T U

T is for Tenderness

Love hurts, however, looking back now I can no longer dredge up that pain. Not since they came into my life. While I sit here watching Vala sleep I hold the other she in my arms. Newly born.

Vala insisted we name her Claire after my mother and that made me so close to weeping I had to look away. She whispered, lightly, sweetly, lovingly. "Kiss me darling before I fall asleep." And she was asleep before I could get up, baby in arms, and kiss her.

Claire has her mother's dark hair, thick and sprouting in every direction. And her eyes are gray and mysterious. I suppose that is how she has cast her little spell on me. I love this tiny human as much as I love her mother and I cannot fathom how that is possible.

My gaze is on Vala then Claire and back to Vala. I want to wake her up and tell her how much I love her but she needs her sleep. It was a long hard labor.

I know our friends are at the door anxious to visit. However, I am not ready to share. Besides, Claire has fallen asleep cradled in my arms. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, overwhelmed by the magic of it all. Then with eyes open I ran a finger across her velvety cheek.

My daughter squeaks, wiggling in her cocoon of soft baby blankets. My little mouse. And suddenly I hear my mother's voice, "Danny, quit pestering Mrs. Mostafa's baby! You'll have one of your own one day and you won't like anyone hovering over and poking your child."

I laughed out loud at the memory and suddenly Claire's eyes pop open as does her rosebud lips and a heartbreaking cry escapes! Okay, time for some support from my friends. As I approach the door, babe in arms, I hear Vala say softly, "Sam gets her first, but if she doesn't stop crying bring her to me."

Smiling, I say, "Okay, if Sam doesn't stop crying or Claire?" and open the door to a chorus of "Awwwww."

Sam scooped Claire up and I was unmistakably as jealous as I have ever been!

U is for Underwear

"Jackson," Cam calls out as he enters Daniel's office, "the other day you mentioned you're missing some of your new black tee shirts. Well, I'm missing 2 pair of new boxer briefs, still in package, unopened. I double checked laundry, lost and found just to be sure. Any idea what's going on?"

"I have my suspicions." Daniel answered, shutting his journal and turning towards Cam.

"And?"

"First, when I asked Teal'c he said he doesn't have anything missing... then after a pause he added except for one SGC issued pair of wool socks, and a Star Wars hoodie."

"Interesting." Cam crossed his arms and waited for anything else Daniel might know.

Daniel hesitated looking around before clearing his throat. "Okay, so remember when she'd come to my room after some horrifying nightmare and she'd sleep on top of my covers, having brought her pillow and blanket?"

"Yeah, so now she comes without covers/pillow or nightmares."

"We are not going to talk about that." Daniel mumbled.

Cam chuckled. "Okay, go on."

"The other night I was reading, really late with just the lamp on. I had changed the lock because... well... you know not a good idea to... er, ah, anyway. The door opened and it actually caught me off guard. I looked up surprised."

"You know full well she could get in that door if you had welded it shut."

"Okay, right. Anywhoooo, I remember now that she was wearing boxer briefs, a black tee shirt and some very large wool socks that didn't fit her feet and came up to her knees."

"No hoodie?"

"Nope."

"And then what?"

"What?"

"So what happened... oh, wait never mind."

"It's not what you think." Daniel said, hesitantly.

"You wanna swear to that? And you're sure you don't have an extra pair of underpants thereabouts somewhere?"

"I got one of my tee shirts back, that's all I have to say."

~TBC – V AND W COMEING SOON.