A/N: This chapter especially written for Shipsgiving 2008 at Gateworld

Grateful Hearts.

It was the first snow of the year. Only a scant two inches, but for the bustling metropolis of Washington, D.C., it might as well have been a foot. Washingtonians and snow simply did not mix. In some ways, the storm's timing was fortuitous; tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Businesses and government offices would be closed, taking the burden off the normally clogged roadways.

That in itself was a reason to be thankful, Sam mused. Even Jack had the day off tomorrow, barring any galactic emergency. She smiled as she realized how happy she was with the idea of having him all to herself, even if only for one day. Plans had been for Daniel, Teal'c and Cam Mitchell to join them for the holiday, but the weather had effectively closed the airport for the night. Not even the Head of Homeworld Security could justify a beam out by the Daedalus for the sole purpose of a turkey dinner. Sam would miss her good friends, but time alone with Jack had become more and more precious recently.

He'd been so busy. It seemed everyone wanted a piece of her husband. Jack was so much in demand he'd been unable to take her to the hastily re-scheduled obstetrician appointment this morning. It was the first appointment Jack had missed. She could tell he felt terrible about it. He'd made sure she had a friend to accompany her at the last minute and called shortly after his meeting ended to be sure everything was alright. He must have apologized a half dozen times.

Sam knew he wanted to be there for her. What's more, he didn't want to miss anything having to do with their child.

She loved Jack for his attentiveness. And she realized there were times even the great Jack O'Neill couldn't talk the President out of a meeting. So Sam set out to help her devoted husband feel better about things. It started with a special request of the ultrasound technician and a little trip to the local electronics store. Jack wasn't going to miss a thing about their baby, not if she could help it.

That afternoon, Sam made herself as busy as her heavily pregnant frame would allow. Cooking, cleaning and generally fussing to be certain everything was in place for a lovely dinner for two tomorrow. It would be their first Thanksgiving together in the same galaxy as a married couple, and she wanted to make the most of it. Tired as she was after a very long day including this morning's appointment with the obstetrician, she was excited about the holiday and about what she'd found out at the appointment.

That's where Jack's impromptu present came in.

OoOoOo

Jack arrived home near midnight. He'd called three times that evening explaining interruption after interruption and telling her not to wait up.

"Sam, I'm sorry," he said the moment he came in the door and saw her up and waiting for him. "I kept trying to get away, but with the holiday, it was one thing after the other. No one was taking no for an answer."

"Enough with the apologies," Sam said, walking up to him and kissing him gently. "Come on, I've got a surprise."

She led him into the living room. Stripping off his jacket and his tie, Jack dropped tiredly into his favorite seat on the couch. He reached out to Sam and she sat down beside him.

"What's that?" Jack asked when they were both seated.

"What?'

He smirked.

"You know what," he teased. "That wrapped package on the coffee table, right in front of us. The one I'm too tired to move to pick up."

"Oh, that," Sam said. "That's your gift."

"Tell me I forgot Christmas," Jack quipped

She rolled her eyes

"No, you didn't forget Christmas."

"Now I feel bad, I didn't know we gave gifts for Thanksgiving."

"Don't worry," Sam said, "it's your welcome home present. I missed you."

Jack smiled.

"Back at you," he said. With that Jack sat up and grabbed his present. He proceeded to rip off the wrapping paper with all the finesse of a five-year-old.

"Looks complicated," he said once the gift was revealed. "What is it?"

Sam giggled. Jack knew perfectly well what a digital photo frame was. But he'd taken to acting totally helpless lately when faced with any piece of technology, no matter how simple. It was driving her a bit crazy. Actually she figured he kept it up because the act always seemed to make her laugh these days. Go figure... must be hormones, she thought.

"Make it work," he whined.

Sam turned it on. The audio component kicked in immediately, a steady swooshing sound emanating from the concealed speakers.

"What is it? Jack asked. "One of those wave ... relaxation ... thingies?"

"No, silly," Sam said, trying not to laugh. "Wait, I need to get the picture up."

"My brilliant wife ...," Jack quipped, "even she can't work this thing."

Once the picture snapped on, Jack's attention focused. It was a video recording. Looked like those ultrasound pictures he and Sam got at the appointment...

"That's him," Sam said.

"Him?"

"Yep."

"Him who?"

Sam shook her head. Just when I thought he was ready to be serious for a minute.

"Our son," she said, taking his hand and squeezing tightly. "We got a good look at him today," she added. "He's a him alright."

Sam turned to look at Jack who'd suddenly fell silent. He was staring at the ten inch monitor he held in his hands, transfixed by the ultrasound recording playing before his eyes, watching the first movements of his son. Little by little, the corners of his mouth turned up and his eyes began to glisten with telltale moisture.

Then Jack turned towards her, ever so slightly, enough to catch her eye. He mouthed a single word.

"Perfect."

The End.