"Thirty Nine" By: Jackie W.

See part 0 for notes/disclaimer/summary

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Sam felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders and with a big smile she threw herself into Jack's arms. Their kisses were just turning heated when Jack pulled away.

"So what is it?" he asked.

It took a moment for Sam to realize what he meant then she opened up her hand and shrugged. "Neither," she told him holding up the wand. "I took it out of a new test package, unused"

"Oh," Jack said obviously disappointed. "I thought maybe… Wait why do you even have a pregnancy test?

She threw him a worried look. "Don't be mad"

"Why would I be mad?" he asked.

"Because I didn't mention it to you, but about two weeks ago I thought I might be pregnant so I bought a couple of tests and took one. It was negative, and as I sat there looking at it I realized that deep down I had been hoping for positive. I didn't bother to tell you because there was no sense in getting you all worried over nothing," she explained.

For a split second he was mad. Then he realized it was his own damn fault she had felt she couldn't share a pregnancy scare with him. But what was past was past. So he blew out a breath, and let go of the anger and the guilt. "Just so long as next time you understand that I want to know. Even if you just suspect that you might be pregnant," he told her.

Once again she paused with her glass of iced tea half way to her lips and looked at him for a moment. She slowly lowered her glass and cleared her throat.

"Well technically I'm not sure that I'm not pregnant," she confessed.

Now Jack was confused. "You said the test was negative"

"It was, but I still haven't had, um," she stumbled a bit over the next part, "my period"

"Oh," Jack said and his forehead creased like he was trying to do higher math.

"Not since the beach," she added helpfully.

"Oh!" he exclaimed. Then he grinned. "Well that would be ironic"

Now it's was Sam's turn to look confused.

"I could have gotten you pregnant just as we were deciding not to have kids," he pointed out.

Sam let out a giggle. "You think maybe fate was laughing it's ass off even as we seriously discussed the reasons having a baby was a bad idea?" she asked in amusement.

"Fate seems to like to amuse itself at my expense so yeah, it's possible," Jack agreed.

"Well I haven't had any other symptoms, so don't get your hopes up," Sam said with a sigh.

"So why haven't you taken a second test?" he asked.

"I didn't want to be disappointed again," she admitted. "Then again I was afraid of how you would react if it was positive. Like I said before, as much as I want to have a baby I want it to be with you standing by my side every step of the way"

"I will be, I promise. If not now then next month or six months from now," Jack assured her. When she nodded he took her by the hand and pulled her up from the couch. "So go pee on the stick for God's sake"

"Wow, first a romantic proposal now so much love and sympathy for the possibly pregnant woman. You are a charmer Jack O'Neill," she teased. Still, she picked up the test and headed for the bathroom.

She was only gone for about two minutes, but for Jack it seemed like an eternity. Finally she walked out with her watch in her hand. "Three minutes," she announced.

Jack stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. Sam sat on the arm of the chair and tried not to stare at the watch. Finally aftera minute or twoJack couldn't take it any more and decided to break the silence.

"Want to get married tomorrow?" he asked.

Sam looked at him like he was crazy. "Absolutely not," she declared. "I need a few weeks. Around the 4th of July would work"

Jack nodded. "Airforce Academy Chapel sound good"

"Sure, if we were talking about July of 2007. It's booked solid a year in advance," Sam reminded him.

"Damn title has to be good for something," he mumbled, then jumped up as Sam stood.

"Time," she declared needlessly.

Jack grabbed her hand. And they walked towards the bathroom door where they stood for a moment to gather their thoughts. Then Jack signaled three with his fingers and counted as they took each step towards the sink. Once they were both standing over the test there was total silence.

Finally Jack spoke. "Uh, Sam. I probably should have asked what positive looks like"

Sam turned to him with tears in her eyes and held up the stick so he could see the window.
"It looks just like this," she explained pointing to the blue line.

For the first time in over fifty years, Jack O'Neill did not even try to hold back the single tear of joy that escaped as the news sank in. A tear that at first concerned Sam, until a moment later when it was accompanied by the first true smile she had ever seen Jack smile. Her answering grin was blinding.

At age thirty–nine Samantha Carter had finally come to a point in her life where she truly did have it all.

It was worth the wait.

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The end.

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Author's notes:

Wow! Over 100 reviews! You all are wonderful! I know this story practically begs for a sequel... and I very well may do one, I have several ideas floating around. But I wanted to give this part an ending as I will be really busy for the next month and this was a natural ending point. So don't give up hope of seeing more sometime in the near future, and thanks for the support and inspiration!

Jackie W.