This is the next installment in my Holiday Series. It starts directly after Mamma Mia.

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Sad, but true.

Spoiler warning: None.

A/N: This was supposed to run straight though to Labour Day but I had trouble with the timeline. I decided to condense it to end on the 4th of July, instead. Of course, I decided this on the 4th, so that's why it's a bit late. Okay, more than a bit. Semantics. I actually had to rework my entire sketch and restart this ruddy thing. Twice. Anywho, it's finally complete. YAY! I hope you like it. Am I talking too much? I feel like I'm talking too much. I'll stop now. On with the story!

Chapter 1

13 May

"You okay, Vala?" Carolyn asked as she took her eyes off the road for a second. The alien had seemed jittery ever since they left her place and she wondered why. Unlike Sam, Caro hadn't missed Vala's reaction to having to tell someone she was pregnant and she wondered about it. She knew Vala had issues about Adria but hadn't realised just how deep they went.

"What?" Vala said quickly as if being pulled out of some deep thought. "Oh, yes. I'm fine. I just don't want to be late for my lunch with Daniel."

Hmm. Evasive as usual. Carolyn stared at her friend for another moment before turning back to the road. She knew Vala would talk to her of she really wanted to. She'd just have to wait her out.

"So, how are the wedding plans coming?" Vala asked and Carolyn went with the obvious subject change.

"Fine. I can't believe how much there is to do before December. Wendy has been a godsend. I don't think I'd be able to organise this by myself."

"She's a wonderful lady." Vala told her sincerely, if a bit absently.

Carolyn glanced back at her friend again with worry creasing her brow. Usually Vala was delighted to discuss the wedding, giving her advice and calming her nerves, especially since she'd asked her to be one of her bridesmaids.

"Yes, she is." Caro said carefully then decided to inject a bit of humour. "So, when are you and Daniel going to tie the knot?" At Vala's odd look, she explained. "Get married."

"Married!" Vala nearly choked on the word. "Oh, I don't think either of us wants that. You forget, I've already been married. Multiple times. And Daniel...Well, he was married once, too and look how that turned out. We're happy right now, why complicate matters? No, Daniel and I are both content with life as it stands now."

Sparing Vala one last glance, Carolyn turned back to the road. She wasn't so sure Vala was right about Daniel but knew it wasn't her place to say anything. She'd just wait for Vala to figure it out.

()()()()

After bidding Caro a farewell, Vala rushed through the corridors of the SGC until she reached her quarters. She had less than an hour in which to get ready for her lunch with Daniel. Not only was she starving, she really was not dressed for a restaurant, no matter how casual. Samantha had woken her up before seven that morning and dragged her down to the infirmary. She'd only had time to grab a t-shirt and jeans before leaving the room. And all she had in her belly all day was that cup of coffee she'd insisted upon and that was long gone by now.

She showered, dressed and applied her make-up in record time then turned to look at the clock. Groaning, she realised she still had twenty minutes before Daniel was due to pick her up. Twenty minutes left alone to think, something she'd tried to avoid since Daniel told her he had something important to discuss with her. She dropped heavily onto the bed, worrying her lip between her teeth, as she went through all of the possibilities.

Marriage. She tried to laugh off that notion just as she had when Carolyn had mentioned it but found it a more difficult task when alone. Daniel couldn't possibly be thinking of such a thing, could he? As she'd reminded Carolyn, they'd both been married before and none of the marriages had ended well. She didn't believe Daniel was ready to take that leap yet. And she knew she wasn't, either. Honestly, she didn't know if she ever would be. But if not marriage, what?

Then it hit her. Maybe he wanted to break it off. Maybe he'd discovered she really was too much trouble. Maybe he didn't love her as much as he claimed. But that didn't quite fit in with the way he acted. He'd been nothing but attentive and loving ever since his confession at Christmas. In fact, he'd seemed even more devoted in the last few weeks, not less. No, that couldn't be it, either. But, just in case, she had a contingency plan. Daniel didn't know this, no one did actually, but she kept a bag packed and hidden under her bed just in case she ever found herself in need of escape. She knew there was no way she could bear sticking around if Daniel ever did tell her it was over. It would just be too painful.

There was a knock on her door and she jumped as she glanced over to see the object of her thoughts poking his head in. He wore a goofy grin and asked if she was ready. Looking him straight in the eye, she saw something unreadable in their depths. Anticipation, maybe? She wasn't sure so she schooled her features into her most winning smile and stood.

"I'm all yours, darling." she told him with false brightness, hoping he didn't delve too deeply.

"I'm counting on it." he said as he pulled her in for a deep lingering kiss then wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her out the door.

She'd heard something behind those words but refused to analyse too deeply. She'd find out what he was about soon enough.

()()()()

Daniel watched Vala across the table as she shifted nervously in her chair once again. She'd been jumpy ever since he'd picked her up and he couldn't help but wonder why. He knew she still had anxieties about their relationship but he was doing his best to relieve her of them. He thought he was succeeding but sometimes he wasn't so sure. He loved Vala and knew without a doubt that she was it for him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But he also knew that he had to handle her with care and not move too fast. If she felt she was being cornered, she'd bolt and he didn't think he could survive that. No, he knew he couldn't.

He knew where she stood on the subject of marriage as she'd let him know countless times. He wasn't sure if the comments had been off-hand remarks or meant as a warning, though. She'd been burnt so many times by the institution and she was afraid. Not that she'd ever admit to it, but he knew her well enough to recognise all of her masks. That's why the diamond ring he'd bought was still in it's box at the bottom of his dresser drawer. She wasn't ready for it yet but he knew she would be one day. Baby steps, that's what was needed. And he was about to take one of those steps right now.

"Let's go for a walk." he said abruptly. She seemed wary but nodded in acquiescence and he gave her his best "we come in peace" smile. He paid the cheque then took her hand, leading her toward the park across the street. Once on the walking path, he placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She didn't even hesitate as her own arm went around his waist and she lay her head on his shoulder. He smiled in contentment for a moment as they walked in unison. This was what he wanted forever. And this was what he intended to have, no matter how long it took to get there.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before he felt her lift her head from his shoulder to look up at him. He met her questioning gaze head-on.

"You said you wanted to discuss something." she said guardedly.

"Yeah, I was thinking we should move in together."

"Move in together?" she said in shock as she pulled them both to an abrupt stop. He'd been expecting this exact reaction and was more than ready with his argument.

"I think it's time, don't you? I mean, you spend almost every night at my place any way. I love you, you love me. What could be more logical?"

"What about General Landry? The IOA?"

"I've already spoken to the general. He's given his permission, as has the IOA." He'd gone to General Landry a month ago about this. The man had been more than happy to grant his permission. The IOA, on the other hand, had been a tougher sell. But Daniel had a lot of clout, having saved their asses so many times, that they'd given in. Now all that remained was to convince Vala. Knowing she could be much more stubborn than the suits in Washington, he took a deep breath and continued. "So, what do you say?"

"Let me get this straight. You went to General Landry and the IOA without even discussing it with me first?"

"Well, uh, yeah, I guess." He hadn't been expecting that one. "I just figured it would be easier. The final decision in yours, though." He watched her face and could tell she was searching for the angle, the trap, so he put on his most sincere smile and waited.

"Okay." she finally said with a slow nod. "We'll move in together. It will be nice to live somewhere besides the base."

Daniel grinned and pulled her into a tight embrace. That had been easier than he'd expected. He resolutely pushed back the voice that told him it had been too easy and pushed on ahead. He had one more bombshell for her. "Good. We can start moving your things into the apartment tonight."

"Tonight!" she yelled and pulled back again but he didn't allow her out of his reach.

"Yeah, tonight. You don't really that much that can't be packed into my car so there's really no point in waiting. No time like the present, right?"

"I guess so." she said cautiously and he grinned, pulling her close once again as they resumed their walk. Yep, baby steps.

()()()()

As Vala placed the last of her boxes in Daniel's car, one thought kept playing in her head: Daniel could sure move fast when he wanted to.

She stood back to survey her work and sighed as she realised he'd been right. Everything she owned could fit into the back seat of his car and for some reason that depressed her a little. It shouldn't, she told herself, as she was used to surviving on the bare essentials. And it wasn't like she'd had a lot of room in her quarters on base. But the truth of the matter was, she'd been reluctant to put down too many roots. She'd learnt early in life that it was simpler to pick up and leave if you didn't have a lot holding you down. And up til she found herself on Earth, leaving was what she did best. But she'd found she didn't want to leave this place, these people. For the first time in her life, she'd found a place where she might actually belong.

Now she was getting ready to put down more roots. Moving in with Daniel was a huge step for her. She'd never really lived with a man before. All of her marriages had been done out of convenience and none had lasted longer than whatever scam she'd been pulling. She wasn't even certain most of them had been legal. There had been Tomin, but that had been about survival, even if she had grown to care about him. But now it was different. Now she was with Daniel. He never demanded more of her than she was willing to give and because of that she wanted to give him everything. They loved each other, she knew that. But what if this all blew up in her face? Would she lose, not only a lover, but her best friend as well? She didn't think she could survive that but she also knew she couldn't survive not being with him. He was her best friend, her confidant, the love of her life. She would risk everything to be with him, including her heart.

She felt his presence even before his arms wrapped around her waist. Leaning into his embrace, she smiled up at him with all of her love shining in her eyes. He smiled back and kissed her forehead.

"Ready?" he asked.

She remained silent for a moment, allowing the love she saw reflected in his eyes to wrap around her like a blanket of reassurance. Turning in his arms, she met his lips with her own for a lingering kiss. When she pulled back, he was grinning.

"I'm ready." And in that moment, with their eyes locked, she felt certain that she was.

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