They woke up when Janet demanded to be fed. Her little mouth searched for Sam's breast. Jack helped Sam get in a sitting position and shoved a cushion behind her back to make it comfortable for her.
For the first time he saw his daughter latch onto Sam and begin to suck on her mothers breast. He was mesmerized how they already knew how to do this. Watching them was something so special for him, he hardly dared to breathe. When Sam made a noise of discomfort he instantly sought her eyes. But her eyes shone like fireworks and she smiled. He smiled back.
"It's a strange feeling, but I love it."
"Seems like she loves it too. You two look like you've done it a million times already. Have I told you that I love you?"
Her smile grew wider. "Yes you did, but it's nice to hear you say it. I love you too, Jack. Thanks for everything!"
"You're welcome." He said, placed a kiss on top of her nose and stroked his daughter's hair as carefully as possible to not disturb her while getting fed.
It was about three hours later when they heard a knock at the front door. Jack climbed out of bed to open the door. There in front of him was Jeff with a few bags in hand and a young woman he hadn't met before.
"Hey Jackie, I have to say it's never boring with you. This is Doc. Miller. Jessica here is the new Doctor in town. She'll check upon Sam and the baby. Congratulations by the way!"
"Thanks Jeff! Doc.! Come in. I'll show you the way."
"Hello Mr. O'Neill, it's Jessica or Jessy." The young Doctor said and shook his hands.
"Then it's Jack to you. Follow me to the bedroom, there's where Sam and Janet are."
He opened the door carefully so as not to disturb Janet.
"Hey Honey, this is Jessica, she's the Doc. Jeff brought."
"Hello Jessica, thanks for coming. I'm Sam."
"Hello Sam, nice to meet you and your daughter." Turning around to Jack she said. "Just give me a few minutes to check on them. You could give Jeff a hand, I think he has some supplies for you."
Jack just nodded and left the bedroom. He saw his friend bringing more stuff into his cabin and headed over to help him.
"You're lucky the storm lessened a bit, Jack. My truck was able to get through all that snow. Mary gathered some clothes from the kids together from when they were baby's. You don't have to worry, they're all washed and clean. Our neighbors helped us with the diapers. Probably the most important item on your list." He chuckled. "I have also brought our baby seat. You can have it. So it's out of our house and Mary won't get stupid ideas. Three kids are more than enough."
Grateful for such friends Jack was lost for words. "I really don't know what to say other than 'Thank you!' That means a lot to us. Being able to dress Janet properly and hell I'm thankful for those diapers. I only hope they'll both be okay..." he hadn't finished his sentence as Jessica stepped out of the bedroom and smiled at the two men.
"Jack, you did an excellent job! They both are fine and healthy. You can relax. Sam's getting dressed and will join us in a minute."
"Thank God! And thank you, Doc.!"
Sam put diapers on Janet and dressed her in a onesie and got dressed as well. When she entered the living room she joined Jeff, Jack and Jessica.
Jeff approached her and congratulated her as well.
"We'll leave you three alone now. Enjoy your first day as a family. If you need anything just call, I checked and the phones have reception again. The snow has stopped and you'll be able to get in town in a few days. But you have enough supplies for the next days."
"Thank you both for stopping by! We'll say goodbye to you when we leave, but I can imagine that we'll probably stay for a little while."
"Great. Bye Jack, bye Sam!"
Jack turned around to his wife when he had said his goodbyes. He was about to sit down on the couch with their daughter in her arms.
"C'mere Daddy! Your daughter wants to be cuddled." Jack sat down beside her and she handed the baby over to him. He watched Janet slowly drifting into sleep again and Sam watched her husband, her heart full of love for those two people.
Jack interrupted her thoughts by saying: "You know we should call someone as the phone is working again, right?"
Her hand flew to cover her mouth, eyes wide with shock. "Oh my god, Cassie! And we should call Daniel and the team too."
"Yes we should. But Cassie is a priority! She should know that she's a big sister."
He was about to get up, but Sam held him back.
"Stay seated, Janet's comfortable resting on you. I'll go get the phone. I need something to drink anyway. Can I get you anything?"
"Water would be great, thanks. It should be me caring for you, not the other way round."
"Don't be silly Jack. Yes, I gave birth, but you are probably as exhausted as I am. I can get us a drink, that's no big deal. Take the time to bond with your daughter."
So she stood up and came back within the next five minutes, carrying two glasses, a bottle of water and their phone.
"I dialed her number and put her on speaker, it's ringing..."
After just three rings, they heard the young woman screaming into her phone.
"Jack! Sam! Boy I'm glad you're calling! I heard about the weather in Minnesota and I was worried as I couldn't reach you. Are you alright?"
Jack and Sam looked at each other and had to grin.
"Hey Cass, everything is alright. All three of us are fine."
"That takes a load off my mind..."
Little Janet chose this moment to make herself known craving sustenance.
"...Wait! What was that sound?" Cassie asked, irritated.
Sam took Janet out of Jack's embrace ready to nurse her.
"That would be your little sister! She's very hungry right now." Sam said, chuckling.
"My what? Sam? What are you saying?"
"Well, it seems she was in more of a hurry than we thought. She chose the worst moment imaginable to make her appearance. We were snowed in, no phone and no radio available. I couldn't have done this without Jack. He did a great job and helped me through the birth and so tonight your sister was born."
"I can't believe it, didn't I tell you this could happen?!" She had to let it sink in and as she understood their conversation fully you could hear her smile over the phone.
"So she's here?"
"That she is. And she's beautiful." It was Jack answering her while Sam fed their daughter.
"Congratulations you two. I want to hear every detail of your story! Do the boys already know?"
"No, you were the first one we wanted to tell. We'll call the boys afterwards."
Jack let Sam tell Cassie everything about Janet's birth and occasionally filled the story with his point of view.
"Wow, I knew you two are something different, but can't you do just one thing the normal way?" Cass joked.
Jack winked at Sam. "Obviously not."
"Are you coming home soon or are you staying at the cabin? Is it good for Janet to travel all the way back already?"
"We thought about staying here for a while. She and Sam are healthy and we could use the time up here. We're coming home for Christmas anyway. You know we planned to get all the family together at our home on Christmas."
"That's in a few weeks." Cassie whined. "I want to meet my sister so desperately."
"We thought you would. What do you say if you come up here for a few days? I'll buy the plane ticket."
"That would be awesome, there's not much I need to do for college and there's nothing in my way to take a break."
"Great Cassie. Let us know when you're able to get here."
"I'll call you soon. You two are amazing, you know. I love you guys! Love you too little Janet!"
"And we do love you!"
After their call with Cassie Sam finished feeding Janet and asked Jack: "Are you up for another call? I would feel guilty not telling the guys today. They're family as well."
"I know and have thought about this too. As I know Daniel try the phone in his lab."
Daniel was even faster answering his phone.
"Jackson!"
"Hey Danny!"
"Oh, hi Jack. How are you? We heard about the snowstorm up in Minnesota, but while your phone is working I assume it wasn't that bad?"
"Depends on how you look at it. It's working again, thank God. Do you have any idea where Cam and T are?" Jack asked.
"They're here with me, why?"
"Want to put us on speaker? I have Sam on speaker too."
"Of course. Hi Sam!"
"Hi guys! We wanted to know if you'd like to come up here for a few days? Cassie's coming too."
"Hello Samantha, O'Neill!" Teal'c greeted them.
"Hi guys!" That was Cameron.
"Why is she coming? Didn't you two want to have some time for yourself before the birth? Is it at all safe to travel up there? You must be snowed in." Daniel wondered.
"It's safe, and the Sheriff is a friend of mine, his car is able to get through a lot of snow, he would make sure that you reach the cabin."
"I'm a bit confused right now. What aren't you telling us?"
"Daniel, we just want our family to meet the newest family member. So come on up with Cassie to meet Janet." Sam couldn't hide a giggle.
"Sam? You're not telling us what I think you're telling us, right?"
"Oh I think you figured it out! Janet made her appearance as we were snowed in in the cabin. You would be proud of Jack, until now helping with delivery was your job but he did an awesome job. She's safe and sound, fed and sleeping again."
"That's a way to tell us we're uncles! Congratulations! That must be a heck of a story."
Jack told them everything while Sam rested her head on his shoulder, placing Janet back onto his chest.
"You know General," Cam said "SG-1 has a few days leave after our mission tomorrow. Prometheus is in orbit and we should train with the new crew members. We could let them beam up Cassandra as soon as we're finished and let them beam us down to you."
"Great Idea. Could you talk to Cassie and give us a heads up before showing up?"
"Of course. We're looking forward to seeing you soon. We're all dying to meet Janet!"
"We can't wait for you to meet her! We should go to bed now and rest for a while, it was a long day. Talk to you guys tomorrow." Jack said his goodbye while Sam got up to put their daughter in her makeshift crib. Cam and Teal'c left the lab and Daniel was alone talking to Jack.
"Jack, are you really okay? I mean, I know what it's like to deliver a baby and even help your wife deliver a baby, but it was your baby and I can only imagine what you must have felt..."
"I appreciate what you're trying to say Daniel. I won't lie. It was hard at first and I really struggled doing this, but you know Sam and how she can be. She was strong for both of us. That was the craziest, scariest and most wonderful thing I've ever done."
"I'm glad for you! Take care of your girls. We'll talk soon."
"Yeah, I will. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye Danny."
"Bye Jack!"
Jack got up in search of Sam. He found his beautiful wife singing softly to their sleeping daughter. He stepped behind her, hugging her from behind, nuzzling his nose into her neck and breathing in her scent.
They were now silently watching their daughter sleep. It was good talking to their family and sharing the news. Jack yawned loudly, they were tired.
"Come to bed Carter, we should rest when we get the opportunity to do so. We have to get up soon enough. That beautiful sleeping baby won't sleep for long."
She looked up to him, happy.
"Yeah I know. Go ahead and lay down. I just call Mark really quick. It's the last one of our family who should know his niece has arrived. I'll make it quick."
"You're sure? I could stay up with you a little longer."
"No, make sure it's warm when I come to bed." She told him, turned around in his embrace, placed her arms around his waist before she kissed him passionately.
Mark just got home from work. He heard the phone ringing as he turned the key outside to get in.
"Carter!"
"Hey Mark, it's me, Sam."
"Hi Sam, how are you doing?"
"I'm good. Thanks. In fact I'm calling to tell you you're an uncle already. Your niece was born tonight."
"Already?! Wow, congratulations! Seems like someone couldn't wait to finally meet his parents."
Sam giggled "You have no idea!"
She told him the story of Janet's birth and left him speechless.
"You know, sis. You always have to choose the adventurous way of doing things, don't you?"
"Well, it wouldn't be us if it was otherwise. We're staying at the cabin for a while, but we'll be back before Christmas. You're still all coming down for Christmas, right?"
"For sure! The hotel is already booked. Penny and the kids will be amazed when I tell them you've got the baby! Go to your husband and enjoy watching your daughter. I know you won't do anything but that for a while. At least that's what Penny and I did when the kids were born."
"I'll do that. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon. Love you! Bye Mark!"
The bed dipped a little when she laid down next to Jack, he waited for her instead of falling asleep. Her head upon his shoulder she was lying half across him, her arm wrapped around his chest and her legs intertwined with his. Janet was sleeping peacefully. Tomorrow she'll meet her big sister and her parent's chosen family!
