Jack was enjoying the beginning of the evening with his family. He was playing with Patrick on the floor by the low table in the living room. Jack was tossing a ball to Patrick. The kid would catch it an toss it back to his father, who would repeat the action the other way around. Patrick was liking the game, based on his giggles and invitations to do it again. On the sofa next to the two players, Sam was studying a booklet. William was on her right, hugging a chubby brown Teddy Bear, and looking at the booklet with curiosity. Sam remarked it. She started to brainstorm with William, covering the background noise from the TV in front of them.
"Which shade of blue do you like? Indigo? Peacock? Navy? Ocean? Anything else?"
The mother showed with her right index the options one after the other, while speaking. William's eyes juggled between his mother and the booklet. He put his left hand on a square representing a shade. Maybe he was attracted by the color or maybe it was just a random selection.
Either way, it helped Sam in her reflection, as she said, "Prussian? Well… Okay - she shrugged, satisfied - let's go for Prussian. Thank you, William!"
Sam noticed Jack's puzzled look. "It's for the Stargate reception. Have a few details to sort out.". She showed the booklet and pointed at the Prussian blue. "That will be the color for the napkins. Validated by Mister William O'Neill."
"Good choice!" Jack commented although he couldn't perceive the importance of that kind of details. Blue was blue.
The Stargate party that Sam was talking about was going to be held soon. Jack had learned it during a lunch with Caldwell at the SGC. It would be the opportunity to celebrate all the achievements accomplished over the years and the people who contributed to them.
Sam's cell phone vibrated on the low table. The lady checked it out and put it back onto the table. She pretended to not give it too much importance. She just informed, "It was McKay.", when she saw her husband questioning her with his look.
A documentary started on TV and distracted Sam. Jack glanced at the screen. A documentary about black holes. The general turned his head to his wife. She looked hooked on the program, the world around her seemed to not exist anymore.
The family man joked, "Black holes? You know there's nothing you don't already know about them."
The man's comment pulled Sam out of her thoughts. Or more precisely, the sound that came out from Jack's mouth. He saw Patrick yawn.
"Okay, gentlemen, time to go to bed!" the father signaled, looking at the boys. "Say good night to your mom and your sister."
Sam's husband gestured the kids to their mother, who cuddled and kissed them. The boys kissed her and her belly, then, said "Good night mommy and little sister!". Jack grabbed the two boy's hands and walked with them to their bedroom. Sam watched the documentary.
Jack joined his wife later in their bedroom. She was already in the bed. She had put the booklet on the nightstand next to her. She looked haggard. Perhaps nostalgic.
O'Neill asked, while going into the bed, "Everything all right?"
"Yes. I'm just tired." Sam responded, pulling the sheet to cover her chest.
"Come here." Jack said, stretching out his left arm so Sam could come to him.
Sam snuggled against her husband. He kissed her on the head. He smiled, seeing her belly go up and down while she was breathing. He was impatient to meet their third kid.
Jack had gotten used to his new situation and was loving it, despite the remaining questions he could have on his mind.
However, did he really need to find an answer to everything?
Perhaps not.
Sam was happy.
So, Jack was happy.
Why couldn't things stay the way they were?