Now that Sam had more regular working hours they got time in the morning to have breakfast together. Not that it meant Sam wouldn't work overtime now and then.
As she was done in the bathroom and walked into the kitchen Jack was already making pancakes for breakfast.
"A girl could get used to this, you know?"
"Then do, because I'm planning to make you happy for the rest of our lives." he said as he kissed her. Checking her over he just grinned.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"I'm glad you're back at the SGC, don't get me wrong...you in dress blues, that's hot, but I love seeing you in your BDUs, Carter."
"Don't get used to it. Maternity dresses aren't that good looking."
"I beg to differ. Ahm... Sam, something popped up in my head this morning. I know we want a small wedding and maybe it's just us and our friends going to the courthouse, but I thought about if you want to have your brother and family with us?"
"Oh my god, Mark!" Her hand flew to her mouth to cover it. "He doesn't know about any of this! How could I forget to tell my own brother? I haven't heard from him since the funeral and everything with us happened afterwards."
"I thought so, do you want them to be there?"
"God yes! I'll call him from the mountain."
"Great, when you get home we can discuss our wedding cake. I thought about going to that little bakery around the corner today and gathering some samples for testing." The smirk on his face is not to be overlooked.
"I bet you planned on that. Go ahead, I know what this cake means to you." She teased him. "I like to plan our wedding together, and I love how simple it is planning with you. Thank you for being you!"
"Thank you for putting up with me. And as much as I like spending time with you, you have to go, otherwise you'll be late."
"You're right, too soon to make the little one responsible for me being late?" she asked jokingly.
"A little." He grinned. "Have a nice day, don't get too caught up in your work, I'm cooking dinner and I want to eat it while it's still warm. Don't forget you don't have to save the world in one day."
"I will. Bye Jack!"
Back at the SGC Sam immediately started her work and just before lunch she remembered that she wanted to call her brother. Nervously she dialed the phone.
"Carter." Mark answered on the first ring. No time for Sam to take another breath.
"Hi Mark."
"Sam! It's good to hear from you. How are you?"
"It's good to hear from you too. In fact I'm doing pretty good. I have news I would rather like to tell you in person but I guess now I'll have to do it over the phone."
"What is it Sam? Do I have to worry?"
"No you don't, but maybe you'll sit down for this."
Mark took his time to answer, Sam heard him rustling around, maybe to grab a chair. "I'm sitting. Now spill it little sister!"
Silence.
"Sam?"
"Yeah, I'm just figuring out how to tell you. You're going to be an uncle!"
"I'm what? Sam, are you telling me you're pregnant?"
"Yes, Mark. I'm pregnant."
"But how? I mean, I thought you broke up with Pete?! Did you only find out about it? What did he say?"
"Mark stop! Yes, I broke up with him and no, it's not his. To explain this I may need to go a little further. You don't have to worry that I'm in this alone. I can assure you I'm not. I wasn't as happy with Pete as I should have been when I was going to marry him. Dad knew this. Shortly before he died he told me not to let anything get in my way to be happy. We worked enough together for him to know that I had feelings for a coworker of mine for a long time. He knew Jack well enough to know he had the same feelings. Because of our working relationship it wasn't allowed for us to be together. You know about the frat regs, we were in the same chain of command, in fact he was my boss. So we never did anything inappropriate regarding our feelings. The day Dad died he talked to both of us separately. I realized I couldn't go on like this and start that life with Pete, it wouldn't have been fair to him. After the funeral our whole team went up to Jack's cabin for a last weekend together. I was going to Nevada to work at area 51 and Jack was heading to Washington to work for the pentagon. For the first time since we met we weren't in the same chain of command anymore. And with Dad's advice we weren't going to let this chance go. For some time we flew back and forth until I got offered my old job back, which would put me back under Jack's command. We knew by then that I was pregnant, we didn't plan this but we are so happy that it happened. So, long story short, I'm back working in Colorado Springs and Jack retired for good this time. We're living together and we are getting married in two weeks. Mark, I really hope you're all able to come to the wedding, even if it's on such a short notice."
She had to take a breath after all that she confessed just now.
"Wow, that's a lot to take in, I have to say. I don't even know where to start. "
"I know, I'm sorry."
"So, why did you go out with Pete in the first place?"
"I thought it was time to move on. I really wanted to have a normal life, have a family. And at the time I just wasn't able to have that with the man I love. I didn't look like it was ever going to be possible."
"And then Dad died."
"It was before the news of Dad, I went to Jack. Pete bought a house for us without even asking about my opinion. It was too much and I began having second thoughts. I went to Jack to find out if I was making a mistake and if there was hope for us. His girlfriend, who I didn't know about, stepped out of the door and I realized I might be too late. Despite that he moved on as well I made my decision to break up with Pete. It wasn't fair for both of us. Turns out Jack just moved on because I did and his girlfriend noticed and broke up with him too."
"You said he was your boss and decided this time to retire for good. Hell, how old is he, Sam?"
"He's a bit older, ok? But it doesn't show that much and in his heart he's still like an eight year old boy." She had to laugh about that. "It's a difference of about 16 years, but it doesn't bother me. You have met him at Dad's funeral, but I'm not sure if you remember him."
"That guy who never seemed to leave your side? General O'Neill was it, right?"
"Yes, that's him. He was there because he and Dad had a special bond, so he also lost someone he cared for. And he was there for my support, because the rest of my team couldn't be there, they were stuck on a mission." Ok, as much of the truth she was able to tell.
"Look Mark, that's why I wanted to tell you in person. It's so difficult to explain all this over the phone, but I really wanted you to know before you hopefully come here for the wedding."
"Oh Sam, I'm such an idiot. I haven't even said congratulations, have I?"
"Nope, not that I have heard it."
"I'm sorry! I notice how happy you sound and that's all I wanted for you in the first place. And I am happy to finally become an uncle! Congratulations sis! And of course we will be there for your wedding. I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. I'm looking forward to meeting the guy who you've been in love with for so long. You looked good together, that's what I remember."
"Thank you. I know you'll probably not approve that he's military, I know how you think about these guys, but he's a great man. I do love him so much."
"I'm sure he's great. I love you Sam! Let me know when and where and we'll be there."
"I'll send you the details. Maybe you could come a day or two early and get to know all my chosen family. Oh, there's just one more thing you probably need to know."
"More surprises?"
"Yes.My friend Janet, our CMO, died in service a bit before Dad. She has a daughter who's now in College but Jack and I are her legal guardians. We've been her good parents for a long time and now we take care of her. So, you're kind of an uncle already."
"I'm sure we're in for a few more surprises when we come to visit you, I'm looking forward to meeting her and all your friends."
They talked a little bit more before they said their goodbyes. Sam was relieved about Mark's reaction.
The working day seemed to pass by too fast, but she promised Jack to be home for dinner. And with being pregnant she discovered that she now gets tired sooner than she used to. Leaving the mountain has never been that easy for her like it was now. Coming home to Jack was something she always wanted.
And if that includes a homemade dinner, who was she to complain.
"Honey, I'm home."
"You're here!" Jack exclaimed in surprise. "Right on time. Is something wrong with you?"
He wasn't prepared for his fiancé who was a workaholic as long as he knew her to be on time. There always was something to distract her.
"Yes, I promised you. And to be honest, I'm tired. I didn't know how consuming it is to grow a new human being."
She stepped right into his arms, longing for his embrace.
"You'll get used to it, I'm sure. How was your phone call with your brother?" he asked, still holding her tight to his chest.
"Better than I had expected. He's happy for me and is looking forward to meeting you and the others. They will come to the wedding and he isn't even mad about the breakup with Pete. So you could say it was a successful day."
"That's great, then let's eat and we can take the cake samples as dessert to bed with us. I'm curious which one you will prefer. And I'm sure there is a possibility of a backrub if you like."
"That's the best idea you had today, Sir!"
"Oh Carter, I'm full of good ideas, you should know."
