Soon Friday morning arrived and Jacob departed the SGC via a Air Force car and driver. He knew Sam had her six week appointment to make sure things were right with her, and he told his daughter that he would be there in time to watch the baby so she could go.
Sam didn't get to visit with her father very long before she had to go. Jacob told her to take her time and not to worry about the baby because he had it under control. And he did. Jake was the perfect baby during the day so he was fine. Jacob had a good time with his grandson.
It was close to 2PM and Sam thought she better get home. She had been gone for four hours. Her father told her to stay out a while longer and take some time to herself. She stopped and got a manicure and a pedicure while she was out. It was the first time she did anything for herself since the baby was born. She needed to do something without the baby every once in a while. She loved her child with all her heart, but there were times that she needed a break. Her husband was no help when it came to that. He seemed to be scared of their son and she was angry at him for that. Little Jacob was their baby and Daniel wouldn't even hold him unless it was on the weekend. He took no initiative to get to know the baby and bond with him and Sam couldn't figure out why. And frankly, she didn't care. No matter what the reason he was in the wrong because there wasn't a thing a 6 week old baby could do to deserve what Daniel was doing to him. Maybe she and Jake would have been better off alone. She was raising him on her own. She started to reason it was because of her relationship with Daniel. They were distant now more than ever. When the baby first came home he would try to help. When they went to bed he would stay when her until she fell asleep then he'd retire to his own room for the night. When he left for work or came home he would give her a kiss. All of that disappeared. Because she wasn't on the best terms with him, he wasn't trying to bond with their son. She didn't want that to be the reason. She would leave him if she had to for the baby's sake. Her life was that child. She still loved Daniel, but she wasn't so sure he loved her or the baby. When Sam walked into the house that afternoon She took her coat and shoes off at the door and went toward the kitchen. She smiled and opened the refrigerator. She grabbed a bottle of water and something quick to eat. She looked at her father as he walked into the kitchen and stood up. "Hi. How was he?"
"Fine. Jake went to sleep right after lunch just like you said." Jacob smiled and handed the baby over to his mother.
Sam took Jake into her arms and smiled at him. "Were you a good baby for Grandpa? He said you were." He smiled up at her with his big toothless grin. "I missed you today, but I had a good time."
"What did you do?" Jacob asked. Sam showed her father her hands and her feet. "Nice. Did you stop by and see your husband?" Sam might be on maternity leave but she still had clearance to the SGC since she'll be returning once her leave ends.
"No. Why would I do that?" Sam asked, slightly confused at the question.
Jacob sat down at the table and began picking at the bowl of fruit that sat in the center. "Because you need to talk you him. You can't let your problems build up because then something that started out simple will blow up in your face."
"I know. I don't know what to say to him." Sam sat back down at the table and cradled the baby in her arms.
"Why don't the two of you go out tonight?" Jacob asked as while watching his daughter and grandson.
"No. I want to sleep tonight." Was Sam's only reply.
"You're not going to be able to sleep with your baby crying." Jacob raised a eyebrow at his obvious statement.
"I know," Sam sighed. "I just don't want to go out tonight. I'm not in the mood to talk about this right now."
"You're never in the mood to talk about what you're feeling. If you wait that long your marriage will be long over." Jacob stated.
"I know. Now isn't the time to bring everything out. I'm not ready to add that onto everything else right now. He'll have to wait." Sam frowned after she spoke.
"Don't let it go too long. He's a good man and he's a very good father. But you knew from the start that he was complicated. You of all people should of known that this wasn't going to be easy. Not after what you went through on Kemet."
Sam snorted. "To Jake, he's a weekend father." She saw that her father was about to say something to defend Daniel so she changed the subject. "Do you mind if I go take a quick nap? I'll stay up with the baby tonight and you can get up with him at 6AM?"
"That's fine. Go take a nap, Sam." Jacob sighed as he watched his daughter retreat into her bedroom after handing him Jake. He heard her muffled thanks through the walls and all he could do was shake his head.
When Daniel came home that night Jake was already screaming and Sam was walking the floors with him. Jacob was in the kitchen making dinner, yes he can cook. He saw Sam and walked over to give her a kiss, but she turned her head and he kissed her cheek instead. "How was your day?"
"Fine," Sam answered. "How about you?"
"Same as always. Is your father here?" Daniel looked around for the elder Carter but didn't see him.
"He is in the kitchen making dinner." Sam mumbled over the wails of her child.
Daniel walked into the kitchen and smiled tightly. "Jacob, how are you?" He greeted his father-in-law.
"Good. How about you? How's life treating you, Danny?" Jacob was the only one that called Daniel, Danny.
"Ah," Daniel smiled. "Its been better, but it'll get better soon. I hope." He mumbled while looking down at his hands.
"As soon as that little guy in there learns to stop screaming all night, right?" Jacob wasn't one to dance around the truth.
"Right," Daniel nodded in agreement.
Jacob looked at Daniel. "I have something you can do."
"Oh? What's that?" Daniel asked, hesitantly. He knew that Jacob didn't like him as much as he used to. No one really liked Daniel like they used to.
"Come here."Jacob pulled him to stand next to him in the doorway that led to the living and dining area. "You see that look on her face? Do you recognize it?"
"Like she's ready to cry or pull her hair out?" Daniel said while watching his wife.
"Yes," He nodded. "When you see that look on her face, you need to take that baby from her and give her a break."
"But he just screams more when I take him." Daniel's voice was panic filled.
"Doesn't matter. He needs to know you can comfort him as well as his mother. And you need to give her a break from it." Came Jacob's stern reply.
"I'll take him, but wait until you see what he does." Daniel walked away and over to his wife. She looked at him with surprise as he started to take the baby away from her. "Shh, little guy, Daddy's here. Let's let Momma have a few minutes away from this crying."
"What are you doing?" Sam asked.
"Helping you." Daniel said quickly almost snappishly.
Sam didn't know what to say, but she knew her father put him up to it. Either way she wasn't going to turn down the offer. "Oh." Sam walked away and let him pace the floors with little Jacob.
Sam walked into the kitchen. "What was that all about, Dad?"
"He's being a father to that child, Sam." Jacob said while eyeing his daughter.
"Good. What can I help with?" Sam had a small smile on her face.
"Set the table." Was all that Jacob said.
Jacob and Sam heard the baby start to scream bloody murder. Jacob looked at his daughter in horror. "This is what he does," she told him. "Whenever Daniel takes him for more than a couple of minutes, he screams so much and so loud that he starts to hyperventilate."
Jacob looked in on Daniel and saw that he had the baby lying stiffly on his shoulder. "Daniel's uncomfortable with him, that's why."
"I know, Dad. I don't know what to do. I can't worry about Daniel's issues right now!" Sam snapped.
"I know. You don't have to get an attitude." Jacob frowned at his daughter.
"Sorry. Let me go get the baby before he gets himself more upset." Sam placed the silverware on the table and went to her husband. "I'll take him."
"He hates me," Daniel said.
"No he doesn't." Sam cradled the baby in her arms and held him closely. He started to calm down once he realized it was his mother, but calming down didn't consist of stopping the crying. "You can go eat. I'll eat later."
Daniel didn't say anything and walked into the kitchen. He passed Jacob on her way out. "Dinner's on the table," He said.
"Okay." Daniel sat down and dished out a plate for himself.
Sam walked into the room and sat down at the table. "Dad has the baby so I can eat. He said we should eat dinner together."
"Oh," Daniel said. "I think we should. It's been a long time."
"I know it has." Sam said quietly.
Daniel watched her in silence for a few minutes while he thought about things. He missed his wife so much. He missed his best friend and the person he used to laugh with. He knew she was still in there somewhere, but he couldn't find her. Everything he did seemed to bury that part of her deeper and deeper. He wanted and needed to find the woman he loved. Or his only other course of action would be to disappear once again. Only this time for good.
"Sam?" Daniel started.
"Yes?" Sam looked up from her food.
"Will you go with me tomorrow night?" Daniel asked.
"I thought we were getting out together." Sam looked back to her food.
"I know, but I want you to go with me. I want Samantha Jackson to be the woman sitting across from me at the table."
"What are you talking about?" Sam looked confused, not understanding what Daniel was talking about.
Daniel sighed. "Never mind, Sam. I was just thinking out loud." He sat there, picking at his food.
"Fine." Was Sam's curt reply as she continued to eat.