(takes place when Aiden is seventeen)

Prompt #26 - Dream

John didn't usually indulge in daydreams. There was no point to them and he knew there were more productive things to do with his time. But today was a Saturday and he had nothing better to do. Evie was off doing something with Summer, Rodney was busy, and Aiden was doing homework. John had claimed a couch in the rec room after lunch and spent a while watching Radek and Lorne play foosball. Then he'd read the comics page that he snatched from Michael's newspaper. He'd brought a book, but he didn't really feel like reading it.

When the others in the rec room quieted down to watch a movie John had seen before, he closed his eyes and let his thoughts wander. He knew his life could have turned out so different, and sometimes he let himself think about what it could have been like. What if Evie hadn't been in the Air Force… What if he had never joined the Stargate program… What if they'd never had to keep anything a secret…

John couldn't keep from smiling as the car rounded the corner, turning onto his street. He wanted to tell the cab driver to step on it, but noticed the school zone light flashing ahead and he kept quiet.

Three months of leave. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. He felt nostalgic as he looked at the familiar landmarks on the residential street. He smiled when he saw the fire hydrant that Leslie had crashed into on her bike. And there was that damn peach tree in full bloom even though it was October.

The taxi pulled into the driveway a minute later and John quickly paid the man and grabbed his duffel. He stepped out of the cab and shut the door. He grinned when he saw the face at the window quickly disappear. He was only halfway up the sidewalk when the front door burst open and a little boy with dark, wavy hair ran out.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" the three-year-old cried, racing out to meet his father.

John dropped his duffel and reached down to grab his little boy. He tossed the chunky toddler up in the air and then hugged him tightly. "Hey, Trig! I missed you, little man!"

"I misted you, too, Daddy!" little John III said, clinging to his father. "I was by da window and I's been watching for you all day!"

"I bet you have."

"Daddy!" a female voice called.

John looked up to see his daughter and oldest son running towards him. Leslie practically tackled him, throwing her arms around his waist and nearly knocking him over.

"Hey, princess," he said, wrapping his free arm around her. "And happy birthday! I'm so sorry I missed it."

"It's okay, Daddy," she promised, still clinging to him. "Eleven's not a big deal anyway. I'm just glad you're home." When she realized that her older brother was waiting for his turn, she reluctantly let go of her father and reached up to take Trig.

"Hey, Dad," Aiden said, wincing when his thirteen-year-old voice cracked.

John pulled his son into a hug. "How've you been?"

"I'm good, Dad," Aiden answered, not really big on hugs, but not wanting to let go either.

"How's your girlfriend? Amy, right?"

Aiden smiled as he stepped back. "She's great. She's coming over tomorrow so you can meet her."

"I can't wait." John looked up at the house, hoping to see someone else coming out. "Where's your mother?"

"She's on the phone with Grandma," Leslie answered.

"Does she know I'm here?"

"I don't know," Aiden said. "She was in her room with the door closed, so she might not have heard us shouting."

John grinned and picked up his duffel. "Then I'll surprise her."

Once inside the house, John sent Trig ahead. The little boy opened the door to his parents' bedroom and toddled inside. Evie looked up when she saw her son. He approached the bed and began petting the family cat that was relaxing there. Evie smiled and returned her attention to her phone conversation. "Yes, mom. I'll call you when he's here so you can pick the kids up for the evening… Oh, the seventeenth?… Yeah, that sounds fun. Let me check." Evie stood up and began flipping through the calendar on the wall.

Now that the door was open and she was distracted, John entered the room and walked quietly across the carpeted floor. When he was directly behind her, he said, "Tell her you'll have to call her back."

Evie gasped at the sound of his voice. She whirled around and the phone fell from her hand. "John!" she squealed, jumping into his arms.

John held her tightly. "I missed you so much," he murmured.

She kissed his neck and sighed happily. "John... Oh, ten months is too long, baby."

"I know." She lifted her head from his shoulder and he captured her lips in a steamy kiss.

Evie whimpered and surrendered control, melting against him and tangling her fingers through his hair.

Leslie giggled as she watched her parents, Aiden rolled his eyes at their passion, and Trig picked up the forgotten phone. "Gwanma? Ya, is Twig. Mommy will call you back, Gwanma," Trig said. "Her and Daddy is kissing."

John and Evie didn't seem to even hear their son and Leslie laughed again…

"Dad!"

John looked up, startled. "Huh?" He saw Aiden staring at him expectantly.

"I called you, like, four times," Aiden said.

"Oh. Sorry."

"What were you daydreaming about?"

John shook his head. "Nothing. What's up?"

"I'm bored and wondered if you'd come fly the jumper with me." He held up a gym bag full of gear and grinned. "We can bring the paintball guns and play last man standing on the mainland."

John smiled. "Alright. But no ramping up the ball velocity like last time," he insisted. "I'm not walking around all day with an ice pack on my butt again."

Aiden laughed. "Wimp! C'mon, let's go."

John smiled as he followed his son to the jumper bay. Daydreams were nice, he decided. But reality was so much better.