Two weeks later they were on their way to the cabin. Despite the snow they decided to drive up there, so they could take Lucky with them. Sam wasn't really fond of flying in her condition anyway. Halfway through they did a stop and took a hotel for one night. Happy about the rest Sam stretched and they went for a quick dinner before retreating to their room.
The next morning when Jack headed for the driver's seat Sam took his arm.
"I can drive for a while if you want, you don't need to drive the whole way alone."
"That's sweet of you, but it doesn't bother me and you should relax. Enjoy doing nothing for a while." He placed a sweet kiss on her nose and helped her in.
Not long after their departure she put her hand on his leg. Funny how she seemed to yearn for physical contact. They sure like to cuddle and touch occasionally and when they went for a walk their hands intertwined, but the further her pregnancy progressed the more she searched for contact. And honestly, he loved it.
He was looking forward to having his wife all to himself for two weeks. No saving the world, no intergalactic crisis, there were others now that could handle it. When he looked over to her he found her staring at him.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes! Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
"I think I do, maybe as much as I love you!" he grinned, "but let's wait until this little girl is born. Maybe you'll see this in a different light then and you blame me for putting you in this position."
"Maybe I'll see it differently then. Maybe I'll love you even more for creating a life with me. But I don't see that it would be possible to love you more than I already do."
She scooted closer to kiss him on the cheek.
They arrived at the cabin around noon. First thing Jack did was to light a fire to get the heat up. Sam went outside to look after the generator, the dog went with her, glad to get a little exercise.
"Sam! Come on in, you're getting cold. I can do this later."
"Jack O'Neill, will you please stop it!" She groaned, finished her work on the generator and came back into the cabin.
"Stop what?"
"Would you stop wrapping me in cotton wool? I'm capable of doing things. Just because I don't have to work anymore doesn't mean I have to sit around and wait."
"I'm sorry Sam, I didn't mean to patronize you." He said and pulled her towards him, sitting down on the couch with her. "I just want you and the baby to be safe. I'm probably a little overprotective, but that's just because I don't want anything to happen to you two." He swallowed, not wanting his emotions to ruin the moment. He made a promise to himself that he would protect Sam and this child with everything he had. And if that means wrapping Sam in wool and for her to be pissed about that, so be it. While she gets more touchy during the pregnancy, he's getting more and more protective. Memories of Charlie popped up now and then. He had to deal with a lot of emotions and doesn't want Sam to worry.
"I'll fix us something to eat. Would you like to get the bed ready for later? Our bags and the bedding are already in the bedroom."
"Okay, afterwards we could head out for a walk, Lucky sure needs it. I love going out in the snow."
"Okay."
When she reached the door leading to the bedroom she remembered that's where it all started. Over a year ago. Her father had died, she broke up her engagement and went to the cabin with her team. Now she was here again, married to the love of her life, getting ready to being a family.
During lunch it started to snow, transforming the surroundings into a winter wonderland. They dressed in boots, a warm coat and put on a scarf and hat as well. Wrapped warmly they made it out into the woods, holding hands.
While they walked it snowed more and more. They headed towards the ranger station to take shelter. Laughing, they stumbled up the steps to the porch. Jack wrapped himself around Sam and took a seat on the bench in front of the station.
"Are you cold?"
"A bit, but not unpleasant. Let's wait a bit before heading home. Maybe the snow will lessen."
Ten minutes later they heard a car driving up to them. It was a police car and an officer got out, Lucky was standing at attention.
"Jack?"
"Jeff! Hi."
"What are you doing here in the middle of a snowstorm?"
"It wasn't snowing that much as we started our walk. And as it got more we came here to shelter. Sorry Jeff, I'm sure you haven't met my wife yet. This is Sam. Sam, this is Jeff, the local sheriff and a really bad poker player."
"Your wife? When did that happen? Hello Sam! I'm Jeff."
"Hi!" Sam greeted him and Jeff took a closer look at her.
"Not only married but pregnant as well, hm? Congratulations to you two. Haven't seen you two in town, when did you get here?"
"We just arrived, we're here for two weeks. Enjoying the last time alone." Jack said.
"When are you due, Sam?"
"I've got 4 weeks to go."
"Wow, that's soon. If you need anything let me know, they said the snow will be getting more in the next few weeks, you should increase everything you need. Food, water, firewood. You still have your radio, right?"
"We've got more than enough. I stopped at the grocery store before coming here. We didn't plan on leaving the cabin much for the next two weeks, so we should be good. I still have my radio and know which frequency I can reach you. Thanks."
"Good. Come on, I'll drive you home. I'm heading in this direction anyway. And if you feel like stopping by, Mary would love to have you over. I'm sure I won't have just a moment of peace before she gets to know your wife."
"We'll make sure to stop by. Thanks Jeff!"
Inside the cabin Lucky stormed towards the fireplace, laying down on his blanket, not daring to love anytime soon. Sam and Jack got rid of all drenched clothing, leaving them nearly naked in the bedroom.
"You're cold?"
"Yes." She confirmed.
"Do you want to take a hot bath? It'll warm you up in no time."
"Logically I'd say yes, but all my body wants is to curl up with you under the blanket and share body heat to get warm."
"Why don't we do both? We'll take that bath together and then we can lay down."
She couldn't help but smile at the thought of both of them fitting in the bathtub. After all, she wasn't even sure how she managed to fit in there alone.
"I'm not sure the tub is even big enough for me alone, Jack."
"We'll manage, you will see. Like in the birthing class, you'll safely fit between my legs. And I can rub your back if you want me to."
"There is nothing safe between your legs, Jack, so don't pretend otherwise. But I wouldn't say no to the back rub."
She heard him laugh when he disappeared into the bathroom. When she heard the water running Sam got rid of her last piece of clothing and went to join her husband. The room smelled like lavender, and the tub was beginning to fill with water. Jack climbed in first so that he was able to help Sam. Sighing she leaned back against him, cherishing the warmth of his body and the heat the water was providing.
Jack's tender hands began the massage on her shoulders. She was tense, and she savored every moment his fingers lingered on her. In gentle circles, he worked his way deeper, tracing her spine all the way down to her butt.
"Argh.. God that's great..." she gripped the edge of the tub as Jack hit the right spot. The one that was bothering her for a few days now. She felt like she was in heaven.
While Jack continued she rubbed her belly to ease the tension. Jack instantly on alert.
"Still those Braxton Hicks? Is it normal that they come so often?"
"I think so. I talked with Carolyn before I left the SGC. She said it was perfectly normal to have them once in a while. And she also told me that Janet is now lying correctly, she's with her head in my pelvis. Everything is just as it has to be."
"That's good news." His hands found hers over her belly and they took their time until the water got cold.
"Shall we take this into the bedroom? Water is getting cold and I like to rest with you for a while."
"We should do that. Do you think we need to go out with Lucky one more time?"
"I don't think so, he placed himself in front of the fire in a way he may want to tell us that's it for the day. I'll go out with him in the morning. And I think we should stop by Mary tomorrow, too. Don't want poor Jeff to be punished. She's very nice, you'll like her."
"I'd love that, Jack. It's nice to finally meet friends of yours that aren't work related."
He got out of the bathtub and reached for her. After they dried themselves briefly they slipped under the blanket. A little exhausted from the day, Sam slipped away into a deep slumber before they both fell asleep.
The snow outside is getting heavier and glittering white in the bright moonlight.