STARGAZING
What a week it had been! First the dialing computer had a major seizure, sentencing Sam to two sleepless nights at the SGC. By the time she got home, she noticed spots on Jake's belly and about an hour later, suspiciously similar spots on Grace. What do you know, the chicken pox had arrived.
The next day, the water heater in their 20 year old house breathed its last. Later the same day the roof began to leak. As if things weren't bad enough, Jack was called to an emergency session of the Joint Chiefs in Washington and was scheduled to be gone at least three days.
Well, at least it was finally Friday. The kids were starting to feel better and had stopped trying to scratch their skin off. The roof had been patched and the new water heater was installed just a few hours ago. As far as Sam knew, the dialing computer had avoided any further glitches and Walter hadn't called her with any new emergencies today. And Jack was due home tomorrow.
She'd talked with Jack every night since he'd been gone, updating him on the latest disasters and the state of her mental health. She was almost serious when she told him it had been easier battling Anubis and the Super Soldiers than managing the house this week. She was one very tired Lt. Colonel.
By 2130 Sam decided to call it a day. She hoped the twins would sleep through the night; they'd woken up nightly these past few days, genuinely needing her attention. Everyone needed a little sleep around here.
Just as she turned off the porch light, Sam heard a sound at the kitchen door, then a key turning in the lock. Momentarily startled, she prepared for the worst and braced for battle.
Relieved to see a familiar, if unexpected, form enter the house, she put down the nearest weapon of choice – a rather solid skillet – and welcomed Jack home with a glorious smile.
"Just a smile? I've been waiting for this moment since I left you know."
"Too tired," she whined, finally spying a single red rose her husband held out to her. "But I do love you and I'm so glad you're home."
"Likely story, Mrs. O'Neill. I know you. Just waiting for another poor soul to take over nursing duties in the middle of the night."
By now, Sam had wrapped her arms around his neck and was fully in his embrace. He whispered, "How about a little stargazing, before we settle in for the night?" Stargazing was always an invitation for private time. As Jack and Sam fully realized the responsibilities of parenthood, this time alone had become very precious.
"Oh Jack. I'm such a mess. I feel so frumpy," Sam complained.
"I'll have you know, Samantha, you will never, never look 'frumpy'. I promise, if you give in, I'll carry you to bed if you fall asleep."
"Well in that case." Who could resist that offer? Sam thought silently as she and Jack made their way to the porch, arm in arm. Whatever else happened, together she knew they could handle anything life sent their way.
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