The next weeks are a mix of hard work especially for Sam as she went deep in her new assignment and their continued attempts at night to get pregnant. Jack had a permanent smile in his face that made his secretary very suspicious.

Until one day Sam arrived home. She had feeling sick all week at work. Her period hadn't arrived at the scheduled date. She couldn't keep anything in her stomach, any little smell making her wanting to vomit. And an overwhelming tiredness appeared to overcome her. Of course it could be excess of work. Or something entirely different. So just for precaution she had passed in the drug store and bought a pack of pregnancy tests. Just in case.

She was feeling a mixture of emotions. She was excited about the possibility of being pregnant, but also anxious about what the future might hold. She took a deep breath and head straight to their bathroom to take the test.

After waiting a few minutes, the result appeared on the test stick. Sam stared at it in disbelief for a moment, then a smile spread across her face as she realized that it was positive. She was going to be a mother!

Sam took the test stick and carefully placed it on the bathroom counter, then headed to the living room to wait for Jack to arrive home. She was nervous and excited all at once, and she paced back and forth, wondering how she was going to break the news to him.

When Jack finally arrived home, Sam rushed to greet him at the door.

"Hey, how was your day?" she asked, trying to hide her excitement.

He put his hat and his briefcase on the usual places.

"It was good," Jack replied, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "How about you?"

"I had a bit of a rough day," Sam said, still trying to keep her cool. "But I have some good news."

Jack looked at her quizzically. "What's that?"

"I took a pregnancy test," Sam said, her voice shaking slightly. "And it was positive. We're going to have a baby, Jack!"

Jack's eyes widened in surprise, and then a huge smile spread across his face.

"Really?! That's amazing news, honey! I told you we could do it!"

The two embraced, both of them laughing and crying tears of joy. Sam felt a weight lifted off her shoulders, knowing that Jack was just as excited about the news as she was.

Over the next few hours, Sam and Jack discussed their plans for the future and how they would prepare for the arrival of their new baby.

"I'll have to find an OB/GYN with clearance enough for me. I might have to talk with Carolyn", she said resting her head in his chest.

They were laying down in their couch, with Sam between Jack's legs and arms.

"And you have to do a full examination", he said caressing her hair. His heart was so full of love for her right now that was almost bursting.

Sam slowly lifted her t-shirt and put her hand in her still flat belly. "Here", she said grabbing Jack's hand and placing it in her belly.

Jack swallowed slowly as he gently caressed her belly.

"Boy or girl?", he asked.

"I think it's a boy", Sam said.

"I think it's a girl", Jack said smiling and kissing her neck.

His hand traveled a little north and found her swollen breasts. "Oh these appeared to have become a little bigger", he said gently caressing them.

"I knew you would like that part", she said moaning a little.

"Oh, definitely yes", he said as his fingers moved taking her bra and having more freedom to play with her tender breasts.

She arched in his chest. "Jack", she warned as his fingers started to move south to the waistband of her sweatpants.

"Just playing", he said with a smile.

"Right", she said turning her head against his arm and moaning more.

"Do you want me to stop?", he asked.

"God…no!", she said as his fingers entered her.

"I can stop", he said stopping his hand.

Sam's eyes widened. "Don't you fucking dare!"

He laughed and continued to move his fingers and she started contracting around his fingers, until she shouted his name. He slowly took his fingers and licked them, tasting her. She was still in the same position, her breathing more intense.

"Good?", he asked.

"Very", she said turning around and looking at him. She was smiling.

"I'll have to inform the top brass", she said putting a hand in his chest.

"Let's first have the exam and the official results and then we can take care of that. You're not alone in this, Sam. The baby is mine too", he said moving the hair from her face.

"Oh you goddamn right it is!", she said chuckling.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I know. Little Carter-O'Neill in there. I'm perfectly aware", he said with a proud smile.

"Want to carry it?" Sam offered.

"No thank you, dear", he said.

"Thought so", she said turning again and resting her head against his chest.

Sam's first physical examination during pregnancy was an important milestone in her journey to becoming a mother. As she was feeling nervous, Jack decided to go with her to provide support and reassurance.

When they arrive at the doctor's office, they were greeted by the receptionist who checked Sam in for her appointment. Sam and Jack took a seat in the waiting area, and Sam nervously flipped through a magazine while Jack tried to distract her with small talk.

"Carolyn said she is a very good doctor, Sam", he said.

"I know", Sam said looking at the pages without really seeing anything.

Soon, a nurse called Sam's name and lead her and Jack to the examination room. The nurse took Sam's weight, blood pressure, and medical history, asking questions about any past health conditions and medications. Sam answered what she could. The rest had already been disclosed only to Dr. Olivia Weaver.

After the nurse finished taking Sam's vital signs, Dr. Weaver entered the room. The doctor introduced herself and asked Sam about her very specific health details forward by Carolyn Lam and how she had been feeling since learning of her pregnancy.

Sam answered that she had been feeling better regarding the nausea and vomiting but fatigue, food aversions and cravings as well as mood swings were a daily basis now in her life. Jack could attest to that.

The doctor smiled and then performed a physical exam, including a pelvic exam to check the size and position of the uterus. Dr. Weaver also performed an ultrasound to check the health and growth of the fetus. Jack and Sam watched anxiously as the doctor applied gel to Sam's abdomen and moved a handheld device over her belly. The ultrasound image appeared on a screen, and they could see their tiny baby for the first time.

"Oh…", Sam let out, grabbing firmly Jack's hand.

The doctor explained what they were seeing on the screen, pointing out the baby's head, arms, and legs. She measured the size of the fetus and checked for a heartbeat. Sam and Jack were overwhelmed with emotion as they heard the sound of their baby's heartbeat for the first time.

"It's a strong heartbeat", Jack said with a proud voice.

After the physical exam and ultrasound, the doctor discussed Sam's due date and provided information about prenatal care and what to expect in the coming months. She also recommended that Sam start taking prenatal vitamins to ensure that she and the baby received the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.

As Sam and Jack left the doctor's office, they felt relieved and excited about the progress of the pregnancy.

Her next step was to inform her superior officer, the Chief of the Air Force, General Andrew Windsor. It had been decided that after what happened with the Atlantis decision, she was to report directly to him so after a brief meeting she informed him of her pregnancy and her plans to continue to work as long as her doctor allowed her to. Masking his surprise, General Windsor offered his congratulations and wished the F-302s updates could be done before she had to start her maternal leave. Sam said she would try her best.

In reality, Sam was having more problems with her pregnancy that she was letting everyone know. Especially Jack. She was feeling insecure and afraid in general. And her mood swings so far were worst at her work so Jack hadn't witnessed yet any major outburst from her. Her team unfortunately couldn't say the same. Things had started to get a little uncomfortable later. Major Greeves had been chosen apparently to talk to her.

She was at her desk when he knocked and entered.

"Sorry to bother you, Colonel. May I have a word?", he asked.

"Sure, Major. What's up?", she asked stopping her typing.

"I'm sorry to bother you with this but we are a little worried with you. Lately there's been some issues with the team and well…They are a little afraid of you, Colonel. One moment you are praising them, the next you are yelling at them and telling their work is no good. They are feeling a little frustrated", he said.

Sam tried not to blush. Apparently it was time to come clean with her own team.

"You're right Major. I've been a little erratic lately. I'm OK but I've found out that I'm also pregnant. So there are some mood swings that I haven't been able to control. I'm sorry for that. I'll apologize to the staff", she said.

"Oh, congratulations, Colonel. You must be very happy", he said smiling. That explained a lot. Although everyone in the lab though she was single.

"Yes, I am. But unfortunately my hormones are also a little loose. So my behavior sometimes is not the most rational", she tried to explain the immense frustration she was feeling.

"Don't worry. I understand perfectly. I'm married. Two sons. Lots of experience with that", he said sympathetically.

Sam looked surprised at him. "Really?"

"Yes. She's not military. She's an English teacher", he said.

"Well I don't know if that helps or it makes harder", Sam said sighing.

He laughed.

"Depends on the days", he said shrugging his shoulders.

Sam just nodded. "I'll talk to the team later. Thanks for the heads up, Major", she said.

"Of course, and congratulations again, Colonel", he said before leaving her alone.