So - I'm on a roll with this story (home sick today with a nasty cold and I've been having fun with this story). This chapter is a bit long but hope you have fun with it.
Jack got home and the first thing he did was remove his jacket and pull off his tie. He hated having to wear his dress uniform, although it was expected at these reception thingies at the White House. Why the president wanted him to attend he really didn't know. He wasn't exactly the most social of guests. Well – that wasn't quite true. He loved to get together with friends for casual evenings, for picnics and fun times. What he didn't like were the formal, make inane chitchat with people you don't know, kinds of events. And that's what this had been – in spades.
As he lay down on his couch, his feet up and a tall, cold beer in hand, he couldn't help but grin when he thought about that Russian scientist woman – what was her name? Ekaterina, that's what it was. She was the perfect picture of a sexy, voluptuous woman – sexy in a Tokra-ish, Anise/Freya kind of way. She'd definitely decided he was to be the object of her desire for the evening and had flirted outrageously with him.
He'd felt decidedly uncomfortable about the whole thing and had wished, many times, that Sam was with him. He had no interest in Russian scientists and certainly not in voluptuous ones who were coming on to him. She actually gave him the creeps. She reminded him too much of Anise/Freya and that was a memory he could do without. Of course, he hadn't wanted to start an international incident so he'd tried – really, really hard – to be friendly and polite. It was only when she'd pressed up close to him and grabbed his ass that he'd reacted – by spilling an entire glass of red wine down the front of her dress.
He grinned again – it had been an accident – okay, so it hadn't been an accident, but he made it look like one and was suitably apologetic. When she'd left to clean up he'd made his getaway, hoping never to see her again. He'd waved goodbye to the president, which probably wasn't correct protocol but hell – the man had practically forced him to attend. He'd done his duty and stayed, a lot longer than he'd wanted to – exactly four hours and fifty two minutes longer than he'd wanted to (which was exactly the length of time he was there) – and he was going to leave.
He leaned his head back against the cushion and thought of Sam. He wondered if she and Cassie had had a good day. He missed her – them – and would love to see them, although he admitted to himself that he wanted to go shopping for clothes only a little more than he wanted to go to receptions with Russian women scientists. Still, the company would have been much better.
He wasn't tired quite yet – it was only a little after 11:00 and he wasn't ready for bed. At the same time, he didn't really want to do anything else. He could watch a bit of TV, although nothing interested him right now. He'd finished the book he was reading and didn't feel like starting another one, not at this time. What he really wanted to do was to call Sam and talk to her but didn't want to interrupt a 'girl's night' with Cassie.
He sighed heavily, feeling sorry for himself, although he grinned at the same time. Life was pretty damned good right now and he could handle a night without her, although he admitted it was getting harder all the time. He wished they didn't live so far away from each other. He wondered what the president and chiefs would think about moving Homeland to Colorado? It wasn't too big a reach, although he figured they probably wouldn't go for it. Hey – maybe they could move the gate to DC? Yeah, he grinned, that would be the day. They could turn it into a tourist attraction like the Lincoln Memorial or the Smithsonian. He could just picture hordes of families – Dad, Mom and two kids whining about how long it was going to take before it was their turn to go through the gate. Hopefully that would never happen.
He crossed his ankles and stared at his ceiling. There had to be some way of working this out so he could see her more frequently. He wondered if Thor might give him one of those transporter things? He could have one here and one at Sam's and go back and forth every day. With cell phones no one need ever know! Nah, they probably wouldn't let him have one, even if it was a gift from his buddy Thor.
He could retire, he thought, putting his arm behind his head and continuing to contemplate his ceiling. He'd done it a couple of times already. Maybe this time he'd do it and it'd stick. He could be a stay at home hus – uh, guy, yeah guy – he couldn't let himself dream too big. It was too soon for that. Yeah, he could do that. He'd plant a huge garden and he'd volunteer with local kids – maybe coach a little league team or something. He'd fix meals and –no, he was not going to clean. He'd hire a cleaning lady – a really old, fat cleaning lady – and let her do the cleaning.
It sounded good, great even, although he had his doubts that they'd let him actually retire. They seemed to think he was important. Even more importantly, he knew Sam herself would throw a fit. She didn't think the program could exist without him. It was sweet – but not true – although he knew he brought something to it. The fact was, no one, no matter how good, was ever indispensable. Yeah, maybe it was time to start seriously considering it.
The phone interrupted his thoughts and he wondered who it could be at this time of night. He didn't think it would be Sam, although he hoped. It could be the president, pissed that he'd snuck off and left what was probably an irate female scientist with big boobs and a red wine stain. Or, it could be an emergency. With a small groan he stretched and reached behind him to pick up the phone without having to actually sit up.
"Hello?"
"Uncle Jack?"
Cassie had helped Sam sit down on the couch and had stayed close beside her, worried at how completely freaked out the older woman was. Cassie worried briefly about shock, but after a few moments could see the color start to come back to Sam's cheeks.
"You okay?" she asked carefully.
Sam laughed softly, briefly. "I guess – I mean, it's not like pregnancy is a disease or anything. Oh God Cassie, what am I going to do?" She turned tear-filled eyes onto the younger woman, who again reached out and took her into her arms.
"Well, you're going to calm down and relax. This isn't the end of the world you know."
Sam laughed again and sat up, brushing her hand over her eyes. God – she was going to have to tell Landry first thing Monday. They were scheduled to go on a mission on Wednesday but now she'd have to scrap that. The policy was no pregnant women through the gate. There was no evidence that it was dangerous and a number had gone through, but the program was taking no chances.
She'd also have to tell Daniel and Teal'c and they'd have to figure out what to do with Sg-1. A three person team had been okay – not perfect – but it had worked. There was no way they'd send a two person team out. She wondered if she'd be replaced.
Then she had to start thinking about the baby. Hell – baby! She didn't know a thing about them. She built nacquada reactors and shot people, for God's sake. How the hell was she to change diapers and – and teach it to read and go to games and play groups? What was she even going to name it? And where would she put it? She only had two bedrooms and one of them was for Cassie. Where would the nursery be? Did she even need one or could the baby sleep with her for a while?
And clothes – and supplies. God, how did one get that stuff? She could ask her sister-in-law – yeah, that would help – but then she'd have to tell her and her brother that she was pregnant. She put her hand through her hair. That was going to be a fun conversation. For the first time she was almost glad her father was gone. That would have been a conversation from hell.
And speaking of fathers! She put her hand over her mouth, suddenly feeling like she wanted to throw up – Jack! Oh my God – how could she possibly tell -"
"Sam. Sam. Sam. SAM!"
She looked at Cassie in surprise. She'd forgotten the girl was here. "What?" she asked, noticing that Cas seemed rather upset. "What is it?"
"Slow down! I can practically hear you thinking and trying to figure everything out. You don't need to do that right now – there's plenty of time."
"But I have to tell General Landry and he'll have to figure out what to do about the team. And Cas – what about diapers and clothes and, and teething rings? I don't even know where to get that stuff!"
Cassie laughed and reached over and hugged the woman next to her. "Stop! Sam, you've only just found out you're pregnant. You have months and months before you need to worry about any of that stuff. Okay, okay – so you need to tell General Landry, but that can wait until Monday. Look, you can't be the first field officer that's gotten pregnant, and I'm sure they'll cope just fine."
"What about Teal'c and Daniel?" she asked, feeling like she wanted to burst into tears.
"Them? They'll be thrilled and will fight over who gets to be godfather. Fortunately there's only one choice for godmother", she grinned.
"And my brother. How am I going to tell him? He doesn't even know I'm dating. He was upset when he found out about Pete – that I'd broken it off."
"He loves you Sam, and so do your sister-in-law and niece and nephew. They'll be happy for you. Uh – isn't there one person you're forgetting?"
Sam looked at her as if she didn't know what Cassie was talking about, although the panic in her eyes belayed that fact. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Jack. Sam, what about Jack. Are you going to tell him?"
"Tell him?" Sam sat there looking dazed. "Uh – yeah, I guess – "
"You guess?" Cassie laughed. "Sam, don't you think he should be one of the first people you tell. He'll be thrilled you know."
"Will he?" Sam sniffed and rubbed her eyes again. "We haven't even talked about this. We've only been on a few dates together. Hell, I haven't even seen him in two weeks and now we're planning to raise a child together. He's gonna hate me!"
"First off, he's not going to hate you. You said yourself you were on birth control so this is just as much his fault as it is yours – more his fault in fact."
"How is it more his fault?" Sam asked, confused.
"That sperm of his – remember?"
Sam couldn't help the laugh that escaped but even she didn't want to analyze how close to hysteria it had been. "So, you're suggesting I tell him that this is the fault of his super-duper, atomic sperm?"
"That's it", Cassie beamed. "He'll love that. He'll be so proud of the fact that he won't be at all worried about you being pregnant. Guys are like that you know."
Sam couldn't believe she was listening to advice about men and babies and life from a nineteen year old girl. Sadly, she figured Cassie was pretty close on the mark. Jack probably would be proud of the fact that he'd gotten her – oh stop it Sam. Super-duper sperm! They were being ridiculous.
"So, when are you going to tell him?" This time Cassie was speaking softly, gently and Sam wanted to curl up beside her and cry her eyes out.
"I don't know – soon. I'll have to tell him soon. I just – I can't tell him over the phone and I'm not going to see him for a while. He's supposed to come out to meet with Landry in two weeks and that's the first time we could get our schedules together. Oh Cassie – what am I going to do?"
"Do? Well, right now you are going to stop worrying about everything and get ready and go to bed. I'm going to make you a cup of hot milk and honey – yes, I know, but it works. Mom used to make me drink it when I was nervous about something and couldn't sleep. Then, you're going to crawl into bed and think nice thoughts. You are not going to worry about being pregnant or anything at all. Just think about Jack's reaction when he sees you in that red – okay scarlet teddy."
"That won't put me to sleep", hiccupped Sam.
"Okay then – think about – I don't know, something simple like building a time machine or an invisibility machine. That'll keep your mind off everything."
Sam giggled slightly, suddenly feeling a bit better. Cassie was right – it was way too early to be thinking about diapers and she was just so tired. The thought of bed was incredibly appealing and maybe, just maybe, she would not think about the fact that her world had suddenly been flipped completely upside down.
As Cassie tucked the covers under her chin and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead she smiled and closed her eyes. Super-duper sperm! She choked softly and was soon sound asleep.
"Cassie? Hi, how ya doing?"
"Fine Uncle Jack. How about you?"
"Me? Well, I just got back from a boring party with politicians and bureaucrats and scientists and am sitting here in my uniform."
"So – awful then?" she giggled.
"No", he sighed, "Not now. How did you girls do today? Did you get lots of shopping done?"
"Oh yeah – we bought out the mall. Even Sam bought lots of stuff, although not as much as me."
"Nobody could buy as much as you Cas. Anyway, I'm glad you had fun."
"Yeah – and Sam bought something special just for you."
"For me?" Jack's eyebrows were raised. Sam must have spilled the beans about them. "What is it? A new fishing pole? A lens for my telescope?"
"No silly. She bought a scarlet teddy. It's really sexy."
Okay – he so did not feel comfortable having he woman who was almost like a daughter to him talking about Sam and teddies. He cleared his throat, not sure quite what to say. He also had to keep his mind off that damned teddy. It had already given him a couple of sleepless nights.
"So Uncle Jack – you realize that I'm going to have to get you for this?"
"For what", he asked, sounding totally innocent.
"For not telling me about you and Sam. How could you? But I want you to know that I'm really, really happy. My Mom would have been too."
"Thanks sweetheart", he said gently. "That means a lot."
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" the young woman asked.
"Tomorrow? Uh – not much. I have to do some grocery shopping and a few things around the house in the morning. In the afternoon I'm expected at the White House again to meet with some more delegates. Why?"
"Well, I was wondering if you could come to Colorado?"
"Ah kiddo – I'd love to, but this weekend is just too busy. Any anyway, I thought you and Sam were having a girl's weekend. You wouldn't want a crotchety old general hanging around and spoiling your fun."
"You wouldn't and you're not old! But Jack", she said seriously. "can you cancel that thing at the White House and come?"
Jack slowly sat up, noticing a change in the girl's voice. Cassie sounded serious – and worried. Something was up. "What is it Cassie? Is something wrong?"
"No, no, everything's fine." But her voice gave her away. Now that Sam was in bed she suddenly felt like crying.
"Cassie", he said, a warning note in his voice. "What's going on? Is Sam okay?" God – he was suddenly worried. He should have called her. Was she sick? Had something happened to her?
"She's fine Uncle Jack it's just – she misses you. I miss you. Please, can you come?"
He took a deep breath and tried to settle down. She would tell him if it was something serious – wouldn't she? If something had happened to Sam he'd hear about it. Still, there was something. "Cas – where's Sam?"
"She's sleeping. She's okay – really Uncle Jack. We had a wonderful day shopping. She just went to bed early because she said she had a busy week and that I'd tired her out. Nothing is wrong I just – I really want to see you!"
He leaned back slowly, still worried although he didn't think it could be anything too serious. Still, she seemed like she really needed him. Maybe he should call and talk to Carter. He could call her cell and find out what was wrong. But she was sleeping – she'd had a busy week – he knew that was true, and she needed her rest.
"Listen Cassie – I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise, okay? I do have duties here and I can't just drop everything unless it's for something really important."
"This is – important I mean. It's not bad, I promise, but, but you'll be glad you came. And thank you Uncle Jack. I love you."
"I love you too. And tell Sam hi and -"
"- that you love her too?"
He laughed. "Yeah, and that."
He stared at the phone for quite a while after he hung up. He tried not to worry too much. This could simply be a case of teen angst. As strong as he knew Cassie was, she was still young and she'd been through a tremendous amount the last year and a half. Maybe the change in his and Sam's relationship – as happy as she seemed - had thrown her.
He let out a huff of breath and ran his fingers through his hair. The president was not going to be happy with him. Well, the man could just go hang. He had kids himself and knew that sometimes family responsibilities came before anything else. He'd call and let them know that an emergency had occurred with his adopted daughter. He'd be relieved if he didn't have to go to that damned garden party, or whatever the hell it was. The Russian woman was probably going to be there anyway and he really didn't want to see her. He didn't think she'd believe it if he accidently spilled orange juice down her shirt this time.
He picked up the phone and began to make a few phone calls.
The sun was barely coming up by the time the plane landed in Colorado Springs. He was tired and felt in need of a shower and shave. Rather than hitting his comfy bed, he'd spent the entire night travelling, the last little bit on an Air Force cargo plane. It was definitely not built for comfort, but he guessed he shouldn't complain. It had gotten him out here and really, there hadn't been any other choice. No other planes were flying that night.
He called for a cab, not wanting to use a driver for what was personal business. While he waited he wondered again – for the thousandth time – what was going on. He'd feel really stupid if he arrived and everything was fine. He could just picture Sam looking at him as if he was crazy.
Then again, maybe he was! He knew he was certainly crazy about her. And, even if things were fine, he was going to get to see his favorite two women in the whole world. He had thought he was going to have to wait for a couple of more weeks, now he was only going to have to wait minutes. He wanted nothing so much as to crawl in bed with Sam and snuggle up beside her and – sleep. He really, really needed sleep!
The cab pulled up outside her house and he paid the cabby and got out. He had keys to her house, but debated whether or not it was smart to just let himself in. She would be liable to shoot him as a trespasser! He walked slowly to the front door and, with a small shrug, pulled out the key. Hopefully she was a sound sleeper.
He let himself in to the quiet house and took off his shoes. He hadn't brought anything with him as he had a change of clothes and a toothbrush at her house. Anyway, he'd have to head back this evening to make it for his meeting tomorrow.
He made his way down the hallway until he got to her room. The door was ajar and he peeked in, to see her sound asleep under the covers. He couldn't help but smile at the picture she made. She looked toasty warm and cozy and he was dying to get in with her.
As quietly as he good, using all his black ops training, he rid himself of his clothes until he was wearing nothing but his boxers. He would have removed those as well but he was aware that Cassie was in the house. In case of a fire, or something else, he wanted to make sure he wasn't totally naked.
He pulled down the covers on one side of the bed, causing Sam to mutter and move slightly. After a couple of seconds she'd settled down and he slowly climbed in beside her. He didn't touch her, just stayed still and watched her sleep for almost a minute. Finally, with a smile, he relaxed and scooted up next to her.
"Wha - ?" Her eyes opened in surprise and she looked at him with blurry, sleep-filled eyes.
"Hi – it's just me." He leaned forward and kissed her on the nose. "Go back to sleep."
"Kay", she muttered and closed her eyes.
He couldn't help but grin as he cuddled up to her, his own eyes growing heavy. She was just so damned cute!
Sam woke up feeling warm and cozy and wonderful. For some reason she could smell Jack – that wonderful musky, safe smell that she always associated with him. She took a deep breath and stretched and – what the hell?
Her eyes opened to fall on the tousled head of one General Jack O'Neill – who was sound asleep in her bed, his mouth open, softly snoring. What was he doing here?
She thought back to the previous evening and it suddenly all came back. She was pregnant and – Jack was in her bed! Why was he in her bed? It wasn't that she wasn't happy – in fact she was – but how did he get here and why? She knew he had something on this afternoon and he hadn't been planning on coming so – Cassie! Damn it, that woman better not have told him about the pregnancy. If she had she was going to kill her. But that's the only thing she could think of. What else would have brought him here?
"Morning", his soft voice interrupted her musings.
"Jack – what are you doing here?" she asked, sounding slightly put out.
He pushed himself up on his elbow, hoping that he hadn't blown things by showing up like this. "Not happy to see me?" he asked, half seriously.
"Of course I am", she laughed, realizing how she must have sounded. "I'm always happy to see you – I just wondered why I am seeing you. Didn't you have a bunch of things on this weekend?"
"Yeah, I did", he sighed, "I do. It's just I got a call from Cassie -"
"No", she groaned, closing her eyes. "She didn't?"
"Well, she did call and ask if I could come."
"Did she tell you why?" Sam asked, trying to sound casual but knowing, from Jack's look, that she hadn't succeeded.
"No, just that you missed me, which I knew anyway", he grinned, looking so much like a little boy that she wanted to reach over and kiss him. "It's just -"
"What?"
"She sounded – I don't know – worried about something? She told me everything was okay but I just got the feeling I needed to be here. Was I wrong? Did I make the trip for nothing?"
"Never for nothing Jack", she reached out and gave him a soft kiss. "And no, you weren't wrong."
At this he suddenly looked worried and pushed himself up to a seated position. "What is it? Is it Cassie or is there something else? Is it you?" He sounded almost scared.
She looked at the man beside her and again thought how much she loved him. He'd flown out here in the middle of the night even though he didn't know if there was anything wrong or not. She felt a warm tingling through her body and suddenly felt like things were going to be okay.
"It was an emotional day yesterday", she told him. "I was going to call you this morning, because I knew you were out last night and then I got tired and went to bed."
"Is it Cassie", he asked. "Was it about Janet?" They'd both worried that one day Cassandra would crash – that all the grief in her young life would catch up to her. Maybe this had been it.
"Janet? No, although have you noticed how much like Janet she is? I mean, they weren't related by blood, but Cassie is definitely her daughter."
Jack nodded but she could see he wasn't about to get distracted. She took a deep breath. "You see, Cassie was just like Janet yesterday. She got an idea in her head and wouldn't let it go – and wouldn't let me ignore it either." She looked at him to see that he was watching her intently, patient, for now, to let her explain in her own way and in her own time. She took another breath. "I have been feeling tired and a little under the weather – nothing serious", she told him when his frown grew, "just a little nauseated. She noticed it yesterday and thought – asked – well", she took another breath, "she asked if I thought I might be pregnant."
He didn't react, at least not very much. His eyes grew a bit bigger but other than that nothing. She continued. "I told her she was crazy – that I was on birth control and we'd only been together a few weeks -"
"Six", he said, his voice without inflection.
"Yeah", she laughed awkwardly, "six. Anyway, I insisted that I couldn't be because I took birth control and she told me – just like Janet – that it doesn't always work. I knew she was wrong but -"
His eyebrows went up – ever so subtly.
"She insisted that I take a test – you know, a pregnancy test."
He nodded – that was all – just a brief nod. Damn, she wished he'd say or do something.
"So, we came home and we tried on all our clothes – and I got that cute little -" her voice petered out. Now was not the time for that. "After that she made me take the test."
Jack had on his inscrutable, black ops look – the one that said you can torture me, you can make me go to a formal reception, you can put me into a room full of bureaucrats and I'll not flinch. She closed her eyes and let out an internal groan. This was not going well. He still hadn't said anything and suddenly she felt like she needed to throw up. In fact, she was going to throw up. She threw off the covers and ran to the bathroom, catching his startled look out of the corner of her eye.
When she was finished she stood up and rinsed her mouth. She could see his reflection in the mirror as he stood behind her, leaning up against the bathroom doorway. She slowly put the glass down and turned around.
"So, I assume the test was positive?" he asked, his voice sounding flat.
She nodded and picked up the little wand which was still sitting on the sink and handed it to him. He took it without taking his eyes off of her and then glanced down, the little pink heart staring at him merrily from the little window. Without saying a word he handed it back to her.
"I was on birth control", she defended herself, her arms wrapped around her torso. "I didn't do this intentionally!" That finally made him move – at least he blinked and seemed to take a deep breath.
"I didn't think you had", was all he said.
Damn it, say something Jack, she begged silently. What are you thinking? Are you mad, furious, frightened – what? "I'm sorry", was all she said.
He blinked again. "Sorry?" he sounded confused. "Why are you sorry?"
"For getting pregnant. I know this wasn't what we'd planned – hell, we hadn't planned anything, not yet. I don't know what happened. I've never had – I mean, I've never gotten – I'm just sorry."
Jack seemed to shake himself and stood up straighter. "There's no reason to be sorry. This wasn't your fault. I mean, both of us were in this, did this", he made an indeterminate little gesture with his hand. "I know you were on birth control. I'd know you'd never -" This time it was his voice that faded out and he just looked at her.
She wanted to scream, although a part of her realized that he was probably in shock. Jack could hold in his emotions like no one she'd ever seen when he was in a stressful situation. Inside he was probably ranting and raving and yelling. "Cassie says it was your super-duper sperm." She closed her eyes and cursed herself. Damn – what made her say that! Where were her brains?
Jack blinked again. His first thought was he really didn't like the idea of Cassie talking about his sperm. That was just - ooh. His second thought was – hey, super-duper sperm! Way to go Jack! It was only then that he realized his brain was starting to re-engage and he could begin to think again. To say he'd been thrown was an understatement. He felt like he'd just been sat on by a Goa'uld mother ship.
For a while there he hadn't even been able to catch his breath, to breathe. As soon as Sam had mentioned the word 'pregnant' all his brain cells had seized, leaving him a walking, breathing zombie. He had followed Sam to the bathroom because he didn't know what else to do. He watched her throw up in the toilet, absolutely unaware of what the hell was happening. All he knew was she had said the word 'pregnant'.
It dawned on him, as he looked at the pale, sweaty faced woman standing in front of the sink, that she was looking terrified and he knew he hadn't helped. But really – pregnant! What the hell did that mean? He couldn't – it couldn't be his could it? But she had said it was his super sperm. No, Cassie had said that. But surely she would have known if it wasn't his? He shook himself. Of course it was his. It had been over with Shanahan for months before they started dating and he knew she was faithful. So okay – it was his sperm. That meant that he was the f –
He couldn't say the word, couldn't go there. No – Sam was just pregnant, that was all. It didn't have to mean anything else. He would simply ignore it and it would go away.
"Jack?" His name, uttered through a tear-filled voice, snapped him back to the present.
"Huh? Yeah?" he asked, trying to focus on her.
"Are you okay?"
"Me? Uh – yeah, I guess." He looked at her closely again and tried to pull himself together. "Are you okay?" he finally asked. There, that was good.
"I guess", she answered much as he had. "The nausea isn't too bad."
"Oh good. Well then -"
"Jack!", she cried, looking as if she was going to dissolve any minute.
He closed his eyes. Pull yourself together man! He opened them and this time the world seemed to snap into focus. God – what an idiot! He quickly walked forward and took Sam into his arms. At first she was tense and then she seemed to melt. He heard the sniffles which quickly dissolved into out and out crying.
He continued to curse himself as he held her – the woman of his dreams and the – and the mother of his child. For the first time the reality of it began to sink in. Sam was pregnant! Damn – she was going to have his child. He was going to be – he bit his lip, just say it Jack – he was going to be a father – again. He felt a bolt of something pass through his body. He couldn't quite tell if it was terror or joy – probably a little of both he decided. He continued to hold onto her tightly.
Finally, when the tears had subsided a bit he put his head next to her ear. "I'm sorry", he told her softly.
She leaned back and looked at him, her face puffy, her eyes and nose red, and a tear drop hanging from the end of that red nose. She looked adorable. "You're sorry. What for?" she sniffed.
"For my reaction. You caught me a bit off guard. Oh, and for my super-duper sperm. I guess I was the one who's to blame."
She giggled and rested her head on his chest. "I think you were right before – it was both of us. And I was caught off guard too. You should have seen me last night." There was silence in the room as they stood, holding onto each other. Finally she spoke again. "Are you mad? Do you hate this?"
He pulled back, looking adorably confused. "Hate what?"
"Me – being pregnant?"
"What?" he stepped back and looked at her fully. "Are you crazy? I don't hate it. I'm just a bit – okay, a lot shocked. I didn't expect it but I don't hate it. What about you? Do you hate it?"
"I – don't think so. I hadn't really thought – I mean, we hadn't planned – so this was a shock. I guess I didn't know quite how to feel."
"Yeah, that about says it. But now – have you had a chance to think about it?"
"I – Jack, I don't know if I can change a diaper!"
She sounded so absolutely forlorn, so terrified, that he wanted to laugh. The brilliant Dr. Colonel Carter was afraid because she didn't know how to change diapers. He knew that was only a way of trying to express her fear about this new unknown, but it was still funny. "I do", he said calmly. "Although I admit it's been a while. Still, I don't think it's something you forget."
"Really? What about teething? Do you know what to do?"
"Uh –walk the floor all night trying to calm him – or her – down?"
"Oh. What about potty training?"
"Sam, I think we'll have lots of time before we need to worry about that. And even then we don't need to worry. There aren't many adults walking around who haven't been potty trained. I think most parents figure it out."
"But what if -"
"What if what?" He was suddenly feeling rather calm – and rather amused. For once he was the expert and she was the novice and it was a great feeling. He also was beginning to feel excited by this whole thing. God – he was going to be a father.
"What if we ruin him?"
"The baby?" he asked, even more amused.
"Yes – or her, I suppose it could be a her."
"Yes, it could."
"I mean – what if he or she hates us for ruining him – or her." She was starting to sound confused, which made him love her even more.
"Uh – he – or she – will love us until – he – or she turns into a teenager and then he – crap, let's just decide for now it's a boy – and then he will blame us for everything."
"But that's awful", she wailed.
"No, it's life. He'll love us again when he's an adult."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive", he leaned down and kissed her nose. "Now come back to bed. I'm freezing."
It was only then that she noticed that Jack was wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. She led him to her bed and climbed under the covers. He immediately reached over and pulled her to him.
"So – you're okay about this?" she asked, finally starting to calm down.
"Mmm hmm", he murmured into her hair. "More than okay."
"Really?" She wriggled away from him and propped herself up so that she could look at him. "You don't mind?"
"Come here", he pulled her back down so that she was lying on top of him. "Now listen closely woman", he told her forcefully. "Not only do I not mind, I am thrilled. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did – as I said, I was a little surprised. But there is nothing – and I repeat nothing that makes me happier than to have a child with you. I am the luckiest man in the world and I love you and I'm going to love our son or daughter and we are not going to ruin him – or her – and you will learn to change diapers – especially dirty ones because I hate those – and we'll get through teething and colic and crawling and first words and first steps and tantrums and nursery school and kindergarten and high school and girls, or boys, and pimples and hormones and pets and bloody knees and-"
"Okay, okay", she laughed, interrupting him. "I get it." She looked him in the eye and smiled. "I love you, you know."
"Of course you do", he answered agreeably. "I'm very lovable."
"Yes you are." This time she kissed him on the nose. "Now, let's sleep. It's still early and I'm tired and I'm growing a baby."
He made a small hum of agreement and closed his eyes. "And I have super-duper sperm."
She laughed and closed her eyes, leaning her head on her lover's chest – on the man who was the father of her unborn child. Yes, everything was going to be okay.
More or enough?