December 2012

"No, I do it!" Lukas pouted as he crossed his arms across his chest and stared at the Christmas tree that he wanted to decorate. Vala had pulled the box of tinsel out of his hand, when he started to throw it.

"No Lukas, not the tinsel," Vala scolded softly. The moment No left her mouth, the almost three year old scrunched up his face, and started to wail. "Lukas."

"Lukas is sad." Sighing Vala rolled her eyes, as she moved to pick up the toddler, which caused even more tears, as they moved towards the time out chair.

"So many tears," Vala sighed, as Daniel and Alexandra entered the house. The little girl toddled in front of Daniel, dragging her own shopping bag.

"What did you say no to?" Daniel asked bemused, as he placed the shopping on the couch.

"Tinsel," Vala replied. They were getting rather good at ignoring Lukas' temper tantrums. "How was shopping?"

"Good, S-A-N-T-A is complete," Daniel replied spelling out Santa as he bent down to take Alexandra out of her wintercoat. "Come here." Lukas had stopped his wailing and was now brooding in his chair. "Do you want to show Mummy what you bought?"

Alexandra beamed as she looked up at Vala holding out her bag. Vala bent down and took the bag that was offered. "How lovely," she smiled before kissing the little girl on the forehead. "Why don't you go play with your puzzles?"

"Yes!" Vala chuckled and took several of the bags from Daniel.

"The rest are in the car," he replied. "We dropped the S-A-N-T-A presents at Jack and Sam's."

"Mummy?" a small voice called, as Vala looked down at the voice.

"Yes?"

"Sorry," Lukas said softly, as Vala bent down.

"That's okay. Why don't you help your sister with her puzzles, and Mummy and Daddy will finish the tree with you in a little bit?"

"Okay," the toddler said as he leaned in to hug Vala. The love she felt for her two children, even at moments of sheer exhaustion and frustration, the feel of Lukas' hugs and Alexandra's kisses.

Daniel smiled as he nudged Vala with the bags.

Christmas came to the Jackson house to one very excited toddler and Alexandra who was only excited because Lukas was. They had their small family Christmas on Christmas eve, where the toddlers each got a new book. Christmas Day was spent at the O'Neill's, much to Lukas' delight. He knew Uncle Jack would play in the snow with him, or play hockey.

"The girls are sleeping," Sam smiled softly as she walked into the livingroom holding the baby monitor. Grace and Alexandra were already the best of friends, and were always delighted to do anything and everything together. Both turning two in the few months ahead neither sets of parents were sure they would ever be seperated.

"Hugging each other too?" Daniel asked as he looked up from the book he was reading.

"Of course," Sam laughed sitting down on the couch. "Where's Jack and Vala?"

"Lukas," Daniel replied. Outside the three were playing hockey on the rink Jack had made in the backyard. Placing his bookmark in the book, he looked at Sam and smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing," he smiled. "I'm happy you have the life you wanted."

"You too Daniel," Sam replied. "You deserve nothing less."

"You know Sam, when Vala first told me she was pregnant with Lukas I didn't think we'd be be here. I didn't even think I'd be here after Sha're. But where we are, two kids later."

"You plan on asking Vala to marry you, aren't you?" Sam asked, delight spread across her face. "Daniel Jackson!"

"I bought the ring," he shrugged. "Timing isn't right just yet."

"Daniel!" Sam beamed. "I'm just so incredibly happy. I'm so excited!" Daniel shook his head as the back door opened and Jack, Vala, and Lukas came in, kicking off their boots. "Have fun?"

"This boy is going to be a hockey star," Jack winked as Vala was taking off Lukas' outerwear.

"And hockey stars need their naps," Vala told Lukas who nodded. "Alexandra?"

"Sleeping with Gracie," Sam replied holding up the monitor. "You can put him down in our bed."

"Thank you Samantha," Vala picked up her son who laid his head on her shoulder. "I'll help you with supper once I put him down."

"Take your time," Sam smiled as she leaned back in the couch, and Jack sunk into his chair opposite. Vala headed towards the back of the house, as Daniel smiled as he watched her.

"Daniel is going to propose," Sam told Jack, her excitement bubbling out of her.

"Daniel! Really?" Jack asked looking at his friend who nodded. "Nice. Finally eh?"

"That's calling the kettle black," Daniel replied staring at Jack, as Sam just chuckled.

"I asked. Right Carter?" Sam laughed as she stood up and tossed the baby monitor into her husband's lap.

"Keep an eye on Gracie, I'm going to start supper."

"Yasureyabetcha," he winked glancing at the monitor. Daniel laughed at his friends and opened his book.