Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I wasn't sure if I'd get anything out before the new year, but tried really hard to find some writing time in between various activities. Hope you enjoy this one...Grace goes to school!

Chapter 18 – Kindergarten Baby

Grace was up before the sun rose. Not normally a morning person, she bounded out of bed with a smile and a lightness to her step that bespoke the excitement she was feeling. Today was a big day for Grace Aeryn Carter O'Neill…it was her very first day of kindergarten.

The little girl went eagerly to the closet and took down the outfit she and mommy had picked for her to wear on her first day; a blue denim skirt and a red knit shirt that had a pony embroidered on the front. Grace was enamored with horses of all sorts, and had been thrilled when she spotted this particular top at the mall when they went back to school shopping. She had been puzzled by that term…if she had never been to real school before, how could she go back to school shopping? Daddy had told her not to worry about it and they had resumed their shopping after her questions, but it still confused Grace.

Fully dressed in her new outfit, hair and teeth brushed, and bed sloppily put together, Grace sat on the floor and pulled on her new white sneakers, the ones with purple laces. She had insisted she get tie up shoes, not Velcro, for kindergarten. Daddy had spent several days teaching her to tie her shoes by herself, for JJ had told her that only babies couldn't tie their own shoes once they entered school. Tongue peeking out of the corner of her mouth, Grace recited the little rhyme daddy her taught her to help her remember how to tie her shoes. "X marks the spot, then tuck on under." She crossed the laces, then bent one under the inverted V of the cross and pulled it through. "Pull it tight, now that's a wonder! One bunny ear, loop just so," she made the loop with her left hand and held it tight. This last part was the trickiest. "Wrap around, poke it through, and away we go!" She wrapped the other lace around the loop, poked the middle of it through the opening, then pulled it gently through and tightened it. Though one loop was slightly bigger than the other, Grace grinned with pride at her accomplishment. She had done it, all by herself! She moved to the other shoe and tied that one as well.

Getting to her feet, she looked down at her new shoes and grinned once more, then Grace grabbed her back pack from the chair in the corner and left her room. She tiptoed down the dark hallway to her parent's bedroom. Easing the door open very quietly, she shuffled to the side of the bed her father was currently sleeping on. Poking him in the shoulder, she leaned down and whispered, "Daddy? I'm ready for school. When does the bus come?"

Jack rolled over and looked up at her with bleary eyes, then frowned in confusion. "Grace? What are you doing up already?"

She smiled at him as she repeated, "I'm all ready for school, daddy. I gots myself dressed and everything!" she stated proudly.

Jack rolled slightly to take a look at the clock next to him, then groaned out loud. "Grace, its only 5:45! You and JJ don't have to catch the bus for 2 more hours!"

Grace's smile faltered. "Oh," she said quietly, thinking that 2 hours was an awfully long time to wait to go to school.

Sam rolled over and raised herself on an elbow. "What's going on?" she asked sleepily.

"Your daughter is up at the crack of dawn, ready for school. Which doesn't start for another 2 hours I might add," he replied gruffly, even as he sat up and reached for his sweatpants at the end of the bed.

Sam smiled over at Grace. "Are you excited for your first day, sweetie?"

"Well, that's obvious," Jack muttered under his breath, receiving a glare from his wife for his trouble.

Grace's smile returned full force. "Yes mommy! I can't wait to see my teacher and my classroom and the other kids! I bet I will learn lots and lots on my first day, don't you?"

"I'm sure you will, Grace," Sam agreed with amusement.

"Well, not if you fall asleep during class young lady," Jack added. Then he stood up and took her by the hand. "Come on, my eager beaver, you rest on the couch while I start some breakfast. And coffee…lots of coffee." The two of them walked hand in hand out of the bedroom, Grace turning back once more to throw another excited grin Sam's way.

Sam smiled as she heard Grace ask, "Daddy? Since we is up so early, can we have panpakes for breafkiss? I loves your Mickey Mouse panpakes the best!" She didn't hear Jack's reply but soon, the smell of pancakes permeated the household.

Though not quite as eager as his sister for the start of a new school year, JJ was up and ready well before it was time to catch the school bus. He was entering the second grade this year and was excited about the prospect of learning new and more challenging things. In addition, he would be working with Mr. Jenkins this year, the school's gifted educator. He worked exclusively with those children who had been deemed academically gifted, which JJ had during the middle of first grade. JJ had met with Mr. Jenkins at the end of the school year and was more than ready to get started on some of the projects the teacher had in mind for this year.

At 7:40, both children donned their new backpacks and headed outside to wait for the school bus. Jack and Sam followed, Maddie in Jack's arms and Sam holding the camera. Each year, on the first day of school, she planned on taking a picture of her children as they headed out to a new year of learning. It would be a way not only to record their growth, but also to capture the excitement of that first day.

JJ and Grace raced ahead of their parents, both eager to get to the corner early. Several other children were already at the bus stop, jostling each other good naturedly and teasing about what teachers they had that year and how much homework they were likely to receive. As soon as he spotted JJ, Billy came bounding over.

"Hi JJ! We got the same teacher this year! Ms. Cooke! Maybe she likes to cook and will bring us cookies and brownies!" he laughed at his own joke, then turned to look at Grace. "Hey kindergarten baby. Who's your teacher?"

Grace looked behind her, wondering who he was calling a baby, then turned back when he laughed at her. "Yeah, I'm talking to you, kindergarten baby!"

Grace scowled. "I'm not a baby! I'm five and going to school now!"

He just laughed. "Yeah, in kindergarten, where all they do is play, color and have cookies and milk. Baby stuff," he scoffed.

"Knock it off, Billy," JJ warned, giving his friend a glare and a shove in the arm.

Billy, deciding it was probably in his best interest to stop teasing as he saw JJ's parents coming, stepped back and rubbed at his arm. "Aw, I was just teasing her JJ. Come on, let's go to the front of the line. I want to sit in the back of the bus where it's the bounciest."

JJ looked at Billy, then back at Grace before shaking his head. "Nah. I'm going to sit with Grace today. Dad wants me to make sure she gets to her class OK and everything. Maybe tomorrow."

Billy scowled at Grace. The baby was already ruining all his plans for the first day of school! JJ would probably end up sitting next to her on the way home, too, and maybe the rest of the year! "Fine," he replied to JJ with as much nonchalance as his 7 year old self could muster, then he turned and walked back toward the other children. But as he passed Grace, he pushed against her every so slightly and muttered quietly so only she could hear, "Baby."

Grace bit her lip and looked after him, anger warring with tears that threatened. JJ brought her back with a hand to her arm. "Here comes the bus, Grace. Let's go get in line."

"Wait a second," Jack said from behind them. "I need a hug from you before you leave. And your mother needs a picture," he added with a grin.

"Aw, dad," JJ mumbled, looking back toward his friends. He was getting just a bit too old to be hugging his parents in public, for crying out loud! And taking a picture at the bus stop!

Jack, knowing exactly what he was thinking, said, "Come on, little man. Even Uncle Danny and Uncle T give me hugs in front of other people…and they're a lot bigger than you! I won't embarrass you too badly," he added with a grin.

Rolling his eyes but smiling back, JJ came over to his dad and let him hug him with one arm. "Have a good day, son," Jack said with a smile, then looked at Grace. Quietly, he added, "Watch out for your sister for me, OK?"

"Yes, sir," JJ said with a grin, before going to give his mother a hug good-bye as well. Sam then stood the two children next to each other and took a few quick snapshots.

When she was done, Jack hunkered down on his knees in front of Grace and placed Maddie on the ground next to him. The toddler stood to one side, holding onto her father's knee as she stared wide-eyed at all the bigger children around her. Taking hold of Grace's shoulders, he said, "You all ready, princess?"

Forgetting the earlier teasing by Billy, Grace smiled back. "I'm ready daddy."

Jack grinned, then pulled her close. "You have a great first day of kindergarten, pumpkin. I can't wait to hear all about it when you come home." He drew back and continued to look at her. He couldn't believe that his little girl was going off to school already! "JJ will come to your classroom at the end of the day and walk with you to the bus, OK? I want you to promise to wait for him," he reminded her. They had been over this several times, but Jack was just a bit anxious. Sometimes, Grace got a bit too excited and forgot important things like where to go and when. He didn't want to lose his baby girl on the first day of school! And since kindergarten in their school district was all day, she would be coming home at three o'clock, just like her brother.

"I promise, daddy," she replied, then hugged him again before moving to her mother.

Sam had tears in her eyes that she hurriedly brushed away. She too could not believe how quickly her children were growing up. Bending down, she pulled Grace close for a tight hug, then released her. She didn't want to transfer her own feelings of trepidation to her daughter, so said in a happy tone, "I'll be coming home early today, Grace. Daddy and I will meet you at the bus stop. I can't wait for you to tell me all about your day."

Grace smiled up at her. "I'll 'member everything, mommy. Maybe I can draw you and daddy a picture in school today."

Sam smiled back. "We'd love that, sweetheart."

JJ pulled on Grace's arm. "Come on! The bus is here!" Grace turned and saw the big yellow school bus pull to a stop at the curb. Giving her parents one more huge smile, she followed JJ and got in line. When the doors opened, she looked up at the smiling face of the bus driver.

"All aboard for Jefferson Elementary School," he hollered, his voice mimicking that of a train conductor.

All of the children laughed, then carefully climbed on board. JJ found a seat near the front and let Grace sit next to the window. As the bus slowly pulled away, she pressed her face against the glass pane, smiled and then waved at her parents until they were out of sight. Finally, she turned forward and looked around the bus, eagerly taking in everything of her first day.

Back on the corner, Sam brushed the tears from her cheeks as the bus turned the corner. "I can't believe how emotional I'm getting over her first day of school," she sighed with embarrassment.

Jack smiled as he shifted Maddie to his left side and put his arm around Sam. "I know. Our little girl sure has grown up fast. But if I know our Grace, she's going to give her teachers a run for their money over the next few years."

Sam laughed and leaned into his embrace. "Besides," he continued, "We still have this one at home, don't we Maddie girl?" he blew a raspberry to the baby's cheek, causing her to laugh with delight. Then she reached her arms forward. "Mama!" she stated firmly.

Wiping away the last of her tears, Sam took her youngest from Jack's arms and held her close, then the three of them began the trek home, taking their time as they talked about their two children off to a new school year. While Sam was proud and excited for Grace, she was still saddened by this quick passage of time in her children's young lives.

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Grace's first morning of kindergarten was all she had hoped it would be. Her teacher, Miss Burlside, was warm, gentle and kind. Grace took to her right away and was willing and eager to do everything her teacher asked of her. They colored, listened to a story about a turtle who went to school, played a counting game (which Grace was very good at), had the requisite milk and cookies, and went to music class.

Grace's day was going just fine until it came time to go outside for recess after lunch. She had been out for 10 minutes, playing on the swings with a few of her new classmates, when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Well, if it isn't the kindergarten baby. Did your teacher change your diaper yet, baby?" Billy laughed at his cleverness and Grace heard a few other boys join in the laughter.

Grace stopped the swing and climbed off, then turned to face her adversary. Her eyes scanned the small group of bigger children gathered there, looking for the familiar face of her brother.

Knowing what she was looking for, Billy stepped closer. "He's not here, baby Gracie. Big brother JJ is with Mr. Jenkins so there's no one for you to hide behind, is there?" he asked with a hint of meanness.

Grace narrowed her eyes at Billy. She never hid behind JJ for anything. Grace was more than capable of looking out for herself; it's just that JJ usually intervened before she had a chance to do anything. "Why don't you just go away, Billy Martin. We don't want you here." She planted her hands on her hips and continued to glare angrily at him.

Billy just laughed. "And what are a bunch of kindergarten babies going to do to stop me, huh? I can go wherever I want, baby."

Grace took a step closer, not in the least bit intimidated by him. "I am not a baby!" she ground out.

"Course you are," he said with importance. "You're wearing a name tag so you won't get lost," he pointed to the tag on her shirt that clearly read Grace O'Neill. "You can't sit by yourself on the bus, and you probably can't tie your shoes alone." He pointed down at her shoes, which had come untied.

"I can so tie my own shoes, Bully Billy! They just comed untied when I was swinging!"

"Yeah, right. Kindergarten baby, kindergarten baby!" he chanted, then signaled for his friends to join in, which they immediately did.

Grace's hands formed into fists as she clenched them to her sides. She wanted nothing more than to punch Billy Martin right in the nose. But she knew mommy and daddy would be very angry if they found out she hit someone…they were always telling both her and JJ that it was better to find other ways to solve a problem than to hit. But smacking Billy seemed to be the best solution right now, she thought to herself. She took a step forward, one arm slightly raised.

Billy laughed at her. "Oh, are you going to hit me baby? I'm soooo scared!"

One of the other second grade boys in the crowd began to get a bit nervous. He didn't want to get on the wrong side of JJ O'Neill, which he knew they all would if this went on any longer. "Come on Billy, leave the little kids alone. Let's go play Dodgeball." There was a murmur of assent from the others…none of them wanted to get in trouble on the first day of school, after all.

"What? Are you all afraid of a little kindergarten baby?" he scoffed.

Kevin, the boy who had spoken up, said, "No. But this is wasting our recess time." He spared an apologetic glance at Grace and was surprised to see her looking thoughtful instead of afraid of Billy Martin.

"I don't know, I'm having fun," he said, then looked at Grace again. "Aren't you, kindergarten baby?" When she continued to just look at him, he said in a singsong voice, "Uh –oh! Is the widdle baby going to cwy?"

Grace thought for a moment, blinked her eyes, then let a slow smile cross her face. Then, to the surprise of all the children, she walked right up to Billy and kissed him on the cheek. There was a gasp of shock all around at her action, but none louder than Billy's. Backing away from her, his hand swiping angrily at his cheek, he said, "Eww! What did you do that for?"

Grace just stood quietly and smiled at him. Kevin broke into laughter behind Billy. "Aww, Billy's got himself a girlfriend! Billy's got a girl friend, Billy's got a girl friend!" the others began to chant.

Billy turned on them. "She is not my girlfriend! She's just a kindergarten baby!"

"I don't know, Billy, man. Baby's don't give out kisses like that!" The laughter that erupted caused Billy's face to turn a bright red.

"Knock it off!" he yelled at his friends. Still laughing, they turned to go.

"Come on, let's let the love birds alone," Kevin joked as the headed to the other side of the playground.

Billy rounded on Grace, his hand still on his cheek. She was still standing quietly and smiling at him, her deep brown eyes looking back with innocence. He took one step back, then two, mumbled something under his breath, then turned and took off after his friends. Grace turned back to the two kindergarten girls who stood there the entire time and said, "Come on, let's go back and swing." And that was the end of that. From that day forward, Billy Martin was very careful about what he said to one Grace O'Neill. For nothing was worse than being kissed by a girl on the playground in front of all your friends, no matter how old that girl might be.

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Grace hopped off the bus excitedly at the end of the day and ran to her mother's arms. "Hi Mommy! I'm home!"

Sam picked her up and hugged her close, before setting the little girl back on the ground.

"How was your first day of school, sweetheart?" she asked.

"Really, really good! I gots lots to tell you and daddy." She grinned up at her father. "But first I wants a snack. Kindergarten maked me really hungry!"

They all laughed and made their way home, JJ chattering about his day to his father while Grace told them some of the things they had done at school. When they were settled in the kitchen, glasses of milk and a plate of cookies on the table and Maddie in her high chair, Jack said. "OK, Grace. What was the most exciting thing about your day?"

JJ answered before she could. "I know what it was," he said with a grin. "Grace kissed Billy on the playground at lunch recess!"

Grace looked at him with wide eyes. She didn't know her brother had learned of that particular episode, since he hadn't mentioned anything on the ride home. Jack exchanged a surprised look with Sam, then turned back to Grace. "Uh, what? Is that true Grace?" he asked with a hint of disbelief in his tone.

Grace ducked her head, afraid to meet his eyes. "Yes, sir," she replied quietly.

"Grace, what did you do that for?" Sam asked in confusion. Jack and Sam both knew that Grace wasn't overly fond of Billy Martin…so why in the world would she kiss him? And Jack didn't particularly care for the idea of his Grace kissing anyone!

Grace looked up at her mother. "Billy was teasing me, mommy. He keeped calling me a kindergarten baby, and in front of lots of other kids! I really wanted to punch him in the nose," she gave her father a quick look and bit her lip when he frowned at her. "But I 'membered that you and daddy doesn't like us to hit peoples, so I didn't. I kissed him instead."

Jack's frown at her mentioning hitting someone turned to one of puzzlement. "So what exactly made you kiss him instead?"

Grace looked him full in the eyes this time. "Cause I wanted to 'tract him, like mommy does when you gets angry at her or asks her lots of questions."

Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked over at Sam, who was biting her lip to keep in a burst of laughter. She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye then gave him her most innocent look. Jack's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he regarded his wife. "Hmm, so mommy tries to distract me with kisses when I get angry does she?"

"Yes, daddy," Grace answered. "And it works too!" She added with a smile at both of them. "You always kisses her back and forgets why you was angry…and Billy stopded teasing me when I kissed him." She looked at her father thoughtfully. "How come boys is so easy to 'tract with a kiss, daddy?"

This time Sam couldn't hold back the burst of laughter that escaped, which earned her an even harsher glare. Still giggling, she said, "Yes, daddy. Why is that?"

Jack scowled at her. "We'll talk about this later," he grumbled, then got up from the table to pour himself another cup of coffee, muttering under his breath the whole time about "women".

Grace leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. "You might have to kiss daddy later, mommy. Just to 'tract him."

"I think you're right Grace," Sam whispered back with a smile, her eyes alight with amusement.

During the entire conversation, JJ had been thinking silently to himself. He was more than a little angry that his friend had picked on his little sister when he wasn't around to defend her. He remembered how Uncle Teal'c had pulled him aside just this past summer and told him, as the oldest O'Neill, it was his duty to watch out for his younger sisters. JJ had taken it to heart. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He'd have to have a little talk with Billy Martin regarding his future interactions with Grace. Although, he thought with a hint of pride, she had managed to take care of herself quite admirably today. He'd have to remember to ask Uncle Teal'c if true warriors ever kissed someone to get out of a battle.

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Kindergarten continued to be a wonderful experience for Grace and a God-send to Jack. A large majority of the little girl's endless questions were now directed at Miss Burlside, Grace's "Most favorite teacher ever!" Grace couldn't say enough about Miss B and everything that went on in the classroom each day. Her brown eyes would light up as she regaled Jack and Sam with one story after another...some of them more amusing or embarrassing than others, depending on how you looked at things.

Jack had cringed when she had come home one day later that fall and informed him that Bubbles, one of the classroom guinea pigs, had climbed on top of Sooty, the other one, during reading time.

"Bubbles started to do a dance thing, daddy. His rump was moving back and forth really fast! I asked Miss B. what they was doing in there." Grace had frowned. "Miss B. turned kinda red, like you does when I askes about babies. Then she covered their cage and said they was just getting ready to sleep. But I don't thinks they wanted to sleep, daddy, 'cause they was making lots of noise in there." Jack had feigned ignorance as to what the guinea pigs had been up to and had directed Grace to another topic very quickly. He had been half expecting to receive a phone call from the teacher later that October afternoon. He hadn't, but had made darned sure they bought Miss B. a really nice gift come Christmas time.

Jack and Sam were both thankful that Kindergarten was a full-day experience in their school district…Grace thrived with the mental stimulation and the socialization inherent in the kindergarten program. Her bubbly personality made her a well-liked little girl, which was no surprise to either of her parents. Jack was just a bit worried, as even the boys seemed to flock around his daughter, and that just wasn't normal for five year olds…was it?

And so Grace's first year progressed, with stories and incidents woven into the everyday tasks of learning. At least they didn't have to worry about Billy Martin teasing Grace anymore. Ever since that first day of school, he kept well out of her reach and refrained from picking on her, though he often watched her from a safe distance on the playground. And, like her father, he wondered at all the little kindergarten boys who followed her around. He didn't know why, but somewhere deep inside of him, Billy didn't like that…not one little bit.