Sam woke first, an unusual occurrence. She watched Jack sleeping for a few minutes but her excitement about returning home, being with Jack, and being pregnant meant she couldn't stay still. She decided to take a shower so she wouldn't wake Jack.
Her shower was sadly not as refreshing as she'd hoped since she didn't have much hot water after ten months of lack of use. She'd been so preoccupied with Jack, and Jack's body, last night that it hadn't occurred to her to turn up the water heater. After her lukewarm shower she wrapped up in her terry cloth robe and went into the kitchen. She started a pot of coffee, hoping to find warmth and comfort in a cup.
As Sam watched the coffee perk she realized this might not be the best thing to do while she was pregnant. She knew plenty of women drank coffee while pregnant and had normal beautiful children but she figured since ten month of captivity had broken her habit this might not be right time to start it again. Sam let the coffee finish brewing while she heated up a cup of water to make green tea.
Sam heard the water in the shower begin, letting her know Jack was conscious. Sam was looking in the cabinets and realizing going out was their best bet as the lock on the front door unlatched. Sam looked towards the entrance to the kitchen and tensed. She heard the door open but she wasn't in a position to see who entered her home.
"Sam?" Sam's tension changed but increased. Pete walked past the kitchen towards the living room.
"Pete?" Sam's voice was strangled. Pete spun. His face lit up at the sight of her. He ran into the kitchen, lifted her up, and hugged her tightly.
"I've missed you Sam." He let her feet touch the floor but his hold on her didn't relax.
"How'd you know..."
"Some General called your brother. He called me." Pete reached up ad caressed her cheek. He leaned down to kiss her but she turned her head.
"Pete." She put her hands on his chest and gave him a slight push. He let her move back just far enough so her chest wasn't pressed against his.
"Sam? What's wrong? Did they hurt you?" Pain erupted across his face at the implication.
"I wasn't hurt." Pete visibly relaxed but still looked puzzled.
"Good."
"But things changed while I was gone."
"I knew things would be different when you got back and I'm ready to help you. I wrote you notes and left you messages almost every day so you'd know I'd been thinking about you while you were gone. I hope your machine was able to hold all those messages." Sam remembered the furiously blinking light on her answering machine and felt guilty.
"I haven't listened to them yet."
"I understand. You just got back." Sam's feeling of guilt increased ten fold as she heard the shower turn off. Pete also heard the noise and turned towards the hall. Sam used his lapse in concentration to her advantage and pulled out of his embrace.
"Pete."
"Is someone else here?"
"Yes, let me explain."
"Explain what?" Pete's head volleyed between looking down the hall and watching Sam.
"I really appreciate how you kept me in your thoughts. It means a lot to me that you care that much."
"But?"
"I fell in love."
"I know. You agreed to marry me a year ago. If you hadn't been captured we'd probably be happily married by now and starting our family."
"Possibly."
"Possibly? Why possibly?"
"There's no telling what would have happened if I hadn't been taken prisoner. Heck, if I'd been here I could be dead by now. Perhaps my capture saved my life."
"What are you taking about?"
"Ok, that was a bit off subject."
"The subject was our marriage."
"Your marriage?" Sam turned her head to see Jack standing in her hallway wearing a towel. There were water droplets glistening on his chest and his hair was wet and tussled. He looked down right eatable.
"What the hell!" Sam quickly moved so she was between Jack and Pete.
"Like I said, things changed while I was gone."
"You're sleeping with your boss?"
"I'm not her boss and we didn't just sleep." Sam put her hand out to stop Pete's advance towards Jack.
"Bastard! What did you do to her?"
"He didn't do anything!" Sam felt Jack's stiff rigid posture behind her as Pete became more agitated.
"That's not technically true, sweetheart. I did get you pregnant." The color drained from Pete's face. His gaze slipped from Jack's face to Sam's. He saw the confirmation in her eyes and gave up his fight.
"Congratulations. I hope you're happy together." Sam's stomach dropped. Jack suddenly felt like the heel he'd been. Pete turned around.
"I'm sorry Pete. That was low. Believe me when I say we didn't have a choice at first and then we found ourselves in love. Sam never would've betrayed you if it hadn't been necessary. It's just not who she is."
"I know." Pete stepped towards the door. He stopped by the hall table and reached out to the answering machine.
"Messages deleted." The mechanical voice answered Sam's unspoken question.
"I'm sorry Pete."
"Don't be. I knew even before you left that you weren't really mine. I was a fool to hang on to something so obviously contrived." Pete walked out the door. Sam turned and pressed her face into Jack's chest. He rubbed her head and back as they listened to the car puling out of the drive.
"I'm sorry I was an ass, Sam. He didn't deserve my attitude. Seeing him just took me by surprise and my jealously leapt out."
"I understand. I don't like it, but I understand."
"I'll make it up to you."
"Damn right you will." Sam gave Jack a small smile and a hug. He returned the hug as he stared at the door. They dressed and went out for breakfast. The tension that escalated to epic proportions while Pete was around began to dissipate as they both realized they'd handled the situation poorly. They both apologized repeated until they promised to stop.
"What do you want to do today?" Sam looked across the table at Jack. Jack folded his napkin into a paper airplane before he looked up.
"I want to go tell Hammond I accept his offer so we can get married." Sam's eyes bulged. Jack had expected the shock but the grin spreading across her face took him by surprise.
"I agree."
"What?"
"I refuse to say I was wrong, because that's a lousy way for any woman to start a marriage, but I do agree with your decision." Jack's face lit up and he grabbed her hand from across the table.
"Let's stop at a jewelry story I know across town before we go back to the mountain." She returned his grin as he stood, leaving a generous tip for the waitress. The jewelry store was uptown. They made custom jewelry and displayed materials from some of the most famous designers.
"We don't need anything this elaborate Jack. Just simple bands will be enough." Sam whispered into his ear as her gaze wandered over the merchandise.
"May I help you?" An older woman approached them.
"Yes, we'd like to buy an engagement ring and a set of wedding bands."
"We have an excellent selection in this display case." The woman led them the middle of the store. Sam saw a 1/4 carat diamond solitaire ring that seemed appropriate. She pointed it out to Jack. He shook his head no and pointed to a 3/4 carat diamond near the first ring. The saleswoman pulled out Jack's ring. It fit Sam perfectly.
"Jack, this is too much. You can't spend this much money on a ring. Let's have a real honeymoon or fix up the nursery instead of buying a big ring."
"I've been a bachelor for a long time now. It doesn't take much money to pay for one. I've built up a nice saving account and I intend to use it wisely, on you and our life together." Sam looked at the ring on her finger and smiled. She did love it. When he saw her caress the ring he knew he'd won again. That made two home runs for O'Neill. He liked his averages so far. They found wedding bands they both liked. Jack purchased the whole set. The saleswoman promised the wedding bands would be sized by the next day.
They walked through the park and had lunch before heading to the mountain. They passed through the security checks and headed for General Hammond's office. Their hands had fallen to their sides as soon as they stepped up to the first security desk. They were still Air Force officers and old habits die hard.
" General, Colonel, it's good to see you both again so soon." General Hammond greeted them as they took the offered seats.
"We've come to a decision."
"I'd hoped as much."
"I'll take your offer, immediately if possible."
"Done." Everyone in the room smiled. "If you don't mind my asking, what are your plans now?" Jack looked over at Sam. Sam lifted her hand and showed the General.
"We hope to get married as soon as possible." Sam answered the General's question as he looked at her ring.
"How does six months ago sound?"
"Sir?" The joint and identical responses amused the General. He opened the top desk drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"This is your marriage certificate, if you're interested. It's dated six months ago. If you want to accept this I wouldn't be opposed to hosting a renewal of vows ceremony."
"How did you do this? Why did you do this?" Jack questioned.
"The how was easy, the president likes you. The why is even easier, Jacob suggested it. Apparently he didn't like the idea of you getting married after Sam got pregnant." Sam giggled as Jack looked over at her.
"I'm gonna kill him." The words slipped out between Sam's embarrassed giggles.
"Does that mean you're not interested in the offer?" The General watched Jack and Sam look into each other's eyes, having a silent but serious discussion.
"We'd be honored to accept both the wedding certificate and the offer to host a renewal of vows ceremony. Have you made the same offer to Daniel and Teal'c?" The General reached back into his desk and pulled out two more certificates.
"Not yet, but I'm prepared." Jack and Sam both laughed.
"Then I suggest we have a joint ceremony, if they're interested." Sam held Jack's hand and smiled.
"I'll get Walter on it as soon as I speak with them. Let's plan on doing it this Friday night since I have to get back to Washington and the Tok'ra are chewing at the bit to get your Dad back out there."
"Friday works for us." Jack looked over at Sam and she nodded.
"Don't worry about anything. Walter is amazing at planning social events. Just show up and be prepared to dance, eat, say I do, and kiss the bride."
"The last part is my favorite." Jack's grinned turned feral and Sam pushed his arm. The General loved seeing them so free and happy.
"I'll have to call your Dad and tell him he owes me 50. I'll also be sure he gets back from Marks in time for the ceremony. I'm sorry your brother can't attend since some otherworldly dignitaries will be coming."
"I understand, sir. We'll go visit him later."
"Alright, then. Get out of here and enjoy the rest of your week off. Plan a honeymoon for the week after, you've earned the time." Jack shook the General's hand and Sam gave him a hug before they left.
Friday was everything the General promised. Walter went overboard decorating the commissary. Jacob gave Sam away while Nynan and Rania stood with Daniel and Teal'c. Once the three couples were together the base Chaplin conducted a short ceremony. The room exploded in applause as the three couples kissed.
Daniel took Nynan to Hawaii to relax in the sun and visit the volcanoes. Teal'c took Rynan to visit Ry'ac. Their child was due to be delivered in three weeks and he wanted her to meet his son before his daughter was born.
Jack took Sam to the cabin. He'd wanted to bring her here for years and she'd wanted to go but she'd refused in fear she'd cross lines she shouldn't if she entered such intimate territory. The cabin was masculine, cozy and warm. They unpacked the truck, started a fire and made hot chocolate. Sam curled up on the old sofa sipping her hot chocolate while Jack looked for the marshmallows.
"Ah-ha! I knew I packed them. Can't have hot chocolate without marshmallows." Jack sat down on the sofa beside Sam. He put the bag of marshmallows between them. He put four marshmallows in his cup, making the hot chocolate touch the rim of the cup. Sam took a marshmallow out of the bag and dipped it in her hot chocolate. She took it out and placed the dipped half of the marshmallow into her mouth. Her eyes closed as she sucked on the marshmallow. Jack's mouth watered as he watched her finish the sucking, taking a bite. She dipped the remainder of the marshmallow into her hot chocolate and placed it in her mouth. She repeated this twice before the moan he'd been suppressing slipped out. Sam glanced over at him. His cup was still full.
She chugged down the rest of he hot chocolate and slowly licked her lips. Jack moaned again. She placed her cup on a table beside the sofa. She took his cup from his hands and placed it beside hers. She knelt down in front of him. She released the button on his jeans and slid the zipper down. She pulled the edges of his fly apart. She licked her lips again.
Jack's head was still back on the sofa. Jack was so out of it he didn't care what happened as long as she kept working him. He didn't lift his head and look up until he felt the sofa cushions move. Without any warning she moved up to sit on his lap. Jack sucked in a deep breath and tried to not blow at the sudden and unexpected change.
"Holy Hannah."
"Jack?"
"I'm sure as hell gonna die happy." Sam grinned as she used the back of the sofa for leverage. Sam's body pulled up and slid back down slowly. Jack watched her as her eyes closed and her mouth opened. Her soft moan drove him insane. Sam's breathing increased and she sped up, getting more erratic.
Her shudder and loud moan was his first clue. Somehow she managed to keep moving, even as she plunged over the edge. The sight and feel of her was so intensely erotic that Jack immediately followed her into a blissful post-orgasmic haze. Sam collapsed against his chest, laying her head on his shoulder with her breath caressing his neck.
"Do you have any idea how incredibly hot it is to have your wife go down on you fully clothed?" Sam grinned against his neck, making him twitch.
"Not a clue. I never had a wife." Jack snickered.
"How many other new and interesting things am I going to learn about you?"
"Lots, but no more tonight. I'm exhausted."
"Makes sense. You worked hard." Sam nodded.
"Thank goodness it was so enjoyable." Sam lifted her head and looked into his eyes. He kissed her softly.
"Thank-you for being my wife. I love you."
"I love you too. I can't think of anything I want more then to be your wife." Jack reached down and caressed her belly.
"And the mother of my children?"
"Without a doubt. I'm gonna go get ready for bed."
"I'll clean up out here and be there in a few minutes." Sam stood and Jack slipped out of her folds. Neither bothered to cover the small bit of them that was exposed. Jack picked up the mugs and went to the kitchen. Sam went to the bathroom and then the bedroom. Jack rinsed the mugs, loaded the dishwasher, wiped up the counters, and put away the marshmallows and hot chocolate powder. He went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and headed to the bedroom. Sam was already asleep. The lights were dim. Jack watched her sleep, letting the feeling of love wash over him. He took off his clothes and climbed into bed behind Sam. He curled around her and closed his eyes, while thanking every benevolent God out there that he'd finally gotten what he wanted and needed, a life with Sam.
fini
