Can't believe that this story has reached 300 reviews, that you to everyone who has left one, and to everyone who has taken the time to read.
Sam was just on her way down the stairs when the doorbell went.
"I've got it," she called, stopping Jack in his tracks.
She bounded down the last few steps and then headed straight for the door. She paused for a split second before she grabbed the handle and pulled the door open.
"Dad, Teal'c," she greeted with a smile, "Come on in."
Jacob and Teal'c filed in. Sam went to shut the door but saw that Janet, Daniel and Cassie were just pulling up so left it open. "Go on through," Sam said to Jacob and Teal'c, "I'm just going to wait for the others."
Teal'c inclined his head and walked into the sitting room, where Jack was waiting. Jacob however stayed beside his daughter.
Sam turned towards him and Jacob pulled her into a hug. Sam hugged him back then pulled away. "Everything ok dad?" she asked.
"Fine don't worry," he assured her.
Sam looked him up and down once before asking, "So what have you been up to all day with Teal'c?"
"I was just brushing up on my hand to hand skills," Jacob replied, "And Teal'c is a good teacher since he knows what Jaffa will do."
"Any reason?" Sam asked, "You're not going on a dangerous mission are you?"
"All my missions have a bit of danger in them Sam," Jacob said gently, "Much like yours do. But no, as far I know all my upcoming missions are fairly standard, I just wanted a chance to make sure I still know what I'm doing and since I came back I thought now would be a good time to practice with a Jaffa without having to worry about being killed."
"Ok dad," Sam accepted, pulling him into another hug, "Just make sure you look after yourself ok."
"Don't worry kiddo," Jacob replied with a smile, "Sel'mac always keeps me from getting into too much trouble."
"Well in that case," Sam said, "Thank you Sel'mac."
"You are very welcome Colonel Carter," Sel'mac replied, Jacob's eyes glowing gold briefly.
Jacob then turned and headed in the same direction that Teal'c had gone, just in time as Daniel, Janet and Cassie came to the door.
"Glad you could come," Sam said as she stood to one side, letting them all in.
"Thanks for the invite," Janet replied with a smile, "Anyone else here yet?"
"Dad and Teal'c," Sam replied, "But none of Jack's family yet."
She shut the door and then led the way through to the sitting room where Teal'c, Jacob and Jack were all sat, making small talk with each other. Well Jacob and Jack were making small talk; Teal'c was sat and listening to them.
Cassie went over to Jack and leant to give him a hug. "Hey Cassie," Jack greeted, hugging the young girl back, "How have you been?"
Cassie and Jack then started talking about what Cassie had been doing while Daniel started talking with Jacob, Teal'c sat and listening to both conversations. Janet caught Sam's eye and gestured for her to go back into the hallway.
Sam nodded and the two of them walked out of ear shot of the room.
"How are you feeling?" Janet asked her friend.
"I'm feeling good," Sam replied with a smile, "Nervous about telling everyone but other than that I'm feeling good."
Janet smiled back at her and then she smiled. The two of them then walked back into the sitting room.
"Jack," Sam called, "Can I have a word quickly?"
"Sure thing," Jack said, standing and walking over to Sam, giving Cassie a smile on his way towards Sam.
The two of them walked out into the hallway, just like Sam had just done with Janet, and then Jack looked at his wife. "What's up?" he asked.
"How are we going to tell everyone?" Sam asked.
"Well all we really need to do is open our mouths and let the words come out," Jack teased.
"That's not funny," Sam replied, punching his arm lightly, "I'm serious."
"I know," Jack replied quietly, "I was just trying to make you smile. Relax ok, it'll be fine."
Sam smiled, knowing that he really did only want to best for her. "Shall we wait until after we eat?" she suggested.
"Ok," Jack agreed. He then smiled. "I think I know what I'm going to say."
"What are you planning?" Sam asked him, slightly worried by the glint in his eye.
Jack just smiled at her. Before Sam could ask him again though there was a knock at the door. Jack winked and then went to open it, leaving Sam staring after him.
Jack opened the door and smiled at the people there. "Mom, dad, Nana," he greeted, "Thanks for coming."
He stepped to the side and let them walk in past him.
"Sam," Nana said with a smile when she saw Sam standing there.
"Nana," Sam returned with a smile, "Do you want to head on through?"
The three older adults nodded and then walked into the sitting room, just as Mary, Connor, Lizzy and Chloe came to the door.
"Hello munchkins," Jack said, kneeling down and hugging the two girls.
"Uncle Jack," the two girls both greeted with a laugh, hugging him back.
"Mary, Connor," Sam greeted as Jack slowly got back to his feet, "Everyone else is in the sitting room."
The girls led the way, dragging Jack by the hand, Connor following after them.
"We passed Tony on the way here," Mary informed Sam as she shut the door, "So he and Jasper shouldn't be too far behind us."
Sam smiled at her. "I'll wait here for them if you want to head on through."
Mary smiled at her and followed after her family. Sam took a seat at the bottom of the stairs and waited for the doorbell to ring again.
Before that happened though Lizzy came running towards her. "Hey there," Sam greeted as Lizzy sat on the step beside her.
"Why are you out here?" Lizzy asked, "Everyone else is in there."
"You're not," Sam pointed out with a smile.
"I'm gonna keep you from getting lonely," Lizzy informed her seriously.
"Why thank you," Sam said with a smile, "I'm just waiting for Jasper and your Uncle Tony."
"Oh ok," Lizzy replied.
"Your hair looks very pretty," Sam then said.
Lizzy looked at the two plaits that hung either side of her head and smiled at Sam. "Do you miss having long hair?" she then asked, reaching up and touching Sam's much shorter locks.
"Sometimes," Sam replied honestly, "But I like having short hair too."
Lizzy looked at her for a moment before the little girl smiled and said, "I like your short hair too."
Sam beamed at the girl then stood up as there was another knock at the door.
"Hello," she greeted as she opened it, Lizzy at her side, "Thanks for coming."
Tony smiled at her, "Thanks for the invite."
"Hey Jasper," Sam said, smiling down at the little boy.
Jasper smiled up at her then followed after Lizzy as the small girl grabbed his hand and dragged him into the sitting room. Tony laughed and then followed him through. Sam was about to shut the door when she saw Tom and Meredith pull up so instead she chose to wait.
Looking out she saw that the front of their house was beginning to get a little busy. "Might need to do something about that," she muttered to herself.
Tom and Meredith parked quickly and then came up the path towards Sam. She smiled and stood to one side to let them in.
"Thanks for coming," she said as they came up the path, "Everyone else is already here."
The two of them smiled at Sam. "Glad we could come," Meredith said as they walked past her.