February 2011

"What do you think of these?" Sam asked as the two stood in front of a variety of birthday paper plates. She was holding up Cars 2 plates. "We could do a Cars theme?" The two were shopping for Lukas' 1st birthday party, and Sam could tell her friend wasn't all into it.

"Okay," Vala nodded as she gently pushed Lukas back and forth in his stroller.

"Daniel will be video-conferenced in the entire time," Sam offered as she placed two packages of plates, and matching napkins in the basket. "Cups?"

"Please," Vala smiled as she moved down the aisle. "Streamers, I'm sure Muscles will put some up for us."

"Yes, he will," Sam smiled, as she watched Vala reach and grab a few packages of the streamers and balloons. Sam watched as Vala was slowly coming around to the idea of her son's birthday. She agreed on many levels that Daniel probably should not have gone, but on the other side, she understood Daniel, and his desire for knowledge. She would never allow Jack to leave, but on the same side, she knew Jack would let her go if she wanted. But no two couples were alike.

The rest of the morning was spent grabbing everything they would possibly need for Lukas' birthday. It wasn't going to be a big party, he didn't really have friends, but it would be enough for them. The party was happening the next day, and Vala for the first time since Daniel left, missed him more than ever before. Lukas was a bit more testy than normal, and clingy, and she didn't blame him.

About thirty minutes before guests were set to arrive at their house, Vala was sitting on the couch, as a few members of the SGC were busy placing their secure connection onto the TV, and in that moment, when his face appeared, she felt her heart start to race, and a smile wash over her face.

"Vala," Daniel brightly smiled.

"Daniel," she replied. "Lukas darling, come here," reaching down she picked up the one-year-old and lifted him to see his father. The little boy squealed in delight.

"Da!"

"Yes, I'm here buddy," Daniel croaked, his voice cracking with emotion. "Happy Birthday!"

"He doesn't seem to realise today is any different," Vala smiled as Lukas squirmed to get down.

"Dow' dow'," he demanded as Daniel laughed, Vala let down her son, and the little boy moved towards his stack of blocks.

"How've you been?" Daniel asked, drawing Vala's attention back to the screen. She nodded, and placed her hands on her stomach, that was starting to show signs that it was being inhabited. At about 23 weeks, she was definitely was feeling the effects of this pregnancy.

"Fat," she chuckled.

"You're not fat te're not fat yet," Daniel teased as Vala's mouth dropped, and she started to laugh. "I miss you two."

"We miss you too," she smiled as the door bell rang. "Oh, people are here, don't move. Watch him." Pointing to Lukas she moved out of the view, and towards the front door, which opened.

"Jackson on that TV yet?"Cameron asked as he and Penny walked into the house. "Happy Birthday Buddy!" He called and quickly crawled towards Lukas and playfully attacked him.

"Hi," Penny chuckled.

"Come in," Vala smiled taking the present that Penny offered her.

"How are you?" Penny asked as she closed the door, and followed Vala to the livingroom.

"Good," she replied. "Thank you for coming."

"No thanks needed," Penny grinned. "Hi Daniel."

"Hey Penny," Daniel waved from the screen. "This is weird, birthday party via a TV." Immediately regretting what he said, Daniel gave a soft look to Vala. Vala took a breath and moved towards her son, and friend who were currently laying on the ground giggling up a storm.

The rest of SG-1 (past and present) arrived shortly after, each bringing a present for the now One year Old. It wasn't a large party, Vala didn't want it big, there was something to be said about a small, family only birthday for a child, who would never remember this day.

The days slowly dragged on for the group of friends, with everyday Daniel was gone, Vala grew more and more, her stomach housing their second child-a daughter. Teal'c had decided to take up residence in the Jackson home, helping Vala with Lukas, who with Vala's growing belly, was becoming more and more mobile, and causing chaos. Daniel's communications were steadily once a week, and although at first, and probably still a bit, Vala resented him for leaving, he was so passionate about the work, she couldn't help but smile.

As March approached, as did the wedding of Cameron and Penny, not to any surprise of members of the team, who admitted a while ago that the woman was now part of their family. They all made the trip to Kansas, drove due to the expecting mothers. Teal'c had, in turn, decided that he was watching over his friends. The wedding was a large, but simple affair, with almost every member of Cameron and Penny's families-all rather large. Much to the shock of both Sam and Vala, both were dotted on by every member of the Mitchell and Dean family. Lukas had the time of his life being taken around the farm and riding horses with his Uncle Teal'c.