After tucking Grace into bed and spending a little time with her, Jack quietly closed her door and went to the bedroom, where Sam was nestled under the covers. She suggested a father-daughter bonding time earlier, so he followed her advice. Jack found Sam half-asleep in their room, her head resting on the pillow.
"I was promised a head massage," he teased, flashing a playful smile.
Sam blinked several times as he joined her in bed, his hands instinctively reaching her body. "Ah, yes..." she murmured, attempting to rouse herself.
Jack chuckled softly. "You were definitely asleep," he teased, kissing her neck and jawline.
"No, I wasn't," she countered, despite her weak protests.
As Jack's hands ventured beneath her tank top, eliciting a pleasurable response from Sam, she relented, admitting her fatigue.
"Maybe we can just sleep?" she proposed, her sleepy and tired tone thinly veiling her exhaustion.
Surprised, Jack halted his ministrations and looked at her. "You want to sleep?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
Sam met his gaze with an apologetic expression. "I do, Jack. I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted," she confessed.
Jack sighed, resting his head on her neck. "Okay, sleep," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her.
Sam tenderly caressed his hair, causing him to groan softly. "I love you, Jack," she whispered drowsily.
Returning her affection with a kiss to her neck, Jack replied, "I love you too. Now sleep," before holding her close.
Within moments, Sam had drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and calm. Jack sighed heavily, thoughts of massages fading as he fell asleep beside her.
As Sam gradually emerged from the hazy depths of sleep, her senses slowly reawakened to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The warmth of the blankets wrapped her in a comforting embrace, and for a moment, she relished the tranquility of the early hours.
As her consciousness fully returned, Sam's gaze shifted to the figure beside her – Jack was peacefully asleep. A tender smile graced her lips as she observed his serene expression, his features softened by slumber despite his still visible bruises. At that moment, a surge of affection swelled within her heart, reaffirming the depth of her love for him.
Recalling the previous night's events, a pang of regret tugged at Sam's conscience. She remembered how exhaustion had claimed her before she could fulfill her promise of a soothing head massage for Jack, sensing his subtle disappointment. Determined to make amends, she resolved to seize the opportunity presented by the new day.
Carefully extricating herself from the covers to not disturb him, Sam tiptoed to the bathroom, her movements gentle and deliberate. She meticulously prepared a warm, fragrant bath, infusing it with essential oils known for their relaxing properties. Each gesture was imbued with love and devotion.
Returning to the bedroom, Sam approached Jack with tender reverence, her heart brimming with affection. She leaned down to press a feather-light kiss upon his forehead, eliciting his faint murmur of contentment. She roused him from his slumber with the utmost care, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers with a tired yet endearing gaze.
"Good morning, my love," she whispered, her voice a gentle caress. "I have something special planned for you."
Jack, still half-asleep, blinked in confusion. "Am I going to like it?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the unusual morning ritual unfolding before him.
Guiding him towards the awaiting bath, Sam watched with anticipation as Jack's features lit up with surprise. "Oh... the hot tub," he exclaimed, oblivious to Sam's swift action of helping him out of his clothes.
Jack's senses fully awakened as they settled into the water's warm embrace. "I'm so liking this," he remarked, his lips seeking hers in an eager kiss.
Sam returned his affection, her heart swelling with love for her husband. "Good. It's just the start," she murmured, her fingers expertly massaging his scalp with tender care.
"I'm getting a massage," Jack said, surrendering to the soothing sensation. His contented sighs filled the air.
"A promise is a promise," Sam whispered, her touch trailing down his neck and chest.
With playful banter, Jack teased about the risk of dozing off again and drowning. Sam chuckled, her touch growing more intimate as she playfully responded, "If you do, I'll give you mouth-to-mouth breathing."
Jack's eyes widened in fake alarm before swiftly redirected the conversation with a mischievous grin. "In that case, I'm drowning in one second," he teased, feigning a struggle.
Undeterred, Sam's touch became more provocative, eliciting Jack's sharp breath intake.
"If you want a kiss, General, you just have to say," she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear.
In a bold move, Jack turned to face her, his determination evident in his gaze. "So, we are definitely moving to the kissing part," he declared, his hands finding purchase on her neck as he drew her closer.
With water splashing around them, they shared a passionate kiss, the discomfort of their position forgotten in the blissful moment.
In the embrace of the morning light, Sam and Jack found solace in each other's arms, their love a beacon of warmth and comfort amidst the ebb and flow of life's uncertainties. And they knew that no matter their challenges, their love was a source of strength and solace, guiding them through the trials of each passing day.
As Sam and Jack emerged from their intimate bath, wrapped in the warmth of their love, they found Grace already awake and eagerly awaiting them in the kitchen.
Grace greeted them with a radiant smile as they entered, her eyes sparkling affectionately as she took in their relaxed demeanor.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad," she chirped, bustling about the kitchen, taking things to prepare breakfast.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Sam replied, her voice filled with maternal warmth as she pressed a tender kiss to Grace's cheek. Jack echoed the sentiment with a fond smile, his eyes lingering on their daughter.
"I'll start to prepare things," Jack said, taking over, and soon, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon and pancakes filled the air, adding to the cozy atmosphere of the morning.
As they settled around the table, the three engaged in light-hearted banter, the mood buoyant with love and small laughter.
Amidst the jovial chatter, Sam and Jack exchanged subtle glances, silently gauging Grace's mood. They sensed her lingering doubts and fears at night, her worries about losing them and facing the world alone weighing heavily on her mind.
As they gathered around the breakfast table, Jack seized the opportunity to broach the topic they had discussed the previous night.
"Honey," he began casually, his tone gentle yet probing. "About our conversation last night, have you found some clarity, or do you still need to talk more?"
Grace paused, her expression thoughtful as she considered his inquiry.
"Actually, Dad, I've been reflecting since I woke up," she admitted, her gaze steady as she met their eyes. "I understand that loss is a part of life; we experienced it when Mom died," she said, her voice softening.
Looking at her parents, Grace took a deep breath. She didn't mention that she had spent most of the night thinking about this, unable to quiet her mind despite her efforts to fall asleep. She lay in bed, silently contemplating. It was a very Carter characteristic, something Sam would have pointed out if she had known. When Grace faced her parents, she had already sorted her thoughts.
"But life isn't just about loss. It's also about unexpected joy, like when Mom unexpectedly crossed into our reality, entered our lives, and became a part of us. So, I've decided to focus on the present moment, knowing I'll always have both of you by my side, no matter what happens. And that's more than enough for me."
Sam's heart swelled with pride at her daughter's words, a tear of joy glistening in her eye.
"Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, reaching across the table to grasp Grace's hand. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what. You're not alone; we'll do our best to ensure you never will be."
Jack nodded in agreement, his voice tinged with emotion. "That's right, kiddo. We're a team, the three of us. And together, we can get through anything."
With their fears allayed and their bond reaffirmed, the three shared a moment of quiet gratitude, basking in the warmth of their love and the promise of a future filled with endless possibilities.
Seated at the breakfast table, Sam took a deep breath, steeling herself to broach the subject she had contemplated since their return from SGC. With her hands wrapped around her coffee mug, she began tentatively, "I had an idea I wanted to discuss with you both."
Jack and Grace turned their attention to her, their curiosity evident in their expressions.
"What is it, Mom?" Grace asked eagerly.
Sam hesitated for a moment, feeling a sudden dryness in her throat. "Well," she began slowly, "after all the time that your father and I have been away, I thought it might be a good idea for us to take a vacation together, just the three of us."
Grace's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes! A vacation!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious.
However, Jack noticed a hint of apprehension in Sam's demeanor despite her enthusiasm for the idea. "What's on your mind, honey?" he asked gently, sensing there was more to her suggestion than met the eye.
Sam met his gaze, her grip on the mug tightening slightly.
"I was thinking... we could go back to the cabin," she admitted, her voice soft but persistent.
The kitchen fell into an uneasy silence as Jack and Grace exchanged a meaningful glance. The cabin held painful and unresolved memories, a chapter of their lives they had all but buried.
"You mean our cabin?" Jack asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of their shared history hanging heavily in the air.
Sam nodded, her eyes meeting Jack's with determination and trepidation.
"Yes," she affirmed. "I know things didn't go well the last time, but we're in a different situation now. And... both you and Grace love that place. We must confront this and reclaim it as a place of joy and happiness."
Her words lingered in the air, the quiet intensity of the moment palpable. Sam knew she was pushing them out of their comfort zones, but she also knew it was necessary for their healing and growth as a family.
With a silent understanding passing between them, Jack and Grace nodded in agreement, their resolve mirrored in their eyes.
"Okay," Jack said finally, his voice steady. "Let's do it. Let's go back to the cabin."
After securing some time off from her duties, Sam went to General Richard Black's office to inform him of her plans.
"My dear Emily, after everything you've done for us, you can take all the time you want. Go and rest with your family. You surely deserve it," he said with a warm smile.
Sam felt a rush of gratitude for the understanding and support from her superior. General Black had been pleasantly surprised by her unexpected marriage to Jack O'Neill and their personal and professional bond.
"Thank you, General," Sam replied, returning his smile.
The general's curiosity was piqued as he inquired about their destination. "Any idea where you're going? Not that I'm prying," he added with a wink.
Sam's cheeks flushed slightly as she shared their plans. "We're going to Jack's cabin," she revealed.
General Black's smile widened. "Ah, the one with the fish situation," he remarked, recalling the humorous anecdotes about the famous cabin. It had become a tale inside the Pentagon, much like at SGC.
Sam nodded, a fond smile playing on her lips.
"Yes, that one. Grace seems to be the only one who can catch any fish there," she added, chuckling at the information Jack had told her while she was there.
The general chuckled appreciatively.
"Well, there you go. Please take a picture of that lovely girl with a fish and give it to me as a souvenir. And you can stay there as long as you need. General Landry already warned me to give you some time off, even if you didn't ask," he explained, his tone lighthearted.
Sam's blush deepened at the unexpected gesture of kindness. "Yes, he did mention that back at SGC," she admitted.
"Then it's settled. Both your head of department and the head of Homeworld are ordering you to have an extended vacation. So please do us that favor, Emily," General Black said with a playful finger wag.
Sam nodded gratefully. "Thank you, General," she said again, relieved and excited.
He gestured toward the door, a hint of humor in his voice. "Go and start packing," he instructed, shooing her out of the office.
Sam left the office with a grateful smile and an excited heart. This would be her first actual vacation in all her years in the service, and after she became a civilian, she couldn't wait to spend it with her family, making new memories at the cabin.
When Sam got General Black's green light regarding her vacation, she called Jack to tell him they were ready. Then, she placed another call to the SGC, dialing Doctor Dana Reed's direct number. It went to voicemail, so Sam left a message.
"Hi Dana, it's Sam Carter. Please call me ASAP," she said before hanging up. She took a deep breath and began preparing everything related to work before she left. She was already on her way out of the Pentagon and heading home when Dana called back.
"Hi Sam, I got your message. What's up?" Dana asked.
They both had encoded phones to prevent their conversations from being hacked, a system Sam had developed since she started working at Homeworld at the beginning of her work. This advanced technology, better than the existing one, was implemented for all Stargate personnel at the Pentagon and administration levels, including the President.
"I need to talk to you, Dana. Is now a good time?" Sam asked, looking for a nearby bench.
Dana had just finished an appointment and had some time before the next one.
"Sure. What's troubling you?" she asked.
Sam sat down and looked around to make sure she was alone. "I'm taking some time off with Jack and Grace," she began.
Dana smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that."
"Yeah... And I suggested we spend it at the cabin," Sam said slowly.
The line went silent for a few seconds.
"That is a courageous choice, Sam," Dana said, thinking of everything she knew about what had happened in that place.
"Courageous or stupid?" Sam asked, closing her eyes.
Dana cleared her throat. "You know I don't believe in stupid decisions. Only not-so-wise ones."
Sam almost smiled. "It's semantics, Dana," she pointed out.
Dana smiled. Their sessions had always been challenging due to Sam's genius and her difficulty in opening up. But once Sam did, Dana laughed more than once because Samantha Carter had a very peculiar sense of humor when she allowed others to see it. Dana tried to get her to show that sense of humor more often.
"Putting aside the English language, why did you suggest the cabin, Sam?" Dana asked, curious.
Sam swallowed. "Because Jack and Grace love that place, I feel I ruined it for them. I want to fix that," she said.
Dana started doodling on the blank page before her as she processed the information. "So, you blame yourself for what happened there?" she asked.
Sam swallowed again. "Yes, it was my fault," she said, convicted.
Dana hummed. "Why do you always have to take the blame for everything, Sam? We've talked about this before. Not everything is your fault," she said softly.
Sam looked at the sky, which was starting to get cloudy. "We have, but in this case, I believe it was my fault. I can't exactly blame Grace, Dana. She's a child. She's my daughter," Sam corrected, her voice more determined.
Dana's doodling continued.
"You are right; she's a child and your daughter, but sometimes children and even family can do and say things that harm us, Sam. Tremendously. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but from what I remember, you told me she was very cold to you. She switched from 'Mom' to 'Colonel,' which deeply hurt you. Am I wrong, Sam?" Dana asked softly.
Sam wiped away a tear that had started to fall. "I'm not blaming Grace for this, Dana! I'm not," she said, clearing her throat.
Dana put her pen down.
"Look, Sam, I'm not telling you to blame your daughter for anything that happened at that cabin. Blame is probably the wrong word to be used here. I'm just pointing out that what happened there was intense for everyone. You were very fragile, and some harsh words were said. I'm stressing that it wasn't necessarily your fault, Sam. It was a combination of things that went wrong. So, I don't like hearing you say that you're going to the cabin to fix something because it was your fault," Dana explained softly.
Sam was holding her phone tightly while she looked at her wedding ring. "It's easier this way, Dana," Sam admitted.
Dana sighed heavily. "It's easier because you are used to taking the blame for everything, Sam. Because it feels comfortable; it's something you know. But it doesn't mean it's right. That's what we've been working on," Dana said, trying to remind her of the extensive work they had already done.
Sam wiped her eyes again. "So, you think going to the cabin is a bad idea?" she asked.
Dana shook her head in the privacy of her office.
"No, Sam, I think it's an excellent idea. I know it has been bothering you, and you choose to address that. What I would like you to see is that maybe your mindset is not the correct one. And I'm worried that if you go to that cabin feeling like you are the one who needs to fix things, that you were responsible for whatever happened there, the pattern will continue," she said.
Sam took a deep breath. "So, what the hell do I do, Dana?" she asked.
Dana cleared her throat. "What do you want to do, Sam?" she asked instead.
"I want to go to the cabin and fix this! I want that cabin to be a place of happy moments again. For all of us," Sam said.
Dana smiled.
"Then that is exactly what you must say to your husband and daughter. Be honest with them. Tell them what you feel, and let them tell you how they feel. You told me you were talking more and need to continue doing that. Talk and be honest; otherwise, they won't know your struggles. Even if they love you very much, they aren't mind readers," Dana pointed out.
Sam was silently repeating Dana's words. It was something that Dana insisted on relentlessly: if Sam didn't tell the others how she felt, they wouldn't guess. Mind reading wasn't available to humans, except with a bit of alien help, and they weren't using alien help in her therapy.
"Okay, I'll consider all your advice. Thank you, Dana," Sam said.
"Call me anytime if you need, Sam. Anytime. Don't let things escalate," Dana urged.
Sam sniffled. "I won't. I have to go. I think it's about to start raining, and I need to find a taxi to get home. Bye, Dana," she said.
"Enjoy your vacation, Sam," Dana said and hung up.
As Sam hung up and got up from the bench, the first heavy raindrops began to fall. She glanced up at the darkening sky, feeling the weight of the conversation with Dana still pressing on her mind. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant rumble of thunder added to the sense of urgency.
She raised her hand to hail a taxi, and within moments, a yellow cab pulled up to the curb. Sam quickly slipped inside, grateful to escape the downpour that had started in earnest. The rain hammered against the windows, creating a rhythmic drumming that seemed to echo her tumultuous thoughts.
"Where to?" the driver asked, adjusting his rearview mirror to look at her.
"Home, please," Sam replied, giving him the address. She settled into the backseat, clutching her purse on her lap, and stared out the window as the cityscape blurred into a watery haze.
As the cab navigated through the congested streets, Sam replayed Dana's words in her mind. "Be honest with them. Tell them what you feel, and let them tell you how they feel." The advice was simple yet profound. When alone, she had always been the strong one, the fixer, but now she realized that being vulnerable and open with her family might be the key to healing.
The memories of the cabin flashed through her mind—Grace's coldness, the tension with Jack, the feeling of isolation despite being surrounded by people she loved. She understood now that holding everything inside had only widened the gap between them at the time. Circumstances were different, it was true, but now they were a family, and they needed to know her true feelings, her fears, and her hopes if they were to strengthen their ties as a family and rebuild what had been broken at that cabin.
The cab stopped at a red light, and Sam's eyes caught the reflection of her wedding ring. She twisted it absently, feeling the cool metal against her skin. The ring symbolized her bond with Jack, which had already weathered some storms. But this storm, the one brewing inside her, required a different strength.
The rain intensified, pounding harder against the cab. Sam's thoughts turned to Grace. As she adjusted to her role as her mother, Sam worried about letting Grace know she continued to be a person with her struggles and insecurities and that she wasn't yet all right.
The driver turned onto a quieter street, and the cab's pace slowed. Despite the storm outside, Sam felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, filled with difficult conversations and raw emotions, but she also knew it was necessary.
"We're almost there," the driver announced, pulling her out of her reverie.
Sam nodded, preparing herself for the next steps. As the cab approached her home, she felt a renewed determination. She would talk to Jack and Grace, not just as their wife and mother, but as Sam—open, honest, and willing to share her true self.
The cab pulled up to her house, and she paid the driver, thanking him before stepping out into the rain. She hurried up the path, her clothes quickly soaking through, but she didn't mind. The rain felt cleansing, a prelude to the emotional cleansing she was about to undertake.
She opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the storm behind her. Sam took a deep breath, ready to face her family with a new resolve. She knew that this was just the beginning, but it was a beginning she embraced with hope and determination.