Ch. 58

(Colorado Springs Cemetery)

Despite the sadness of the gathering, it was a clear winter day. The two day storm had finally past and only left a few little white clouds spread across the otherwise blue sky. They're were only a few guests. Stacey, John, Allison, and Adam of course attended. To John's dismay, his father came. The members of SG-1, Jack, and even General's Hammond and Landry made it to the grave site ceremony.

It was short and sweet. Stacey spoke quickly; reminiscing about family camping trips and other such things. After that, the small group started to leave and head over to the Sheppard's cabin for the Wake. Stacey remained by the coffins, to have one final good bye to her parents. John took the kids to the car.

Stacey outstretched her hand touched her mother's wooden coffin. She touched her father's coffin with the other hand. Stacey looked between the two as she spoke

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you why I had to leave for long periods at a time," Stacey tried to choke back tears.

Her throat became dry and it felt like something was tuck inside it.

"I wish you could have seen what John and I have been doing; what we've seen and discovered," a tear fell down her cheek. "And I wish you could have seen and held Adam."

She removed her hands from the coffins. Stacey grasped her stomach with one hand and held the other hand over her mouth. She couldn't stand it anymore. She fell to the ground and cried. This hurt. She wasn't prepared for this.

With her feral hearing, she heard familiar footsteps. She quickly wiped her tears and turned her head to see him. He gently wrapped his fingers around her shoulders and spoke softly.

"Come on, Stace," Daniel's voice was calm and gentle as his touch.

Daniel helped her stand up. She immediately turned and hid her face in hid suit jacket. Daniel protectively put his arms around her.

"It'll be okay. It'll be okay," he swayed back and forth, calming her down.

She eventually did. Stacey put her head up. Her eyes were red and puffy and her face was wet from tears and snot over her nose.

"Sorry," she said feebly, at the site of her buggers on his suit.

Daniel looked down and finally noticed. He took out a tissue from one of his pockets and cleaned it up.

"Ready?" Daniel outstretched his arm for her to take.

"Ready," Stacey nodded and took his arm.

(Sheppard's Cabin)

By the time they go home, people were waiting for them to let them in. They all sat and talked on the porch. Adam needed a nap and Allison were tired from the stormy weather the two nights before.

"I'll give Adam his bottle and put him down for his nap. You catch up on things," John offered.

"You're avoiding your father, aren't you?"

John glared at her. But, that only confirmed her suspicions.

"Chicken,"

Stacey followed him with her eyes. He grabbed Adam from Cameron, who was playing with him on his lap. John called to Allison, she came running to her dad. Stacey's eyes followed past him as they headed inside the house, and noticed the three Air Force General's were talking animatedly to one another, telling each other stories.

Stacey headed over to SG-1. Sam and Daniel leaned against the wooden railing of the porch. Daniel had one arm around Sam as the four talked. Teal'c, Cameron, and Jack stood. Stacey blended into the group immediately. As much as she missed the crashing waves and easily spread gossip of Atlantis, she was glad to be home, with her real family again.

To be continued . . .

(A/N: Okay, how am I doing? I'd like to know what story plots I've introduced would you like explored further or what plots would you like me to forget? I'm curious to know. Let me know in your reviews, please. It's greatly appreciated.)