Three years later

Samantha Shannahan looked critically around the spacious living room for anything that wasn't perfectly placed or clean. She wanted to surprise her husband on their third wedding anniversary, and he was due home anytime now. The phone rang shrilly, piercing her thoughts.

"Hello."

"Hi honey. I'm going to be a little late. Got caught up in some work."

"Ok. See you soon."

"Love you. Bye."

She hung up, disappointed. Now the roast would be a little overcooked. Rationalizing with herself, she knew that his job took more time on some days. He had a whole department under him and she remembered how it had been for her. She couldn't leave if there was something that required her immediate attention, but no more. She had left that life after she had married.

They had stayed in Colorado Springs for six months after the wedding. Without her knowledge, Pete had applied for a job in Trenton, New Jersey. He told her when he received the job offer that he had just been looking to see what was out there. She had seen the hope and want in his eyes, and allowed herself to imagine a life away from the SGC. It had taken several weeks, but eventually he took the job, with her blessing. She had handed in her resignation to General O'Neill and he had accepted it without convincing her to stay. That had showed how much their friendship had changed. First he had backed off, not showing up at her house unexpectedly, then the phone calls dropped off. She thought he was giving her some space to be with her new husband, and relished in the opportunity to forge her new life. Then he stopped visiting her in her lab, unless he needed something. It had become strictly professional. If she needed to ask him something, she found him in Daniel's office, the gym with Teal'c or his office, where he now spent most of his time. The personnel at the base had quit making jokes about his hatred of paperwork, as he had jumped in and tackled every piece of paper that crossed his desk. Eventually she only saw him at briefings, beginning and end of missions, and in the commissary. He rarely said more than a quick hello before scuttling off. Daniel and Teal'c had been upset at the thought of her leaving, but had convinced the General to have a going away party at his house. It had been a huge affair, with all personnel not needed at the base there, with their families. It had been held on her last night in Colorado Springs and they had left early, along with those families with children. She felt unbidden tears begin to form as she remembered the hugs of goodbye and well wishes from her friends and co workers.

Pete had settled into his new job easily and thrived on the responsiblilty. She had taken a teaching job at Princeton, and while not as thrilling as working at the SGC, she was content. This way she could start a family without the worry of her dying at the end of a staff weapon, and leaving Pete and children behind. Daniel had kept in contact with her. Phone calls and emails at first, but eventually it diminished to an email or two per month and she hadn't gone back to Colorado Springs since she had left. Cassie had made frequent trips, and had her own room for such occasions. She had received several letters from Teal'c but nothing from the General. It was only times when she was alone, with nothing else immediately occupying her mind, that she allowed these thoughts to enter. She shook off the memories, and checked on the roast. She grinned as she remembered the surprise on his face as she presented him with a new suit that morning. He had mentioned getting a new one that he had seen at the mall, and she had promptly run out and bought it. He had worn it that morning to work. That was only part of her gift. There was something else to give him, something she knew would mean more to him than anything else.

Pete arrived home an hour after he had called. He walked in the door, removed his shoes, placed his keys on the hook by the door and turned to greet his wife. She stood in front of him with confusion written clearly on her face.

"Hi honey. Sorry I'm late."

She bent towards him to accept his kiss and pulled back.

"What happened to the shirt you were wearing this morning?"

"Oh, er. One of the guys tripped over a wire and dumped his coffee on me. Must've left the shirt at work. Don't worry honey, I soaked it right away. It'll be as good as new."

Sam smiled as he folded his arms around her.

"Did I tell you yet today that I love you?"

"Yes Pete. Now go change. Dinner's ready."

Pete took the stairs two at a time as he could smell the roast cooking. He changed and returned to a candlelit dining room, dinner laid out on the table, and his wife waiting eagerly for him.

"Sam, wow, this is incredible. You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble."

"It's for you."

"Well, I've got something for you."

Pete pulled out a small, velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her. Sam opened it slowly and gasped as she saw a beautiful diamond necklace inside. Pete pulled it out, placed her long hair onto one side, and encircled her neck with the white gold chain. She thanked him by kissing him, and he had to remind her that their dinner was waiting for them. She sat as he selected a bottle of wine. He opened the bottle, filled their glasses, and turned down the lights, so the only light was from the candles.

"Sam."

"Yes?"

"Do you want white wine? I didn't think to ask and you haven't touched the red."

"No thanks. I don't really want wine right now."

Pete shrugged it off and continued with his dinner. Once they had cleared their plates, Sam told Pete to stay seated while she brought in desert. He blew out the candles and turned on the lights and TV. He remembered that he needed to charge his cell phone, and went to the hallway to retrieve his charger. He bent down to plug it in, only to discover there were plastic plugs blocking the socket. He removed one, and plugged his phone in. Sam returned with his favourite desert and joined him on the couch. He picked up the remote and started flipping channels until she grabbed the remote from him and changed to one of those medical shows, presently showing a child being born. Mid bite, it hit him. He almost dropped his plate as he turned to Sam with hope written on his face.

"Sam?"

"Yes."

"Are you...?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"We are taking about the same thing here right?"

"I hope so."

"What are you talking about?"

"Pete. You're going to be a dad in just under 8 months."

AN: Don't worry, it will be S/J eventually...