Epilogue

"How do you feel this morning, Colonel?"

Jack scowled up at Fraiser from the bed he was stretched out in and sat up, pushing pillows around to make it more comfortable.

"I don't know why you even bother to ask me, since you never listen to me."

"That's not true," Janet said, sitting on the edge of his bed, and reaching over Jack's body to rub Jaffer's ears.

The black lab had been a constant companion to Jack since he'd been carried into her infirmary – except for one trip to the vet to get a check up and stitches put into his shoulder to close the cut. Jack had insisted they take him to Monica – Jaffer's regular vet – and Sam had assured him that she'd take him herself and would bring him back immediately.

Janet had put up a fuss about allowing Jaffer in the infirmary – and in Jack's bed – but it was only half-hearted. She was far too interested in the story of the engagement ring and Jaffer's role in it, which Jack refused to allow Sam to tell her unless he got to keep Jaffer with him. Besides, Jaffer was good for Jack's recovery, and Janet knew it by now.

"Yes it is." Jack said, petulantly. His voice was still raspy and he was still carrying signs of the nasty cold he'd managed to catch during his time in all the water. The high fever had finally broken, though, and although he still had the occasional coughing fit, he was doing much better and his chest x-rays were clear again. "You ask how I'm doing. I say fine. You say we'll see and start poking and prodding, and then give me some medication I don't want and tell me I need rest – which I could be getting at home."

"But if I let you go home, I'll miss your sunny disposition every morning, Colonel..."

He scowled again, and Janet had to smile. She handed Jack a glass of water, knowing that he was probably thirsty – he'd been thirsty constantly for the last four days – but he shook his head and ignored the olive branch. He was tired of being here. Everyone else had been allowed to go home and finish their recoveries – including Geller, whose knee had been broken, and all the rest of SG-3, who'd managed to catch colds, too. Just not as serious as Jack's, since they'd had the sense to get out of the rain.

"I want to go home."

"You can go home tomorrow, Colonel."

"Today."

"Tomorrow."

"Today."

She shook her head. "If I let you go home today, you'll miss the party."

His scowl became a little less pronounced at this statement, and she knew he didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Janet smiled, and pulled a bright blue bow out of one of the pockets of her lab coat, took the paper off that covered the sticky part, and reached over and put it square on the top of Jaffer's beautiful black head.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked, and was interrupted when she pulled a couple of party hats out of her other pocket, put one on her head and the other on his. He was so surprised – and a little annoyed – that he didn't even move while she did it.

"Happy belated birthday, Colonel."

She pointed to the door of the infirmary, where there was a sudden commotion.

"Happy birthday, Jack!" Shawn yelled as he rushed into the room, carrying a messily wrapped present and a huge grin, and wearing an identical party hat as the one O'Neill was wearing.

His scowl turned into a smile immediately as the boy launched himself onto Jack's bed, landing square on Jack, who wrapped his arms around him – to keep him from falling, of course, since Shawn was getting to old for hugs. Although Jack did hold him tightly for a minute to make sure he had his balance regained, and Shawn held Jack just as tightly. Then he sat up and crawled over Jack to sit on the other side of the bed next to Jaffer, and turned back towards the door, which caused Jack to do the same thing.

Which was a good thing, since two seconds later, Andrew came rushing through the door as well, followed closely by Teal'c's yellow lab, who loved Andrew as much as Teal'c did. The small boy was carrying a present as well, and he set it on the stand that held the remains of Jack's breakfast, next to where Shawn had put his. He was also wearing a party hat, which was slightly tilted to the left. Jack had a bright red bow on the top of his head.

"Happy birthday, Jack!"

Andrew jumped up onto the bed, as well, followed by Jack, and hugged O'Neill tightly. He was too old for hugs, too, but birthday hugs were okay.

Jack's frown was completely gone. His bed was filled to bursting with the boys and the labs, and their happiness and enthusiasm were infectious.

"Thanks, guys," He told them, looking at Fraiser with a smile – and completely shocked that she hadn't complained about the extra dog and kids in his bed. Janet smiled, and gestured back towards the door, where more people were making an entrance.

Sam was carrying a cake – no candles, though. They were in the infirmary with oxygen in use, after all, and an open flame could be dangerous. She was looking as beautiful as ever, and grinning broadly. Daniel was right behind her with one arm around Sally, who was carrying an armload of brightly colored gifts, and Teal'c and Hammond were behind those two, Teal'c's normally very stoic face sporting a slight smile. They were both carrying gifts as well. Far too many gifts to be from just the people who were in the room. Jack looked over at Janet, who seemed to understand the question.

"I wouldn't let any more people come, although everyone wanted to, so they had to hand the presents over at the briefing room. Just make sure you save the cards so you can thank them all later."

Jack nodded, smiling. He was glad. He didn't want a huge party, but this small gathering was perfect. They were all wearing party hats, too. Even Teal'c, who had grudgingly succumbed to Tau'ri tradition and had put one on.

As they walked over, they broke into a chorus of Happy Birthday, which Shawn, Andrew and Janet joined in on, and Jack's smile was broad by the time they'd all reached his bed, and they were finished.

"Were you surprised?" Shawn asked as another table was rolled over to hold the cake and the rest of the presents.

"Very." He grinned up at his friends as they gathered around him. "Thanks you guys."

"Well, you were going to have a party this weekend, anyways, right?" Sam said, sitting in one of the chairs by Jack's bed. A few more were brought over, since there was absolutely no more room on Jack's bed for anyone to sit.

"You guys get to stay for an hour," Janet said, reaching down and straightening Andrew's hat for him.

"Awww, that's it?" Shawn scowled, and at that moment he looked so much like Jack that Sam reached out and touched his cheek gently. He seemed to understand, and he grinned at her, and then was distracted by the ring on Sam's finger.

"Hey, Jack? Did you see Sam's ring?"

O'Neill nodded, and Andrew whacked Shawn at the same time. "Stupid! He got it for her."

"I knew that..." Shawn blushed, and then used a favorite expression of his. "I was... just testing him."

"Can I be in the wedding?" Andrew asked.

"You can be the flower girl."

Andrew whacked Shawn again, but he grinned. He was used to being teased by his friend, and didn't mind a bit.

"You can be in it," Jack promised. "We'll let you know..."

He reached out and took Sam's hand for a moment, the two of them disappearing into their own little world for just a few seconds, then coming back to rejoin their friends.

"Let's have some cake."

......................

The party had lasted longer than an hour. There had been cake and ice cream to eat, stories to be told and retold, and presents to be opened. Complaining that his slashed hand was killing him, Jack had Shawn and Andrew open his presents for him, and the wrapping paper flew everywhere. Finally, though, Fraiser kicked them all out. There were complaints and scowls and promises to come back later, and even though Jack was the loudest of the complainers, he had to admit that he was glad she'd cut it short.

He was tired, and his raw throat was killing him from talking so much. By noon they were all gone, leaving a pile of presents on the table by his bed and a half-eaten cake close at hand where he could have more if he wanted it. Sam was stretched out on his bed next to him, cuddled close because the bed wasn't all that big, and Jaffer was sprawled across Jack's feet, because he was feeling slightly chilled and the black lab was the best foot warmer there was.

"Did you have fun?" Sam asked him softly, running the back of her hand along his cheek.

He nodded, and slid his arm around her, shivering slightly. He sill wasn't completely healthy, and was subject to getting chills every now and then. Sam pulled his blanket up over his chest and cuddled closer.

"It was great, Sam. Thank you."

"Well... I thought it'd be a good way to make up for you having such a lousy birthday," she told him, feeling him shiver again. Jaffer felt it as well, and the lab shifted a bit, sprawling on Jack's legs where he'd make more impact at helping him get warm. Of course, when something that big sprawls on your legs, it sprawls on your hips, thighs, belly and chest as well. Jack didn't mind. Jaffer felt like a very warm – and pretty heavy – comforter.

"I didn't have a lousy birthday, Sam," He disagreed, hoarsely. "It was the best one ever."

"You could have died..."

"I know."

"You took a couple of nasty falls..."

"I know."

"You had your hand slashed wide open..."

He smiled, and nodded, although he didn't remember that quite as vividly as she seemed to.

"I know."

"Then how could it have been the best birthday you've ever had?"

"Because you agreed to be my wife," Jack said, simply, his hand coming out from under the blanket and taking hold of hers. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head on her shoulder, already thinking that it might not be a bad idea to take a nap. "That's the best birthday present I'll ever get."

Sam smiled, although she knew he couldn't see it, tilted her head just enough to kiss his temple.

"Who'd have thought you were such a romantic?"

"Shhh... don't tell anyone..." He mumbled something else, but she didn't hear it, and she waited for him to repeat himself, only to realize he'd fallen asleep. She smiled again, and toyed with the notion of getting up. She had a lot to do that afternoon, and he wouldn't know if she wasn't there to keep him company. She didn't go, though. Instead, she reached down and stroked Jaffer's ears gently, watching as the black lab fell asleep, too, then she closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift off. A quick nap with her guys, first. Then she'd get to work.

The end!

Author's note:

So there you have it! The story of Jack's proposal to Sam. What did you like? What did you hate? I know some of you wanted pure sappiness, but most of the time I like to add a bit of adventure to a story, and even a little excitement... it's just more fun that way.