CHAPTER SIX

On the way to the mall the three woman and two girls worked out a game plan. They would all go to the furniture shops first and get the necessities first then they would head for the clothes. Cassie and Caitlin soon became bored and asked if they could go to the movies while the furniture shopping was being done. After Janet gave them some money and made them promise to meet them for lunch at one o'clock they hurried off.

"I don't know what I need. I'm not sure what Dad has in his spare rooms."

"Well, from personally spending a few nights in that horrible bed that he has in one of them I recommend a new one or at least a new mattress. A bed for Johnny, plus some sheets and a few extra towels wouldn't hurt. Oh look at that rocking chair over there. That is gorgeous. Ouch, look at the price tag." Sam exclaimed.

"It is very nice, but your right, not exactly what I would call a necessity I suppose ill just get stuff for my self and for Johnny. I can get some stuff for the new babies a bit closer." Megan said while scanning the store.

"Um, Megan I wouldn't leave it to much longer you are only about a month from your due date and twins do have the tendency to come early." Janet added.

After about and hour everything had been arranged with the store, they would deliver the stuff to Jacks place some time after lunch.

"Now its time for clothes." Janet stated as she headed for the closest fashion shop.

"Can we take a breather for a minute and get a drink, my back is so sore from walking around. I must look like a beach ball on legs."

"OK we stop for coffee first then on to the clothes. But first I have to go make a phone call, ill also ring the boys and let them know when the stuff will be there. Ill meet you at the café over there." Sam said as she pointed to the closest coffee shop. Quickly she turned on her heel back towards the furniture shop and started dialing her mobile.

After coffee the three women headed for the children's clothes section for Johnny and Caitlin. They made a short detour to the maternity section only purchasing a few items fully aware that Megan would have to go shopping again after the twins were born. Finally they meet the girls for lunch at the appointed hour and found somewhere nice to eat.

"Can we go home after this, I'm exhausted. I can't believe I did that much shopping today." Megan exclaimed as she sat heavily in the chair.

"I think we got everything, oh I just remembered that the Colonel wanted us to pick up some food for the BBQ tonight. Come on Cassie, Caitlin finish your lunch and we will head over to the grocery store while you two finish your lunch." Janet hurried the girls on. Leaving Megan and Sam to enjoy the remainder of their lunch in relative silence with out the girls noisy chattering.

"So Megan, have you decided what your going to do after the babies are born. I mean are you going to come back to work." Sam asked.

"I don't know I haven't really thought about it. I went straight back to work as soon as Johnny was born but I think with these ones I want to be home for a while. I know it sounds very fifties but I want to try staying at home and doing all that cooking stuff and cleaning stuff, you know with the apron. Well maybe not that bad, but I want to be the stay at home mum for as long as I can afford it. Because I don't have to pay rent I can stretch the money that General Hammond arranged for me a bit longer."

"I can just picture it now, the I love Lucy dress, mixed in with the Brady bunch ideals." Sam said stifling a giggle.

It was after two o'clock by the time everything and everyone was packed in the car on the way back to Megan's new home. Driving up the street Megan was relieved to see that it was the same house that her father from her reality had owned.

Noticing all the packing boxes at the front of the house it looked like the furniture had already been delivered and was in the process of being put together.

Janet honked the horn as they pulled up in the driveway. Daniel came running out just in time to help Megan out of the car.

"I see that you bought the entire store home with you." He said while surveying the contents of the boot of the car.

"Stay here while we take all this in, the rooms are not ready yet and Jack really wanted to surprise you."

Megan nodded her answer, not trusting her voice at the moment.

She wondered how long it would take for her not to have her breath taken away when he was so close. She mentally shook her self to get some composure and sat on the front porch, awaiting entry.

Finally after all the bags had been taken inside and she could hear Janet and the girls in the kitchen, Daniel and Jack appeared to lead her inside. Walking through the lounge room, Megan got a huge hug from her son, whom Sam was holding at the bottom of the stairs.

Each man took an arm and led her up the stairs.

The first stop they made turned out to be Johnny's room.

Complete with the assembled space ship bed she had purchased that morning. The walls were painted with a solar system theme. Even the dresser and the toy box had planets and space ships on them.

"Sam has put the sheets in the wash so they will be ready for when he goes to bed tonight. Do you like it?" Jack asked.

"It is fantastic. I can't believe you did this all in one day, thank you so much. It looks like Johnny likes it too." Megan answered while watching her son open the toy box to find something to destroy.

"That's not all, and behind door number 2 we have a nursery." Jack continued as he escorted his daughter down the hall to the next room.

"Lacking a few essential items though. Namely babies." Daniel added.

A huge smile crept on his face when he saw Megan's utter surprise at the room. He had to admit that he even thought it was well done. The walls were in an underwater sort of theme, blue and green walls with big stick on fish and mermaids.

Complete with two cribs that had been delivered along with everything else this morning. Megan seemed dumbfounded as she walked over to the rocking chair placed perfectly in the corner.

"Sam rang me and told me that you liked it, so I told her to get it for you. I hope you like it." Daniel said. He was quietly proud of her reaction.

"I love it, thank you Daniel. Thank you Sam. Thank you dad." Megan said while hugging each one in turn.

"I'm going to take Johnny outside to play, Colonel you want to come with me?" Sam subtly hinted for Jack to follow her, leaving Daniel to show Megan the last room.

"Um sure, Megan I'm glad you decided to stay here." With that he followed Sam down the stairs and outside.

"We also did up a room for you but you can change the colors if you want." Daniel said while leading Megan to the next door.

Megan realized as Daniel opened the door that this room was the same one she had had before she got married in her reality. It had a queen size bed in the middle of the room, the blue curtains that she bought that morning and all the other bags on the bed.

Needing to sit down for a while Megan sat on the edge of the bed while Daniel moved the bags to the floor. Sitting down beside her he asked,

"Are you alright? You seem very quiet."

"I'm fine Daniel, I'm sorry. I'm just a little overwhelmed. I really love all the rooms. I think Johnny approves of his as well. I think I'm just tired. Sam and Janet can really shop. I haven't walked that far in a long time and not with such a heavy load."

"Lay down and have a nap if you like there is nothing left to do, and Johnny is in good hands."

"I think I might, can you sit with me a while."

Daniel nodded.

As soon as Megan had fallen asleep, he left the room quietly and went to the roof to think.

"Daniel are you up there?" Jacks voice came up the stairs.

"Yes Jack."

After a few moments Jack was up on the deck with the younger man.

"What's going on? Why are you hiding up here?"

"Nothings wrong I don't think. I came up here to think."

"About what?"

"I don't know, um everything. Our lives have changed a lot in the last two days. In a good way I think."

"So what's the problem?" Jack asked with a concerned look on his face.

"It's not a bad problem, I think it is a good one. Um Jack I don't know whether I should be speaking to you about this."

"It's about Megan, and you don't want to speak to me about her because what, you think ill beat the shit out of you? I'm still your friend, tell me what's bothering you."

"Its hard to explain, it is about Megan and the children. I don't know where I'm supposed to fit into the equation. She told me that she was still mourning her husband and she needed a friend most of all, but in the two days that I've known her I understand what my alternate self saw in her. She has such courage, not many people would have survived what she had been through in the last few months and especially not in the condition that she is in. She is so beautiful, and I honestly never thought that I could think of anyone that way after Share`. I slept with her last night."

"You what, you slept with her, she is not only eight months pregnant, but she is recently widowed. And you sleep with her after what 10 hours of knowing her."

Seeing that Jack's temper was starting to get the better of him, Daniel backtracked slightly.

"No Jack I didn't have sex with her." Daniel continued after enjoying the look of horror on the older mans face at the use of THAT word.

"I was watching Johnny while she had a shower. Johnny and I fell asleep on the bed. Next thing I knew I woke up in the middle of the night with Johnny cuddled up on one side and the twins kicking me in the back. So settle down." Daniel couldn't help but notice the look of relief that washed over Jack's face.

"So, Daniel, what is the problem?"

"Are you sure you can handle me talking about this." Daniel continued when Jack nodded his approval.

"Well, I think I'm falling for her. I'm not going to rush into anything. I don't want to intrude into her private space, but I'm almost positive that I want to be more than a friend. She has already told me that she wants me to be the children's father and I'm extremely grateful for that but I also want to be hers."

"Daniel all I can say is, let her decide, it's not up to you. She needs some time to adjust, and to see if she likes you for who you are or the fact that in some weird way you are identical to her late husband. Give her space, but be there when she needs you."

Daniel nodded his agreement. The two men leaned on the edge of the balcony and watched as Sam and Johnny continued to play in the back yard. Daniel couldn't help but notice the look of yearning on Jacks face and decided that two can play at this game.

"So when are you and Sam going to realize what everybody else already knows?"

"What are you talking about Daniel?" Jack replied with guarded look clouding his features.

"Well Sam and I were talking this morning over breakfast after you and Megan left. She told me that Megan had bought through a photo album with her. Her and Megan had looked at it yesterday afternoon. Megan being home sick and all. There were the normal pictures you know, her wedding, her son, and a few group photos of all of us. Then of course there was the one from Sam's wedding." Daniel left that hanging in the air, while he waited for Jack's reaction.

"Her wedding? Um to who?"

"Um let me see, I'm pretty sure it was you."

The relief washed over Jack like a tidal wave.

After dinner, everyone sat around on the deck enjoying the evening breeze. General Hammond had just left and Megan was trying to put Johnny to bed. Daniel noticed that she had been gone for a while and went looking for her.

He found her in Johnny's room, lying on the bed with her son reading him a book. Daniel stood at the door and watched her unnoticed for a moment.

Johnny spotted him at the door and smiled. Megan looked over to see what had caught the toddler's attention.

"I'm sorry Megan I didn't mean to interrupt, I see he just doesn't want to go to sleep."

"No not at the moment and Dr Seuss isn't helping." She said holding up the book and revealing the title `Green eggs and ham'.

"Normally it is his favorite book." She added.

"Do you mind if I sit down?" He asked.

"No not at all, maybe you can get the terror to sleep. Before you sit down can you help me up, this bed wasn't designed for pregnant women to get up from."

After helping her sit up, Daniel sat at the head of the bed with his son curling around him waiting for the book to be continued.

Megan watched the interaction between these two and for the first time in a long time she felt completely happy and contented.

As Daniel neared the end of the book, Johnny drifted off to sleep. Daniel quietly put the book away and kissed the boy on the head.

Megan got up off the bed and headed out the door, motioning for Daniel to follow her. After shutting the door quietly the two of them headed downstairs to rejoin the others on the deck.

"Where have you two been? I thought you were getting me another beer, Daniel."

Before Daniel could answer Megan replied that she would get him one.

Daniel took a seat on the deck and Megan headed back into the kitchen.

Just as she was popping the top on the bottle she felt somebody else's presence in the room. Instinctively knowing who it was she asked with out turning around.

"So, Dad what's up?"

"Um nothing Megan. I just wanted to see how you were doing with everything." Jack answered.

"I'm fine, really. I'm a little tired but that's from all the shopping today. Here's your beer. Are you alright?"

"I'm um fine I think. Can I talk to you frankly Megan?"

"Only if we sit down."

"Deal."

With that they made there way into the living room and took a seat next to each other on the couch.

"Megan this is hard for me, I'm really out of practice at this dad stuff, and well to tell the truth I was always a little disappointed that I didn't have a daughter. I feel like you have given me a second chance. I always felt that if I did get married again, that I might have kids but I would be too old to enjoy the grandkids when they came. It feels like the universe has handed me a neat little package complete with daughter, grandson and soon to be grand kiddies. I don't know what I did to deserve it but I'm going to take this gift by both hands and I hate to tell you I'm not letting go anytime soon." He continued with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I also want to let you know that if you want to talk about anything, even the girlie stuff, I'm here. But I just want to know one thing?"

Megan nodded her consent to ask the question.

"Well I need to know if you were happy in your world, before everything happened of course. Did you have a good childhood? I know that you said that you lived in Australia while I was over here, did you ever feel like you missed anything?"

Megan thought for a moment before answering.

"Honestly, when I look back on it now, I did have a good life. Don't get me wrong I did miss you like crazy when I wasn't here. But, I guess the last 8 years or so, not including the last six months, have been the best of my life. I had you so close, I found some really close friends, and I got married to the most wonderful man, whom you approved of. And I had the most beautiful son, not to mention the latest editions. I had my shares of ups and downs and I want you to know that I will always have them. I'm going to worry every time you guys go through the stargate, never knowing if you'll come back alive or otherwise incapacitated. But honestly Dad, I feel like I've been given a second go at life, with almost the same people."

Taking a moment to compose them selves, Megan moved closer to him on the couch and rested her head on his shoulder. After her cry yesterday afternoon with Sam, Megan knew that she had a long road ahead of her towards grieving over lost friends and family.

Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. Kissing her gently on the head he whispered for her ears only.

"Thank you."

Megan buried her head as far in as she could and closed her eyes enjoying the moment.

After a few minutes Megan took her fathers hand and placed it on her stomach. The twins were moving around as much as they could manage in the confined space.

"I hope you like babies cause the house is soon going to be filled with children."

"I love babies, I even change diapers occasionally. Boy those two are really going for it, I bet that they will be football players when they get older." He replied while getting his hand bruised.

Jack couldn't believe it, he remembered when Sara was pregnant with Charlie but then he had felt more scared of the impending birth of his son. Now he was in excited awe of the two babies moving under his hand.

"God I hope not, I hope they decide to make their debut soon, I feel like they are turning me black and blue from the inside out. I wanted to ask you something?"

"Go ahead." Jack said as he removed his hand reluctantly to face her.

"Well, I wanted to know if you had any suggestions for names, I honestly can't think of anything except Isabella and Alexandria for girls, but I also need middle names and boys names."

"I like Issie and Alex for girls names,"

"That is so not going to happen. I hate nick names I've spent my whole life telling people including you that my name is not Meagie or Meggs."

"Well the only way you are going to avoid nicknames is if you only give the kid a letter name like T or M. And I don't think Daniel would approve."

"True, very true." She answered laughing.

There was a knock at the back door, getting up Jack went and opened it.

"We were just wondering where you two had gotten too." Sam asked as she stuck her head through the doorway.

"We were, ah just having a father daughter talk. I'm sorry guys, I lost track of time." He said to the others still sitting outside.

"Come inside any way it is starting to get a bit chilly. You girls can go and watch a movie in my room if you want, just don't wake Johnny up." Jack told Cassie and Caitlin.

Janet disappeared for a few minutes while she took the girls up stairs and settled them in.

Meanwhile the other adults all made them selves comfortable around the living room, topping up drinks and getting some snacks from the kitchen.

After Janet had come back downstairs, they all took their seats. Jack in the middle on the lounge with Megan on one side and Sam on the other. Daniel on the floor next to the coffee table facing Megan and Janet was on the armchair opposite Sam. They all started chatting amongst them selves when Caitlin came bounding down the stairs and headed directly for Megan.

"Aunt Megan."

"Yes Caitlin," Megan answered.

"Where's that box that I bought with me, and the photo's. I want to show Cassie?"

"I think they are still in one of the bags upstairs in my room, I'll go and get it for you. Go up and wait for me in Jacks room, and don't make so much noise on the stairs or I'll make you change the twins diapers for a month." With that Megan playfully stuck her tongue out at the girl. And had one pointed at her in reply.

Daniel got up to help Megan out of her chair, and followed her up stairs to help her if needed.

"Do you want to see these? There are photos of Johnny in here from when he was younger." She asked while she picked up one of the bags that she had bought with her from the base.

Rummaging inside she eventually found the box that Caitlin was talking about and took it into the girls.

When she came back she reached in until she found the album that she had showed Sam the day before. Megan also found the smaller package of photos that she had not shown Sam.

Please read and review. Ellie Mae