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Daniel looked around popcorn-strewn room. Cranberries lay on top of cushions and peeked out from under the sofa... and dozens of eyes stared at him.
"Hello," he began rather uncertainly.
A short woman, who was winding her long, black braid into a bun, stood up. "I'm Maya, pleased to meet you." She said holding out her hand.
Daniel clasped it. "I'm Daniel… Daniel Jackson."
She smiled and gestured to her family. "My husband Dayvid, the boys are Miguel and Harry- the girls Italia and Wylie. The little one is Tabitha."
Daniel rapidly repeated their names then smiled. "Pleased to meet you all."
Anna introduced her family next, Gabrielle a bright pink that went charmingly well with her dark hair.
Teal'c watched with amusement as Daniel Jackson was introduced to the 'O'Neill' horde. A slight tug on his pant leg made him look down where a little girl stood there with her arms outstretched. He knelt.
"Up," She said simply. "Up."
"What is your name?" he asked gently.
"Nicole, no' up!"
He obliged, swinging the little girl to his shoulder.
"Wha' yo'r name?" Nicole asked patting his head.
Teal'c recollected O'Neill had already called him by his 'Chu'lak' name. "I am Teal'c."
She regarded him solemnly. "Yo' wook like San'a C'ause."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Santa Clause?" he asked curiously. He had seen 'Santa' in the stores on several occasions and had never noticed one that looked like himself.
She touched his camouflage beanie and giggled. "Unca' Ken hab one of dese."
"Indeed?"
Nicole nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh. Tan I wea' it?"
"No."
Melanie and Jennifer detached themselves from the rest of the group and watched the little girl closely. As a general rule, she would start pouting but this time she nodded.
"Okay," reluctantly, "Bu'... wa'er? Pwease?"
"Perhaps."
"Did 'ou buy me a Tismas pesent?"
"I did not."
"That' okay. I buy yo' one."
The two sisters exchanged smiles and went back to watching the 'yummy' Daniel Jackson.
Å
Daniel was suddenly aware of the fact that he was completely surrounded by females. All the men had retreated to one of the corners and were grinning or scowling. As he made a move to detach himself, Melanie suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him into kitchen; careful of the baby she was holding.
"Uh," Daniel began as he was pulled away, "hey, uh-"
"I'm Melanie," she said hastily. "Quick question. Does Sam love Jack?"
Daniel held out his hand. "Daniel, and yes. Why?"
She sighed with relief and dropped his hand. "I saw them making out and I... well, I was afraid she might be... well, be trifling with his affections… not that she would so that, of course, but-"
Daniel looked at the girl curiously. 20? 22? "Sam would never do that," he said earnestly. "And I… WHAT?"
"They were kissing at the tree farm."
A grin spread over his face. "Really..."
Melanie nodded. "Yeah- I was…"
Daniel listened to her only half-heartedly. She looked like Jack... only much more feminine. Long brown hair, sparkling brown eyes, and a great figure. He straightened and shook his head slightly. This was Jack's sister.
She grinned, reminding him once again of Jack. "Do I have a third ear or something?" she joked.
"No, no, no... Sorry, I was just..." He turned red as he realized he was staring. "Uh… should we go back?"
Melanie shrugged. "If you like. I'd advise against it, personally."
Daniel sat down at the kitchen table and gestured to the chair across of him. "So… Melanie... tell me about yourself."
Melanie hesitated then took a seat. "I have two children."
Daniel tried to conceal the sudden disappointment he felt. "Oh. Which one was your husband?"
"Do you know Pete Shanahan?"
He automatically scowled. "Yes."
She gave him a small smile. "Father of this one."
He gave her a quick glance then looked at the baby. "You two married?"
"Divorced."
He swallowed hard. "Um… Sam was uh..."
"Going out with him, yeah... we kind of found out last night."
Daniel nodded, secretly planning on asking Sam about that. "So, what's his name?" gesturing to Nick.
"Nick- Nicholas."
"Which of the other children is yours?"
Melanie turned and grinned. "Your friend is holding her."
Daniel grinned as well at the sight of Teal'c holding the little girl. "She's adorable. What's her name."
She smiled her thanks. "Nicole." She cocked her head. "So, you work with Sam…"
Å
"Do yo' go boogey woggey on de too too tain?"
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "No."
By now, several other curious kids surrounded him. "Do you like to play hide an' seek?" a little boy asked.
Teal'c smiled at the boy. "What is your name?"
"Connor. Connor James Foster. You like childrens?"
"I enjoy the company of children," Teal'c acknowledged.
"Will you play?"
Teal'c looked at O'Neill who was smirking. "Go 'head, Teal'c," he called.
He nodded. "Very well."
Every child sitting or standing instantly ran for the backyard.
Å
Daniel and Melanie were in the middle of an interesting discussion, the correct spelling of an Egyptian pharaoh's name, when a group of children raced past them, including Miguel and Gabrielle.
"What's going on, Teal'c?" Daniel asked as the large Jaffa strode in.
"We are playing a traditional childhood game. You are it."
The Jaffa clapped him on the shoulder, and hurried out. Nicole sat still on his shoulder, beaming.
Melanie grinned. "You better run, Dr. Jackson!"
"Daniel."
She nodded. "Daniel... after them!"
Daniel rarely played with children. On Abydos, he had occasionally joined them for a few games with a cloth ball and even taught them a few Earth games but... he rarely played with children.
"Mister Daniel's, you gotta try to tag me!" a red headed girl called.
"Are you Ariel?" he asked, mentally reviewing the name.
She smiled, showing a missing tooth. "Yep."
Å
Jack came up quietly and placed a hand on Melanie's shoulder. "You okay?"
She nodded and stroked her son's hair. "I'm fine."
"I thought they were playing 'Hide 'n' seek'." He commented a moment later, after looking out the window.
She smiled. "I did too."
The door opened and Teal'c deposited a little girl in the warm kitchen. With a slight bow to them, he shut the door and hurried away. Melanie handed baby Nick to her brother and hurried to help her daughter.
"Did you have fun outside?" she asked.
Nicole nodded vigorously, her brown braid bouncing. "Yea'! I's so fun! Tan 'ou pay?"
Melanie removed her daughter's jacket. "Later," she promised.
Jenn hurried in. "Nikki!" she began, "did you-" She stopped at seeing her sister. "Mel."
Melanie shook the snow off the little pink jacket and removed the girl's gloves and hat. "You better go wash your hands... quick, quick, quick!"
The little girl threw her arms around her mother's neck then dashed off. Jenn continued to look at her sister.
"Mel?" she whispered.
"Jennifer," Melanie began, bracing herself for a fight, "she is my daughter and I will take care of my daughter."
Jennifer stepped back. "But-"
"No, Jenn," Melanie spat out, "No but's. I've been a terrible mother to that little girl... and I need to set things right."
Jenn watched as her sister slipped out of the room and followed her daughter to the bathroom.
"You gonna be okay, Jenn?" Jack voice asked, as his arms slipped around her,
She buried her face in his shoulder. "I can't give her up, Jack," she wailed, "I can't!"
"Yes you can..." Jack whispered, patting on her back, "And I'm afraid you are going to have too."
"I have three wonderful boys... and yet I still want a girl. What's wrong with me?"
Jack's heart ached for his sister. Jenn had seen her share of pain. Two years before Joseph had been born, she had had a stillborn girl. She had never fully recovered from that loss.
"Did you ever tell Melanie?" He asked quietly.
She shook her head.
"Maybe you should."
"I can't-"
"Yes, you can," the General assured her. "You can. Talk it over with Ken if ya like but... I think you should tell her."
Jenn nodded, hugged her brother, and slipped away.
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The children burst into the living room happy and excited. "'Uncle Daniel' and 'Mr. T' were cool guys! They would do anything you wanted and-"
"Quiet!" Anna whispered loudly. "Emma's asleep."
"Emma?" Daniel whispered; surprised how everyone quieted down. "Who is she?" he asked Sam.
Ellie appeared in the doorway cradling her daughter. "Too late," She called gaily. "Miss Emma doesn't wish to sleep."
Daniel looked at the jerking figure with concern. "Is she okay, Sam?" he whispered.
Sam forced a tear back. "No, Daniel. She's been like that all her life."
Daniel squeezed her shoulder. He knew Sam had a soft spot for kids and needy ones especially touched her heart.
The guys had been checking out Teal'c and finally approached. "Who wants to play a good ol' game of O'Neill football?" Zack called.
The woman groaned while the children screamed happily.
"It's settled then."
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Jack looked at his team with satisfaction. He had Jennifer, Teal'c, Ken, Dayvid, Melanie and Anna. To his dismay, Zack had picked Sam right after his wife. He had foolishly chosen Teal'c first.
Zack had Leslie, Dan, Eleanor, Wilhem, Daniel, and Sam.
"So… how do we play?" Daniel asked.
Zack grinned. "Our rules are slightly different." He held up a soccer ball. "Basically: kick, hold or whatever this ball down to other side of the yard. You aren't out unless some one actually tackles you and gets the ball away. You just gotta stay in the yard. There are no timeouts... ever. Distractions of any kind are allowed..." Here he raised his voice. "BUT SINCE WE HAVE VISTORS, LET'S KEEP IT DOWN!"
"One year Leslie flashed Zack in order to win," Ellie whispered to a confused looking Sam. "We were all completely shocked- they weren't even engaged yet. Three days later, big bro proposed... after nearly three years waffling."
Sam gave an incredulous glance over at the demure looking woman. "Really?"
Ellie giggled. "I tossed a pail of ice cold water on Dan once." She hesitated. "You won't play soft just because Jack is on that team... will you?"
She licked her lips and grinned. "Nope."
Zack grinned at his team. "Let the game begin!"
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"The score is 13-14," Maya- the official score keeper and babysitter- called. "And this is the last play before Daniel and Teal'c leaves. Sam Carter has the ball and... Go!"
"GO, AUNT SAM!" Italia and Shareese called loudly. Jack gave them a startled glance, surprised to heat them calling her 'Aunt', giving Sam a brief advantage. She sprinted past him.
"Hey!" Jack shouted, wheeling around and chasing her.
"RUN, SAM!" Daniel called.
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She could hear his breathing as he came closer. She stifled a giggle and pushed herself harder. The ball hit the fence with a resounding 'whack'.
"Yes!" she managed to get out before Jack tackled her.
"I won," she whispered. His face was too close. Way too close.
He pushed away a few strands of hair. "You did."
"Are you going to get off of me?"
"No."
She cocked her head. "Jack?"
"We have a tradition," he murmured.
"And what's that?" Carter whispered.
"The winner has to make it up to the loser."
"How so?"
"Like this..."
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Italia stared at her 'aunt' and uncle then at Daniel. "He always kisses her in the snow," she said resigned. "They are going to get pamoninia."
"Pneumonia," he corrected kindly. He looked over at Teal'c who was grinning widely.
"You ready to go, Teal'c?"
He nodded. "Indeed."
Å
Jack pulled away. "Should we say good-bye?"
She nodded and they got up slowly. Already Teal'c and Daniel had garnered friends. Nicole was pleading for Teal'c to stay while Gabrielle and Melanie suggested the same thing- more subtly, of course.
"Bye, Daniel," Carter said throwing her arms around him. "Be careful."
"I am careful," he mumbled.
She grinned and gave Teal'c the same admonition. He returned her hug and the two hurried away.
"Why did they have to leave?" Melanie asked.
Carter eyed her shrewdly. "They... had a mission to go on."
"Mission? What kind of mission?" Joseph asked eagerly.
Carter grinned. "A secret mission."
"Oh, come off-"
"Joseph," His mother said warningly. "Let's all go get cleaned up for supper!"
Everyone promptly obeyed. Sam was about to enter when she heard:
"Psst! Sam!"
But who am I talking about? (grins)
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