He Had a Dream

Jack was lying on his back staring at the ceiling. Sam was sleeping on her side next to him, her hand lying on his chest. Most of the time he sleeps with a shirt on, but occasionally he would forgo the shirt for a little more skin to skin contact. She always sleeps with some kind of tank top. Right now, he can't sleep though. More importantly, he doesn't want to because he has something on his mind. Normally, he would just get up and sit either on his patio or living room in his DC home depending on the season. Tonight, however, he is enjoying Sam's presence.

Sam's hand starts to move on his chest, running her fingers through the hairs there. Jack glances over toward her and notices her staring at him though he can barely make out her eyes. She has a quizzical look about her and he knows that she is going to eventually say something. He returns his stare to the ceiling waiting for the eventual question. There is a only a few moments of silence before he hears her quietly yawn before asking, "What's on your mind?"

"Hmmm?"

"You're not sleeping? Either you are avoiding sleep from nightmares or you have something heavily on your mind." She scoots closer to him now flush against his side, her head now on his shoulder. Jack's arm naturally wraps around her. "So, which is it?"

He knows the move. She'd put herself in a position where he would be more comfortable talking to her.

"Maybe, I am just enjoying the presence of my wife?"

Her fingers start twirling his chest hairs again. "I know we have gotten out of the habit of talking to each other because of our distance over the last year, but I like to think we could continue being better at communicating."

Jack released a sigh. She's right, communicating with Sam was vital because they have always been in a long distance relationship. It was something he really had to work on and it was never comfortable for him. He did it for her though. "Alright, it's a little of both, but it's not really nightmares."

"Go on."

"It's not really important. It's just I've been having these dreams lately and they make me think, that's all."

Now she's rubbing her hand up and down his chest. "Jack?"

"Fine, I just don't want to put pressure on you or burden you if you don't want the same thing."

He knows that that comment has piqued her curiosity. She raised herself slightly, her arms across his chest carefully not digging her elbows in. Her right leg wrapped around his. Now he is forced to look at her. This new position is going to make this conversation harder, as she gives him the look for him to explain.

He arranges his thoughts and braces himself as he starts to speak, "I have been having dreams of kids. Cute little Carter-O'Neill kids running through the grass at the cabin, laughing as we chase them around. They are very vivid, almost like they are real memories. It has made me yearn for that again even though I'm old enough to be a grandpa." He gave her a depreciating smile before continuing, "I know we tried before you went back to SG1 without success and it hasn't been in the cards ever since. You're turning 40 this year, and you are progressing in your career. Anyways, they are just dreams."

He's having a hard time looking at her, but he does glance and she is intently staring at him as to read his true emotions. "Dreams that keep you up at night contemplating are not just dreams, Jack."

He lifts a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "I know, that's why I have been hesitant to talk about it. You haven't brought it up, so I was sure you have moved on. Admittedly, we haven't been together in the same galaxy to conceive, but even then, if you wanted kids, you would still be voicing it." He gave her that small smile he gives her when he's not sure about things.

He stares in her eyes as she is deeply in thought. He can make a smile that appears on her face. "Jack, we can try now. Well, not right now, my birth control has to wear off."

"Sam, are you sure? Don't do this just for me."

"Jack, this a perfect time. My job has just become stable for at least a year. I'm going to be working at the SGC as the 2IC and working on the Phoenix before I become it's commander. I can do both jobs while pregnant. I can't guarantee anything after that. We could try to have at least one kid. If it doesn't happen then it doesn't happen. Then we know it wasn't meant to be." She is chewing on her lower lip, but her eyes are twinkling. Jack knows she's nervous, but she means what she says.

"You serious?"

Instead of answering him, she raises up further and cradles his head between her hands. She starts to kiss his neck and works her way to his lips. They share quite a spectacular passionate kiss. She then pulls back and smiles, "We can start now, but we won't get pregnant at this point." Her smile becomes more brilliant, "We can definitely practice though."

Jack smiles back at her, "Sweet!"

After they made love, they showered together and then situated themselves back in the bed. Sam was lying on her back and it was Jack's turn to lie on his side. It hadn't taken long for Sam to fall asleep. Jack laid his hand on her lower abdomen. He fell asleep with the images of those sweet little kids that are in his dreams and a smile on his face.

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Sam's leave after her return from Atlantis was over and she was back in the Springs. It has been several weeks since her return and she was well into her new routine. She also was enjoying being back around her adopted family, but she missed Jack though. Sam was on her way to the commissary to meet up with said family. As she entered, the mixture of smells overwhelmed her all of a sudden and she had to get out of there before she lost whatever was already in her stomach. As she continued down the corridor, the nausea started easing. Sam started thinking about all the other things she had been experiencing lately and put it together. She muttered to herself, "There's no way!" Sam made her way to the infirmary to confirm her suspicions.

As she entered the infirmary, she looked and found Carolyn Lam in her office. Dr. Lam looked up, "Sam, how are you?"

"I'm doing well."

"Is there something I can do for you?"

"I need you to run a test on me."

"What kind of test?"

Sam was nervous and fidgety, "I need you to run a pregnancy test."

Carolyn was surprised. "Oh" after a brief pause, "Is this a welcome thing or…?"

Sam took a deep breath in, "This was planned, sort of."

Dr. Lam eyes widened, "Well that raises more questions."

"Carolyn, what I'm about to tell you is secret and it needs to stay that way for now."

"Okay, I will be careful on what I put in your records then."

"Thank you, but with the staff too." Carolyn nods and Sam rushes out the next part, not because she's ashamed, but because it's not something she usually talks about, "I'm married."

"You're married? And why is this a secret?"

"Yes…It's a secret because of WHO I'm married to."

"Oh, can I know who this person is or…"

"It's General O'Neill."

"Oh!…oh wow! Does anyone know?"

"Yes, Daniel, Teal'c, General Landry, the joint chiefs and the President."

"How? I'm not military, but I'm aware of the rules."

"Just before I went to Area 51 and General O'Neill took the position of Homeworld, there was a brief period where I was no longer under his chain of command. With the President's permission, we got married before taking our new positions. If we didn't, we couldn't have a relationship. Because of our past positions, it was strongly recommended we keep it discreet."

"Again, wow."

"Anyways, while I was on leave we talked about having a child. I shouldn't be now though. My birth control is still active, but I'm pretty sure I'm having pregnancy symptoms though."

"What are your symptoms?"

"Well mostly they're normal symptoms you would get with a cycle, but I noticed I have a more acute sense of smell. Just a few minutes ago, I couldn't stand the smell in the commissary. I thought I was going to throw up."

At that point, Dr. Lam stood up and put her hand out to gesture to leave the office, "Let's go see if you're pregnant."

Sam preceded out of the office and waited for Carolyn to guide her to a bed. The Doctor took some blood and told Sam to come back in an hour. She should know by then. If it's positive, she will do an exam and an ultrasound.

Sam returned exactly an hour later anxious to know the results. Carolyn was waiting for her and they went into a private room. Sam nervously asked, "Well since you brought me in here, I'm pregnant?"

Carolyn smiled, "You are definitely pregnant. Change to this gown so I can do a primary pregnancy exam. Then we will get an ultrasound. I'll step out for a few minutes."

When Dr. Lam stepped out of the room, Sam was beside herself. Her nerves were turning into joy and she immediately started planning how she was going to tell Jack.

Sam was ready when Carolyn stepped back into the room and proceeded with the exam. Everything was normal and she was now ready for the ultrasound.

When Carolyn looked up at Sam, there were tears in her eyes. "You okay?"

With a thick voice, Sam replied, "I didn't realize how much I wanted this."

Carolyn smiled as she squeezed the cold gel on Sam's abdomen. She took the probe and started to move it around. Sam was captivated at the images she was seeing on the screen. Then, just at the right angle, there were two blobs on the screen at once. Sam's mouth dropped.

Carolyn chuckled, "Well, that explains the hormone levels. It looks like your having twins Sam."

Tears rolled down Sam's face as she heard each heartbeat fill the room.

Dr. Lam gave her a smile, "They both have great steady heartbeats and they're measuring about 7-8 weeks. Twins are common with your age. Also, we will be monitoring you more frequent due to your advanced maternal age for pregnancy. Do you have any questions?"

Sam is trying to contain her emotions as she replies, "No, but I would like some pictures."

The doctor was putting up the equipment and turns back to Sam, "Of course, here. I made sure I got a few good ones with both babies."

"Thank you so much Carolyn!"

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The following Friday, Sam left work early because Jack was coming into town for the weekend. Sam had plans to set up for a nice dinner for the both of them to reveal the news. She was so excited to share this with him and couldn't wait to tell him. There wasn't a hint of apprehension because he is the one who started the conversation. Not only was she excited to tell him about the babies, but she had missed him and her hormones were kicking in something terrible and it was making the separation even harder.

She was just finishing up when he came through the door, "Lucy, I'm home!"

Sam giggled as she went to greet Jack in the hall. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed. "Hi, I missed you."

He gave her his goofy smile, "I missed you more." They kissed again before he spoke, "It smells good in here."

"I made your favorite."

"What's the occasion?"

She gave him a peck, "No occasion other than having you in my arms again."

"Yes, well, that is an occasion."

Sam pulled away and headed back to the kitchen with Jack following behind her, "I guess it is. Dinner is ready."

They both sat down and had their meal. As they ate, they both talked about the things they couldn't talk about over the phone. The conversation was mostly Jack telling Sam the current information on how the Icarus project was moving along. There was much to tell and it truly interested her. They continued their conversation as they cleaned up after dinner before they sat down for dessert.

Jack was finishing up his dessert when Sam got up, "I'll be right back."

She quickly came back and handed Jack a small wrapped box. It took everything to school her features to not give anything away. Jack took the box and asked, "What's this for?"

"It's just a little something I came across recently. I thought of you." She shrugged as she sat back down.

Sam watched as Jack slowly unwrapped the gift. He laid the box on the table before he lifted the lid. Her anticipation grew as he started to unfold the tissue paper to reveal the small frame with the picture of the ultrasound.

Jack's reaction was immediate, he gasped and Sam could see the tears filling in his eyes before he lowered his head in his hand and started sobbing. Sam knew he really wanted kids, but it wasn't until this moment that the magnitude of how badly he wanted this with her became apparent. She quickly got up from her chair and lifted his hand from his face so she could slide onto his lap to hold him. They both cried tears of relief and joy in each other arms.

After Jack regained his composure, he picked up the frame in his shaky hand. In a thick voice, "Twins?"

She gave him her bright smile, blotchy face and all, "Yep" popping the P at the end.

"Sam, I can't believe this. The dreams I was telling you about, there were two kids, they were twins."

Jack was still in shock and Sam was just in bliss of his reaction of her surprise. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. It was one of the most loving kisses he had ever given her. Jack pulled back and looked in her eyes. The tears were returning, but he was smiling, "Let's go sit outside."

They cuddled in a lounge chair while staring at the stars. Jack's hands were lying on Sam's abdomen and Sam hands were resting on top of his.

It was sometime before Jack spoke, "Thank you, Sam. This is one of the happiest days of my life."

Sam turned her head towards Jack's, "Mine too!"

"So, uh, when are they due?"

"Early April. Which is perfect timing. I'll have plenty of time before I ship out on the Phoenix."

"Huh, I guess I will be singling Daddy from time to time. That's going to be interesting while I'm doing my big bad General gig. I guess we will need a live in nanny."

"Yes, definitely. You don't have a problem with this?"

"Nope!" he replied popping his P back to her.

There was another bout of silence for awhile before Jack spoke again, "So, I was planning on making a baby with you this weekend. Well, since that already happened, now what's our plan?"

Sam started laughing, "Well just because I'm knocked up doesn't mean we can't still have some fun."

"Oh, yeah?"

In a fit of giggles, "Yeah."