Sorry this Chapter took so long. But, here is Chapter 8. I'm not going to make you wait another chapter to meet the kids. It won't be 3 weeks until the next chapter. My other story Where's Anna –did distract me from this story, but I also wanted to make sure I was developing this story the way I wanted to. Then there is that life thing that gets in the way. Hee hee.

Thanks for all of your encouraging words.

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Chapter 8: The way things were supposed to be

In the morning he woke to a seriously frightening and disturbing question, "Can I use your truck?" She was already out of the shower drying her hair with a towel. He was barely awake when she uttered the question. Suddenly he was wide awake.

"WHAT! NO! Do you even have a driver's license anymore? Where do you want to go I'll take you?" He started to get out of bed. Grumbling something about 'you don't wake a man with a question like that.'

"I want to pick up some things for the kids before they get here." He laid back down; she rattled the keys threateningly walking towards the door.

"Carter! Okay, I'm up. Let me shower; and I need coffee. You do know how to make coffee don't you?" He went and showered, contemplating the wisdom of teasing the person who he asked to make his coffee. When he finished she had coffee waiting for him.

"So do you want to live here or find another house?" She asked forgoing small talk.

"Oh, we definitely need a bigger place, I am not sharing this bathroom with you. George left me his realtor's card, I'll call her you have a lot to do with your new division."

"Thanks. We also need to find a nanny, with clearance." Despite the serious nature of the conversation she was smiling because she was standing here with him while he was shaving and it was surprisingly comfortable.

"Yeah, George thought of that too. There is a list on my desk. Apparently there are lots of politicians and such who need nannies with clearance. Who would have thought? I'll get it to you." He looked at her. "What are you smiling about, you're reminding me of Jonas?"

She looked down still smiling, "First time watching you shave in a towel."

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She packed up the few things she had. There would not be enough time to come back. She didn't know how long it would be until they all were out of the mountain. The shopping trip turned out to be more expensive than she expected. Sam had just planned on getting a few things for them; clothes and a few toys and books to keep them busy. Jack however had other another idea. He looked like he was shopping for Christmas.

The clerk looked at the contents of the cart surprised. "Somebody's birthday?"

Sam watching as she scanned the numerous items. Her kids had never had this much stuff. "Jack this is ridiculous the kids don't need all of this."

"It's a Dad thing. We buy them toys so we have someone to play with; it would be rude to play with my Gameboy in front of them."

She watched him put the Gameboys on the conveyor belt. "Why are you getting three?"

"Because I don't have the new one. Mine's old and these are cool. Look it has two screens and better games."

She was beginning to realize she had no idea what she was in for when the three of them got together.

Jack parked the truck at the mountain. But just sat behind the wheel.

"Jack?" he didn't answer. "Jack what's wrong."

"I guess it just hit me that I am actually going to see my kids today." She reached over and grabbed his hand. He squeezed hers. "What if…"

"No 'what if's'. Remember they are just as excited to meet you. You have nothing to worry about." He looked at her skeptically, but she knew he would be fine once he met them. "Come on." She started to open the door, but stopped and turned around. "Jack, I love you."

He smiled and pulled out of his concerned state. "I love you too." He kissed her and they got out of the truck. "Come on Carter get a move on. We've got a full day."

They received a few strange looks when they came in with the shopping bags. The VIP room was the only space in the mountain with two attached bedrooms. It wasn't the homiest place, but neither were Asgard ships.

Sam looked around the room to see if there was anything else she could do.

"I've got to go and meet with Reynolds, you want to come down when you're finished here?" she nodded. When he left she was faced with the concern that nagged her more deeply than she cared to let on. Would the children acclimate as Jack insisted? She wasn't so certain. They had led such a different life to the one they were coming home to today. She had never expected to be gone that long. So long that they would be exposed to all they had experienced. She took one last look around and went up to the briefing room.

Colonel Dixon was in the briefing room looking down at the gate waiting for a chance to talk to Jack.

"Colonel Carter welcome back."

"Thanks. You waiting to see the General?"

"Yes. Mission tomorrow. I just wanted to go over a couple of things with him. So are the rumors true, are you back to stay?"

"Yes. So are the other rumors." He looked surprised. "You have heard the other rumors?"

"I have heard a lot of things you may want to clarify. Not sure you know what your fessing up to."

"Oh. The married to General O'Neill with kids part."

"Oh yeah those."

"So how many kids are we rumors to have?"

"It varies, generally ranges anywhere between 1-4. Although I must warn you most of the rumors have you as the victim of something seedy, with your father whisking you away to some planet of shame, like you were an unwed teenage mother in the 50's."

"Oh that's fun. Well it will all be sorted out at tomorrow's staff meeting. We'll let them have one more day of fun. It's just 2 though, twins."

"Congratulations. How old?"

"Four next month. Yours?"

"10, 7, 5, and almost 4 also. You should bring them to Alex's birthday party next weekend."

"Thanks Dave, we'll see. There are some security issues still." Jack answered as he joined them.

"Half the SG teams and their kids will be there, sir. My backyard will probably be safer than the base next Saturday."

"Thanks Dave, now I'm concerned about my base though. What can I do for you?"

"Just wanted to go over a few things about tomorrow's mission, we got more info from the UAV on P67-944."

Jack looked at his watch. "Carter, why don't you go down and notify the techs of the gate activation in 20. I'll meet you all down there in," he looked at Dixon with a question, "10?" Dixon nodded.

"Sure," Sam answered.

"I can come back later-"

"You won't catch me later Dixon. My kids are coming home in 20."

"Oh wow, congratulations."

"Thanks, so what's so important that brought you in here on a Sunday?"

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"Sergeant, there will be a scheduled gate activation in 18 minutes."

"I don't have it on my roster, Colonel."

"I know."

"Yes, Colonel."

"So you ready?" Daniel asked as he entered the control room.

"No. But, it's time."

"You know if there's anything I can do to help you with the transition…"

"Thanks, I may take you up on that. Thanks for coming in Daniel. I'm ready glad you're here."

"Are you kidding I wouldn't miss this. Janet said she'd wait for you in the infirmary. She figured the smaller the crowd the better." Sam nodded.

They stood there quiet for a few minutes.

"Alright kids, let's get started." Jack came down the stairs. "Clear the Gateroom Walter."

"Yes Sir." Walter made the announcement.

"Walter, Reynolds has command until Thursday. Except for the staff meeting tomorrow morning; the Agenda is on my desk."

"Yes Sir." Walter was surprised, usually he had to harass him for the agenda for an hour before the staff meeting, just to get the copies made on time.

"Let's go," Jack addressed Sam and Daniel.

Standing in the Gateroom, the announcement was made when the gate engaged, "Offworld Activation."

Daniel stood next to Jack. Sam could feel the tension in Jack from the moment he entered the control room. He tried to play it cool and casual, but she could tell he was just trying to cover his nervousness. She leaned towards him "Breathe." He gave her a tight smile. The gate spun and then Kwoosh, the wormhole was established. Lya walked through holding the hands of the two small children. She waved her hand and their things appeared. The gate shut down behind them. Sam ran up to meet the children. Jack walked up cautiously and waited behind her as they hugged and kissed their mom in a frenzy. JJ was trying to tell her about their visit, while Gracie was trying to hide against Sam's legs. The only evidence of Grace, her small arms wrapped around Sam's legs. The children had not expressed any interest in the room they arrived in yet.

After she kissed the children, Sam stood to talk to Lya. Then Sam and the children hugged and thanked Lya. And, just as quickly as they had arrived, Lya activated the gate, "Unscheduled Gate Activation." The children waved goodbye, the gate shut down, and the room was quiet.

JJ turned to survey the room, then ran full speed at Jack screaming "Daddy!" Nearly knocking Jack off his feet. He picked him up and hugged him tightly. His little arms held tight around his neck. Grace snuck a look over when she heard JJ, thumb in her mouth and as close to Sam as she could get. Sam picked up Grace as it is hard to walk when Grace attaches herself. She walked over to Jack who put his free arm around the rest of his family, the four of them embraced. At that moment all was right with the world and universe for that matter.

Jack kissed each of them on the forehead and whispered I love you.

Grace buried her thumb sucking face into her mother's neck and hid from the world.

"Momma why are you crying?" JJ asked.

"Happy tears sweetie," she explained.

"See Gracie, I told you it was a ship," JJ announced to his sister, but she didn't move.

"It's not a ship JJ, we are very far underground." Sam corrected him.

"Why?" he asked, because that is what three year old's do.

"I'll explain later," Sam assured him. Jack motioned for them to leave the Gateroom.

Sam had warned Jack that Grace was going to need more time to acclimate to her new surroundings, but had assured him that once she had she would be running the place in her own quiet way.

JJ was telling Jack everything about their last few days, like he had missed hardly a day of their lives. He hung on every word. Sam smiled and squeezed the new appendage she had grown – aka Grace. She was really happy to have her babies home.

When they all arrived in the infirmary Janet was introduced to the group as Jack sat JJ on the gurney. When Sam placed Grace next to her brother, JJ grabbed Grace's hand as if it were instinct to him, but kept talking. Grace's posture relaxed a bit seated next to her brother – still with the thumb firmly secure in her mouth.

Jack surveyed the two of them. They were perfect. He couldn't believe he was this lucky, that this was his family. He was awestruck by Sam's way with them. A side of her he had never before seen. He could see as each one checked in with her non-verbally for affirmation and with their mother's confirmation, their acceptance of this strange new place.

After they were thoroughly looked over and given an array of shots, Grace immediately made her way back into Sam's arms and the thumb was back in place, her head resting on Sam's shoulder. Quietly surveying the room, and all of it's occupants.

Jack looked over to silently ask if Grace was alright and Sam smiled and nodded. Jack was seated beside JJ. JJ started to get off the gurney and took one look at his mother and sat back down. Living the way they had required a lot of discipline. You didn't just get up and run off on an unfamiliar ship or planet. The children knew that Mom was to be minded.

"They're perfectly healthy and clear to go." Janet released them.

"Thank goodness I am starving," announced Jack – "anyone else want lunch?" They headed to the VIP Suite and Jack went to get the food Sam recommended from the commissary.

Sitting at the table, Grace was seated in her mother's lap. Jack sat across the table watching the three of them. Jack marveled at the silent control she had over them. He had wondered how she had managed all these years, but seeing her with them now and how the two of them took care of each other in the infirmary he knew.

When Gracie yawned, Jack asked "tired already honey?"

"Time difference Jack." Sam informed him as she pointed to JJ suddenly asleep with his head on the table. Grace was leaning back on Sam, her eyes blinking very slowly. It had all happened so quickly, but they had already had a full day.

Sam removed shoes and socks and changed their floppy bodies into their pajamas. Gracie fussed at the interruption of her sleep. Together they tucked the two of them into the queen sized bed and kissed them. When they enter the living area, Sam was grinning. "What?" not his customary – 'what' of indignation - he knew what. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and said "Thank you."

"It will be a couple of days before they get used the time difference. Which means they'll be up by 0400."

"You want to go get something done while you have a chance." he offered, knowing he had distracted her the last two days.

"Yes," she said feeling guilty already, but knew she needed to make some progress.

"Go ahead, I've got no where to go. I'm all yours. I'll see if I can put some of these toys together." She pulled out her laptop and he pulled out one of the boxes. "Do you miss it? Being out there?"

"No, I've been out there long enough. What about you? Don't you miss the action – going off-world? How is General O'Neill doing?"

"He is doing much better now. I missed it at first. Paperwork and sitting at a desk are not really my thing, but making sure everybody comes home and that we stay the course, I can handle that. At least my current job will only have me only going to DC instead of out there; better suited for family life. I don't want to miss anything else."

"I'm going to have to make some trips out to Nevada and DC soon."

"I know. We'll work it all out." He continued working on the toys. Toys certainly had changed since Charlie was this age.

She watched him put the toys together out of the corner of her eye. After a while Jack made his way up to the couch, and laid his head in Sam's lap and fell asleep. After several very productive hours, Sam woke him and sent him to bed and followed shortly after. If only everyday were this easy, was her last thought as she fell peacefully asleep with her husband and her children in the next room. Finally everything was the way it was supposed to be.