They spent indeed three blissful days in the cabin, just relaxing and making sweet non-stop love. Sam was able to eventually relax from the traumatic experience of being relieved from Atlantis' command and was enjoying every minute with her husband. They both returned to Washington D.C. and their townhouse. Jack got back to his office and Sam stayed home waiting for her new orders.
After Jack's move to Washington to head Homeworld Security and her transfer to Nevada, they had decided not to wait any longer and did a Las Vegas wedding. Just the two of them. Sam wanted something intimate after everything that had happened in the last year. Her break up with Pete, her father dead's and their own relationship development. And she was determined to have the opposite of what Pete had planned for their weeding. She just wanted Jack. He had no problems with that. It had always been about her.
Their wedding had remained a secret until Sam was recalled back to SG-1 and fell back under Jack's chain of command again. Then they had to disclose that they were now husband and wife. Jack had requested a private appointment with the President and asked Sam to also be present. The President wasn't as surprised as they were expecting and all it was asked was that they kept it under the radar and as discreet as possible. As such, only Daniel, Teal'c, Cassie, Cameron, Vala, General Hammond and General Landry knew about it. And Walter of course.
Although she spent very little time in Washington, they had chosen the townhouse together. Sam had after all lived there before. They had chosen a beautiful brick row house located in Georgetown's historic East Village. The house was filled with an abundance of natural sunlight from exposures on three sides, which was further enhanced by the high ceilings throughout. The gated front walkway led to a gracious entry.
The lovely foyer transitioned to a formal living room, which was complemented with a central fireplace, beautiful built-ins, and a bowed wall of windows with French doors to the private brick terrace. Sam had felt in love as soon as she saw the terrace.
The sophisticated dining room was located off the kitchen, which offered oak cabinetry, complimented by an Italian marble backsplash and countertop. Both Sam and Jack favored the big island dining table included. A full suite of Miele appliances including an oversized gas cooktop, convection oven and combination steam oven, coffee maker, microwave and warming drawer, column refrigerator and freezer, and dishwasher were immaculately integrated. An adjacent butler's pantry was equipped with a beverage fridge, dishwasher, and sink. Sam didn't see great use for all of it but it came with the house. And Daniel liked to use it all when he visited.
There was also a sun-filled bedroom that they had converted into an office, full bath with walk-in shower, mudroom/laundry room, wine storage, and connection to their own private, two-car underground garage with custom storage.
The upper floor featured 3 bedrooms and 2 full-baths, including a big primary suite with an expansive walk-in closet, plus a luxurious bath with a skylight, dual vanities, heated floors, large walk-in shower, and a separate tub for Sam. There was also a walk-up attic for additional storage. To round out the conveniences of modern living, Sam had also requested to be installed a fully integrated sound system, multi-zone central air-conditioning and heating, and a climate controlled garage. She had installed herself a top-of-the-art wireless security system.
The rear garden was exceptionally private and layered with beautiful landscaping, a mature magnolia tree, and direct access to their garage. The house was within close walking distance to neighborhood favorite restaurants and shops, Rose Park, and the C&O Canal. Sam used to do her favorite running's through there.
After Jack left and Sam took her usual breakfast of coffee and toast she decided to go for a light run to Rose Park. She need the exercise. So she put a pair of shorts, a lightweight tank top and her comfortable running shoes. Grabbed her hair in a pony-tail, put her sunglasses and picked a small water bottle. Then she took off.
She started jogging at a moderate pace to get her muscles warmed to reach Rose Park. She followed one of her usual jogging paths in the area. Once she reached Rose Park, she chose to do a combination of activities such as running laps around the park, running up and down stairs, and doing sprints. After her workout, she sat down in one of the benches and drank her water, just enjoying the view. After some minutes of cooling down she did some gentle stretches to help her muscles recover and prevent soreness. Finally, she decided to return home, shower, and refuel her body with a snack.
When she entered the house, her cell was ringing. She had forgotten to take it.
"Carter", she said picking it up.
"Where have you been?! I've been calling you for more than an hour!", Jack said in a clear annoyed voice.
Sam took a towel and cleaned her sweaty face, sitting in one of their high benches of the kitchen.
"I was out running, Jack. I forgot the cell. What is it?", she asked, her breath still a little fast.
He tried to calm down. Lots of things had passed through his mind while he had tried to call her. Some of them weren't pleasant.
"You've a meeting scheduled in the Pentagon. Tomorrow morning. At 0800. With the Joint Chiefs", he said.
She put the towel on the island's countertop.
"All of them?", she asked slowly.
"No, just the Chairman and the Chief of the Air Force", he said starting to play with his pen.
"You're not attending?", she asked.
"Obviously not", he said clearing his throat.
"Obviously not", she repeated throwing the towel now to the floor.
He sighed. "Sam…", he started.
"It's OK, Jack. It's business as usual. We keep it separated. I understand", she said biting her lip.
"We've too", he said trying not sound too official.
"I know. Look I need to take a shower. I've just arrived from my running. We'll talk later when you arrive. Love you", she said hanging up.
Jack stood in his office looking at the phone in his hand and carefully put it down. He really didn't know very well how to act right now. This was the first time since their marriage that they were going to be actually living together. And now also working. Before, she was in Nevada and he has here and they would meet whenever they could. It was tiring but was also very exciting and sexy. Then she had moved to Atlantis and that had been hell, especially for Jack. But he had managed to visit her and the reunion had been spectacular! Now she was back home and Jack didn't know what to do. He loved her to death but they had never lived together in the same house for more than two weeks. And that was on their honeymoon. It really didn't count.
Although Jack wasn't attending the meeting tomorrow he had been consulted about the content so he knew what it was about. Sam was being assigned to the Pentagon to work with the improvement designs of the F-302s, Earth's attempt of having a combat-capable spacecraft. So she was going to stay in Washington, in the Pentagon, along with him. One part of him was very, very happy to have his wife with him. The other was very, very scared. What if she found out that he wasn't what she thought after all? What if the sixteen-years difference was indeed too much during every day's life of a married couple? Jack was terrified.
That evening when he arrived home, his heart was almost pounding out of his chest. He casually dropped his keys and put his hat at the foyer and took his shoes. There was some music playing in the house but in a very low sound. The French doors of their living room were open so Sam should be in their brick terrace.
"Honey?", he called.
"In here", she said out loud.
He followed her voice and indeed found her seated in one of the chairs they had bought and put on the terrace.
"Hey", he said kissing the top of her head.
She was drinking a glass of wine, in just some denim cut shorts and a t-shirt. Barefoot.
"Hey", she said back, putting the glass on the table.
He sat on the other chair, starting to unbutton his jacket. He looked at her but she wasn't looking at him. Instead her eyes were on the few cars that were passing on their street.
"Are you OK?", he asked.
"Fine", she said putting both hands in her lap.
Jack finally took his jacket and took a deep breath. God, he hated being in his dress blues all day!
"Sam, are you mad at me?", he asked slowly moving his body so now his face was in front of hers.
She bit her lip and looked at him.
"Why should I be mad at you Jack?", she asked looking at him.
Her tone was neither gentle nor harsh. Controlled. Her tone was controlled.
"Do you want me to give you a list? Or just state the obvious?", he answered also with questions.
She blushed.
"I'm adjusting, Jack. You can't expect me to be back from Atlantis the way things happened and suddenly everything is just…normal", she said blushing even more.
He grabbed one of her hand, gently caressing it.
"I'm not expecting anything honey. In fact, I'm probably more terrified than you", he admitted with a shy smile.
Sam raised one eyebrow.
"Terrified? Why on Earth would you be terrified?", she asked confused.
Jack wetted his suddenly very dry lips. They weren't people used to deep feelings conversations. Neither of them.
"Well, for starters, it's the first time we'll be living together since our marriage. In the same house. Let's say I'm a little afraid you'll get tired of me. That you finally realize that…" Jack's voice faltered and he cleared his throat. "That I'm too old for you", he admitted looking at the floor.
Sam felt like she had received an electric shock. She had been nurturing a grudge because he hadn't told her the reason of tomorrow's meeting and he was afraid that she might get tired of him?!
Slowly and still holding his hand, Sam got up from her chair and sat on his lap. He was still looking down with the most downcast expression she had seen.
"Jack, please look at me?", she asked gently.
He slowly lifted his face and looked at her.
"Jack O'Neill I love you very much. If we had been allowed, I had married you the first day I entered in that damn briefing room in SGC and saw this handsome face of yours", she said caressing it and then grabbing his hair.
Jack swallowed, feeling his cheeks flushing a bit.
"I may get mad at you, I may yell at you, hell, I even may throw thing at you. But…" Sam put her forehead against his. "I'll never get tired of you. And you certainly are not too old for me. I've already told you Jack, that I don't care about age differences", she said looking into his brown eyes. "Please believe me", she asked softly.
"OK", Jack managed to say.
"Anything else bothering you?", she asked not moving from her position.
He just shook his head. She still had her hands in his hair and was holding it firmly.
"Good", she said moving her lips to his and kissing him very gently.
Jack had his hands on her back, supporting her and as the kiss grew more passionate so his hands started to move to her ass. She moaned in his mouth.
"Do you really want to make-out in front of all our neighbors, General?", she asked smiling and still kissing his neck.
He groaned and picked her up. Sam wrapped her legs around his waist and he took them inside the house, kissing her deeply against the first wall he could find. Sam slowly untangled herself from him and put her feet on the ground.
"Come on, General. Let's move this to a more comfortable place", she said caressing the bulk in his pants.
He immediately grabbed her wrist and made her stop.
"Don't do that", he warned with dark eyes full of desire.
Sam just smiled and moved her hand to his belt, pulling him to her. "Manage to get to the room without blowing up?", she asked kissing his neck.
"Yeah…if you keep your hands where they are", he said moving his body and hers along the way towards the bedroom.
Once inside, he quickly took the rest of his dress blues while she slowly took her shorts and t-shirt, always looking at him. She wasn't wearing any underwear.
"Fuck", Jack groaned, taking his boxers.
He quickly grabbed her and dropped them in their king-sized bed. She was laughing by now.
"What's so funny?", he asked caressing her long hair. He really loved her hair that long.
She was lazily passing her fingers over his cheek.
"I think we're going to learn a lot about each other", she said with a smile.
He kissed her gently at first. "Yeah, looking forward to it". He put his hand around the back of her head, opened his mouth a little and pressed his tongue against her lips. She let him deepen the kiss.
His lips were soft against her mouth and she could feel the work in his jaw and cheeks under her palm as she tongued him deep and slow.
Jack ran his hands down the length of her silky body. Releasing her lips, he traced the path he had made with his hands, replacing them with his tongue. He sucked and caressed her breasts, and moved further down. He found her clit. He licked her already wet clit until she came, hands fisting in his hair. He crawled over her looking at her glazed blue eyes and her hard breathing. He positioned himself between her thighs, and slowly entered her.
"Oh fuck", she responded with a gasp.
She clawed his back, matching his rhythm stroke for stroke. Sam ran her fingers down his back until she reached his ass. She pushed down on his ass while arching her back. That made him go deeper into her depths. She gasped at the pleasure this caused. She could feel her release building up in her.
"Jesus, JACK! " She screamed as she came. He came minutes later, taking her along with him yet again.
They trembled in the aftermath together, holding each other tightly for endless moments.
"Is it me or the sex is getting better?", Jack finally asked when his breathing was more normal.
Sam started laughing so much she chocked herself and had to sit up in the bed, coughing. He gently caressed her back as her red face started to get back to normal. She quickly wiped the tears that had started to appear.
"Dear Lord", she said clearing her throat.
"Not better?", Jack asked looking at her.
Sam, still a little flushed, looked at her husband lying naked on their bed with one arm behind his head and looking perfectly adorable. She sighed and lay her head in his chest.
"The things you say…", she started trying very hard not to start laughing again. "Are sometimes so…" She stopped trying to find the right word but eventually gave up and just buried her head in his neck, smiling.
"So definitely not worse?", he asked with a smile in his lips. He liked when she let go and just simply laughed at his stupid jokes or questions. Had done that for years when they were both at SG-1 and apparently hadn't still lost his touch. She still laughed.
She silently shook her head in his neck and Jack could feel she was still smiling.
"Good to know", he said interlinking their legs. In minutes they were both asleep.