It was a sunny afternoon. They sat down in the back of the yard where Jack had placed two garden chairs long before he left for Washington.
They ate in silence, enjoying the warm sun on their faces. When they finished the meal Jack went back inside to put the plates back.
"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked while he was up.
"I would like some water please."
When he returned he handed her a glass of water, a beer in his other hand.
He again took the seat next to her and while he sat down he placed a little blue velvet box on her armrest, still holding it in place with one of his fingers on top.
He let it go as she looked upto to him with a questioning look.
His mouth went dry and he wasn't sure if he was able to speak. He was nervous as hell.
"Jack?" her question was so quiet, he wasn't even sure she had really said anything.
"Hmm yeah,... I... I know we haven't really talked as much as we probably should have. And I'm not sure that you know what you should know... I want you to know that I'm all in for it. I'm here for the long run. I'm the luckiest man in the world and if you don't want to that's ok, too. But Sam, I would love to be your husband and make you happy for the rest of our lives. I would love for our little family to share the same name... I guess what I'm trying to say here, taking the long way around, is: do you want to marry me?"
Tears were forming in her eyes. God she loved that man so deeply. Anyone else would have said that he loved to have her as wife, but not Jack O'Neill, he cherished her so much, he wanted to be her husband.
Jack became more nervous every passing minute and only began to relax as Sam slowly nodded.
"There's nothing I want more, Jack! I'd love to marry you!"
He scooted forward on his chair taking the box to open it and getting the ring out.
He kneeled before her to put the ring on her finger.
The tears were now streaming down her face.
"It's wonderful," she said, admiring the ring.
"Just like you. I love you, Sam. You're making me the happiest man alive."
"I love you, too! I can't wait to be your wife."
"Mrs. O'Neill... Sounds pretty awesome to me." he smiled.
"Yes, it does!"
Both sat back in their chairs, holding hands while watching the sun set.
Sam's thoughts drifted back to her father.
"Dad would be pretty happy as well, you know."
"Oh he definitely would be." he held his beer to the sky. "To Jacob!"
"To Dad!"
As the sun went down behind the trees they went inside and Jack started a fire to sit in front of.
Cuddled up together this was the second place they made love today. Thanks to the fire and their activities their naked bodies never got cold.
For a long time Jack was already on the phone with the president the next morning to inform him that Sam accepted her new orders and Jack his retirement. Pacing back and forth in his office he arranged a last trip for him to Washington to get his office cleared and his stuff packed up for the transport back to his home in the Springs.
By the end of next week it would all be done and he'll be living here with Sam permanently.
Maybe now was the time to think about that dog again.
Meanwhile Sam got up from bed, taking a detour to the bathroom as always. But her nausea keeps getting better, not long and it would stop completely.
She poured herself a cup of tea and went outside to sit on the back porch.
She sat there inhaling the steam and scent from her tea until it was late enough to call Cassie.
"Hey Sam!" The teenager greeted her cheerfully as she saw on her phone who the caller was.
"Hey Cass, how are you?"
"I'm fine, yesterday I went out with Ben again. He's really nice and he's in a few of my classes, you should get to know him some time when you're back."
"I'm very happy for you and I'd love to meet him. For when I'm back... That's one of the reasons I'm calling. I know we talked about this before and I just wanted to check with you if it's really ok if I move back to Colorado Springs..."
"Oh wow, important things going on under the mountain? Sure it's ok for me."
"Nothing serious, so no need to worry. While Teal'c is back and Daniel wasn't able to go to Atlantis they joined SG-1 again. Col. Cameron Mitchell is leading the team, we went together to the academy, nice guy. They were trying to get me back on the team."
"But you can't go back Sam!" Cassie shouted startled.
"That's exactly what Jack told them."
"Jack? What does Jack have to do with it?"
Sam laughed.
"I was ready to tell them 'No' as suddenly Jack stepped into the room. He was there because of a meeting with Landry. He had news himself, but first we informed the guys about everything. They understood why I can't go out with them and we're happy for us."
"I bet they are!"
"Cassie, there's more I need to tell you. Before he arrived Jack had a talk with the president, he wanted me back on SG-1 too. So Jack had to tell Hayes that this isn't possible. We discussed it afterwards and decided to take what the president offered us." Sam stopped in her speech, not able to suppress a big smile. "Jack retired, effective yesterday. He is still a consultant to the SGC and able to come in if needed or if he wants to. And he had new orders for me too. I'm going back to the science department at the SGC. They wanted me back in every way possible."
"So, that means you're moving back?"
"Yes. I'm moving back."
"Wait! Did you say Jack retired???? Will you be living together in the Springs? You're now able to finally live at the same place."
"That we are. In fact, Jack hadn't sold his house and we're planning on living here together. There's just one more thing..."
"What else could there be Sam?"
"How would you fell about being my maid of honor?"
Sam was sure you could hear Cassie's scream even here in town.
"Are you telling me you two are going to get married? Wow, congratulations Sam! That's just fantastic. Of course I will be your maid of honor."
They talked a little more about Jack's proposal and what needs to be done so that Sam can move back until Cassie has to get ready. "Let me know when you're back, I can help you pack your stuff. We so need to have a girls night before you move back."
Jack and Sam finished their calls around the same time and met in the kitchen.
"So, how did it go with Cassie?" Jack asked curiously.
"She's happy for us and sends her love to you. What about the president?"
"Nothing new, I'm officially retired, I'll head back tomorrow to pack my stuff and it gets brought here next week, so I'm able to help you organize your move when you're ready."
"So nothing for us to do until the guys come back and your flight will depart."
He stepped closer, put his arms around her waist and leaned forward to kiss her sweat spot below her ear. "No, really nothing to do."
"Hmmm..." she hummed. "I love where this 'nothing' is going."
She turned her head to give him better access to her throat.
In her books Sam read about having horny phases while being pregnant. Whatever it was, she wasn't complaining. Having Jack O'Neill worshiping your body, how better can it get.
Her fingers intertwined in his short hair she whispered: "While there's nothing else to do right now, let's go back to bed."
"Your wish is my command, Mrs. O'Neill!"
Mrs. O'Neill, that had a nice ring to it and suddenly Sam started to giggle because she was reminded of something Cassie said earlier.
It earned her a confused look from Jack.
"I... I mean... You don't need to take my last name... You... You can still be a Carter, I mean, you'll probably always be Carter to me..." he stammered.
"Oh Jack, no, that's not what this was about. I'm looking forward to take your name. It's just something Cassie said. She reminded me that the program lost one O'Neill and the SGC soon gets an Col. O'Neill back."
"Oh boy." he sighed and both had to laugh, snuggling closer to each other they stayed in bed for the rest of the day.
