Finally the very last chapter in the adventures of Jack and 'Junior'. I do hope you enjoy this, and thanks to everyone who had read the story and reviewed. I hope this is a fitting end.
JUNIOR – Epilogue.
By Lingren.
"One more push and the baby will be here..." Martha, the Obstetrician with the broad Irish brogue, encouraged the new mother-to-be, and then suddenly a loud wail hit the air as baby O'Neill made a hasty but reluctant exit from his mother's womb. "Oh, it's a fine looking boy Mrs. O'Neill." She continued as she gave the lusty infant a quick check over after cutting the cord. "Ten fingers and ten toes, and by the sound of it a healthy pair of lungs too!" she chuckled.
The newest Mrs. O'Neill sniggered; the laughter bubbling up from somewhere she wasn't sure, but probably it came from a deep sense of relief, free from the pain of labour. Relief from the pushing, as well as the agony and the tiredness after a long and arduous labour, if only for a moment. The real work was yet to come, but for now came a respite.
The infant was duly weighed and measured, cleaned and wrapped in a soft white blanket and handed to the proud father who beamed down at his son, as happy as Larry.
"There you are Mr. O'Neill, one hale and hearty, healthy baby boy." The doctor smiled indulgently as he took the baby confidently, if not a little overawed by witnessing the birth of his child. "I can see you know how to handle a baby Mr. O'Neill, not many new fathers do!"
He looked up at her and smiled through the painful memories of a child lost.
"Ah! That comes from having baby brothers and sisters, and nephews and nieces," he grinned wryly.
He looked down, smiling proudly at the tiny baby in his arms, taking in all it's perfect features. A snub nose from his mother; deep set dark eyes from him and his father; but that could change yet. Long fingers with, yes, those funny curly thumbs too.
"Hey!"
He looked up to catch sight of his wife. She looked tired, exhausted even, sweat beaded her brow and her blonde hair was plastered round her flushed face, but she looked extremely happy too.
"Don't I get to see our son?" she pouted.
He chuckled and handed the baby over to her and couldn't help a tear or two escaping. He never thought he'd live to see this day; after all that had happened to him in the past. He knew then, what he must have cost his parents as they stood back and allowed him to explore the world around him and then whilst he was serving in the Air Force; there were rough times at the SGC; times when he thought he'd never get out alive.
"Do you have a name all picked out?" someone asked, though he couldn't recall who.
The question had dragged him from his inner thoughts and he nodded, smugly.
"Oh yeah! Meet Daniel George O'Neill," he replied, giving his wife a nod of approval. The names were her idea and he was perfectly willing to agree with her; they'd be honoured.
"How are you doing Mrs. O'Neill? Any more contractions?"
She nodded just as another wave hit her, which started her panting. He quickly took baby Daniel from her arms as she began to push the second baby from her body. Handing the child over to a nurse, he turned his attention back to his wife and took her hand, offering encouragement as she squeezed the life from his fingers, and the baby from her womb.
This birth was longer, and more difficult being a breech birth, but there was a sigh of relief all round when the second baby popped into the world, somewhat quieter than her brother, but none the less alert.
He was so proud of his wife. A boy and a girl, now their family was complete; for the time being anyway. They could always have more children, though he wasn't about to suggest it to her right now; not judging by the look of tearful exhaustion on her face at this time.
Everyone in the room was smiling broadly. Two cute little bundles of joy were responsible for that and the staff bustled about calmly, assessing, cleaning and wrapping the baby girl ready to place in her father's arms.
"And what might you be calling your daughter Mr. O'Neill?"
"Martha," he grinned at the obstetrician, "I'd like you to meet Samantha Rose. Named after two very special ladies in my life," he said, turning to gaze adoringly at his wife, his eyes misting over with emotion. "Samantha is an obvious choice, and Rose after Melissa Rose O'Neill."
"That's really nice. Now then, while we get Mrs. O'Neill cleaned up and settled into her bed, you can go and tell your folks the good news," Martha grinned as she practically had him hustled from the room.
He made his way down the hall to the waiting room where his family sat waiting impatiently for his return.
They all looked up at him expectantly. Daniel, Teal'c and Cassie were there too, as well as his brothers and sister. It seemed like the whole of the O'Neill clan was there to hear the news and to wish them well.
"Well?" his father asked. "Don't keep the aged waiting!"
Jonathon looked down at his frail father and squatted down beside him, despite his creaking knees, and took the gnarled, arthritic fingers gently in his hands. A recent accident to his knee had left the old man who was in his late 70's, frail and weak, and looking much older than his years. He was now reliant on crutches to help him get about; but he absolutely refused to be tied to a wheelchair. He was recovering well but still tired easily and Jonathon could see the impatience in his dark eyes as he waited for his son to speak.
His mother came and sat down beside them, her keen eyes searching his dark hooded ones for any news of the twins.
"Come on Jonathon, don't keep the elderly waiting!" she repeated, "It's rude, and your father will be grumpy for days if you don't hurry up and tell us."
The old man harrumphed and glared at her.
"No I won't!" he frowned.
She nudged him to hush up, smiling at his righteous indignation, before turning back to her son.
"Well?"
Jonathon grinned.
"Baby number one, Daniel George arrived safe and sound at 22:15. All fingers and toes accounted for. And, Samantha Rose arrived just 34 minutes later, beautiful and just perfect, and a lot quieter than her noisy sibling," Jonathon announced, beaming widely, justifiably proud of his new family.
A loud 'Yes!' reverberated round the room and everyone was jubilant.
There were congratulations all round. His mother jumped up and hugged him, but he scooped her into his arms and twirled her round, much to her consternation, and that of his father.
"You'll do yourself a mischief if you do that too often!" he grumbled. "Lord only knows what it will do to your mother!" he sighed rolling his eyes.
"You're just jealous old man, because you can't do it any more!" he laughed.
His father spluttered indignantly, but there was laughter in his dark eyes too.
His mother sniggered and gave him a friendly slap on the arm.
"Jonathon, dear; show some respect to your 'aged' father," she sniggered, earning a tight-lipped glare from her husband.
"Sorry Mom, Dad," he said with a grin which negated his words. He was too full of his good fortune to be put down, even if it was in jest.
This was a big family affair, unexpected though it was, so his sister hugged him tightly, so pleased to have two new additions to the O'Neill family. His brothers slapped him on the back and pulled him into a hug, unashamed of showing their affection for each other in public. It had taken time but he was proud of his family.
Daniel stepped up to him and congratulated him, and so did Teal'c, with more slaps on his back and manly hugs. Daniel was inordinately thrilled to have his honorary nephew named after him.
A nurse came along and told them that they could go in now and see Mrs. O'Neill and the babies for a short while, then she and her off-spring were to get some rest.
The nurse led the way into the side room and stood back waiting for the extended family to file in.
"C'mon Dad, you sit down over here…"
"Okay, okay. Don't rush me. Don't I get to congratulate my daughter-in-law first?" he grumbled good naturedly, making them all laugh.
After he'd hugged her, he slowly made his way to the chair in the corner and sat down wearily, his arms shaking slightly after bearing most of his weight, and his son picked up one of the babies and brought it over to him.
"There you are Dad. Meet your Grandson, Daniel George O'Neill."
The old man's eyes misted over again. What was it with him these days? Was he getting soft? You'd think that he'd never held a baby before. He'd held plenty of his own over the years; three sons and a daughter, all of whom he was proud of, especially Jonathon with all he had achieved.
"Go ahead Jonathon. Don't mind him, he's okay," his mom assured him, seeing him hesitate. "He just thought he'd never live to see this day, that's all. It's been a long day for him too, he's just overwhelmed and overtired."
He nodded and placed the infant in his father's arms, holding them both steady while his father gazed down in wonder at the child.
He looked up at his mom, but she smiled reassuringly, and nodded.
"Your son Jonathon! My grandson!" the old man repeated in awe, unable to take his eyes from the tiny bundle in his arms. He moved to touch the tiny digits of the baby's hand with his gnarled index finger; they were perfect and just so...small. They curled easily round his finger with a tight grip, and he chuckled at the emotions it aroused in him. "I never thought I'd live to see this day Jonathon. He's a bit like you, ya know, though I can see his mom too," he said, unaware that a tear had rolled free and had run down his cheek.
He was too damn old to care any more about covering up his emotions. This was his family; they'd kept no secrets from each other; weathered the years through thick and thin and come out smiling and just as happy. They had been good years, with lots of fun and laughter to push away the bad memories. He looked up at them all watching him with the child. He lowered his head and lifted the bundle to plant a gentle kiss on the tiny furrowed brow, watched intently by the baby's dark curious eyes.
His wife sat down on the chair beside him, leaning forward to kiss his cheek, and brush the leaking tears from his face, then she cupped his chin in her palm, gently forcing him look up at her.
"Are you okay Jack?" she asked as he looked at her with a watery smile.
"I'm fine Sam. In fact, I'm more than fine!" he said with a beaming smile. "I have my wonderful family all around me, what with Jacob and Maggie and little Jack and baby Jade; Michael and Lisa with Austin and Alison. Then there's Janet and Paul who are expecting; and now Jonathon and Kathy at last with little Daniel and Samantha," he sighed happily, looking down at the baby in his arms before looking back at his wife, adding. "I have all of you. We've had a good life you and I; what could be better than all of this?"
The End.
Well, there ya go! C'mon, own up! How many of you actually guessed that it was Jon Junior's kids that were being born? Please write and let me know what you thought about the story. Did you enjoy it? Did you hate it? Your comments will help me write the kind of stories you'd like to read in the future. Thanks once again to everyone.
I thought, that as this was Junior's story as much as Jack's, that it should end with him featured more prominently, but that Jack should have the final word.
A huge, great big thank you to everyone who supported me whilst writing this. There were times I wanted to end it quickly, but persevered through your encouraging reviews, and not without a little bullying from my dearest friend! Yeah, she knows who she is. Thanks! Thank you all! Hugs you guys!
PS - Another story is all lined up for you and will be posted soon.