The song ‘If I Should Fall Behind’ is performed by Faith Hill, no
infringement intended.
AUTHORS NOTES: A huge thanks to my two beta gal's, Kes and Jenn!
DEDICATION: To Ness, for putting up with my endless questions on formatting.
~~o0o~~
Sam walked along the corridors of the SGC, opening her mail as she went and trusting Jack not to let her run into anything. “This must be a birthday card from Mark, Vicki and the kids,” she said as she opened the envelope. She smiled at the cute cat on the front of the card. She opened it up and stopped walking. “Jack, look! It’s a photo of their new baby. She’s so gorgeous!”
Jack walked back to her, so he could look over her shoulder. He smiled at the photo. “She is cute, isn’t she?”
Sam nodded, reading the long message in the card as Jack led her down the corridor once more. “We’ve been invited to Tiffany’s christening,” she told him. “You, me and Dad.”
“Sounds like fun. When is it?”
“In three weeks. Think we can get hold of Dad before then?”
“I think that can be arranged,” he said, leading her into the commissary and trying to hide his grin.
Jack opened the door and allowed her to precede him. “Surprise!” Everyone cheered as she walked in. The cheer was closely followed by a very off-key version of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Sam laughed, turning to swat the man beside her as he sang in her ear. “You promised!” she scolded, her smile telling him she wasn’t angry.
“Hey! I promised *I* wouldn’t tell anyone. This was all your Dad’s and Daniel’s doing.”
She gave him a spectacular smile before moving further into the room, immediately being engulfed by her friends. Jack stood back and watched her as she talked to them. He still found it hard to believe there was just over three months before she was going to become his wife. Mrs Samantha O’Neill. He loved the sound of that. Sam had decided she wanted to keep her maiden name at work, claiming it would get too confusing if there were too many O’Neill’s wandering around. Jack wasn’t entirely convinced that was the sole reason. He knew Sam still thought she needed to prove herself to everyone, and she wanted to show them all that she would still be the same person and not become ‘Jack’s woman’. He didn’t mind. Whatever her last name, she was still going to be married to him.
“Good to see you, Jack!” Jacob said as he walked up to him.
“Hey, Dad! I told you she wouldn’t guess,” Jack told the older man, proud of the fact that he had managed to keep a secret from a woman that knew him entirely too well.
Jacob laughed. “So I noticed. I don’t know how you did it.”
“Ah, it was easy. I just had to keep her mind occupied on something else, she didn’t have a chance to suspect. Getting Daniel to keep his mouth shut was an entirely different challenge though.”
Both men chuckled as their eyes wandered over to the most important person in both their lives. Sam was in the process of a group hug with Janet, Cassie, Sam’s third bridesmaid, Jocelyn, and Lucy.
“Is that the young nurse that you were telling me about? The one from Denver?” Jacob asked.
Jack nodded. “Yeah. She’s a great asset to the base. Poor girl got a baptism of fire. Her first day here, SG-7 gated to a planet and came across a rather nasty bacteria. Had to send a medical team through and Lucy was one of them. She handled it well though. Reminded me of Sam, with all her questions.”
“I hear she’s got another similarity to Sam,” Jacob said, trying to withhold his grin.
“What’s that?” Jack asked, confused.
“She can keep you under control.”
Jack laughed. “Not like Sammy can.”
Jack took Sam’s father over to the group of women, so he could be introduced. “Excuse me, ladies,” he said as he walked up to them.
“Dad!” Sam squealed, bypassing her fiancé and walking straight into her father’s arms.
“Happy birthday, kid,” he replied, hugging her tight.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. I tried to come when I heard you were injured, but we’ve had to move again and I couldn’t get away.”
Sam smiled. “That’s okay. I understand.”
Sam stepped away from her father and turned to introduce him to her friends. “Dad, this is Doctor Jocelyn King. Joc, do you remember my Dad?”
“Yes, of course. It’s good to see you again, General Carter.”
“It’s Jacob, please. You roomed with Sam at College, didn’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“How did you manage to get yourself here?”
Jocelyn smiled at Sam. “I think it was a matter of friends in high places.”
They all laughed. “Hey, I wasn’t going to pass up the best person for the job, simply because she was a good friend of mine!” Sam defended. “It wasn’t my decision anyway. I just put my recommendations in.”
Sam then introduced Jacob to Lucy. “I hear I need to thank you for helping my little girl,” Jacob said as he shook the young woman’s hand.
“Not at all. I was just doing my job,” Lucy insisted, blushing at the attention. “Your daughter has an amazing strength. It was that strength and the strength of the man that loves her very deeply which got her through.”
Everyone smiled and nodded at the truth of the statement.
*****
Jacob was only able to stay for a few hours, before he had to return to the Tok’ra base. He stood in the Embarkation room with his daughter, Jack and Hammond. Jack was trying to convince him to stay for a few more days. “Are you sure you can’t stay for New Years, Jacob? It’s just going to be a get together at our house, but it would be great if you could be there.”
“Sorry, Jack. As much as I’d love to, if I want to get back for my granddaughter’s christening, I’ll have to go and attend to a few things back at the Tok’ra base.” He turned to his daughter, taking her in his arms. “Bye, Sammy. I’ll be back in three weeks.”
“Bye, Dad. Stay safe,” she replied, returning his embrace.
Jacob let his daughter go and turned to Jack. “Goodbye, son,” he said, giving Jack a fatherly hug.
“Bye, Dad,” Jack returned. “Don’t let Selmak boss you around too much.”
Jacob chuckled. “I won’t tell you what she just called you.”
Everyone laughed and Jacob, saying his final farewells, moved up the ramp and through the event horizon.
*****
The next three weeks flew by and before they realised it, Jacob was coming back through the ‘gate. Jack and Sam waited as the seventh chevron locked and the unstable vortex wooshed out before settling. Jacob Carter walked through the event horizon, down the ramp and straight into his little girl’s arms. “Hiya, Sam.”
“Hi, Dad,” Sam replied, giving her father a tight hug.
“How are you doin’? Keeping Jack on his toes?”
“You better believe it,” Jack muttered, moving to hug the Tok’ra.
“And you love every minute of it,” Jacob told his daughter’s fiancé.
After a chat with Hammond, and a quick medical by Janet, Jacob was cleared to leave the mountain. The three of them piled into Jack’s Jeep and headed home. “So, how’re the wedding plans coming along, Sam?” Jacob asked his daughter, turning so he could see her sitting in the back seat.
“Things are pretty much organised, Dad. Jack finally decided to give me some help and, between the two of us, I think everything is basically done.”
“How did she rope you into that, Jack?” Jacob asked with a chuckle.
Jack laughed. “It was the only way I could keep her from overdoing things while she was recovering. Once I started, it was actually kinda fun.”
“And a lot less stressful for me,” Sam added.
They arrived home about half an hour later, and Sam and Jack went upstairs to change out of their fatigues. “I never had a chance to have a shower at the base,” Sam said as they walked into their bedroom. “Do I have enough time for a quick one?”
“Sure, angel. I managed to grab one before Dad came through, so I’ll get changed and go keep him entertained.”
Sam nodded and walked into the bathroom, leaving Jack to get changed.
After he’d put on a pair of jeans and a cream check shirt, he made sure he had everything in his bag and carried it downstairs. Jacob was standing by the fireplace, looking at the photos on the mantle. He turned when he heard Jack. “Where’d this photo of Madeline come from?” he asked, pointing to the large photo of Sam’s mother.
“Oh, Sam had a smaller one of it, and I had it enlarged and framed for her for Christmas.”
Jacob smiled, nodding his approval. “It’s beautiful. I bet Sam was over the moon.”
Jack gave a shy smile. “I think she liked it.” He looked at the photo, taking in the long, blonde hair and blue eyes. “Sam looks a lot like her mom.”
Jacob nodded. “That she does. She’s a lot like her in personality as well. Madi had the biggest heart, but she also had this fiery temper which would kick in every now and then.”
He shook himself from his reverie and turned to face the man beside him. “Jack, I wanted to speak to you alone before we left.”
“Is there a problem, Jacob?”
Jacob sighed. “I’m sure Sam’s told you about Mark’s dislike of the military, and she’s probably told you how we’re all not as close as we used to be.”
“Yeah, she mentioned something.”
“Well, the thing is, even though they’re not as close, Mark is still very protective of his sister. He was the one that was there for her after she broke up with Jonas. I didn’t even know about it until months later. I just... I don’t know how he’s going to react to the fact that you’re in the military. I wanted to warn you that things have a habit of getting pretty nasty sometimes when our family gets together.”
Jack nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
Sam walked into the room, looking from one man to another. “What’s going on?” she asked, suspicious.
“What makes you think something’s going on?” Jacob returned, taking her bag from her.
“Oh, probably something to do with the fact that I know you both, and I can tell when something’s wrong.”
Jack grinned. “Well, angel, you might have to tweak that radar of yours when we get back, ‘cause there’s nothin’ wrong.” He ushered her out the front door and locked it behind him.
*****
They took a cab to the airport, making it to the terminal just in time to catch their flight to San Diego. They boarded the plane, and Jacob was amused to see one of the male Flight Attendants immediately checking Sam out. His amusement increased as he saw how oblivious Sam was. Jack had obviously noticed, throwing the man a look that clearly stated ‘eyes off!’ as he ushered her to her seat.
Sam ended up sitting in the isle seat, with Jack next to her and her father by the window. She looked up as the Flight Attendant stepped up beside her. “Can I get you a drink, Miss?”
Sam smiled, still unaware what effect she was having on the guy. “I’ll have a beer, thanks. Jack? Dad?”
“Yeah, baby?” Jack asked, her voice pulling him from his contemplation of the best way to kill a Flight Attendant.
“Do you guys want a drink?”
“Beer, thanks,” Jack told the man, taking Sam’s hand and noting that the Attendant saw the ring on her finger. Jack tried to hold back the smug grin as the guy’s face fell.
“I’ll have the same,” Jacob said, battling to hold in a laugh as he watched the scene before him.
The rest of the flight was uneventful. They landed in San Diego and disembarked from the plane. They got their luggage fairly quickly, something that Jack stated was a minor miracle, and headed into the crowd to find Mark Carter. Sam spotted him first and waved to him, leading the two men through the sea of people to where her brother stood.
Jack let Sam and her father go ahead to greet Mark, giving them some time together. He watched as Sam hugged the man, slightly younger then himself, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before moving aside for her father. Mark said something to Sam and the three of them turned to look at Jack. Sam smiled, beckoning him over to the group. “Mark, this is Jack. Jack, this is Mark.”
“Hi,” Mark said with forced politeness, offering his hand.
“Nice to meet you,” Jack replied.
Mark virtually turned his back on Jack as he guided them towards the exit. Sam gave her fiancé a reassuring smile and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “He’s just got to get to know you,” Sam said quietly.
Jack nodded, wondering who she was trying to convince with that statement.
The ride back to Mark’s house was tense. Jacob and Sam tried hard to keep a conversation going, but it was obvious that Mark was not in a good mood. The tension was released a little when they got to the house. Mark’s two older children came bounding out of the house, eager to see their Grandpa and Aunt. Mark’s wife, Vicki, followed along behind, carrying their newest addition.
Sam picked up Madi, giving the little girl a kiss and a hug while her father greeted Jeremy. The children then swapped relatives, greeting the other one with equal vigour. Vicki handed Tiffany to Mark so she too could greet her husband’s family. “It’s so good to see you guys,” she said, hugging them both.
“Vicki, this is Jack. Jack, this is Mark’s wife, Vicki,” Sam said, making the introductions.
“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Vicki enthused. “Sam’s told me so much about you.”
“It’s good to meet you too,” Jack replied, glad that at least someone was happy to meet him.
He looked down as he felt a tug on his jacket sleeve, to see Mark’s daughter standing by his side. “Are you gonna marry Aunty Sam?” she asked, giving him an adorable smile.
“Yes, I am,” Jack replied.
Sam smiled and ruffled the little girl’s blond hair. “Jack, this is Madi and Jeremy. Guys, this is Jack. He’s going to be your uncle soon.”
“Cool!” Jeremy enthused. “I’ve always wanted an uncle. Now all I want is a brother. I don’t like having two sisters,” he informed everyone.
Jacob smiled. “Speaking of two sisters, where is my new granddaughter?”
Mark stepped forward and placed the baby in his father’s arms. “Dad, meet Tiffany Ann Carter. Tiffany, this is Grandpa Jake.”
“Oh, guys, she’s beautiful!” Sam breathed as she looked over her father’s shoulder.
“Mommy says she looks just like I did when I was a baby,” Madi told everyone, not wanting to be left out.
“I think she does too,” Sam replied, picking the young girl up.
“Will you carry me up, Uncle Jack?” Jeremy asked, surprising everyone.
“Uh, sure, buddy,” Jack replied, noting Sam’s pleased smile as he picked the little boy up.
*****
The christening was held in the afternoon. It was a simple ceremony, held in the local church, with a large gathering of family and friends attending. Afterwards, everyone headed back to Mark’s house for a dinner party. Sam spent most of the time before the meal introducing Jack to her family. She led him up to yet another family member, praying that Jack didn’t remember when this particular uncle had been mentioned before.
“Jack, this is my Uncle Irving,” Sam introduced.
Jack gallantly hid a grin as his mind wondered back to when he’d first heard about the man. He hoped to hell this guy wasn’t really like Urgo! “Hi,” he managed to reply with a relatively straight face.
Sam, sensing Jack’s amusement, quickly ushered him away from her uncle before he did anything that was truly like Urgo.
The next person Jack met was Sam’s Aunt Tessa. She gave Sam a big hug before turning to look at Jack. “So, this is him, huh?”
Sam grinned. “Yes, Aunt Tessa, this is Jack. Jack, this is my Aunt Tessa.”
“It’s so good to meet you, Jack,” Tessa said as she took Jack in her arms for a hug. “I can’t tell you how glad we are that Sam’s finally found herself a husband. We were worried that she was going to end up an old maid.”
“Thanks, Aunt Tessa,” Sam said, quickly leading Jack away.
Sam took Jack into one of the quiet corners of the room, determined not to let anymore of her relatives embarrass her.
“Quite a family you have there,” Jack commented, taking her in his arms.
“Oh, yes. It’s good to see they’ve taken such an invested interest in me getting married.”
Jack smiled, giving her a squeeze. “Least they love you enough to care.”
She shrugged. “I guess.” She looked across the room to Vicki, who was beckoning her over. “I’ll be right back,” she told Jack.
“What’s up?” Sam asked her sister-in-law, as she walked up beside her.
“Can you take Tiffany for me? I need to check on dinner.”
Sam smiled, reaching for her youngest niece. “I’d love to. It’s time Tiffany and I got to know each other.” She grinned down at the baby. “Don’t you agree, sweetie?”
Vicki smiled. “Thanks, Sam.” Watching the younger woman with her daughter for a moment, Vicki smiled at the sight, before turning and heading into the kitchen.
Jack watched Sam as she held the baby, smiling as she talked in baby talk. His heart swelled at the thought that one day that would be their own child. It was a day he couldn’t wait for, but he wasn’t sure how Sam felt about it. He was pretty sure that she wanted kids eventually, but she loved her career and Jack couldn’t see her giving that up at the moment. He thought of what their child would look like and another smile crossed his face. He was so deep in thought that he jumped slightly when Jacob walked up beside him.
“If you don’t get that goofy grin off your face, people will think you’re in love,” Jacob commented with a grin.
Jack chuckled. “Good.”
Sam felt eyes on her and looked up, smiling at her father and fiancé. “Come on, Tiffany. Let’s go and see Grandpa and Uncle Jack,” she said to the infant, walking over to the two men. “What are you two doing, standing in the corner?”
Jacob smiled at his daughter. “Just discussing Jack’s love sick grin.”
Sam giggled as Jack blushed. “Really? Who’s the lucky girl?”
It was Jack’s turn to chuckle. “A beautiful blonde astrophysicist, who just happens to be an Air Force Major as well. Even looks good holding a baby,” he finished, reaching out to play with Tiffany’s tiny fist.
She smiled. “Do you want to hold her?” she asked him.
He nodded and she handed the infant to him carefully, watching as he talked to her. He looked so good holding a baby, so natural. The sight made Sam’s heart ache for a baby of their own. She’d never really thought about having a family before she’d started seeing Jack. Her career had been her focus and she knew it was almost impossible to juggle a military career and a family. But that had all changed when she and Jack had gotten together. Suddenly she started thinking about what it would be like to have a child with him.
She felt eyes on her and looked across to see her father watching her, a knowing smile on his face. He winked at her before moving off to join the party. She stared after him, wondering what that was all about.
“Sam? You in there?” Jack asked, waving a hand in front of her face.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, little Tiffany here seems to have the Carter nose. Not to mention the baby blues.”
“Yes, the Stuart family genes took the backseat in both of my girls,” Vicki said, walking up beside Sam and putting an arm around her sister-in-law. “I better take her and give her some dinner before she starts fussing,” she said to Jack, reaching over and taking her daughter. As if on cue, the baby started crying and Vicki took her upstairs to feed her.
Mark watched his sister with the man she was engaged to. He couldn’t believe she hadn’t learned her lesson from her involvement with Jonas Hanson. He thought after what had happened with that manipulative monster, Sam would have sworn off those damn military men. He made a note to talk to his father about it, and see if there was something he could do to stop her being hurt again.
*****
It wasn’t until late the following morning, that Mark had the opportunity to talk to his father alone. He found him sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee as he read the paper. “Dad, I’m worried about Sam.”
Jacob’s head snapped up. “Why? What happened?”
“This guy she’s got herself involved with, what do you know about him?”
Jacob sighed with relief. “Is that all that’s worrying you? You don’t have to worry about Jack. He has nothing but your sister’s best interests at heart.”
“How can you be so sure?” Mark persisted, his anger rising. “Because he’s military?”
“He’s a good man, Mark. He’ll look after her.”
That was enough for Mark and he exploded. “Yeah, you would say that, wouldn’t you?! You remember the last ‘good man’ she was seeing Dad? Do you remember what he did to her?! Do you?!”
“So, what are you going to do, Mark? Forbid her from seeing anyone, because she made one mistake? Don’t you want your sister to be happy?”
“You know I do! What do you think this is about?”
“Then why don’t you sit back and watch the two of them together. You tell me if you can see anyone loving her as much as that man does. You give me one indication that he’s treating her badly and then we can have this conversation.”
It was at that moment that Jack walked into the room. He immediately noticed the tension. “Sorry, am I interrupting something?” he asked, getting ready to back-pedal.
Jacob shook his head. “No, Jack. Do you need something?”
“No. Just wanted to let you know that Sam and I are going out for the day. We’ll see you later.”
“Have a good time.”
Jack nodded and left the room. Jacob turned back to his son. “You watch them,” he said again as he too walked out.
*****
Sam and Jack returned just before dinner and the family ate their meal quietly together, before retiring to the living room to talk. Sam curled up on the sofa beside Jack as they all talked about the children and the wedding plans.
“Well, I’m off to bed,” Vicki stated as she rose from her seat beside her husband. “I need some sleep before the baby wakes up.” She bid everybody goodnight and headed up the stairs.
Sam laid her head on Jack’s chest, listening to the rumble of his voice as he talked to her father about all of the movies Jacob had missed since he’d been ‘overseas’. She closed her eyes as Jack’s hand automatically moved to her hair, running his fingers through the silky strands.
Mark watched Jack as he talked to Jacob, one hand constantly stroking Sam’s hair. Her eyes were closed and she looked very relaxed with him. More relaxed then he’d ever seen her with Jonas. He still couldn’t help but be worried about her. It had been hard for him to see the normally self-assured young woman broken by a man, but Jonas had done that to her.
He looked at his father, hearing him chuckle. “She’s asleep,” Jacob told Jack with a smile.
Jack looked at the head on his chest, a gentle smile crossing his face as he watched her sleep. “Hey, angel,” he said quietly, gently shaking her. “Come on, it’s time for bed.”
She mumbled something and snuggled into him, not waking. Jack couldn’t help but grin. “Okay. I guess we do this the hard way.”
Jacob chuckled as Jack picked her up. “She’s just like her mother. Madi used to do the same thing. Half the time she wasn’t even asleep.”
“Hmm, now why does that sound familiar?” Jack asked, humour lacing his voice.
“Don’t know,” Sam said sleepily, smiling as she put her arms around his neck.
“Caught you!” Jack told her with a laugh. “Goodnight, Jacob, Mark.” He nodded to them both as he turned to carry Sam up the stairs.
“Mmm, ‘night, guys,” Sam mumbled, snuggling into Jack.
“Goodnight, you two. Have a good sleep,” Jacob replied, smiling at his daughter’s antics.
“Yeah, goodnight,” Mark agreed, distracted.
Jacob gave Mark a pointed look before getting up from the chair. “I’m going to bed too. See you in the morning, son.”
“Goodnight, Dad,” Mark replied as his father walked up the stairs. He sat there for a while after his father had left, thinking about what he’d seen.
He had to admit, Jack didn’t seem to be the same type of man as Jonas Hanson. He was gentler with Sam then Jonas had ever been, and he wasn’t ashamed to show his affection in front of others. With Hanson, the only time he would show his feelings for Sam in public, was when he was feeling threatened. He sighed, getting up and heading to bed himself. His last thoughts, as he curled up beside his wife, was that Jack O’Neill was still in the Air Force, and he was still capable of hurting Sam.
*****
Mark hadn’t slept well, and the rest of the family had already finished breakfast when he came down the stairs. He poured himself a cup of coffee and walked into the living room, where Sam was sitting, reading the paper. “Where is everyone?” he asked as he sat beside her on the sofa.
“Vicki’s up in the baby’s room, Dad’s gone to the shops and Jack and the kids are playing outside,” she replied.
Mark nodded, noting the soft smile as she mentioned Jack. “So,” he started, taking a sip of his coffee. “You’re serious about this Jack guy?”
She gave him an incredulous look. “We’re getting married, Mark. What do you think?”
He looked at her for a long moment. “I don’t think he’s very good for you.”
“Oh, here we go. Why? Because he’s in the Air Force? You don’t even know him, so how would you know if he was good for me?”
Shaking his head in frustration, Mark reached for his sister’s hand. “Sam, I’m worried about you. Can’t you see that?”
“I know you’re only trying to look out for me, but he’s not going to hurt me, Mark. I’ve grown a lot since Jonas.”
He pulled her into his arms, giving her a hug. “You’re still my little sister.”
“You’ve got to trust me, Mark. I trust Jack with my life. He’s never raised a finger against me and I know he never will. He’d rather die then hurt me.” She looked into his eyes. “Please, give him a chance?”
Mark paused for a moment before nodding. “If he hurts you, Sam...”
“He won’t,” she replied firmly.
Mark nodded again, rose from the sofa and walked out the front door.
“Jack,” Mark greeted as he walked up to the man.
“Mark,” Jack replied, a little wary of Sam’s brother. He was half waiting for a confrontation from the man.
“I’m sure Sam’s told you all about my views on the Air Force, and the military in general, so I’m not going to repeat them. All I’ll say is I hold it responsible for a lot of pain that my sister’s been through.”
Jack resisted the urge to comment, simply watching the children play, and listening to the man beside him.
“I worry about Sam. When our mom died, Dad continued to go off and leave us, so it was up to me to look after her. I still feel responsible for her.”
Jack turned to the Mark. “Sam’s old enough to be responsible for her own actions. She has been for quite a while. Look, Mark. I know you don’t think very much of me, but I love Sam. I would hope we could at least be civil, for her sake.”
Mark nodded. “You’re right, Sam doesn’t need us to be at war. Besides, I guess I didn’t really give you much of a chance. I just hope you don’t prove me right.”
Jack nodded, accepting the somewhat clumsy apology. “I won’t. I understand where you were coming from. Jacob told me that you were there to pick up the pieces after Jonas. I met the guy, he was nuts, and I can understand you trying to protect her from going through that again. But I promise you, I would never intentionally hurt your sister. I couldn’t, she’s my world.”
Mark nodded, accepting what he heard. “Do you want to help me get these two inside?”
*****
Sam smiled as she watched the two men through the window. She understood now how Jack had felt when his mother and herself got off to a somewhat rocky start. She sighed with relief, turning in surprise when she heard a chuckle coming from behind her.
“From that sigh, the two guys must have called a truce,” Vicki said as she stepped up beside her sister-in-law.
Sam chuckled. “It sure looks that way.”
Vicki put an arm around Sam, giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I’m glad. I love my husband, but he can be so pig-headed, I just want to strangle him on occasion.” She followed Sam’s gaze to the two men trying to catch the two children, not very successfully. “I worry about Mark’s hatred of the military sometimes. Jack has done nothing to deserve the treatment Mark gave him. He seems like a good man to me.”
Sam smiled. “He is a good man. As good as they come. I know where Mark’s coming from though. I was too young to really understand, but Mark knew that every time Mom cried, it was because she was worried about my father, or he’d broken another promise because of his job. And then when Mom died, all Mark could focus on was that Dad had once again gotten tied up at work and if he’d only picked her up, she would still be alive.”
Vicki looked confused. “But what does that have to do with Mark taking an instant dislike to Jack? I mean, I understand that he thinks Jack will be another Jonas, but...”
“You’re right, Jonas is a part of it. But I think that Mark doesn’t want me to end up like Mom. Always afraid, always let down. I know that won’t happen to me. Being in the same job, I understand when Jack has to put his duty before me, and he understands when I have to do the same. We won’t end up like Mom and Dad.”
Vicki smiled at Sam before both of their gazes drifted back to the group playing outside. “The kids love him,” Vicki observed.
Sam smiled. “The feeling’s mutual, believe me. Jack’s always had a way with kids.”
Vicki turned to her sister-in-law. “You're sounding a little maternal there, Sam. Don’t tell me that biological clock of yours has finally kicked in?”
“With a vengeance,” Sam replied. “Problem is I’m not sure how Jack feels about it.”
“But if he loves kids so much...”
Sam sighed. “Jack had a son. Charlie. He died when he was eight and Jack’s never really forgiven himself. He seems almost reluctant to have another child. It’s like he doesn’t trust himself not to screw up.”
“Sounds like you two need to have a talk,” Vicki observed.
“Yeah,” Sam replied quietly. She turned to watch him playing with her niece and nephew.
*****
It wasn’t until they’d gone to bed that night, that Sam plucked up the courage to talk to Jack. She crawled under the covers, snuggling up to him before taking a deep breath. “Jack? Have you ever thought about us having kids?”
Jack looked at her, trying to figure out what she wanted him to say. He was pretty sure that ‘yes, I’d love us to start trying right now,’ would not be what she wanted to hear, so he settled for, “It’s crossed my mind a couple of times.”
Sam’s heart dropped at the nonchalance of his answer. “Do you think we’ll have some one day?” she asked quietly, trying to gauge if he wanted them at all.
He hugged her closer. “I know we will. Doesn’t have to be right away. Maybe when the Goa’uld threat dies down a bit,” he told her, not really wanting to wait that long, but knowing how much the SGC meant to her.
Sam’s heart lightened a little at the thought that at least they were going to try eventually. “So we’ll wait a few years? See what’s happening with the Goa’uld and then maybe there’ll be more time for a family?”
“Yeah,” Jack replied, trying to believe it. He managed to withhold a sigh as he leaned over and turned on the radio that was sitting on the bedside table. They laid there together, listening as a new song started.
We said we’d walk together
baby come what may
That come the twilight should
we lose our way
If as we’re walking a hand
should slip free
I’ll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
We swore we’d travel darlin’
side by side
We’d help each other stay
in stride
But each lover’s steps fall
so differently
So I’ll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Now everyone dreams of a
love lasting and true
But you and I know what
this world can do
So let’s make our steps
clear that the other may see
And I’ll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me
Now there’s a beautiful river
in a valley ahead
And there ‘neath the oak’s
bough, soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other
In the shadow of the evening
trees
I’ll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darlin’ I’ll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me
Oh, wait for me
Jack realised that he could wait. He’d rather wait until they were both truly ready, then push Sam into something that she would later resent him for. He would wait for her, and when the time was right, they would have a baby together.
Sam’s thoughts were running along the same lines as Jack’s. The song had shown her so clearly that they both had to be ready before they could even consider having a child. She drifted off to sleep, feeling a darkness lift from her heart. She would wait for him.