[Open Post] And she smiles at the future.

[lifeinhallways]

An announcement was pinned in the common room the day after the birth.  It was a simple one, announcing the birth of Michelle's daughter, Tamara Faraday, (7lbs even) and assurances that mother and child are both doing well

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[digging_giza]

We don't know if Jackson counts as a "friend" - so it may be happenstance that has him wander that way. He'll have to walk his way around the hulky retainer and show empty hands, and he might in fact just be trying to say hello from the other side that the living door that Mike can be sometimes.

"... Ms. Benjamin? It's me, Daniel Jackson! I'd like to present my respects?"

He's heard the baby - he's quite happy both are safe.

[lifeinhallways]

"Dr. Jackson?" Michelle's surprised to see him, considering their first meeting. It's because of him Michelle will stay up and watch Tamara sleep, afraid something may happen to her.

"She's here," as if it somehow proves him wrong. It's not Jackson she's angry with or afraid of, just of a future in a book she wants so desperately to be wrong.

[digging_giza]

"So I hear, and I'd like to offer my congratulations," he replies, and there is absolutely nothing sarcastic in his tone.

He did insist that the book could be wrong, or merely an alternate interpretation of events - he's glad that theory held: it's consistent with his cultural reading of Asgardian and Goa'uld influences on the growth of Tau'ri theology.

[lifeinhallways]

Jackson only added to the paranoia, rather than being responsible for it, so Michelle's happy to take the congratulations. "Then please come and meet her." It's important to her, that those who want to meet the baby, do. For all she wants to keep her safe, Michelle doesn't want her to ever feel isolated. No playing pretty princess for Tamara -- just lots of playing.

Also, "Have you met Mike?" Michelle's own tone says don't be afraid of her big teddy bear.

[digging_giza]

"He's hard to miss," Jackson replies as he passes the impressive doorman, and lightly salutes him. There's an exchange of handshakes, and then Mike excuses himself, leaving the archaeologist to fend for himself.

"She's very pretty," he tells the proud mother, "a lovely baby, really."

[lifeinhallways]

"I wouldn't be without him." See, harmless, and a total sweetheart. He also makes some killer sandwiches.

"Thank you, and I completely agree." There's one thing so clear to Michelle, clear to anyone who knew David. "She's got her father's eyes. I can only hope she'll have his courage."

[digging_giza]

"A very courageous man, from my world, once said that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Jackson smiles.

"Certainly you will be able to teach her that."

And appropriately, that is a Nelson Mandela quote. :-)

[lifeinhallways]

"That's beautiful. It sounds like something Reverend Samuels would say." That's a true compliment. "And a lesson she would be better for learning."

Speaking of her, an eye opens, bright blue.

[digging_giza]

"You could probably argue that Mandela was a prophet," Jackson replies, "where I come from he's revered for putting an end to great injustices, through courage and with very minimal violence."

When you think of it, if he hadn't been off-world so much, Jackson might have been an proponent of anti-apartheid ideas, or even an active political supporter. He did negotiate treaties with the Russians shortly after the end of the cold war.

He's about to launch into a longer lecture (ah, those academics), but he might notice some movement in Michelle's arms. "... Oh."

Is that okay?

[lifeinhallways]

"He sounds like a man Shiloh needs, anywhere would need."

Before a further lesson on the worthy Mandela, Tamara not only opens her eyes, but has a bit of fun discovering control of her legs, which kick a bit.

"Hello there, little miss. Did you wake up for Dr. Jackson?"

[digging_giza]

"Or for advanced contemporary history of twentieth century homeworld," he replies, chuckling. Jackson might smile and wave at the baby.

"Exploring your body, are you?"

Despite having his head literally in the stars, this is one guy who won't be afraid to hold a baby.

[lifeinhallways]

"Do you think the library has a book about him?" She's not sure how the library works, so excuse her.

"She's been doing that a lot. She can't do much yet, but if she can move it, or grasp onto it, look out." Just wait until she gets a hold of a doll. Michelle unwraps her a bit, to let her legs move more freely.

"There, is that better?" She's curious, "Do you have any children, Dr. Jackson?"

[digging_giza]

Daniel offers to find the book for her and to bring it on his next visit, then gets distracted by the fawning (as justified as it is, so the question takes him almost by surprise.)

"I.... no," he replies, though there's something a little melancholy about his tone. "My wife died before we had any children of her own."

He would have wanted to raise Shifu, but.... no. Shifu was not his to raise - or anyone of the Tau'ri's, for that matter.

[lifeinhallways]

Michelle, who had taken a hold of Tamara's foot, as much to play with, stills, "My sympathy." To have lost his wife, and to be childless, she means it as much as it's the polite thing to say.

"I can imagine you would enjoy teaching a child." She can picture him taking a little one out for very detailed nature walks.

It's not an exchange in any way, but, "Would you like to hold her, while she's deigning to stay awake?"

[digging_giza]

Jackson would probably tend to educate a child in the ways of philosophy, theology and ancient history, rather than nature, but the assumption is otherwise correct.

"... I would be honored," he replies, after a short moment of shocked silence.

[lifeinhallways]

Careful, he may have professorial duties when she's old enough to need them. Right now, Tamara's barely old enough to know anything more than not being near mum as Michelle moves to pass the baby over. Still, the baby looks confused (or gassy, who can tell?) but doesn't otherwise fuss.

"It's silly, but I'm hoping if she gets used to others as soon as possible, she'll be comfortable in all company."