Chapter 62

Sam's POV

As we approach the Village square I can here the sound of children playing and my gut tenses in anticipation. Hugh and Olmas are waiting for us at the edge of the crowd, and wave in greeting.

"A bright good morning to you all." Says Olmas as we draw closer. "Will Dr. Jackson not be joining us today?"

"He had a late watch last night Olmas, he'll be along later." I inform her and she nods in understanding.

"Very well. Please, join the celebration. Given past incidents, I should warn you that several intoxicating beverages are being served today, however, Pava juice is being provided for all women and this will be safe for you to consume without incident. I believe your SG-9 stated that it tastes like a citrus drink that you enjoy on your world."

"Thanks Olmas." Replies Jack. "Morning Hugh."

"Good morning Jack. You and your family are well?"

"We're great. Any surprises gonna be sprung on us today?"

"The second day of the ceremony is devoted to the bond between couples. Many choose to exchange wedding vows."

"Ya don't say. Well Sam and I already did the whole wedding deal. Right Sam?"

"Yes Jack."

"Participation is not mandatory, even for those expecting Sparel."

"Don't s'pose there's a repeat of last night's section at any point?"

"I regret there is not."

"Do you have any suggestions for where we should begin?"

"You are free to observe any part of the ceremony that occurs outside private dwellings. Would you prefer we remained with you all or to wander freely?"

"I'm sure Sam would like to chat with your wife about the doohickeys for a while if you can spare her?"

I glance into Jack's face and his eyes are dancing with amusement. He grins at me and I silently promise him some… personal gratitude this evening. Olmas and I share a knowing smile as Hugh sighs in resignation.

"I cannot keep you from your work my Wife."

"We shall return shortly. Dr. Frasier, will you join us?"

"Sir?"

"Go ahead if you wanna Doc. Teal'c'll keep an eye on me."

We head off in the opposite direction from the guys.

"You and Jack are co-existing well in your new roles Sam."

"So far Olmas, so far." I reply, unwilling to tempt fate.

"And what of you and Dr Jackson, Dr. Frasier?"

"We aren't together anymore."

"I am saddened to hear that. I believed you were a true pairing. Understand, I do not condone Keja's actions, however, you cannot doubt the blessing her actions have bestowed upon you."

Oh crap.

"Blessing?" asks Janet, looking at me and catching my guilty expression. "Olmas? Sam?"

"Your son will also be very like his father from what little I saw of him last night."

"Last night!"

"Jan-"

"Sam? What the hell is going on?"

I take a deep breath and Olmas looks back and forth between the two of us in confusion.

"I wanted to tell you… Do you remember the little girl with fair hair and blue eyes you were talking to last night, shortly after we arrived?"

"The one that ended up sitting by you and the Colonel?"

I nod. "And the boy that you held for a while, with the glasses."

"Yes."

"The girl is my daughter."

"What! Sam, that's just not possible. You haven't borne any children."

"Not yet."

"Come on Sam, you're a scientist. That would break-"

"About all the laws of nature, biology and physics, I know. But Janet, what colour is Olmas's hair? Her eye colour? The colour of hair and eyes of every person on this planet?"

"Of the few I've met, they're all dark haired and brown eyed. But that's just in this area. Sam, if you went to Scandinavia a thousand years ago, almost all of them would be blond. The few darker haired people would have genetic material from other areas of the world. And that girl had light brown hair, not blond."

"Janet… Have you ever seen Jack's pictures of Charlie?"

"No."

I sigh in resignation and then it hits me. "But you remember the crystal entity that copied the Colonel and went to see his ex-wife? It came back to the SGC as Charlie. Did you see it?"

"I was on leave."

I resist the urge to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. "The point is, she looks like her half brother, like her father, with my eyes. You can't tell me you didn't see the resemblance."

"Sam, the Yamyrians are essentially human. A few thousand years separates us, but basically, we're the same species. There is a finite number of combinations of facial features."

"Fine. What about her accent? It's American. Not Yamyrian."

"Sam, this is ridiculous. You couldn't be more than 10 days pregnant."

"I know. But Janet, you can't deny the co-incidence that my daughter looks like Jack and I, while the boy you were holding looked like Daniel. Right down to his mannerisms."

"Mannerisms are often copied from people they observe. For all I know that kid could have been watching Daniel the last time we were here."

Deny it all you want Janet. It won't change the fact that you are pregnant. "And this morning?"

"You think I fainted because I'm pregnant? Sam, I told you, I haven't been eating or sleeping well recently, so my blood sugar has been low a couple of times."

"Alright. But in a few weeks, I'm going to remind you of this conversation and we'll see."

"Sam, no way am I pregnant. And Honey, I know how much you want a baby with Jack, but we just don't know that it's possible."

"Dr. Frasier."

"It's alright Olmas. Janet's entitled to her scepticism. Let's change the subject okay?"

"As you desire."

But we continue walking in silence.