Sam sat down on one of the chairs she had laid out, looking over the room. She had set out enough chairs for everyone that was coming, adding snacks and drinks onto the table in the middle; she wanted everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed.

She jumped as the doorbell rang, her heart pounding as she answered it, relieved to find that it was Emma.

"Hey Sam."

"Hey, come in. I thought you were one of the guys arriving early to interrogate me before hand." She joked, trying to relieve the tension.

Emma smiled politely, walking past Sam and into the house. She sat herself down on one of the chairs, nervously playing with the hem of her coat.

Sam watched her, leaning against the wall. "What's wrong?"

Emma looked up at her, sighing quietly. "I think Cassie was really upset when I told her. She didn't say anything but it was clear from the way she acted. I don't think she ever wants to talk to me again."

Sam shook her head. "I don't believe that. She was probably just shocked. Janet will have talked to her about it, sorted everything out, Janet's good at doing that."

Emma didn't look convinced. Sam was about to try again when the doorbell rang, both heads shooting to face the door.

"They're here." Sam whispered, slowly moving to open it, thankful that the truth could finally be revealed but terrified of what it would result in. Plastering a smile on her face she opened the door. She was slightly surprised to see them all at the door at the same time, but recovered quickly and waved a hand to invite them in.

She watched them pass, heard them greet Emma, waiting until everything had quietened before closing the door and following them, taking deep breaths to try and steady herself.

She relaxed almost instantly as she saw Cassie putting her arms round Emma, pulling her into a friendly hug.

"I'm sorry I reacted so badly, it was just a lot to take in."

Emma smiled, hugging her friend back. "It's ok."

Sam walked over to them, placing her arms around both of them. "My two beautiful girls." They both smiled at her before detaching from each other, Cassie moving to sit next to Janet as Emma and Sam took the few steps require to place them at the front of the room.

"So," Sam started, looking over the people gathered before her. Jack was smirking slightly, amusement dancing in his eyes, giving her the strength she needed to carry on. Teal'c was sat next to him, his face unexpressive as always, but not unreadable, she could clearly see calm acceptance in his features. Janet and Daniel were sat together, his arm resting on her shoulder as they both looked towards her. Cassie was sat at their feet, playing with the laces on Daniel's shoes as she waited to see what would happen.

"We have a new member of the family," Jack finished for her, grinning at Emma.

"Yep, you now have a new Aunt and three very protective uncles," Cassie added.

Emma looked at them in shock, blushing slightly. "But you've only just met me."

"You're Sam's daughter, which instantly makes you one of the family. And we all loved you even before we knew that, you made one hell of an impression at my house." Janet stood up, wrapping the girl in a hug. "That's if you want us."

Emma nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I'd love that."

"Now that's sorted can we have a party to celebrate?" Daniel asked.

"Only if that's not the only thing we're celebrating." Jack commented, winking at Sam, who had slowly been relaxing. She tensed up instantly, shaking her head.

Cassie watched the exchange, laughing quietly. "If this is about the fact you guys have got together that's old news."

The both turned to her, looking slightly shocked. "Really?"

"Yep."

"Indeed, it was an easy change to recognise."

"Oh."

They shared a look, both relaxing, Jack with a slightly evil glint in his eye. "Does this mean that you don't want to be a bridesmaid?"

Cassie froze mid laugh, taking a few seconds to understand what he had just said. "Seriously?"

"With the help of Janet and Emma of course." Sam smiled, feeling the weight of all the secrets lifting off her shoulders. Looking at the people around her, her family and her friends, she felt complete. The sound of the phone ringing dragged her back to reality and she excused herself to answer it.

Jack watched her leave, his joy turning to worry when she didn't reappear. Following the route she took he stood outside the room, eavesdropping on her conversation.

"I'm not sure I understand why you're telling me this General….He did? That's odd. What's his name?…" He heard her gasp, the phone dropping to the floor. Rushing in he found her shaking, her hand over her mouth trying to fight back the sobs that were threatening to consume her.

"Sam? What happened?"

She shook her head, unable to voice it. He pulled her into a hug, whispering softly into her ear to try and calm her.

"That was General Hammond on the phone?"

She nodded, slowly regaining control of her breathing. "He was telling me about some of the new recruits to the SGC, one of them…he'd said that he known me years ago and couldn't wait to see me again…When the General told me who it was...I guess I overreacted." She pulled away from him, looking down at the floor as she picked up the phone and placed it back in its charger.

Reaching out to her, he took her hand in his, forcing her to look at him. "You know you can tell me anything right?"

She smiled weakly at him, checking that no one was outside the door before moving them to the other side of the room. "The new recruit, the one that knew me, he's…he's Emma's father."

TBC