CHAPTER 4
Sam nervously glanced at her watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. Emily's party had started nearly an hour ago and Jack was nowhere in sight. He'd gone to work that morning and had promised to pick up the cake on his way home, but neither he nor cake was anywhere to be found. She tried calling his cell phone again, but it went straight to voice mail.
She thought, 'Jack, if you're not in serious trouble right now, you will be when I find you.'
Emily stopped her water balloon fight with Uncle Danny, Uncle Teal'c, and the other kids and approached Sam, "Mom, when are Daddy and Cassie going to get here?"
Sam had been so busy trying to figure out where Jack went that she hadn't even noticed Janet and Cassandra's absence, "I'm sure Dad will be here soon, honey. Do you want to go inside and call Aunt Janet?"
Emily nodded and skipped over to Teal'c. She pulled him in the house, presumably to help her make the call.
Sam sighed and glanced at her watch again. Trying to be a proper hostess, she mingled for a while with the other parents and answered questions from the mothers about her lovely home. Twenty minutes later, when she was just about to call the police, Jack ambled in with birthday cake in hand. Behind him ran an eager Cassie pulling Janet by the arm.
Jack headed toward the main table to put down the cake and Sam met him there.
She whispered harshly, "Where have you been? I was worried when you didn't call."
His eyes cast downwards in guilt, "I'm sorry, Sam. I really wanted to be here, but I got caught up on the mission…"
Slight panic filled her, "You're okay, though, right?"
Jack softly touched her arm and reassured, "I'm fine, just some bumps and bruises."
Sam relaxed and looked him over; he seemed alright. "Is that why Janet and Cass were late, too?"
He shifted a little in what looked like discomfort, which confused Sam, but just said, "Yeah."
Emily soon spotted her father and flung herself into his arms for a hug. Sam smiled at this and joined General Hammond on the lawn chairs. He loved his grandniece dearly and also grinned as she introduced Jack into the water game.
Sam took a seat next to him, and the General fondly recalled, "I can remember being at your sixth birthday party back when Jacob and I were the young fathers. I can't believe how much has changed since then, Samantha."
Sam knew he was remembering her mother and his wife. "Aunt Jenny and Mom would have loved to meet Emily; don't you think so, Uncle George?"
He agreed, "Yes, your daughter is one sweet girl, Sam. You've done a fine job with her, and your mother would be proud."
This brought a few tears to Sam's eyes and she changed the subject, "I'm just glad Jack got back from the mission in time. He said it was a little rough."
The General's brow wrinkled, "Mission? I didn't know Jack was on any missions this week."
Sam was suspicious and was just about to question Uncle George when Jack shouted, "Cake time! Gather round everybody!"