Independence Day

July 4, 2005

"Mommy?" asked Jenny from where she was comfortably laying in her mommy's arms.

"Hmmm?"

"Gonna pop fireworks?"

"Yes, Jenny," said Sam, stroking her dark blonde curls. "We're gonna pop fireworks when daddy gets home. Jack had a meeting with General Hammond and President. He was due back in less than an hour. Hopefully, by the time he arrived home, Jenny would be asleep.

"Ok," said Jenny, sticking her thumb back in her mouth and closing her eyes.

Sam started humming "Into the West" to her daughter. It had quickly become her favorite song to sing to Jenny.

Jenny yawned and slowly began to drift off to the sound of her mommy's voice. As soon as she was asleep, Sam picked her up and put her in her bed. She turned on the ceiling fan and covered Jenny up. "Sweet dreams, baby," she whispered before placing a kiss on Jenny's cheek. Simba lay down beside her bed. He loved Jenny. She played with him all the time. They'd just gotten him house broken when Jack had to go to Washington. Sam reached down to pet him and he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

She went back into the living room and sat down, waiting impatiently for Jack. He'd been gone for a week and a half and she was sooo ready for him to come home. She was so scared about how he'd react to the news. She wasn't sure she could tell him.

She just missed him so much. The phone sex had been great…different…but great. But, she missed him…the feel of him thrusting into her body…the scent of their mixed arousal…the taste of him.

She didn't have to wait long. Within twenty minutes, Jack's cab pulled up to the house. She threw open the door and ran to meet him outside. As soon as she was within range, she threw her arms around his neck and placed a passionate kiss on his lips.

"Hmm, you taste good," he muttered when they broke away for air. He picked her up and carried her in the house.

"Where's Jenny?" he asked.

"Taking a nap. She went to sleep about half an hour ago."

Jack pulled her in for another deep kiss. "I've missed you sooo much," he said.

"Mmm…me too," agreed Sam.

He gently pushed her towards their bedroom. "I'm just gonna look in on Jenny. I'll be there in a minute."

"Ok," said Sam. "Don't make me start without you," she added with a sultry grin.

Jack's jaw dropped and his cock stiffened immediately. The phone sex had been wonderful. But, his hand just didn't do it for him anymore. He missed the feel of her body encasing him…the taste of her body…the smell. God, he had it bad.

He shook his head and went to check on Jenny. As soon as he opened the door, he smiled at the sight presented before him. Jenny had kicked off her covers and was lying on her back, thumb in her mouth.

He walked over as quietly as he could. She opened her sleepy blue eyes as soon as he reached the bed. "Daddy?"

"I'm here baby."

"Miss you daddy," she said sleepily.

He reached over and stroked her curls. "I missed you too, baby."

"Daddy home now?"

"Yes baby. I'm home and I'm not going anywhere," he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"'k, daddy. Love you," she said with a yawn.

He grinned widely. "I love you too, baby." He leaned down and kissed her again. She rolled over on her stomach and he covered her back up. "Sweet dreams, baby."

He stood there and watched her sleep for a few minutes. She was such a beautiful child. Her hair was starting to get a little darker...closer to blonde, but getting browner. Both he and Sam were thrilled. Her eyes remained blue though. He couldn't be happier.

Speaking of happiness, he'd kind of left his wife in a crunch. He quickly made his way to their bedroom. Once there, he showed her exactly how much he'd missed her.

He buried his head in her throat and kissed her gently. A sniffle caused him to raise his head. She was crying.

"Sam?" He raised himself on his elbows and stroked her face. "Baby, what's wrong? I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, Jack. I'm fine."

"Then why are you crying?"

"I just missed you…that's all," she said, raising her lips to meet his.

"That's not all," he said softly. "There's something else. I can see it in your eyes."

She turned her face away from him. He cupped her chin and gently turned her face back to his. "Talk to me baby. What's wrong?"

"I gotta go to the bathroom," she said softly, her voice full of tears. He reluctantly moved off her body, immediately missing the feel of her. She stood and went to the bathroom, shutting the door – something she'd never done before.

He didn't know what was going on with his wife, but he was going to find out. He pulled on his boxers and walked over to the bathroom. He could hear her sobbing. He quietly opened the door and found her sitting on the floor, holding a sheet of paper, her arms around her knees.

He sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. "Baby, what's wrong? Whatever it is, we'll get through it…together."

She fluttered the paper and he, taking the hint, took it from her. Tears sprang to his eyes as he read:

"Dr. Samantha Carter,

I regret to inform you that due to the complications surrounding the birth of your daughter, you will not be able to conceive another child."

That's as far as Jack read. He looked over at Sam and his heart broke. He could see the pain and doubt in her eyes. "I know what you're thinking, Sam," he said softly.

"And what would that be?"

"You're thinking that because you can't have any more children, I'm going to leave you."

"Well, I wouldn't blame you. I know you wanted a son," she said with a sob.

He pulled her into a fierce hug. "I love you, Sam. You and Jenny are my life. I loved you before I knew about Jenny. I love you even more now. I don't care if we never have any more children. Jenny is enough for me. She's the best thing that you've ever given me. I love you. No one else will be able to do to me what you do to me."

"Huh?"

"When I'm away from you, my heart stops and I can't breathe. When I'm with you, my heart starts beating again and I can breathe again. My life started the day I met you. I don't want anyone else. I want you…and only you."

She looked at him as another sob broke from her chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her until she was all cried out. Standing, he picked her up and carried her back to their bed. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close as they both dozed.

The whole time Jack was thinking about something Thor had told him. Something about if they ever wanted to have another child, they would need assistance. He was beginning to realize that Thor knew about this long before he and Sam did. He knew the complications that Sam had had with Jenny. He knew about the possibility of never having another child. Jack knew that Sam was devastated at the thought of not being able to give Jack another child. They would definitely discuss this when they woke up.

They awoke to the sound of Jenny crying. They dressed and went to get their daughter. She was still asleep, but, she'd fallen off the bed. Sam chuckled as Jack picked her up gently and laid her back on the bed. He dried her tears and covered her back up. She stayed asleep the whole time.

She didn't know what she'd done to deserve a man like Jack O'Neill, but she knew that she would try every day for the rest of her life to keep him happy.

Jack turned around and saw her standing there watching. "Whatcha thinkin?" he asked walking over to her.

"How lucky I am to have you," she whispered.

He pulled her into his arms. "More like the other way around." Sam rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Sam, I love you and Jenny more than my own life. There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe and make you happy."

"Mommy?" asked a sleepy voice from behind them.

Sam let out a shaky laugh against Jack's chest before backing up. She turned around and saw Jenny sitting up in her bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"What's wrong baby?" she asked.

"Nuffin," said Jenny, holding her arms open for Sam to pick her up. Sam laughed and picked the little girl up. She was still so tiny from being born so early, but she was growing fast.

Jenny laid her head on Sam's shoulder and stuck her thumb in her mouth. Then she saw Jack. "Daddy!" she squealed.

"Hey, baby," he said with a grin. He held his arms out and she went right to him. She snuggled against him.

"I missed you, daddy," she said with a yawn.

"I missed you too, baby," he replied giving her a strong hug. Apparently, she'd still been half asleep when he'd come in earlier and didn't realize he was really home.

"Daddy stay now?"

"Yep. Daddy's not goin' anywhere for a long, long time," he said kissing the side of her head. He reached out and took Sam's hand, pulling her towards him. He tucked her underneath his arm and kissed the top of her head.

"My wife, my daughter…just what I wanted to see."

That Night

Sam and Jack had talked about Thor's offer while getting ready for the barbeque. He knew that Thor had mentioned it to Sam, but he assured her that it was totally up to her. He'd meant what he'd said about Jenny being enough. She still wasn't sure. She'd always wanted at least one boy and one girl. Well, she had her girl. It was her decision to have the boy. They decided that they would wait until after the barbeque to talk about it further.

It seemed as though half the base showed up for the barbeque. It didn't surprise Jack or Sam. They both knew that once the invites had gone out, the base grapevine would spread like a wildfire. Sure enough, there were about thirty or forty people there who weren't originally invited. But, Sam had made sure there were enough steaks, hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage links, and chicken to feed over half the base. She'd disappeared for a while though.

"Daddy?"

"Hmmm?"

"Where's mommy?"

"Right behind you baby," said Sam, picking up her daughter and tossing her in the air. Jenny giggled as Sam caught her.

She planted a kiss on Jack's lips before returning her attention to their daughter. "Where'd you disappear too?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"Went to have a little talk with Thor," she said, not revealing anything.

"About?" asked Jack quietly.

"What we talked about earlier," said Sam, still not giving anything away.

"And?"

"I'll tell you later," she said softly.

"Sam…" he growled.

"Later, Jack. We've got fireworks to shoot off remember?"

"Sam…" he whined.

"Later, honey. I promise." She turned to him and kissed him gently. She handed him a beer before sitting in the chair behind him.

He pouted, but reluctantly agreed that now wasn't the time to discuss this. He began to flip the burgers again, the whole time his mind was on what Sam had said. He wondered what her decision had been. He really didn't care. He'd told her the truth…she and Jenny were all he needed.

"Daddy, I hungwy," said Jenny from Sam's lap.

"Want a hotdog?"

"Yes, pwease," she said. She looked at Sam. "Down."

Sam sat her on the ground and, giggling, she tackled Simba. Those gathered around laughed as the little girl wrestled with the puppy that was almost as big as she was.

Jack's jaw dropped when he heard the words "Pinned ya!" come out of his two year old daughter's mouth. He looked up at Sam who was trying to control her laughter. His eyes widened when Jenny said "Pinned ya agin!"

"Sam?"

"What can I say? The Lion King is her favorite movie."

"And you got on to me about it? Sheesh woman!" he said.

"You're her father," said Sam, standing and grabbing him around the waist. "She's only two."

"Well, I happen to like cartoons."

"Just another thing that she gets from you," said Sam, leaning in for a kiss.

"Oh come on…you know you like them too," said Jack capturing her lips with his.

"Mmm hmm," was all she said.

"Daddy, I hungwy now," said Jenny, pulling on Jack's shirt.

He leaned down and picked her up. He reached over on the grill and picked up a hotdog that had finished cooking. Sam put her bib on her and, taking her from Jack, sat her in her high chair. Jack cut up her hotdog and a hamburger patty for her while Sam went to get her some chocolate milk.

After they made sure Jenny was settled, Jack and Sam got their plates. "Time to eat guys!" he yelled above the din of the party. He sat down beside Sam as everyone rushed the picnic table they'd set up earlier.

About an hour later, the sun had gone down and, even though it was July, it was a getting a little nippy outside. Sam took Jenny inside to change her into something warmer. When she took her back outside, Teal'c and Daniel had just finished setting up the fireworks.

Jack had found a quiet spot in his backyard and spread out a blanket. Sam walked over to him. She handed him Jenny while she sat down between his legs. He sat Jenny on her lap and the wrapped his arms around both of them.

"Are you going to tell me now?" he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"Nope. When everybody leaves and this little one is in bed."

"Sam," he begged. "Please."

"Not yet, Jack."

He finally gave up as the fireworks started. They really enjoyed Jenny's reaction. The noise from some of the fireworks did scare her a little. But, she knew she was safe and the noise couldn't hurt her…not with her parents around.

A couple of hours after the fireworks began, Jenny had fallen asleep in Sam's lap. Everyone left quietly after thanking Jack and Sam for the evening. He helped Sam stand with Jenny in her arms. He took her from Sam and gently woke her up. She still needed to get a bath and brush her teeth.

She cried when he woke her. She cried when he bathed her and made her brush her teeth. Once she was dressed and back in her daddy's arms, she quit crying. He sat down in the rocker and rocked her to sleep. It was something he'd missed when he was in Washington. It was something he'd gotten used too since he and Sam moved in together.

After making sure she was asleep, he kissed her cheek gently and allowed Sam to lay her in her bed. Simba took his place at the side of the bed. Jack thought it was hilarious that the dog immediately knew he was for Jenny. It was like a sixth sense.

He kissed her cheek again and let Sam do the same. He turned on her nightlight and, taking Sam by the hand, led her from their daughter's room to theirs.

"Ok Sam. Spill it!" he ordered when their door was closed.

"Impatient aren't you?" she asked.

"Sam?" he growled a warning.

She looked away from him. "I'm gonna go shower and brush my teeth. Then I will tell you."

"Sam…"

"Don't make me hurt you, Jack O'Neill."

He hung his head dejectedly as she disappeared into the bathroom. He went downstairs to shut off the lights and secure the house. He checked in on Jenny and made sure her fan was turned on low.

Walking back into their bedroom, Sam was already in bed. "I'm gonna go shower," he said gruffly.

She could tell he was angry with her for not telling him what Thor had said. She hadn't meant to piss him off. She just wanted to wait until everyone was gone. This definitely wasn't something she wanted told in front of everyone she worked with on base.

He came back ten minutes later and crawled into bed, not saying a word. Sam went to wrap her arms around him and he turned away from her.

"Jack?"

"It's been a long day, Sam. I'm really tired."

"Jack…" she couldn't go on. She rolled over on her side facing away from him and began to cry.

He turned over and took her in his arms. That was one of the things he'd never wanted to do. He never wanted to hurt Sam or make her cry….and he'd just done both.

"Damnit, I'm sorry Sam. I just wanted you to talk to me. Forgive me baby…please."

She turned over in his arms and sobbed into his chest. He stroked her back and whispered words of love and comfort in her ear. When she'd quieted down, she looked up at him. Something in her eyes caused his heart to start pounding.

"I talked to Thor about going ahead with the procedure."

"And?" he prodded gently.

She shook her head. "There's nothing he can do right now," she said softly.

"But, he told me…"

She silenced him with a kiss. "There's nothing he can do right now, because I'm pregnant, Jack."