Chapter 16 –Widdle Brudder
Aside from the cold snap in early December, it was a fairly mild winter for the inhabitants of Colorado Springs. Less than normal snowfall and warmer than normal temperatures took a bite out of the winter tourism industry. Less snow also meant fewer snow enthusiasts at the many resorts located in the Rocky Mountains, which in turn affected the area's economy. And though everyone from school children to ski resort owners to snowmobile manufacturers bemoaned the noticeable lack of snowfall, the Jackson's were grateful for it...especially in the early morning hours of February 7th.
For on this morning, as the sun was beginning to rise above the bare treetops, their second child decided to begin the long journey into the world. Like their first child, this one was an early arrival, appearing two full weeks before the due date, and sending carefully laid plans into chaos.
Katie had been dropped off at the O'Neill's in the wee hours of the morning, her sleeping form passed off to Jack O'Neill as her father rushed back to the car. Now that his three year old daughterhad beensafely delivered into the hands of his best friend, Daniel was able to focus all of his attention on his laboring wife. He never even acknowledged the parting comment Jack shot his way as he hustled back to the car. "Hey Danny! How is it that someone who is always late for everything has two kids who arrive two weeks before their due date?" Jack grinned as the car door slammed and Daniel sped away. Looking down at the sleeping child in his arms, he whispered, "Well Red, let's get you tucked back into a bed. And when you wake up, you might just be a big sister!" Then he turned and closed the door, giving up a quick prayer for a safe delivery for the newest Jackson.
Sam was in the kitchen, heating some coffee, when Jack returned from putting Katie back to sleep in Grace's room. The older girl was in a twin bed but, since she was still so small, it had been an easy fit to place Katie in the same bed. Neither child had stirred, but rather had rolled together and snuggled close, just like puppies. The image had brought a smile of indulgence to Jack's lips. "She go back to sleep?" Sam asked quietly as she poured them both a mug of steaming coffee.
"Never actually woke up to tell you the truth," Jack admitted with a tired smile. "I don't think she's used to being up at 5 am."
Sam returned the smile. "Probably not," she agreed before taking a sip of the warm liquid. Her smile faded as she gave her husband a look of slight concern. "Are you sure you can handle things alone, Jack?" Sam had promised Janet that, just as when Katie was born, she would be present for the birth of her second child. But now she was not so sure…leaving Jack alone with 4 children, one who had to catch the school bus at 7:45 and another who was only 7 months old and currently teething…well, it just might not be such a great idea.
Jack quirked an eyebrow at her. "Are you doubting me, Carter?"
Sam's frown of concern was erased and she grinned. He rarely called her that anymore; only on the rare occasion when he was upset with her or when he was in a teasing mood. Putting her coffee mug on the counter, Sam walked over to him and placed her arms around his neck. "No, sir," she answered cheekily. "I just hate to leave you here with no one to watch your six."
Jack pulled her close and bent to nibble on her ear, "Mmm. I think someone else's six could do with a little watching."
Sam giggled, then turned so that her mouth replaced her ear on his lips. No more words were exchanged as they held each other close and kissed; the humming of the refrigerator their only background noise.
All too soon, the kiss was interrupted by a child's voice. "Eww…Daddy!" Turning as one, they looked down into the sleepy-eyed face of their son.
Loosening his hold but not releasing Sam from his arms, Jack said, "There's nothing Eww about me kissing your mother, little man. Now, what are you doing up so early? It's not even 5:30."
"I hearded the front door close." The little boy sleepily rubbed his eyes. "Why is you and mommy kissing in the kitchen?"
"Cause this is where my coffee is," Jack replied with a grin, reaching out and rumpling JJ's already messy hair. Sam unwound herself from Jack's arms and came to kneel in front of the little boy, taking his hands in her own.
"Daniel and Janet dropped Katie off, JJ. Auntie Janet went to the hospital. She's going to have the baby today!" She interjected some excitement into her voice.
Either JJ was too sleepy or he didn't care much about another baby joining his extended family, probably a little bit of both, for he just yawned and replied, "Oh."
Sam brushed the hair out of his eyes with a smile. "Mommy is going to the hospital, sweetheart. Auntie Janet wants me to be there. Daddy's going to take care of you, Grace, Maddie and Katie this morning."
JJ blinked. "Alone?"
"Hey!" Jack interrupted, slightly affronted. "I take care of the three of you at least 3 days a week, little man. And alone, I might add."
"But not Katie too, daddy," JJ reminded his father. "And I has school today. It's sharing day…I has to find something to bring for sharing that starts with the letter U."
Jack pretended to be deep in thought, pointedly ignoring the reminder that he had never had to get four children ready on his own. "U, huh? Hmm, how about a pair of underwear?"
"Daddy!" JJ replied, his expression horrified.
"What?" Jack asked innocently as two pairs of blue eyes looked at him in disbelief.
Sam got to her feet and gently turned JJ around. "I'm sure you and daddy will think of something appropriate." She threw Jack a look that said he'd better. "Now why don't you get yourself back to bed? Daddy will wake you up before 7 and help you get ready for school."
"Ok, mommy," JJ replied obediently. He slowly headed back to bed, but not before shooting his mother one more slightly doubtful look.
"Everything will be fine JJ," she assured him. Once JJ had left the room, she turned back to Jack and crossed her arms in front of her. "Think you can find something that starts with the letter U that's a little more suitable than underwear?"
Jack grinned. "Ya sure, you betcha."
Sam rolled her eyes, then turned to gather her things. "I already called the SGC and told the General that I wouldn't be in today. They'll also get in contact with Teal'c and let him know about the baby. Did you have any meetings scheduled for today?"
"Nope, today's free."
"Good." Sam turned back to look at him, the concern from earlier back on her face.
Jack stepped towards her and put his hands on her shoulders. "We will be just fine," he firmly assured her before pulling her close for a quick kiss. "Get to the hospital and do…whatever it is you will do there." He waved his hand in the air at the statement. Then added with a teasing grin, "I'm sure Daniel will be no help whatsoever."
Sam returned the kiss before pulling away. "I'll call you the minute the baby's born. Call me if you need anything," she warned firmly.
"Yes, Ma'am," Jack gave her a cocky salute.
Sam rolled her eyes once more then turned to go, throwing over her shoulder, "Oh, Maddie's teething medication is in the cabinet in our bathroom. She seems to be cutting another tooth, so might need it later this morning." She opened the door, then added for good measure, "And no sending JJ to school with underwear for sharing!"
Jack closed the door after her, shaking his head in amusement at her last minute instructions. Turning back to the now empty room, he took a deep breath, then frowned in thought. U….what started with the letter U?
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Jack's morning had gone relatively smoothly, all things considered. All of the kids were up and fed by 7:30, including Maddie, who required much more time than the other three. It didn't help matters that she woke up cranky; most likely due to the fact that her gums were hurting.
After a breakfast of cold cereal and orange juice, Jack and JJ had ransacked JJ's toy box and bedroom, trying to come up with something for sharing. Finally, Jack held something up triumphantly…JJ's goggles. The little boy had vehemently protested, saying that goggles began with the letter G. Even if he called them swim goggles, they still didn't start with a U. "And where do you wear you goggles, young man?" Jack asked patiently.
A dawning light of understanding blossomed in JJ's eyes. "Under the water!" he cried with glee.
"Yep!" Jack replied with a smile. "These are your underwater goggles!" JJ had been happy with his daddy's ingenuity…and more than a little relieved that he hadn't mentioned underwear again! He quickly went to put the item in his backpack, before his daddy could change his mind.
Upon seeing JJ stuff the goggles into his backpack, Grace, thinking he was going to get to go swimming, ran to pull her swimsuit out of her bottom dresser drawer. When daddy had explained why JJ was bringing the goggles to school, she'd been more than a little bit disappointed to discover that no one would actually be going swimming today.
Jack finished getting JJ's backpack ready, bundled the little boy into his winter clothing, and watched as he walked to the corner to wait for the school bus with Billy and several other neighborhood children. Once the bus had picked them up, he turned to back to his other charges for the day. Getting three little girls dressed and ready proved to be more challenging than finding the elusive sharing item, but Jack managed and had all three presentable before too late in the morning.
Once the girls were ready for the day, Jack put Maddie in her playpen and set out some puzzles for Katie and Grace to work on while he cleaned the kitchen. As he put the dishes in the dishwasher, he listened idly to the radio. When the local weather forecast came on, Jack snorted with derision as they talked of a possibility of accumulating snowfall later this afternoon. "You've been saying that for weeks now, guys. No snow so far." He peered out the window and shook his head. "And none coming."
The rest of the morning passed fairly quickly for Jack. Though Maddie was still quite young, the older girls were content to sit and play with her while Jack did a few other chores around the house. He was careful to always stay well within earshot of the little girls, however. He knew from experience how quickly something unexpected could happen.
While Katie readily admitted that she "misted her mommy," she didn't seem too put out at spending the day at the O'Neill's. In fact, spending the day with her best friend, Grace, was something she didn't get to do that often, what with their parents' demanding work schedules. When Jack came back into the room after throwing in a load of laundry, the two girls eagerly followed him into Maddie's room. Katie watched with interest as he changed the baby's diaper.
"My new baby will poop in his pants, too," Katie observed when Jack took away the messy diaper.
"Poop is yucky," Grace said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"Yeah, this isn't the most pleasant task I can think of," Jack stated with a slight grimace as he put the soiled diaper in the nearby diaper pail. Maddie kicked her legs in delight, reveling in the freedom of being without a diaper for the moment. Turning to Katie, but still keeping a firm hand on the wriggling Maddie, Jack said, "So Katie Rose, what do you want - a brother or a sister?"
"I wants a widdle brudder," she answered without pause.
Jack raised an eyebrow in surprise and he spared a glance at Grace, who looked equally surprised. "Really?" In Jack's admittedly limited experience, most little girls seemed to want sisters, not brothers.
Katie nodded her head. "A brudder won't 'teal my dolls," she stated with resolve.
Jack smiled. "That's probably true."
At Katie's words, Grace turned toward Maddie, an accusatory look on her face. "Maddie won't 'teal my dolls! I won't lets her!"
"I'm sure Maddie wouldn't even think of stealing your dolls, Grace. Besides, you don't like playing with dolls much anymore, do you?" He gave her a knowing look. Grace had recently decided that she'd rather play with cars and trucks and Legos like JJ, than play with her dolls. Aside from a few select baby dolls that had her undivided attention when she was alone, that is.
Jack smiled at the little girl and began to place a fresh diaper on Maddie's well powdered bottom.
Looking again at her little sister, Grace stated with importance, "Boys doesn't go potty like girls." She felt that Katie ought to know this information, especially if she was going to have a little brother.
Katie turned to look at the older girl. "Dey doesn't?"
"Nope. Boys can stand up and go potty when they gets bigger…cause they gots a weenie," she said the latter part with a giggle.
Jack closed his eyes and muttered a quiet, "For crying out loud," as he snapped Maddie's pants closed. "Ok, Grace. I don't think we need to discuss this right now."
"But daddy, they do gots a weenie. Mommy sayed so."
Jack looked at her in surprise. "Your mommy said boys have a weenie?" The disbelief was evident in his tone, for he knew that Sam was adamant about telling their children the correct name forall of thebody parts.
Grace shook her head. "No, mommy called it a peanut, I thinks. But it doesn't look like a peanut, daddy. It looks like a weenie."
Having no desire to try and engage Grace and Katie in a dialogue right now about the male anatomy, Jack picked Maddie up in his arms. "Come you two, let's go have a snack," he interjected a note of forced cheerfulness into his voice. As he led the way into the kitchen, he prayed that the topic would be dropped…at least until Sam came home!
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The call came at 12:30 that afternoon, just as Jack had laid Maddie down for an afternoon nap. A grin split Jack's face as he listened to his wife's voice on the other end of the phone. "How is she?" A pause, then, "Bet Daniel's as proud as the proverbial peacock." He laughed then looked down into the expectant faces of the little girls who had materialized at his side. "I'll tell her. And tell Janet that we'll bring Katie round the hospital this afternoon. OK. Love you too."
Hanging up the phone, Jack picked Katie up in his arms. "Guess what princess? You have a new little brother!"
"Yeah!" Katie yelled loudly, bouncing happily in Jack's arms. "Me has a brudder jus' like you, Gwacie!" she crowed down to the older girl.
Grace smiled up at her little cousin, "Brothers is good…most of the times," she affirmed, "But sisters is good too," she added as she thought about her baby sister. Then Grace turned her eyes to her father. "Daddy? What is the new baby's name?"
Jack frowned. "Oh. Mommy didn't tell me that part." He gave Katie an apologetic look. "Guess we'll have to wait until we get to the hospital to find out."
"Me go hopsipal now?" Katie asked hopefully.
Jack gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before putting her gently on the floor. "'Fraid not quite yet, sweetheart. Your mommy and new brother have to rest and we need to wait until JJ gets home from school. We'll go this afternoon." He looked out the window, a look of concern crossing his face. The sky had grown darker and the wind seemed to be picking up. Maybe the weather forecast wasn't so far off this time. He hoped they didn't run into any bad weather this afternoon.
Grace tugged on Jack's arm, pulling him from his thoughts. "Is mommy coming home now?"
"Yes, Grace. Mommy's going to come home in just a little while. She'll go back to the hospital with us later." Satisfied with his answers, the two little girls went to play in Grace's room until Jack called them for lunch. As he began to fix sandwiches for the girls, Jack kept glancing out the window, wondering about the impending weather. But still, hecouldn't help but smile: Daniel had a son.
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It was 4:00 that afternoon when Sam and Jack trooped quietly into the hospital, four children in tow. They stomped their boots off in the lobby, for the gray skies that had threatened at noon had opened up, delivering fat, wet snowflakes that showed no signs of letting up anytime soon. The children had been bundled warmly against the stiff wind that started to blow. Jack made sure the four-wheel drive vehicle was filled with gas before they set out; he didn't want to have to stop and fill up in the midst of a snowstorm.
The snow had made the children highly excited; they chattered constantly all the way to the hospital and didn't let up once they were inside until Sam reminded them that people were trying to rest.
The head nurse on duty, upon seeing the large contingent of children headed her way, had been reluctant to let them pass. However, once she learning they were close friends of Dr. Frasier's, and the little red-haired child was in fact her daughter, she had let them through. But not without first giving them a stern warning about keeping quiet: a warning which Katie totally neglected upon seeing her mother and father.
"Daddy! Mommy!" the little girl yelled happily as she ran into the room. Daniel stood up quickly from his place at the end of the bed and bent to scoop Katie into his arms.
"Hey princess! How are you?" he asked, pulling her close and kissing her on her rosy cheek.
"Me good daddy. Where my widdle brudder?" she asked, looking expectantly around the large room.
"He's right here sweetheart," Janet called from the bed. Katie looked over her father's shoulder and saw her mother cradling a tiny bundle in her arms. Her eyes widened at the sight; her little brother was really little!
"Me see him?" she asked, looking at her daddy for confirmation.
Daniel grinned. "Of course, Katie. But first, let's get you out of this wet snowsuit." He quickly divested her of the green snowsuit and boots, then set her gently on the bed. He glanced over at Jack proudly as he went to stand on the other side of the bed next to Janet. The O'Neill's gathered at the foot of the bed, almost as eager as Katie to see the new baby.
Janet carefully peeled the blanket back to reveal a tiny pink face, button nose, and a patch of brown hair. "This is your little brother, Katie. His name is Nicholas William."
Jack smiled as Daniel met his eyes with a sheepish grin. "Good old Nick would be right proud, Danny." Daniel just nodded in agreement; his throat felt too tight right now to speak, something Jack understood perfectly.
"Hi Nicwas," Katie greeted softly, one finger coming out to gently touch the baby's forehead. "I's your big sister, Katie Wose." Her eyes widened in alarm when the baby let out a soft hiccup.
Janet laughed gently. "It's OK, Katie. Nicholas just hiccupped."
Katie smiled back, then turned to Grace and JJ. "Come see my brudder," she invited, making room on the bed. Turning to their parents for permission, which they promptly received, JJ and Grace took off their boots and jackets and joined Katie on the bed. Jack stepped closer to Daniel, Maddie held tightly in his arms.
"He's small," JJ observed softly and with a bit of disappointment. There was finally another boy in their extended family, but he was much too little to play with!
"He'll grow," Jack assured his son with a smile. Shifting Maddie to his other side, Jack clapped his hand on Daniel's shoulder. "So, a son huh, Danny? Congratulations. You too, Doc."
"Thanks Jack," Daniel replied, his eyes still on his family. "He sure is something, isn't he?"
"Yeah, he sure is. I bet little Nicky here will be a chip off the old block," Jack stated with a grin. When he found both of his friend's eyes on him, a slight look of censure in them, his grin faltered. "What?"
Daniel and Janet shared a look, before Daniel turned back to Jack. "Um, well Jack, we've decided that Nicholas is going to be called… well, Nicholas. Maybe Nick. But not... Nicky," he added with a slight wince.
Jack looked at them in surprise, then glanced back at Sam, who nodded her head. "Why?" Jack asked in puzzlement.
This time it was Janet who answered. "Well Jack, we really like the longer, more formal names: Daniel, Katherine, Nicholas. We never really intended for Katherine to be called Katie but…" she shrugged her shoulders and looked at him meaningfully. Everyone knew that the minute Jack had christened her "Katie Rose" in front of Grace and JJ, the name would stick forever. And even though Janet had to admit her daughter looked more like a Katie than a Katherine, she certainly didn't want Jack, of all people, to be choosing her children's nicknames.
"But I is Katie!" the little girl insisted, looking at her mother in confusion. While she knew her full name was Katherine, no one ever called her that; unless she was in trouble. "And I likes Nicky. Nicky is the bestest name for my new widdle brudder!" she stated with resolve.
Jack bit his cheek, tryingto hold in a smile. Janet gazed at him wiht narrowed eyes. Then she looked at the children, who were all now cooing over "baby Nicky". Shooting a look of resignation Daniel's way, she sighed, "Nicky it is, then."
Quiet laughter erupted in the room. Janet should have known that Nicholas would become Nicky right from the start.She was startled from her thoughts when Katie pressed a kiss to her cheek. "It's O-tay, mommy. Nicky likes his name."
Janet chuckled and drew the little girl close. "I believe he does. Thank you sweetheart." She pressed a kiss to Katie's cheek.
When Katie pulled back, she studied the baby in her mother's arms closely. "Is Nicky weawing a diaper, mommy?"
"Yes sweetheart, he is. We talked about that, remember? It takes a long time before babies are ready to use the potty," she reminded Katie gently.
Katie nodded her head in agreement. "Nicky is a boy, mommy. Doeshe hab a weenie?" Katie asked with interest, her head cocked to the side as she waited for an answer.
Janet's eyes widened, Daniel's cheeks flushed, and Sam choked back a surge of laughter that threatened to escape. JJ looked suspiciously at Grace, who was nodding her head in silent answer to Katie's question, while the new parents looked toward Jack with accusation.
Jack's eyes darted back and forth: "What?"
