So, I kind of realised that the last 'hold on' chapter I posted wasn't what people were expecting so I took it down, and I have replaced it with this one. I will use the other one for a different fic that I have planned.

Anyway... Hope you like.

Hold On

When Jack practically strode into the birthing room, full of determination, he could see her tension level drop several notches. His intense, brown eyed gaze bypassed everyone else in the room and landed where she was lying on the bed. He had been on a training exercise when he got the call from Cassie telling him that Sam was in labor and he needed to get to the Academy Hospital pronto.

Sam stared back as his presence filled the room. He moved to her without asking anyone for permission or instruction and the rest of the room fell away. The pain was no less. In fact, the great rolling waves biting into her now were stronger than ever. Still, three seconds earlier and she had doubted her ability to stay sane all the way to the end of the contraction. Now she knew she would at least do that.

He held out his hands and she reached for them like a life line. She stared into his eyes, concentrating on the deep brown; breathing when he told her to breathe.

When her mind wavered and she thought she would go crazy wiith the pain, she squeezed his hands harder and strove to blot out everything but the husky tones of his voice as he whispered encouragements.

"You're amazing," he told her over and over again. Kissing her temple and keeping eye contact. Making sure she was feeling as alright as she could be, wiping a cold cloth over her head even as she shouted expletives at him every five minutes.

Hours later, she took one last tired stare into his tear filled eyes, gripped his fingers tightly and with a cry of pain and exhaustion, pushed their child into the waiting arms of the doctor.

The world spun and went silent for them both as the wonder of life renewing itself filled the room. Then a tiny, angry cry rang out.

Jack shook his head in amazement as she fell back against the bed and gazed tiredly up at him.

"You did it, honey," he whispered, pressing a kiss against her temple. "You did it," resting his forehead against hers and kissing her fully on the mouth. He gently smoothed her damp hair from her brow. I'm so proud of you and God, I love you being whispered over and over, like a mantra, while their baby was being checked over in the corner.

"You're okay, aren't you?" He asked quietly.

"I'm okay." She managed to say with a small nod of her head. "Is the baby alright?"

"He is perfect," the doctor said with a soft smile as she turned round at that moment. "Your son is perfect." Handing the baby to her gently. Sam looked at her miracle, their miracle. His dark patch of hair, his bright blue eyes.

Jack stood there beside them, giving his son a good look over and had a sudden sense of wonder, of having been involved in making this child, his son, their son, of having been given a gift so overwhelmingly generous for anyone to deserve, least of all him. He could see it in Sam's eyes that it filled her too as she watched the little boy scrunch up his nose against her breast and fall asleep. This vulnerable, amazing child they had created was there to be cared for and loved.

After everything in his past that had almost overwhelmed them both, had come this amazing, sweet little being. Gratitude started to fill his soul.

It was an hour later that Cassie popped her head into their room, having been told by one of the nurses at the desk that baby O'Neill had arrived safely. She was desperate to see her surrogate mother, father and the newest arrival to their family.

"I have to get back to work, so this is just a fleeting visit, but I wanted to see the little guy before anyone else." She explained as she came closer ot the bed to take a peak. "Oh gosh, Sam, Jack, he is so adorable, and look at that little patch of hair." Sam looked from Cassie back to her son then up to her husband smiling as the infectious alien ran her finger over the little boys head. "Hey sweet boy, you are so loved already," she whispered as she moved to press a kiss on his face. She squeezed Sam's hand and turned to Jack; giving him an enormous, tearful hug and whispering that she wished her mom was here for this before pulling away, saying she would be back in later.

Cassie turned at the door. "Does he have a name yet?" She asked. Sam looked at Jack and nodded looking down at the small child.

"Matthew. Matthew Jacob O'Neill." Sam answered.

"Dad would have loved that," Cassie grinned, moving away from the door to come and quickly give Sam a hug and little Matthew another kiss. Her grin was massive as she left the room.

"Think she was happy?" Sam chuckled as Jack's smile took over his face. He moved and took his son from Sam, holding him close.

"I would say so," he smiled as he looked down into Sam's eyes. "I'd forgotten how small they could be," he whispered earnestly.

Sam just watched as he stared at their little boy, she didn't want to bring up any memories that would ruin this moment for them. He had another chance and she knew he would prove himself to everyone that he could care for his son.

Jack looked up as Sam lay her head down on the pillow. She was exhausted, it had been a long 19 hours. He pressed a kiss to her temple for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Sleep," he whispered. "We will both still be here when you wake up."

He sat down on the chair next to the bed, his son upon his chest.

Sam could do nothing but smile as she nodded off.

Thank you for reading :)!

H