The day after her arrival Jack and Samantha went to see Jacks contact, Ronnie, in order to get some fake ID made up for Samantha. Ronnie had told them it would take a while, high school transcripts and drivers licences were a piece of cake, birth certificates and social security cards took a bit more time and finesse.
After leaving Ronnie they decided to go for a walk in the park. Hand in hand they walked along the edge of the pond.
"So how long do you think until we know about …..you know?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"I have no idea – new body remember. I guess worst case scenario about four weeks give or take a few days." Samantha told him, trying to think about it biologically rather than emotionally. If she began to think about the possibility of being pregnant emotionally again she would start to panic and she didn't want anything to spoil these first wonderful days with Jack.
"So I guess we wait then?"
"Yeah we wait." Samantha sighed knowing it would be a long few weeks for her.
They walked a bit further in silence each lost in their own thoughts until they sat down on a bench to watch the children feeding the ducks in the pond Jack decided this was the perfect spot. "So Samantha, I was thinking, as soon as Ronnie comes through with that birth certificate what say we put his handiwork to the test and apply for a marriage licence."
Samantha was silent for so long that Jack was beginning to worry. He was relieved when she finally spoke. "Just to be clear….that was a proposal?"
"Ummm yeah. Not good enough?"
Samantha looked around the beautiful park and looked at her hand being held by the man she loved. It wouldn't be Jack O'Neill if he had gone all hearts and flowers.
"Nope it was perfect." She smiled.
"Sooooo…"
Samantha smiled widely. "Yes! Of course it's yes!" Jack leaned in and kissed her soundly. "I do have one condition though."
Jack became serious hoping it was a condition he could accommodate, because he would do just about anything to make this woman happy.
"Anything."
"We HAVE to move. And soon."
Jack smiled. Now that he had Samantha to share his life with his whole demeanour and outlook on life shifted. "Ring shopping or apartment shopping first?" He asked.
"Apartment hunting, definatley apartment hunting!" Samantha jumped up and grabbed Jack's hand. "Who knows if we can find something quickly maybe we can still have time to go home and …..celebrate."
"Samantha Carter you are insatiable…I love it!"
In the end they did find an apartment they agreed on. Not that Jack had all that many requirements but Sam insisted on something that resembled a home not a teenage flop house. It had taken a couple of attempts to find a realtor to take them seriously but waving a wad of cash in front of one seemed to have done the trick, not to mention a quick phone call Jack made to Major General George Hammond to get a character reference.
Samantha had fallen in love with the third apartment they had been shown. It had three bedrooms and a beautiful kitchen and a large living area along with a large balcony Jack had already planned to put a BBQ on. It ticked all the boxes including the one that had them living in the district where she planned for them to go to school. She hadn't told Jack yet but she fully intended for him to actually start attending school. She was pretty sure she could come up with a couple of ways to convince him.
"So ring shopping?" Jack asked checking his watch to make sure they still had time.
"Actually," Samantha said hesitantly, "She gave me mom's engagement ring. She didn't think she would ever need it and was pretty sure I could make use of it. Would you mind?"
"You sure you don't want something new, something of your own?" He questioned.
"I think I would like to wear my moms."
"Samantha, we both know how much your dad loved your mom, if wearing her ring brings us that kind of love and commitment I would be honoured and proud for you to wear the ring your dad gave your mom." Jack told her sincerely.
"I love you."
They picked up take out on their way home and decided to get packing. As the new apartment was available immediately they planned to start moving the next day. As Sam looked around her she decided that there was nothing here that she was prepared to take with her except their clothes and of course the huge flat screen tv that she knew Jack would not part with.
She sat down on the formica table and began to make a list as Jack dished out dinner.
"Whatchya doin'?" he asked as he put a plate of Chinese food in front of her.
"Making a list of everything we need for the new place." She looked around her barely hiding her disgust. "I'm assuming you still have most of the start-up money the Air Force gave you?"
"What makes you think that?" Samantha looked around her and raised her eyebrow in a manner worthy of Teal'c. "Yeah yeah, alright, I've barely touched it, security deposit on this place and the TV, that's it."
"Good." She stated firmly, "Because I intend to go on a shopping spree tomorrow."
Jack knew he must be in love because not even the thought of spending the day shopping tomorrow could wipe the grin off his face. A grin that hadn't been there since he first found out he would have to live his life over in isolation.
