Jack was engrossed in work when his phone chimed with a text message. He rarely received texts unless they were from Grace's school, and those messages were usually concerning. Hastily, he opened it, only to find it wasn't from the school but from Sam. A smile stretched across his face as he read her message.
"Hi. Grace asked me to visit the National Air and Space Museum this weekend. Wanna come too? Carter."
Jack wasted no time in replying, "Love to."
Moments later, his phone buzzed again. "Got yourself a date, General," came the cheeky response. Jack grinned and stared at his phone for several minutes.
Shaking his head to refocus, Jack returned to work. Later, when he arrived home, an excited Grace awaited him, eager to share her news about going to the National Air and Space Museum with Sam on Saturday.
"Really, honey? That's great," he said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
Grace couldn't contain her excitement, bouncing on the couch. "We're going to the Planetarium!" she announced with glee.
Jack sighed playfully. "All right, but get off the couch," he instructed.
Grace pouted but complied, descending to the floor. "You're no fun, Daddy," she complained.
Suppressing a laugh, Jack teased, "Well, my knees aren't as young as yours."
Grace looked amused before leaving the room and declaring she would do her homework.
"Good girl," Jack called after her, unbuttoning his jacket as he headed to his bedroom.
Once in his room, Jack closed the door gently and picked up his phone, dialing Sam's number. She answered on the second ring.
"Hey," she greeted.
"Hey, yourself. Are you already home?" he inquired.
Meanwhile, Sam was enjoying a bubble bath but opted not to share that detail with him—after all, they weren't that intimate yet, and she wanted to take things slowly—really slowly.
"Are you there, Sam?" he prompted when the line went silent.
"Oh, sorry, got distracted," she replied quickly. "Yes, I'm home," she confirmed.
Jack started to undress, juggling his phone, and said, "Grace told me about your Saturday plans."
Sam's tone lowered as she asked, "Did you tell her you're coming too?"
Frustrated with his pants as he managed to take them off while he held his phone also, Jack muttered under his breath, "Fuckers."
"What?" Sam asked, raising her eyebrows.
Jack stumbled over his words, "Uh, nothing, just... getting undressed... forget it."
Sam bit her lip to suppress a smile.
"No, I didn't tell her. That's why I'm calling you," Jack explained, sitting on the bed in his boxers and shirt. He decided not to take more clothes while on the phone.
Sam's hand played absentmindedly in the bathwater as she listened.
"How do you want to handle this?" he asked cautiously.
Sam paused, her playful demeanor shifting. "Handle what?" she echoed slowly.
Jack cleared his throat. "Us," he admitted, swallowing hard.
"Us?" Sam repeated, her tone mirroring his caution.
"Look, I know it's still early, but you said you wanted to take things slow, and I agree. However, I have Grace to consider. Do you understand my point of view?" Jack elaborated.
"I do," Sam assured him. "I understand perfectly, Jack, and I'd never do anything to hurt her," she promised.
Jack's gaze dropped to his socks as he continued, "Yeah, but it could be confusing for a ten-year-old."
Sam ran her hand through her wet hair, contemplating what to say. "Are you having doubts about us?" she asked, her heart racing.
"No," Jack replied quickly. "But I'm unsure how to navigate this situation with us and Grace," he confessed.
Sam closed her eyes briefly, her fears returning full force, so she suggested tentatively, "Maybe it's best to keep her out of it until we know exactly what 'us' means."
Jack's eyes lingered on his wedding ring. "You think it's best not to tell her about us?" he queried.
Sam swallowed hard, her voice softening.
"I don't like lying to her, but in this case, yes," she admitted.
Jack sighed in agreement, and on the other end of the call, Sam wiped away a tear that had formed. Damn, this was harder than she thought.
"I'll talk to her. I'll tell her it would be fun to have you with us since you're a General and all," she proposed, trying to lighten the mood.
Jack almost smiled. "You say that a lot," he pointed out.
"Say what?" Sam asked, stepping out of the tub and wrapping herself in a towel.
"That I'm a General," Jack clarified.
"Well, you are," Sam replied with a slight grin.
Jack hummed, pondering the conversations held at the Pentagon about her potential promotion in the coming months—if things continued smoothly.
"So, you'll talk to Grace, and I'll act surprised?" he confirmed.
"Give your best performance," Sam teased, trying to inject some fun.
"I'm not an actor," Jack retorted, rolling his eyes.
Sam began to feel the chill, but she hesitated to mention it, unsure how to convey her discomfort without revealing her current state of undress. "Um... is there anything else?" she inquired, trying to steer the conversation away from her predicament.
Jack sensed her desire to conclude the call and straightened up.
"No, sorry for rambling," he apologized.
Sighing, Sam felt guilty immediately. "You're not rambling, Jack, but... I was actually taking a bath when you called," she confessed. And I'm naked with just a towel around me, she wanted to add.
Jack's posture stiffened at the revelation. "Oh... I see," he replied, realizing the implication.
"Yeah... so, I'm getting a little cold," Sam admitted, biting her lip nervously.
"Sure, I'll let you go," Jack responded swiftly, suddenly finding himself very interested in the image of Samantha Carter in a bath.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"Don't be. Just let me know how it goes with Grace," he requested.
"Okay. Bye, Jack," Sam bid farewell before ending the call.
Jack placed his phone on the bed, deciding he needed a shower—probably a cold one.
Sam dialed Grace's number after drying off and changing into comfortable clothes. With a soft tone, she broached the idea of inviting Grace's father to join them for the museum visit. Grace's excitement bubbled over at the prospect of a family outing. Despite Sam's attempt to explain that it wasn't exactly a "family" outing, Grace was undeterred. Agreeing to handle the reservations for the entry passes for all three of them, Sam arranged to meet them at their house, promising to inform Grace of the scheduled time once she secured the passes. Grace enthusiastically agreed to everything, assuring Sam she would tell her Dad. With that settled, Grace mentioned she had to have dinner, and they bid each other farewell. Sam ended the call and prepared to have her frozen dinner. Alone.
As the day of their visit to the National Air and Space Museum arrived, Sam rang the doorbell as promised. Jack and Grace were already waiting at the door, dressed and ready for their outing. Grace, bursting with anticipation, had been awake since before dawn, determined to ensure her father was awake despite the darkness outside. Though he attempted to persuade her to return to bed several times, Grace remained undeterred. He eventually got up, showered, got dressed, and prepared them breakfast.
With eager anticipation, they set out for their adventure, Grace practically skipping along the path to the museum, her excitement palpable.
Inside the museum, Grace's eyes widened in wonder at the vast array of exhibits and displays showcasing humanity's achievements in aviation and space exploration. She tugged at Sam's hand, pointing excitedly at each artifact they passed.
"Look, it's a real spacesuit!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
Sam smiled warmly, enjoying Grace's enthusiasm.
"Isn't it amazing, Grace? Imagine what it would be like to explore outer space wearing one of those," she mused at Grace's evident fascination.
Jack watched Sam and Grace interact with a fond expression, grateful for these moments of joy amid their busy lives and the fact that things seemed to have calmed down significantly between all of them.
"Come on, kiddo, let's check out the spacecraft over there," he suggested, leading the way with Grace in tow.
Their next stop was the Planetarium, where Grace's excitement reached new heights. She practically bounded into the darkened theater, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"Wow, look at all the stars!" she exclaimed, gazing at the simulated night sky above.
Jack and his wife used to ascend to the rooftop of their home on clear nights to admire the stars and take Grace with them, but after Sam's death, Jack never found himself drawn to the idea, and Grace never mentioned it either. The occasion when he found himself on the rooftop, and Sam came searching for him, leading to an unexpected kiss, had been his initial return since his wife's passing.
Sam chuckled at Grace's enthusiasm, taking a seat beside her.
"It's like being in space, isn't it?" she remarked, her excitement mirroring Grace's.
Grace was enthralled as the show began, her gaze fixed on the celestial wonders dancing across the dome-shaped screen.
"This is so cool!" she whispered, barely able to contain her excitement.
Jack smiled, feeling a sense of wonder as he watched his daughter's eyes light up with each new constellation and galaxy.
"It sure is," he agreed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Grace turned to Sam and Jack with a wide grin as the lights came up at the show's end.
"That was the best thing ever!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Sam and Jack exchanged a knowing glance, sharing a silent moment of appreciation for the visit's success. Grace, however, couldn't shake off a lingering dissatisfaction as they went home.
"Dad, why isn't there anything in the museum about the Stargate?" she asked, her curiosity bubbling up.
Jack's expression turned serious, and he quickly glanced around to ensure they were alone.
"Shh, Grace. You know we can't talk about that. The Stargate is a secret, honey. You understand," he said in a hushed tone, trying to convey the seriousness of the matter.
Grace, holding onto Sam's hand, lowered her gaze.
"Yeah... but you and Mom used to work with it, and so does Sam," she whispered, her voice tinged with longing.
Jack and Sam exchanged a silent glance, acknowledging the weight of the topic.
"Yes, that's true, Grace. But Mommy had a conversation with you years ago. She explained why it's important to keep the Stargate a secret," Jack explained gently, pausing to kneel in front of his daughter.
Sam remained silent, respecting the familial dynamic at play. This was a conversation between father and daughter, which apparently had already taken place with Grace's mother.
"But people should know that we can travel to other planets," Grace insisted softly, her eyes searching for understanding.
Sam swallowed, feeling the weight of Grace's innocence and curiosity. Jack tenderly cupped Grace's cheeks, meeting her gaze with warmth.
"They will, Grace, in time. But for now, it's something we need to keep to ourselves. Maybe when you're older," he said reassuringly, a smile gracing his lips.
"Okay," Grace acquiesced, a hint of disappointment lingering.
Jack rose to his feet, attempting to lighten the mood. "How about we grab lunch together?" he suggested, glancing at Sam hopefully.
Grace's face immediately lit up with excitement. "Yes, Daddy!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Jack lovingly ruffled her blonde hair.
"What do you say, Sa— I mean, Carter?" he amended quickly, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Sam returned his smile, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Sounds wonderful," she replied with a soft smile.
Jack scanned the surroundings, looking for a taxi. "I know just the place," he declared, leading the way with Grace and Sam.
Jack, Sam, and Grace found themselves seated at a familiar hamburger joint, which Jack and his wife used to frequent with Grace during their visits to the city. The atmosphere was cozy, with the aroma of sizzling burgers filling the air. Grace, unaware of the emotional weight surrounding the memories of the place, chatted animatedly about past visits, reminiscing about the times when she and her parents would laugh and enjoy their meals together.
Grace's innocent chatter tugged at Sam's heartstrings as they perused the menu. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort as memories of Jack's late wife resurfaced. Despite her efforts to remain composed, Sam silently grappled with the bittersweet nostalgia that lingered in the air.
"Remember when Mom used to order those giant milkshakes for us, Dad?" Grace exclaimed, her eyes shining with fond recollection.
Utterly unaware of Sam's discomfort, Jack's expression softened as he nodded, a hint of sadness flickering across his features.
"Yeah, I remember, sweetheart," he replied softly, his voice tinged with emotion.
Sam glanced down at her menu, feeling conflicted. It struck her slightly odd he had chosen a place he and his wife liked so much to bring her when they were still trying to find and define their relationship.
Oblivious to the conversation's somber undertones, Grace continued to share anecdotes from their past visits, her enthusiasm undimmed by the weight of the memories. As she excitedly recounted their favorite menu items and shared stories of their family outings, Sam couldn't help but feel a deep sense of displacement. What had started like a beautiful "normal" day soon became a painful reminder of everything she had missed in her life. In her reality.
Despite her efforts to keep an upbeat demeanor, Sam couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider in this intimate moment.
"What are you having?" Grace asked, looking at Sam.
Sam swallowed hard. She couldn't recall a single item despite scanning the menu three times. She couldn't even remember if she'd had coffee for breakfast. Her mind was utterly blank.
"Why don't you choose for me?" she said with a forced smile.
Grace eagerly picked her and Sam's meal while Jack chose a double bacon with smoked cheddar, fresh arugula, and pickled onions, with homemade fries and a beer.
As the meal progressed, Sam found herself lost in thought, grappling with her emotions while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for Jack and Grace. She forced a smile and engaged in the conversation, but behind her facade, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
Jack noticed her downcast posture as he ate. She was hardly eating her meal, and her burger remained practically untouched. Maybe this had been a wrong choice. On the other side of the table, it was the opposite. Grace ate like there was no tomorrow, taking fries from everyone's plates and dipping them in ketchup or, more accurately, drowning them.
"Are you ok?" he asked, looking at Sam.
She merely nodded but didn't look at him; her gaze focused on her half-drunk lemonade.
What was supposed to be a simple lunch outing had inadvertently dredged up painful memories and stirred up complex emotions for Samantha Carter. As they finished their meal and prepared to leave the restaurant, Sam couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of discomfort that hung over their table like a shadow, a silent reminder of the fragile balance between joy and sorrow that defined their journey. But mostly, her life.
Sam felt a sudden, overwhelming need to be alone as they entered the crisp evening air.
"Grace, honey, I'm sorry, but I just remembered I have an appointment, and I'm already late," she said, inwardly cursing herself for the lie.
Grace looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "You have to go? Already?" she asked, disappointment evident in her voice.
Jack couldn't help but feel skeptical. If there was one thing he was confident of, it was that Sam didn't have any appointment. Yet, he chose not to press the matter, sensing Sam's need for space.
"Are you sure you are okay?" he asked, his concern evident again.
"I'm fine," Sam replied slightly too sharply, immediately regretting her tone.
Jack gave her a puzzled look but decided not to push further. They could talk later.
"I really enjoyed our visit, Grace," Sam said with a forced smile, trying to mask her inner turmoil.
Grace returned the smile. "Me too," she said softly.
"I'll see you later. Have a nice weekend," Sam said hastily to Jack before quickly hailing a taxi and taking off.
Father and daughter watched the taxi depart, and Jack did the same and called another to take them home. He needed to talk to her and sort out what had happened during lunch. Something hadn't gone as desired, or she wouldn't have left them in such a hurry. He sensed he must have missed or somehow upset her, but truthfully, he hadn't a clue what it could be.
This whole relationship dynamic was something he still struggled with, reminiscent of his early days with his wife. Yet, back then, it had all felt like an exciting novelty without the added responsibility of raising a daughter. Never did he anticipate Sam's untimely death, leaving him alone to care for their child. Nor would another Samantha Carter cross into their reality, and he would fall in love with her. He thought his heart was closed to love forever after Sam's death. However, he seemed unable to resist the allure of Carter women.