I confused several people with the last chapter, don't worry, things SHOULD make sense at the end of the chapter.
Thank you for reading/reviewing. Hope you like this chapter!
While Jack and Sam were above in the kitchen...
Melanie, Gabrielle and Jennifer descended into the basement. They had a weighty matter that had to be discussed now.
What to get Sam for Christmas? All the families had brought presents for Jack but no one had been aware that Sam was going to be there. Shopping was obviously in order. But what to get her?
"A purse," Jennifer said decidedly.
"A scarf?" Gabrielle offered quietly.
Melanie hesitated. "I was thinking something more like a necklace."
The three females continued arguing good naturedly until rapid footsteps made them hurry into another room and draw the curtain closed. Boys were annoying, declared Gabrielle, and there was no way they could help think of a present for the pretty Colonel.
Only it wasn't the boys.
Melanie stood, jaw dropped and eyes wide while 'the' two talked. She darted a glance at her nieces and saw that Gabrielle was about to burst out giggling. She quickly, but quietly, placed a hand over the young girl's mouth.
They heard footsteps departing and Gabrielle made a move as to open the curtain until she heard her uncle begin talking, apparently to no one.
"Yeah? Mr. President?"
Jennifer's jaw dropped. The President?
"Yeah, it's me. Listen, I need a favor..."
By the time Jack had hung up and left, the three females stumbled out.
"Retiring?" whispered Jennifer.
"The President?" Gabrielle gasped.
"Married?" Melanie mumbled. "Oh my god."
Å
Carter rushed upstairs, ignoring the few curious glances she was receiving. Brushing past little Connor, she hurried into the first bedroom and closed the door.
It wasn't empty. Ellie was rocking her daughter. "Can I help you with something, Sam?" she asked, quietly.
The Colonel was red. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "I thought this room was empty, I'll-"
"Would you do me a favor?" Eleanor interrupted, "Would you watch Emma? I need to go to the store and restock some much needed ingredients, but Emma doesn't seem to want to sleep…"
Carter looked at the little girl. Her black hair, cut in a pixie style, was untidy due to her frequent jerking. Her bright blue eyes, so like her father's, stared at Sam with an unusual intensity. "Sure."
"Are you sure?" Eleanor asked, standing up carefully. "She is a handful at times..."
If I can bear being tortured by countless system lords, save earth on my days off and kick alien butt, I can handle a seven- year-old. "I'll be fine, Ellie," she assured her.
The mother gave her a thankful glance. She kissed the little girls cheek and left the room. Carter looked down at the small girl now in her arms.
"Hi Emma."
The little girl squirmed, her head beating a steady rhythm against her chest. Carter continued to rock her long after she had drifted off to sleep.
Å
Two females demanding to know what his second-in-command wanted greeted Jack on his way out of the basement.
"I..." he looked helplessly at Anna. "I don't know."
Leslie sighed. "Told ya he'd be clueless. Anna. He's a guy!"
Maya shook her head. "Jack... you work with the girl for 8 years or so... and you do not know what she likes? Vergonzoso!"
Jack scowled. "I'm not shameful. She likes jewelry... uh, books..."
"What did you get her for Christmas last year?" Anna asked, trying to help out a bit.
"The book about Wormhole Theories she wanted."
"The year before?"
He shrugged. "A sweater?"
"Before that?"
"A fishing pole."
Anna sighed. "Jack..."
"What?" he muttered.
"What about this year?"
He paused. "A pajama set that has planets and stars on it."
The three women sighed.
"What?" He complained, "I told you!"
The door from outside opened and in tumbled Melanie, Jennifer and Gabrielle, only wearing sweaters.
"Gabrielle!" Anna scolded hurrying to her daughter's side, "What were you-" Gabrielle instantly began her defense, whispering it into her mother's ear. A minute later Anna smiled and patted her arm.
"What?" Jack asked. "Gabby? Tell me..."
She shook her head, sending her dark hair flying. "Sorry, Uncle Jack, I can't."
"Can I buy someting for Aunt Sam?" Wylie asked tugging on her mother's denim skirt, "Mama, may I?"
"Me buy 'fing for Mist'r T." Nicole announced, focusing her blue eyes pleadingly on her uncle.
"I want to get something for Miss Sam!" Italia cried.
Leslie looked at her own brood. The three boys were fast asleep while Ariel played 'Trouble' with Miguel. "Do you want to get something for Aunt Sam?"
The little redhead looked up. "I'll draw her a picture."
"I want to drawl her one too," Shareese announced.
Ariel looked up at that. "No-" she began when she caught her mothers eye and reddened. "Okay," she said reluctantly, "you can."
Jack edged away. "If you'll excuse me, I have some last minute shopping to do-"
"Great!"
Å
Jack found himself with Leslie, Jennifer, Maya, Melanie, Anna, and little Nicole, driving to the mall.
The woman chattered about what to get Sam, ignoring his suggestions of blue jello and beer. He dropped them off, promising to be back in thirty minutes. He was back an hour later, full of apologies.
The women tumbled into the car, happy with their purchases. Nicole was happy as well. Mama had bought her a 'wed tandle tause he wikes those best'.
"What took you so long Jack?" Jennifer asked curiously. "We were waiting for you."
Jack didn't answer until she repeated the question.
"Oh! I was... well, you know how long women take to shop. I thought you'd be another hour."
Melanie wasn't satisfied. "But what's in that white bag under your seat?"
Jack looked down. A white corner was peeking out. He shoved it back under and gave her an innocent smile. "Nothing."
"But-"
"Mel," He said half firmly, half jokingly. "This is not the season to be asking questions."
Melanie frowned but mumbled, "It's MelANIE. Melanie."
Jack instantly engaged her on the subject of nicknames, which lasted until they were home.
Å
The night drew quickly for the O'Neill's, and in spite of the vigorous complaints off all the children, it came... and passed.
The next morning there was another shopping trip... this time with all of the O'Neill's. To Sam's amazement, no children were lost. They ate at McDonalds for lunch and unleashed the kids in the huge McDonalds playground. They then stopped at the park and had a snowball fight, which Sam refused to join after being targeted by all the O'Neill's for the third time. They returned home in time for a dinner of the always healthy pizza and then after a rousing game of 'I Spy' and 'Still Pond' the children retired for the night, leaving the adults to label the enormous amount of presents Jack had bought.
Ellie was in the corner, trying to soothe Emma who was most upset that her mother had been gone most of the day, leaving her in the care of her father, while the rest wrapped presents.
"Simba?"
"Nicole," Melanie called.
"Hot wheels cars?"
"Corin and Tyler," Zack answered, taking them from his brother and wrapping them quickly.
"Pretend cell phone?"
"Wylie!
By one o'clock the next morning, all the presents were wrapped, labeled and under the tree. Carter bid all them goodnight then began making her bed on the couch.
Å
O200 and she still couldn't sleep.
Finally giving up, she got up and poured herself a glass of water and gulped it down. A thought struck her.
What did General O'Neill buy me for Christmas?
She rummaged through the presents until she found the two addressed to her from 'Jack' and 'The Man'. Both were garment sized shaped boxes. Carter hesitated for a moment then ripped the paper off one of them. With nervous haste, she opened it.
A pair of pajamas greeted her.
A wave of disappointment washed over her. The General... had gotten her PJ's?
She re-wrapped the box, half ashamed for having opened it. She put them both back and laid back down on the couch. Finally, as the clock struck three, she fell asleep.
Å
"TREE DAYS 'TIL TISMAS!"
Carter forced her eyes opened. One of the twins stood over her, syrup on his cheek.
"Yep," She said sitting up and looking at her watch. "It's ten o'clock?" she gasped.
The little boy nodded solemnly, even though he couldn't tell time.
"Which one are you?"
The blond head tilted. "Tyler."
"Well, Tyler... what are we having for breakfast?"
"Tantakes."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Wan' eat?"
She smiled. "Yes."
He slipped a sticky hand into hers. "Huwwy.. Daddy migh' eat 'em all."
Å
Jack watched as his 2IC slipped into the room looking great. Her hair was rumpled and she was still in her 'jammies but she looked great.
Only three days until Christmas.
What think you?
Hope you liked it and... PLEASE REVIEW!