Wow! I was really stunned by all the reviews for the last chapter and your assurances that you were still enjoying the snapshots, even if they lack a certain amount of action. I didn't at all mean my comment to bea ploy for more reviews; I really had thought that people were losing interest. Now that I have been proven wrong, I will not be ending this little series anytime soon. I came up with more ideas over the week so hope to have more interesting, light adventures for you to read. Thank you so much for your kind comments...I also enjoy a light story and am so glad that so many of you do as well. If I can bring a smile to your face at the end of a tough day, well, then it is all worthwhile!

That being said, this chapter, my longest by far, might bring a few tears to your eyes. But rest assured, there is a happy outcome! How could there not with Grace and JJ around to brighten things up?


Chapter 11 – Baby Makes Five

The big day arrived early on the morning of June 6th. Sam's water broke while she was taking a shower, which made Jack wonder how she could tell if it was really her water or the shower, but he never voiced the question. She was a bit tetchy after all, going into labor and everything.

He had dropped the children off with Daniel, absently hoping the archaeologist could handle three children, and driven Sam up to the SCG. Janet was busy settling her into the infirmary while he made the call to the Tok'ra to inform Jacob that he was about to become a grandfather once again. He stopped briefly to inform General Landry of the impending delivery as well, before returning to the infirmary. Jack wasn't too worried about missing anything, seeing as Grace had taken almost 9 hours to arrive and JJ 15.

When he returned from his errands, he was met outside the doors to the private room by a rather anxious looking nurse. She stood blocking his way, one hand held warily in front of her. "I'm sorry sir, Dr. Frasier asked me to have you wait outside for just a minute."

Jack looked at her in surprise before frowning darkly. "What? That's my wife in there. I've been present for the births of our other two children. There's nothing I haven't seen before."

The nurse blanched at his harsh tone but stood her ground. "I'm sorry sir. I'm just following the doctor's orders."

Luckily, it was just another few seconds before Janet came out and Jack's anger turned to worry as he saw the look of concern on her face. "Janet? What's going on?" his own voice betrayed his alarm.

Janet met his gaze, worry etched in the lines on her face. "I'm not sure Jack. Sam's contractions are progressing along quite quickly, but the baby is experiencing late deceleration." At his frown of confusion, she hastened to explain. "Namely, the baby's heart rate is decreasing substantially with each contraction, before returning to normal. This happens sometimes, but the heart rate doesn't usually drop so quickly, or quite so much. I've just put Sam on an internal monitor. We'll watch closely through the next few contractions, then see where we are."

"How did this happen?" Jack asked in confusion. Throughout Sam's pregnancy, things had gone smoothly. And even though she was in a higher risk category because of her age, they had been assured that everything was just fine.

Janet sighed. "It could be any number of things, Jack. We just can't be sure at this point. The cord could be wrapped around the baby in an awkward position, the placenta could be tearing away from the wall, it could just be the stress of delivery," she explained as she moved back toward the door to Sam's room. Jack stopped her with a hand to her arm.

"What exactly are you saying, doc?" Jack couldn't keep the fear from his voice. All sorts of dire circumstance swam through his head. He could just kick himself for taking his sweet time in getting back down here. He should have been in there for his wife right from the start!

Janet covered the hand on her arm with her own. "There is a chance that we might have to perform a Caesarian, Jack. If the baby is in distress for too long…well, we just don't want that to happen." She locked gazes with him, her eyes conveying what her words did not.

"Does Sam…"

"Yes, Jack. I informed Sam as to what's going on. Now, why don't you get in there with her? We'll know how your little one's doing before too long."

Jack nodded and took a deep breath before he entered the room. His heart twisted in knots when he met Sam's gaze, for her eyes, which were filled with tears, conveyed the sense of fear and panic that he himself was feeling. Quickly striding over to her, Jack sat on the side of the bed and gathered her in his arms, rubbing his arms soothingly up and down her back while he pressed kisses into her hair. "It's going to be all right, Sam. Everything's going to be all right."

"Oh Jack, I'm so afraid! I don't want anything to happen to our baby! What if this is because of my age? Or something I did…"

Jack didn't let her finish as he shushed her gently. "Shh, baby, this has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do. Come on, now. We've got to be strong for our little one, don't we? Everything's going to be all right."

When Sam stiffened as another pain wracked her body, Janet came in and stood next to the monitor, assessing the baby's condition, while Jack talked her through the pain, continuing to rub her back in soothing circles. Suddenly, a frightening beeping sound joined Sam's pants of pain.

"Damn it!" Janet muttered, then looked over at the nurse who had previously guarded the door. "Heart rate has dropped to 100. Alert the surgical team that we have a possible fetus in distress and may have to move in for an emergency C-section."

"Janet?" Sam gasped out as the contraction ebbed.

Janet placed her hand on Sam's shoulder, offering what comfort she could. "Sam, honey. The baby's heart rate dropped to 100 during that contraction. Anything below 110 raises warning signs for us. I'm going to put you on oxygen for now. We need to make sure the baby is getting enough oxygen throughout the contractions." Quickly and effortlessly, she attached an oxygen tube around Sam's head and placed the small tubes that would provide air into her nostrils. Sam clutched tightly to Jack's hand throughout the short procedure, her eyes filled with worry for her unborn child.

When she was finished, Janet looked at her friends, her eyes serious but reassuring. "If the baby's heart rate drops below 95, we're going to have to do a Caesarian, Sam. But I promise you, we will do everything we can to make sure the baby is all right." Janet squeezed Sam's hand before she moved off to the end of the bed to discuss further proceedings with her nurse.

Sam turned fear-filled eyes to Jack. "Jack, promise me you'll stay with me, no matter what happens," she pleaded.

Bending to kiss her lips, Jack whispered, "Wild equines, Sam. Wild equines." Sam offered him a weak smile before her body was wracked by another contraction.

"Doc!" Jack yelled out as he held tightly to Sam and once again talked her through the contraction.

Once again, the internal monitor screeched out its alarm, increasing the tension in the small room tenfold. Janet held the printout in her hands, her brow creased with worry. "Lieutenant, tell the surgical team we're on our way. I want everything up and ready in five minutes. Send in some medics so we can transport Colonel Carter to the delivery room, stat!"

"Ja…Janet?" Sam breathed out the question.

"I'm sorry Sam, Jack. But the baby's heart rate decreased to 93 during that contraction. I just don't think we have time to wait. Dr. Marrow is standing by with the surgical team. He has done several Caesarians. You'll be in good hands."

"Wait a minute! Aren't you going to be there?" Jack asked, his tone tense as he tried to corral his fear and panic. "You delivered both JJ and Grace. We want you there for this one too." He looked down at Sam, who nodded her agreement, then added a breathless "Please Janet?" of her own.

Hesitating only momentarily, Janet nodded her head in agreement. "And I want Jack there too," Sam added, clutching even more tightly to his hand. Her face was drawn and pale, eyes wide and frightened, but her voice was strong as she vocalized her request.

Janet and Jack locked gazes. "We're not really set up for that here, Sam. Not like a regular hospital would be," she said with hesitation. But seeing the desperate look in her friend's eyes, she added, "But I'll see what I can do." She turned as two rather burly medics entered the room, pushing a gurney in front of them. Very carefully, they transferred Sam to the gurney, making sure all the medical equipment hooked up to her was cautiously placed at its end. Throughout the transfer, Jack kept a tight hold on Sam's hand.

As Janet led the team out of the room and down the hall toward the surgical room, she turned back to Jack. "You'll have to wait here, Jack, just until I can get things cleared for you to come in. We'll need to prep Sam first as well. It will just be a few minutes."

Jack nodded absently, his mind on his wife right now and the baby that was in serious distress. He followed along as far as he could before they came to the doors that would separate him from Sam. "Hold on a second," he gruffly ordered just as they were about to go through the door. Bending, he pressed a kiss to Sam's lips and gently brushed the hair out of her face. "I'll be there as soon as I can, Sam. Everything is going to be fine, sweetheart." His eyes locked with hers, imparting what strength he could through a single glance. Then he blinked back tears of his own before kissing her once more.

Jack slowly backed away as she disappeared through the set of double doors ahead of him, his hand reaching forward beseechingly, yet grasping nothing but air.

As suddenly as the rush of activity happened around him, Jack now felt the oppressive emptiness and quiet surrounding him. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, praying that Janet would hurry up and get him into the operating room with his wife, where he belonged. Jack was startled when he felt a large hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked into the concerned eyes of his friend; the large Jaffa who had been on base for the last few days, lending his expertise to an upcoming mission.

"O'Neill, may I be of assistance?"

Jack sighed and let his shoulders slump in desolation. "I wish you could, T," he stated quietly, then looked back down at the empty corridor. "The baby's…the baby's not doing too well, T. They're going to have to do a C-section to get the baby out quickly." His voice dropped several notches, conveying to Teal'c all he needed to know about his friend's emotional state.

Teal'c frowned in confusion even as he looked on in sympathy. "What is this C-section you speak of O'Neill?"

Jack spared a glance at his friend. "Uh, it's an operation. They have to…cut Sam open to remove the baby…before something happens to either one of them." Jack sank onto a chair against the wall and put his head in his hands. "Oh God, Teal'c. This wasn't supposed to happen. We were just supposed to come in, have a baby, and bring it home in a few days. I can't…" he looked up with pained eyes. "I can't lose her, T. She's my life; her and our kids. I can't lose Sam or the baby."

Teal'c sat down next to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing tightly. "Samantha is a most remarkable woman, O'Neill. I am most certain that she will prevail and bring forth a healthy child. You must remain strong for her. She will be relying upon your strength throughout this difficult time."

Jack nodded as he took in Teal'c's words. He knew he had to be strong. He also had to believe that everything would turn out OK. After all, that's what had gotten him through his many years as part of SG-1. Jack was pulled from his thoughts by the clicking of heels and his name being called. He jumped to his feet before the nurse who had kept him out earlier could get close. "Ambassador O'Neill? We're ready for you, sir. I'll need to have you scrub up and put on surgical attire before you can enter the operating room. They will be ready to start in five minutes."

Nodding mutely, he turned to Teal'c. "T, can you call Danny? Let him know what's happening. But tell him…"

"I will inform him not to mention this to the children, O'Neill," Teal'c finished for him.

Jack gave him a small smile of thanks before turning to follow the nurse through the double doors that, moments ago, had taken his wife from him.

-----

The operating room was a flurry of activity as Jack entered the sterile atmosphere. He spent a frozen moment, taking in the doctors, nurses, and various pieces of medical equipment in the large room. His gaze rested on the small incubator waiting next to the surgical table, just waiting to receive his child. He lost focus for a moment, saying a silent prayer that this baby would be all right, before he was drawn away by his wife's soft call. "Jack?" Her tremulous voice moved him into action as nothing else could.

Though he was dressed head to toe in surgical grub, Sam had not missed his entrance into the operating room. His hesitancy upon entering, the familiar posture of his body, and his intense brown eyes had jumped out at her. Now he stood at her side, holding onto her hand and whispering words of encouragement. One of the nurses brought a stool over for him, which Jack gratefully accepted. He didn't want to be standing and having a bird's eye view while his wife was cut open in front of him. He knew he'd most likely end up on the floor if that were to happen. It was one thing to witness the carnage from a battle; quite another to watch someone cut into the smooth, pale flesh of the woman you loved more than life itself.

While Jack had been waiting in the corridor and getting ready to enter the operating room, Sam had been prepped for surgery. Her abdomen had been cleaned and sterilized, she'd been given a local anesthetic so that she could stay awake throughout to see her baby born, and she had assorted tubes and wires connected to her. She also had a curtain draped from under her chest on down, so she could not see what was happening below, for which both Sam and Jack were eternally grateful. While they both knew what happened during a C-Section, neither had any desire to see the procedure up close and personal.

Sam had experienced several more contractions while waiting for Jack, but could no longer feel the vise-like squeezing of her uterus due to the anesthesia. The internal monitor continued to go off with each contraction, signifying that the baby was still in distress, and its heart rate was dropping with each contraction. When the doctor announced that they were ready to proceed, Sam turned terror filled eyes toward Jack and clutched his hand tighter, if that was even possible. Jack turned in his stool so he could only focus on Sam's face, but neither one could block out the awful sound of the scalpel tearing into her flesh. Jack was grateful beyond measure that she couldn't feel a thing. A part of him wished she had been completely knocked out, but he knew that Sam wanted to be lucid for the birth of their third child.

It seemed to take hours, but was merely minutes when Sam felt a sense of pressure in her abdomen, then saw Dr. Marrow lift a still, bloody infant from her womb. "It's a girl," he said quietly before he quickly passed the baby into Janet's hands, then set to work stopping the bleeding and repairing the damage done by the emergency C-section.

In stark contrast to the noise and bustle of a few minutes ago, all was quiet. Sam craned her neck, fervently trying to see around the bodies of the medical personnel so she could catch a glimpse of the baby. "Jack? Why isn't she crying? Why isn't my baby crying?" her voice rose in panic at the stillness around them.

Jack glanced behind him, his own eyes filling with tears as his heart beat painfully in his chest. He felt so helpless and useless, and the day Charlie died came rushing back at him. Dear God, he couldn't go through that again. Please God, he prayed silently, don't take my little girl too. "Janet?" he croaked out, waiting for some word from their friend.

The baby was lying in the incubator, surrounded by Janet and several nurses. Jack could just see two small, thin bluish legs peeking out from behind the bodies of the people who were trying to save her. He could hear Janet's, "Come on, little one, breathe," as she pleaded with the baby, even as she pumped the tiny chest and supervised as a nurse administering oxygen to the motionless baby. An IV was quickly put into the infant's vein and Jack winced at the thought of a needle puncturing the delicate skin.

Jack turned back to Sam, their grief filled gazes locking with each other. Jack ran a shaky hand over Sam's brow, trying to soothe her, but he knew it was fruitless. Only one thing could ease her suffering. He closed his eyes and prayed anew.

And then suddenly, they heard the sweetest sound they would ever hear. A small whimper issued forth from across the room, quickly turning into the loud wails of a newborn baby. Janet turned, and though only her eyes were visible above her mask, both Jack and Sam could see that she was smiling through her tears. "She's OK. She's going to be OK!" she announced proudly, before turning back and ministering to the new baby.

Sam sobbed openly now, her fear giving way to joy and relief at the news that her daughter was all right. Jack too had tears streaming down his face; tears that he was not at all ashamed to bear. He pulled his mask down and leaned over his wife, giving her a kiss filled with love. His hand stroked her hair as he said, "I love you so much, Sam. I am so proud of you. Our baby is going to be all right!" His heartfelt words made Sam cry even more.

Fifteen minutes later, when Sam's incision had been closed and she had been cleaned up, Janet came over, carrying a tiny bundle swaddled in white blanket in her arms. "Here she is, Sam," she stated quietly as she gently placed the baby on her mother's chest. "She's absolutely beautiful." Jack's arm came out and supported the baby's weight as he gazed down into his new daughter's face.

"Hey, there princess," he whispered quietly. "Welcome to the world." He brushed his hand lightly across the furrowed brow of the infant as she listened to his voice. "I'm your daddy. And this beautiful woman is your mommy." His smile faded as he said, "You scared us to death, little one. No more of that, you hear?" Then he bent down and gently kissed the baby's head, his eyes filling again with tears. "She looks just like you, Sam," he offered quietly.

Sam smiled through her tears as she too gazed into the dark eyes of her child; eyes that would one day be as blue as her mothers. "But she's a fighter like her daddy," Sam added quietly, then locked gazes with Jack once more. They smiled tremulously, then shared another kiss before Janet cleared her throat.

"I should take her to the infirmary and check her out more closely. She's going to have to stay in the infant warmer for at least 24 hours." She held up a hand when two pairs of concerned eyes turned to her. "It's only a precaution. But she had a rather traumatic birth and we need to make sure that everything's OK. With her and with you Sam," she added pointedly. She didn't need to tell either one of them how close it had been, or that both Sam and the baby would be spending a few extra days in the infirmary because of that fact.

Sam, who was starting to feel the effects of the pain medication, nodded in agreement and reluctantly passed their daughter over to Jack. He stood up carefully, cradling her in the protection of his arms. "Can I carry her down, Janet?" he asked softly, not taking his eyes off this precious miracle.

Janet smiled. "I'm sure that can be arranged, Jack. We'll have mom and baby resting together before you know it," she added as Sam looked wistfully on.

"We can't be calling her baby O'Neill for much longer now, can we?" Doctor Marrow looked to both of them with a smile on his face. He had finished filling out both Sam's chart and the new baby's while listening in on the conversation. "Do you have a name picked out?"

Jack looked to Sam, an eyebrow raised in question. They'd had a difficult time with names this time around; had in fact finally agreed that if the baby was a boy, Jack would pick a name. If it was a girl, Sam would. "Well, Mrs. O'Neill? Do we have a name for this little miracle of ours?" Jack asked with a slight smirk on his face.

Sam blinked in thought for a moment, then let a smile grace her face. "I think I do, Mr. O'Neill. How do you feel about Madelyn Joyanna? I have a feeling she's going to add even more joy to our lives."

Jack cocked his head to the side, then looked down at the tiny bundle in his arms. Slowly, a true smile crept across his face as he watched his new daughter stretch and yawn. "Maddie Joy. Yeah, I like it. I like it a lot." Then he bent and once more pressed a kiss against Sam's lips. "I'll see you in the infirmary, Mrs. O'Neill. I think I'd better call Danny and let JJ and Grace know they have a little sister."

Sam chuckled tiredly. "Yes, you probably should. They'll be anxious. I do hope JJ's not too disappointed. I think he wanted a brother."

Laughing, Jack replied, "That's nothing. I think Grace wanted a puppy!" The room erupted in laughter, the tension of the last hour dissipating in the joy that only came from a happy ending.

-----

Daniel entered the infirmary quietly, his hands clutching tightly to those of the two little children on either side of him. Teal'c followed, carrying Katie Rose in his arms. The little redhead was smiling into his face as she plucked at the tattoo on his forehead. When Janet spotted them, she quickly came over, putting her finger to her lips just as Grace was about to speak.

Getting down on one knee, she held the little girl gently by her arms. "Hi Grace. Mommy and your new little sister are sleeping, so we have to be really quiet, OK?"

Grace nodded solemnly, her dark eyes big and filled with worry. Mommy had been gone for a long time. And Uncle Danny had looked worried, so that had made Grace worried. She clutched her uncle's hand just a bit tighter and looked over to her brother, who was regarding the doctor with quiet concern of his own.

"Is mommy OK?" JJ asked, his bright eyes waiting anxiously for her answer. Even though Uncle Daniel had assured him his mother was fine, JJ knew that Auntie Janet was a doctor. And everyone knows that doctors know more about sick people than uncles who like to play with rocks. At least, that's what daddy said.

"She's fine, sweetheart." Janet held out a hand and gently cupped the little boy's cheek. "She's just tired. Your mommy and baby sister had a long day. That's all." She shared a meaningful glance with Daniel, who knew the whole story. He knew how close his friends had come to losing this baby; that the umbilical cord had been wrapped around her neck, greatly decreasing her supply of oxygen with every contraction. Janet had told him that, if they hadn't operated when they did, Maddie Joy would not have survived. When he heard the news, he'd done his best at keeping his emotions in check, not wanting Grace or JJ to pick up on the tension. He thought he had succeeded but, looking into their concerned faces right now, he wasn't so sure. These two children were much more astute than he gave them credit for.

As Daniel gazed down at his wife, his mind registered her fatigue. He was going to insist that she come home with him once the children had visited their mother. There would be several competent nurses on duty, not to mention Dr. Marrow. And of course, Jack would be staying the night as well. JJ and Grace would be staying with them tonight, so they wouldn't get a whole lot of rest...at least until the children went down for the night. But it was better than her staying here. Besides, Katie needed to see her mother as well, proven by the fact that she was now straining out of Teal'c's arms and reaching forward to her own mother, a pleading cry of "Mama!" on her lips.

As Janet stood up and reached out for her own daughter, Jack chose that moment to step out from the room that held his wife and new daughter. Forgetting that she had just agreed to be quiet, Grace let out a happy cry of "Daddy!" and launched herself into his arms.

With lightening quick reflexes, Jack scooped Grace up and held her close. "Hey there, princess! Have you been good for Uncle Danny?"

The little girl nodded her head and then laid it down on his shoulder, tightening her arms around his neck as she did so. JJ released Daniel's hand and came over to his father as well, wrapping his arms around his leg and gazing up at his father inquiringly; a look that reminded him so much of Sam. Jack smiled down at the little boy and let his hand rest on top of his head, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Hey little man. How are you?"

JJ blinked, then without answering, asked a question of his own. "Is mommy hurted?"

Jack shared a quick look with Daniel, who shook his head and frowned. He hadn't mentioned anything to the two children. Jack sank down into a nearby chair, shifting Grace to one leg, then pulled JJ up onto the other. He thought for just a moment before replying to his son's query. "Your new sister had a hard time being born. The doctor had to help so he had to operate on mommy. But mommy and Maddie are both doing fine now. They're both anxious to see you. Do you want to go in now?"

JJ nodded his head quickly. He wasn't quite sure what daddy meant by operating on mommy to help his little sister get borned. His friend Joey had an operation to put tubes in his ears but somehow, JJ didn't think it was at all the same. But now that daddy had assured him that mommy was OK, all JJ wanted to do was go and see her.

Grace was a little more hesitant. Cocking her head slightly and frowning, she asked, "Who Maddie?"

Jack chuckled. "Maddie is your new baby sister. Mommy decided to name her Madelyn Joyanna, but we'll call her Maddie, OK?"

"Is she all winkly?" Grace asked, crinkling her nose up at the thought.

Laughing again, Jack stood his two young children on their feet before following suit. "Your baby sister is beautiful, just like both of you were, Grace. Let's go see her, shall we?" And with a quick glance at Janet, who nodded her head in approval, he led his children into to the room to see their mother.

Sam had been dozing lightly when she heard the excited cry from Grace outside the door. Gently raising the head of the bed, for her abdomen was understandably sore, Sam settled herself back and waited for their arrival. She combed her fingers through her hair, hoping she didn't look too disheveled and thereby frighten the children. She needn't have worried, for as soon as they saw her sitting up in the bed, both children released their daddy's hands and raced over to her.

Seeing that they were about to launch themselves full throttle up on the bed, Jack had quickly followed. "Hold on there, munchkins." He grabbed the backs of their shirts to halt their progress. "Mommy's still sore and can't have you jumping on her. You can sit up on the bed with her if you promise to be really careful."

The two children had been stopped mid stride at their father's intervention and looked back at him with trepidation. "It's OK Grace, JJ," Sam said softly. "Come here. I need a hug from both of you. We just have to be gentle, OK?"

When they nodded their heads in agreement, Jack released his hold on them and they climbed slowly and carefully onto the bed, one on each side of her. For the moment, they ignored the bassinet at the end of the bed. JJ gave his mother a hug and kiss first, then Grace. When she pulled back, the little girl had a sober expression on her face. "I misted you mommy," she said sadly. "You and daddy was gone for a long time."

Sam smiled softly at the little girl and brushed a hand through her hair. "I know sweetheart. I missed you too, both of you, very much. But I'm so glad Uncle Daniel brought you here to see me. Did you have fun with him and Katie Rose today?"

JJ eagerly nodded his head. "We went to the park and guess what mommy? Blaze was there! He camed over and said hi to me!" the little boy grinned proudly.

"That's wonderful, JJ," Sam smiled back.

Not to be outdone, Grace chimed in, "And Uncle Daniel maked us mac'roni and cheese, but the noodles was crunchy," she wrinkled her nose at the thought.

Jack laughed. "That's Uncle Danny for you. Can't cook worth beans."

JJ looked back at his father with a puzzled frown. "We didn't have beans, daddy. Jus' mac'roni and cheese."

"Ahh!" Jack shared a smile with Sam. "My mistake. So," he clapped his hands together, "How about if we take a look at your new sister?"

Both children looked toward the end of the bed, now focusing their attention on the clear bassinet that stood there, containing a tiny bundle. There was a large light overhead, shining down on the baby within. JJ frowned and pointed at it. "What's that for?"

Jack looked to where he was pointing. "Oh, that's just a special light to keep Maddie warm. She's going to need a little extra attention for a few days, just to make sure she's all right." He gave all three of them a reassuring smile, for Sam's smile had faded slightly at his words. He gave her hand a squeeze before moving down toward the bassinet.

Grace crawled on hands and knees toward the end of the bed, her eyes focused on the light. "Is she going to get cookeded in there?" she asked, her voice rising in dismay. The clear rectangular shape with the large light overhead reminded her faintly of the microwave oven they had at home.

JJ shoved his sister. "Mommy and daddy wouldn't cook the baby, dummy!"

"Hey, now. None of that," Jack warned the little boy. JJ instantly lowered his eyes at the reprimand. Softening his voice, Jack said, "Come here you two, let's take a look at Maddie. She wants to meet you."

Jack lifted first JJ, then Grace off of the bed and brought them over to the bassinet. Reaching in, Jack gently picked up the baby before sitting down in the chair at the end of the bed. When neither JJ nor Grace moved any closer, he smiled reassuringly at them. "Come on, it's OK."

They tentatively stepped forward, both of their gazes glued on the little baby in their daddy's arms. When they were close enough, Jack peeled back the blanket to reveal a small, sleeping baby. Her skin was a rosy pink, her small nose crinkling in her sleep, eyelashes resting gently on her smooth skin, and her mouth puckering occasionally in a sucking motion.

Though she still thought a puppy was cuter, Grace was rather surprised by how sweet this new little sister of hers actually looked. She wasn't all red and wrinkly like she remembered the pictures of her and JJ. And she was really small…too small to be able to tell her much about being born, she thought to herself. Grace glanced into the bassinet, her eyes widening when she saw the stuffed bear resting inside. Had that come out of mommy too? She'd have to ask mommy about that later.

Her thoughts were interrupted when daddy asked, "So JJ, what do you think of your new little sister?"

The little cocked his head thoughtfully. "Are you sure it's not a boy?"

Jack shared an amused look with Sam before replying, "Yep, we're sure."

JJ shrugged his shoulders. "She's OK, I Guess. Too small to play with though."

Smiling again Jack said, "Just wait a while, little man. She'll grow faster than you think." Turning now to Grace, he repeated his question to her. "What do you think Grace? Isn't Maddie beautiful?"

Grace frowned in thought. While she didn't want to hurt mommy's feelings, part of her thought she'd better find something wrong with the baby…just so they'd know that Grace was better than the new baby. "She's balded," she observed pointedly after a brief moment of silence.

Jack chuckled. "Well, not exactly bald sweetheart. She has some hair, it's just really light, like mommy's."

Grace craned her head back to look at Sam, then her face fell in sadness. She pulled at her own locks of light brown hair. "I's not like mommy," she said dejectedly.

Sam patted the bed next to her. "Come here, Gracie." When the little girl hesitantly climbed up next to her, Sam hugged her close. "You don't have to look like me, sweetheart. You are beautiful and special all by yourself, and mommy and daddy love you very much. Just like we love JJ. Mommy and daddy have enough love for three children…three very special children," she emphasized.

Grace looked down at the blanket, picking at the threads with her fingers. "But I's not your little girl no more. Maddie is."

"Oh baby, you will always be my little girl. But now you're my big girl too. Daddy and I will need you and JJ to help us with Maddie. Who else but her big brother and sister can teach her to build with legos, or to ride a trike? Or teach her all about trick or treating and Santa Claus? She'll need you to help her dress her dolls and know how to take care of them. Maddie is going to need all of us to love her and teach her so many things. Can you help us with that?"

Grace looked toward the end of the bed, where her daddy was holding the new baby. She looked at JJ, who gave her a nod as if to nudge her along. Then she looked up into her mommy's blue eyes; eyes that seemed to be pleading with her to say yes. She looked once more to the bundle in daddy's arms that was now starting to move around, the little arms flailing as they escaped the confines of the blanket.

Without giving an answer, Grace crawled back down to the end of the bed and hopped onto the ground. She walked over to the baby and peered down into her face, her brown eyes meeting the dark blue of the baby's. Maddie blinked up into the face above her and Grace blinked back, then she smiled. Leaning closer, Grace kissed her new sister on the forehead. "I's your big sister Grace," she said softly, but loud enough for the rest of her family to hear. "Me and JJ will teach you lots of stuffs. But you can't take Winnie to bed with you. You'll squash him like a pancake, even if's you are little now. And don't play with daddy's shabing cream. He don't like that. Or the baby powder. Daddy don't like that either," she whispered in confidence.

Jack grinned down at Grace, his eyes alight with laughter. He looked over at Sam, who had tears in her eyes, but a happy smile on her face. Nestling the baby in one arm, he drew both Grace and JJ close. "You are going to be the best big brother and big sister that Maddie could ask for. Mommy and I are so proud of both of you." He kissed them each on the forehead, then whispered to them, "Thank you for making mommy and I so happy. We love you so much."

"We love you too, daddy," they chorused, carefully wrapping their arms around him in a hug.

Janet, Daniel, Katie and Teal'c entered the room and smiled at the scene before them. Daniel quickly snapped a picture with the camera he had brought along for just such a purpose. As Teal'c walked over to join his friends, he pulled his own wife aside.

"Maybe it's time we added to our family as well, Dr. Frasier," he said quietly, brushing his hand gently first along her cheek, then Katie's.

Janet smiled gently back at him. "Maybe Dr. Jackson. Maybe."

As they drew further into the room to welcome this new addition to their extended family, the adults all smiled when they heard Grace say, "Come see my new sister, Katie. I gets to teach her all sorts of stuffs."