Ch. 14
Once through the wormhole, Sam gave Jack a playful glare.
"What?" he asked.
"I can walk, you know," she said with mock offense.
Jack gently set her upright.
"I would never want to offend you Mrs. O'Neill" he said playfully.
Sam grinned, and then fully looked around.
"We're home..." she said. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed the planet, but Jack could tell. He saw her mope around the base for the first few months and then slowly regain her laughter, but they weren't home. Not until now.
However, Jack didn't lead her to the cabin like she expected. They started up a new path through the woods. It was landscaped and obviously placed their on purpose. After a hike of about a mile and a half, at which point Sam was wishing she'd changed her shoes, the trees opened up into a large clearing. Sam recognized it immediately. It was the same clearing Jack had brought her to when they were originally engaged and married. But it had changed. At the far end of the clearing, where they had once laid on a blanket and made love for the first time, there stood a house. Not a rustic log cabin, but a brand new, ranch style house. She was speechless. It was beautiful.
Jack took her hand and led her up the manicured path to the house. There was a small fence marking the yard and inside the fence, a brick walkway up to the large front porch and door. Jack opened the door and once again swept her off her feet. She easily placed her arms around his neck and he carried her over the threshold.
"Welcome home, Samantha O'Neill."
He once again stood her on her feet. She didn't have any sarcastic replies this time. She was overwhelmed. Tears streamed down her face. They walked through the house and saw each of the bedrooms for the kids, multiple bathrooms, and a modern kitchen.
"Indoor plumbing?" she asked.
He nodded.
"And what about the heat and electricity?"
"It's powered by a naquadah generator that you designed before we were stranded."
He gently led her to the master bedroom. She had silent tears flowing down her face, but she didn't say anything. She just kept looking around in stunned silence.
Finally, Jack spoke, "do you like it?
"Oh, yes." she whispered. "It's perfect."
Jack softly wiped the tears from her stained face. He left his hand resting on her cheek.
Sam reached up and pressed her hand over his and he gently laid her back on the bed and kissed her lips. As he looked into her deep blue eyes, he whispered, "Samantha Carter O'Neill, I love you. I always have."
END