Jack had worked hard to teach Daniel the value of play.

Now, Daniel stared at that photo. He and David had been hard at it for over ninety minutes, and there was no end in sight.

Jack saw Daniel's stare. He followed the eye trail to see what had captured his attention. He smiled, knowing what was going through his husband's mind.

"Daddy, are you listening to me?"

"Yes, Son, I am. David, do you like trains?"

"Trains?"

"Yeah. Dad and I have the best train set. How about we set it up and let you be the engineer?"

"But what about my homework? We have to finish it, or it won't be perfect."

Daniel put a hand on David's shaggy hair. It almost matched his own. The young man shook his head.

"David, it doesn't need to be perfect. In fact, most things will never be perfect. You only need to do your best, and you need to balance learning with playing."

"I like to play."

"So do I, so what do you say?"

"Is it a Lionel train set? My friend Barry had a Lionel train set, and it was so cool."

Daniel laughed at David's exuberance. He looked at Jack.

"Jack? How about we break out the train sets? It's been a while."

"Too long!" Jack leaned over and picked up Chenoa. "Hey, Noa. Want to play trains?"

"Choo chooooooo," she answered.

"I think that's a yes, Love."

Twenty minutes later, Jennifer walked downstairs and saw her siblings and parents playing with the two train sets.

"I thought you guys were studying? Geez, if I knew you were playing, I would have told you that I have things to do."

"Wanna run the engine?" Jack asked, a big smile on his face.

"Me?"

"Come on. This is the Jackson-O'Neill Express Train. You're a Jackson-O'Neill, right?"

Jennifer's smile was bigger than ever. She ran down the stairs.

"Oh, the babies?"

Daniel said, "The monitors are on, right?" She nodded. "Okay, then it won't hurt to run the Express for a few minutes. Come on, Jen. Join the family."

Bijou shook her floppy ears, a smile on her face. The beagle was happy, and she knew her family was, too. After watching the trains run the tracks for a couple of minutes, she went up the stairs and joined her daughter, keeping watch over the sleeping babies, a job she loved and cherished.

"The twins are doing just great, guys. Healthy as can be," Sylvia said, making a last notation in her file as they sat in her office for the infant's one-month checkup. Actually, it was a three-week checkup, but Sylvia was going out of town the following week, so Jack and Daniel had brought the babies in a week early.

Baby Jenny and baby Ricky were measured, checked to make sure their cords had completely fallen off and that their belly buttons were healing properly, and examined again for hearing as well as sight. Sylvia had finished up by giving the newborns their first hepatitis B shots, and now was making her final notations on a chart.

Jack and Daniel were each holding one of the newborns -- Jack held Jenny, and Danny had Ricky in his arms. The stroller was near Sylvia's desk.

The doctor continued, "So guys, same rules as before?"

"Rules?"

"The DNA tests? They're back."

Jack and Daniel looked at each other, both smiling broadly, and both with bright, shiny eyes. They looked at Sylvia and at the same time spoke, "We don't want to know."

Sylvia laughed, then said, "I didn't think so."

"Syl, these kids. The Munchkins, the twins -- geez, they're perfect, and I don't need to know which ones have my crazy genes."

"Or mine. We love our children, regardless of who has whose genes, or even if they have our DNA at all," Daniel said, thinking not only of the Munchkins, but of Jennifer, David, and Chenoa.

"My word, who would have believed this just five years ago?"

"Five? Syl, three years ago, I never thought ... never could have imagined this," Jack said. "Paradise. This is paradise."

"Sometimes, I still don't believe it either," Daniel said, "but then I look at one of our miracles, and it's hard to remember when we didn't have them. Our miracles," Daniel said, placing a kiss on Ricky's head which earned him a giggle and smile from the boy. Or was that just gas?

"Okay, then just like before. I've logged the results and will seal the file, and I assume you want the same provisos?"

"When they're eighteen, if they want to know, they can," Jack stated firmly.

"Maybe earlier. Jack, I don't think we should hide it from them, but ... if we raise them right, they're not going to care either."

"As always, Love, you're right."

"Okay, guys, I'm going to tell you the same thing I did before. You both connected. I don't know what it is about this ... bond between you two, but ... one of these little bundles contains each of your DNAs so ... well done, gentlemen."

"It doesn't matter," Daniel said.

Before he had even gotten out the word "It" Jack had begun his own comment, "We don't care which one of us did it."

Then Sylvia's words actually sank in, and the two men shared another look, breaking into simultaneous grins. Sylvia felt joy just watching them. There was so much love in the room, and the doctor just wished half of her patients had as much love of life the way these two did.

"Mark will be in touch for the adoption angle," Jack said, referring to their lawyer. "It should be easier this time around."

"I hope so," Daniel lamented, remembering back to how long it took to get the Court's to understand they personally didn't want to know the DNA results.

"Oh, that's right," Sylvia said. "You'll need to sign another release, but I'm sure Mark's already thought of that."

"Probably."

They bid goodbye to Sylvia who smiled as she watched them leave her office. As she had done a year earlier, she took a final look at her file, and smiled.

Baby Jackson-O'Neill, Girl, first born -- father: Jack Jackson-O'Neill Baby Jackson-O'Neill, Boy, second born -- father: Daniel Jackson-O'Neill

The Jackson-O'Neills continued to settle into their new life, meeting the daily challenges of their new family. J-O Enterprises was finding its way and doing well under Megan's guidance. The Munchkins were healthy and thriving, each doing something new every day that made Jack and Daniel burst from pride. Now toddlers, they kept their parents plenty busy as they chased the babies around the house.

Bijou and Katie were happier than ever, seeing Jack and Daniel so happy and themselves being spoiled rotten by the entire family. Little Danny and Katie seemed to have their own special connection, and the Mouseketeers adored the two beagles.

Jennifer had confided to Jack and Daniel that David had always wanted a dog, and he couldn't believe his luck that now they had two.

While, for a time, the beagles had feared being excluded again, Jack and Daniel were very careful not to repeat their earlier mistakes. In fact, more than ever, the couple allowed their precious beagles to sleep in their room with them. They had quality "beagle cuddling" time just before going to sleep almost every night, their vow to never let their four-legged children be ignored or feel unloved always in their minds.

The newest additions to the clan, little Jennifer Samantha and Richard Patrick, were everyone's pride and joy. Neither baby had a clue at their young age what a caring and delightful family they'd been born into. Both, however, had made the family complete. Though Jack and Daniel weren't sure anymore which "Jennifer" had been their "missing" child, both were cherished and thoroughly loved. And Ricky had evened out the clan -- four boys and four girls. Jack and Daniel felt blessed beyond words.

Kayla was doing well, her novel close to being ready for a publisher. She was more excited than ever about it, and now that her "baby" obligations were over, she had begun to travel again, her first stop being a quick trip to the Grand Canyon "just because it's so grand" she had laughed. Next up, the young woman was headed for three months in France, and then she promised to return and check up on the Jackson-O'Neills.

Chenoa had adapted well to her new life. In fact, she was making lots of new friends, especially Sara's daughter, Angela, and one very handsome alien she had taken a liking to almost instantly. She was totally devoted to Teal'c, and had adapted Jack's nickname for him of 'T'.

Though Teal'c had been introduced to the Mouseketeers as Murray, soon after Chenoa had begun her tea parties with the Jaffa, Jack and Daniel had decided that using Teal'c's cover name would be too confusing. It's not like this was a temporary situation. Jennifer, David, and Chenoa were their children now, and Teal'c was part of their extended family, so the couple had sat the three children down and explained that for business reasons, Teal'c used the name "Murray," but that his real name was Teal'c. While the children thought it was an unusual name, they accepted Daniel's answer that it was a family name, one of honor in Teal'c's heritage, and the three children readily accepted the statement. From then on, they called Teal'c by his true name.

"Teal'CCCCCC," Chenoa had laughed. "Like Teal'c," she had said at the end of the discussion.

As for David, he was coming into his own. He wasn't afraid any longer. His new parents had shared so much about themselves, and he saw that being different, being intelligent, and even geekish wasn't a terminal disease. His genius was being carefully encouraged by both parents, especially Daniel, while at the same time, they were making sure he never lost sight of the value of playtime. David not only felt loved again, but he had a self-esteem and respect for himself that he had begun to lose after his parents had died.

And Jennifer? The teenager was driving her parents insane, as any normal teenager would. No longer feeling the need to be "the parent," no longer feeling the pressure of having to take care of everything herself, and no longer doubting that she had a home, the young girl felt free to be just as aggravating as any normal teen of the times, as evidenced by her attire on this day, her first day back to school after a short family vacation.

"You are NOT wearing that!" Jack said sternly to Jennifer.

"Why not?"

"Well, well, well ... where's the rest of it?"

"Rest of what?" Jennifer asked in frustration.

"Rest of IT. IT. That, that, that ... whatever that's supposed to be!" Jack's hands flung out at his daughter's scantily clad attire, "... and black lipstick? You're too young for lipstick, PERIOD! And who on Earth wears black lipstick anyway? ... especially to school! No way, Jen!"

"Jack, calm down," Daniel said as he walked into the living room to see what the ruckus was all about.

"Calm down! Calm DOWN! Do you see what she's WEARING?"

"Yes, I see what she's wearing."

"Well, Well--where's the REST of it?" Jack repeated.

"Jack, calm down before you burst a blood vessel."

"Calm down! Daniel, she's not wearing that out of this house!"

"Daddy, do something! Dad is being such an old prude."

Acting as a voice of reason in the desert of irrationality, Daniel suggested Jennifer wear red lipstick and a jacket over her dress. Jack hesitantly accepted the proposal, walking into the kitchen to get a much-needed drink.

I wish I hadn't promised myself not to drink beer during the day in front of the kids. BLACK LIPSTICK?

Meanwhile, feeling the need to be honest, Jennifer whispered, "Daddy, you know I'm going to take this off as soon as I walk out the door, don't you?"

Daniel had a bit of a smug smile on his face. While he may have acted like a voice of reason to prevent a major argument, it didn't exactly mean that he was that okay with Jennifer's look himself. Now that Jack was out of the room, it was his turn.

"Yes, but if I were you and wanted to leave the house ever again, you won't do it until you are at least ten miles away, and even then, I'd watch my back. Of course, I'd think about the consequences of being caught doing something my fathers disapproved of and had specifically told you not to do."

"He's going to follow me, isn't he?"

"Probably."

"Can't you do something?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. He's your husband."

"Yes, and he's your father."

"So are you."

"Exactly," Daniel said, his smug look getting smugger as he was about to go in for the "kill."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Where's the rest of it?" Daniel smiled, adding, "You have five minutes to change your clothes to something more appropriate and to redo your lipstick, and yes, we love you too."

"But Daaaaaaaaaaddddddddddddddddddy!" Finis - Finished - Done - The End - But is it ever Really?