Chapter 3 - Kids
Morning came too soon that day for the couple sleeping in the master room. When the first rays of sun lighted up the room, the couple stretched themselves into their partners' embrace. They exchanged a gentle and sweet kiss before proceeding with their daily routine.
After breakfast, they moved back to their shared studio, and they soon found themselves engrossed in their hobbies, meaning that Sam was taking parts out of something, and Jack was playing with his Yo-Yo when the door opened, and Malcolm joined them.
"Good morning," Malcolm greeted them.
"Morning Malcolm," Sam said, still too busy with the piece in her hands to turn around to greet him. "Let me finish this one out, and we can continue where we left it."
"I thought we could do it in the gazebo today. What do you think, Sam?" Jack asked.
"Sounds lovely. Why don't you two make it happen? I'll join you in 5 minutes."
The men walked out of the room and towards the gazebo where Malcolm once again set his recording equipment. Jack, in the meantime, pressed his hand on one wall, and a couch appeared out of nowhere. Malcolm's eyes widened in surprise, while Jack flopped himself on the sofa after shrugging.
"The walls aren't glass. They are see-trough," Sam said, joining the men. "It's a new product we just finished testing. It's useful since we like everything hidden, makes any room look bigger," she finished as she entered the room and sat next to Jack.
"It gives a great view too," Malcolm said, and the couple nodded. "Shall we start?
"By all means," Jack grinned.
"Yesterday, we went through the first years since you met. We stated the two of you never had an affair, nor had an actual date just the two of you before you got married. How did it all work? Did your friends knew you were getting married?"
"No one knew we married," Jack stated.
"Our friends knew Jack, and I got married."
"I don't understand," Malcolm said, "Jack says they didn't, you say they did. Which one is it?" he asked, confused. Sam chuckled.
"Our friends knew we got married. They didn't know we had married each other."
2005
"Sam, are you for real? You married a guy you met in Vegas, not even a month after getting there?"
"What did you expect me to do, Daniel? Wait for something that might never happen?"
"I… You… What about Jack?" Daniel whined.
"Daniel, the man is married too. Didn't you get the memo? I did," Sam huffed.
"I don't understand you guys, why did you settle down, Sam? Why?"
"I think we deserve a chance at being happy, Daniel! Won't you agree?" she sighed. "Look, you can be happy for us. We are happy. Trust me, this is far from what we dreamed, but at least it is something."
"Sam! You can't be serious!"
"I am serious, Daniel! I will appreciate it if you could be happy for me. I love you, you are the brother Mark never was for me, but I am sick and tired of having this discussion every time you call. I did it. It's done, I'm married. Now, you can either be happy for me or stop calling me," she said, wincing at the ultimatum she had just delivered.
"I am glad for you, Sam. I, it is," he huffed. "I always thought you and Jack were meant to be," he confessed.
"Well, let's say fate has a weird sense of humor."
2050
"To let them know at least part of it without compromising the situation, we came up with the idea of telling them we would get married in Vegas. We knew the moment we told them we were getting married to someone else they would flip."
"We knew they would be so angry they wouldn't want to attend, so we did it. We told them, and then we took a red-eye flight to Vegas and got married."
2005
"Hey, Jack, what's wrong?" Daniel said, entering the room, followed by Teal'c and Sam.
"Well," he clapped his hands. "I wanted to let all of you know I'm getting married," Jack said.
"Wait! What? You guys are getting married?" Daniel asked, looking from Jack to Sam with hopeful eyes.
"No. Daniel, I am getting married," Jack stated.
"You are?" Sam asked, shyly.
"Yes. I met her when I went to DC to talk with Hammond. She makes me happy; we are getting married in two days."
"Why the rush, Jack?"
"I'm getting old, Daniel, too old to keep waiting, " he stated. Before Daniel could start his tantrum about love, Sam cleared her throat.
"I…" Sam started. "I also met someone when I got to Vegas. He is a politician; he asked to marry him on Friday."
"You have more common sense in your finger than he has in his brain! You said no, didn't you?" Sam denied by the head.
"What's up with the rush?!"
"He's starting his campaign and wants to get married before the press harasses him."
They parted their ways after that meeting. Daniel remained behind far longer than Jack supposed, and after hearing an earful from him, Jack managed to get to the airport on time to catch the flight they had booked the previous week; when they got the ball rolling with the help of Hammond and General Jumper.
They got their resigning papers approved that morning and had the time ticking against them. So, after being held by Daniel, Jack had rushed to the airport. Then, Jack flew through the airport security, since he had nothing more than his standard duffel bag and a huge smile on his face. He sprinted to the gate and stopped once he spotted her.
Not only had she looked exquisite. This was the first time since Jack had met Sam that he was free to look at her. Something kicked in his mind then, and Jack ran to Sam. He stopped for a brief second to get approval before he kissed her senseless as he wanted to do for a long time now.
Jack had talked to Sam for most of the flight until her eyes started to drift closed. With a smile, he pulled her to him, and hours later, he woke up for the first time to a Sam that he could admire and kiss good morning. They got to her place, shared an excellent breakfast, showered, and then, they parted to a chapel to get married to the love of their lives.
2050
"When did your friends found out you were married to each other?" Malcolm asked.
"Let's keep that for another day?"
"They figured out in 2020," Sam explained. "Let's say they weren't too happy, and they were euphoric at the same time."
"Ok, let's move on then. Why did you decide it was time to act?"
"You'll see, in the earlier years, we faced powerful enemies, mainly the Goa'uld, and then we also met the Replicators."
"We fought against them for a long while," Jack added.
"Until that year. That year, we could see the end of the fight. The Replicators became dust, and the Jaffa's were taking charge of the last Goa'uld."
"Everything was quiet in the galaxy," Jack smiled. "So we thought, why not?"
"We did good, because two years later, Daniel and Vala got themselves in another situation, and the Ori issue started. They moved me back to Colorado, where I was the head of Research and Development and the 2IC of my former team."
"So two jobs, huh?"
2006
"Can you honestly say that they are not punishing me?"
"You are not being punished."
"So why, after having a command, I will be the 2IC of my former team? Not that I don't like Cameron, but I was already out of SG1, not looking forward to going back to it, and now they are sending me as a second! It has to be some punishment."
"Is not your command because Mitchell already took the job, Sam, not because they are punishing you, " he said, trying to reason with her. She looked at him firmly. "Well, yeah, it sounds like punishment. I'm sorry, Carter. I can't do anything, you know they have my hands in this situation. But, if it helps, I am glad you will be out saving our galaxy again."
2050
"The real issue was that the only ones who knew about Alexia were Teal'c and Dr. Lam. So my return to the SGC was kind of tumultuous."
2006
"Walter! Page Colonel Carter to my office!" General Landry shouted.
"Yes, sir!" Walter answered promptly and did as he ordered. Soon, Sam was standing in the General's office, feeling that she was about to have her head chewed.
"Colonel Carter, I don't know the reason your kid is a matter of national security. Nor why you can't let her with her father as anyone else on this base. However, what I don't understand is why the top brass accepted as an ultimate solution to send your four months old kid to the Hak'tyl's world before you embark on any of your missions, but that's what they did."
"Thank you for the news, sir. You have no idea how much I appreciate it." Sam sighed. "The reason is 'need to know, sir,' and I feel you need to know. My daughter, Alex, has the ATA gene and the Tok'ra marker. She already showed some signs of having the ATA. I can't leave her with someone who doesn't have the proper clearance and the father; well, sadly, people above Homeworld Security had deemed that as impossible. They claim it's unsafe, Sir."
"I see. So, Colonel, what does your team have to say about this?" Landry asked, and Sam frowned.
"They don't know about her, sir."
"Are you telling me you have over 24 hours here, and your team doesn't know about the kid at the daycare?" She nodded for an answer.
"No, sir, they don't know."
"You have until the end of tomorrow to let them know, Colonel. They will accompany you to take her to Ish'ta. I believe Teal'c knows of this?"
"Yes, sir. Teal'c, Dr. Lam, and you are the only ones at the SGC who know about her at all, sir."
"Then they are in for a surprise, Colonel."
2050
"It was one of the hardest things I've done I was sharing Alexia's existence with them, but I wasn't telling them the whole truth." Sam smiled sadly. "Have you ever been in that position? In which you know something, and you are dying to share it with your friends, but you can't do it?"
"I can't say I have."
"Well, it's awful. Anyway, they took her in gladly. Alex was the 'something good' that my 'not so good' relationship brought. Two years after my return to the SGC, I got transferred to Atlantis. On my first months there, I discovered Terran was on his way."
2008
"Doctor Keller," Sam greeted.
"Colonel Carter? What can I do for you?" The Doctor smiled.
"It's personal," Sam grimaced.
"Okay. So, Sam, what can I do for you?"
"You know this is my third month here, right?" Sam asked.
"Yes, that's why we are having a three-month visit with Mr. Woolsey," Jennifer scrunched up her nose.
"Don't remind me about that." Sam rolled her eyes.
"That bad, huh?"
"Yup," Sam answered.
"If it's not about the visit then. Let's see, three months, so you are here for your Depo Provera?"
"Yeah," she winced. "Not really. Look, Jen, can we talk in a 'private' private?"
"Sure. Let's go to my office," she pointed.
"It's not about my Depo Provera," Sam said once they were inside and the door was closed. "If that worked as expected, then I wouldn't be here right now."
"I don't get it."
"I need an ultrasound to be sure I am well."
"Sam, what the hell are you talking about?"
"I am four and a half months pregnant, and I haven't had the 18 weeks control. I need you to do it so I can calm myself about this," Sam said at once
"You are pregnant?" Jen asked in awe.
"Yes, why do you think I am using a larger uniform?" Sam tried a joke.
"I didn't think about it. Do you know who the father is?"
"He is Alex's dad, too," she grinned. "Remember the husband I mentioned once?"
"Oh, yes! Well, Sam, let me arrange stuff around, and I'll let you know."
"Dr. Keller, I don't have to make an order for you, not tell anyone, don't I?" Sam asked.
"Your secret is safe with me, Coronel, don't worry. Well, at least until you have to say it."
2050
"So you were pregnant abroad. What happened with Alexia?"
"We had to decide."
2008
"I'm sorry Colonel, but that's a no"
"Sir, with all due respect, it is a matter of national security, and if the Air Force doesn't give a solution for this, I am giving one. It's an easy deal, and we already know that except for the Air Force, all the other parts agree. Can you at least verify it with someone, sir?"
"I'll do that, Colonel… but try to think about other solutions to this"
"There's another solution, but they won't like it either," the other General in the call added. "You'll like it less, Colonel."
2050
"Well, someone thought it was safer for Alexia to come with me instead of staying on Earth."
"It was quite the fight if I must say, but we couldn't come up with a better solution for it, not that they wanted to agree on another solution."
2008
"Colonel, what are you doing here at this time of the night?" Sheppard asked Sam, who was standing alone in the gate area.
"I'm expecting a cargo," she responded as it was the most normal thing to do at 4 AM in the Pegasus galaxy.
"At this time of night? Four days after your arrival?"
"Yes, John," Sam said with a smile.
"And no one else can handle it?"
"This cargo it's vital to me, and only I can receive it," she said, and at that moment, the first chevron locked in.
"I thought you didn't bring much. I bet this is the rest of your stuff."
"Hmm, hmm," she hummed, not paying enough attention to him. She was eagerly looking at the progress of the gate.
"I should stay out of your way and see," he muttered, walking further away as the last chevron locked.
Two boxes came through the gate as soon as the event horizon was stable. A duffel bag flew then, and two medium-size containers followed that. Then, the gate whooshed once last time, this time, a colossal person came thru. John stood rooted in place amazed by the height of the individual; he couldn't see much in the semi-darkened room that was the Stargate room at night.
"Mommy!" the scream didn't match the giant at all. That's when John approached.
"Colonel Carter, I brought your treasure."
"Thank you so much, Teal'c! Was she good?" Sam asked, taking her daughter into her arms.
"Of course, Mommy! Wow! Hoc simile domum!" (this is like our home)
"Alex, English," Sam admonished
"Sorry, mommy. I will learn much here. I like this place," Alex said, setting her eyes on the other person in the room. Sam followed her line of sight and smiled.
"Alex, this is Colonel Sheppard. Colonel Sheppard, my daughter Alexia Carter."
"Bonus occurret vobis, sir," Alex said.
"Alex!"
"He has it, mommy, doesn't he speak it?" She frowned in confusion.
"No, honey. People who have the gene do not always speak ancient."
"Oh! Pleased to meet you, sir. I'm sorry if I was impolite to you," Alex said, smiling sweetly.
"Colonel Carter, can you point me to your accommodations? I will drop Alexia Carter properties there."
"Sure thing, T. Alex, will you be good and walk with me to our room?" the little girl nodded. Sam lowered her to the floor and then shouldered the duffel bag and grabbed one box while Teal'c took one of the big ones and a small one. They looked around and found John staring at them.
"John, can you help us with the last one?"
"Sure."
"Teal'c, safety measures are up to date?"
"Yes, and yes, Colonel Carter, I will come for her if needed."
2050
"Back to Terran. You figured out you were pregnant while being on Atlantis. When did you learn about it, Jack?"
"At first, I developed a way to pass messages under the subspace message. With this, using our weekly meetings, I would pass him a video, and he would send me a video. That way, Alexia met her daddy, and that was the only way I had to let him know. After that, I also developed a scrambling software we could turn on to create a safe communication way inside the regular secured communication."
2008
"Bye Daddy!"
"I'll never get over the fact that we are having a secured video conference inside a secure video conference," Jack sighed.
"It's the best we got," Sam said, knowing well what a massive effort these conferences entailed. But they were also grateful because they could meet like this. And as they did, Jack would put videos in a secret folder, and she would take them out and show them to Alexia after viewing them herself.
"I know. I'm not complaining." Jack smiled. "You look good."
"Yeah, sure," she grinned, patting her protruding stomach. "He will be out next month, just like his sister."
"Ya think?"
"Yes. He is already in position."
"Goddamn! I'll see what I can do," he sighed. "Sam?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"I love you, and I am sorry we have to do it like this."
"I love you too, and, hey! I think two kids are better than if we didn't do it this at all."
"True! Well, back to the meeting. How did I unscramble this thing again?"