July 2012

"Happy Birthday Daddy," Vala beamed as she and their two children sat on the bed, each of the children holding a cupcake.

"Whose birthday is it?" Daniel teased as Lukas passed him the cupcake.

"Daddy," the two year old said strongly. "Cake!"

"You two made me cake?" Daniel smiled as he accepted the cupcake offered to him from Lukas, before looking at Alexandra, who was sitting holding hers, before smiling wickedly and shoving it in her mouth.

"That for Daddy!" Lukas scolded his sister, as Daniel and Vala laughed.

"It's okay buddy, she can have it. And you know what, for being such a good older brother, I'm going to give you mine," he winked at Vala and passed his cupcake to the toddler.

"Happy Birthday Darling," Vala whispered leaning over to kiss Daniel.

"Thank you," he smiled, quickly stealing a second kiss, as he glanced at Alexandra who was now covered in chocolate. "Look at you. Come here." Reaching forward, Daniel took a hold of Alexandra and placed her on his lap. "You're covered in chocolate!"

"No," Alexandra protested shaking her head. Daniel laughed, as he tried to back away as she leaned over to kiss him.

Today, Daniel turned 47, and for the first time in a very long time, he was truly happy. He had a beautiful daughter, who was looking more like her mother every day, and a terrific son, who made him smile every day. After Sha're he never thought he would be happy, in love, or have a family. But here he was, officially grounded on earth, with a few odd missions off world, and he was completely happy. Sure he and Vala still had their ups and downs, they fought like any other couple, but worked hard for the children.

Meeting everyone for lunch meant that they started getting ready two hours prior. Baths, and outfits number one, diaper change for the baby, potty trip for Lukas, change in outfit for Lukas who missed getting to the potty on time, an outfit change for Alexandra who somehow made a made. Daniel hunted for shoes, while Vala tried to keep the kids clean.

"Found it!" Daniel proclaimed producing the single yellow sandal, as he walked into the living room. "Come here Lexie," he called, as Alexandra sat on the floor, as she built a tower with her blocks. The little girl looked up, who was already wearing one sandal, and in her second dress of the day.

"Come Lukas," Vala called as she grabbed swung the diaper bag over her shoulder, holding out her hand for the little boy. "Ready Daniel?"

"I think so," Daniel said picking up his daughter, and placing her on his hip, looking around. "Let's go," he smiled holding out his spare hand for Vala. The reality of his family made him the happiest he'd ever been, and normally his birthday was no big deal, but he loved it now wasn't just about him.

Arriving at PB&Jellies, Daniel noticed that the O'Neill had just arrived, as Jack was standing at the truck as Sam was getting Grace out of the backseat. Jumping out of his SUV, he nodded to Jack, before going to take out his child.

"Happy Birthday," Sam smiled as the small family walked up to them, she leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you," he grinned before accepting the sloppy kiss from Grace. "You're cute."

"Lukas, hold my hand please," Vala slightly scolded the little boy who tried to run to Jack. The little boy stopped mid run, and held his hand out for Vala to take. Now at 2, he was, as Daniel put it, the Energizer Bunny.

"Jack!" Lukas called, as he tried to pull Vala faster towards his favourite Uncle.

"Luke!" Jack grinned nodding to Vala to let his hand go, as he bent down to take a hug of his nephew. "Ready for some PB and J buddy?"

"Yeah!" Lukas cheered. Daniel chuckled, and looked at the people he held dear to him. Sam and Jack were ultimately his best friends, and he loved seeing how happy they were finally being together. It only took 8 years for them to get there, and he was so happy for when they did… They tried to hide it at first, but he knew, and kept their secret. And then they announced their pregnancy, privately, because of the complications. Then their Grace came along, and she was becoming the perfect mix of both her parents. Vala had grown in her own right in the past few years, but her curiosity and excitement were still there. There was something about Vala that truly separated her from every other woman he loved, she showed a great deal of wisdom beyond her years, determination for happiness that he had never seen in anyone. They were exhausted, as any set of new parents would be, but that never stopped them from playing with the kids, staying up with them when they wouldn't sleep. He was thankful for his family.

Vala smiled at Daniel, and reached to take Alexandra from him, who happily went into her mother's arms. Out of both kids, Alexandra was very much attached to Vala, where Lukas really could go either Mom or Dad, but preferred being with Uncle Jack. She felt far more affection, love, and attachment to her two children with Daniel than she ever did with Adria, even the moment she realised she was pregnant. She knew why, because even though neither were planned for that matter, both came from a place of love, and never forced onto her. But there was something else, something she never realised was possible, she couldn't imagine her life without both of her children.

Lunch was filled with laughing, and chaos when Cameron, Penny, Teal'c and the triplets arrived. Their lives had definitely become more domesticated, and revolved around 6 children under the age of 2. It was ironic really, they had spent a good portion of their adult lives defending the planet, discovering new technology and races, worrying about nothing else than themselves; and now their children took over.

Summer was unseasonably cooler, but it did not stop them from spending their summer on the O'Neill's deck, and either at the pool, spray park, or playground. Whatever kept the children happy and occupied. Most of the time it was Sam and Daniel at work, leaving Jack and Vala to the child care, which they tried to make as interactive as possible, knowing that soon Autumn would come, and inside activities would be the norm.

They had all gotten the call on July 9th, around 11pm that Cassie had given birth, and Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all felt as if they became grandparents to baby Janet, and Cameron and Penny announced that come the new year they were going to welcome baby number 4 to their family. The already exhausted parents of triplets were what both Jack and Vala proclaimed as crazy.