At first she dismissed the signs as being tired from work. She had been working more in the last weeks. But when she started throwing up every time she arrived the Mountain, Sam took some time to think and do some math. She looked at her calendar. Her period was late. In fact, it was super late. Her breasts were more tender than usual. And bigger. Oh fuck! She was tired. And maybe it wasn't because of work. Shit! And her mood had been oscillating a lot. Yesterday she had yelled with the science team because they had forgotten to label the samples, for crying out loud!
"Okay, don't panic. Go to the drugstore first and wait", she said out loud.
She knew she wouldn't be able to do any work anymore and it was already close to her hour for leaving so she just picked her things and left. She hadn't been taking her usual birth contraception because there had been a virus in the Mountain and the CMO had taken all women of contraception's because apparently they interfered with the vaccine the scientists of SGC had developed.
"Shit", she said again when she entered the Escalade. She and Jack hadn't discussed the possibility of having another baby. Thus the reason why she was on the pill. What if she was pregnant?
She parked the SUV in front of the drug store and went inside, quickly grabbing several pregnancy tests. She paid without even looking at the cashier. Then she got inside the car and drove home. Jack should be there with Jake. She put the paper bag inside her briefcase and close it. Then she entered the house. She could hear them.
"Hi guys", she said from the doorway.
"Look Jake, mommy is home", Jack said lying on the floor. He had a train on his chest and Jake was happily playing on it.
"I'm going to change and then I'll come downstairs", she said with she hoped sounded a steady voice.
Jack however noticed how nervous she was.
"Sure, honey", he said and started to take the train from his chest.
Sam quickly went to their bathroom and closed and locked the door. Then she took one test and sat on the toilet. The last time she did it, they had Jake. She closed her eyes. After the determined time, she looked at the small plastic stick. It was positive! Oh God! She did another. Also positive. And another. Positive!
She put it in the counter and put her head in her hands. How was she going to tell Jack?
"Sam? Are you OK?". Jack's voice was just outside the door.
She swallowed and got up, washing her hands.
"Yeah. I'll be just…One minute, Jack", she said trying to compose herself.
As Sam walked out of the bathroom with the last positive pregnancy test in her hand, her heart was racing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Her husband was pacing in the bedroom, and immediately noticed the expression on her face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, sensing her anxiety.
Sam took a deep breath and held out the pregnancy test for him to see. "I'm pregnant," she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Her husband's face lit up. "Really!?" he exclaimed.
"I wasn't feeling very well so I decided to take a test", she said sitting on their bed.
"Aren't you on the pill?", he asked sitting next to her. With the pregnancy stick still on his hand.
"I was but because of the virus, the doctor took us off for the vaccine to kick in", she said looking at her hands. "I'm sorry, Jack. We've never discuss this", she said.
"No, we didn't", he agreed.
"It's still early so I still have options", she said with a shaking voice.
Jack looked at her with raising eyebrows.
"What does that mean?", he asked slowly.
Sam took a deep breath.
"I can terminate it. If we decided it's not the best time to have another baby", she said keeping her eyes still on her hands.
Jack put one hand over hers and squeezed hard.
"Why on Earth would we do that, Sam?", he asked.
"I… I don't know Jack. I don't know if you want another baby", she said feeling the first tears dropping.
"With you? Of course I want another baby with you, honey!", he said. His voice full of with joy.
He embraced her and Sam hugged him back, feeling a sense of relief and happiness wash over her. "God! I was so nervous to tell you," she admitted.
Her husband smiled and kissed her forehead. "Don't be silly, this is the best news ever," he said. "We're going to be parents again!"
"Yes. The joys of pregnancy. Can't wait…", she said hiding her head in his neck.
"Oh this time I'll bet we're getting a Mini-Carter", he said with a full smile.
"Careful with what you wish for", she warned him.
He started to kiss her and soon they were laying on the bed totally making-out. Until Jake walked silently in the bedroom and started to try to climb into their bed.
"Dada", he said suddenly.
Jack almost fell of the bed.
"OH! Buddy", he said letting go off his flushed and half naked wife.
Sam also sat up, trying to compose her hair and clothes. Jack had already Jake in his arms.
"You know one thing, buddy. You're going to be a big brother! Mommy is having a little baby", Jack said with a huge grin.
"Jack…", Sam warned.
"It's okay. He understands", he said.
"Baby, play", Jake said immediately.
"Well, it will take a while until you can play with her, little man", Jack said.
"Baby, play", Jake insisted.
Sam looked at her husband and lowered her head, shrugging her shoulders.
"Come on, Jack. Don't do that. He'll get confused. We need to speak with him properly", she said getting off the bed and grabbing her hair in a pony-tail.
Jack continued to play with his son, making him fly in the air like an airplane.
"Okay", he just said.
"I'll also need to do a blood test with Dr. Liza Bloom as soon as I get to the Mountain. If I recall one of her specialties is OB-GYN although she doesn't practice. I'll have to talk to her to see if she can fallow me", she said looking at the two men in her life.
"I'm sure she can do that, honey", Jack said putting his laughing son on the bed.
"Hope so. It would save us a lot of trouble" she said sighing.
The next morning as soon as Sam arrived SGC she went straight to the infirmary. Dr. Liza Bloom was in her office reviewing some files.
"Good morning, Liza. Mind if I steal you some minutes?", Sam asked from the doorway.
Liza looked from the papers to the door. She was almost the same height as Sam although with black eyes and hair. That she kept very short.
"Hi General, sure come in", she said.
Sam entered and sat.
"I've already asked you to call me Sam when we are alone", Sam said with a smile.
Although there were more women now at SGC than when Sam was in SG-1, it was still a very men dominant environment. And both women were just about the same age.
Lisa smiled. "I'll continue to try. So what can I do for you?", she asked.
"So yesterday I took a home pregnancy test and the result was positive. So I want your professional confirmation. You know, to be sure", she said.
"Oh... A second baby? I didn't know you and the General were trying to give Jake another brother or sister", she said clearly surprised.
Sam blushed.
"We weren't. It isn't exactly planned", she said.
Lisa nodded with a smile. "Ah…I see. Extracurricular activities", she said winking.
Sam blushed even more. She liked Liza because she was a good CMO but also because she had a very straight forward sense of humor.
"You can say that…", she said also smiling.
"Okay so I'll perform a blood test to confirm your pregnancy. Do you have any questions or concerns before we get started?"
Sam shook her head. "No, I think I'm good."
Lisa opened a new file and started typing.
"So have you been experiencing any symptoms, such as morning sickness or fatigue?"
"Yes, I've been feeling pretty tired lately, and I've been nauseous in the mornings. That's one of the reasons I took the test. I remembered how it was with Jake", she said.
Lisa typed more. "That's good to know. We'll perform the blood test, and I'll have the results in a day or two. I'll call you with the results as soon as we have them. Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?"
"No, I think that's it. Thank you, Lisa."
"You're welcome, Sam. Let's move to the infirmary and it won't take long. You can get back to work in no time. Like I'm sure you're dying to", she said getting up.
Sam also got up.
"Well I'm running this. So yes, I do have to get back to work", she said.
The two women moved to the infirmary where Sam had her blood taken and was then ready to resume her official functions.
Two days later, Lisa knocked on Sam's door and after a 'come in' she entered. Sam was seated on her desk signing some papers that she stopped as soon as she saw the CMO.
"Oh hi Lisa", she said smiling.
"Hello, Sam. I've the results", she said handling her the papers.
Sam took them and quickly read. So she was definitely pregnant.
"Congratulations, General", Lisa said with a smile.
"Thank you, doctor", she said giving her the papers back.
"So now I have a question. Can you follow my pregnancy?", Sam asked leaning her back in the chair.
Lisa stayed silent for some seconds.
"It was one of my specialties but I haven't practiced in years, Sam. Maybe you'd be more comfortable with someone with more actual field work, if you know what I mean", she said leaning against one of her cabinet files.
"I had Jake while I was in Washington so I was followed by a general OB-GYN cleared by the Pentagon. Jake was delivered in a general hospital. It was little complicated because you know my particular health situation cannot be disclosed to people outside the Program. So even if you haven't delivered a baby in years, I have every confidence in your medical abilities, Lisa", she said.
Lisa blushed a little.
"Well, I'm honored with your faith in me, General. It's after all your baby we're talking about. It would be my privilege to follow your pregnancy. If there is anything that I feel I'm not comfortable with I can always ask for guidance and advise for a colleague without breaking confidentiality, of course", she said.
"I'm really glad, Lisa", Sam said smiling. "I already feel better. And trust me, my pregnancy with Jake was an emotional roller cost. I'm dreading this one", Sam admitted.
Lisa decided to sit down.
"Look Sam, second pregnancies tend to be easier than the first ones. Of course it always depends on the woman but generally I can give you a summarized version of what you can expect. Do you want that?", she asked.
Sam nodded immediately.
"Yes, please. I'm already anxious and I've just found out yesterday", she said.
"Okay. So be prepared for the fatigue to set in a little sooner with this pregnancy. It's also important to maintain a healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine while you're pregnant to regain your lost energy. You may start to feel your baby moving around at about 16 weeks — or even sooner. Plus, you've felt your baby move before, so you're more aware of what it feels like when your baby kicks", she said.
"Oh yeah, I remember vividly Jake's kicks on my ribs", Sam said with a yellow smile.
Lisa smiled a little.
"Right. Besides that, second pregnancies tend to "carry" lower, too. That's because your weakened abdominal muscles can't support a baby as well as they did before, so the fetus drops lower in your abdomen. The upside is that you'll probably breathe more easily and eat more comfortably than in your first pregnancy. The downside? You may suffer from frequent urination and pelvic discomfort from the additional pressure on your bladder and pelvic area. So toilet will become your new best friend, General", she said crossing her arms.
Sam closed her eyes.
"So not looking for that", she whispered.
Lisa tried to cheer her up.
"So you want to hear the good news?", she asked.
Sam opened her eyes slowly.
"Are there any?", she asked suspicious.
"Yes. Another difference in your second pregnancy is a shorter labor and easier delivery in terms of how your body adjusts. Let's say this is a perk of your second pregnancy, with the most obvious perk being your new little one!", Lisa said with an encouraging smile.
"So less hours of suffering?", Sam asked not very thrilled with the so-called good news.
"Usually", Lisa admitted.
"Well, thanks for the pep talk, doctor. I feel so not much better", Sam admitted.
Lisa started to laugh.
"Remember just that you'll have another baby wonder in your arms in just a few months, Sam. That covers all the bad parts of the pregnancy. At least that's what all my friends with children tell me", she said.
"You never wanted babies?", Sam asked. "Or is it a too personal question?", she quickly added.
Lisa just shrugged her shoulders.
"No, not at all. I never saw myself as a mother or having children. Since I was very young. It's not that I don't like children. I do. But not mine. Other people's children are fine", she said simply.
"Well I can understand that perfectly. If I hadn't married Jack, I would probably never have had a child either. Too focused on my career and not very invested in being a single mother either. So I understand your choice", she said.
"Well, then please let me invite you to my next Thanks Giving dinner and you can tell my mother exactly that. Maybe she will stop asking when I'm getting married and start having children", she said rolling her eyes.
Sam muffled a laugh.
"Yep. There's still a lot of pressure with the marriage and the kids", she said.
"Talk about pressure… I have the all family on top of me", Lisa said shaking her head.
"Eventually they'll accept your choice. Not every woman or man are meant to be a parent", Sam said.
"Amen to that", Lisa said standing up.
Sam did laugh this time.
"Well thanks for your input on the marvelous time that lays ahead of me", Sam said, taking a deep breath.
"Try to take it easy. I know it's not easy in your position but you'll start to feel tired much sooner than when you're pregnant with Jake. So you probably have to reduce your working hours here in the Mountain. I suggest you have a real talk with your 2IC. He seems a reasonable man", she said with a hand on the door handle.
"He is. I'll consider that, Lisa. Thank you. But for the meantime let's keep this just between the two of us, okay?", she asked.
"Of course, General", she quickly agreed. "Just let me know if you have any complains", she asked.
"I will", Sam said smiling.
The doctor waved and left. Sam took a deep breath and resumed her task of signing all the forms she had to sign.