The Jackson family came into the living room on Christmas morning to find Lord Ares waiting for them. “Sleepy heads,” he scoffed, “I’ve been waiting hours for you to get up!” Unknown to them Lord Ares had been sitting up for days and nights on end in his cave starring at his new acquisition; the painting he hated so much. Ares bought it over the telephone had it shipped to Athens where he picked it up and then took it back to his bedroom as a constant reminder of what not to do to his Daughter. In his heart he would never stop hoping that one day she might paint a warmer depiction of the two of them.

“Father,” Calla said happily and reached out to hug him. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Ares,” Daniel said trying to be polite, he put out his hand and the two men shook. “Merry Christmas.”

“You too, Jackson.” Ares said in the same tone. “My gifts first.” Ares handed out the presents he’d brought with him. “Nicholas,” Ares said and in his hand appeared a crossbow. “This is for you.” It wasn’t any store bought item. “I made it myself.”

“Thanks Umpa.” Nick said with a surprised whisper and took the bow from his hand. “This is cool.”

“In the backyard, Nicholas, not in my house.” Calla told him.

“Annie,” Ares said. Again, in his hand appeared an item this time it a fine linen pelops embroidered with pure gold thread.

“It’s beautiful,” she said taking it from him. “Thank you.”

“Colleen,” Ares said and another item appeared in his hand. Another bow but this one was old and very well worn.

“Umpa?” Colleen asked as she took it from him.

“It belonged to great aunt Artemis, I’m sure she would want you to have it.”

“Artemis, wow. Thank you.” Colleen drew the string back and let it go. “I know, outside.” She said to her Mother.

“My dear sweet, Lilly.” Ares said and in his palm appeared a sterling silver baby rattle. “This is for you.” He handed it over to the baby who shook it and laughed at the music it made. No, it didn’t rattle at all when she shook it instead it played harp music. “It was mine believe it or not.” He grumbled.

“I believe it, Father.” Calla purred delighted by the light in his eyes as he gazed at his great-granddaughter.

Lilly was too little to understand Christmas but she enjoyed it just the same. Sitting in her little rocky/jumpy chair she laughed, cooed, she giggled and shook her new rattle while everyone around her opened gifts.

“For you my lovely Daughter,” Ares said, “I’m afraid all I have to offer this year are my deepest regrets and my love.”

“Better than anything else.” Calla said and hugged him again. “I love you, Father. Now I’ve something for you, look under the tree.”

Ares squeezed his big body beneath the blue spruce and came back with an oblong box with his name on it. Opening it there was a flintlock rifle inside. “This is old, Callestah.”

“Not as old as you.” She grinned. “I think, perhaps, you once used it…..”

Ares turned it over in his hands to find the markings on the stock, 76 slash marks. “I did!” He cried. “During the Revolutionary War! How did you find this?”

“It’s my secret. I don’t know if it still works but…..” Suddenly his big arms were around her again. “I love you, Poppa.” She whispered.

Still not liking the sight of his Wife in her Father’s arms Daniel cleared his throat. “I guess it’s time to open our gifts.” He said.

Nicholas and Annie went first. Calla handed him a card and then stood back with Daniel to watch them open it. No doubt they thought there was money in it.

“Holy shit!” Nicholas exclaimed. “Are you kiddin’ me??”

“No,” Calla said lightly, “tomorrow we’ll go by the house and you can check it out. If you like then your Father and I will buy it for you.”

“Mrs…Mom, this is too much,” Annie said and tried to give the card back.

“Nonsense, a young couple needs their space. Surely you’re tired of living here with us.” Calla said.

“No,” Annie returned. “This is the first real home I ever had I love being here. Have I inconvenienced you in some way?”

“Never.” Daniel told her. “We like having you here but Callas’ right, you should have your own home and we’re very happy to be able to do this for you.”

“That’s a very extraordinary gift.” Ares said as he sipped on a chalice of Nectar.

“That’s right and if you don’t like the house, we’ll get our deposit back and find something you do like.”

“Not like it?” Annie asked in shock as she and Nicholas looked at the pictures of the little house enclosed in the card. “It’s wonderful.”

“It really is Mom.” Nicholas got up and hugged both of his parents. Holding onto his Mother, he whispered. “I know you’re the one sending Annie to school. You’re the greatest, thanks.”

“No trouble at all.” She told him. “Since these two seem happy, it’s your turn, my dear Colleen.” Calla handed over another card.

With excited hands Coley tore it open. “What’s all this?” She asked looking at the gift certificates and none of them were to a baby or toy store.

“Well, we thought that after Nick and Annie move out you and Lilly might like to move into the basement apartment.” Daniel said. “That’s so you can fix it up how you like it.”

“Really?” Colleen asked. “Lilly and I can live downstairs? You don’t mind? You’ve got the new baby coming and I thought….”

“You’d get your walking papers?” Calla asked. “I don’t think so. Besides, our new baby will need a little playmate and I think Lilly will do just nicely.”

The big gifts opened the kids went on to the brightly wrapped presents under the tree. Some were boxes had clothing and some had movies or video games. Others had small items of jewelry for Annie and Colleen. In the end all the kids were very pleased with their Christmas presents.

“I have to check my turkey.” Calla said. She’d gotten up at four o’clock this morning to put the big 27lbs. bird in the oven.

“No you don’t,” Daniel said. “Coley got check the bird. You sit right there, I have something for you.”

“Oh, Daniel, you didn’t.” She sighed. “We agreed, no gifts between the two of us.”

“Yeah, well, just sit there.” Daniel went off to his office just as the doorbell rang.

“Sit,” Nick said. “I’ll get it.” He crossed the living room and opened the door to let Jack, Sam, Amanda, Teal’c and Duncan MacLeod into the house.

“Merry Christmas!” They shouted at him from the front porch.

“Merry Christmas to you too, come in, we’re waiting for you.” Nick stepped aside to allow them into the house, presents in hand.

“Is that turkey?” Jack asked taking off his coat and laying his gifts under the tree. “Smells great.”

“It is.” Calla said. “A big dinner with all the trimmings, we missed out on Thanksgiving this year I hope you don’t mind.”

“Are you kidding? The way she cooks?” Jack tossed his head in Sam’s direction.

“Thanks, dear.” Sam said with a groan. “So cooking isn’t my strong suit.”

“Yeah but she’s good at other things.” Jack complimented and hugged her.

“Mandy, if you look in there,” Calla pointed to the gifts under the big tree, “I’m sure you’ll find two or three packages with your name on it.”

“Really?” The little girl asked. “Thank you Aunty Calla.” She dove under the tree looking for her gifts.

“Are any of you thirsty? Hungry? I’ve got some….” Calla started to get up.

“Sit down!” Daniel said as he came out of the office. “They can get it.”

“Oh here we go again,” Calla sighed looking at Teal’c for help. “They’re treating me like I’m an invalid or something.”

“So let them wait on you.” Teal’c suggested and then took a seat. “You’re entitled, after all, you’re pregnant.”

“What did you say???” Ares asked and took a deep sniff of the air around him to find that her words were true.

“Pregnant?!” Duncan MacLeod cried. “Ollie, that’s fantastic!” He reached out and hugged her tightly.

“That’s right.” Daniel said and brought a big box over to her. “Merry Christmas honey.”

“I was going to tell you both of you myself but it looks like they’ve beat me to it. Are you happy for me, Father?” Calla asked.

“Pregnant.” Ares said again. “I see Colleen is stronger than any of us imagined. Yes, Daughter, I am very pleased for you.”

“Thank you.” Calla said and then turned to her Husband and the box he was holding out. “Well, if you insist.” Calla said with a smile. “It’s your turn to look under the tree, my love.”

“I thought we said no gifts between us.” Daniel reminded her.

“I see you didn’t follow the rule.” She shook the box but it didn’t rattle. “What is it?”

“Open it up and find out.” Daniel told her.

Calla ripped open the gold and red paper and then the box inside. It was filled with art supplies. New paints, new brushes, a gift certificate to the local craft shop for canvases, a new smock and a few new CDs for her to listen to while she painted. “Daniel….”

“Ah, I expect you to use them. We agreed, remember?”

“I love you.” Calla reached out and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, my love.”

“You’re welcome.” Daniel returned. “My turn.” He said happily and opened the small box wrapped in shiny green paper inside was a gold key on a gold chain. “What’s this?”

“The key to my heart.” Calla told him. “Well, and to your new car.”

“Car?” Daniel asked in shock. “What car?”

“Outside across the street. That old Volvo of yours is on its last legs.”

“You mean that big honkin’…..”

“Shush!” She told Jack. “Go look.” She said to Daniel who was already crossing the room to the windows.

There across the street was a brand new and very shiny Jaguar. “Are you kidding me?”

“No, don’t you like it. It has everything, air conditioning, heated seats…..”

Before she could finish he was back across the room and kissing her. “I love it.” Daniel kissed her again. “But you know, the key to your heart makes me happier than any car ever could.”

“Why don’t you go out and have a look at it?” Calla said. “Take the boys for a ride around the block I’m sure they’ll love it.”

“Hell, yeah, let’s take her for a spin, Danny-boy.”

“I concur.” Teal’c said with a big smile. “Can I drive?”

“Maybe later, T.” Daniel said.

“Before we go out driving,” Duncan said, “I’ve got a little something for the Jackson family.” He handed over a large rectangular shaped gift.

“What is it?” Calla asked again.

“Does she always do that?” Duncan asked Daniel.

“Always. Open it up, honey.” Daniel encouraged.

Calla ripped the paper away and there was the portrait of Daniel and the twins. “Oh, Stan, you didn’t.” Her eyes welled with tears.

“I did. Merry Christmas, Calla.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She reached out for him. “It’s perfect. I’ll get your money back to you.”

“Oh shut up.” Duncan remarked with a smile. “Just hang it some place where everyone can enjoy it.” He hugged her briefly and then let go.

“That’s very kind, Duncan.” Daniel said.

“Yeah, well, I knew she wouldn’t want to part with it and now she doesn’t have to.”

“Before you go driving off there are a few more gifts under that tree.” Calla said. “Jack why don’t you take a look.”

“Something for me?” Jack said with a wide smile. “Where is it?” He too dove under the tree and unwrapped a new rod, reel, tackle box and ugly fishing hat. “Perfect!” He cried. “That’s it, we’re all gonna fishin’ in Danny’s new car.”

“You’re not putting any dead fish in my car.” Daniel joked.

Samantha unwrapped a lovely amethyst necklace with matching earrings. Teal’c opened a new fishing pole.

“Someone has to go with him.” Calla explained.

“Might as well be me?” Teal’c asked with a lilt. “What’s this?” He said as he saw a piece of paper wrapped around the pole. Teal’c took it off and opened it. Two season tickets for the Denver Broncos. “Oh!” He said with wide eyes.

“For when you’re not fishing.” Calla said lightly.

“Stan,” she said to Duncan, “there’s one more.”

“What have you gone and done, Ollie?” Duncan remarked and reached under the tree to pull out a very long package with his name on it. Opening it he found an antique katana inside. “It’s beautiful.” He remarked holding it to the light.

“I don’t know if you can, ah…use it…”Calla said easily, “but look at the engraving.”

Duncan looked at the filigree on the blade and found his name. “What?”

“I tracked it down.” She said to him. “Do you remember it?”

“It’s not…”

“It is. You made it ages and ages ago. I thought you should have it back.”

“It’s perfect.” Duncan said with a happy grin. “Thank you. I can’t believe you found this!”

“Merry Christmas everyone.” Calla said.

“Merry Christmas!” They returned in unison.

So began the third chapter in the lives of Daniel and Calla Jackson.

End of
Tarnished Heroes: Keep the Fire Burning
AND
The End
Tarnished Heroes Series
by
Moon Mistress

       
   
A Very Special Giftie For The Ladies
   
A Very Special Giftie For The Gentlemen
   

Continue to the next series
The Cradle Will Fall

This story and all stories in the Tarnished Heroes series are copyrighted to Lisa Beth Darling these stories may not be transferred outside of this URL in any fashion.