29?

A/N: Thanks to MissPat for the beta of this chapter!

Jack, who had pulled one of the empty beds next to Sam's after he had placed the baby in the clear bassinet thing Janet had left for them, woke up early the next morning. Sam was still asleep and he smiled at her. He wondered what she'd want to name the baby. They hadn't talked about it, as Sam had kept shrugging when he asked what she was thinking about. He knew she had ideas, but for whatever reason, she wasn't voicing them.

It suddenly dawned on him, as he watched the woman of his dreams and her baby sleeping, that Sam would undoubtedly give the baby Pete's last name. The thought struck him hard. Though the baby was Pete's, and Jack would be forever thankful to him for helping the beautiful child come into the world, Jack couldn't help but feel betrayed. He knew eventually he and Sam would get married and she would forever be his. They'd carry his last name, not Pete's.

Jack looked over at the baby girl. He suddenly felt the need to give these two girls a part of him. Something no one could take away, no matter what happened to him.

Jack looked at his watch. Four in the morning. He wondered if anyone was up yet. Probably not. All the workaholics were either at home - Daniel, or sleeping off a twenty hour labor - Sam. Jack peeked his head outside the lab and looked up and down the corridor. He spotted Siler rushing down the hall and hollered for him as quietly as possible. "What's wrong?" He asked when Siler stopped to look at him.

Siler sighed, then walked towards the colonel. "Nothing, I was just trying to avoid you."

Jack grinned, taking no offence to what Siler said. "I have to go for a moment, stay in here and make sure everything stays calm."

Siler was about to protest when Jack grabbed him and shoved him in the room. He rushed around the complex, trying to find something that would suffice. He was gone twenty minutes and on the verge of giving up when he remembered the candy machine in the commissary. He ran into the cafeteria and straight to the candy jewelry suspensor. He had put in almost three dollars before what he wanted fell down the little hole and into his waiting hands. He spent another minute trying to open the plastic container his precious item was held in. When it finally opened with a pop, Jack smiled and threw away the plastic egg. He left the ten or so other eggs on a table, figuring someone would enjoy them.

He quietly rushed into the medical bay, relieved Siler with a nod and a smile for thanks, and plopped on his bed next to Sam. Rooster raised his ears and wagged his tail. Jack was about to make him stop, knowing the banging of a heavy tail on her feet would wake Sam, when she opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Good morning." He whispered.

Sam smiled, yawning. "Morning." She rubbed her eyes and smiled when Rooster nuzzled her thigh. She reached down to pet him while looking at Jack.

Jack, ignoring all the uneasiness and uncertainties that began to pump through his veins, bent down on one knee and looked into Sam's clear blue eyes. She gasped a little. "Sam, I love you. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone." He looked over at the still sleeping baby and Sam followed his gaze. "And I love her." He said, still watching the baby. "She's opened up a part of my heart that I thought had died with Charlie." He turned back to face Sam. "I want you two in my life, forever and always. I want to be known as your husband and her father. I want you both to have my last name, the only thing I can give you that no one can ever take away. Sam, I'll love you until my very last breath. Will you marry me?" And he produced his now sticky-from-sweat blue sugar ring.

Sam laughed gently, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes." She said quietly, reaching for him.

Jack brought her into a hug, squeezing tightly. He quickly let her go when he heard her groan. "Sorry." He said. He didn't realize how sore she was. He didn't really expect her to wear the ring, but she insisted that he put it on for her. "I'll get you a real one later."

In the silence of the medical bay Sam said, "You're wrong though Jack."

He blanched as he held her hand. "About what?"

"Your last name isn't the only thing you can give us." He waited for her to finish. "You can give us love Jack."

"You've already got all of it." He said, kissing her lips tenderly.