A/N: Posting this way later than I wanted to. But I really struggled with this part, and I just started an online Graduate Certificate program which is taking more time than I imagined. But just know, I will finish this story...even if it kills me. \

Chapter 26

"So what are we naming the princess?" The NICU nurse smiled at Jack, clipboard in hand. This was one of the few times her job wasn't so cute and endearing. Having to fill out a posthumous birth certificate. Really brought the circle of life concept into perspective.

"Grace. Grace Marie O'Neill." Jack spoke in gently, quiet tones. Grace took the proffered bottle from him, nestled in his arms like she knew she belong there. A tuft of sandy brown hair laid on her otherwise bald head. Her eyes were soul piercing. Looking at her, Sam looked back at him. Her skin was a smooth olive coloring that made for a striking contrast with her eyes. No one knew what her father really looked like, and aside from coloring, Jack hoped she would adopt more than just her mother's eyes.

"That's a beautiful name. I'll go get the paperwork straightened out for you guys so you can finally get out of this place." the nurse patted Grace's foot, then left to do as promised. Five days had passed, and not one minute of that saw Jack outside the hospital. He had survived off of vending machine coffees, and cheeseburgers his teammates managed to get him to eat. Sam's funeral was in a couple of days but it was already organized. The military was giving her all the honors and recognition she deserved. Jack was grateful that he didn't have to be the one to make arrangements. He doubts his ability to survive that with any sense of dignity. He was dreading the crowds of people that would be there wanting to pay their respects. He knew what to expect. They would stare with their eyes brimming with pity and sympathy. The worst part of that is how genuine it would all be. It would be easier if they weren't offering their heartfelt apologies and kept it moving. Sam's loss would be felt by more than just him, and he knew that he had to acknowledge that. He wasn't the only one suffering. Even though it seemed like he was all alone in a brand new, Sam-less world.

Packing up Grace's baby bag that Janet so kindly provided, Jack snapped off the hospital bracelet that new parents were required to wear in the NICU. Before he got to the doorway, Daniel beat him through it.

"Hey, didn't know if you needed help with her stuff." Daniel explained. Jack had texted him once he got word that Grace would be discharged. He forgot how he originally got to the hospital in the first place, everything was still a blur. He vividly remembers decorating the nursery as if it was just moments ago.

"Oh, uh...yeah, I could use an extra hand or two. Thanks. Just waiting on the discharge papers and stuff."

Unsaid words hung in the air. Aside from explaining necessary details about the funeral, and attempting to get Jack to eat, the conversation between them was lacking to say the least. A man who studied languages with nothing to say was irony at its' best. But Daniel also knew Jack wasn't one for words that would merely be fillers and stir up pain that never even had the chance to be fully realized.

Right on que, the nurse came and announced they were clear to leave. Jack threw out a mumbled thanks, and made his way down the hall, following the hospital exit signs. Silence continued to greet them as they found Daniel's car. Jack placed Grace into the car seat and slid in next to her.

"I'm just gonna stay back here with her if that's fine. Want to make sure she's ok. First car ride and all." the last words came across almost as though they were more of an excuse than anything else. Jack felt like Grace was his anchor, and as long as he could concentrate as much of himself on her, he would be able to survive.

"Of course." Daniel easily replied. He definitely wasn't going to object to whatever made Jack feel most at ease. Driving out of the hospital parking garage, Daniel glances in the rearview mirror, unable to stop thinking of how they all came there mere days ago with Sam, and now here they are leaving without her. It was devastating how everything can change in an instant.

Daniel brought Jack and Grace back to Jack's house. He wish he would stay with him or let him help with the adjustments a new baby would call for, but he knew Jack well enough that that would not be received well. Jack probably wanted to be alone to process things in his own way. And normally, Daniel would protest Jack handling such a monumental loss alone. But the presence of Grace put him at ease, knowing Jack would never do anything that may endanger her.

"I really am not looking forward to driving back to my quiet apartment right now." Daniel's head was turned in, but he stole a quick glance towards Jack.

"Well then go stay on base. Look Daniel, I appreciate what you are trying to do. Really. But I just need one night without all the beeping and buzzing of the hospital. How about you and T come see Grace tomorrow?" Jack almost pleaded with him. His face was weary and he felt weary.

Daniel nodded and knew when to cut his losses. Wordlessly, Jack gathered up Grace's bag in one hand, her carseat in the other and left to begin the life he never dreamed of.

Hours had gone by and Grace finally drifted off to sleep. He didn't have the chance to set up anything substantial at his house. All the plans and baby stuff was at Sam's house. Including the nursery that was just freshly painted. But Jack didn't have the heart or the stomach to step inside her house just yet. So for the night at least, Grace had to make double use with her car seat. The nurse tried to teach him how to make a bottle, which amused Jack a little. She had to be half of his age, acting like he never seen a baby before. Turning the tv on, it crackles and breaks the silence of the house.

Jack couldn't say what was on the screen, but it made no difference. He just knew that he wasn't ready to be alone with his thoughts. Selfishly he briefly considered waking Grace. At least she required all of his attention. Left no time to consider how utterly heartbroken he was. Instead he settled for glancing at the infomercials trying to sell him something.

"And if you call within the next 10 minutes, you'll only pay 3 easy payments of $19.99." the host exclaimed with way too much excitement for what was essentially an overly complicated shoe rack.

He seemed so cheery and upbeat, it made Jack felt sick to his stomach. He flipped to something else that was more somber. The news. The anchors quickly met his expectations, explaining how terrible things were getting. If only they knew the real extent.

He must have dozed off, as the next he knew, Jack was waking up to the sound of a crying baby and slivers of light stealing through the window blinds. Jumping up, he took long strides to the makeshift nursery in his room, which only consisted of Grace's car seat inside a large laundry bin.

Wide, water filled eyes stared up at him, already reaching with eager arms to be held.

"Come on baby, come to papa." Jack cooed. Gathering her in his arms, he gently rocked her on his hip. "I bet your hungry, huh? I can tell you're gonna be the best baby ever. Wait until I tell the guys how well you slept for the first time."

He remembered Charlie was very tempermental. Sarah always had a hard time trying to make sure his needs were met. One second he wanted one thing, and before you knew it he would be onto something else just as fast. And sleeping through the night was simply asking for way too much. The fact that Grace slept in three or four hour intervals on her first night home, was a Godsend.

Daniel made sure that the baby bag was packed with all the basic essentials. Rummaging through, Jack found the formula and set off to make Grace's bottle.