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After a brief discussion, it was decided that Lizzie would spend the weekend with Jack and Sam and then head up to Denver for her consult on Monday.

Sam, now knowing that Lizzie was no threat, was ecstatic. Lizzie was the complete opposite of Jack. Where Jack was more reserved and never talked about himself, Lizzie was jolly and never shut-up. In only a few hours, Sam learned 100 times more about Jack and his family than he had ever mentioned in the seven years they had known each other.

For one, Sam didn't even know Jack's parents were alive, let alone that he had siblings. And, not just one or two siblings. Sam soon found out that Jack was one of TEN! This was just unbelievable!

Jack and Sam were sitting on the couch in the living room listening to Lizzie prattle on about their family from her seat in Jack's chair.

"Oh, Sam, you have no idea how happy everyone is going to be when they find out you two are finally together," she rambled on, not even noticing the icy glare Jack was throwing at her. "Jack hasn't talked about any other woman but you since his divorce. It is always, Sam this, Carter that. Whenever any of us would ask him if he was ever going to chuck up the nerve to ask you out, he would start spouting something about rules and regulations. It was SO annoying at times. I think, before much longer, if you two hadn't gotten together, the other nine of us would have come down here and locked you two in a closet."

"Other nine?" Sam asked, cutting her off.

"Yeah, Jack has told you there are ten of us kids, hasn't he?"

"Uh, no," Sam said, looking sideways at Jack and giving him an incredulous look.

"What? Come on, I'm from an Irish-Catholic family, Sam. You never even suspected?" Jack asked her, trying to suppress his grin.

Sam, to say the least, was flabbergasted. "You never talk about your family. I just assumed you didn't have any, or at the least, was estranged," she managed to croak out, still shocked that Jack had nine other brothers and sisters.

"There isn't too much to say. They're all grown and have families of their own. I barely ever see them myself. I talk to my parents and Lizzie, maybe once a month. The others, even less," he confessed, looking at Sam.

"So, are you the oldest?" Sam asked Jack.

"No, Jackie is the third. Robert is the oldest, he's married with four kids, two in college, two in high school. Carolyn is second. She's the snob of the family. She's a lawyer, divorced, has an apartment in Chicago and New York. She and Jack have never gotten along. But, she's always there for any of us, if we need her. Jack's the third. Then Patrick is 10 months younger than Jack. They could easily pass as twins. He was married once, but, he seems to think he is doing a great service to the women-population by staying single. He has a few kids from a few different women out there somewhere. Rebecca is next. She is sort of the mother-hen of the family. She was always willing to watch us younger kids. She's married with four kids. My brother Michael is a priest. Melissa is married with six kids. Laura has never been married, but, has a son in high school. Sean was married two years ago, no kids yet. And, I am the youngest. I'm married to my wonderful husband, Brian, and have two beautiful girls, Kristen is eleven and Jasmine is nine," Lizzie rambled out, almost in one breath.

"Wow," was all Sam managed to say as she tried to process all the information.

"Yeah, like I said, not much to say," Jack added.

Sam just gave him a funny look.

"Okay, well, how about I throw some steaks on the grill for dinner?" Jack said, standing up and rubbing his hands together.

"Oh, that sounds great," Lizzie excitedly answered.

"Yeah, sounds good," Sam responded, much quieter, looking at Jack.

While Jack headed outside to start up the grill, Sam went to the kitchen to clear off the island and start making a salad. Lizzie followed her, wanting to help. Seeing her picking up the books and newspapers off the center-island, Lizzie picked up a book on her side of the counter.

"Ooh, a baby name book," she squealed as she read the title.

"Oh, yeah, Jack picked up a couple books when he was shopping about a month ago. He's been going through that one circling all the girl names he likes," Sam replied, smiling.

"So, it's a girl, you know for sure?" Lizzie asked, thumbing through the book.

"Yeah, I had an amniocentesis over a month ago. It's a girl," Sam answered, still smiling as she pulled vegetables out of the fridge.

"I see he hasn't circled very many names," Lizzie announced, still flipping through the pages.

"Uh, I noticed that, too. Apparently, Jack is a lot more pickier than he wants people to know."

"Yeah, he's always been like that. Always trying to hide his true emotions behind anger and indifference…….I see he circled the name Grace," Lizzie added as she stopped on a certain page.

"Grace. Hmm, I like that, he hasn't mentioned it to me," Sam replied, replaying the name over and over in her head. She really did like the name. It was definitely a contender.

"Grace was our grandmother's name," Lizzie said, with a hint of sadness.

"Really?" Sam asked, looking up at the other woman. "I didn't know that."

"Yeah, she and Jack were always very close. She even left him the old fishing cabin and the entire 100 acres that go with it in her will." Lizzie was actually quiet for a few moments before continuing. "A few years after my grandpa died, my grandma decided she wanted to spend every summer at the cabin. Everyone told her she couldn't because it wasn't safe. Jack went up there and totally remodeled the old cabin to better accommodate her. He put in insulation, a sewer system, running water, electricity, totally built on an extra bedroom and bathroom. Paid the telephone company to install a phone line. It took him a while, but she was absolutely thrilled when he took her up there when he was done. She spent the next couple summers there." Lizzie stopped talking and looked up at Sam, evident tears in her eyes waiting to fall. "She died there a couple years after Charlie…..She held on until Jack got there to say good-bye before she went. We don't even know who called Jack and told him she was dying. We were all so caught up in our own grief, and then, he was just there. We knew…..we knew when he walked in the room and we saw the look in her eyes, she was only still alive to see Jack one last time. She died a few minutes after he arrived," Lizzie finished, wiping at the tears that were now running free.

Sam was speechless. She always knew the cabin was important to Jack, but she never knew how much, or that it held such intimate memories for him. She was now berating herself for never going up there with him. Sam felt a tear escape her eye and run down her cheek. Instead of wiping it away, she looked over at Lizzie. "Thank-you……for telling me," she said quietly.

Lizzie smiled through her tears. "You're welcome."

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By the next day, Lizzie had filled Sam's head so full of information about Jack, Sam wasn't sure if her big brain could hold it all. The three of them were eating lunch, with plans for the girls to go shopping afterwards. Sam needed a few more maternity pants and Lizzie was just a natural-born shopper.

"So, I was thinking, Jack. It would probably be a good idea if you let everyone know Sam's pregnant before mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary party," Lizzie announced, while taking a bite of her sandwich.

"What?" Jack asked, with his usual confused expression on his face.

"Don't play dumb with me, Jonathon. I know you got the invitation. Don't tell me you never RSVP'd."

"Actually," Jack started. "I completely forgot about it, and with everything going on around here, I haven't talked to mom and dad in a few months."

"Well, it isn't for another two months. But, you should still call mom and dad and let them know if you two are coming or not," Lizzie replied.

"I don't know if we can, Liz, in two months, Sam is going to be almost eight months pregnant. She probably won't be able to travel," Jack added, an apologetic tone in his voice.

"Actually, I would love to go if we can get the time off," Sam cut in.

"Really?" Jack asked, looking surprised at Sam. He knew they were pretending to be a couple in front of his sister, but he didn't want to make her pretend in front of his whole family. That would be putting too much pressure on her. "I don't want to force you into anything, Sam," he said, looking directly in her eyes, sending her a silent message.

"Yes, sir, I know……..I would still really like to go……I mean, if you do, we don't have to if you're not comfortable," She started trailing off, self-doubt entering her thoughts.

"Uh, no! If you really want to go, I would love for you to meet my family," Jack said, looking lovingly at Sam. "Lizzie already told you they know all about you," he added, grinning at Sam with an embarrassed look on his face.

Sam smiled back at him, wondering if he had any idea how much she loved him, and then went back to eating her sandwich.

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Shortly after the girls left, Jack finally built up enough courage to make the phone call he had been avoiding for over a month now. It wasn't that he was scared to tell his parents that at the ripe old age of 47, he was going to be a father again. He was just nervous about exactly what to say to them. He knew they would ask lots of questions, and Jack was unsure of how to answer. Especially since many of the answers were classified, and Jack really hated lying to his family.

Picking up the phone and dialing the long-distance number he knew by heart, Jack waited for the familiar Minnesota-accent to come over the phone.

"Yello," came the familiar male-voice over the line.

"Hey, Dad, it's Jack."

"Jack! Ay, how've you been, son? We haven't heard from ya in a while," his dad answered in his normal, warm, cheery voice.

"Uh, yeah, I know, sorry about that, I've been busy," Jack said into the phone.

"Son, I would be shocked if you were ever not busy," his dad replied with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know, Dad. So, I hear you and mom are going to renew your wedding vows."

"Can you believe that? After 50 years don't ya think I would know those damn things by now. For cryin' out loud, if I don't know those vows by now, I'm never gonna. Ya know what I mean, son?"

Jack was laughing lightly at his dad's outburst. "Yeah, pops, I know how you feel."

"So, son, you gonna make it up here for 'em or what?" his father asked in a softer tone.

"Uh, yeah, actually that was what I was calling for. I'm going to try to get the time off work and bring Sam with me."

"Sam? Is that a man or is that the woman you're always going on about?

"She's the woman, dad. Major Samantha Carter," Jack added.

"Ah, that's great, son. I'm glad to hear happiness in your voice," his dad announced into the phone.

"Uh, yeah, I am happy, dad. Um, there is something I need to tell you before we come, though," Jack said, nervousness creeping back in.

"Huh, what? Hang on, Jack. Your mom just walked in the door. She wants to talk to ya. Yeah, it's Jack!…..Just pick up the one in the den……Well, I don't know. He said he's bringing that woman he's infatuated with…..yeah, her!"

Jack could hear his dad yelling to his mom who was, likely, on the other side of the house.

"Jackie, sweetie! How are you, dear?" Jack's mom's voice came over the phone line.

"I'm good, mom. How are you?" Jack replied.

"Oh, you know, can't keep me down," she replied in a cheery voice.

"He said he needs to tell us something before the party," his dad's voice cut into the line.

"Really, dear? What is it?" his mom asked, concern in her tone.

"Uh, well, dad told you I'm bringing Sam with me?" Jack asked his mom, nervously.

"Yes, he did, son, and, I am so excited! I can't wait to finally meet her! Are you two finally dating? Oh, are you two getting married, is that the news?" his mom asked, rambling on (a trait his sister had definitely picked up from her).

"Uh, no, mom. We're not getting married. Um, actually, we're having a baby," Jack quickly got out before he changed his mind.

"OH, JACK! I am so happy for you! Did you hear that, Charles? Jack's having another baby?"

"Yes, Maggie. I am on the line, too. Congratulations, son," his dad announced.

"Thank-you, dad."

"So, when is she due? Are you two going to get married sometime? Do you know if it's a girl or boy?" his mom rambled on, not even giving Jack a chance to answer.

Jack answered all his parents' questions and then after saying their good-byes, he hung up. He felt a huge weight lifted off of his chest after finally letting his parents know about Sam and the pregnancy. He got up and rummaged through the cupboards looking for a snack to occupy him until the ladies got back.

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A few days after Lizzie had left, Sam had made a decision. She grabbed a pen and paper and wrote a name down. After walking into the living room, she handed the paper to Jack, who was sitting in his chair, reading the newspaper. "What's this?" he asked, picking up the folded-up paper.

"It's what I want to name the baby," Sam stated nervously. Her big, blue eyes, staring down at Jack in the chair.

Jack gave her a confused look and then opened up the piece of paper. "Grace Louise O'Neill," he read, then looked up at Sam.

"Lizzie said Grace was your grandmother's name and Louise was my mother's name. I thought, maybe, we could give her a name that was important to both of us," Sam announced, incredibly nervous about what Jack's reaction would be.

Jack just looked at Sam for a few moments. Then, standing up out of his chair, he repeated the name quietly. "Grace Louise O'Neill. Grace Louise O'Neill." He looked down into Sam's gorgeous blue eyes. "Can I call her Gracie Lou?" he asked her softly.

"Sure," Sam answered, just as softly.

"Then, I think it's perfect," he said, smiling at Sam.

Sam smiled back, relieved that he seemed happy with the name. Jack leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, then, looking in her eyes, he saw such a loving look, he pulled her into a hug. They stayed in the embrace for quite awhile. The name of their little girl running through their minds.

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