CH 64
"Sam you only thirteen" one of them said
"You heard what Jack said about a long engagement look at you, you were engaged for what two and a half years before you got married"
"Yeah but four years of being engaged is going to be a long time?"
"In Colorado marriage laws eighteen years and over don't need family connect where as sixteen and seventeen years old do"
"But Uncle Jacob and Auntie Elizabeth won't sign the papers if you're sixteen"
"I know but mark Can"
"I don't understand" Sam looked at Jack and he pulled her into a hug while looking at them
"Jacob and Elizabeth sign papers of guardianship over to Mark until Sam is eighteen, that happen almost a year ago" Phillip said sadly Sam pulled away and Jack look down at her
"Sam" she looked up at him
"I'm ok"
He kisses the top of her head then he sat down and pull Sam with him and onto his lap
"Sam I'm sorry I… we didn't know"
"Now you all do," Jack said, then he looked at Sam
"Sam, there is another present for you, that I know you are going to love and it also part of your birthday present" Sam turn and look at Jack
"What is it?"
Jack gave Phillip a nod then he walked out of the room then return with a letter in hand. He passed it to Sam and she look at it and she open it up and got the letter out and read it then her eyes widen
"Holly Hannah Jack this is the best Christmas, birthday present ever, I love it" then she hugs and gave him a kiss
"Jack care to share" Phillip asked. Sam turn to them all with a big grin on her face
"It a letter from the president and chief of staff, it got here in the letter that on the twenty ninth of this month I'm going to have a private tour of NASA, seeing inside the ship, the control room every thing. They're a helicopter coming to get me at seven in the morning, to take Jack and me to NASA. Where we will be having breakfast with the astronauts then tour and for me to try out some of the simulations they got, every thing" then she turn and have Jack a hug and a kiss
"Thank you Jack, I don't know how you did I, but thank you"
"Your welcome, just to see you smile that what makes me happy"
"I know" they look at every one shock face
"Jack how did you pull it off?" Tracey asked
"I spoke to the chief of staff at Sam graduation, he said he will talk to the president and he saw me on Friday morning and pass me the letter and told me what was in it. I thank him and he told me that she deserves it and it one step closer to her dream"
"That true"
They talk and help clean up the mess then Sam got up and passed the letter to her uncle before she walk out to give her auntie a hand in getting lunch sorted out. Everyone had a relaxing afternoon, the kids were taking their nap while the adults were playing crochet, talking, laughing, having a relaxing afternoon the women look at Sam ring and they talk about wedding plans for a while.
Later that evening both Philip and Jack cook over the large barbecue while drinking beer while Sam and Tracey were taking care of the salads. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and they all had a great day. The families left since it was almost their kid's bedtime and they were tired.
Two days later the four of them went into town to do some shopping since Phillip and Tracey was hosting the new year party at their home. While in town they went into a jeweller shop that Tracey knows. She spoke to the own that turn out to be her cousin.
"My I have a look at the ring" Sam showed him the ring on her finger and he could see how lose it was
"I see what you mean"
Then he turned around and walked out to the back of the shop then return with a container in hand he put it on the counter
"My I look at the size of the band please"
Sam slip the ring off and she passes it to the guy who looks and it then he looks through the container until he found one and got it out and slip it in the band
"Try that now Sam" he pass the ring back to her and she slip it on
"How does that feel?"
"Great, perfit fit thank you"
"That good" he said smiling
"How much for the band?" Jack asked
"Nothing"
"Are you sure"
"Yes" he said smiling
"Thank you"
"Your welcome"
Sam thank him before the four of them left to do some more shopping, have lunch in town and did some more shopping before returning back to the ranch.
Two days later it was Sam's birthday. She was getting all excited and looking forward to the trip to NASA. When the helicopter showed up Sam gave Phillip and Tracey a hug then she held onto Jack hand as they ran towards the chopper when the door opens and they got on then the door close. Once seated and seat belts and headsets were on they were in the air again.
"Captain O'Neill, Miss Carter I'm Major Ross"
"Hi" sam said shaking his hand
"Major" they shook hands.
"Miss Carter you must be some one special to have the private tour"
"She is Major and a lot more" he looked at Jack then to Sam
"Oh" Sam looked out the window as they fly towards Houston.
"What out ETA?" Jack asked
"Twenty minutes"
"Thanks" Jack turned and looked at Sam who was looking out the window. When they were getting close they notice that they landed in a paddock
"What's going on?" Jack asked
"Miss Carter would you like to ride up front so you can get a great view when were get to NASA" the pilot asked she look at Jack
"Go on"
"Sure"
Sam took her seatbelt and head set off then the major open the door so she could get out then the Co pilot got out and help Sam in the front seat then he close and lock the door before getting in and taking Sam seat. Then they took off again. They all could hear Sam and the pilot talking as he was telling her what is what. When they were close
"Wow now that is a site"
Jack look in front to see what Sam was looking at and could tell she is happy. Few minutes later the chopper landed and Jack and Sam thank them for the lift then they got off and walked over to where two air force officers were then the chopper took off again.
"Captain O'Neill, Miss Carter welcome to NASA"
"Thanks for the welcome"
"Have you got your air force ID with you Captain" Jack pulled out two ID he pass Sam hers
"Please put it on"
They put their ID tags on when they saw that Sam also got an air force ID one of the men went to take it off her shirt, she smacked his hand
"Is there a problem captain?" Sam asked
"What are you doing with an air force ID tag"
"It is real and I am in the air force of sorts, I do check over all the simulations for the air force, navy and army, I'm also full qualified air force pilot, sniper and at the moment getting three out of five science degree at the university in Denver. Which two of them are at the Colorado spring air force academy and I'm also level five in hand to hand now gentlemen care to show us around or should Jack and I check the place out ourselves, what is it going to be"
"You better do what she says"
"This way"
"Thank you"
They walk towards a building and walk in. they showed Jack and Sam around till eight o'clock where they meet the four astronauts for breakfast. While having breakfast Sam ask them questions, which they answered and they asked her questions, which she answered in return. Jack watches and listens between Sam and the astronauts. He could tell Sam is happy.
After breakfast they were shown around some more. They even saw where they did their training. When sam saw one of the simulations she walked over to it to have a closer look then she turn and Jack saw the look in her eyes and knew what she is going to say
"Can I have a go or am it to short?"
"It take months to master something like this" she looked at them all
"Please" Jack grins and turned to look at them
"Well, ok"
"Cool" Sam was grinning so they help her get into the seat and strap her in.
"Ok you only got five minutes to correct yourself or you willend up crashing the ship"
"Ok start it up"
Then Sam started going around in circles going up side down while she was using the stick like in a jet to correct herself. Sam concentrates and correct with in under a minute. The scientist and astronauts there were shocked that she got it under control in record time.
"That was fun," she said smiling
"Wow that was… fast"
"Meaning what?"
"Sam you did it under a minute"
"Cool can I try again"
"Sure" they watch her while the scientists time her.
When she got it under control he stops the shop watch and showed the others it showed forty-three seconds. They knew that it was a record. When she takes her straps off and got off the chair she walk over to them
"What other simulations have you guys got here?"
"This way"
They walk into another room where they saw one where it goes around and around in circles to was for testing to she show their bodies can could with the 'G' force. Sam wanted to know how her body would copy under the strain.
So they did what they do to an astronauts putting heart monitor stickers on to her chest then she put on a special suit. Once suited up she walks into the room and sat in the chair where the scientists strap her in then they walk out of the room. Then Sam walked over and hop into the chair then they strap her in then left. The scientist spoke to Sam through a microphone
"Ok Sam are you ready"
"Yep fire away"
"Ok" they did it slow, then they slowly speed it up. There was no change in her pulse or heart rate.
"Speed it up she can handle mark five no problems when she is flying" Jack said so they speed it up and no change
"How are you feeling Sam?"
" This is great, can you go faster please"
"Well ok" then they did mark six, then mark seven and still no change
"This is great I can just feel the 'G' force"
"Ok Sam"
Then they speed it up more and more till they got to mark ten that was the highest they could go. Her pulse went up by ten beats per minute and heart rate was up by eight per minute. They left her mark ten for couple of minutes then they slowly bring it down till it stops.
Then she took the belts off and they unhook the wires from her and she walked out and went to take the suit off then the doctors ran some tests to make sure there was no internal bleeding or other problems. When Sam was clear it was lunchtime, so she went to join Jack and the astronauts.
"Sam how did the tests go?" Jack asked as she sat down next to him
"Good, I pass with flying colours"
"That good would you like to know how fast you were going in there?"
"Fast" the astronauts smile
"Mark ten"
"Really, it didn't feel like it"
"Well you were"
"Ok"
They talk while enjoying their lunch then they continue on with the tour until it was time to leave. Just before the helicopter showed up. Sam had her photo taken with the four astronauts and she thanks them for their time and tour.
When the helicopter landed Jack and Sam said their goodbyes before leaving. Sam wave to them as the chopper took off and headed to Dallas.
