I feel my readers – my friends – need to know what is going on and why my story has not had another chapter in quite a while. As most of you know, I was the caretaker for my sister – have been for almost 30 years. We lived together for most of our adult lives due to her health.

Sadly, on April the 27th, I lost my sister to a stroke and a heart attack. Thankfully Covid was not involved. She was taken to the hospital on the 19th of April and I had to make the decision on the 27th to have her taken off the machines. I was not able to be with her the entire time she was at the hospital. They told me I could be up there when they took her off the machines, but my daughter felt it was not a good idea since no one could go in the hospital with me. She was not able to be buried until May 12th.

My mind has not been in a mood to write. Which is really sad since Kat was my main supporter for writing. Yesterday I received some nudging from my little sister in Germany – who told me about the samjackshipday on twitter and the ideas that were involved. So with her help I decided to give it a try. I was able to write two very short drabbles. Hopefully this has my muse happy enough to begin again on "Is love worth the fight?". I do apologize again for the long wait and I hope you all are still with me. You have been and always will be my greatest accomplishments – bringing you happiness through writing.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa (Nessa)

Chapter 40 – Love is worth the fight!

"I do"

The words were said.

Jack watched the scene that played out in front of him. The atmosphere was perfect, the timing was perfect, the people were perfect. Everything fit to make this a day both would always remember. Jonathan and Cassie were now a married couple. It was beautiful. He had loved the fact that he was able to walk his god daughter down the aisle to the man she loved. He knew Jonathan loved her also and so this was a perfect reunion.

The marriage had taken place only one week after his and Sam's own wedding. The love he felt today for his goddaughter and "son" could not compare to the love he felt for the woman standing beside Cassie. Last week, when he watched Sam walk down the aisle to stand in front of General Hammond and beside him – he felt as if he was falling in love all over again. The desire was overwhelming, and he could not wait to start their honeymoon together. It did not matter that they had a child together already – the night turned out to be the most special night he would ever remember.

Hearing someone call his name, he turned to see Daniel coming towards him. He was glad his friend had made it back to Colorado before the wedding. Daniel had not left his career at Stargate Command. He was still doing what Daniel loved to do. Meeting new and interesting "people" from other planets and learning new cultures. The SG1 command had been retired. Teal'c had returned to Chulak and Daniel now worked with different commands in what ever area needed his expertise. General Laundry was glad when Daniel had decided to stay. In the back of his mind, Jack wondered if Daniel stayed just so he could keep a close eye on things concerning his friends.

Jack shifted Button to his other arm as he pulled his "little brother" into a tight hug. Daniel would always seem that way to him. He had tried to talk him into staying on Earth and just reviewing the notes and artifacts that the other teams had brought back but Daniel wanted no part of that. He understood his friend and had wished him the best when he told him almost six months ago what his plans were. But Jack would always wonder had he himself done the right thing. Leaving just one member of SG1 to travel through the Stargate – was it such a smart idea with the aliens out there that hated his little group so much. General Laundry and Daniel both felt the danger was over. Jack prayed they were correct.

"Hello Jack, how are you?"

Reaching over, he took Button from Jack. The baby loved Daniel and she giggled when he raised her up in the air and snuggled her.

"I'm glad to see you made it back in time. Sam said you would, but she said the same thing last week."

Daniel watched Jack as he made this comment. He wanted to see if there was hurt in his words, but Daniel had tried to make it back. No Jack was not angry or even hurt - Jack knew as well as anyone how gate travel was. Just because you were scheduled to come home on a certain day – did not always make it possible.

"I wish I had made it back. I would have loved to see you turn as white as Jonathan did today. I bet that was a pretty picture." Daniel said the words with laughter in his voice. It felt good to laugh with Jack again.

"I have you know I was just fine last week."

"Sure, he was. Never seen a man turn as many shades of green as he did last week."

Daniel turned to see Sam standing behind him. Laughter blazing in her eyes, and he knew she was happy. He had seen the look of love pass between the couple when they were standing with the bride and groom earlier and now, he saw it even more clearly. They were happy and it was about time. Life had not been fair to either of them but maybe just maybe it was their time.

Jack pulled Sam over to him and whispered something in her ear. The giggling response told Daniel that it was a private whisper between the two and he really didn't want to know it.

"I think I will take Button to talk to some of our friends while you two carry on with your secrets"

With that, Daniel turned and headed towards the crowd that surrounded the buffet table and champagne. Sam and Jack watched him and knew Button was as safe as if one of them had her.

"Now back to what I whispered. You do realize you will pay for that comment tonight. How dare you tell him – of all people that I turned green. You know that isn't true."

"Why, Jonathan Jack O'Neill! I cannot believe you are standing there telling a lie like that. You most certainly did turn green and it was the loveliest green I have ever seen. The chemicals in your system must have been working overtime to achieve such a goal."

Upon hearing her words – Jack pulled Sam to him. Giggling uncontrollable she succumbed to his kiss. God, he loved this woman. He never thought he would love her more than yesterday but every day, the love seemed to grow stronger. Looker over at Jonathan and Cassie – he prayed the same for them.

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Cassie watched the children playing from the porch swing. Jonathan pulled her closer to him as he laughed at the antics of the three little boys. Of course, Charlie Grace saw nothing funny at all about the situation and said so in her stern but childish voice. After all, being a ten year old was quite an adult in the little girls eyes.

It had been almost ten years since she and Jonathan were married. As a matter of fact, tomorrow would be Sam's and Jack's tenth year anniversary. They were all going to the cabin to celebrate on Sunday. That gave the couple in Minnesota exactly three days to celebrate in their own way before Charlie Grace came home. It was an arrangement they had made from the first anniversary. She and Jonathan kept Charlie Grace each year for Sam and Jack's anniversary and when she and Jonathan had Carter seven years ago, it became a routine – each kept the other couples children for the anniversary night.

Carter did not stay a single little boy for long before he had two little brothers to join him. Jack and Jonathan were thrilled when their namesakes were born. Little Jack and Little Jonathan were the spitting image of each other and being six years old – they had learned real quick how this would be an advantage to their elders. It seemed the only one who could actually tell them apart was Charlie Grace. She caught them in each act before they had a chance to complete it – unless of course it was to her advantage. After all, just because she was named after an angel, sometimes the little girl seemed to be the complete opposite.

But that is what made life – life. The pleasure of starting a day unlike any other. With each other and with children – love always made even the worse day better. Cassie knew as did all four adults that things could change at a minute's notice. So, they had known from the beginning of their relationships to take it as a blessing for each new moment with their loved ones.

Sunday – it would be all of them. Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c. It would be the first time that the complete SG1 team would be together since they had returned to earth eleven years ago. Daniel no longer went off world. He now taught class at high school on archeology. He seemed as thrilled at digging into the young minds of his students as he did on alien planets. Teal'c would only be here for a couple of weeks before returning again to Chulak. He was after all, a grandfather now. The joy of holding his granddaughter made the Jaffa's face light up. It was a beautiful sight.

Feeling the queasiness in her stomach, Cassie looked at her watch. She knew there was no reason to double check – her stomach had told her it was time to eat. Getting up, she reached over and combed her fingers through Jonathan's unruly hair. 'So much like Uncle Jack' she thought to herself. She was happy that he was. Because she had a man unlike any other – a man that loved her and the little family they had. Of course, in another four months their little family would be added to again. She was happy but also apprehensive.

Sam and Carolyn had explained to her that it was normal to be apprehensive after the trying pregnancy and birth she had with the twins but that in itself was the reason for the worry. Could she really handle another set of twins? Dr. Kristelle had told her that this one was a single birth, but she could not help but wonder if she was right. Whatever it was she and Jonathan would be happy with it. There was no doubt about that. She did have to admit, however, that she was praying for a little girl.

Jonathan followed Cassie into the kitchen to help prepare supper. He would tell her to let him do it but he already knew that answer. The woman was too damn stubborn sometimes but that was one of the traits he loved the most about her. An hour later – all six sat at the table to eat. In a couple of days, they would be driving to Minnesota to stay for a couple of days before he and Cassie would be heading to the Netherlands to spend time. It was a secret between he, Jack and Sam. They were fine about keeping the boys for a couple of weeks and Dr. Kristelle had said that Cassie would be fine since she was not in any danger to travel.

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Jack lifted Sam from the tub and wrapped her in a towel. He slowly took her down the hall to their bedroom – letting his lips travel on her smooth skin. Tonight, he would show her how much the last ten years had meant to him and his anticipation grew. Laying her carefully on the bed, he removed the towel and stood there – just looking at her. God, she was so beautiful, and he silently thanked the heavens again for her.

Sam watched him, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. This man, this gorgeous silver haired man. God she loved him so much. As he knelt close to her breast, she could not contain the gasp that escaped from her as he pulled her nipple into his mouth and he laughed. She would be doing more than moaning before the night was over. Taking his hand, he slowly caressed her stomach – allowing it to reach further down each time he made a circle.

Sam arched as his fingers touched her most sensitive point. As he fuddled her, he continued to suckle her breast for a minute longer until his lips soon followed the path his hand had taken until they covered her womanhood completely. She could not help the cries that escaped her as he brought her to the edge time and time again. Finally, he allowed her to explode just as he buried himself within her. Looking into her eyes, he saw so much love and passion there. Love and passion he prayed he would always see in her eyes.

They had made it for eleven years back on earth. They had been married for ten and he was so happy. As he felt her coming close to the edge again – he allowed his own body to give in with her. Together their spirits climbed to the stars and they felt their hearts explode again. Coming back down, he rolled to his side and pulled her close to him. He softly kissed and caressed her until he felt her even breathing and her heart beat become slower. He was in love all over again. He had passed through hell here on earth and had made it to be with the woman he loved.

Love had conquered again. Love really was worth the fight.