Ch.21
Later that night,Sam returned home. She walked in the door and smiled when she saw Jack there to greet her with a hug and a kiss.
"How was you day?" Jack asked.
"Good. All SG teams are back on Earth for the holidays and there is a skeleton crew on for the next couple of days."
"OK. Shall we? Everyone is in the games room and dinner will be here in half an hour."
"Sure."
They walked down and into the games room to see Cassie playing a game of pool with Mark. Jane, Mark's wife, and the kids were playing Buzz.
"Honey, I'm home," Sam called out.
They all turned to the doorway and smiled.
"Sam," Mark said as he put his pool stick on the table and walked over to her.
"Hi, Mark." They hugged.
"How are you?" He asked.
"I'm good, thanks, Mark. The kids sure have grown."
"Yeah., Andrew starts college and Hannah finishes high school next year. Then college for her."
"Before long they will be leaving home."
"I know. Don't remind me. How about you... Brigadier General."
Sam grinned. "I know. So, how's work been?" They walked back over to the pool table while they talked.
Jack went and got Sam a drink. Then he went to play Buzz with Jane and the kids. Their Chinese dinner arrived and everyone had a great evening talking, laughing, and having fun before going to bed for the night.
The next day was Thanksgiving. Daniel, Teal'c, and Vala showed up for the day. They all enjoyed their big lunch. But before Jack and Mark carved the two turkeys, Sam stood up next to Jack.
"Before Mark and I carve these turkeys, Sam and I have an anouncement to make."
"I'm pregnant," Sam said smiling.
Everyone was shocked.
"YAAA a baby! What do you think Daniel, you and me?" Vala said as she leaned against him and gave him a wink.
"Vala," Daniel said in an angry annoyed tone.
Jack and Sam grinned.
"Jack, Sam, that is awesome! How far along are you Sam?" Cassie asked.
"Almost ten weeks."
"Sam, wow! Congratulations. I was wondering if you were ever having kids," Mark said.
"Mark, it's all in the timing," Jack said.
"Timing?"
"Whenever we get a chance to be together... well."
"Oh, my god!"
Everyone looked at Cassie.
"What's wrong, Cassie?" Jane asked.
"I just worked it out."
Everyone looked at her confused.
"It happened... at the Pentagon in your old office, Jack! Am I right?"
Everyone looked at Jack and Sam. They could see Sam blushing.
"You guys made out in the Pentagon? Does General Landry know what happened in there, Jack?" Daniel asked.
"Nope and you all are not going to say a thing."
Then the phone rang and Jack walked over to answer it.
"O'Neill."
"Happy Thanksgiving, Jack."
"Thanks, Hank. What's the reason for your call?"
"To congratulate you and Sam. I read Carolyn's report on Sam's condition."
"Thanks. We just told everyone."
"OK. Just one question, Jack. I received a request form from Lieutenant Turner for a new couch, chair, and desk for me. She said to ask you what it's about."
"I have no idea, Hank."
"OK. I'll let you get back to the family, Jack."
"Thanks, Hank. Happy Thanksgiving." Then they hung up.
Jack walked back to the dinning room. "Let's eat. I'm hungry," he said rubbing his hands together.
"Who was on the phone, Jack?" Sam asked as she watched Jack carve the turkey.
"It was Hank. He sends his congratulations on the baby and asked about a request form. It's all cleared up. Let's enjoy."
They did all enjoy lunch and the afternoon of playing games and watching football.
Sam returned to work for half a day on Friday since she was called in when there were problems with the computers in the control room. Mark and the family returned to San Diego late Sunday evening.
On Monday, everyone returned to work. At the Pentagon, Hank walked into his office and looked around. Then he walked back through the door to where his staff was working.
"Lieutenant, can you please come into my office?"
"Yes, sir." She stood up and followed Hank into his office.
"Now, tell me what's wrong with the chair, desk, and couch Lieutenant."
"Nothing, sir."
"Then tell me why I need new ones when there's nothing wrong with these ones?"
"Well, sir, when General O'Neill was here and whenever Colonel... General Carter came to see him... It was personal, not professional business, sir."
"Lieutenant, what are you talking about?"
"Well, sir, I heard that General Carter is pregnant, sir, and well, sir, the only time General Carter is able to spend an hour with General O'Neill is in here, sir."
Hank looked at the Lieutenant and thought about what she said. He remembered Carolyn's report about Sam being pregnant and how far along she was. Then he did his own calculations and he turned to the Lieutenant.
"Your telling me that Jack and General Carter... in here... this office?"
"Yes, sir. Even General Maynard knows about it, sir."
"How so?"
"He came into the office to talk to General O'Neill when he could ... also hear what was going on behind the door, sir."
Hank raised his eyebrows. "Really?" Then he looked around his office and back to the Lieutenant. "Get me that form Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir." Then she walked out of his office.
Hank smiled. "Jack you are one lucky son of a gun." Then he walked over to his desk, picked up the phone, and pressed a number.
"Carter."
"General Carter, next time you see Jack, tell him not in the office. There is a private, sound proof, bedroom right next door."
"General, Jack's here. I'll put him on, sir."
Hank heard noises.
"Hank, what's up."
"As I was saying to your wife, Jack, there is a private, sound proof, bedroom next door to this office."
"Really? I didn't know that. How did you know?"
"Remember, Jack, I used to work here before transferring to the SGC," Hank said grinning just as the Lieutenant returned with the file.
She passed it to him before he walked out of his office.
"Let me guess, Lieutenant Turner told you?"
"No, just hints, Jack. Your lucky General Maynard didn't walk in on you two." He heard Jack groan.
"She told you?"
"Not in so many words. Now, I have to get a new desk, chair, and couch... Anything else I should replace, Jack?"
"No. Damn, I should have ordered the new door. No need to now."
"I hope you and General Carter weren't..."
"No, I came in here to let her know that I'm going to Washington to see the President and tell the IOA about my plans."
"OK. When you get a chance, drop by."
"Oh, I will Hank. I will. Got to go. Got a plane to catch." Then they hung up.
Hank looked at the forms and signed them. Then he looked at the chair and shook his head before sitting down and picking up his messages.
Later that afternoon, Jack stopped by his old office to talk to Hank about his plans. He told him about what happened at the meetings with the President and the IOA before returning to Colorado Springs.
Over the next three weeks, Jack managed to get everything he needed to take through the gate. When he left, he took both the Daedalus and the Hammond with him. He kissed Sam on the eighteenth before he was beamed up onto the ship. Sam kept busy over the next few days.
On the twenty-fourth, Sam was halfway through the last briefing when there was a bright light. When it was gone, she smiled when she saw who it was.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back, Jack. You know the drill."
Jack groaned. "Do I have to?"
Sam folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'd better."
"Yes. We will talk in an hour."
"OK." He walked passed Sam. Then he stopped, bent over, and gave her a kiss before he quickly walked out of the room. Sam returned to the briefing for the next half hour. Then she returned to her office and saw Jack sitting at her desk typing on his laptop.
"Hey. How did it go?"
Jack looked up and smiled. Then he noticed the small bump.
"Good. Came back with vegetables and another two ZPMs."
"That's great news. When are you going home?"
"I thought I'd wait for you. Why?"
"Well, can you go to the airport and pick up Mark and the family?"
"Sam, today is..."
"The twenty-fourth. Mark's plane lands in an hour and a half."
"Crap... My truck is at home."
"Take mine. I'll get an airman to drop me off at home."
"Are you sure, Sam?"
"Yes, Jack."
"OK" He saved his work on his laptop and closed it. He stood up and picked it up. Then he walked around the desk to give Sam a kiss.
"What about food?"
"Already taken care of and they all get the same rooms as last time."
"OK. See you when you get home then." He gave her a kiss before walking out of the room.
When Jack left the mountain, it was snowing. So, he took his time to head into town. He went to the mall to do his Christmas shopping which didn't take too long. When finished, he headed to the airport to pick up Mark and his family. When he got to the airport, he managed to park Sam's truck close to the exit. By that time it stopped snowing.
He got out and headed into the terminal and over toward the signs letting people know what times the planes landed. When he saw what time Mark's plane landed and looked at his watch, he still had a few minutes to spare, so he went to the Mens room to relieve himself and wash his hands before walking out the exit to watch the planes landing and taking off.
He heard that Mark's plane had just landed, so he watched from where he was until he could see Mark and his family. Jack walked over to the where the other people were waiting. When he saw Mark, he noticed he was looking around until he saw Jack and gave him a wave. So, Jack waved back at him. Mark and his family managed to reach Jack.
"Jack."
"Mark."
They shook hands.
"Merry Christmas, Jane."
"You, too, Jack."
They hugged. Then Jack greeted both of the kids.
"Shall we go and get your bags and head home?"
"Sure, where's Sam?"
"At work. She will be home tonight."
"OK. So, how was your trip anyway?"
"Good. I met heaps of people and had heaps of fun, but it always good to be home."
"I bet it is. Do you know if Sam's got everything for tomorrow?"
"She said she does. I haven't been home, so I don't know what she's done to the place while I was away."
"Knowing Sam, she most likely rearranged the house."
"Who knows with her."
They got their bags and walked to the exit while talking.
Half an hour later, Jack drove down the driveway.
"Well, the house looks the same," Mark said.
"It does, but there are lights around the house. I hope Sam got someone else to put them up."
"Well, you will have to ask her."
"I will tonight."
Once the truck was in the garage, they all got out and got their bags before walking into the house.
"Sam said you guys have the same rooms as last time."
"OK. Come on kids."
"I'll go and make us hot drinks."
"Sounds good to me," Jane said before following her family.
Jack walked into the kitchen. He smiled when he saw a plate with Christmas cookies on them and a note. 'Jack, share these with Mark and the family. Enjoy. Love, Sam.' Jack noticed different shaped cookies. So, he went to put the kettle on and made everyone a hot drink. He was just pouring the drinks when the family showed up.
"Sam's been baking," Mark said.
"Yeah. Help yourselves." He passed them all a drink as they helped themselves to the cookies.
They talked while enjoying them. Then afterwards the family walked down to the games room. Jack walked back to the garage and he got his bag and the presents out. Then he walked back inside and into the family room.
He was shocked when he saw the room full of decorations with a Christmas tree in the corner where he and Sam had spoken about putting it before he left for his mission. He noticed Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle. So, he walked over to the tree and he put the presents under it.
Then he walked out and into the living room where he saw the same thing. So, he walked up the stairs then down and into their bedroom. He sorted out his bag. When done, he walked to the window to find that it started snowing again.
He could see the Christmas lights and recognized them as the new ones that he and Sam bought together a few days before he left. Jack then walked back downstairs and into the kitchen where he started getting dinner ready. Cassie showed up an hour later. She and Jack talked before they walked down to the games room.