Jesus H. Christ! What the hell is going on in there??? Daniel thought as he paced the corridor outside the infirmary. Calla had been in there with Adams for over an hour and the last time that had happened Daniel ended up signed papers for emergency surgery. He didn’t want to do that again. Pacing nervously back and forth he thought he’d lose his mind or wear a path in the cement.

“Hey, Daniel.” Jack said easily. “What’s goin’ on?”

“I don’t know,” Daniel grumbled and then motioned toward the door. “Callas’ been in there with Adams for more than hour.”

“She sick?”

“She hasn’t been feeling very well lately.” That probably qualified as the Understatement of the Year.

“She’s been through a lot. Want me to wait with you?”

“Yeah, I think I’m going crazy here.”

**

“You’re sure?” Calla asked Doctor Adams for the fifth time. “Absolutely positive?”

“Do you want to see the results again?” Adams asked. “I’m about as sure as I can possibly get about this, Calla.”

“I see.” She said in a very conversational voice. “Well then, I guess that’s that.” Calla finished getting dressed.

“Do you want me to tell Daniel about this?”

“Oh, um, no I…I’ll tell him.” Calla felt herself on the verge of tears. “I can’t believe this.”

“Would you like me to stand by when you tell him?” Adams coached.

“No, I’ll do it.” Calla took in a deep breath and tried to smile. “Thank you for your time, Doctor Adams.”

**

The door to Adams’ office opened, Calla stepped out and looking as though she’d been suckered punched. “Cal?” Daniel asked through tight lips.

“We should go some place where we can talk.” She said to him and reached for his hand.

“Kitty?”

“Come on let’s go down to your office.” Calla told him and then noticed someone else in the corridor. “Hello, Jack.”

“Hi Calla.” Jack returned and looked from her to Daniel, to Calla and then at Adams.

Daniel was also looking at Doctor Adams who only stood in the doorway with what appeared to be a slightly worried expression on his face. “All right,” Daniel said finally and led the way down to his office. Closing both the outer door and inner door tightly he sat on the desk while she sat in the chair. “Spill it.” Daniel steeled himself for whatever she was about to say. “Just spit it out, Kitty. What’s wrong with you?”

Kitty didn’t know how to say it, she never gotten the opportunity to deliver this type of news to him. Instead, she stood up and took his hand, she laid it over her belly and tried to send him the message telepathically. Daniel picked up on it right away.

“That’s not possible.” He said.

“You were right, Colleen’s magick is very strong. I know we just had a Grandchild and this isn’t the best timing in the world,” she stuttered. “Please don’t be angry.”

“Angry?” Daniel whispered. “Say it, Kitty, tell me.”

“I’m pregnant.” She rushed the words out. “If you don’t want…I’ll understand….if you don’t…”

Daniel scooped her up, twirled her around and planted a big kiss on her lips. “This is the best news ever!”

“You’re not angry?”

“No way. A baby. Our baby. How could be angry at that? How could I not want that?” There was great concern in her eyes

“You don’t think we’re too old?”

“Old?” He scoffed. “Yeah, ok, so we have a Granddaughter that doesn’t make us old. A baby.” He remarked with a smile. “A baby.” Daniel said again. “This is marvelous!” His elated deflated for a moment. “You are happy about this, aren’t you, Kitty?”

“Yes.” She said with a big smile. “I was afraid you might not be so…receptive to the idea, we’re just getting our life back.”

“This baby will only add to our joy and our life. Now you have to slow down,” Daniel told her and she began to protest. “No, no, no, no, there’s not going to be any discussion about this. I don’t want to take any chances with you and our new baby. Don’t go back to work, Kitty. Let Angie handle the new building for the shelter. Please, I’m begging you, slow down. I know you feel strong, I know you are strong, but please, honey, you’ve been through so much this last year, please do this for me.”

“I already said I would take the job, they’re counting on me. I’ll let Angie handle the rest of the business with the shelter if it will make you happy.” She held tightly to his hands. “Promise me you won’t go on any away missions this time.”

“Oh, hell, they’re gonna be lucky if they see me at all around here!” Daniel shouted. “I’m not going anywhere, Kitty, not this time, no way. I’m gonna be too busy taking care of you and pampering you and running out to get you hamburgers and ice cream at three in the morning to bother with this place.” For a few moments, his excitement faded. “Are you all right, Kitty? I mean, it’s not too soon is it?”

“Nope,” she said shyly, “Dr. Adams says I’m healthy as a horse and this baby is too. I love you, Beautiful.”

“I love you too, Kitty. This is the best Christmas ever!” Daniel planted another kiss on her lips. “Let’s go home and tell the kids.”

“All right.” Calla smiled wide. “I’m very glad you’re happy about this, I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t.”

“Calla,” Daniel realized that this was the first time she’d delivered the news that she was pregnant and had it warmly received by the baby’s father. Kanan was surely never pleased at the idea and that was why she’d held off on telling him when she found out she was pregnant with Nicholas and Colleen. Of course, she had no idea he wasn’t going to come back from that mission in the same condition he’d left. “No matter what, Kitty, I’d never try to take this away from you, away from us. I’d never make you…” Daniel couldn’t even say it, it was too ugly. “Never. Baby, I’m over the moon!” Daniel scooped her up in his arms and kissed her long and deep.

Jack ran into Sam Teal’c after his encountered with Daniel and Adams he told them all about it and the three of them made their way down to Daniel’s office to get the low down. They were just about to open the door to the outer office when it opened for them. “What the hell is going on?” Jack demanded to know.

“Do you want to tell them?” Daniel asked.

“I did it last time, it’s your turn.”

Daniel stood up very straight and very tall while he held Calla’s hand and proudly announced. “We’re pregnant!”

Everyone’s faces fell and then lit up with grand smiles. “That’s great!” Jack said. “Awesome!”

“Wonderful! Congratulations!” Sam cooed and gave Calla and then Daniel a big hug.

“Wonderful news indeed.” Teal’c agreed. “Yes this is fantastic!” Teal’c smiled and shook Daniel’s hand.

“A Grandfather and a Father for the third time in the same year….I gotta get some of that Immortality stuff. Better than Viagra, huh?” Jack joked. “Nice goin’ Danny-boy.”

“You’re all still coming tomorrow.” Calla reminded them.

“Like we’d bail out.” Sam said with a tsk-tsk-tsk. “Do you need any help? What can I do?”

“Yeah, how can we help?” Jack asked. “Don’t want you doing too much, little mama. What can we bring?”

“That’s what I was telling her.” Daniel said. “See, I’m not the only one who’s going to fuss over you.” He said to Calla.

“Hey, no way.” Jack said. “I’m going to be a Godfather again.” He smiled cheekily.

“Oh Gods, don’t all of you start. Please don’t fuss….”

“Yep, just like we did last time.” Jack said happily. “Ah, you weren’t here for that.” He said to Daniel. “But we did take good care of her.”

“I know but I am now, and ah, just so you know, I don’t plan on spending a lot of time anywhere near here for the foreseeable future.”

“Pfft, you’ve got years of vacation time coming. My advice…take ‘em.” Jack said and put an arm around Daniel’s shoulder. “Can ya stand having him around that long, Calla?”

“I think I could manage it.” She agreed. “I’d like to try.”

“Looks like that new house is filling up faster than you imagined.” Sam said to Calla.

“There’ll always be a room for you and Amanda….for all of you, always plenty of room.”

“Thanks for the invitation.” Jack said and they all started walking down the hall. “Take your Wife home, put her feet up, get her a cup of tea. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good advice.” Daniel agreed. “Shall we go, Mrs. Jackson?”

“Yes.” Calla wrapped an arm around his waist and laid her against his side while they walked. “A baby.” She remarked as though she still didn’t believe it. “Our baby.” This time there was no question of parentage, this was Daniel’s child, no ifs ands or buts about it. He was going to be here with her for the whole pregnancy and come to think about it, she just might let him fuss over and pamper her. Well, just a little.

“Tired? Want me to carry you?” Daniel asked.

But not that much. “I’m fine. I think I can walk to the car but you can drive.”

“Deal.” He turned to her. “Have I told you that I love you?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “But I never get tired of hearing it.”

“Good in that case, I love you. I think you’re amazing. Astounding. Incredible.”

“Feeling’s mutual, Doctor Jackson.”

“Now when we get home I want you to lie down and I’ll make you a nice cup of chamomile tea…..”

End of Chapter Nine
Tarnished Heroes: Keep the Fire Burning
Continue to
Chapter Ten