6?
Sam never realized that having two babies would be such a drain on her. During the day she was always wide-awake. If one baby didn't need to be feed, the other did. Where there was one dirty diaper, there would be another soon to follow. She could barely get them to take naps at the same time. Jonathan liked to nap later in the morning, but J.D. (as Daniel had started calling him) liked sleeping in, causing Sam to have an awake baby almost all the time.
Being two months old, the twins were developing their own personalities. J.D. had become attached to Daniel, becoming very excited when he heard his voice. Jonathan almost never wanted anyone but his mom, with the occasional exception of Teal'c. Jonathan loved cuddling and never squirmed when being held. J.D. only wanted to be held when he was being rocked to sleep, otherwise, just let him be.
Sam and Daniel had become masters at deciphering each babies cry and what they meant. Jonathan gave a loud, long wail when he just wanted to be held, but when he was hungry or needed changed his cries came in short waves. J.D. screamed loudly at first, then he quieted down, then screamed again when he needed attention. If he started crying very quietly, then intensified it, he wanted to be held, but not for long, they learned, because when he was done he practically busted his lungs wailing.
And the routine Sam and Daniel had developed was actually beautiful to watch. Janet had stopped by one night during feeding time and got to see the whole procedure. Each adult would hold one baby and fed him. The bottles were always empty when the twins were done, and Sam often wondered how big her babies would get, as they were already quite heavy. Sam took her baby, J.D. that night, and went to the kitchen to start the water in the sink and get it warmed up. J.D. loved to have a bath, so he was always first, as Jonathan took longer to bathe, not liking the baths. When the water was just right, Sam put J.D. in the sink and carefully held him up, mindful of the faucet and making sure it wasn't near J.D.'s head. With her free hand she had learned to squeeze the baby shampoo out on the washcloth, and then proceeded to wash the baby with one hand, the other still holding the baby secure. When the bathing was over, Daniel was called for. He would be holding a towel in one hand and a naked baby in the other. They did a magnificent trade off, Daniel wrapping the now wet baby in the towel as he handed the dry one to Sam. By the time Jonathan's bath was done, he would have soaked Sam and wailed so loudly that she always had a headache. She reached for another towel and wrapped Jonathan in it, who stopped crying the moment the water was turned off. Walking into the living room, Sam would find J.D., already dressed and ready for bed. As Daniel rocked the baby to sleep, Sam would put a diaper on Jonathan and rock him to sleep. Within moments both babies would be sleeping, and then they were carefully placed in their cribs, leaving Sam and Daniel to grab the baby monitor and go back to the living room, where they sat on the couch in complete silence.
"That's almost an artform." Janet had commented.
Sam gave her an exhausted smile. "Thanks."
An idea popped into Janet's head. "Why don't Cassie and I take the babies for a night? You guys could use the rest, and it'd be a good lesson for Cassie."
Not about to object, Sam nodded. "When do you want 'em?"
Janet smiled. She knew Sam loved her babies, but a break was needed every once in a while. "This weekend will be good. Cassie doesn't have any dates."
"Thanks Janet." Sam said, giving her friend an appreciative smile. She looked over at Daniel, who was sleeping quietly in the over stuffed chair. "Sorry were so boring."
Janet waved her off, unconcerned. "Are you kidding me? I've enjoyed spending this quality time with all four of you."
"I miss Jack." Sam mused after a few moments of silence. "In the quiet like this, when Daniel and the babies are sleeping, I miss him."
Janet put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. Sam was holding up amazingly well as far as Janet was concerned. She'd been through a lot, but no one ever doubted that she'd make it. "Sam-"
"I know Janet, I know. But I can't get past the feeling that he's still alive. And its not just wishing that he is. It is a truth. He's not dead."
Janet didn't reply. She didn't know what to say. She herself wasn't certain either way. She hoped he was still alive, but if he was, was he still being tortured? Or had he somehow gotten free and was trying to find a way back home?
"I'm really beat Jan." Sam said quietly. She loved having her friend over, but these days, after the babies were asleep, it didn't take long for her to follow.
"Say no more. We'll get the babies Friday around 5:30?" She asked.
"Sounds perfect. Thanks again." Sam walked her to the door and hugged her goodbye. Then she went back to the living room and gently shook Daniel awake. "It's bedtime Daniel."
Daniel nodded then looked around the room. "Did Janet leave?"
"Just now."
Daniel blushed, embarrassed he'd fallen asleep during her visit. "Sorry." He mumbled.
"She and Cassie are going to take the babies Friday night. I thought we could do something grown up." Sam suggested as they walked to the bedrooms.
"Like eat a warm meal?" Daniel grinned.
"And maybe catch a movie."
"How about we go out to dinner, then come home and get a good, long night's sleep, and catch a matinee on Saturday?"
"Oh, that sounds even better!" Sam smiled, giving Daniel his hug goodnight. "Night." She called over her shoulder as she walked into her room. Both adults automatically turned on the baby monitors in their rooms, then crawled into bed, not bothering to change. At nine o'clock they were both soundly sleeping.
A/N Thanks for the reviews, I do appreciate them greatly! I'm thinking hard for a nickname for Jonathan. I don't want Johnny and Jack doesn't feel right. Any ideas? It doesn't have to have anything to do with his name.