Ok so a huge thanks to all you guys for sticking with me to the end, this chapter's dedicated to all those that read my story and inspired and bugged me to keep writing it. Hope you enjoy.
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To say that Jack was annoyed would be an understatement. With only 2 weeks to go until Sam's due date, General Hammond had ordered Jack to take some new recruits to the Alpha site for a week's intensive training. Despite much whining and even the threat of resignation on Jack's part Hammond had not budged, insisting that he needed the new man power straight away; he had instead given Jack 2 weeks extra holiday for after the baby was born and also the use of Teal'c and Daniel.
Although Jack knew that Hammond did desperately need the new recruits due to increased Goa'uld activity throughout the past few months; he still felt annoyed and took his anger out upon the recruits. He had them camped a few miles from the Alpha site and had them participating in regular drills and scenarios; the poor recruits had thought initial training was hard but this new torment was much worse.
"Don't worry Jack, most women are late with their first child, and if the kid's anything like you he or she won't make an appearance 'til they've kept us waiting around for a while." Daniel said whilst they sat round the campfire waiting for the recruits to return from a 20mile hike.
"Yeah, I know, it's just I missed all this before, I just wanted to be there for the whole thing this time. I was a lousy dad to Charlie first time round. I was never there and I was posted away when he was born I didn't see him 'til he was 5 weeks old and then Sean and Joey…I just wanted to do things properly this time round." Jack said staring into the fire.
"Nothing's ever perfect Jack, you just have to do your best."
Jack looked up and grinned, the sparkle back in his eyes, "Look at you being all philosophical Danny boy, I bet you're not like this in a couple of months time when you've got Janet breathing down your neck to finish the nursery and get everything ready."
"And that'll be my cue to call you guys and have you help me finish up so you don't get stabbed to death with unnecessary needles when Janet gets back to work." Daniel said quickly, already having had this conversation with Jack before. Both men chuckled whilst Teal'c sat silently having missed the banter of his two friends since Jack had been off SG-1.
"You know, it's actually kinda good to be away from home, at least I'm getting some good sleep for when the baby comes. At home I get woken up at least 3 times a night, either by Sam wanting help getting out of bed, Sean or Joey and now the dogs too…"
"How are Homer and Zeke, I have not seen them for many days." Teal'c inquired with regards to the two dogs.
"Well they're both finally house trained and know most basic commands. Zeke's become Charlie's second shadow, he follows him everywhere and Homer is defiantly Sam's dog, for all the fuss she made about me getting them she spoils Homer rotten."
"Wow, Jack O'Neill finally domesticated who'd have thought it." Daniel said enjoying the glare he received in reply. Suddenly the radio crackled into life.
"Colonel O'Neill sir, this is Captain O'Brian please respond."
"Go ahead Captain."
"Sir we just received an urgent relay from the SGC, your presence is needed in the infirmary stat." Jack shot a worried look to Daniel and Teal'c.
"Do you have any more information Captain?"
"Yes sir, Dr. Frasier's exact words were not to panic but Maj. Carter is in the early stages of labour."
"Thank you Captain I'll be with you as soon as possible, O'Neill out." Even whist Jack was speaking he was gathering his stuff together, his mind not really working except to say 'Sam's having the baby'; it was for this reason that it look Daniel several times to get his attention.
"Jack! Forget about that stuff we'll take it back with us, just go and be with Sam. Tell her that we're thinking about her." Daniel called as Jack raced off faster than Daniel had ever seen him run before without the use of alien technology.
The journey back to the main Alpha site was a blur to Jack as he ran as fast as he could, using an almost sixth sense to jump over logs and bracken that was in his way. He ran on autopilot, trusting his subconscious to lead him in the direction of home, cursing himself for choosing a location so far from the Stargate. It was only when Jack had the Alpha site base within his view that he allowed himself the luxury of slowing down slightly and the realization that he was in pain finally hit him.
Jack flexed his knee experimentally and winced as he felt the bones crunch together, "Well that's not good" he said to no one in particular as he readied himself against the pain, he could deal with that later but right now he had more important priorities than his own wellbeing.
As Jack entered the base he was met by a slightly shocked Captain O'Brian, "Sir, based on the distance you were from the gate we didn't expect to see you for at least another 20 minutes."
"Well you thought wrong Captain, dial the gate." Jack said with steely determination, "The rest of my team should be following shortly, they just had an exercise to finish."
"Yes sir." O'Brian said, still slightly scared of the man who had selected and trained him for work on the Stargate project just a few months previously.
To Jack it felt like an age for the each of the seven chevrons to dial up the address that was now embedded on his brain, with each lock he was just that little bit closer to being with Sam on one of the most important days of their lives. When Jack finally rematerialized on Earth he let out a small sigh of relief, at least now it was just a few metres of earth between himself and his family instead of half a galaxy.
"Colonel O'Neill, we didn't expect you to return so soon." Hammond said, obviously surprised, over the intercom.
"Well you know me sir, always full of surprises."
"That you are Jack, Major Carter's in the infirmary, private room 1." Jack tilted his head in thanks before rushing off to be with Sam. "Sergeant call the infirmary and tell them to expect Colonel O'Neill." Hammond said as he too went to be with Sam.
When Jack entered the main infirmary he was met by a nurse he hadn't seen before and therefore had no time for, "Out of my way I have to be with my family."
"I'm sorry sir," The young blonde stuttered, barely keeping her nerve; "I have direct orders from Doctor Fraiser not to let you into the delivery suite until you have been fully checked over and changed clothes."
"I don't have time for that, get out of my way." Jack all but pushed the young girl over in an effort to get to Sam; that was until he felt a restraining hand on his shoulder. Jack spun around and was confronted by the sight of Jacob Carter.
"Calm down Jack and let the poor woman do her job."
"Sam's having a baby in there Jacob, my baby, and you expect me to let her go through that alone?" Jack practically shouted, throwing his arms in the air in exasperation.
"I know Jack; my baby's having her own baby. I would give anything to be in there with her too take away some of that pain but I can't. For all we know we could be carrying an alien virus or something that could end up harming either one of them."
"Fine, but do it quick." Jack said collapsing on the nearest bed and wincing as his knee whacked the edge, his expression that of a moody teenager being scolded by his father.
When all the tests were done and had come back clear, and his knee strapped; much to the protests of a certain colonel; Jack was allowed to see Sam. After all the panic, Jack entered the room cautiously; not quite sure what to expect. "Ok Sam, one big push and baby should be out."
Blue eyes met brown and Sam felt her depleted energy levels increased just because Jack was with her. She let out a primal grunt as she pushed their baby out into the world; the wails of a newborn fill the small room. Sam was tired and covered in sweat but to Jack she had never been more beautiful, and the screaming bundle Janet now held in her arms just took his breath away. "Would you like to hold your daughter, dad?" Janet asked, all Jack could do was nod as his baby daughter was placed in his arms.
"Hey there Gracie." Jack said, his voice brimming with emotion as he fought back tears. The crystal clear blue eyes of his daughter stared back at him as her small hand grabbed his thumb. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when I should have been, I should have resigned rather than leave you." Jack said to both Gracie and Sam.
"All that doesn't matter anymore, you were here when it counted and that's all that matters." Sam said as she smiled contently at two of the most important things in her life. Jack walked over to Sam and placed Gracie into her awaiting arms, he landed a kiss on first his sleeping daughter's forehead and then Sam's.
"Where are the kids I bet they're dying to see their baby sister?"
"They're at home with Mrs Hess; she said she'll look after them as long as we need, but we should be out of here by tomorrow."
"Ok then I'll wait 'til you two get off to sleep and then I'll go and pick them up. Oh your dad's waiting outside, do you want him to come in."
"Dad's here?" Sam asked, rather surprised.
"Yeah he said something about family being more important; I have to tell you I agree." Jack said as he opened the door to reveal an anxious looking Jacob Carter and an equally anxious George Hammond. "Jacob, George, I'd like to introduce to you Grace Imogen O'Neill." Jack said as they both walked over to Sam star struck by the little bundle of jet-black hair in her arms.
"She looks just like you did when you were born." Jacob said so quietly it was almost a whisper. They talked for a few more minutes before Sam eventually succumbed to exhaustion. "This little beauty's defiantly a keeper Jack." Jacob said as he handed the baby to her already doting father.
"Yeah just remind me that when she has us up at 3 in the morning." Jack grinned, placing Grace in the crib besides her mother. "If Sam wakes up could you tell her I've gone to get the kids?"
"Sure thing Jack."
To say that Sean and Joey were excited would be an understatement; they were practically bouncing off of the walls when Jack got home. He was bombarded with questions the minute his truck pulled up in the front yard and poor Mrs Hess looked frazzled. "Whoa there kids slow down you're getting your poor dad all confused, now where's your brother?"
"He's taking Homer and Zeke for a walk with Cassie, he should be back now." Sean said.
"Ok then why don't you two go and get your coats on and find your shoes and by the time we're done they should be home and then we can go see mom and Gracie." Jack said as the two little terrors ran off. "Thanks for looking after them Amanda, I don't know what we'd do without you."
"Nonsense Jack, you, Sam and those kids are like family to me; I'd be lost without the 6 of you."
"Thanks Amanda, we feel the same way bout you." The arrival of Charlie and Cassie was marked by the barking of Homer as the front door opened; Homer excited at having seen Jack's car in the drive. Homer came bounding into the kitchen and jumped onto his hind legs to greet Jack getting slobber all over him. Jack gave the dog an affectionate pat on the head, "Down boy, good dog."
Charlie and Cassie came in seconds later, followed by Zeke trotting obediently at Charlie's heel before wandering off in search of water. Charlie and Cassie were holding hands. Jack was still not entirely happy with this development but after a few choice words from Sam, and Charlie himself, Jack had decided to let them carry on; that was of course after he'd set a few ground rules. "Hey dad, mom had the baby?"
"Yep Grace Imogen O'Neill weighed 6lbs 7ozs, you wanna go see her?" A grin spread over Charlie's face as he nodded in agreement.
"Sure when we going?"
"As soon as your brother and sister are ready." It only took a few minute for Sean and Joey to get ready and then the family was off to meet its newest member.
Joey and Sean chatted away excitedly in the car, firing questions at their father and talking about all of the things they had been up to in the past week as they had not seen him since he left to go off-world. "Ok kids, now you're going to have to be quiet when we go and see mommy cuz Gracie's not used to loud noise and she might be asleep." The two little ones nodded their understanding. "Good now hold hands you two I don't want the two of you getting lost." Jack said hoisting Joey from her car seat despite the growing protest from his leg and onto the ground.
On the way down to the infirmary Jack received many congratulations from his friends and colleagues as well as some expressions on how much the three children had grown since their last foray onto the base. "Grandpa!" Joey squealed when she saw Jacob walking down the corridor towards them.
"Hey kids." Jacob said with a smile on his face, amazed at how much the two small children had changed in such a short space of time.
"What you doing here grandpa?" Sean asked after giving Jacob a hug.
"I'm here to see you and your baby sister, but right now I'm on my way to get some food so I'll see you guys later." Jacob said leaving, allowing the family some time alone.
As Jack and the kids were coming into the infirmary they bumped into Jack's training team being escorted by Major Feretti. "Hey Jack congrats on the new baby, she's a peach; shame bout the date though, you'd have won the pool if she'd been born tomorrow as it is Siler won." He said shaking his head in annoyance, "Don't worry bout these guys, me and SG-4 are going to finish their training."
"Thanks Lou." Jack said smiling at his friend. The recruits passed him with a slight dazed look upon their face, never had they seen their commander look so relaxed and normal.
Sam's room had been filled with toys and balloons from various SGC staff Daniel and Teal'c were already in there when Jack and the kids entered making a fuss over the new arrival.
"Hi mommy" Sean whispered, bounding up to his mom and giving her a hug as he hoisted himself on to the bed.
Sam laughed and returned his hug, "Hey there baby, why are you whispering."
"Daddy said that we had to be quiet so we didn't wake Grace up." Sean whispered back, watching as Charlie expertly took the bundle of blankets from Teal'c and balanced them within his arms.
"I don't think she'll mind if you talk normally, in fact I think she's quite like to here her big brother's voice. Now where's my other baby girl?" Sam asked looking round for Joey who was being held by Daniel, craning over so she could get a good look at her new sister.
"Me hold." She said looking at Sam.
"Only if you come here and give mommy a big cuddle and a kiss." Sam said as Daniel brought her over a deposited her next to Sean on Sam's bed.
Charlie brought Grace over and carefully transferred her into Joey's awaiting arms, she stirred slightly but then quietened.
"Wow, she's so tiny." Sean said in awe, captivated by the little person in his sister's arms. He tentatively reached out and stroked her downy soft hair. Joey too, was smitten with the new baby; her face had a look of concentration that Jack had seen from Sam so many times before when she was focused on one thing entirely.
Daniel and Janet watched from the door smiles firmly embedded upon their faces. "That'll be us in a few months, only we'll have double the trouble when the twins get here." Daniel said caressing her slightly swollen abdomen where little Lauren and Aaron were growing.
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A few weeks later and the family had settled into a new routine. Baby Grace, like most babies dictated how much sleep her parents were able to gain each night but was otherwise a very good baby. The whole family was in the back yard enjoying the sun whilst waiting for Jack to cook some steaks and burgers on the barbeque. Sam was sat in a sun-lounger on the deck with a sleeping Grace in her arms, conversing with Jack as he cooked; letting the sound of their children's laughter wash over them as Charlie played with Sean and Joey on the lawn; the two dogs also joining in.
It was at this moment that Jack realised that life couldn't get much better than it was right now, that was until he had a slight epiphany. "Hey Sam? Do you wanna get married?"
Sam looked up at him to see if he was being serious and from the look on his face she could tell that he was, her face broke into a wide infectious smile. "Well I wouldn't call it the most romantic proposal in the world…but I suppose it'll do." In reality Sam wouldn't have had it any other way.
"So that's a yes then?" Jack asked slightly confused.
"Yes Jack I'll marry you." Jack let out a whoop of joy causing the kids to look in their parents direction, Jack flung his arms round Sam, careful to miss the sleeping baby as they kissed to a chorus of 'eeew's' from Sean and Joey.
Yes, Jack had to agree with himself; life certainly couldn't get much better.
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w00t the story's over…well I say that but as I was writing this chappy I did get an idea for an epilogue kinda thing but if I do that then it won't be up for a few moths so watch this space. Just think this is the last time you'll have to hit the review button on this story…