Luckily it was still warm in the middle of October so they could gather in Sam's backyard to celebrate Ben's birthday.
Jack had been there for breakfast already, Ben had asked him to be there and Sam was glad for the additional help.
"Are you really going to teach me how to skate, Jack?" Ben asked in awe when Jack handed him little ice skates.
"Sure I do, I know your mom promised to teach you, but I'd say she hasn't got the necessary balance right now." He smirked in Sam's direction. She only rolled her eyes as an answer. "So now I'm gonna teach you."
"Thank you so much, I can hardly wait for it."
"As soon as the ice rink is open we'll go. I promise." He ruffled Ben's hair and the boy started to finally eat his pancake.
Sam made blueberry pancakes, another birthday tradition which they developed and the boys loved it.
No matter who's birthday it was, they would have breakfast in their pajamas and eat blueberry pancakes. And beside Jack, everyone still wore their pajamas.
He stole a glance at Sam, she wore shorts and a tank top to sleep in. He remembered that in the last stages of pregnancy Sara also used to have hot flashes, she was constantly warm, exactly opposite to usual.
The kids already left to get dressed and play with Ben's new toys. Sam also got up to get dressed. Jack observed her attentively, not allowing the slightest detail to escape his notice. She let out a soft gasp as she rose to her feet, her hand instinctively cradling her belly. Perhaps the baby's foot was once again positioned uncomfortably within her. Even during breakfast, he noticed her continually caressing her abdomen, as if trying to soothe away any discomfort she might be feeling. But he didn't dare to say anything, she would let him know if something was wrong.
He went outside to set the table and get everything in order. And soon the first guest arrived. Daniel and Teal'c were the first ones and immediately occupied by the two children. They loved Danny and uncle T, so it was no surprise that they got dragged away by the boys.
When the doorbell rang Jack opened the door to a tall young man with black hair and glasses, who was obviously nervous, standing next to an equally nervous Cassandra Fraiser.
"Hey, Jack!" Cassie greeted him by kissing his cheek. "This is John!" She pointed towards the man next to her. "John, this is Jack, my Dad, sort of."
"Nice to meet you Mr. O'Neill."He extended a hand and to Cassie's relief Jack took it. He was impressed that the young man treated him respectfully, so he offered him his first name.
"Hello John, it's Jack. Why don't you two come in, Sam's in the kitchen."
"Thank you!"
"Hey Sam!" Cassie shouted as soon as she was inside.
"In here!" She shouted back.
Cassie was already hugging her while Jack was just about to close the front door. He followed John into the kitchen.
Releasing Sam from the hug, Cass gently stroked the baby bump before she grabbed John's hand and drew him close.
"Sam, may I introduce you to John. John, this is Sam."
He held out his hand to her too.
"Hello John! Welcome to our little chaotic family. It's nice to finally meet the man that Cassie has been talking about for so long now."
"Oh I hope she had only nice things to say." He sounded a little unsure, but Sam tried to take away his nervousness.
"All good things, I swear. She told me you're working at the hospital too?"
"Yes, I'm a pediatrician. I love working with kids. They're the best patients."
Cassie started giggling as a thought filled her mind. "Jack's like a kid when it comes to being in hospital, but I can tell you that's not fun to work with."
Jack looked like a deer caught in the headlights and Sam couldn't hold it together as she burst out laughing.
"Sorry, Dad!" Cassie wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek to soften his anger.
"Sure kiddo, I'll get you though. Let me tell you John, it's not easy being the guy around these girls. I'm glad not to be alone anymore."
Now even John laughed. "I'm glad to be of assistance. But aren't there two little boys to support us?"
"There around here somewhere, but soon there'll be another girl added to this family and I'm pretty sure she'll have the boys in her corner." When he said that, he stepped closer to Sam and rubbed softly over her belly to underline what he just said. He didn't notice the look Cassie shared with Sam and he also didn't notice the faint blush that crept onto Sam's cheeks, because he was too focused on the feel of Sam's stomach. She hasn't said anything so far, so he wouldn't either, but he could clearly feel it hardening under his touch and soften again.
"When are you due?" John wanted to know.
"Only a few more weeks, but it feels like I'm already ready for it. Wouldn't be surprised if she chooses to come earlier."
Jack wanted to say something, but the conversation turned towards the boys and then Sam chased them outside, placed a bowl with salad in Jack's hands and grabbed the meat herself. She leaned towards Jack and whispered "I like him." before she was gone too.
When he stepped outside the boys were already in Cassie's arms, getting to know the new man at her side. Wilde chatter sounded through the backyard as Ben opened his present, Daniel and Teal'c were introduced to John.
Jack made his way to fire up the grill, silently he kept observing Sam, who it seemed can't get comfortable today.
"Mom, look what Cassie and John got me." Ben told her and so she was drawn into the party again.
John fitted perfectly into their group, he was great with kids, that showed when Alex and Ben dragged him away to play with them.
"You choose your boyfriend very well, Cassandra Fraiser."
"Thank you, Teal'c. I was really nervous to introduce him to you guys. It's not easy to get along with you all at the first sight. I'm really glad you like him. You all do, don't you?"
She looked around at everyone, obviously nervous.
"Yeah, I like him, Cass." Daniel smiled at her.
Jack and Sam nodded and Cassie was able to release the breath she didn't know she was holding.
Over lunch they came to know him even better. He told them about his parents and about his only sister, who's quite a bit older than him and already married with children.
Ben was impatiently waiting for his birthday cake. He loves to blow out the candles.
Finally Sam got the cake and sat it down in front of him. Four candles were shining brightly.
"Make a wish before you blow them out." Alex reminded him and Ben took his time. He wanted to be really sure what to wish for. And as to give it more weight he closed his eyes and blew them out in one go.
The guys were so wrapped up in their conversation that Cassie took the opportunity to talk to Sam. She wanted to talk to her about what she witnessed earlier.
"So Sam, Jack seemed quite comfortable to touch you today."
Again that blush appeared on Sam's cheeks.
"He's around a lot to help with the boys, and he's agreed to stay with me during the birth, so it's not unusual that he's…."
"Come on, Sam. You know what I mean. And you can't deny that you like his touches."
"It's complicated, Cass. Pete… "
"Pete is dead. I know you loved him, and I do understand that you don't want to rush into another relationship. But let's be honest. Pete gave his blessing, you're in love with Jack O'Neill for a lot longer than I'm here on earth and you changed. I can see that, you're nearly your old, confident self again and I can see the looks you give him. They don't say 'friendship' to me."
Sam fumbled with her fingers, not knowing what else to do with them, she smoothed her shirt over her belly and played with the hem of the shirt.
"And that's exactly it."
"What?" Cassie asked, confused.
"That I want him that much. I have always loved him and I do love him now. I have said goodbye to Pete, I'll never forget him, but I think I'm ready to move on, but that scares the hell out of me. I'm scared to want him so much, scared that I'll mess this up or that he'll realize what he got himself into, taking a woman with three young kids, that he'll leave and I will lose my best friend in all of this. Then I'll be alone again and that's way worse than having Jack only as my best friend. What if Alex and Ben hate us being together? He's not their father."
Cassie listened attentively to all of her fears and took a second to gather her thoughts before she answered.
"Sam, this is Jack we're talking about. He has waited so long for you, supporting you, he loves your kids more than anything in the world. He wouldn't be here if he didn't. And he's ready to take this unborn child into his love too. Your boys are crazy about him and they would be thrilled about you two. You have nothing to be scared about."
As always when she was nervous she chewed on her lips. Her daughter chose this moment to kick from inside and she hissed. Drawing Jack's attention. This man could be in any conversation, but alway notices when something is going on with her. She smiled at him to reassure him that everything is fine. He let it go for now.
"You think?"
"I know so! Pete wanted you to be happy and he knew that Jack was the one to do so. No one will blame you if you give it a try. It's not too soon if it feels right to you. We all love you and if that's what you want then give it a try."
Happy tears filled Sam's eyes. She had feared the reaction of her friends, that they would judge her, finding it too soon or something like that, but it seems they had discussed it already.
"Thank you." She leaned forward to hug the woman who always was like her first daughter. "I think I'll get us something new to drink. I might need a minute."
She got up and went inside, sorting her feelings and emotions before she was ready to face the others again.
Jack shared a look with Cassie, concern written all over his face, but with her smile she was able to convince him that everything was okay. He got up and followed Sam into the house. Again he found her in the kitchen. Preparing drinks.
"Care to share what's wrong with you?"
She was startled by his words, hadn't heard him enter, and nearly dropped the glass she was filling.
"What? Nothing is wrong, Jack?"
"Yeah, sure. You are constantly moving, rubbing your belly and when I touched it earlier I felt it harden and go soft within a minute. Sam, are you in labor and aren't telling it?"
She had recognized that he was observing her through the day, but didn't think he was worried. A soft chuckle escaped her.
"No Jack, I'm not in labor. I would've told you, I promise. This baby can't just stop moving for a second, it's exhausting." She complained. "That's why I'm always moving and fiddling around. These contractions you felt are Braxton-Hicks, my body is preparing for birth, add that to her movements and the result is an exhausted me."
"If this is all too much for you just say a word. We can send them home or you just go and lay down for a bit, I can keep entertaining them."
"No, I love having them here."
"You were whispering with Cassie…" He tried to find out what it was about.
"Just a conversation between women." She told him and suddenly that blush was back again, he had to find out what that meant.
"Talking about John?"
"No, but I should have. I should tell her how much I like him. He fits perfectly into our dysfunctional family."
"That he does. Baby stuff…?" He tried again.
"Nope."
"Alright, you don't want to tell me. I can live with that."
"Maybe I could give you a hint." She told him, closing the distance while she spoke.
"Yeah?...mmph.."
Jack was taken aback when Sam's lips suddenly enveloped his in a passionate kiss. She pressed herself against him as tightly as her belly would allow, wrapping her arms around his neck, guiding the kiss with an urgency that ignited his senses. As her tongue gently sought entry, he shook off his astonishment, fully immersing himself in the moment. The delightful combination of vanilla cake and coffee lingered on her lips, making the kiss all the more intoxicating. His arms enveloped her gently yet firmly, as if he were afraid to release her, wishing instead to keep her close forever.
Reluctantly they separated. Jack stood there, still surprised, his eyes locked onto Sam's with a mixture of disbelief and wonder. He struggled to comprehend the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded before him. Every detail seemed to swirl around in his mind, trying to understand what just happened. The silence between them spoke volumes as Jack searched Sam's gaze for answers.
"Well, that was a hell of a hint I would say."
Again Sam chewed nervously on her bottom lip. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… I think I'm ready… I want to give 'us' a try… If that's something you'd want too."
"Are you seriously asking if I want that too? I'm here, Sam. I'm ready. We don't need to rush things, I'm not going anywhere… I…" Jack was overwhelmed and lost for words. He couldn't believe his luck. He was so sure she would need more time, and he was willing to give her all the time she'd need. But it looked like the wait was over and all he could think of to show her how happy he was was to kiss her again. So he did.
Cradling her face tenderly in his hands, he let his thumbs glide gently over her cheeks as he leaned closer. Their lips met in a feather-light touch, an innocent kiss that quickly turned into something far more passionate and consuming.
Cassie noticed the absence of the boys a little too late. She rushed after them, trying to catch them before they found Sam and Jack, because she had the feeling that they finally were talking and shouldn't be interrupted. But what she found in the kitchen she wasn't prepared for either. Sam and Jack were unaware of their surroundings and only when Cassie stumbled into the kitchen behind Ben and Alex they separated. Right in time to hear Ben's astonished whisper to Alex.
"Wow, I didn't know that Birthday wishes come true so quickly, that's awesome."