hey guys thank you so much for the patience (no death threats yet!) This is another short one but i wanted to make sure that i got one in before the wedding! (opps, spolier, dont tell anyone! tehehe) hope you guys like it

Chapter 8: Welcome to the Family

Sam took slow large cleansing breaths and smiled. The past week had been a bitch. All the emotional not to mention physical stress of almost losing her child had left her weak and tired. She had yet to go home or even get out of her private isolation room for more than a quick shower. Yet the small weight on her chest and large warmth at her side somehow made it worth everything. The weight on her chest began to squirm as Sam opened her eyes. She smiled, no grinned really, at her baby. Her very own son. Offering a contented sigh she reached out to lift him. His blue eyes from last week had been replaced by little almonds but he had managed to retain a little of the feathery brown hair. Sam gazed, totally consumed by unconditional love, at her son for a moment before he began to mew. Placing him at her right breast she watched as he latched on to her nipple. Sam gasped a little, still used to the feeling, causing Jack, at her side, to stir next to her. As their baby found a rhythm Sam relaxed back into the cot. Relaxing to an almost dozing state the next thing Sam registered feeling was someone's five-o-clock shadow moving its way up her left arm. It was strange to be sure but from somewhere deep she recognized that aftershave.

"Jack?"

Feeling his grin Sam nestled back into his chest. To accommodate her Jack started to sit up. The jostling of positions force Sam to switch breasts.

"Hey there" he whispered, looking down. Taking in her tousled hair and weathered look Jack smiled because even under all that he found his Samantha, the one he had known all these years, the one who would never give up.

Sam tried to swallow and smile back. "Hey there."

Jack's grin exploded as Sam thickly mumbled her first word in days. Rolling over slightly Jack grabbed the glass of water from the bedside table and handed to his beautiful almost wife. "Here. This might help with the whole, you know, speaking thing." Sam grinned and took the offered straw while he held the cup. "So have you, ah, thought of any names yet?"

She looked up thoughtfully. "Jonathan?" her smile returned as Jack made a face and shook his head. "Oh-kay, you?"

Jack thought for a moment. "Jacob?"

"Jacob Jonathan?"

Jack shook his head again. "I don't want my baby cursed with my name. What about Paul, my fathers name was Paul. Jacob Paul?" Sam sounded it out and nodded. Jack grinned. "Great."

Sam smiled softly and leaned in to press her lips softly against his. "That's nice." After they parted she leaned back down. "So Jacob Paul -"

"Carter." Jack cut her off.

Sam looked up startled. "Carter?"

"Carter-O'Neill?" Jack offered in peace.

"Um, okay. Why?"

Jack looked down and offered an interesting smirk. "You really don't know why do you?" Sam's brows furrowed as she shook her head. He just laughed. "Sam you are the most brilliant person I have ever met and undoubtedly the most perfect woman just ever. I love you so completely. I want our children to remember you and carry a tangible piece of your legacy." He shook his head and kissed away the crease that had formed between her eyes.

Finally Sam chuckled. "Alright. Carter now but Carter-O'Neill later."

Jack kissed her nose. "Sounds great." Just as they leaned in for a fully impassioned kiss…

"MOMMY!"

They both looked up to see their oldest daughter tearing across the room. Jack slowly creaked off the cot to intercept her before she crushed the newest addition to their family.

"Hey sugar. You wanna meet you little brother." Keira nodded. "Okay." Jack carried her over to Sam's bed. "Say hello to Jacob Paul Carter." Keira whispered a quick hello before reaching out to pet his furry head. She giggled as the baby boy began to yawn.

"He's so pretty." Jack put down the little girl and watched her snuggle up to her mother and brother. Said little girl suddenly looked up and smiled Sam's smile at him. "This is so nice, now mommy's new baby and Janet's new baby can play." Jack and Sam looked up at whiplash speed. Janet had had her baby? Why hadn't any one told them?

Sam leaned over and asked Keira. "Honey. Did you say Auntie Janet had her baby?" Keira nodded fiercely. Jack just rolled his eyes, opened the door and shouted down the hall.

"SPACEMONEY!"

(down the hall)

"SPACEMONEY!"

Daniel looked up from studying his son and sighed. Janet smirked. "I told you Keira was a gossip." They laughed for a minute before Daniel kissed his son's forehead and his wife's lips and heave another sigh.

"I'll be right back."

"Uh-hun. You better be." Janet called after him. She hadn't endured 8 hours of labor to be abandoned in the first half hour. She smiled and resumed delicately tracing her son's ear lobe.

Daniel had made it from Janet's private room to Sam's in less than a minute. "Yes Jack." Jack looked up to see an exasperated and exhausted young man in the doorway.

He began tapping his foot. "I think you have something to share with the class Daniel." Daniel just rolled his eyes.

"Yes Jack, Janet gave birth a healthy baby boy last night. Nine pounds ten ounces." Jack whistled. "We've named him Apolo George Jackson."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Of course."

Daniel glared. "Can I go now?" Jack sighed expressively and nodded.

"But we have to set up a play date!" All three adults chuckled.

Flash Forward 4 Months

May 26, 2003

This was it. No really. THIS. IS. IT.

liked it loved it hated please REVIEW!