Thanks once again for all your great reviews, especially those of you who review regularly, without you all I'd be lost.

As promised, here's the start of the fluffy chapters. I hope you enjoy them.

Junior

By Lingren

Previously:-

Jack grinned. He was more than happy for her to do so and to have Sam join him for a few days was just what he needed.

Chapter 20

Jack didn't phone home to let them know he had been healed and was on his way there; he wanted his return to be a surprise. So, he just turned up on the doorstep to the shocked amazement of his parents and Jon Junior who was delirious with joy.

"Daddy!" Jon shrieked with delight at the sight of his father standing there at the door.

"Jonathon! Oh my goodness! You're okay?" Melissa gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth, and she was rooted to the spot.

"I'm fine Mom. Don't ask me how, just accept it, okay?"

Jack then gathered the excited boy into his arms and swung him round, before Jon buried his head into the hollow of his father's neck hugging him for all he was worth, whilst Jack held him just as tightly, realising just how much he missed this and he didn't want to let him go.

Once the father and son reunion was over, he was hugged tightly by Melissa who was still amazed at his sudden healthy appearance after his close encounter with death. She tightened her arms around him further as tears of joy ran down her cheeks freely.

"You keep that up Mom, and I'll end up back in the infirmary with broken ribs!" Jack quipped with a laugh. She kissed him again before letting him go with a friendly slap to his arm.

"Oh Jonathon. I can't believe it," she blubbered, wiping away her tears but losing the battle. Jack cupped her face in his palms and leaned down to kissed them away.

"I'm fine Mom. No problems. I got a clean bill of health," he grinned.

John was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Jack was not only looking a lot better than when he'd last seen him, but he looked even fitter than before. There was a suspicious amount of moisture in the corner of his eyes, though no-one mentioned it, even if they had noticed. There wasn't a dry eye to be seen among the O'Neill's at this family reunion, even Sam wasn't immune to the emotional drama going on around her.

John and Jack exchanged a manly hug, and there was a mutual love that passed between them before they withdrew, each feeling slightly uncomfortable with such a blatant display of affection between them.

Sam warmed to them feeling awed that she was about to become part of this close knit family too. This was the real Jack, normally hidden away carefully lest he should appear weak to those with whom he worked. A man in his position had to act tough; it wasn't easy being a high ranking officer, as Sam was finding out for herself. Now though, he could lose that act and be himself.

"I'm pleased to see you're well son," John sighed with relief. "Welcome home!"

"Thanks Dad. It's good to be back."

If anyone looked closely they would see that Jack's cheeks were damp too and Sam was surreptitiously wiping her eyes as well. Melissa welcomed her in and pulled her into an embrace too, happy to have Sam join them in celebration.

All in all it was a wonderful homecoming, and to commemorate his return to full health and his retirement, they all went out for an evening meal.

Jon Junior however, would not leave Jack's side, and clung to him, afraid of letting him go again. Jack was very patient with him and accepted that the boy had been thoroughly shaken up and had been desperately frightened in his short life already, and the thought that he might have lost his father as well, meant he would have no-one left to look after him or to love him as much. It was understandable, given how he had lost his mother and brother, along with his sister-in-law and niece, and all his friends. Jack knew that in time his son would learn to relax and would grow more confident, gradually releasing his stranglehold on him.

Throughout the meal in the restaurant, Jon told Jack all about his visit to the zoo earlier that day. How he'd petted the baby animals, and played in the adventure area. Jack was surprised that he could eat anything else after devouring a hot dog, cotton candy and ice cream as well as his lunch.

By the time they had reached the end of the splendid meal though, Jon Junior was curled up on his father's lap, fast asleep while the adults chatted quietly. It had been such an exciting day for him, culminating in the return of his beloved father. Jack smiled down at him but refused to allow anyone else to hold him, needing the tactile contact for himself as well as for Jon.

OoOoOoOoO

The next day, Jack, dressed in leather jacket, roll neck sweater and jeans, sauntered up the walk to rap on the door. He waited impatiently for it to be opened and when it was he couldn't help keep the smug grin off his face. He held out a single red rose to the beautiful woman standing there looking like a million dollars, even if she was dressed in figure-hugging jeans and a baggy sweatshirt.

"Hi there beautiful!" Jack smirked, bringing a wide smile to Sam's lips.

"Hi yourself handsome. Come on in." Sam grinned and stepped back to allow him to enter, though she stopped him just inside the door for a 'hello' kiss. She vaguely recalled shutting the door with her foot as her hands and mind were busy elsewhere.

Jack sucked in a huge breath and savoured the tingle from her lips that lingered behind after she'd pulled away.

"You ready?" he asked, clearing his throat and looking her up and down with satisfaction.

"Yeah. Just let me put this in water and I'll grab my coat.

Jack watched her as she walked down the hallway to the kitchen and he could hear her humming softly to herself. He smiled as he listened, knowing he was the one who had reduced her to such feminine habits.

"Jack?"

He snapped out of his reverie and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Got everything?"

She took his hand and kissed his knuckles.

"I got everything I ever wanted thanks," she said grinning, her blues eyes intently watching for his reaction.

"You sure about this? I mean, you can still change your mind?"

"Jack!" she warned. "I love you. No-one else; and there's no-one else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. Let's go!"

Jack shrugged, still looking doubtful, wondering what the hell she ever saw in an old 'geezer' like him, but he wasn't complaining.

"I was pretty much out of it when I asked you," he stated, "Are you positive you wanna go through with this?"

"No!" she said firmly, stopping their progress.

His eyebrows shot up and he looked aghast for a moment, before she put him out of his misery.

"Jack, if you need to keep asking me that, then I will change my mind," she joked, with an evil smirk.

"Oh! Okaaay. Shall we?" he drawled, smiling, still unable to believe his luck.

Sam shook her head at his antics as they walked to his truck sitting on the drive.

The downtown stores were crowded with shoppers, but Jack led her through the throng with confidence until they arrived at their destination.

They entered the jewellers and he told Sam to pick whatever she wanted from the trays the assistant had set before her.

The range was extensive but Sam zeroed in on one in particular that had caught her eye. A single sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds. She blanched at the price tag, but Jack wanted her to have it, saying it was worth the wait and she was more than he deserved.

Sam was so happy she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him there in the middle of the store after he slipped it onto her finger to a round of applause from the staff and other customers.

Sam blushed and Jack thought he couldn't ask for anything better than this. He was in heaven.

They went for a celebratory meal at an Italian restaurant nearby and took a stroll through the park despite the chilly wind. Winter had arrived and it was cold enough for snow, though they'd never felt warmer.

TBC