Hearing Kerry's voice, Jack became instantly alert. "Kerry, what's wrong? Weren't you going to meet Sam today?"
"Ah, yeah, look, I'm taking her to the hospital, her water just broke."
"Sam is in labor?" He asked, shocked. His mouth became dry and his hands sweaty.
"Yes, but no need to worry, I'll have her taken care of in no time. Just meet us at the hospital, will you?"
"I'm on my way." Jack hung up the phone and grabbed his jacket. On his way out he instructed his secretary to postpone all his meetings and told her it could take some time until he's back. He's going to be a daddy today.
When he left the Pentagon his driver was already waiting. Amy must have called him first before canceling his meetings.
20 minutes later he was still in the back of his car and it seemed like they only had moved one block. It's rush hour in D.C. so of course the streets were packed. The hospital they chose was at the other side of the city, because it was a military hospital with clearance of her physiology, and Jack just hoped that Sam already made it there. Again 25 minutes later his cell phone was ringing. It was an unknown number.
"O'Neill!" He answered, half knowing who it would be.
"Jack! Where the heck are you?" yep, it was Kerry, her voice rising in desperation.
"Kerry, calm down. I'm on my way, but have you ever tried to cross the city at this time of the day? The traffic is horrible and it seems like no one is moving at all. I'm equally frustrated, you know. How's Sam?" he wanted to know.
"She's good, the contractions come closer each time. The doctor told us that they expected it because of the naquadah in her blood. It might speed up the birth process. I'm with her and I won't leave her side until you're here. I promise. But I would feel better if I know you can make it in time."
"Can I talk to her?" Jack asked, taking a deep breath to prepare for this conversation.
"Jack?" You could hear the exhaustion in her voice.
"Yes, it's me. I'm sorry Sam. I'm stuck in traffic. But I'm trying everything to be there in time. Just hold on a little longer, will you?"
"I can't promise anything, Jack. This little boy is determined to get out of his comfortable home."
He heard her draw in a sharp breath, followed by a scream "Argh… Jack…this..hurts.." He could make out noises in the background, Kerry soothing her and trying to breathe with her. He was thankful that his wife wasn't alone, but he wanted nothing more than to be with her.
"Sam, I'll think of something, hold on, I'm on my way. I love you so much!"
"I love you too, Jack.." She gasped, "please hurry."
His driver turned around and motioned out of the window.
"Sir, we're stuck here and I'm not confident that we'll make it in time. There's one option you could try. The metro always runs."
Why hadn't he thought about it earlier. His driver was right. Cars won't move but the metro will. He clapped him on his shoulders.
"Thank you John. I will try this. Feel free to drive home as soon as it gets moving."
"Thank you, Sir! And good luck to you."
Closing the car door Jack made his way down to the underground. Taking nearly two steps at a time he got faster and faster. At least he was moving again, slipping into the train right before the doors closed. He panted while catching his breath, closing his eyes and thinking about his wife.
A few miles away said wife was also panting. Sweat running down her face. She held onto the footboard of the bed while she circled her hip to ease the pain. Breathing through her contraction. The doctor told her early on that they weren't sure what painkillers would do to the process of the birth so they all agreed to go for a natural birth without medication. Sam started to regret her decision but knew it was reasonable and too late already to change her opinion. Kerry did a great job massaging her lower back, her palms pressing just on the right spots, stretching out the muscles helped with the pain.
After the contraction subsided, she stood up straight to take a deep breath and fill her lungs with air.
"I'm sorry that you're stuck with me here, Kerry."
"Think nothing of it. I wouldn't let you do this on your own. I can imagine that in such a situation you would at least want a friend by your side when the man in question is late. I mean…" Too late she realized what she said. They had never defined their relationship, she just assumed…
"It's alright, Kerry." Sam told her, placing a hand on her arm. "You are my friend, if that's what's bothering you. I mean, it's weird though, but just the part of how we got to know each other, not that we are friends. I don't care what Jack thinks about it, but as much as he's mocking us about it, I'm sure he's grateful for it." She smiled at the woman and began to move around the room. Moving helped her a lot between the contractions.
"Thank you!" Kerry smiled back.
"I'm not sure if it's doing any good watching me go through birth when you still have all of this ahead of you." Sam giggled sheepishly.
"Oh no, I'm not sure that's something I want to pursue. I'm not the maternal type."
"I haven't been either, or at least I think I haven't been. But let me tell you with the right man, you will be."
"We'll see, but for now we should concentrate on bringing your husband here, so that he's able to see this little guy be born." Kerry reached for the cold washcloth to wipe away the sweat from Sam's face. She tucked a strand of hair behind Sam's ears and saw in Sam's face that the next contraction was about to build up. Standing in the middle of the room there was nothing for Sam to hold on to beside the woman in front of clutched her shoulders for support and let out a groan of pain. Kerry reached out to her, drawing circles over her belly towards her back as the door flew open. Both women stopped to look at the man in the doorframe. A tear escaped Sam's eyes, relieved that her husband was finally there.
Also relieved was Kerry as she switched places with him. "Jack, thank God you're here."
He supported her until the pain eased, only now able to look at her as she straightened.
"Hey honey, you're okay?" He nearly whispered.
"Hi!" She beamed at him, her full Carter-smile that always reached her eyes and let them sparkle. Her blue eyes were just a little bluer today. "Yeah, I'm good. Kerry was amazing!"
Only now he turned around to thank her.
"It's alright, Jack. We're just glad you could make it in time. Can I get you something before I go to the waiting room?"
"Water would be great, thank you. But you don't have to.."
She stopped him mid sentence "I know I don't have to, but I want to. And I will wait until that baby is born, I'd like to be one of the first visitors."
When Sam and Jack were finally alone she snuggled up to him, letting her head rest on his shoulders.
"I'm sorry it took me that long." He said, his voice quiet.
"I wasn't alone and the only thing that matters is that you're here now. I love you!"
"I love you too. How do you feel? Are you in a lot of pain?" He asked carefully.
"It hurts, but I've had injuries that were hurting worse. I only have to think about why it hurts and what I'll get out of it in the end." She took his hand and placed it onto her belly, her hand on top of his.
He felt her belly harden under his touch and looked up to her, concern written all over his eyes.
"Another one." was all she could say before her groan filled the room.
A few hours later she was fully dilated and ready to push. Jack sat behind her, ready to support her in every way possible.
"I don't think I can do it. Jack, it hurts so badly." Sam cried, exhausted and breathless.
"I know you can do it. Just a few more pushes Sam. I'm here, we'll do this together."
And with the unwavering support of her husband and five pushes later a little wrinkly boy made its appearance into the world, screaming as if to let everyone know he's here. Tears of happiness and exhaustion were streaming down Sam's face. Jack's eyes were also filled with tears but fixed on the tiny baby as it was placed on Sam's belly. They looked at him in awe, not daring to interrupt this first connection to his parents with words. She held him close as Jack put his hand on his son for the first time. Only then their eyes found each other and they were grinning like idiots. Jack placed a soft kiss on top of her hair.
"You're a Rockstar, Carter. That is by far the coolest thing you've ever done!"
Jack got to cut the cord and witnessed Sam's first attempt at nursing. They were both so happy when those tiny lips closed around her nipple and began to suck.
He followed the nurse who cleaned him and dressed him while Sam was taken care of by the doctors. Afterwards they met in the hospital room that was theirs for the rest of their stay. She had already changed her clothes and rested on the bed. But when Jack entered the room with their son in his arms, she leaned forward to gesture for him to take a seat next to her. He looked so right holding the baby in his arms. It's like these arms were made especially for such a tiny human being. Jack O'Neill was finally a father again and for Sam it felt so right. For the first time they took a look together at their freshly dressed son. Sam noticed the bracelet where his name was written on and immediately faced Jack.
"Yeah, they asked me about his name and since we already decided on it I let them write it down. Ahm, unless you changed your mind… I mean, we still can change it."
She let her finger wander over the beautiful written letters: Jacob Tyler O'Neill!
Jack saw again tears glistening in her eyes and leaned into her.
"He would have loved it. And he would have loved his grandson." Jack told her and she laughed.
"No. No, he wouldn't. He would have loved this little guy, but he would have had our asses for naming him after him. He would have called us sentimental fools. But I don't care. It's perfect!"
Jack also laughed at the thought of Jacob meeting his namesake when his wife snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Would you like to go and get Kerry? She probably has a stiff neck by now while waiting on those uncomfortable chairs."
He nodded in understanding, gracefully rising from his seat. With tender care, he gently transferred the sleeping baby into her waiting arms, their son nestled comfortably against her chest.
On his way to the waiting area Jack passed a drinks dispenser and got himself a coffee before sitting down next to a sleeping Kerry.
"Hey sleeping beauty." He joked while he placed his hand on her shoulder to wake her up gently. She slowly woke up and saw Jack sipping his coffee.
"Hey there." She greeted him, "How is Sam? Are she and the baby okay?"
"They're fine." taking another sip, cherishing every single bit of his drink. "Sam asked me to get you to meet our newest family addition."
"Awe, congratulations Daddy! I'd like to see them."
When the door to Sam's room opened again Jack held the door open and Kerry got in. Slowly walking up to Sam.
"Oh wow, he's beautiful. A perfect mix of both of you! Congratulations Sam! You did an amazing job."
"Thank you! You got lucky he just woke up from his slumber. You wanna hold him?" Sam gestured her to sit down in the chair next to her.
"Of course I want to, if that's okay with you."
Sam stood up and carefully placed him into Kerry's waiting arms.
"Say hi to Jacob Tyler O'Neill."
Not daring to breathe, Kerry slightly stroked his cheek. "Hello Jacob! It's so nice to meet you. You gave me quite the scare, when your mom went into labor. Thank God you waited for your Daddy to arrive." She looked up into two pairs of eyes, so full of love for that bundle in her arms. Soon she excused herself to give the new parents time to bond with their son.
Jack placed Jacob in the crib next to Sam's bed. Sam was already starting to lay down when she saw him staring at the baby, frozen in his spot. She got up and wrapped her arms around Jack's waist from behind.
"What's wrong?" She had a suspicion, but she needed to hear it from him.
"Nothing is wrong. It's just overwhelming. I thought I was prepared for this, but it's… I'm scared. What if…?"
"You won't!" She reassured him with a firm voice.
"You don't know what I wanted to say."
"I know it, Jack. And it won't. You will not let anything happen to him. The first time wasn't your fault, it was an horrible accident, but this makes you even more careful now. I know it. And I trust you with him. You'll be the most wonderful father in the world. I'm really glad to have you by my side. Because to be honest, I have really no idea what I'm doing here. You have to help me, finally something you can teach me." Her grip around him got stronger and he suddenly turned around to be able to look her in the eyes. He held her face in his hands as he lowered his to her.
"I can't even tell how grateful I am to have you as my wife. I love you so much, Sam! And I will do everything in my power to be the best dad and the best husband you deserve. I promise!"
His lips met hers in a gentle, loving kiss. She took him by the hand and let him to the bed. "Come on and catch some sleep, I'm pretty sure Jacob will wake up soon demanding to be fed. I'm tired and I bet you're too."
They lay down together, with Sam resting her head on Jack's chest, which was her favorite spot to find peace and comfort. In that moment, embraced by her loving partner and with their sleeping son beside them, Sam felt contentment like never before. The warmth of their shared love enveloped them, creating a sense of bliss and gratitude for the beautiful life they had built together. Life couldn't be better.