Jack was bustling around the kitchen, organizing everything for the next day. Christmas Eve. The lasagna for today was already sizzling in the oven.
They wanted to decorate the tree together, but his wife was nowhere to be seen. She would be stuck at the base as she was leading the SGC now.
He had the phone wedged between his shoulder and his ear, waiting for her to pick up while he was washing the pots and pans he had used.
"General O'Neill!" was her short answer as she picked up the phone, sending him off balance. Jack was so focused on not letting the phone fall into the sink that he wasn't prepared for her voice. Still foam on his hands he picked up the phone and a big smile appeared on his face.
"Hello General! I thought the days that I had to drag you out of your lab were long gone, but I have to learn that you leading that whole facility isn't any different, huh? Here's a Christmas tree waiting for the decorations."
He heard her sigh and immediately felt a bit guilty, it wasn't meant as an accusation, it was supposed to be just teasing.
"I know Jack, I promised to be home by now. We kind of had a situation here, SG-9 was stuck under fire and I didn't want to go home until all my people were home and safe. I just need to get through the debrief and then Reynolds will take over. I'll be home later, I promise."
"I'm sorry Sam, I didn't mean it like it sounded. I would wait to have my people home too. There's just still a lot to do and I could use some help if I have to play Santa tonight. You know we have to come clean some time with the fact that Santa is not real, right?"
"I know, but not…" She didn't get to finish the sentence because she heard the soft voice of her daughter through the phone, who obviously just entered the kitchen.
"Daddy? What do you mean Santa's not real?"
"Uh oh! I got this, just hurry with the debrief. Love you." He whispered into the phone and hung up.
Jack turned around to look at his five years old daughter, her long curly hair ended just a bit over her shoulders now. Unruly like his own, but the light blond color of her mother's. She had her arms crossed over her chest, trying her best to look intimidating. He had to be careful not to laugh, because with her Reindeer slippers she just looked too cute.
"I did ask you a question, daddy!" She demanded answers and he had to buy time to figure out how to get out of this mess.
"Hey princess, why don't I make us both a cup of hot chocolate? And then we'll talk." He offered.
"Marshmallows please!" She told him and climbed up the counter chair.
"And whipped cream, just as you like it." He handed her the cup and took the seat at the other corner next to her so they could look at each other.
"You said Santa is not real, why did you say that?" Her lower lip between her teeth, nibbling on it, a gesture she picked up from her mother.
"Look, Gracie, it's not that Santa doesn't exist. It's a big world and to be able to visit every kid he needs the help of the parents. Santa's Reindeers are fast, but not that fast. So most of the time it's not Santa bringing the presents, but us parents."
"So you're like his little elves?" She tried to make sense of what her father told her.
"Yeah, something like that. We have to help maintain the magic if it's not our turn. Every year Santa picks children to visit and this year it's not us, so it's on your mom and me to make this year special. Do you trust me to do this?"
Grace was silently thinking about it and finally nodded. She took a sip on her hot chocolate. Jack smiled when the whipped cream stuck on her upper lip. His rough hands wiped it away with a softness only fathers could.
"Of course I trust you, daddy!" She took a sip of her hot chocolate and seemed satisfied with Jack's explanation. And it was just then when Jack O'Neill decided to hold up the facade of Santa clause for a little longer. As long as his little girl wants to believe in him.
When they were about to hang their socks onto the mantle Sam got home.
"Mommy! You're home!" Grace flew into her arms, her legs wrapped around Sam's middle, her little feet with the Reindeer slippers crossed at the back.
"Yes honey, and I don't have to go in until after new years eve."
"That's great. Why are you so wet mommy?"
"It started to snow on my drive home. With a little luck we can build a snowman tomorrow."
With Grace in her arms she entered the living room to greet her husband.
"Hello Mrs. O'Neill!" Jack leaned in to kiss her, one arm wrapped around her waist, holding his girls close to him while the other one was holding the fairy lights in a ball that he just couldn't get untangled.
"Hey!"
Sam was glad to be home and finally get some family time. While she changed into some comfortable pants and a Christmas sweater Jack started to hang the lights in the tree.
Together they hung the ornaments in and like the years before Jack picked up Grace so she could put the star on top of the tree. They made it a Christmas tradition early on.
"So, who wants to light up the tree?" Jack asked joyfully.
"It's mom's turn this year!" Grace told them and handed Sam the plug. The lights bathed the room in a warm yellow glow and they sat back to admire their work. With a plate of lasagna in front of everyone they enjoyed the look.
"Beautiful! Just like my girls." Jack said, "Look outside! It snowed a lot since you got home, Sam. Everything is white outside."
"Is it enough to build a snowman?" Their daughter asked excited.
"But it's already dark outside, why don't we wait till tomorrow morning, Gracie?" Jack tried.
"Oh please, daddy! I want to build a snowman in the dark. We have never done THAT at Christmas!"
She looked at him with her big blue eyes and Jack knew he couldn't resist her. Like he couldn't resist his wife when she looked at him like that. He was a goner for those blue eyes and now they outnumbered him.
"Okay, okay, but we need to dress properly, I don't want anybody to catch a cold and have to stay in bed tomorrow."
As soon as he'd said that the little whirlwind was up and raced to the wardrobe.
"She's unmistakably your daughter, you know." Sam whispered in his ear before she kissed her way along his throat.
"She's a mini you as well. I like to think she owns the best of both of us." He told her before his lips found hers in a soft promising kiss.
"Mom! Dad! You haven't even gotten up to dress yourself. Hurry!"
"Yep," Jack smiled. "that commanding tone is definitely yours, General." Stealing a last kiss he got up. "Race ya, Carter. Last one ready is on cleaning duty tomorrow."
Wrapped warmly in their coats, they stepped outside into the falling snow. Sam took a deep breath because ever since she was a kid she loved the smell of snow. That ice cold air reminded her of happy days from her childhood when her mother was still alive. Her father always tried to be home at Christmas to spent time with the family. That changed after her mother's death and only when she became a part of SG-1 she was able to enjoy Christmas again. Having her own family now she finally loved this time of the year as she had as a kid.
She knew Jack had struggled with these holidays since Charlie died, but not anymore. It seemed that Grace had changed that and he was ready to embrace the Christmas spirit.
Jack and Grace were already forming two balls, the bottom and the middle for the Snowman.
"Come on, mom. You've got to make his head."
As she stepped into the pristine blanket of freshly fallen snow, each footfall created that delightful crunch that only snow can conjure.
Grace put great effort to mold a perfectly round snowball. Her tongue peeked out from her mouth, a testament to her intense focus on the task at hand.
It didn't take them long to have three balls in different sizes and it was Jack's task to put them onto each other. Meanwhile Gracie disappeared inside, ignoring her mother's calls not to move inside with her shoes full of snow. Only moments later she was back, a carrot in one hand and a scarf in the other.
"We needed a nose for the Snowman. And I got him my old scarf. But what could we use as eyes and buttons?"
"There are walnuts in a bowl next to the door, we could use these."
"Yeah, great idea, mom!" And again she was gone to get them.
Jack stood next to the snowman, watching his favorite girls filled his heart with pride and love.
He couldn't get his eyes away from his wife, between the snow and the full moon she seemed to glow. The brightest star of all. And when she turned around and smiled at him he had a feeling in his gut that he had seen her like this before, but whatever it was he couldn't put his finger on it.
His moment was interrupted by his daughter who apparently was back and stood before him without him noticing it. They carefully put the nuts as face and buttons together in the snow.
Sam approached them with wooden sticks who were supposed to act as arms. It was their perfectly imperfect snowman.
"We have to name him!" Grace said, "Any ideas? And no Simpsons names, dad!"
Jack was just about to say something, but closed his mouth as he wanted to name him Homer.
"Your mom is great with names, she came up with the name for you." He then told them.
"That was easy, but I'm not sure I could make it another time. Coming up with a perfect name."
He wondered why she blushed while she said that. His eyes formed into slits to focus on her entirely. She was different today, but for the sake of his life he couldn't tell why.
"I think I'll name him Oscar. He looks like an Oscar to me." Grace stated.
As Sam placed her arms around Jack's waist, a wave of warmth enveloped her, she was immediately wrapped in a warm hug, drawing her closer into his embrace. They stood side by side, hearts swelling with affection as they watched their little girl running around in the soft, powdery snow. With unbridled joy, she flung herself onto the ground, her laughter ringing out like sweet music as she repeatedly flapped her arms and legs, creating snow qngels in the glistening white blanket beneath her. For that perfect moment, time seemed to pause, allowing them to savor the simple beauty of family togetherness amidst the chilly air.
"Do you even know how much I love you?" He whispered so only Sam could her.
"I have a pretty good idea, I'd say as much as I do, but why don't you show me later?" She challenged him.
"Woman, you'll be the death of me." He growled, right before he was hit by a snowball, followed by a giggle only Carter girls could do. It didn't take long for his second favorite giggle to erupt.
Sam let go of him and joined their daughter in her snowball fight against daddy.
Carefully not to destroy the Snowman they sought shelter and threw the balls. Half an hour later, they were all soaked but happy.
They went back inside and changed into their pajamas.
Grace cuddled against Sam while Jack started the fireplace. It was his favorite time of the year - to sit with his family in front of the crackling fire, being warmed by it. And when the little girl finally fell asleep he picked her up and put her to bed.
When he returned he watched his wife, nearly asleep on the couch, her hands resting softly on her stomach. And suddenly it hit him, he remembered when he had last seen her glow like this. His heart pounded in his chest, not sure if it was because he wants it to be real or if he was scared it would be.
Slowly he sat down beside her, just to be used as cushen straight away.
"Hm, I like that. It's warm and you're comfy."
"Yeah, and that kid of ours is finally asleep so it's also lovely silent." He joked.
"She's a big girl now. I wonder where the years have gone."
"Yeah, I sometimes wonder that too. Time has passed so quickly."
Her hand drew circles over his chest and she felt his heart pounding in the same rhythm as hers. Sam took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she had to tell him.
"What would you think about doing it all again?" She sucked in one last breath just to hold it, she was literally too nervous to breathe.
He straightened and moved her up so he could look at her.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" He told her what he suspected since he had seen her outside in the snow today.
"How…?" She didn't know what to say. How could he have known.
"You've got that special glow you've had when you where pregnant with Gracie. It was just a lucky guess."
"Oh! And…?"
"I'm thrilled, Sam! A baby! Really?"
She laughed in relief. "Yes, a baby, Jack!"
He cradled her head gently in his hands, his touch tender and reassuring. As he leaned in, their eyes locked for a fleeting moment. Then, with a depth of emotion that mirrored the profound love that created that baby, he kissed her. The kiss was not merely an expression of affection; it was a passionate promise, a fierce declaration of love that spoke of their shared journey and dreams for the future.
"Best Christmas present ever. I love you so damn much, Carter!" In special moments like that she was still 'Carter' to him, his nickname for her emerged during a time when their relationship seemed impossible, constrained by the weight of unyielding rules.
"I love you, Jack! I have to admit I was a little afraid to tell you."
"What? Why?"
"Because we hadn't exactly planned to have another baby."
"We'll have as much babies as you want, Sam. Planned or not, I'm always in for more craziness in this household."
She leaned in to bath in the warm of his embrace, her back against his chest. His hands rested carefully on her belly underneath her shirt, stroking her skin softly where the life grew they had created.
"I wonder what Grace will think of it." She wondered out loud.
"She'll love it. She's born to be a big sister. She had asked me a few times why she is an only child, I just didn't have an answer for her."
"Then we should tell her tomorrow." Sam told him happily.
"Exactly how far along are you?"
"Well, let me tell you that I thought the symptoms were stress related. It has been rough the last few weeks…"
"Sam…?"
"Nearly at the end of the third month." She explained and Jack erupted into laughter.
"Three months? And we didn't notice?"
Both laughed joyfully, drawing even closer together, basking in the warm glow of the Christmas lights and the gentle flicker of the fireplace.
Best Christmas ever.