Day Nine Thousand, Six Hundred Thirty

John's waiting for the McKay's at the foot of the Stargate plaza with most of his children, all of their mothers had elected to stay at the house. It's always an occasion when Rodney and Shaaziya come to visit, but this time there's an especially festive air of anticipation: they're returning home to Dominat after Rodney's retirement.

The three oldest of his children with Yusrah are gossiping about college; Sukina is terrifying Haidar with horror stories from Harvard, and Kemal is egging her on. She's not being mean or vicious, just a little teasing; she knows that Haidar's inherited lack of sight has him already a little fearful of navigating the campus alone.

Qadir and Zohoor, the next set of siblings, both with Aliya's dark brown eyes, are supposed to be watching their younger sisters, but the three-anam old twins are running figure eights around John and the gate platform, while the boys are eavesdropping on Sukina winding up Haidar.

Just as the gate begins to spin, John manages to snag Zaima's arm, and where Zaima goes, so does Zahra. "Su! A little help, please?"

"Sure, Pop."

John rolls his eyes and thinks that higher education on Earth was a mistake. Sukina grabs the twins around their waists and hauls them off, kicking and squealing, just as the splash from the wormhole settles, and a couple of bags land on the dais. Qadir dares Zohoor "do it!" and of course, Zohoor takes the bait, as always, dashing up the stairs to slap the event horizon, just as Rodney comes though.

The kids fall about laughing as Rodney splutters and makes a grab for Zohoor. The twelve-anam old boy is far quicker than McKay though, and he easily escapes by leaping off the edge of the platform with a gleeful shout.

Rodney yells, "Hello to you too! You have to sleep sometime you know."

Shaaziya arrives, ushering in Peter and Little John. Rania is close behind with her son, Baz, in her arms.

Peter and John take a quick look at Rodney and each other before jumping down and chasing after Zohoor.

John jogs up the stairs, and takes Baz from Rania in exchange for a kiss on the cheek. "Hello, zahra'an. Good to see you. Where's Raul?"

"Hello, Uncle John. He was delayed at the Pentagon, but he assures me he'll arrive tomorrow."

John tucks Baz to the side as he gives Shaaziya a hug. "I am so glad you're here."

Shaaz returns John's embrace. "As am I, Atlantis has been wonderful, but it was time to come home."

"And where's Muna?"

Rodney shakes John's hand and sighs, "She's her father's daughter. She said she'd come through with Raul, there's a dissertation defense she wants to attend, to see if they're as mean as I am."

John chortles. "Not likely. At least there will still be a Dr. McKay in Atlantis."

Rodney has an inordinately pleased expression on his face. "She's getting there."

Shaaziya does a quick head count, "I don't see Hamza, is he not well?"

"No, he's fine, but he said he'd rather stay home and help Dima with Laila. So, where's all your stuff?" John looks around at the four carryalls on the platform.

"Oh, the Han-Xiangzi is going to drop the rest of it off; this is all we'll need until then. Hell, we probably won't even be here when it arrives."

"Dima can look out for it; she and Yusrah are going to sit this viat out and stay home with the little ones."

Rodney asks curiously, "Is Aliya coming?"

John knows that Rodney's never quite understood his serial monogamy, or how he manages to maintain cordial and friendly relations with his two previous wives, not to mention all their other spouses, so he chides him gently. "Of course, it's Zohoor's first viat; she wouldn't miss it for anything."

"Peter and Jack are looking forward to it as well." Shaaziya gives John an amused smile.

John gives her a quick flick of the eyebrow in surprise, "Jack?"

She gives John a wise nod, "Yes, fourteen year old boys are not called 'little' anything, or so I was so informed."

"Yeah, I hated that too. So, shall we?" John whistles and waves, and three of the older boys saunter over to play mesla. Peter shakes John's hand, as Haidar and Kemal graciously submit to a hug from Shaaziya then shake Rodney's hand before grabbing the bags.

John shakes his head as Kemal takes Haidar's hand and leads him to the edge of the platform; together they leap off with a whoop like their younger brothers. Rania flashes John a grin before jumping down with Peter to visit with her 'cousins'.

John watches their children fondly as they gather to catch up in at least three languages.

"It never ceases to amaze me, Sheppard. How do you keep track of all of them?" Rodney's giving the children a decidedly avuncular look, he's as fond of John's as John is of Rodney's children; they've often sent their kids back and forth to the other for vacation, schooling and internships.

John laughs and gives Rodney his standard answer whenever he's asked about juggling nine children and three wives, "It's easy--by the color of their eyes." John heads towards the city gates, knowing that Sukina and Rania will shepherd the rest of kids along as soon as they're ready to come home. "Have you decided on Ayse or N'vellesem?"

Shaaziya answers with certainty, "N'vellesem. It will be very easy to visit Father, and I am too old to live under his roof."

Rodney snorts. "Don't make me any older than I am, please." John reaches out and pats the decidedly rounder middle, and Rodney slaps his hand away. "That'll cost you a quarter, Sheppard."

"I'll have to owe it to you, haven't seen a quarter in thirty-six anam."

"I think by now your Buddha debt is almost four hundred dollars." Rodney gives John a mellow ghost of his death glare, "Why do you do that?"

John laughs, "Because it bugs the shit out of you."

Rodney sniffs and lifts his chin in an old familiar gesture. "Twenty-five years and you still act like you're twelve. No wonder you get along with the kids so well."

"Yep. So you ready for the trek to Halavasan?"

"I assure you, the spare tire is not indicative of my general health--I can still keep up."

"That's good. I plan to keep you guys around for a long time." John grabs Rodney around the shoulders and gives him a loud, wet, comical kiss on the temple. "I'm so glad you came home."

Rodney lightly punches John on the arm. He's smiling, but his eyes are glinting slightly in the bright sunlight. "Yeah, it's good to be home."

 

~ Finis ~

Further Disclaimers: SG1 characters belong to Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp. and Kawoosh! Productions.

<< Previous Chapter | Special Bonus Alternate Ending >>

| Read Comments | Post Comment |

| East/West Index Page | dossier's story page | Site Map O'Doom | email dossier |