I hope you like this chapter! It's unusually long but I'm not sure when I can next update this so... anyways... enjoy!
Sam mentally debated whether to go to her house or the SGC. Seeing a very familiar car in front of her house made her turn around and head for Stargate Command. She had only been at the facility for a few minutes when an excited archeologist charged in.
"Hey Sam!"
She gave him a mildly surprised smile. "Hey."
He bounced on his heels, barely controlling his curiosity. "So?"
She grabbed a pair on tweezers. "So what?" she asked, twisting a wire inside the Naquadah generator.
"What's going on with you?" He asked trying to sound casual.
Carter shrugged. "Not much, that's for sure. I need to-"
Daniel sighed. "Sam..."
"You asked."
"I meant between you and Jack."
She set the tweezers down firmly, and looked into her friend's eyes. "I don't know what you are talk-"
"Cut the crap, Sam," Daniel ordered. "Come on… it's me!"
"Which is exactly why I'm not going to tell you," she said with a triumphant smile.
He groaned.
Å
Jack, Maya, Ken and Miguel all were elected to clear the table much to Miguel's dismay. His cousins' go to play in the snow while he got stuck cleaning... he set the dishes down with a crash.
"Miguel..." Maya scolded. "¡Cuidadoso!"
"I am careful," He mumbled under his breath. "How come I get stuck in here cleaning, mom?"
"So, Jack," Leslie began, perching on his counter, and looking closely at her brother. "What exactly is going on between you-"
"-And that hot Colonel?" Zack finished.
Leslie frowned at her husband who looked properly repentant.
"Él amors," Maya said airily.
"I do not love," Jack muttered, refusing to meet their eyes.
"Indeed you do bro'!" Ken called over the water he was using to wash the dishes.
"Do not."
"Phht," Anna said walking in, holding a baby."Maya, Tabitha was crying so I got her up- is that okay?"
Maya stopped wiping the table long enough to kiss her daughter. "Bless the little bebé," She said fondly.
"How old is she?" Jack asked, "she's big for her age."
"Seven months, now stop changing the subject," Jennifer said opening the back door and checking on the children.
Miguel grinned at his uncle who was looking increasingly desperate.
"Zack, man!" Jack pleaded. "Little help?"
"No can do," came the cheerful reply.
"You can't do what?" a voice from the doorway.
"Everyone is picking on me, Mel," He complained, hoping for a little help. She hurried in and sat down.
"About Sam?" Melanie asked eagerly, "Tell me all about her."
Laughter drowned out Jack's loud groan.
Å
After alternating begging and pouting, Daniel was finally resigned to the fact she wasn't going to say anything to him.
Carter gave one last tweak to the generator and sighed. "Okay... I'm done... now just to drop these off at General O'Neill's office and I'm done," She said picking up a few reports.
"Going back to Jack's house after this?" Daniel asked.
She nodded and stood up, stretching. "Wanna come?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Me? Jack's family? Can the human body bear that many O'Neill's?"
Carter gave him a mock frown. "They're great people Daniel, really."
Daniel shrugged. "I guess. What time?"
She shrugged. "I don't know... 1500?"
"Three will work for me."
"Great," she smiled at him. "Bring Teal'c."
"Like I could forget him," He muttered.
Carter laughed. "See you, Daniel."
Å
Jack managed to escape their clutches by pretending he had to go to the bathroom then escaping outside. A half hour's romp with the kids should clear away all the thoughts he was currently having bout his 2IC...
Å
Carter pulled up to her house cautiously. Noting the car was gone; she sighed with relief then got out. She hurried passed the living room and was heading into her bedroom when she heard:
"Hey Sam."
She turned around slowly. "Pete?" She hissed. "How did you get inside my house?"
He held up a key, which she promptly snatched it away. "Why are you inside my house?"
Pete looked confused, and then annoyed. "What do you mean? I've stayed here-"
"And I thought you had to get back to Denver today...?"
"I called my boss and told him I needed another day."
She sighed and leaned against the wall. "What do you want, Pete?"
"Why are you like this?" He asked, genuinely bewildered.
"Why am I like this?" Carter repeated, "Why am I like this? I just found out that you had a wife-"
"I told you that already!"
"And that you have a son! You never mentioned any children- oh and the fact you went out with me while you were still married!"
"That's no reason to break up!" Pete touched her shoulder; she pushed it off. "Sammie, we've got a thing going. You can't deny it-"
"I could," she said between her gritted teeth. "But it would be a waste of time."
"Sam-"
A cell phone rang.
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Jack hurried inside the house, fingers still numb from the cold. His fingers dialed the cell number he knew so well, a second later, someone answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey Carter!" He said cheerfully, "Glad I caught you! Is there anyway you could stop at the store for me and get some chilies?"
There was a pause. "Sure... Jack."
He stared at his phone. "Excuse me?"
"I'd love too honey. Tonight? The Terrace? Sounds wonderful. Just let me pack, bye!"
Jack, in a daze, hit the 'end call' button. "What the hell just happened?" he asked the room.
Å
Carter hung up slowly, trying not to meet Pete's eyes. Now that she had done it, she felt rather ashamed. She shouldn't have done that. No matter what, she-
"Who was that?" Pete demanded.
She looked up, firing up instantly. "None of your business."
"Jack? Your CO?"
"Go away, Pete," she ordered. "Just go."
"I can't believe it! You are going to waste your best years on an old foggy like him?"
"He isn't old!" She defended him.
"Sam, I don't know what's wrong with you. Maybe-"
"You should leave my house? Excellent idea!"
"I'm not leaving!"
Carter's hand slipped smoothly into her purse. "You sure 'bout that?" She asked pointed her Beretta at him.
"Holy Hannah!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Get outta here Pete. Now."
"Sam!"
"NOW!"
He stared at her for a second then turned around. He slammed the door closed and a minute later, an engine could be heard starting up and tires squealed.
She slumped against the wall and sighed.
Å
Jack tried to conceal a smile as his 2IC's car came barreling up his driveway at exactly 10:59. As he got closer, the look on her face made him stop. "Carter," He called. "What's going on?"
She thrust a bag of chilies in his arms. "Merry Christmas."
He let them drop. "Carter?" He asked. "What happened?"
"Pete confronted me."
Jack paused. "He did?" Hasn't the cop realized that Teal'c was serious? Idiot.
"Yep. Wants us to stay together."
"And you said..." Jack waited impatiently.
She looked into his eyes. "I said no," she whispered.
"No?"
"No."
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The O'Neill women, crowded around Jack's window, gasped as he dropped to his knees.
"Jack's proposing?" Melanie whispered. "No way!"
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Jack bent down to scoop up the chilies and landed on his knees. "Oww..." He complained.
Carter laughed. "You're fine, sir," she said helping him up. "Oh," she added. "Daniel's coming about 3:00."
He glanced at his watch. "11:10... we gotta hurry!"
"Why sir?"
"First of all, Carter, I told you to call me Jack, second of all I don't want Daniel 'helping' decorate the trees- especially not after last years fiasco."
The year after he was back from 'Ascendee Land' Daniel had volunteered to help 'decorate'. The slightly drunk archeologist had managed to knock the tree over twice, break several delicate ornaments and nearly started a fire with the lights.
Sam stifled a giggle. "Yeah." She gestured to the trunk of her car. "Think you could help me bring in my bags?"
He shrugged. "I could do that."
"Thanks... Jack."
"So what was this whole thing about 'The Terrace'?" Jack asked grabbing two duffle bags.
She blushed. "That was for Pete."
"Aaaahhhh."
Carter slammed the trunk shut. "So, what's for lunch?"
"I don't know, Carter. Probably something utterly inedible as Ellie is cooking."
Sam giggled.
"Now... what have I said about giggling, Carter?"
"Sam."
He raised an eyebrow. "Sam?"
"I call you Jack, call me Sam."
Jack nodded. "That I can do."
She smiled as she trudged through the snow. It was a wonderful day.
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Contrary to Jack's prediction, lunch was delicious. The kids munched on hotdogs while the adults made do with soup.
Carter was seated between Jack and little Emma who was regarding her curiously.
"Hi Emma," she said quietly. "I'm Sam."
The little girl headed dropped to her shoulder as an involuntary shudder ran though her body. "Sssssmmmmm?" issued from the dry lips.
Carter grinned. "Close enough."
Ellie gave her a grateful look as Sam sat back up and ate a little more of her soup, occasionally stopping to talk to Emma. The little girl eventually managed to give her a shy smile as her mother carefully spooned soup in her jerking head.
Jack watched as his 2IC play peek-a-boo with his niece and had to force a few tears back. It was so sad to see the little girl, so confined in life, enjoying the simple game. She gave a low giggle and made the 'Ssssssmmm' sound again. Carter smiled, delighted.
"She likes me!" she whispered to him.
"Of course she does. Who wouldn't?"
"Yu wouldn't," Carter said with a giggle.
He stared at her. "I like you."
"No... Yu."
"But I don't-"
"YU!"
Jack stared at her for a second before understanding broke across his face. "Very clever, Carter."
"Thank you, sir."
Little Shareese from the other end of the table piped up. "I like you too Aunt Sam! And I hope you mawwy Uncle Ja-"
Anna clapped a hand over her daughter's mouth and turned to glare at her husband who was laughing. He obviously had coached her on what to say.
"Daniel Matthew Watson, you should be ashamed of yourself!"
There was a brief moment of silence while everyone tried to figure out how mad Anna, Sam and Jack really were.
"Is Uncle Dan in trouble?" Ariel and Connor asked simultaneously after a few moments.
Wilhem and Melanie snorted. A second later, Ken burst into laughter followed by the rest of the table including a red faced Sam.
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Sam looked at her watch and raised an eyebrow. Fifteen minutes ago, the order to 'load up' had been given and still no one was in his or her vehicle. Everyone was still running around, looking for stuff.
"Leslie, you need help?" She asked catching the busy matron.
She nodded. "We are the red SUV. Could you please help the kids in?"
She nodded. "Ariel, Corin, Tyler... come on!"
"What bout me?" a little boy demanded.
"Is Leslie your mom?"
He nodded. "I'm Cody."
Carter knelt down. "Wel,l Cody, I'm very sorry I missed you. Will you go with me to the car?"
He nodded again. "Come on guys!" He called to his family, "Let's beat Uncle Dayvid's family to the car!"
Suddenly there was a mad dash for the door, and Carter found herself running through the snow carrying the three- year-old twins. At the car, she pulled open the door and helped them in.
"You gotta buckle us!" They protested.
"I don't know how to..." she began.
"I'll do it," Ariel said hurrying up from behind with Cody right behind her. "We gotta hurry, Aunt Maya's almost all ready there."
Indeed, everyone was racing to his or her vehicles. After making sure the twins were buckled safely, she sprinted towards her car.
"CARTER!" Jack yelled, "You're comin' with me!"
Barely changing pace, she spun around and raced to his truck. Buckling up and slamming the door closed, she laughed.
"We won!"
Jack looked at her. "That we did, Sam."
"Second!" Rang down the street coming from Dayvid and Maya's car.
"Zack's next," Jack predicted and was correct.
Carter laughed as the last few occupants scurried to their cars and slammed the doors closed, the only exception being Melanie with her baby and the Osborne family. Ellie carried her daughter's stroller while Wilhem trudged through the snow with his daughter. After a brief hesitation, both Nick and Melanie were stowed away in Jennifer's car.
After a few moments, five loud honks were heard.
Carter jumped. "What was that for?"
"It means we're all ready to go," he explained.
"Ahh... let's go!"
He grinned and started the truck. There wasn't another girl like Samantha Carter on this planet.
Å
"I want this one!"
"Daddy, this one please?"
"Maxwell, you keep off that tree!"
"Hold Mommy's hand, Tyler."
"Gabby! Wait for me!"
"Pop! This one rocks!"
Carter laughed as the calls came all over the tree farm. Jack told her they would be getting three trees, two for the house and one small one for the front yard to be decorated with food birds could eat.
The children raced around the farm, darting in and between trees, their boots kicking up the powdery snow. The owner, a man in his forties who had several grown children of his own, watch the children play contentedly.
Anna charged at Jack and whacked him on the shoulder. "Time out!" She called quickly before Jack could respond. Sam instantly mumbled the same.
"Now, Sam," Anna began, "We told the kids we'd play tag with them... Wanna play?" Ann
She nodded. "Sure!"
Anna grinned. "Okay... three… two… one... TIME IN!" and she raced away.
Jack gave his 2IC an evil look. "You better run, Carter..."
She laughed and dashed away, Jack after her.
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Carter was swift but her CO was faster. With a yell, he tackled her to the ground and together they rolled down the sloped hill.
"Are you okay?" Jack demanded once they were stopped.
Carter nodded, looking deep into his eyes. "I'm fine, Jack."
And before either of them knew what they were doing, their lips were locked.
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Jennifer and Melanie stood behind several trees and peered around. There they were, sitting in the middle of a clearing making out like teens
Speaking of teens...
With a loud yell, four children plunged into view. Miguel, Gabrielle, Harry and Italia came to an abrupt stop at seeing their uncle holding 'Aunt' Sam in his lap. Miguel and Gabrielle were exchanging satisfied smirks, Harry turned red but it was curious Italia who asked the question.
"Uncle Jack, don't you know you're not suppose to sit in snow? It gets your pants wet!"
The two adults exchanged surprised and relieved looks and scrambled up.
"I guess I forgot about that," Jack said giving her a grin.
She shook her head and made an tsking sound resembling, uncannily, her mother. "And kissing?"
Jack muttered something indistinctible while Carter gave him an amused glance and turned to face the children.
"I'm it, kiddos, so... YOU BETTER RUN!"
With screams, they dashed off. Sam paused and turned around.
"Sir?" She asked uncertainly.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Just... go play, Carter. I promise everything will be okay."
Everything will be okay...
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"So tell me about you," Sam said after Jennifer had rescued her from tag. "You just heard my life history, what's yours?"
Jennifer shrugged. "All of us O'Neill girls except Melanie and Ellie are the same. We grew up, married, and had children. You'd think we're Greek."
Carter gave her a politely puzzled glance.
"It's from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. One of the characters says they live basically only to marry and make babies."
Carter nodded. "What was different about Melanie and Ellie?"
Jennifer sighed. "Eleanor was a peculiar child. We were all such tomboys and she was a quiet, dreamy little thing. She love to read... well, when she was sixteen, she was in a horrible accident. They thought she'd never be able to have children again. Ellie was depressed for several years. She wanted children so badly... when we were little, she'd take our dolls and just... well, mother them." She stopped and remembered those depressed years. It had been two years Eleanor had smiled again. "Anyways, She met Wilhem on a trip through Germany. They fell in love and moved here. Two years after they were married, she found out that she was pregnant... and that the baby was not going to leave a 'normal' life. They decided to keep her and... now..." Jennifer stopped. "I don't know, Sam, I love that little girl fiercely but I watch her suffer and I wonder... Ellie works so hard and..."
Carter awkwardly placed an arm around the woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jennifer."
"Please... call me Jenn."
Carter nodded. "Jenn."
"Melanie..." Jennifer began, pacing, "That's an interesting subject."
"If you'd rather not talk about it-"
"No. It'll probably make things make more sense." Jennifer gave her a small smile. "Melanie was only twelve when Mama died. She was so... angry, so upset over their deaths. It wasn't until she was around sixteen when she stopped going to the cemetery everyday and actually got a life. Now..." She huffed. "Maybe it would have been better to remain like that." She stopped and clapped a hand over her mouth. "I can't believe I just said that."
"Aun' Jenn!" Nicole cried, "Sabe me! Ari after me!"
It was true- Ariel was indeed after her. "No fair, Nikki!" she cried, "Aunt Jenn isn't base."
"I don' wanna pay anymo'."
Ariel sighed and turned to face Sam. "Everyone can run faster then me," she complained.
"How 'bout you tag me and I'll sneak up on someone else and get 'em?" Sam offered.
She grinned and accepted the offer, and the two ran away together.
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By 1150, the two large trees and the small one had been picked out and loaded up. On the way home, all cars kept their windows open and sang Christmas carols on the top of their lungs. Carter laughed. She hadn't had this much fun in ages.
The true fun however, was watching people decorate the trees. First the men went in and put the lights on- wife's' directing, then the woman went in and placed the popcorn and cranberry strings they had been making on the tree. The teen and the 'tweens' placed the delicate ornaments on then the little ones were let loose with the sturdy plastic ones and candy canes.
They finished just as the doorbell rang. Melanie stood up, holding baby Nicholas, and hurried to the door.
The family waited for a moment before two figures darkened the doorway.
"Hey Jack... Hey Sam!"
They grinned. "Daniel... Teal'c," Jack called. "Hey, you guys!" he said, talking to his family. "Tall guy's Teal'c, geek's Daniel. You two… my family."
Gabrielle stared at Daniel. "He's hot," She whispered to no one in particular.
Anna heard and smothered a chuckle. "Here we go..."
Thought we'd have a bit of fun with Daniel and Teal'c before they left.
WarmTea is still on vacation (how dare she) so, this IS unbeta'd.
Hope you liked the chapter... PLEASE review!
Oh, and I wanted to thank everyone again who reviewed for the last chapter. I got some of the nicest reviews from people... and some of my favorite authors reviewed! Thanks everyone! XXXX