Chapter Six
Christmas Day

The twins did not understand Christmas any better than any other six month old would have, however they did seem to enjoy the brightly wrapped packages and tossing the shredded paper around the living room! The guests arrived early and in good cheer, Daniel took lots of pictures.

Calla’s Father made his grand entrance with a great flourish and wished everyone a happy holiday before plopping down on the floor to play with his grandchildren and their new toys. Once the twins were done opening their presents, Jack, Sam and Teal’c had exchanged and opened theirs. Calla brought out a brightly wrapped box and handed it to her Father. “Merry Christmas,” she said with a kiss.

Ares put down the Elmo doll and took the box with delight in his eyes. “Something for me? From the mortal world?” He shook it. “Let’s see.” Ares dove into the paper, ripping it off with a joyous smile. He took in the car and the image on the box and then held it up. “What does it do?”

Calla took it out of the box and handed him the remote control. “Push a button, Father.”

Ares pointed the black box toward the red and black racing car and pushed forward on one lever, the car rolled forward quickly and he let out a laugh. “Very good!” Within seconds, he had it going this way and that, doing flips, wheelies and running circles around the coffee table. The children were toddling after it as fast as they could, jumping up and down and screaming with happiness. She should have gotten them an RC car as well, oh well, maybe next Christmas.

Assuming, of course, that there was a next Christmas.

Bottles of wine were emptied, fresh homemade cookies were eaten, and laughter filled the house while babies were smooched, bounced and pass around. Feeling that the meal was just about ready, Calla rose to her feet and went into the kitchen to check on things. Ares followed her.

"I have a gift for you, daughter."

Calla settled the steaming beef roast on the kitchen counter to set and wiped her hands with the dishcloth. "For me?" She asked in a small voice. "What is it?"

"Open it," he held out a small rectangular shaped box. "I notice your dear husband hasn't given you anything." Lord Ares chided as she took the box from his hand.

"I haven't given Daniel his gift either, Father. Perhaps he's waiting for something." Calla suggested as she turned the box around in her hand.

"Oh, for heaven sakes, girl!" He thundered. "Would you just open it?"

Calla laughed and took the bright purple ribbon from the top and opened the box. Inside was Aphrodite's anklet, the one she wore constantly and said that it gave her Loves' Strength. It was shimmering gold with layers of rubies, amethyst and pink diamonds. Calla did not take it out of the box; she closed the lid and handed it back to her Father. "Thank you," she muttered, "you should give this to Samantha."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I know the story of this anklet, you made it for Mother, for a woman you loved with all your heart. You dug the jewels from the Earth with your own hands. Cut and faceted each stone." Calla shook her head. "I don't deserve this, Father. Please take it back."

"I will do no such thing." Lord Ares told her in a stern voice. "Your Mother would want you to have this."

"No," she sighed with tears in her eyes, "She wouldn't."

Hearing the raised voice of his father in-law, Daniel entered the kitchen. "What's going on?" He asked lightly. "Dinner smells delicious, doesn't it, Ares?"

"Yes," Ares agreed without taking his eyes from Calla.

"What have you got?" Daniel asked as he stared at the small box in her hand.

"A Christmas present from Father." She explained weakly. "He won't take it back."

Daniel took the box from her hand without asking and opened it. His trained eyes knew what it was the moment he saw it. "Put it on." He told her.

"Not you too." Calla chided.

He did not have to ask why she didn't want it because he knew that she did want it. Calla simply felt that she was unworthy and could not accept it. "Sit down." He motioned toward one of the kitchen chairs. At his request Calla sat, Daniel pulled up a length of the long black skirt and placed the jewel-encrusted anklet around her right ankle. "It's beautiful,"

"Just like you," Ares finished Daniel's sentence.

"Are you sure, Father? Don't want to give it to...."

"No, I don't want to give it to Samantha. I have something else for her." Behind Daniel's back, Ares winked at his daughter.

"Hum, I bet you do." Feeling suddenly shy and unsure of herself, Calla rose again and announced that dinner was ready.

"Good," Ares agreed, "break out the casks." Calla shot him a nasty look but said nothing. "Not to worry, Daniel," Ares said cheerily. "I have something for you as well." Lord Ares, God of War, closed his eyes and in his hand appeared a spear. It was the length of the War God himself, a large finely honed triangle of jagged metal was fitted to the tip. Ares held it out to Daniel. "I used this during the Trojan War; I thought you might appreciate it. I've little use for it anymore."

"Thank you," Daniel said as he took the object that was being offered to him. God it was heavy! "Trojan War, did you say?" Calla brought many wonderful things to him, whether she did it herself or through someone else, it didn't matter. Once again, the archeologist in him was just thrilled with the item in his hand.

"Yes. I'd tell you to use it in good health, but I doubt you can throw it." With that Ares turned his back and went, not back into the living room where Samantha and the other guests were waiting, but down to the basement and brought up a full cask of Nectar to have with his dinner.

Full bellies all around and two children so over-excited at the days' events they fell asleep, the house began to quiet down once more.

"You know," Sam began, "I see that you two haven't exchanged gifts yet." She strained her neck to peer under the tree. "I think there's still something under there."

At her prodding Calla picked up the brightly wrapped package and presented it to her husband. "I hope you like it." She kissed him on the cheek and waited for him to open it.

Tearing off the paper in much the same way Ares had done and found himself flabbergasted once more. It was an old book, not much to look at really. "Was this in that trunk?" He asked as he began to thumb through the pages.

"No, I tracked it down over the Internet."

"You what?"

"Well, don't keep us in suspense, Daniel, what is it?" Jack asked.

"It's one of Nick's...my grandfather's, old note books." Flipping through the pages, his grandfather's handwriting stared back at him in ancient Greek and Egyptian. There was something about Zeus and Hera but the pages went by too quickly. "How did you get this?"

Calla explained that she had become interested in the subject of Nicholas Ballard when Daniel decided to name their son after him. She had done a lot of research on him and eventually encountered someone who was the grandson of a friend of Nicholas Ballard. The man was in possession of the note book/manuscript and didn't know what to do with it. "He was very happy to know that it would be finding its way back to a family member."

Looking down at her with the same expression as when he saw the tree, "You never fail to amaze me, did you know that? Once again, it's perfect. Thank you." Daniel reached out and brought his wife close to his body. "Ok, it's your turn now."

"You've something for me?" Calla seemed genuinely surprised.

"Well, you can't unwrap it...not yet anyway. Sam?"

Samantha stood up. "I'm going to be taking care of your kids this weekend."

"Why?" She was suddenly alarmed as she looked up at Daniel.

"Because there are a few traditions we left out of our wedding," he began to explain. "Like a honeymoon."

"What's a honeymoon?" She asked.

Nope, she never failed to amaze him. All the knowledge of the Olympian Gods locked away in that pretty head of hers and there was still so much she did not know. "It's a trip, a vacation that couples take after they get married."

"Where are we going?"

"Not far, I promise but it's a surprise and we're ready to go any minute now."

"I have to pack," she protested.

"I already have your bag in the car."

"But...."

"No buts, Sam will watch the kids...."

"I'll help." Ares volunteered and looked over into Samantha's blue eyes. "What? They're a lot of work." He explained quickly.

"They'll be fine, Calla, I promise." Sam said.

"Just you and me?"

"Yeah, honey, just you and me for the next two days." There was peculiar look in her eyes. "That doesn't sound good to you? Some time away from the kids and the house, a little time to rest and relax."

Calla raised herself on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear; "Will we make love?"

"I hope so." Daniel whispered back.

"I'm ready to go." She announced as she pulled away from him and Daniel smiled a big grin at her.

"Get your coat; give your Father and your children a kiss." Daniel encouraged.

"Oh," she moaned suddenly, "the house is such a mess! I'll just...”

"I'll clean it up." Sam said happily. "Just go. Have a good time."

"Yes, go, have a good time." Ares agreed. "You don't mind if I stick around do you, daughter?"

Calla took him by the hand and lead him into the den off the living room. "Not in my bed, Father." She warned. "I don't mind if you stay, but not in my bed."

"Fine, I'll do her on the couch." He shot back.

"Father!" Calla stomped her foot on the floor and listened to her Father's laughter.

"If we get bored here, I'll just take them all back to the island."

"Father, don't you dare!" She hissed. "If I call this house and no one answers I'll be quite angry."

"I'm teasing you," Ares leaned in and brushed the hair away from her face. "Where has your sense of humor gone? You used to love to laugh and play little jokes on me. Go with your husband, find your smile again." Ares held her close for a brief moment and kissed the top of her head. "Go on, go." He whispered. "Everything will be fine here."

End of Chapter Six
Daughter of the Gods: She's a Wonderful Wife (A Christmas Story)
Continue to
Chapter Seven