Authors Notes
- Ok-ay, we find ourselves at the final chapter…I am shaking at the thought of how much I could have screwed this chapter up! Knowing me and the fact this is the most important chapter in the whole fic, I probably have! I just want to plead that you have more mercy than the Ori and don't burn me! lol
- The reason this has taken so long to update was because it has taken me a while to write this chapter and I wanted to stick up chapter 1 of Conviction at the same time as this one so I had more to write this time around.
- Also, I am having breakdown over here!! My math coursework has nearly driven me insane!! My art teacher is pressuring me to come after school to finish the coursework for that subject and ICT is doing the same!! The only subject I am enjoying right now is History and that's because I don't follow the lesson plan that well – I just read any textbook that is stuck infront of me, I'm doing American History at the moment and it is fascinating and really quite moving, its one of those things that make you really want to be a good person. It's what I aspire to!
-I think I told you back a couple of chapters that I would tell you what chapter I would use for my English coursework…Well, I decided to use chapter 18 because it has the least violence, swearing and Goa'ould references in it! I gave it to my English teacher last Friday and I should get it back at the end of the week with her notes on it.
-On a totally random note, my English teacher's daughter has the same name as Amanda Tapping's daughter – Olivia.
-I'll stop boring you will my life now and let you get on with this chapter. (If I talk too much just tell me to shut up!)
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Chapter 21: Baby Days
Daniel cast around the room as he stepped into Jack's house, there was a crowd gathered in the living area beside a large pile of presents, there had not been time before their new acquaintance had arrived but now, to keep to even the small shred of normalcy their lives held, Sam had convinced Jack to hold a late baby shower, it would be here that Jack and Sam's closest friends would finally find out the name of their beautiful daughter. Wandering in to greet the others, he was the one greeted first; Jack who had closed the door after him returned to mingle with the crowd as Daniel was approached by a familiar face
'Tec-ma-tai Daniel Jackson!' his arm collided with that of a Jaffa who's name was just on the tip of his tongue…
'Tec-ma-tai Jai'ac,' Daniel grinned, partly in greeting, partly due to the fact he had been able to pin a name to the face of the man that smiled before him
'Jai'ac came with me through the chappa eye to witness this…baby shower,' Bre'tac stepped into the conversation to explain his friend's presence at the celebration
'Daniel!' Sam came over, just having spotted him; she carried with her a bundle, presumably containing her daughter. Noticing Daniel's attention turn elsewhere Jai'ac and Bre'tac struck up conversation with Mitchell who happened to be standing closest to them, clearly not a fan of the long stories of battle he knew Jaffa to describe, he threw Daniel a pleading look that was promptly ignored
'Hey!' The teddy bear Daniel had held at his side now became animated, his hands inspiring a little wave from a stuffed paw, Sam grinned and reached forward for a hug, both were careful not to squash the sleeping baby in the process
'You have a name yet?' Daniel asked, peering into the little pink face, he could already see a resemblance to her parents, Jack's nose for starters…
'Yes! Finally! You should have heard some of the names Jack was suggesting; Teresa, Illinois, Sabrina, Agnes…he might have been joking about that last one though,' she shrugged
'How about Danielle?' Daniel joked, Sam's response seemed torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to throttle him, clearly it had been a tough couple of days, for a start Hammond and the SG teams had walked into the briefing room about 10 minutes after the baby was born to find the strange family huddled outside the General's office - Sam with a particular lack of pants. As it turned out most of the men went just as red as she did and it was only thanks to Janet that the scene was quickly organized.
'Hey guys, havin' fun?' Jack approached his ex-team members to tell Sam that everyone was finally present, Sam nodded and as the couple took to the head of the room Daniel integrated himself with a few more familiar faces; General Hammond, Teal'c, Cassandra and Janet.
One more person became visible as he stood to address his friends in regard to the family that stood behind him
'Finally it seems everyone is here,' Jacob cleared his throat to start a short speech 'we all know the pain and the anguish that Sam and Jack have been through together, they have had some hard times, near to insanity and near to death, I have even accompanied them on some of these missions... Although as a former Air Force officer I would not endorse what Jack and Sam seem to have pulled off…as a father I couldn't be more proud…and for the record I would like to say – Finally!' There was a small buzz of laughter from the floor and a rather enthusiastic "hear, hear!" from Cassie 'I know I have not kept this principle in mind in many of my actions but I believe that Life is what you make it, for better or worse, I hope as they have already made life for the better they can live by this saying a lot better than I ever did.'
There was a small applause in which a smile and thanks was shared between Sam and Jacob and she, Jack and their daughter stole the spotlight
'Okay, I'm not one for speeches but here goes…' Jack placed his arm around Sam as he spoke 'I have three things I would like to announce today in front of all of you, our friends and family. Firstly, you have probably already heard that I am retiring, I felt that after 7 years of traveling to other planets…getting impaled and such, I deserve to settle down and look after our daughter while Sam continues on as a most valuable asset to the SGC…Secondly…I had a discussion with General Hammond about a few loose ends I would like to tie up before I leave for a life of diapers, screaming and teaching our little one the joys of "The Simpsons"' the crowd laughed in a "typical Jack" kind of way 'During this discussion we both agreed that I should be the one to inform Sam of her promotion to Lieutenant Colonel!' Sam looked taken aback for a moment before mouthing to Jack "really!?" Jack nodded and after a rather extended applause this time he was allowed to continue 'Finally, last but not least we would like to announce the name of our much loved daughter…we talked our way through many baby's names books and several internet sites before deciding on an attractive and suiting name…for all those who had their hopes up, it's not Jam,' Sam laughed before taking over;
'We would like to announce our daughter's name as…Amanda Hailey O'Neill,'
There was a massive ovation that Jack and Sam did not think the crowd had been capable of, they both knew though that this was an expression of so much more than the name of their daughter, this was an applause for all the times they had been so close but too scared to touch, this was an applause for each time they were there for each other but never kissed, this was an applause for the fact they had finally got their act together and not only created love but new life as well, caught in the moment, the couple kissed and drew away to smile at each other fondly and grin as their actions inspired a scream of delight from Cassie.
No one need ask the meaning of the name they had chosen, out of wedlock they had still chosen O'Neill for everything Jack had done for the family's safety, Janet knew they had chosen Hailey - "hero" because there was no name more fitting and deep in their hearts they knew the name beginning with an A would lead to more than they could imagine…but that's another story…
'Hush hush Amanda,' Sam's gentle voice soothed her little girl as she cried. She repeated these words several times but the child did not hush, seeing no other option she started a soft lullaby, at first with a raised voice then a muted one as the cries subdued
'Oh God Jack!' Sam had spun around to return to the house and two strong arms stopped her colliding with her…well not exactly boyfriend…
Instinctively her eyes fell to Amanda ensuring she was still settled, she was, but on seeing this Sam did not look up.
'You're a natural,' Jack smiled, his eyes also settling on the little form in the woman's arms, a pensive silence followed this, questions raced through Sam's mind
What now?
I don't know.
Can I be with Jack?
I don't know.
Can I raise a child on my own?
I don't know.
Do I love them?
More than anything…
Her thoughts were spoken as Jack sliced through the muted atmosphere
'What now?'
Her thoughts slipped from her own mouth as she replied
'I don't know…' more silence soon to be broken 'I never thought this far… there was you, there was us, there was shock, there was pain, there was belly…now there's baby… I can't even start to think what comes next…'
'Happiness? Joy? Family? An inch of normalcy...Love?' On the most part they both knew Jack's words were wishful thinking, they didn't happen with the flick of a switch, by pressing a button, by waking up one morning and going "okay, today my life is going to change" every syllable whispered "Time" and in their current situation Sam couldn't help but think 6 months had definitely not been enough for a fairytale ending.
'If only it were that simple.' When Sam turned to leave, Jack did not stop her. He watched her walk away and still waited, moments, seconds, he waited...and just as she was about to return to the buzzing atmosphere of the house she turned to look at him, right into the eyes, sapphire melted into soulful brown
'Thankyou…sir,' A smile turned the corner of her mouth as she employed the title that had not graced her lips for many months
'For what?' he asked, a cool expression hid a feeling of deep desire for her, he wanted to reach out and touch her skin, now he could only touch her with kind words as she walked away, he wanted to stop her but knew he shouldn't…give her time.
'For being there for me,' it was strange how so few words summed up so much, they did though, and that's all that mattered.
'Always,' Jack rested his case on the last word, one which he always had to have…now it was her choice.
Enough said between them, they both turned and parted, Sam returned to the house and Jack wandered casually, his hand slipping into his pocket. When it reappeared his fingers grasped a small blue box. There was a pause before Jack opened it to reveal a ring…it was expensive but that was not the point, the point was three jewels which reflected the bright summer sunshine – A white gold band clutched sapphire, diamond, sapphire; symbolic in so many ways. There was a question that he had pondered for the past few days, ever since he had found himself boldly walking into a jeweler that caught his eye to pick a ring he hadn't planned to get that morning. It was a feeling, it had taken his heart and hadn't let go, much like the love he felt for Samantha Carter.
One last glance and the box snapped shut, just like their story. Not today. For the moment they had to live in "The End". Live today and take tomorrow as it came.
Serendipity at it's best.
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What can I say…? Wow! I did it, the whole thing! The whole fic!! On a brief look back I want to apologize if any of the characters were ooc, especially Jack, It was pointed out to me that I made him a bit mushy to begin with, I hope he became more strong and manly through the story!
Now I am going to go on the long and dragged out bit and say thankyou so much to ALL of my readers and reviewers, I managed to hit 100 reviews and it has given me a massive boost of confidence! I wouldn't be the writer I am now without all of your contributions. Minus a certain flame you kept me going and made me want to know what was happening as much as you! Yes, it sounds like I am some weirdo but reading back on my work it surprises me, some of the things I stuck in there and how exactly I pulled each chapter off. I have to also take note to the fact that I have made some amazing new friends through this fic, people who have contacted me through msn, e-mailed me or PMed me. I love you all!!
Special thanks to my regular reviewers: (this is going to take a while!)
-Natters: Short but sweet, thanx for the motivation
-Trinitystargazer3 - You were the first person to raise the comment about the eyes I see! Great reading, thanx for catching me out!!
-Katejones2005 – You have been a great motivational reader, your lovely reviews have kept me going, I felt you really involved yourself in the plot, you have no idea how happy and proud that makes me feel.
-Caroline O'Neill – obviously u are my amazing best buddy online, thanks for reading, even if you haven't quite caught up yet!
-Dragonland - Thankyou very much for pushing through even though you popped in when most of it was already written
-Dragonreader - Thanx for the PM about the ins and outs of childbirth, it was a big help! And thanx 4 joining my message board, it will be nice to chat to you more!
-Sokorra Lewis - You are an amazing reader! E-mailing me to review if wouldn't let u thru. Thanx for staying with me!
atlantis sg1 – thanx for reading and keeping with me. Hope we can chat sometime xx
7 League Boots – You were so nice to me!! After I got that flame you PMed me to tell me other wise, that got me back on track and feeling great. I hope you will follow me thru with the big picture of this idea
Swerels – I can't type ure sn properly! Lol! Thanks for your part in making this fic the way it is, Im grateful for every review!
Crazy Babiih – Looking back on my reviews I probably should have mentioned you earlier, thanks so much for the boosts you gave me and sorry for not acknowledging it before.
gater62 – Thanks for your reviews, its really nice to have your comments, hope you follow me through to Conviction!
Mak5258 – Your reviews are for the later chapters but they are appreciated just as much as everyone else's! lots of thanx xxx
I dearly hope everyone follows through to the sequel Conviction and I can count on your support and friendship on all the chapters to come!
Dedication: I would like to dedicate this fic to:
- My little sister – she is the most wonderful thing in my world! We are as close as anything, I will love her forever!
- My friend Jo – she is my bestest buddy and the first ever person to call me friend and mean it.
- My friend Caroline O'Neill she is an amazing person, has stuck by me through this fic and has shared many late night chats on msn with me!
Little Calling: I mentioned this earlier in the fic but I have a message board called Kawoosh Gate. It is a place for all fans of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis to chat and meet other fans. It's pretty new, I have 10 members and I am looking for more. Anyone who is interested visit wwwdots9dotinvisionfreedotcomforward slashKawooshunder dashGate and join up!
Once again, thank you and my love and good wishes to all of you
Smiles
Sesa
xxx