Jack rushed down the corridors, not bothering to wait for an elevator he took the stairs down to the infirmary. As soon as he rounded the corner he could hear voices. He stopped in the doorway, just to see that Sam was sitting upright and was approachable. Just as he was about to walk towards her, he heard her argue with Dr. Lam.
"Caroline, please let me go. I assure you there's nothing wrong with me."
"Sam! You fainted not only 20 minutes ago. You're pale and thin. You're really not looking good. I have to check you out."
"Please, it's not the first time it happened. Just some rest, something to eat and a lot of water will do me good and I'm back on track."
"What do you mean with 'it's not the first time it happened'?" That was something Jack also wanted an answer to. His wife fainted regularly as it seems and he wasn't informed about it?
"Look, I can't tell you, but please believe me when I tell you it's nothing serious. Please let me go."
"I can't, Sam. You're in no condition to leave the infirmary and if you don't want to tell me what's wrong I have to find it out my way."
"Argh..." Sam sighed frustrated. "If you really must know... I'm pregnant."
"You're what?" Dr. Lam and Jack nearly shouted at the same time.
"Jack!" Sam's eyes went wide, not having realized that he was standing right there. She was shocked, she wanted to tell him, but wanted to approach the topic very carefully. Instead he was made aware that he's going to be a father in the most uncomfortable way she could imagine.
Caroline reacted as quickly as she could. "General, I'm afraid you have to wait outside."
"Oh I don't think so." He growled.
"This is my infirmary General and I have a patient that needs my attention right now. I don't care who you are to this patient, all I see is that she needs an IV and some privacy. I'll let you know when you can see her."
He was about to respond when Sam grabbed the nearest trash can to empty the rest of her stomach into it. He could see her cry and it broke his heart.
As he felt a hand on his forearm he looked up to Dr. Lam."Please, wait outside. I'll come to you soon." He just nodded and left the room.
"Now to you Colonel," she turned to her and smiled. "Why is it that it's nowhere mentioned in your file that you're going to be a mommy?"
Sam had to smile back. She missed her friend Janet, there weren't many girlfriends she could talk to, but with Caroline she was sure she had the same connection.
"Because nobody knows yet." She let her eyes wander towards the door Jack just had disappeared through. Closing her eyes, fighting back tears while the Dr. hooked her up on an IV.
"So, I guess the father knows now?"
"I would have liked to tell him a little more gently." Looking down at her hands she avoided looking Caroline in the eyes. "I'm not sure if he wants to have children. We never discussed it. It just happened, it was kind of a shock for me and when I wanted to tell him... Let's just say we had an argument and I never got around to tell him before I left. And now we're not exactly on speaking terms."
"I'm sorry Sam. But I'm sure it will all turn out ok. I saw the fear in his eyes right before the news sunk in on him. He was afraid that you could be really sick. This man loves you."
"Thank you. Every support is appreciated."
"Let me just quickly finish here and then you can decide if you want to see him."
Outside Jack paced the hallway up and down. His head was spinning. He leaned on the wall for support and closed his eyes because he felt like he might pass out himself. He heard Daniel and Landry walking down the corridor towards him. As soon as he opened his eyes the world started spinning again. Just in time he made it to the restroom, emptying the contents of his stomach into the toilet.
He didn't know which of all his feelings caused his queasiness, but he sure deserved it.
Was it his fear of being a parent again? Being responsible for a little human being? Could he be a father again? He loved children and he loved Sam, and a baby with her... It would be perfect, wouldn't it?
But would she want to have his baby? After how he treated her that fateful day?
And again he spewed up as he realized why she must have flown to DC. She wanted to tell him about the baby! And he practically told her he never wanted to have kids anymore. God, how must Sam feel.
It wasn't true what he told her. It's not that he never wants to be a father again, it just freaks the hell out of him.
A soft knock on the door reminded him that Daniel was probably going crazy outside, not knowing what's wrong.
He quickly washed out his mouth and face and opened the door.
"Jack?" Daniel asked concerned.
"I'm ok, Daniel, I swear. And Sam, she will be ok I think. I just need to talk to her. Dr. Lam is with her right now. She told me to wait here. It could take some time. I appreciate all your concern, but it might be the best if you two are going back to work. I'll come and find you when I'm done here."
Daniel was about to respond as Landry reached out to guide him towards the elevator. "Alright, General. Take your time. I think we're done anyway, right?"
"Right. Thanks Hank. See you guys later."
And all of a sudden he was alone again. Sitting down on the floor he bent his knees and rested his forearms on them, his head back at the wall he was taking small and steady breaths.
"General." He looked up to see Dr. Lam right in front of him. She crouched down in front of him, touching his hand.
"She's ok. They both are!"
He breathed out the air he wasn't aware of holding. "Thank you Doc."
"She's ready to see you, but please no excitement. Stress isn't good for them."
A nod was the only reaction he was capable of. She stood up and stretched out her hand to help him up.
He was shaking by the time he entered her room. Not sure what would await him.
She was lying in one of the infirmary beds, hooked up to her infusion, eyes closed and her hands rested protectively on her abdomen.
"Hey." He spoke to her quietly.
"Hi!" She responded and he could see her eyes, red from crying. Instantly he felt guilty.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm ok. I think I really overdid it this time."
He indicated towards the bed that he wanted to sit down. "Is it ok if I...?"
"Of course!" she interrupted him and slipped a little to the side to make room for him to sit.
How she loved that man! Why in hell didn't she answer his calls? Why didn't she call back? Yes, she was hurt, but they promised each other to talk about everything and not let their pride get in the way of their happiness.
"I'm sorry, Sam. I'm so sorry for the way I treated you and what I said to you. Alcohol shouldn't be an excuse, but you must know that if I had been in my right mind I never ever would have said such things."
"I know, Jack. I had time to process it. But right then it was too much for me to handle. I shouldn't have left you there alone in your condition, no matter what. I was hurt and emotional. These hormones do crazy things with my mind. I was so afraid and focused on how to tell you that it didn't even occur to me what day it was."
"So, we're good?" he asked carefully, not holding his hopes up too high.
"Yes, we're good, Jack. I love you! No matter how stupid you behave sometimes."
"I love you too! Always! So,...pregnant, hm?"
"Yeah, it was quite a shock for me too. And when you told me you never want to experience this again, never want to be a father again... I... I needed time. I'm sorry, but I'm keeping it. There's no way I could not have it. I didn't think I could ever get pregnant. Janet told me it wasn't going to happen so this is much more of a miracle than it is already."
"Sam, I would never tell you to get rid of our child! I love you and as much as I am afraid of being responsible for another little human being I love to be a parent with you! You will have to put up with the most overprotective Dad you've ever met. I'm not letting anything happen to this baby, I promise." His hand wandered to her belly, stroking it where their child was growing. She placed her hand gently above his.
"I know, I love you, Jack!"
"I love you more! Thank you for giving me this second chance. I can't wait to chase this mini you through the backyard. I'll talk with Henry, I'm going to retire, Sam. No matter what you say, I'll not ever again let my duty stand between me and my family. I've done enough for my country. Hell I did enough for the whole galaxy. It's time."
"You won't hear any complaints from me. I'd love to have you around more. And to be true, I don't have a clue what to do with a baby. You'll have to help me here. I only know that I love this little bundle of cells already."
"That's all it takes. Love. This child will be loved and we're going to give our best each day."
"C'mere and kiss me, husband."
He leaned forward to capture her lips in a passionate kiss, filled with emotions.
Yes, life was good and from now on it could only get better.