Chapter 26

In Melbourne, Jessica left home early that morning and biked to her great-grandfather rest home. When she arrived there, she smiled wishing Merry Christmas to the staff and residents alike. As she moved into the large dining room where they were having breakfast while Christmas songs were playing in the background, she finally could hug her great-grandfather.

"Merry Christmas, grandfather!"

"Merry Christmas Jess! What are you doing here this early?" He asked as he let her go and they took a seat. A sad look on Jess expression made him frown.

"I'm sorry to let you down, but they aren't coming," she added biting her lower lip sadly.

"Why not?" He frowned.

"They are going to have hangovers from last night drinking party, they didn't get to bed until after three this morning," he shook his head.

"And your grandparents?" She sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry, they are not coming either. Grandma had a fall last week, and due to that they are staying home," he placed his hand on top of hers.

"I knew about it; it's a shame though."

"I know, at least I'm here," she smiled doubtfully. He caressed her cheek with one hand.

"Yes, you are." He smiled softly,

"what's in that bag of yours?" He asked raising his eyebrows in surprise. She opened her backpack and gave him a present.

"Merry Christmas, grandfather." With a surprised expression, he removed the wrap to find a photo frame, turning it around he found a picture of Jess with a karate uniform.

"Jess, I already have this one," he told her confused.

"No," she shook her head, "not this one, Grandfather, see…" she said pointing to her belt which was now yellow.

"Jess! That's wonderful, I'm so proud of you," they both hugged.

Her grandfather took the picture and started to brag about his great-granddaughter, while Jess picked the bag she brought and started to give away the presents she had for the other residents. Each one received a box of malt barley sugars and a hanky for Christmas.

"You have no idea how brighter you make their Christmas, Jess." Her grandfather told her behind her back.

"What do you mean?"

"Most of them received calls from their families during the past few days; everyone excused for not being here today."

"But there wasn't much, grandfather."

"Still is something they can enjoy. You are a good kid, Jess."

Jessica spent another half an hour with her great-grandfather before she biked back home and sorted lunch sorted for her family.

In Colorado Springs, Major General Jack O'Neill and his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, invited Mark and his family, Daniel, Teal'c, Ferretti, Janet Frasier, Kawalsky and Jacob for the holidays. Along with some other members of the SGC, that otherwise were going to spend the holidays by themselves.

It was a freezing day; there was snow everywhere thanks to the three weeks of on and off storms. Sam and Jack sat down in the living room that morning watching their children opening their gifts. They got them their own fishing rods, reels and deck chair to be used whenever they managed to get the family to the cabin. Added to those brought from their many aunties and uncles. After that, the couple walked to clean up the dishes.

"Jack," she whispered as her husband embraced her from behind.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, placing a soft kiss under her ear, before untangling himself to dry the last pot.

"I was wondering how were things in Australia."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if our letters were something to go by, Jack. We helped change lives down there."

"Then, who knows?"

"When are the next letters due?"

"In five years, 2007."

"I hope the letters are helping them in the way they are helping us."

"You know, there's something that I've been trying to figure out." She frowned.

"I mean, why these people? Why they matter so much that they are helped too?"

"I don't know, I did think about it too. I guess one day we will find out the answer."

"Daddy?" Came Grace voice from the entrance to the kitchen, they turned around and found her with a puppy look plastered on her face. "Can we go out and have a snowball fight? Please?"

"Sure, go! Tell everyone to gear up!"

"Yes!" she said happily and ran out of the kitchen screaming to everyone to get ready for a snowball fight.

"Go, Jack." Sam kissed him. "I love you, big kid!" He chuckled.

"You wouldn't have me any other way, and you know that!" he grinned before walking out of the kitchen.

"What is taking you so long! Grace is almost ready," he told their guests. "I guess you all need some training when we get back to work!"

As her guests were all dragged outside, Sam sorted the afternoon snacks and then, she stood watching as the white balls were launched from one side to the other. Sam smiled placing her hand carefully over her belly; she was pregnant again.

That was a feat. They had tried to have another one after Grace, but when two years went by, they found out she had cysts on her ovaries. Along with meds and Jacob help using the healing device on her, she could announce to Jack that she was pregnant, she chuckled internally as that time was far different from when she had told him the news before.

It was Thanksgiving, and she was throwing up in the toilet. Jack heard her and helped, however, he could. Once she stopped, he gave her a glass of water and a cold towel.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I will be in the next few weeks."

"What? Should I call Janet?"

"No, silly. I'm pregnant." Jack grinned surprised.

"Pregnant?"

"Yup. Janet confirmed it yesterday." He hugged her tightly. "Ah, there's more."

"Is everything alright with the baby?" he asked in concern. She nodded.

"Remember when I was in your office and I was beamed up to Thor's ship?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, Thor picked that I was pregnant and after a quick checkout, he established that not only I'm healthy, they both are."

"Both? Twins?"

"Yes. I guess our children will have brothers."

"Boys?"

"Yes," she grinned.

"So much for plan A."

"I didn't know we had a plan A."

"Of course you did, four children. And now we are having five."

The phone brought her back to her Christmas afternoon.

"Carter?" she answered.

At the end of December Mike was called into NAVCOM. When he reached it, he was directed to Commander Johnson office.

"Sir, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, take a seat." He said waving towards the chair in front of his desk.

"Mike, you have new orders." Johnson gave Mike a file for him to read.

"You got to be joking, sir." He said raising his eyes as soon as he finished reading it.

"I just returned from Afghanistan."

"I know, and I wish I could tell you is a joke, but it isn't. You will be replacing Lieutenant Commander Lloyd. I'm sorry."

"May I ask why he won't be there?"

"He was in a car accident three days ago; he sustained serious injuries. Mike, Lloyd is in a coma."

"Oh…" he gulped. "I'm sorry for him and his family. But there wasn't anyone else available?"

"No, everyone else is already in a post." Mike sighed, he looked at the date noticing it was a week after the day Kate departed on the HMAS Anzac.

"I guess I leave in six weeks."

"Yes. This order came from the top, Mike. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you."

"Thanks, sir."

Feeling a little down with the news, Mike walked slowly out of the office. Thinking how on Earth he would tell the news to Kate, he reached home. He went straight to his room and sat on the bed, while at the same time he pulled the draw from his bedside table and took out the box.

"Yeah?" he asked loudly when there was a knock on the door.

"Are you okay, son?" His dad's voice came over.

"Come in, dad," Mike said, and his dad entered his room and took a sit on the bed next to Mike.

"What's wrong?"

"I've got new orders, dad. I leave for Afghanistan in six weeks." He added sadly.

"And you had short-term plans that are being messed up?" Patrick asked noticing the box in his son's hands.

"Yeah," Mike said opening the box.

"I was planning on asking Kate to marry me on the change of the years. You know? With all the fireworks as background." He chuckled at himself.

"Then, we could get married when she returns from her tour. But now…" he closed the box

"Things have changed." His father added, and Mike nodded in agreement.

"You should talk to her, son."

"I will, dad." He answered placing the box back in the same spot. Once everything was back in place, they stood and walked to find the rest of the family.