-- Chapter Six: Jack Cubed!

"Idiotic red tape. DANIEL?" Jack bellowed from his study where he had just gotten off the phone with Yazid.

"Jack, we have children. You can't bellow like that anymore. You'll scare them."

Jack looked over at the Munchkins, all happily playing in the playpen he had moved to the study earlier.

"They look normal to me."

"Jack!"

"Yes, Dear."

"JACK!"

Jack laughed, then grew serious again.

"Danny, we have a problem."

"When do we not have a problem?"

Jack decided to ignore that comment since it was all too true.

"Anyway, we have a problem. Yazid said he can't get an okay for the girls to be at the dig site."

Daniel wasn't really surprised. He'd done some research over the last couple of months and knew there could be complications, but he was determined they would prevail. He folded his arms in a dramatic show of strength and said, "Technically, it's against the rules, but we aren't going without them."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Jack said, eager to see what his lover would come up with, and he knew Daniel would come up with something.

"I have an idea. Let me call Yazid and see if he can broker something for me."

"Here, have a seat and a phone," Jack said as he moved and made a grand sweeping motion for Daniel to take his chair.

Daniel laughed as he took Jack's place.

"Babe, would you check on Jenny for me? She was a little fussy this morning. She might be coming down with something."

"Yeah, I noticed that. I'll go take a peek. Good luck!"

Twenty minutes later, Daniel walked into the nursery looking for Jack. He saw Jenny wasn't in the crib so assumed Jack had her with him. He checked the master bedroom and then he heard Jack in the den.

"Yeah, that's what I thought, Syl. One of us will bring her ... you can? Are you nuts? With our brood, that'll get you in the will! See you soon."

"What's going on? Were you talking to Sylvia?"

"I think Jenny has an ear infection. See how she's tugging on that ear, and it, ewww, smells."

"Is Sylvia making a house call?"

"Isn't she great?" Jack said, beaming at their luck in having such a devoted family physician.

"Makes life easier," Daniel said as Jenny began to cry.

"Don't cry, Princess. It'll be better soon."

"Sing to her, Jack."

"Nah."

"Trust me. It'll make her feel better."

As Daniel listened, Jack sang a soft lullaby to their baby daughter, and soon she was asleep in his arms.

"Everyone's a critic," Jack whispered as he kissed Jenny's forehead.

"It's so powerful, Jack."

"What is?"

"Love. Being able to make your child feel safe and loved by something so simple as a song or a touch."

"Have I told you lately that I happen to love you?"

"Every second of every day," Daniel answered, completely serious.

The two stood, gazing into each other's eyes.

"Geez," Jack finally broke the spell. "What, uh, did Yazid say?" Jack struggled to speak.

"Um ..." Daniel struggled himself. The connection he had with his husband was so strong that sometimes it threatened to overwhelm him, as had been the case just now. "He's, uh, going to propose a couple of ideas and see if any of them make the Department of Antiquities happy."

"What kind of ideas?"

"Several. One was ... whoops," Daniel paused, looking towards the door upon hearing raised voices from downstairs. "I'd better go see what the commotion is about. Love you," Daniel spoke as he exited the den and went to check on their other children.

"Yazid's plane arrives in ninety minutes, Jack. I don't want to be late," Daniel said.

He was happy the morning had gone off without a hitch, all of the Jackson-O'Neill children successfully taken to either school or dropped off at various friend's houses for a visit.

"Geez, Danny, you sound like you're meeting ... me!"

"Jack, please put Mr. Jealousy away. We have too much to do. Please ..." Daniel walked to his husband. He put his hands on Jack's neck, gently caressing, sliding his fingertips along the warm skin there. He nibbled on Jack's lower lip, and then used his tongue to tickle Jack's lips. The two kissed gently, and then powerfully. "All yours, Jack. I promise."

"Mine," Jack whispered. "You don't need to promise. I know. I just get ..."

"... possessive."

"Yeah. I'll try to be good."

"You are good, Love. Believe me, you're good, very good; in fact, better than good."

"Daniel, you keep looking at me like that and we are so going to be late."

"Let's be late," Daniel whispered into Jack's mouth, and before long the two were making love, rapid-fire style.

"Wow, that may have been quick, but it definitely had a kick to it."

"You make it sound like a shot of tequila."

"Oh, no, Angel, you're much better than tequila."

"Gee, thanks, Jack."

They laughed as they climbed into Jack's truck and headed for Denver to pick up Yazid.

"It's good to meet you, Yazid," Megan nodded as she was introduced to the man at the J-O Enterprises office.

She couldn't help but notice the Egyptian's good looks. He was well built, about 6'3", had thick, wavy brown hair with piercing brown, almost black eyes. His smile was incredible and was accented by a pair of delectable dimples. She knew the man was forty-five years old, but her thoughts as she welcomed him was that he looked a gorgeous thirty-five.

Megan gave Yazid the tour of the house that served as the office for their archaeological company. Jack and Daniel held back, letting their Director of Operations take the lead. Jack was pleased that Megan seemed to have taken a liking to the man, especially if it kept Yazid away from Daniel.

Calm down, O'Neill. Daniel doesn't need your jealousy right now ... but crap, that man is better looking than I thought he would be, and he was giving Daniel a massage? I don't ...

Jack, cut it out. I love you.

Jack gulped. Sorry, Love. It's the first time I've actually seen him.

And I guess he's good looking enough, but he's not my sexy, charming grizzly bear. Now, stay on task, please.

Yes, Love ... and Danny, I love you.

I know. Love you, too.

Eventually, the four sat down to discuss the specifics of the upcoming dig.

"I am pleased to tell you, Daniel, that I have made arrangements to allow Miss Bijou and Miss Katie to be with you at the site."

"Do we have to give away our first born?"

"Jack, behave."

Yazid smiled at Jack's humor.

"No, General, but Mister Farouk would be pleased if you, Daniel, would assist on a project that has given our government some difficulty recently."

"What kind of project?"

"Translations. They found a language they do not understand. If you would be willing to assist while in Egypt, they will ... look the other way."

Jack and Daniel smiled. They knew all about looking the other way. They thanked Yazid, and Daniel agreed to help while he was there.

Over the next couple of days, they made a plan. Though the preliminary evaluation and mapping was promising, they needed more information. They had also been given permission to do a more detailed exploration. Megan and two others would travel to Egypt and do a watching brief that would provide more detail than the assessments done previously.

Yazid would also be on site acting as a coordinator between Megan and the local authorities.

The Jackson-O'Neills gathered around for their family time. They all loved this part of their daily life when they gathered together to share both the good and bad of the day. Tonight, though, Jack and Daniel had a surprise for the children.

"Daniel and I have something to tell you."

"We're going on a trip, all of us," Daniel said.

"Cool. A vacation!" Jennifer exclaimed.

"Actually, it's more than that, Jen," Jack stated. "We'll do some sightseeing, but this is also a business trip."

"Business?"

"A dig?" David asked excitedly.

"A dig," Daniel smiled as he answered his son's question.

"Where to, Daddy?" Jen asked.

"Egypt."

"Wow!" both of the older children exclaimed.

"We'll be going to a place called Abydos. It's one of Egypt's oldest cities. It's the burial site of many kings, and it's full of ancient temples and things."

"Is there a tennis court?" David asked.

"Cute, David," Jack smirked, knowing the little boy was teasing. "This is going to be like a giant camping trip -- no extras and no frills. We'll be living in a big tent for several weeks."

"Oh ... wow," Jennifer said a bit less enthusiastically.

"You can bring some books and music and ... well, you ask, and we'll let you know if it's okay. Jen," Jack said, "we'll be counting on you a lot. Danny and I are going to be very busy."

"Full-time babysitting, huh? Do I get paid?" The teenager saw the scowls. "I'm just kidding."

"Jen," Daniel leaned forward, "I know we're asking a lot, but we need to be able to count on you."

"You can. I promise."

"Jack's going to bring his telescope, so we're going to spend some time as a family learning about astronomy, and you're probably going to learn more about Egypt than you want to, but I have a lot to tell you about the places we'll be going."

"And we will be doing some vacationing. We're going to start out with a cruise down the Nile and see some history before we go to the dig site. If we have time, we'll do little getaways while we're there."

Daniel added, "And Sam and Teal'c will both be coming with us."

"T?" Chenoa repeated brightly.

Jack laughed as he informed his daughter, "He's all yours, Noa, for weeks."

"Yeaaaaaaaaaaah! TEEEEEE!"

Jack and Daniel smiled. Chenoa's crush for the Jaffa had grown. She thought he could do no wrong.

"Jen," Jack said, "we might be leaving before the end of the school term. We've already spoken with the school, and if necessary, your teachers are willing to let you take finals early."

"Peachy," she responded, mimicking her father.

Daniel laughed, then added, "And we've spoken with your school, too, David. It's not a problem with them, either. You won't have finals, but there's a science project we'll need to make sure you complete before we go."

"Okay, Daddy."

Chenoa giggled.

"What's so funny, Princess?" Jack asked.

"T mine!"

Jack and Daniel resisted the urge to laugh.

I wonder what the legal marrying age is on Chulak?

No idea, Jack, and I don't think we want to find out

"What are you doing, Dad?" David asked when he entered the garage and saw his father bringing down a few boxes from the rafters.

"I'm trying to find some camping items I want to take with us on our trip. Daniel has told me for years that I should label these boxes, but I never have. Listen to me, Son, if you learn nothing else from Daniel, learn that he is always right. The sooner you learn that, the easier life will be. Besides, if you learn that, you'll learn a lot because you'll never go wrong doing what he says."

David smiled as he acknowledged, "Daddy's very smart."

"Daddy is a genius. He acts very shy about it, but he has degrees and doctorates all over the place. He's a thinker, a problem solver, and a great negotiator. That man could think his way out of most anything ... and he has."

"Dad, I don't see any camping equipment in this box," David said, trying to help his father by opening up one of the boxes and going through it. "But there is a baseball glove and some toys and things."

"Oh, that's, uh, Charlie's," Jack said, pausing to look over at the items in the box.

David knew who Charlie was. The boy's picture was on the mantle and in Daniel's Tree of Love. He was talked about quite a bit, never forgotten. The young boy was curious about the brother he had never had the opportunity to meet.

"How did Charlie die?"

"He accidentally shot himself."

"Wow. Hhhow?" David asked a bit hesitantly.

Jack sighed at the sad memory, the regret still there at the huge and costly mistake he had made. Softly, he answered, "He found my gun."

"I didn't know you had a gun."

Jack looked David straight in the eye, and spoke firmly, "Exactly, and you won't see one in this house, either."

"I'm sorry Charlie died."

"Me, too, but he's here, in our hearts and our spirits. He's here, Son."

David held the baseball glove in his hand.

"It's too big for me."

"Not for long," Jack spoke softly, sporting a cautious smile and returning to his search.

"I'll bet Charlie was good at sports."

"He sure was. Football, hockey, soccer -- you name it, he played it, but baseball was his favorite."

The difference between a decade earlier and now was that back then the sheer mention of Charlie's death would have spun Jack into a cold, sulking depression. Now, while still regretting what had happened, he could move on and focus on the good memories he had of his son.

He smiled remembering the games of catch and trips to the ice rink with his first born. He laughed for a second as he recalled the first time Charlie had hit a ball through a window in the second story of their home. Sara hadn't been happy about that, but Jack had just shrugged and said, "He hit a home run."

"I'm not very good at sports."

"Not everyone is, but everyone has their own niche, David. Some are good at science, others at history, some are great in making crafts; everyone is good at different things. You know how I was just talking about Daniel's brilliance?" David nodded. "He is lousy at math, though. It drives him crazy."

"I'm not very good at math, either."

Jack laughed.

"You are just like Danny; that's a good thing."

"I could try to play baseball if you wanted me to."

"David, be yourself. That's what I want. Hey, here they are. Mission accomplished," Jack said, finding the items he was after.

"General Jackson-O'Neill, Doctor Jackson-O'Neill, please come in and have a seat. I have to talk with one of the clerks for a moment, but I'll be right back, and then we can get started."

The greeting came from Bernard Capeshaw, a young lawyer they had gotten a phone call from a few days earlier. They weren't sure why they were there except that it had something to do with Kayla. As they entered, the couple was surprised to see Janet already seated. Seeing them, the doctor rose and walked to them.

"Janet," Daniel said softly, hugging her.

"Hi, Daniel. How are you?"

"Better, thanks."

"How ya doing, Doc?" Jack asked as he moved forward to hug Janet.

"It's been a little rough, but I'm okay. I'm still going through Kayla's things. Almost done, though. By the way, thank you for boxing everything and bringing it over. I know it wasn't easy."

"No, it wasn't, but ... I'm glad we did it, Janet. It was a bit like saying goodbye, and I'm glad we found her novel."

"You guys did a great job with it. I know Kayla would be proud."

"Uh, do you know what this is about?" Daniel asked.

"You two don't know?"

"No, this guy called a few days ago, but it was kinda hectic," Jack explained. "About all we know is it has something to do with Kayla."

"It's her will, Jack."

"Oh gawd," Daniel said, sinking down into a chair.

Jack moved to sit next to him.

"Danny?"

"I think I'm glad I didn't know." Looking at Jack, Daniel gave him a small smile. "I'm okay, Jack. It's just ... you know."

"Yeah, I know," Jack said, taking Daniel's hand in his.

"I'm sorry for the delay," the lawyer said as he returned, closed the door, and then sat down at his desk. "Let me make sure I have everything ... yes ... yes, okay." He looked up and smiled. "Thank you again for coming. This is essentially the reading of Kayla's will."

"I didn't even know she had one," Daniel said.

"Actually, it's a living trust, and she's had it for some time. Kayla was an amazing woman. She didn't have much in terms of finances or material things, but what she did have was meaningful."

"Mister Capeshaw, did you know her ... I mean, well?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, I did. We met in Brazil several years ago. At the time, I was living in Montana."

"I'm just surprised she never mentioned you, since you live here."

"Oh, no, I don't. I reside in Washington State."

"This isn't your office?" Jack asked.

"No, I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. The 'Capeshaw' on the door is a cousin. He's letting me use the office. You see, Kayla and I were good friends. She asked me that if something ever happened to her that I talk to the three of you in person. I ... I missed the funeral," the man sighed. "Family matters of my own, but ... she was a special spirit on this Earth."

"Yes, she was," Jack agreed.

"Janet," the lawyer said, nodding for her to proceed.

"Okay, guys, like Bernard said, this is a living trust. He's basically just helping me to get through the legal side of it. I guess you could say I'm the executor. She requested I follow through on her wishes, and that's what I'm trying to do."

Janet was choking up a little bit. Daniel reached out and took her shaking hand.

"We can do it later."

"No, Daniel, it'll never be any easier to do this. You know Kayla. She'd want us to move forward as fast as we could."

She smiled, and he nodded. Then, she reached for the papers the lawyer had.

"First, she wanted me to have her photographs from Africa. I've always admired her ability to make nature look ... natural, and I've complimented her on several of the pictures she took there. You know she had some of them published in the National Geographic, but ..."

"Yeah, I saw those in an issue last year. They were fantastic. Kayla was one talented woman." Jack paused, bowing his head. "Sorry, Janet, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"That's all right. The photos were all wonderful." She paused, then asked, "Did you two know Gina Marconi?"

"Her best friend," Daniel said. "We never met her, but Kayla talked about her and her son."

"Yes. Gina has a passion for art so Kayla thought she might enjoy the few sculptures she had collected over the years -- that bronze thing and ..."

Jack laughed, "... and that thing that looks like an elevator meeting a train wreck?"

"Jack!"

"Yes, that one, too," Janet smiled. Then she continued, "She always wanted Bernard to have her collection of audiotapes, mostly music from around the world, some chants and really unique stuff."

"I'm a music buff," the man explained, "especially sounds of the world. As she traveled, Kayla picked up some truly wonderful samples of song."

"The rest of her things, for the most part, she said I could dispose of as I wanted, with a few provisos for some sentimental items that she wanted to go to ... um ..."

"Janet?" Jack asked, seeing the physician tearing up.

"They meant so much to her. I saw how much those children changed her. She loved her life, but she was actually thinking about changing it. I think she was considering having a family of her own."

"She had one; she had us," Daniel said firmly. "I ... know what you mean, though. She said something like that to me shortly before she ..."

Jack caressed Daniel's hand which he still held, his thumb running soothingly over the back of it.

"You know what she told me the day before the accident?" Janet asked quickly, saving Daniel from having to finish his sentence. "She said 'Janet, I think I might find myself a man, get married, and don't faint, but I think I want to have a baby -- my own this time, and if I'm lucky, that man will love me just half as much as Jack and Daniel love each other, and if I'm even luckier, my baby will get to grow up knowing his or her half-siblings and share in all that love.' That's what she said. I about fell off my stool. I never thought I'd hear words like that from her."

"I wish she could have ... could have ..." Daniel sighed, bowing his head.

Jack squeezed Daniel's hand, earning him a small smile from his husband.

"There are things she wants the children to have -- little mementos. I've already boxed some of those things up, but we can go over those later. Right now, there is one bigger thing that needs to be addressed."

"What?" Jack asked.

"Several publishers have already purchased some of her articles and photo essays that she completed before ..." Janet paused and tried to hide a tear. Quickly, Daniel pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. She smiled in gratitude as she dabbed the moisture from her eyes. A moment later, she continued. "Kayla took that money and put it into a small account. It was a special account. She wanted any monies from anything we might sell of hers to be added to it, and," Janet smiled as she sighed, "She also requested that any proceeds from her book, should it be published, go into this account."

"She must have known we'd see to it that it was," Jack said.

"That's my hunch. Jack, Daniel, it was her wish that you use those funds to take the children to India. She said you'd know why. Um, Bernard, you're making them a copy of the trust so they can read what Kayla wrote, right?"

"Yes. Sorry they weren't done before you arrived, but I'll have Sally run the copies before you leave."

"Thank you," Daniel said, then turning to face Jack, he smiled. "India."

"Remember, Love, when she talked about India in her email? It was very important to her that the kids value the things they have, that no matter how much we spoil them, they know what really matters."

"I remember, Jack. When they get older, we'll take them."

"She wrote letters," Janet said, handing a large manila envelope to Daniel.

"Oh, gawd. Jack," Daniel said after he opened the package and looked through the pile of letters that were inside. "There's one for each of the Munchkins ... and the twins ... Jen ... gawd, all the Mouseketeers ... you and me ... and ..."

Daniel shook his head, unable to continue speaking. He held up the last envelope so Jack could see.

"To our girls. Geez, I knew Kayla was the right one," Jack said, thinking back about their choice to ask her to be birth mother of their children.

"Ah, there is one thing that she requested that be given to the two of you as soon as possible."

Janet stood and walked over to the wall where a bag was on the floor. She took the bag and handed it to Daniel who really wasn't sure he could take much more.

"Oh, Jack. It can't be ..." Daniel looked up at Janet for confirmation of what he was thinking. "Janet? Is this ..."

"Bobette, or as she was better known, Bobo."

"The stuffed monkey," Jack said softly staring at Kayla's plush toy.

"But it wasn't at her apartment when we cleared it out," Daniel commented.

"No, it was in Cassie's care."

"Oh, Janet ..."

"Daniel, it was on loan. Cassie is fine with it; better than fine actually. This is Kayla's wish."

He nodded, and then they talked some more about the letters and finished any business obligations they needed to discuss about the account for India. When they were done, Jack and Daniel went home and enjoyed a quiet night with their family.

Not really in the mood for their normal nightly activities, the lovers decided to retire to their bedroom earlier than usual, knowing they had things to talk about. They changed into their pajamas and then took their positions on the bed, sitting up against the headboard looking at the letters Kayla had written.

"Danny, I think we should have a family meeting, tell the kids about the letters, and let it be their choice if and when they read them."

"I agree. I guess we should read ours now."

"We could wait."

"Jack, no. Gawd, I need this to be over, and please, Kayla, wherever you are, don't misunderstand. It's just ... Egypt is coming up and ... Jack, I loved her. I really loved her."

"I know, Angel; me, too," Jack said as he placed a kiss on Daniel's cheek.

"So ..." Jack said, not sure how Daniel wanted to do the reading.

Daniel took his letter and opened it. Whatever he did, Jack would follow his lead. He considered offering to leave the bedroom in case Daniel wanted to be alone, but just as he was about to say something, Daniel shifted closer, saying, "Hold me, Jack."

It wasn't really a planned move, but as Daniel shifted and then Jack moved, the younger man ended up in the pose they usually reserved for intimate moments on the roof deck. Jack's back was to the headboard and Daniel was now seated completely in front of him on his lap and between his legs. Daniel's head leaned back against Jack's chest, and the older man's arms wrapped around Daniel's abdomen, pulling up his shirt to touch and caress the skin there.

"Don't let go, okay?" Daniel requested once they were firmly in place.

"I won't, Angel," Jack said, placing a kiss on Daniel's head.

With a sigh, the younger man focused on the letter. He took a calming breath then began to read it aloud.

"Dearest Daniel,

If you're reading this, I know your heart is sad, but please don't be. I've had the most amazing adventures, and the best was the gift that you and Jack gave me. Yes, I know, you think it was me who gave you a gift. Well, my friend, you're wrong.

You and Jack have shown me what love is really about. I may even have my own family now as a result. What a gift, Daniel. Wow. Five beautiful babies. I brought life into this world. Can you imagine that? Me, mom of five. I've held those precious gifts in my arms, and Daniel, I can't thank you enough for letting me do that."

The letter continued, and Daniel struggled to finish reading it aloud, but finally, he came to the end:

"I love you. Be happy, Daniel.

Shalom!

Kayla"

Quietly, Daniel folded the letter and put it back into its envelope. Jack placed a kiss on his husband's shaggy hair, and then shifted a little so he could open his letter.

"Dear Jack,

Well, I've gone and done it. I'm sorry. Trust me, whatever happened, I definitely didn't want it to, but listen, you take care of Daniel. Please don't let him mourn me. I want to be remembered, but in good ways, as the birth mother of your kids."

Jack read on, chuckling when Kayla wrote about him not being such a tough guy, "So you see, you can't hide the truth. The tough old General is Gomer Pyle in disguise."

"Gomer Pyle?"

Daniel actually chuckled and then replied quietly, "She knows you."

"Well, goooooolly shazam," Jack said before refocusing on the letter.

He read on, feeling Daniel against his shoulder nuzzling in closer. He had a hard time getting through the section about loving Daniel. It read in part:

"Take care of Daniel. It's probably the one thing I have the most faith in. You don't sacrifice, Jack, you give, so much so that the very act brings the happiness right back to you. I can't imagine what it feels like to have someone feel about me the way you feel about Daniel. He's a lucky man; but then, so are you, because he loves you in just the same way."

She wrote more about other things, and then she made a request:

"And ... Bobette ... Jack, if you and Daniel are okay with it, could you give her to the children? Just put Bobette in the nursery and see if any of them take a shine to her. She doesn't require any food or care ... she needs only love.

Goodbye, Jack. My love to you, and your Space Monkey, and all your very wonderful children.

Kayla."

Jack swallowed hard as he put the letter away, and then by silent agreement, the lovers lay down on their bed, and rested. They wouldn't sleep quite yet; for now, they needed only to hold on to each other.

Daniel awoke at 3:25 a.m., surprised not to find Jack in bed. After reading the letters, and comforting each other in their bed for a couple of hours, the cry of baby Jenny had forced them back to the land of the living. It had been midnight when they finally returned to their room and went to sleep for the night.

The younger man walked out onto the roof deck, and was again surprised not to find Jack. His second choice was the winner. Jack was in the nursery, staring at the twins.

"Hey," Daniel said as he moved to stand on the other side of crib.

"We're taking these kids to India, Danny, and when we do, we're going to tell them why. She didn't have to do this. What's even crazier is that I think if we had asked her ..."

"She would have done it again."

"Yeah, that's what I think," Jack said. "Daniel, Kayla believed in living life to the fullest, in life being a big adventure, right?"

"Right."

"Then we keep on living our dream because that is the greatest adventure there is. No more tears, Angel. When we remember her, when we tell our kids about her, it's with ... fun. It's what she wanted."

Daniel took a deep breath. Kayla didn't want him to mourn. He knew that.

"Okay. Then every day, we remember the gifts she gave us, not that we could forget, but every day, we remember the giver of the gift, too."

"Deal."

"Jack, where's Bobette?"

Jack motioned to the rocker, and Daniel softly chuckled as he saw the stuffed monkey sitting in the rocker, Bijou leaning up against it.

"Okay," Daniel said, not really to his husband, but to himself. It was time to move forward. They had plans. "Okay," he said again. He nodded, looking down at the twins, and then he looked over at the sleeping Munchkins. One more time, he spoke, "Okay." Looking back at Jack, he smiled, and said, "Okay. We have a birthday party to plan for David. Let's get to it."

"I love you, Danny."

"I love you, too ... you old puppy dog."

Smiles on their faces, the lovers returned to their bedroom to move forward with their lives. The party wasn't for a while yet, but planning for it was a happy distraction from harsh reality, and that's what they needed to help them over the hump -- to dwell on happy events, such as David's upcoming birthday.

"Are you going to buy that?" Daniel asked.

"I don't know."

Jack and Daniel were at the mall shopping for David's upcoming birthday. He would be seven-years-old, though he seemed much older for his age. Sam was babysitting the brood for a few hours so they could shop together.

"Why are you hesitating, Jack? You've been staring at it for ten minutes."

"Astronomy is my thing, Daniel. David ... he's like you. He wants those scientific toys you have in that cart there."

"Maybe he just needs an introduction to it. Is this a good telescope for a beginner?"

"Yes."

"We don't want the children unsupervised on the roof deck yet, but we could set something up on the patio for him ... his own astronomy corner or something."

Jack smiled at the notion, secretly wanting it, but afraid to push for it.

"Nah, he'd rather have those gizmos you have there. Come on. We need to hit Toys 'R Us and get a few common things to remind him he's still a child."

"Funny, Jack."

They put their bags in the truck and then headed for the famous toy store. They picked up a collection of non-scientific toys for their son -- a remote control racing car, his own train set, a model airplane, a Rubik's cube, and after much discussion, the latest Playstation bundle.

Daniel separated from Jack to pick out one more thing, a set of books on Bible stories. When Daniel finally found Jack again, it was in the sports aisle. His lover was staring at baseball equipment.

"Are we adding a glove to the cart?"

"No, David doesn't like sports. He's like you," Jack said, words Daniel was starting not to like because it put a wall up between them somehow. He started to say something, but Jack cut him off before even a word escaped. "Bible stories?"

"Well, yeah. I think we should give them the full exposure. They can make their own decision. If he doesn't want to read them, he doesn't have to, but if he gets curious and wants to, they'll be there. Are you okay with that?"

"Perfectly. You don't think we went overboard, do you?"

"Overboard? Jack, we exceeded overboard at the Discovery shop two hours ago. We've pretty much hit the ridiculous level at this point."

"Should we put something back?" Jack saw Daniel staring at him as if he were from another planet. He laughed. "Yeah, I know. We'll spoil all of our kids rotten."

"Spoil, yes, but they have to stay grounded. Jack, if they ever get too invested in this stuff ..."

"Then it stops, and we get tough."

"India, remember?"

"Yeah, Love. Kayla was right about that."

Daniel nodded, and then the two headed for the counter.

"I miss her, Jack," Daniel said, but it wasn't the mournful cry of days earlier, but instead was a tribute to someone they both loved.

"Me, too. Hey, how about we stop for an ice cream before heading home?"

"Sounds like fun," Daniel agreed. "Two scoops."

"Three," Jack said with a smile.

"Oh for crying out loud," Jack said in frustration. He leaned forward in his spot on the sofa, holding the cause of his consternation in his hands. "This is ridiculous."

"What's ridiculous?" Daniel asked as he entered the study after checking on all the children and ensuring they were all safely occupied in whatever they were doing. Then he saw the reason for his husband's comment. Daniel sighed. "Jack, that's for ..." he paused, looked around, then back at Jack, speaking more softly, "David."

"I ... couldn't resist. I never could get the hang of these things," Jack commented, continuing to turn the colored blocks of the Rubik's cube in various directions. "Oh ... crap!"

Daniel shook his head and walked to Jack, sitting down next to him on the sofa.

"That's David's," he said again.

"He can have it; I just thought I'd learn the shortcut, so I could ... teach him," Jack replied, hoping his husband would accept the excuse.

"How long did it take you to come up that excuse for opening one of his presents?"

Crap. "I thought of it at the store," Jack admitted with a chuckle.

"May I?" Daniel asked, a twinkle in his eye, as he held out his right hand.

"Good luck," Jack replied, placing the game of skill in the palm of Daniel's hand. "Those things are tough. I've been in here for thirty minutes just trying to get one row lined up. I think this one is defective. Who is that Rubik's guy anyway? It's gotta be defective. I think I'll take it ba...back ..." Jack stopped mid-sentence, stunned. In the short amount of time that he'd been talking, Daniel had solved the puzzle of the cube. "Cute, Daniel; real cute."

"Thank you, Babe," he replied, leaning forward and kissing his spouse. He handed the puzzle back to Jack, got up, and walked to the doorway. He stopped, turned around, and, smiling, said, "Now put that back in the box and wrap it up, Jack ... now!"

Daniel walked out of the study, leaving Jack alone.

"Smarty pants."

I heard that.

Danny?

Yes, Love?

Have you done that before?

How do you think I paid for those digs I went on in college?

You're a ... Rubik's shark!

With very big teeth, Jack.

Gonna eat me?

Just as soon as we get the children to bed.

Be right there!

Jack, it's only six o'clock.

Oh. Drats.

I love you, Jack.

Love you, Angel, but, uh, you will ... later, right?

Promise!

Jack grinned as he finished putting David's present away.

Gotta love that man of mine!

On to Chapter Seven...