"I don't suppose they'd let me take back a souvenir?" Clarice spun around, trying to see everything at once.

Jack grinned. "Sorry." As much as he wanted to hurry back to Earth and find Saeena, he had to admit he still found pleasure in watching someone go through the gate for the first time. It was a magical experience, one to be savored, and he didn't have the heart to tell Ms. Berenson they had to leave.

"I guess I couldn't tell anyone where it came from anyway", she said as she knelt and touched the alien grass. "This is – amazing." Stopping for a moment she peered up at the Air Force officer standing beside her. "Thank you. I know this is because you need to find Amy – but thank you. I'll remember this as long as I live."

"You're welcome", he nodded. "I'm afraid we do have to head back soon."

"I know", she sighed and stood, brushing her hands on the pants of her BDU's. "I just wish I'd seen a squat!"

They made their way slowly back towards the gate. Teal'c strode ahead and Jack walked beside his future father-in-law while Clarice Berenson trailed behind with Daniel.

"So – glad you came?" Daniel asked the older woman. He wanted to grin at her look of awe. Like Jack he never got tired of showing people the wonders of the universe.

"Yes. This has been – incredible."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"And you do this all the time?"

"Yeah, pretty regularly."

"And you don't get bored?"

"Well", he laughed. "Actually, sometimes I do. It depends if there's anything to see. Jack complains about all the trees – a lot of the planets we go to aren't inhabited and pretty much look like Earth. But then, it would be hard if every planet was – challenging."

"And by that I suppose you mean 'dangerous'?"

"Sometimes", he agreed. "Those ones aren't boring."

"No", she laughed, "I guess not." She walked quietly for a few more minutes, trying to take in as much as she could. She glanced at her companion again. "I'm sorry about what's happened with Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter. It must have been hard."

"Mmm hmm", he agreed, "although in the end it was a good thing." When she looked at him curiously he continued. "They've – cared – about each other for years but couldn't do anything about it because of Air Force rules. This got them together."

"I'm happy for them then. I just wish -"

Daniel looked at her curiously. "You wish?"

"That Amy – or I guess I should call her Saeena – wasn't going to be hurt. It sounds like she was a victim in this whole thing and there isn't really a happy ending for her."

Daniel sighed and shook his head. "No, I guess not. But we'll do everything we can to help her through this. And Jack and Sam have tried to be good to her – it's just – a difficult situation."

"Yeah – it is."

They walked quietly the rest of the way, arriving soon after at the gate. They let Clarice spend a few more moments looking at the alien planet until finally Daniel dialed the gate and they returned to Earth.

General Hammond was waiting for them at the base of the ramp. "Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed the trip Ms. Berenson."

"I think 'enjoyed' is too mild a word general. Thank you for letting me do this. I'll never forget it – but don't worry – I won't tell anyone either. I don't think they'd believe me anyway!"

Jack was staring at the general, wondering what was going on. Although it was normal for Hammond to greet returning guests, he thought something else must be going on. Hammond had that look about him – and the glances he'd thrown Jack's way had the Colonel curious – and worried.

"Sir?"

"Uh – Jack. I suggest you head to the Infirmary now."

"Of course Sir." What was going on? It was SOP to go to the Infirmary after every mission – he certainly hadn't needed the reminder. "Uh – is everything okay?"

"Yes Jack – just fine." Hammond grinned. "Although you might want to ask for Janet as soon as you get there."

"Okay." Jack glanced back at the general a couple of times as he lead his party towards the Infirmary for the post-mission check.

"What was that about O'Neill?" Teal'c asked him, noticing the general's odd behavior.

"No idea Teal'c. It didn't seem to be anything bad but – I guess we'll find out." They arrived shortly at the Infirmary and were immediately sent to sit on beds for their check-ups, and a bevy of nurses began taking their vitals. O'Neill spoke to the nurse who was taking his blood pressure. "Captain, is Doc Frasier here? General Hammond said I should ask for her."

"I'll go check as soon as I take your blood Colonel", the pretty Captain smiled. O'Neill was one of her favorite patients since, like her, he was a huge hockey fan – and could be counted on to chat with her about the various teams and games. Once she was done with the blood test she headed out to look for Frasier – who was usually waiting when teams returned from a mission. This time she was absent, although she returned shortly with Captain Roycroft.

"Hey Doc – Hammond said I should see you?"

"Yes Colonel. Have you finished all your tests?"

"Yup – and passed with an A+. So, what's up?"

"Come with me Sir", she said calmly.

"Uh – Janet?" He hopped down from the table, glancing over at his team mates, who looked at him without a clue as to what was going on.

"It's nothing bad Sir – I promise. Just – come."

"Alright." He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "I'll be back folks. Ms. Berenson – I'm glad you got a chance to see what we do. I'll talk to you shortly."

"Thank you Colonel. And don't worry – we'll get this all worked out."

He followed Janet down a short corridor, towards one of the VIP rooms. "Janet, what the hell is going on?"

She grinned and stopped in front of one of the doors. Reaching for the handle she opened it. "Your fiancée wanted to see you", she informed him.

"Sam?" He gave the good doctor a strange look, wondering what was going on, but strode into the room anyway. "Hey, Sam." He frowned to see his wife leaning with her hands pressed up against the wall. "What's going on?"

She turned to him and smiled through the deep breathing she was doing. "Hi Jack. I'm glad you're back. I'm afraid I'm in labor."

"In labor? But – but you're not due for another week."

"She's fine Colonel", Janet said calmly. "Women can give birth anytime around their due date – it's not an exact science you know."

"I know – but – but aren't first pregnancies usually late?"

"Often they are, but not always. Believe me Sir – this is totally normal and Sam is doing great."

He seemed to realize then that he was still standing by the door. He watched as the woman he loved slowly straightened up and he rushed to her, taking her in his arms. "Hey you! We're going to have a baby!"

"I know. Isn't it wonderful?" She smiled and leaned into him, allowing herself to rest against him. Things were going smoothly and she was still only in early labor – but she'd been worried that he was off-world and somehow wouldn't make it back. It wouldn't have been surprising if something had happened – not with Sg-1 luck. "I'm glad you're here."

"There isn't anywhere else I'd be", he said softly.

"Except half-way across the galaxy!"

"Hey, that was for a good cause." He leaned back when he felt Sam stiffen. "It's okay. She's agreed to tell us where Saeena is. She just wants to talk to her first."

"Oh thank God!" Sam – who moments ago had seemed totally calm, suddenly burst into tears, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Hey!"

"It's okay", she sniffed. "I'm happy."

"And hormonal", Janet explained, a happy smile on her face. This had been the one thing she'd worried about – that Sam would fret about the child Saeena was carrying. Maybe now she could focus on just giving birth.

"Jack?" Sam spoke after a few more moments. He had led her to the bed and was sitting with her on his lap.

"What?"

"I want to get married", she told him.

"Uh – we are getting married Sam. In case you've forgotten, you are wearing my ring."

"I know silly – I mean now."

"Now? You want to get married now?"

"Yes, that isn't a problem is it?" She leaned back to look at him, her eyes once again filling with tears.

"No – I guess not – although I kind of figured having a baby was enough for us to handle right – now."

"But – I don't want the baby to have an unwed mother", she cried. "I want us to be married before it's born."

"Sam – I don't think it really matters", he explained logically. "I mean – we're engaged – we're planning to be together for the rest of our lives and really – nobody cares about that anymore. And I thought we'd decided to wait until after the baby? You said you wanted to be able to wear a non-maternity dress."

"I don't want to wait", she wailed. "Please Jack – I want to get married now!"

"Okay, okay", he leaned forward and kissed her. "If you want marriage – so be it. Uh – do we have time for this?" He looked over at Janet with a helpless look, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

"There's time", Janet told him. "She's only in early labor so she should have quite a few hours."

"Okay but – how? I mean – I don't know if you can even get married that fast in Colorado."

"Why don't you speak to Major Davison. He should be on base and he'll know what to do." Davison was the base Chaplain and someone Jack both liked and trusted.

"Yeah, okay – but – what about Sam? I mean, shouldn't I be here with her?"

"Jack – can you get my Dad? He can stay with me while you arrange everything."

"Alright but – uh – Sam, I don't think we can get everyone together in time. What about your brother and his family – and Cassie – and any friends from the outside. That's all going to take time. And you don't have any clothes. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes", she nodded vehemently. "I don't care about all that. I just want you and Daniel and Teal'c and my Dad – oh and Janet and General Hammond. We can have another wedding – with a dress and cake and all that after the baby. I want Cassie to be my bridesmaid but today – I just want to marry you and I'm totally happy to wear my uniform."

Jack glanced down at his very pregnant, teary-eyed wife and sighed. Leaning his head on hers he closed his eyes. Of course she couldn't have figured this out before! Damned hormones!

"Colonel, why don't I go ask Jacob Carter to come down – and I'll check to see if the Chaplain is here. Just wait here with Sam."

"Thanks Janet." He watched as the little doctor left and then sighed again. It looked like he was going to get married and become a father again all in one day. He couldn't help the grin that forced its way onto his face. Might as well just enjoy it!

"I'm sorry", his love whispered.

"Why?" he bent and kissed her. "You are making me the happiest man on Earth today so believe me, there's nothing to be sorry about."

"You don't mind getting married?"

"Mind? Hell – I'm thrilled. There's nothing I've wanted more. I just don't want you to be disappointed."

"How could I be disappointed? I'm marrying the man I love."

"In your uniform?"

She giggled. "It kind of feels appropriate", she told him.

"Yeah, it kind of does."

In the end the Chaplain came through for them – getting a marriage license in record time. As Sam entered the gate room – Janet close on one side, her father on the other – it was obvious that the other person who had come through for them was Walter.

The gate room was decorated with streamers and flowers and signs in the shape of hearts which said "Jack and Sam" and others which said "Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter". Not only that but someone – she suspected Siler – had built an archway at the base of the ramp. Standing under it was the Chaplain, dressed in his cassock and waiting to marry them. Over to his side stood Jack, Daniel, George Hammond and Teal'c. All of them wore faces that were a combination of worry and happiness.

Immediately Sam entered, a quartet began to play Pachelbel's Canon. Airman Smirnoff and Captain Vellani were playing the violin, Nurse Johnson was on the cello and Major Lee was playing the viola.

Sam looked startled – and then smiled – when Walter handed her a small bouquet of white flowers. She wondered briefly how they looked with her blue BDU's – but then didn't care. She was marrying the man she loved.

Janet too held a bouquet and started to walk towards the ramp, followed by Jacob and his daughter. They had waited until the last contraction had subsided and then began to walk forward, Jacob holding her carefully.

Jack couldn't help the smile that lit up his face. He was actually marrying Samantha Carter. A year ago he would have said this was an impossibility – a longing that would never be fulfilled. He would have also said he would never again know the joy of a family – of a wife and child to love. He had thought his life was cursed, that he'd lost all hope of happiness. Today was proving him wrong.

Sam reached him. He shook Jacob's hand, but only had eyes for this amazing woman – the strong soldier, the brilliant scientist, the loving woman. He was truly the luckiest man in the universe.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jack smiled and leaned forward – only to see his brand new wife grimacing in pain and clutching her stomach. He chuckled and shook his head, reaching out and giving her support and she worked her way through the latest contraction. Once it was over – and she had gotten her breath back – he leaned forward. "Can I kiss you now Mrs. O'Neill?"

"You'd better, Mr. O'Neill."

And with that – he did.

The applause and cheers slowly died out as the bride and groom turned from the gate to accept the well-wishes of their friends at the SGC. It had been an unconventional wedding – but more meaningful for that. Although Sam knew that soon she'd have a beautiful white wedding, with all her family and friends present, she also knew that this one would always be special. This was their place – and they were surrounded by people even closer than family.

"Jack?" she said softly as he took a bite of wedding cake. Leave it to Walter to find one with an hour's notice.

"What?" He grinned over at her.

"Uh – I think I need to get to the Infirmary. The contractions are coming closer together."

Immediately his expression grew serious. He put down his plate and then lifted his wife in his arms. "Thank you all for a wonderful wedding", he shouted to everyone. "Please stay and enjoy – as long as the general will let you. Sam and I are now going to go have a baby."

As he strode to the Infirmary – closely followed by Janet, Jacob, Daniel and Teal'c – he stole a glance at his wife. She was slightly pale – with sweat on her forehead – but she looked happy. It wasn't until they were almost at their destination that she spoke. "Jack?"

"Yes?"

"What about – what about Saeena and her baby?"

"Don't worry Sam – General Hammond has everything under control. Clarice has gone to speak with her and then will call George. We're going to get our baby back – don't worry. In the meantime, let's go have that baby."

"I won't", she said softly, although the concern in her eyes belied her words.

"Sam – I mean it. Everything will be fine. Right now you need to concentrate on that baby", he nodded down at her stomach. "It will be here soon!"

"I know", she smiled softly, although that soon turned into a grimace as another contraction hit. Jack laid her down on the bed and stepped back. They were about the have a baby.