When Sam met Sara

Ok I am so so sorry, I had no intention of not posting yesterday but real life got in the way. Anyway here it is, what you have been waiting for, the final chapter and if you had tears in your eyes with the last one, well watch out. So enjoy, I would love to hear what you think, especially if you have been following the whole story. Thanks for reading and your support.

Chapter 22

Saturday came quickly for Sam, mainly because she'd slept for the majority of the days she'd been at Jack's. Yesterday they'd gone to the airport to pick up Mark and his family. Mark, his wife and two kids had been delighted to see Sam, especially as they'd assumed that they'd be coming for a funeral, not a celebration. Everyone was hugging, most were in tears, and there was sheer relief that Sam had made it.

Today they'd be joined by Sam's Colorado family to celebrate her return to the living. Sam rolled over in bed, stretched out, and was surprised to find the other side cold and empty. Although she'd started in the spare room, Jack had casually moved her things into his room after talking to Sara. Sam hadn't complained as she'd wanted to share a room right from the moment she'd been released from the infirmary by Janet.

Slowly opening her eyes, Sam wasn't sure what would await her. Part of her wanted it to be daylight so that she could get started on the celebrations and know that by the end of it, it would be just her and Jack. However, the other part was thrilled when she peeked and saw it was still night. Now all she had to do was find Jack and she could snuggle down with him and enjoy sleeping beside him for a bit longer before they had to get up and start preparations for the BBQ. She sat up and looked around; the strip of moonlight that cut across the bed through the gap in the curtains illuminated the room enough to show that he wasn't in the bedroom with her.

Sam sat up and pulled a sweater on over her PJ vest top; while it wasn't quite winter yet there was still a chill in the air. She left the room and listened to see if she could hear anything to help her pinpoint Jack's position. Having moved along the corridor to the top of the stairs, Sam began to hear his quiet voice talking. She quietly crept down a few steps until she could clearly hear what he was saying. She felt a little guilty for eavesdropping but couldn't bring herself to leave.

"You see, buddy, I loved your mom but now I love Sam and I know that must be hard to understand." Jack paused. "She's amazing and I just wanted to tell you so you wouldn't feel left out. I won't ever forget you, even if Sam and I have kids. I know I don't talk about you much and I guess that must hurt you, but you know I always think about you." He was quiet for several minutes and Sam wiped her eyes.

"I got a ring for her today," Jack continued quietly, again shaking Sam out of her thoughts. "Almost losing her last week and what your mom said made me realise it was time." He paused and Sam was sure she could hear him sniffling. "I'm allowed to be happy, Charlie. It hasn't been easy but Sam makes me happy and I want to make her happy. Do you think she'll say yes?"

The question hung in the air and the vulnerability he was displaying pulled Sam down the stairs. She slowly approached where she'd heard his voice coming from – the small room at the end of the corridor where she hadn't been before. She stood at the door and watched him. He was sitting with his legs crossed, surrounded by objects that were clearly very dear to him. Sam could see a well worn baseball glove, and a ball on which she could clearly see a signature and, although she couldn't make it out, she assumed it was someone famous. There was also a small plane that looked as if it was made from a kit, and a small Air Force sweatshirt that looked as if it had been worn for months without being washed. She smiled at the memory of Mark many years ago wearing a jumper that Dad had given him when he'd left on one mission.

Sam must have made a noise because Jack looked up.

"Hi," she said nervously.

"Hey, did I wake you?" he asked, concern crossing his face.

"Just by not being there." Sam smiled gently, unsure whether to say anything about the conversation she'd just overheard.

"Just had some things to take care of." Jack began to tidy up the things around him.

Sam smiled at Jack then pleaded. "Please don't hide him from me. Talk to me."

Jack suddenly looked up at her and realised what he was trying to do: exactly what he'd promised Sara he wouldn't do. "C'm'ere." He shuffled across a little to let her know she was welcome.

"He looks just like you, Jack," Sam said when she'd sat down and looked at the photo in his hand.

"Sara called us the Terrible Two. We could always get into mischief." Jack smirked, remembering some of the practical jokes they'd played on Sara.

"He liked baseball, then?" Sam nodded to the glove and ball on the floor.

"Oh, yeah! He was good, too."

Sam could hear the pride in his voice. "Mark had a sweater like that one. He wore it the whole time Dad was deployed one summer," she said, pointing at the discoloured sweater.

"Yeah. I bought that one for Charlie before I went MIA. Sara said he wouldn't take it off until I was found. He went to school in it, slept in it. Sara was at the end of her tether trying to get it off him to wash. She eventually took him to the outdoor pool, threw him in, and hoped that would wash the jumper, too."

There was silence for a few minutes as Jack showed Sam some other small things that were in Charlie's box. Suddenly he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "I didn't mean to shut you out. I've just never been comfortable sharing him."

Sam lifted her hand and ran it around his face, taking in every detail she could. "I know. Just keep trying, okay?"

Jack leaned in again and this time Sam turned her head slightly so that the kiss landed on her mouth, not on her cheek. After a few minutes they broke the kiss and she smiled gently at him.

Jack looked directly into Sam's eyes. "Marry me," he whispered.

Sam pulled back and smiled. "You sure?"

"Never surer. Marry me."

"Yes!" Sam smiled her mega-watt smile as she grabbed Jack and hugged him.

"You hear that, Charlie? She said yes," he whispered.

****************************SG1****************************

Later that day the whole of Jack and Sam's extended family gathered in their garden. It was a gorgeous day and Cassie, Becky and Lizzie had immediately commandeered Jack's loungers for sunbathing. They had then spent much of the afternoon assuming that one or another adult would see to their every need. It didn't take long until Janet and Sara started to get a little disgruntled at being treated like the hired help and, just as Jack was about to light the BBQ, they both unanimously agreed that if the girls wanted something, they could get up and get it themselves.

Mark and his wife were still a little shell shocked at the whirlwind that was Jack O'Neill and his team in full celebration mode. They were amazed at how the group – including Sam – could read each other so well. Even making a round of drinks was done effortlessly with precision teamwork.

Jack, with Teal'c's assistance, was quickly burning the meat to his satisfaction, while Janet, Daniel, Sara and Michael prepared the other food for the meal. Sam had been told that she was to do nothing, so she was making the most of it and lounging back with the girls, smiling at the carryings-on of her friends and family.

Just as the sun was beginning to dip below the trees, dinner was served. The sunbathers stretched and ran to the table, while Mark's kids were helped to fill their plates by their parents and then sat down on the rug beside the large picnic table. The adults took what they wished and then sat down wherever they could find a seat. The garden was filled with the joyful noise of a group of people glad to be together, celebrating life.

After everyone had finished, the meal had been cleared, and everyone was sitting around the garden with a drink, Jack stood and cleared his throat. "So, it's great to see you all to celebrate getting Carter back. It was touch and go there for a while but we're all very glad she's back with us in one piece. So, please raise you glasses in a toast. To Carter!"

Everyone responded together, with glasses clinking.

"Carter!"

"Sam!"

"Doctor Carter!"

Jack stared at Sam for a few seconds, his eyes showing the depth of joy he felt that she was here with him and silently asking the question he had asked her that morning: could he tell the others their really big news?

Sam rolled her eyes at him and then nodded quickly. He was so like a kid in a candy store, just desperate to tell everyone.

"So, guys, we have some other news. In a double celebration, Sam has agreed to marry me!" Jack stated with a smile that could light up the darkening sky.

A cheer went up around the garden from all their family and friends who moved to congratulate the couple. While Daniel, Teal'c and Mark spoke to Jack, Sam was hugged by Cassie, before Sara and Janet took their turns at hugging her.

"Congratulations!" Sara gushed.

"It's about time!" Janet whispered, with a huge smile on her face.

When the noise had calmed down Sam leaned over to Sara and hugged her again. "Thank you," she whispered.

"What for?" Sara replied, genuinely confused as to what she was being thanked for.

"None of this would have happened without you. You're the only one who could get through to me... and especially to Jack."

Sara smiled and looked over towards Jack, who was now being crushed by Cassie. She turned back to Sam, her eyes glistening with happy tears.

"I'll say to you what I said to him: be happy, Sam, you both deserve it."

"Thank you, Sara. I'm sure we will be."

AN: So we are all done, thanks for joining me on this journey. A big thanks to my beta who helped make this a better story. This is the last story I have completed for SG1 and really looking for ideas, so if you have a thought and want a story - please get in touch. Hope to write more soon.