Epilogue
"You have a lovely home, Mrs. Foutch."
The woman smiled at the compliment and invited them into the main living room.
"Thank you, Mrs. O'Neill. Please, feel free to explore it to your hearts content during your stay. We love to answer questions about the history of the house – and even some of the more famous guests we've had staying with us. Do you know that seven different presidents have stayed in the room you and your husband will be sleeping in?"
Sam shook her head.
"I didn't, no." She smiled at Jack, putting her hand in his once more at the reminder of just what a nice place this was.
The mansion that housed the bed and breakfast he'd brought her to had been built at the turn of the last century. It was – as she'd read in the brochure – an incredible mix of architecture, history and elegance, and the place was huge and spotless. The great hall – the first room they'd entered after having been met at the curb by a valet intent on taking their luggage to their room, a valet intent on taking the truck so Jack wouldn't have to park it, and another valet – who called himself the butler – who had brought them in to the house to meet their hostess – was only the first of what would undoubtedly be countless amazing rooms. Especially since the main living room was just as huge and elegant – and somehow still managed to be homey and comfortable. There were several sofas, a couple of recliners, and a love seat. There was no television around which these furnishings were gathered. Instead there was a huge fireplace that wasn't lit just then, but probably would be before the evening was through.
"Well, they have," Mrs. Foutch assured her with another smile. "Let me show you two to your room so you can have a chance to relax before dinner. Or if you prefer, you can always have dinner brought up to you…"
She didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she lead them towards a huge staircase – marble, no less – and started up the stairs at a slow enough pace that Jack and Sam could take in the view the stairs afforded them of the main dining room and part of the main living room.
"This place is amazing," Sam whispered to Jack. "How did you find it?"
He smiled, his brown eyes warm and only for her. He'd been worried that she was going to balk at leaving Jacob for even a weekend, and was exceptionally pleased with himself that he'd found a place so amazing that even his Sam was impressed by it.
"I asked around… this place was at the top of everyone's list…"
"I can't believe you managed to get us a room…"
A place this nice had to have a waiting list a mile and a half long – and probably cost a small fortune. Jack just shook his head, his smile more mischievous, now. He loved having his little secrets, after all. And she didn't need to know just how hard he'd worked to get them their room.
"Let's just say someone owed me big time – and now they don't."
She didn't press, knowing he liked having his little secrets and unwilling to ruin it for him Besides, they had reached the top of the stairs, now, and their guide/hostess was showing them into the first door on the left at the top of the hall.
"Oh, my…"
The room was even lovelier than the rest of the house. A small foyer opened up to the main bedroom area, where there were two dressers – his and hers – and a huge bed that dominated the rest of the room. The large windows were opened, letting in the late spring breeze as the gossamer curtains danced lazily with every slight gust. It was light and airy and Sam could easily believe that presidents had stayed there.
Mrs. Foutch was obviously used to such reactions. She merely smiled, and handed Jack the key to the room. "I'll let you explore the rest of the room yourself," she told them. "Your things have already been brought up and unpacked, so you might need a minute to look through them and make sure they're where you want them to be. Dinner is at seven, and while many will dress formal, it's by no means necessary to." She pointed to a phone on the stand by the bed. "If you need anything, dial 0 for the operator, and we'll be happy to help you – and all calls will be automatically forwarded to you if someone calls for you."
"Thank you," Jack told her, knowing that Sam would feel better knowing that. He, of course, already did. He'd explained to Mrs. Foutch that this was their first time away from their new baby, and that Sam might be a little nervous if they didn't have easy phone access, and the older woman had put his worries to rest immediately, saying she'd make sure there was nothing to panic about.
"Enjoy your stay with us."
She left them alone, then, and closed the door behind her, and Sam turned to Jack.
"You're an amazing man, you know that?"
He smiled, and pulled her into his arms, brushing a kiss against her cheek.
"I've heard rumors…"
Sam chuckled and pulled away, taking his hand and leading him around the room as she explored the huge bathroom – complete with indoor hot tub, and not just one, but two walk-in closets, where their scant amounts of clothing were hanging already.
"You're spoiling me outrageously," she said as they completed the tour of the room. Their own private sanctuary.
Jack shrugged.
"You deserve it." He kicked off his shoes and pushed them under the bed where they wouldn't get tripped over. "You've been very busy the last few months – and before that – and I think you need a chance to relax and be pampered."
She smiled and hugged him close.
"You're not worried about leaving Jaffer with Ian?"
Jack shook his head.
"Ian has a lab. He knows how deceitful they can be. Jaffer's in good hands."
"And Jake?"
Jack smiled, and kissed Sam softly.
"Who's your best friend? The one person you trust with everything that is dear and loved to you? And just so happens to be arguably the most talented doctor in the world?"
"Janet."
"Who is now watching our son with just as much care as you and I could give him – minus the whole breast-feeding thing, which I can't do, either."
Sam smiled, although there was just a slight cloud of anxiety in her expression at the thought of not being there in case Jacob needed her.
"What if something happens?"
"Nothing's going to happen."
"What if something does?" She pressed, suddenly anxious.
Jack cuddled her close.
"Even if Janet suddenly lost all motor skills completely, and something actually did happen – say she even managed to drop Jake on his head or something – what do you think she'd do?"
"Call us?"
He shook his head, smiling.
"She'd call Ian – who is probably hanging out with Cassie, anyways, and well within calling distance – and Ian would come over, and put his hand on Jake's little bumped head and in an instant, Jake would be fine. Right?"
What was the use of having Ian's healing ability at their disposal if he couldn't use it to reassure Sam?
She nodded, just like he knew she would. They both knew that Ian wasn't going to be too far away from Cassie that weekend and that Cassie always carried a cell phone, even if Ian hardly ever remembered his. Janet would have no trouble getting hold of him if she needed him – although Jack was certain nothing would happen. Janet was far too responsible for that.
"And then Ian would eat everything in sight and take a nap – which would still put him close by in case Janet needed him," Jack finished. "So relax, Sam. Jake's fine."
She nodded, feeling just a little guilty for worrying so much when he was obviously trying so hard to get her to have a good time.
"I'll try."
"You do that."
He kissed her softly, and she felt a different kind of tension completely. They had all weekend. Nothing would interrupt their private time. No work. No baby. No concerns about anyone or anything. It was just the two of them – and it was just a little intoxicating to someone who hadn't had the chance to be the center of anything since the birth of the baby. She returned his kiss with an enthusiasm that left him breathless – and his heart racing.
"I don't know about you, Colonel O'Neill," she said, pulling back and smiling at the effect she had on him – God, she loved him so much. "But I wouldn't mind a long hot soak before dinner."
And if something else happened while they were soaking… well… dinner could always wait. Right?
Jack smiled, nodded his agreement, and allowed her to lead him into the bathroom.
"If you wash my back, I'll wash yours…"
The End!
Author's note: We probably didn't need to go much further into that particular area, after all!
So what did you think? Liked it? Hated it? Interesting? Boring? Let me know! I loved writing it, just so you know, because I've been holding onto those secrets for a long time, now and it was fun to reveal some of them!