They’re old, now. Jack’s had his right knee replaced, and Daniel is slightly hunched over from years of bad posture while working, but they still argue over the morning paper while Daniel chases his caffeine fix, and they still hold hands under the table while Sam chatters away cheerfully about her newest grandbaby.
Cassie pokes fun at Daniel’s bald head and Jack’s snow white hair when she brings the kids by, but when Jack looks at Daniel, he still sees his floppy-haired space monkey, and when Daniel looks at Jack, he still sees the man who never gave up on him, the man he fell in love with all those years ago.
They’ve lost so many of their friends, now. Janet, Teal’c, General Hammond. Others they have simply lost contact with, but they mourn all their losses in the same way, by celebrating their own lives and enjoying every moment they have left together.
The highlight of their day, weather permitting, is sitting on the front porch and watching the sun set in the west, coloring the sky a thousand brilliant colors. Tonight, they settle for watching it through the window. Daniel can’t get out of bed on his own anymore, and Jack saves his strength for helping him to the bathroom. He knows soon he’ll be saying good-bye again, and this time Daniel won’t be coming back to him.
It’s been a beautiful life.