The next morning Jack stood up, placing a soft kiss on Sam's head.
"Hi." She greeted him sleepily.
"Hey stay in bed for a while, I'm going to get you some crackers, you'll see that will help your stomach settle down."
He returned with crackers and a cup of tea before he left for the bathroom to start with his morning routine.
As he got out Sam was already sitting in bed.
He took a seat beside her.
" Hey, how are you doing?"
"Better, thank you." she was still a little nauseous but far from what she had experienced the last couple of days. "How did you..." she stopped mid sentence, realizing he had done this before.
"... Sorry!" She apologized, not wanting to bring back bad memories.
"It's ok, Sam. Yes, this is not my first time around. I may be useful sometimes." he said, grinning at her.
She smiled back at him.
"Do you want to see him or her? I went to the doctor on Sunday and she gave me some ultrasound pictures."
"Of course I want to see them, what a question! I'm only sorry you had to go alone."
While she fiddled with her bag to get the pictures out she told him: "Don't worry, I wasn't alone."
A confused Jack looked at her while he got hold of the pictures.
"Cassie went with me. She didn't want me to drive by myself as I wasn't feeling well, so she drove me there and came along. I tell you, she's really excited to be a big sister soon."
"That's good to know. Sam, I have told you how happy you make me, haven't I?"
"Yes, you did, Jack. But it's always nice to hear." she told him and handed him the pictures.
Jack was speechless, it always fascinated him to look at ultrasound pictures, but this was different, this was his baby, his and Sam's.
His heart swelled with joy and in his eyes tears were forming.
Sam leaned forward and placed her head on his shoulders so that they were able to look at the pictures together.
"I love you so much, Sam. Thanks for making me a Daddy again, I promise you it will be great. And I promise I'll do everything to protect him or her..." his voice broke, not able to say anything further.
Sam's head shot up to look him in the eye.
"Oh Jack, I know you do. I have no doubt that you'll be a wonderful father. If there is someone in the whole wide world I want to have a baby with it's you. It's always been you, Jack."
She kneeled next to him on the bed, her smile as wide as possible before she took his head in her hands to kiss him. And he kissed her back, needing the contact to ground him. He was filled with emotions, but most of all it was pure joy.
The familiar sound of the honk came too soon for both of them. Jim was waiting outside to pick up Jack.
"I'll stop at the grocery store on my way back so that I can cook us something for dinner. Anything I should bring you or is there something I should avoid?"
"So far I'm good, no strange cravings, but that's possible to come. And nothing to avoid either. Thanks for asking."
"What are you going to do today?"
"Not much, I'll call Cassie later and will read for a while. Other than that I haven't planned anything."
"Say 'hi' to her from me."
"I'll do that.. Have a nice day, and don't stay too late."
"See you later, Sam. I love you!"
"I love you, too. See you later, Jack!"
And with a last longing kiss he was out of the house. Grinning like an idiot as he greeted his driver.
Sam reached for her phone, she decided to text Cassie in case she was at her class.
/Hey Cass, all good here. Just wanted to let you know. Love you, Sam/
It didn't take long for her phone to ring. Cassie.
"Hey Cass. Didn't know if you had a class, that's why I texted."
"Hey Sam. No, I don't have class today, so I'm at home at the moment. However, later I'll meet a fellow student for a coffee."
"Uhum?"
"Yes it's a male fellow student if you have to know. His name is Ben and he's really nice."
"I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Thank you, so what's going on? How did he react to the big news?"
"He was overjoyed. He's really happy to get the chance to be a daddy again."
"I told you so. I'm so happy for you. And have you talked about how to handle things while you're living in different time zones at the moment?"
"No."
"No?"
"No, Cassandra, there wasn't much talk involved yesterday." she smiled while remembering the last night.
"Aw, that's gross. The fact that you are pregnant is indication enough for me to know that you're sexually active. I don't need further information."
Sam started to laugh.
"You're so the complete opposite of your mother. Sometimes I forget that I'm not talking to Janet here. She ever had to know everything."
"Yap, that's mom, alright. So, you think you're going to live together soon?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know what will happen now. I just moved to work at area 51. Well, most of the projects I was supposed to work on I'm not able to join because it's not safe enough. We'll see. But the most important part is that Jack is happy about the baby. So I'm sure we'll find a way to make this work. "
"I'm sure you will. I just wanted to say it's ok for me if you'd move to Washington. Even if it's more far aways than Colorado Springs. Look, I moved in ok, I'm about to be over the fact that my boyfriend broke up with me and there's this cute new boy in town. I'm good. So don't hesitate at my account while making decisions."
"I'll keep that in mind. And you know you'll always have a place with us. There will always be a room for you."
"I appreciate that. Are you relaxing as the doctor told you?"
"Yes, I'm a well-behaved patient. Will you be able to pick me up at the airport Sunday evening? It's ok if not, I could call a taxi..."
"Of course I'm picking you up. Just let me know the time and I'll be there." There were noises as if Cassie was tearing apart her closet. "Sam, do you think that blue dress we bought together is inappropriate for a coffee date?"
"Not if you want that date to end in your bedroom."
"Ok, I get it. So, Jeans and tshirt it is."
"Let me know when you're back home, safe. Have fun, Cassie. I love you."
"I'll do that. Give Dad a hug from me. Love you too."
When Jack got home he prepared dinner as promised. They sat down at the dining table to eat and talk about what this pregnancy means for them regarding their Jobs.
"Sam I know you don't want to hear it, but I suggest it anyway. I'm ready to retire again. Have been for a long time, but all of you encouraged me to go on. You're so valuable to the program and with me retired it would give us the opportunity to live together as a family, anywhere you're needed. "
"I know, Jack. I thought about it myself. But I'm afraid in a little while you'd miss being involved in all that stuff. And I'm pretty sure the president isn't tired of you yet. He won't let you retire, will he?"
"It's worth a try."
"I don't know if they keep me at groom lake while pregnant so we better wait for their decision before we make any"
"We have time to figure it all out. But for now I want to enjoy the time you're here." he said while getting up to give her the most loving kiss.
The week went by too fast and Sunday evening she found herself back at the airport, ready to board. Jack dropped her off with the promise to come and visit as soon as possible.
Flying in the evening turned out to be ok. No puke bags involved and Cassie was already waiting for her to take her home.
Her answering machine was blinking. The first one was from a Colonel Mitchell, obviously the new leader of SG-1, begging her to come back. She knew Cam from her time at the academy and really liked him. But rejoining SG-1 wasn't even an option anymore. At least not right now.
The second one was Daniel, he didn't make it to Atlantis, he was bound to earth because of that Alien woman. He nearly died, again, when they were separated. That bond seems to lessen, but she was still there to not risk anything.
To her surprise Teal'c was also back on SG-1. So much for moving on.
Now they want to convince her to come back as well.
