"Okay Sam, get comfortable, I'll quickly clean up here and then I'll join you."
"I don't think I can rest right now. I'll get you everything, it feels like I need to move around."
Jack eyed her curiously but knew better than to say something. He heard her bustling around in the kitchen. After they cleaned up they met in the living room. Sam pacing back and force in front of the fireplace, Lucky not once leaving her out of his sight.
"How do you feel?" Jack asked, not sure what else to say. He was nervous like hell but adamant to show it. He set up his brave soldier mask, not sure how long he can keep that up before freaking out. Why didn't he pay more attention when Daniel delivered the baby on the planet with the good looking people? Sam had assisted him, but Jack was too uncomfortable with the situation to pay attention. Hell, if Danny could do it, so could he, right? But it was his wife suffering here right now, not any stranger, and it was his kid. On the other hand Daniel had helped Sha're as well, that must have been a similar scary situation for the archeologist. Jack was tough and could handle stress quite well, but Daniel was better in emotional situations than he was. Jack always hid behind his mask because the truth is when Jack felt something he felt so deeply, it scared him.
"I think the contraction lessen a bit, and the intervals are a little longer. You have to look how far I am dilated. It can be hours until I have to push her out, but you need to check regularly. I have to be by 10 centimeters for this."
"How the hell would I know how much 10 centimeters is? It's not as if I have a folding rule with me."
"Jack... Argh..." She had to stop what she was saying and concentrate on breathing instead as a contraction hit her. "God...hours of this without medication...you'll owe me big time mister! You can measure it with your hand."
"What?" Jack was confused. He was caught off guard by her contraction that he didn't remember what they were talking about.
"My dilation, Jack. You can measure it with your hand. One hand's breadth is about 10 centimeters, three fingers are like 5 centimeters."
"Oh, right. Let's have a look then. You know that a husband shouldn't see anything like this, right? I should be here for you, but safe at the other end of your body."
"Believe me, Jack, I would prefer that situation too."
Sam laid down on the couch, it felt uncomfortable, the pressure of her belly weighing down on her. She thought about what they got told in the birthing class, each woman felt differently and had to find the best position in which she felt comfortable. This was definitely not her position. At least not in this stage of labor.
"I would say you're halfway through. It's about 5 till 6 centimeters. Maybe your back aches weren't really that but more like light contractions. You must have been in labor for some time now. You want to try the bathtub for a while?"
"I think I will walk around for a bit. I can breathe better if I'm moving. Sit down for a while Jack, get some rest, this could take a while." She told him and ran her hand through his hair. Gently massaging the short hair on the back of his neck.
He wondered how it was possible that she was the one giving him strength if it should be him supporting her. Sam knew her husband well enough to know how he felt right now. She had to keep him calm, otherwise none of them could do this.
She bent down to kiss him deeply, reassuring him.
"I'll do some laundry, I will let you know if it gets worse, ok?"
"You want to do laundry? Now?"
"What else is there to do? All we can do right now is wait. I can't lie down, that isn't comfortable at the moment. When I sit I feel like she can't move down enough to come out. Moving will help her with gravity. I would like to try an exercise ball, but do you see one around? Sadly no. And if I have to move to feel better I can at least do something useful, don't you think? Maybe I'll try the bathtub or the shower later, we still have some hours to kill. Shut your eyes for the moment, you'll need your strength as well later on."
"Alright, call me if you need something." He said, gently rubbing her belly, kissing it.
Sam moved around and Jack's attention moved towards Lucky. The Aussie eyed his owner curious before he came to him. He laid down his chin on Jack's knee, his eyes never leaving Jack's.
"It's alright buddy, we can do this. Sam's okay and we're ready to meet Janet, aren't we? It's just a little different from what we expected how it would go."
The dog barked as if he would answer him and made his way around the couch, to lie down where he could observe Sam.
She busied herself, not just to ease the pressure, but also to distract herself. She had to focus on something else, otherwise her mind would go racing around the birth and what could happen. And it helped to advance the birth. With every contraction she had to stop, holding onto something and trying to breath as steady as possible.
"Argh... Gosh... Tell me again why I thought a baby would be a good idea?" She groaned and Jack stepped behind her. Massaging her back like he had learned in class.
"To be exact here you didn't think about it before, Sam. It just happened."
"Oh yeah, and whose fault is that?" She replied sarcastically.
"Oh, and now it's my fault? No, you're as much responsible for this than I am. I'm sorry Sam that I can't ease your pain, but I don't regret getting you pregnant in the first place."
"I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to be so grumpy."
"I know, Sam. Do you want to try the tub now? Maybe the water will help you."
"I can try. Would you check me first please?"
"Of course."
She laid down again and Jack checked on her. "I'd say about 8 till 9 centimeters. Not long honey."
"Great, the pain is getting stronger and I can feel the contractions about every 5 minutes."
"I run the bath water and we can try this, come on."
Sam climbed into the tub and the feeling of the warm water on her skin was perfect. Jack provided her with water and light snacks. She stayed in there for about an hour.
"I don't want to give birth in here, could you gather some towels and a bowl with water? I think I want to do it in the living room."
"I have everything ready there. I layed out some blankets, got the water and towels ready for the baby."
"Thank you!" Sam's hand found his forearm to show a grateful gesture. But that turned into a strong grip because a contraction hit her really hard this time. She panted and groaned and swore all at the same time.
"Wow, that must have been a pretty strong one, huh?" Jack joked, eyeing the marks on his arm that her nails have left.
"Sorry!"
"Nothing to be sorry about. I'm here for this. Let's get you out and I'll check you again."
They barely made it out of the bathroom as the next one hit. Sam, not able to move, kneeled down in the middle of the room.
"Argh, Jack, I swear I'm ready to push."
He helped her over to the blankets and made her lie down so that he could check her.
"Yep, I'd say so. That definitely looks like 10 centimeters and I swear I can see some brown hair."
Sam smiled brightly as they looked at each other.
"This is really happening, is it? We'll be parents soon."
"Yes! I'm here Sam. We can do this. I won't let you down."
"I know."
"So, how do you want to do it? Like this with your back against the couch or would you like to kneel?"
"Let's try it like this. Argh... God... It hurts..."
"Then push Sam, push. It will be over soon. I promise."
"Argh..." She cried and pushed as much as she could.
"Sam I can see the head, she's crowning. Come on, one more push and the head is done. Yeah, that's great. Keep going... Wow, that's amazing."
"Make sure the cord is not wrapped around her neck."
Reluctant Jack reached out to touch his daughter. He checked her head and neck.
"Everything is ok. No cord. A few last pushes Sam and she's here." He told her, amazed by that first contact he made with his daughter.
A few more pushes and Janet was born. Jack caught her, but she was silent. He was worried because it wasn't normal for baby's not to cry after birth, right?
"Jack?" Sam asked worriedly, but as soon as she had spoken a loud scream filled the room and a weight fell from their hearts. Jack laid little Janet on Sam's stomach and sat down beside his wife. His arms around her shoulders he held his family in his arms. Sam's eyes glistened with pride and love.
"She's beautiful." Sam whispered in awe. She gently caressed her daughter for the first time.
"Just like her mother." Jack kissed her on top of her head. "You were great, Carter. You're a Rockstar, you know?"
A tear slipped down Jack's cheeks and now he was openly crying. All his anxiety and emotions are coming out now. His hand stroking the little bundle in Sam's arms.
"I think you have to cut the cord Jack. Do you need help with this?"
"I think I can do it. Just let me gather a few items. But I think we should do it together, because we made it as a team. That's an honor that shouldn't go to the father alone."
He secured everything and then they cut the cord together. Sam was able to deliver the rest on her own, so Jack got the opportunity to wash his daughter for the first time and wondered what they should dress her in. He wrapped her in a fluffy towel to keep her warm and helped Sam to clean herself up. Jack brought Sam and Janet into their bed, her back against the backrest she fed her daughter for the first time. She was happy that it worked instantly. Jack sat down beside her, watching them. His heart hammered in his chest. There she was, his daughter, safe and sound, delivered by only both of her parents. When Sam looked up from her daughter she saw all the love in his eyes and kissed him passionately.
Slow as if not to intrude, Lucky moved towards them and checked with Jack if it was okay to jump on the bed. He sat down beside Sam, eyeing the bundle in her arms suspiciously. And when Sam reached out to Lucky he moved forward, his nose at Janet's belly he cuddled up beside his family.
Half an hour later the radio sprung to life.
/Jack, Sam? Do you read? Jack? The snowstorm got pretty heavy and I wanted to check on you but the radio was off for a few hours. Please respond when you can hear me and let me know everything is ok. I'm trying to get to you, but it could at least take two hours./
/Jeff! Great to hear from you. We would love to see you, but If you take the journey please bring some diapers and maybe some baby clothes? It looks like your wife was right. There weren't three weeks left. Sam gave birth about an hours ago./
/God, I'm glad to hear from you. Wait, what? Are you kidding me Jack?/
/Nope, our daughter wouldn't want to wait any longer. I'm sure they're both fine, but if you happen to bring a doctor along we would appreciate that./
/I'm on my way. I'm coming as soon as possible. And congratulations to you. Jeff out./
When he returned to the bedroom, Sam was asleep and Janet in her arms as well. So Jack decided to quickly clean up everything before joining his wife.
Sam felt the bed dip as Jack got in and opened her eyes.
"Sorry for waking you. I tried to be as silent as possible, you must need your rest."
"I'm glad you woke me up. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for you. Thank you so much for your help. You were perfect, you always knew what I needed and got her out safely."
"Well, your job was way harder than mine. Thank you for giving me this incredible sweet daughter Sam. I meant what I said. You're a Rockstar, Carter. I love you!"
"I love you more!"
Sam snuggled against Jack, both trying to catch some sleep before Jeff would hopefully turn up, with a doc, diapers and some baby clothings.