Author: roseofthegate
Disclaimer: The legal stuff, ya know? See a lawyer if ya have questions. BTW: I don't own any brand names. i.e. Star Wars, Jell-O
A/N: Let me clear up the air. I got my first flame, for Chapter Eleven and I'm gonna leave it there because y'all deserve to read what everyone thinks about this story. Oh and just in case my Flamer reads again, may I add, that according to all legality, an extortionist is a criminal who extorts money from someone for something in return, according to the Google dictionary. Anyway to my sweet and supportive readers:
TO: ilive4cake00: My darling beta. Thank you SO much for your supportive review. It made me smile and reminded me that you're my bestest friend for a really good reason.
TO: 'Jane': My dear Flamer: my beta is my best friend and I respect her suggestions and add them to my chapter. All I have to say to you.
TO: debcole: Thank you for your constant support. Your review made my day because I received it the same time I received the flame and I hadn't seen my beta's yet. You're wonderful!
TO: froggy0319: It is an honor to write the chapters and post for you. Thanks for all your input.
TO: LimeJuiceTub: Thanks for reviewing. On your comment about Jacob being OOC, you have to remember that he was just messing with Jack's head to see how loyal he is to Sam.
And with out further ado...(drum roll, please) CHAPTER TWELVE!
Sam's Point of View
CHRISTMAS DAY
I arrived at Jack's house at 07:30 hours to help him get the Christmas ham going and make sure his house was in order. When I arrived, Dad was still sleeping and Jack was barely awake. I let myself in and went to the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," I said to him.
He merely grunted in return and took another sip of coffee. "Did you buy the food for dinner today?" Another grunt that was accompanied by a nod. "You know it's pointless talking to you this early?" This time I only received a nod. "Okay," I said and went to start poking around in his refrigerator. I found the ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberries, and some already made blue Jell-O. I smiled when I saw the last item and pulled out the sweet potatoes. I made a simple, marshmellowless casserole out of them and then turned to making chocolate-chip cookies and an apple pie. Jack sat at the table watching me, obviously thinking about something. Who knows what? He's always thinking up something.
My dad wandered in right after I finished the casserole. "Mornin' kiddo," he said and kissed me on the cheek.
"Hi, Dad," I greeted him, adding ingredients to the electric mixer for the cookies.
"What are you makin'?" he asked.
"Chocolate-chip cookies," I said. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down next to Jack and began watching me just like my boyfriend. It was starting to creep me out, to be honest.
"Look," I began, "Don't you guys have something to do? Like starting the fire or making sure the family room is clean, or something besides watching ME?!?"
The two of them jumped. Obviously they didn't think they were bothering me. Jack muttered something about the fireplace and Dad mumbled something else about taking a shower. I rolled my eyes as they walked out and finished the cookies and pie in record time. Daniel, Cassie, and Teal'c weren't here yet so I put the green beans together and prepared the ham so all I would have to do is slip them in the oven.
As I was setting the cookies out in the family room where the tree was I heard Daniel and Teal'c pull up. A few moments later Cassie was here, too.
Jack and Dad met them at the door and helped them with the gifts they were bearing. The five-some then burst into the family room.
"Merry Christmas, Sam!" Daniel said as he came over and hugged me. Cassie echoed him as she laid the presents out under the tree.
Teal'c greeted me with a solemn but merry in his own way, "Merry Christmas, Samantha-Carter."
"Merry Christmas, T," I said in return.
Dad appeared soon after that and it was declared present opening time. Cassie went first. She received a new cell phone from me, prepaid minutes from Jack and Daniel. A couple new CD's and a gift card to the mall.
Daniel received books from Jack and myself, a beautifully carved statue from Chulak from Teal'c. Cassie gave him a photo album full of pictures of Janet, himself, and a few of her. When Danny received this he smiled at Cassandra so thankful that he couldn't express himself.
Teal'c was a hard person to shop for. Since he no longer could live outside of the SGC, Jack and then Katharine Marie granted him a small suite of rooms inside the mountain. So he received gifts to help him furnish his new home.
Somewhere in there I slipped out to start dinner. When I returned, the five-some insisted that I open my gifts. Teal'c gave me the complete Star Wars DVD collection. Daniel got me another science fiction movie, knowing it wouldn't last longer than any of its predecessors. Cassie gave me a bottle of my favorite perfume and then it was time to eat.
The six of us ate with gusto throughout the entire meal. Cassie left shortly after because she had promised Dominic, her boyfriend, that she would spend the afternoon with his family this Christmas. We sent her off with lots of cookies.
The afternoon passed quickly with lots of joking and bantering. At about 18:30 hours the sky began to darken like it was going to storm, and Daniel and Teal'c left. I cleaned up the place as Jack gently snored on the couch, sleeping off his supper. I smiled at the picture; he looked so cute.
About mid-afternoon Dad had left to go see Mark and his kids, so he wasn't here either. He promised to try to make it back to Jack's before it got too late.
I was in the kitchen, just having finished cleaning up when I heard Jack enter. I looked up and he was bearing a small box wrapped in deep green paper with a wide gold ribbon.
"Jack?" I asked quietly.
"I know, I know, I wasn't supposed to get you anything, but I couldn't resist. Please..." he begged me to open it.
I gently took off the paper and ribbon and opened the box just to find another one. I looked up to see Jack smiling. The next smaller box was wrapped in a midnight blue paper with a delicate silver ribbon tied around the corner. I carefully removed the paper and open the box. There was note on top. I took it out and set the box on the counter, not noticing the rest of its contents.
The note read:
Dearest Samantha,
Almost nine years ago you walked into my life. I knew from the moment I met you that you were incredibly special and through the years I've always been afraid of losing you. I don't know if I'd be able to ever go through that. Will you become a permanent part of my life?
Love,
JackI looked at him to find him on one knee holding a blue velvet box with a beautiful three diamond ring in gold.
"Will you marry me, Sam?" he whispered.