Chapter 4

Slowly opening her eyes the next morning Sam looked directly into a pair of big blue ones. Blue eyes that could've been hers but belonged to her daughter. Funnily enough her daughter neither looked like her biological mom or dad but like a younger – and of course female – version of her uncle Jake and the granddad she never met, yet. But her eyes, her eyes were exactly like her mother's. Together with the short and slightly curled dark-brown hair framing her face she looked as innocent as they come and not at all like the mischievous little girl she usually was.

Smiling at her daughter Sam reached over to carefully gather Caity in a quick hug. Mmh, Caity still had this wonderful smell of sleep around her Sam loved so much cause it meant she was able to spent precious time with her daughter. Ever since she was a baby Caity slept with Sam whenever they spent the night in the same house, both trying to squeeze as much cuddling as possible in the short time they spent together. As soon as Sam released her Caity rolled to her side, once again propping herself up on her elbow and smiling at Sam.

"Morning mommy," Caity said giggling, "Sleep well?"

"Mhm… still am," Sam replied sounding like she was half-asleep already.

"No! Wake up!" Caity whined, "We've got to see all the animals in the zoo, remember?"

"Hm... later," Sam mumbled.

"Mommy! You have to get up now!" Caity said and as Sam didn't even move as much as her pinkie, Caity started to tickle her to make her point.

It only took a few short minutes before Sam couldn't pretend to be asleep anymore. Laughing she carefully turned on her back, grabbing Caity with her good arm and taking her down with her. Content to snuggle as close as possible to her mommy Caity stayed quiet. For a short couple of minutes that is.

"Mommy, don't make me tickling you again," Caity said mischievously. Not that she would mind doing just that, not at all. But today she was really looking forward to the zoo so the tickling could wait. And although her mommy hadn't said anything Caity knew her mommy's shoulder was still hurting her so it had to be careful tickling which wasn't half as much fun as the whole thing.

Sighing, Sam slowly got up taking Caity with her.

"Oh right, the zoo. But if you don't want them to mistake you for one of their animals you have to have a shower first!" Sam said while wrinkling up her nose as if Caity was smelling really bad. Whilst Caity still look indignantly at her Sam tucked her daughter under her good arm carrying the laughing girl to the bathroom.

xoxoxoxoxo

The day was filled with a lot of laughing for both Sam and Caity. They spent all the time at the zoo watching the various animals with Caity asking a million questions about them. Well, she was an almost seven-year old bright girl and asking questions was part of the job description. Right?

Funnily enough Caity was most intrigued with those animals living in the cold like polar bears and the arctic wolf which unfortunately reminded Sam of her little adventure in Antarctica a couple of years back. Though she was well aware that those animals weren't exactly living there but way up north they stilled lived in the cold! And she almost didn't live to see her daughter again… . Hugging Caity tightly as those thoughts crossed her mind she managed to bury them once again and ushered Caity to the lions. Lions were good. The lived in desert like areas. Deserts are nice. Nice and warm. Uh oh ... never mind. Luckily Caity was so excited about everything she saw that soon enough Sam was easily caught up in her daughters excitement once again, therefore easily forgetting all the not-so-nice memories.

"Mommy, mommy! Can we go back to watch the polar bears some more, please?" Caity asked once they had seen more or less everything, basically jumping up and down with excitement.

"Sorry, but Uncle Jake is going to pick us up in a couple of minutes. We're having a barbecue, remember?" Sam answered.

"Oh," was the answer from the disappointed girl. She really really loved those white, cuddly looking bears after all!

Seeing her daughter so disappointed Sam slightly changed direction so they would pass one of those souvenir shops on their way out. She just hoped they also had some sort of polar bear souvenir.

"Why don't you have a quick look around and pick something you like?" Sam asked her still somewhat sad daughter while already scanning the shop and subtly ushering her daughter to the stuffed animal area where she could barely see some white animals too.

"M'kay," Caity mumbled while half-heartedly walking around. It took some moments for her to register where exactly her mommy stopped her but once she looked around she let out a delighted squeal when she discovered the fluffy little polar bear.

"Mommy, mommy look! Can I have one of those, please?" she asked excitedly.

Sam couldn't help but grin at her daughter antics. Yes, the souvenir shop was definitely a good idea! And she had to admit the little polar bear was cute! Quickly paying for the soft toy Sam ushered Caity out the shop towards the exit, only a couple of minutes late.

"Uncle Jake, uncle Jake!" Caity screamed delighted once she discovered him waiting outside, "Look what I've got!" and with that she jumped into his outstretched arms, waving her new toy in front of his face.

"Hm, but don't you think they forgot something? I mean this one is awfully white for a black bear," Jake answered seriously.

"D'oh! It's a polar bear, silly. They're supposed to be white!" Caity answered, shaking her head at Jake for not knowing about polar bears.

"Oops. How could I have not recognised it!" he answered grinning, kissing Caity on the head that rested on his shoulder. The day full of excitement finally caught up with her and she closed her eyes sleepily. When she was finally safely strapped into her car-seat she was already fast asleep.

"Tired?" Jake asked concerned once they were driving to his home.

Sam was about to answer automatically 'I'm fine' when she remembered who she was talking to. "Maybe a bit. But it's a good form of tired," she answered truthfully, smiling at him.

"Good, so I take it you had fun?"

Nodding her smile got even bigger before she sighed and moved around a bit trying to get more comfortable. Her shoulder was troubling her a bit but it was well worth the day she just spent with her daughter.

"Sam? Sam, we're here," Jake said just a minute later, or so she thought. Her confusion clearly visible he chuckled saying, "Looks like Caity isn't the only one who had an exciting day at the zoo, huh?"

After blinking a couple of times Sam looked out the window and saw the 2-storey house his brother was living in. On the front lawn was an assortment of bicycles, skates, helmets and lots of other things indicating the presence of several children. The garage was open and Sam saw her sister-in-laws car and some more toys and as soon as she opened the car door she could also hear the laughter coming from behind the house. Meanwhile Jake had removed Caity from her car-seat and was now nestled safely against his shoulder, her new soft toy tucked securely under her arm. Blinking slowly she smiled sleepily at her mom before closing her eyes once more.

As soon as Jake opened his front door he was attacked by two about 3-year old girls with long curly black hair and chocolate-brown eyes.

"Daddy, daddy! Up!" both said in unison, each holding onto one of his legs. Grinning Sam motioned for him to hand the still sleepy Caity over. Considering his sister for a long moment he did just that, helping to adjust Caity so Sam had her safely in her good arm.

Having both kids securely in his arms he followed Sam out back. Spotting his wife Jocelyn on the lawn he went over for a quick kiss.

"Hi, I hope those two little troublemakers you insist on calling Lena and Maia behaved today?" he asked smiling.

"Yeah!" came the instant reply from his girls and as if to confirm their statement the both gave their daddy a big sloppy kiss on the cheek, smiling sweetly up at him.

Shaking her head, Jocelyn only smiled and gave Jake another kiss. "Well, most of the time anyway. Now, why don't you get changed and get the barbecue ready? By the time it's finished your kids are probably starved already so you better start sooner than later!"

"My kids?" he asked indignantly, grinning at his two daughters as if asking what had suddenly gotten into their mom. Sure enough, both started giggling.

"Daddy funny!" Lena exclaimed while Maia was happy enough to continue giggling.

"Hey dad! Need some help with my lovely sisters?" his 15-year old son Keenan asked grinning. Funnily enough as much as Caity looked like her uncle, Keenan looked a lot like his aunt. Though his blond hair was longer and in a ponytail and his eyes were slightly darker than Sam's.

"Nah, thanks. I've got everything under control. But how about helping me with the barbecue so the food is ready when those two decide it's time to starve?"

"Sure thing. I've already cleaned the grill, so we can start right away," Keenan replied good naturedly.

Nodding thankfully, Jake let the two now squirming little girls down and looked for his other son. 12-year old Lucas just came out of the house, carrying a tray with some drinks over to where Sam was sitting with Caity in an oversized rocking chair. Though Caity was awake now she was still sitting on Sam's lap, snuggling close to her chest in what was one of their favourite positions ever since Caity was born.

As soon as Sam thanked Lucas for the drinks the twins also came up to Sam, Maia with a book in her hand. They climbed up the chair and carefully settled themselves to either side of Sam and Caity, looking hopefully up at their beloved auntie. Smiling Sam took the book out of Maia's hand, adjusted Caity a bit and started reading to them.

Jake had to smile at that picture. Whenever Sam came to visit she had to read to Lena and Maia. Although the twins were quite the trouble-makers with sheer endless amounts of energy, they also loved to listen to their aunt reading to them. And he could tell Sam loved those rare moments too.

Watching his two sons getting the barbecue ready he quickly went into the house to get changed. Yep, this weekend was a good one. He had all the people around him he cared most about and Sam looked truly happy. After all she's been through with her own little family, he knew she lived for those happy moments. And although she couldn't tell him what she was doing at her job, he has seen all the injuries – both physical and psychical – whenever she came to visit. Still, she seemed to love what she was doing and whatever injuries she may have received, spending time with Caity always made the pain go away. He knew as long as he could easily draw that special bright smile from her, she was going to be okay eventually.

Kissing his wife on the way out once again, he made his way over to his sons at the barbecue. Starting the fire he threw a quick look at Sam who was still reading to his girls spotting a big smile on her face. Yes, this was a very good weekend indeed.


A/N This was the last chapter in Denver, in the next one Sam is coming back to Colorado. I hope you're still with me as for some strange reason looks accusingly at muse it took longer to meet everyone in Denver than I ever imagined. The story should get more interesting now… cause we all know SG-1 is going to meet Sam's family at some point soon.

Please don't forget to tell me what you think! Thanks!