Chapter twelve

As the months passed, Sam's body changed faster and faster. She liked her bigger breasts, but she thought her thickening waistline was not only unattractive, it was downright inconvenient. She could barely bend over to pick up things, and now most of her clothes didn't fit, especially her favorite jeans. But instead of buying a whole new wardrobe she decided to wear her least favorite gabardine pants, unbuttoned and partially unzipped, or her sweat pants, with loose blouses hanging down over them. She thought she looked terrible, but she figured there was nothing she could do about it. Besides, in few weeks she'd have the baby, and then she would exercise until her body was toned and fit, just like she'd always been.

In her spare time she began reading books on pregnancy and childbirth, so she knew that her feelings of anxiety and frustration were perfectly normal, but she still wished she had her old body back! She also started reading books on child rearing. Jack hadn't really turned her down when she'd offered to help him look after the baby, so she wanted to be prepared, just in case.

About a week before she was to begin her maternity leave, Sam was at home grading papers when Jack arrived. He had just been there the day before, so she was a little surprised to see him again so soon.

"Hey, there! I thought I'd install this heat exchanger in the fireplace," he said when she opened the front door.

"Sure! Come on in." Sam stepped back and watched as Jack carried in a box about the size of a microwave oven. They had talked about the need for the exchanger in the family room, but she had no idea he had actually purchased it.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, as he set the box down on the family room floor.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," he replied quickly. He sat on the floor and began tearing open the box, while Sam stood over him.

"I'm not worried about it. I just want to pay you back." She had more money coming in that she really needed, and she didn't think it was fair of her to let him pay for things.

"I've got it, Carter. Now go read or something, while I install this thing," he replied testily. He didn't understand why she was always refusing to let him pay for stuff. It wasn't like he couldn't afford it. Besides, he liked buying gifts for his friends.

"Sir, I am perfectly able to pay for improvements to my house," she stated sharply.

"Carter, chill out! I never said you couldn't afford stuff. I'm not doing this for you. I want the house to be warm enough for the baby."

"What do you mean?"

"You said you'd help me, didn't you?" he asked, not looking up at her while he began removing the parts from the box.

"Yes, but I thought you didn't need my help?"

"Well, as it turns out, I do."

"I don't understand. Why would you need my help?"

"I found a job."

"A job?" What the heck was he talking about?!

"Un huh." Jack unfolded the directions and began reading, while Sam sat down in the nearby rocking chair.

"What sort of job?" God, the man could be so difficult sometimes! If he didn't tell her soon, she was going to hit him with something!

"I guess you could call it retail management."

"Retail management?" She thought Jack wasn't really the sort of man who should be cooped up in a store all day.

"Yep! You know that little bait and tackle shop out on route 9, the one with the gas station in the front and the little lake in the back?"

"Yes, I guess so." Actually she hadn't been out that way in years, and she had no idea what place he meant.

"Well, you're looking at the new owner."

"The owner? You bought it?!"

"Actually, I bought half of the business. I've known the owner for about fifteen years, since I first moved here. Joe's getting up there in years and doesn't want to work such long hours anymore. Also, he doesn't see too good anymore, so I'll be working evenings. I also offered to work weekends. It's the perfect set up, Carter. While I'm at the shop, you can take care of the baby. And while you're at work, I'll be home."

Sam felt overwhelmed. She had been thinking she might offer to take the baby one day a week, but now suddenly he was expecting her to take care of it every day!

When Sam didn't say anything, Jack looked up and studied her face. He thought she looked upset.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't think I can do that, Sir."

"Why not? I thought you wanted to help?"

"I do, but…. Sir, I hadn't planned to be with the baby seven days a week. I do intend to go back to the SGC, you know. I wish you had talked this over with me first."

"Oh. Well, I guess I can make some other arrangements, Carter. Don't worry about it."

While Sam went back to grading her students' reports, Jack worked on the installation. She felt bad about having to disappoint him, but she also felt like he'd taken her for granted. He should have spoken to her first, before making such an important decision!

Since it was almost lunchtime, Sam decided to make lunch for both of them. If he wouldn't accept her money, the least she could do was fix him a sandwich. She had just finished slathering the bread with mayonnaise, when he stood up, the empty box hanging from his left hand.

"Stay for lunch. It's almost ready," she said cheerily.

"Nah, I've got stuff to do." He took the box out to the garage. When he returned he had his keys in his hand.

"I put the box just inside the garage, by the door in case I have to take it back. The exchanger seems to be working just fine, but you never know," he said as he grabbed his jacket from the peg hook by the door.

"Sir, please stay for lunch. It's your favorite." He loved turkey sandwiches, and she had baked a breast just the night before, intending to serve it when he came over.

"You don't have to feed me, Carter. I can take care of myself. I can take care of the baby too. Don't worry about changing your life for us. I'm sure I can find a well-qualified nanny."

"But I didn't mean…" she began, but Jack cut her off.

"Don't bother to see me out. I know my way."

Sam watched with her mouth hanging open, as Jack stalked to the front door. Even after he left, she continued to stand there, her mind spinning.

She had hurt his feelings, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. But he had made plans for her life without even consulting her! That wasn't fair! She was certain that she had a right to be upset, so why did she feel like she was in the wrong?

She knew why. She was letting him down, and now he'd fine someone else to help raise their baby. She'd be left out, and then she'd have nothing. But that wasn't true. She'd have her career! That was what she wanted, wasn't it? Of course it was! Her career was important to her. Why couldn't he understand that she loved what she did? Why couldn't he see that what she wanted was just as important as what he wanted?! Or was it her? Was there something wrong with her that she couldn't put her baby ahead of her career?

Feeling confused, hurt and anxious, Sam broke down and cried.

The next day Sam went to Jack's house, hoping he would accept her apology and her explanation without blowing up at her. It was Sunday, and she knew it was the only day he slept past 5am. So at 7 am she arrived on his front porch with a box of donuts from his favorite donut shop. And after letting herself in, she made a pot of coffee and poured him a glass of orange juice. He came out of his room sniffing the air, just as the coffeemaker stopped gurgling. He was dressed only in blue and white plaid pajama bottoms.

"What are you doing here, Carter?" he asked in a deep, raspy voice. Then he scrubbed a hand over his face and yawned.

"Fixing you breakfast."

"You know, if I hadn't smelled the coffee, I might have shot you."

"Yes, Sir. Sit down, and I'll pour you a cup."

"Wait. Gotta pee." He turned around and headed back the way he'd come.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief. At least he didn't seem to be mad like he was yesterday. When he came back into the kitchen he had added a white undershirt, and she could tell he'd thrown water on his face and head, because there were droplets glistening in his hair, which was partially slicked down and partly sticking up. She smiled, but this time she managed to hide it, while she opened the donut box.

"I got your favorites," she said, indicating the cinnamon twists and the jelly filled donuts.

"Where's your crème filled?" He knew what she liked, and he didn't see any in the box.

"I'm not having any. I already look like the side of a house," she said, looking down where her waistline use to be. She tugged on the bottom of her blouse, wishing it was long enough to cover her big belly entirely.

"You look just fine, Carter. You're pregnant," he stated pragmatically. However, what he was really thinking was she looked cute. He didn't mind that her belly was as big as a watermelon. After all it was his child inside her, and he felt proud of that fact each time he looked at her. Although lately he'd started wishing the baby had gotten in there the old-fashioned way, that it was the product of their love, and not just something she'd done out of friendship. And he was not just thinking about himself. He worried that the child might grow up feeling that there was something missing in his or her life. A child should have two parents, a mother and a father, or so he believed.

"Sir, I want to apologize for yesterday. I know you were disappointed by my reaction. It's just that you surprised me with your plan, Sir. Maybe we can come to some sort of compromise? Maybe you could work every other weekend at first? Maybe the shop doesn't have to be open every evening," she suggested.

"You serious?" Jack stopped chewing and looked at her. That she was at least willing to try to be a mother to their child was what he wanted to hear more than anything! But after her reaction yesterday he was afraid to get his hopes up.

"Yes, Sir. I want to help with the baby. I just need some time to adjust."

"Yes, of course!" Jack felt somewhat relieved. This way even if they didn't live together, at least the kid would know his mother….know that she cared about him or her.

After Sam went on maternity leave, Jack began coming over to her house every day, always with something he'd bought for her or the baby, or to do her laundry and house cleaning. She protested at first, but she finally gave up because she could see how happy it made him. And there was another reason too. She enjoyed having him around. His antics made her laugh, and gradually he'd begun telling her stories about his childhood on the farm. She loved the softer side of him she saw when he talked about his grandparents, and she was glad that he finally felt comfortable talking to her about the people who had been important to him.

One day while she was reading the latest Science Journal Magazine she thought she heard singing. She walked into her bedroom to find him vacuuming the carpet, shuffling his feet and swiveling his hips to a Latin beat, singing loudly as he went.

Come on shake your body baby, do the conga. I know you can't control yourself any longer.

Come on shake your body baby, do the conga. I know you can't control yourself any longer.

Sam stood in the doorway watching this unexpected and very appealing side of her ex-CO, until he discovered she was there. He immediately stopped what he was doing and turned off the cleaner.

"What's wrong? You okay?" he asked, looking at her with a worried expression on his handsome face.

"Yes, I'm fine. I heard singing, so I came to investigate."

"Sorry. I forgot where I was. Didn't mean to alarm you, Carter," he said, smiling sheepishly.

"No, it's fine! You have a nice voice."

"Ya, right."

"I'm serious, Sir. You should sing more often. The dancing was good too. Very entertaining," she said smiling broadly, and then she burst into a fit of giggles.

"Hey, no gigging!"

"Sorry, Sir." Sam left the room in a hurry, unable to stop laughing.

TBC