JUST THE TWO OF US

It was a glorious autumn day, their fifth wedding anniversary.

Jack and Sam had arranged to have the whole day free to spend with their four-year-old twins, Grace and Jake. They'd gone to the zoo, hit McDonald's for lunch and spent time on the swings in the park down the street. Finally, around 1700 hours, the children helped their parents blow out candles on a special anniversary cake, making a wish for another happy year as a family. The cake and the wish had become a happy tradition for the O'Neills.

Another tradition, started by the twins' second birthday, was alone time for the celebrants. To make this happen, a combination of friends always babysat on the evening of the anniversary, giving Jack and Sam uninterrupted time to celebrate their love together.

This year, everyone had decided the children were old enough to spend an overnight away from home, leaving their parents on their own in the house. The plan tonight was for Janet and Cassie to pack up the two little munchkins for a trip to the Frasier household.

Grace and Jake knew this was a special day. Mommy and daddy had been married five whole years ago! They always did fun things on this day as a family, so the children thought of the anniversary as a big party, like a birthday or even Christmas.

Although they were looking forward to their first overnight away from home with Aunt Janet, they were worried. How could you have a good party with just two people? So before they left with Aunt Janet they had to express their concern.

"Mommy, I think we should stay home with you," Grace whispered to her mother. "Just you and daddy can't have a party."

"You'll be all alone and miss us. It won't be any fun." Jake added.

Sam smiled softly and pulled her little ones into a big hug. "It's okay, you guys. Daddy will keep me company. Sometimes mommies and daddies can have fun all alone."

Grace looked at Sam skeptically, thinking her mommy was just trying to make her feel better about going with Aunt Janet. In the end, she gave in, "Okay, Mommy." Turning to Jack, the precocious four-year-old gave her daddy his marching orders, "Be sure Mommy has fun, Daddy. It is a party, you know."

Jack rolled his eyes, smiled and came over to join the family hug, "Don't worry, munchkins. Mommy and I will be just fine. We'll miss you, but we'll have fun, just the two of us," he said, looking up with a smile to find his wife watching him affectionately.

A few moments later, as Jake and Grace drove off with Janet and Cassie, waving happily to their parents, Jack and Sam stood on the front porch, arm in arm.

Turning to face his wife, Jack asked, "Mrs. O'Neill, it's just the two of us now. Are you ready for the 'party' to continue?"

"Absolutely, Mr. O'Neill," she replied, eyes sparkling and smiling the smile she saved only for Jack. "I'm looking forward to it."

OoOoOo

A/N: I had to write a happy Jack and Sam piece after seeing episode 200 of Stargate last night. Don't know about you, but I thought it was a major disappointment. In fact, at this point, I'm thinking it will take a lot for me to watch another episode. Guess I'll be reading more fan fiction instead!