I'm sorry that this has taken so long in coming. This follows directly on from my story – I can't Live if Living is without you and follows Ben and Lilly's adventures during their first year as husband and wife. Just to assure everyone, the SGC does figure later though
I have now written another eight novel length stories in the Mandanan Series and will be posting them in sequence. All novels feature SG1 and there is plenty of whumping along the way as Ben and Lilly's family grows.
I truly hope you enjoy the following adventures as much as I've truly enjoyed writing them and would love to know what you all think of my new world.
I am posting the end chapter of I can't Live if Living is Without you first, just to get you into the swing of the stories.
Many thanks for your patience – I know people have been asking.
Ann-Marie xx
END PART – CHAPTER ONE.
"And, I'll have the rib eye, rare, fries… and hold the salad." Jack handed the waiter his menu and cast his gaze over the others gathered in the booth at O'Malley's. "Right, kids!" he smiled and raised his glass of beer in a toast. "Here's to the next seven days of uninterrupted relaxation."
SG-1 had just returned from saving the world from the Replicators… again.
After the discovery of the mechanical spiders on a Russian submarine in the Pacific Ocean, they'd been dispatched to sort the situation out… which they had, with the help of Thor! Things had not entirely gone to plan, which was the main reason Janet had positioned herself directly opposite Daniel in the booth. Not only was he still recovering physically from his appendectomy, but the hail for help from the Pentagon had put paid to his prescribed extra week of rest. He'd been put through the wringer mentally after being forced to blow up the Russian submarine on Jack's orders, ultimately destroying the Replicators. Fortunately, Sam and Thor had managed to beam Jack and Teal'c off the submarine just as it was destroyed. Janet was still worried about Daniel. He seemed withdrawn, almost bordering on depressed, which was not entirely surprising after the month he'd just been through. She had been in two minds whether to let the Daniel go on Jack's planed fishing trip, but had decided that time away with his team, minus Teal'c who had taken the opportunity visit his son, seemed a better option than keeping him in the infirmary.
There was another important reason why they were all together and with a flourish, Jack picked up his glass and turned to Lilly.
"And now to the main reason we're here," he said raising his glass. "Good luck Lilly. We've had a ball having you with us these past weeks, though ya did pick a heck of a time to visit," he grinned. "Here's to a safe journey home and to the extension of your hospital. If you or any of your family need any help, whatsoever… you know where to come."
Lilly smiled and bowed her head. "We do. Thank you."
"To Lilly and our friends back on Mandana," Jack toasted, with everyone echoing his sentiments and Lilly blushing furiously at the attention she was receiving.
As Jack proceeded to refill everyone's glasses with a fresh jug of beer, Ben nervously picked at his paper napkin. He knew he had to make an announcement but wasn't sure how to put it. When Janet kicked his shin under the table and then cocked her head sharply, he took a deep breath and rose to his feet.
"Okay, while we're doing… all this," he gestured round the table and then cleared his throat, "I've got an announcement to make… sorta." He stumbled over his words, not really knowing why he was feeling so nervous. Lilly's slipped her hand into his, giving him the confidence he needed.
"A couple of weeks ago, a very wise old sage gave me some very important advice." He looked over at Daniel and smiled.
"Hey! Less of the old!" Daniel scolded.
"Sorry. A very wise sage," Ben corrected, blushing slightly at his error, "gave me some very important advice—"
"Yeah, yeah. We got that part," Jack interrupted. "Cut to the case, Benny."
"This person told me that when you love someone so much that you can't live without them, you move heaven and Earth to be with them." Ben drew Lilly's hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly, making her blush. "As moving Heaven is gonna be tough," he sighed. "I'm gonna move Earth instead."
"What!" Sam exclaimed, leaning forward in her excitement.
"Yeah! What she said," Jack stated, folding his arms.
"I handed my resignation into Doctor Fraiser three days ago." Ben smiled at Janet who nodded and smiled back. "My place is with the person I love so I'm going home with Lilly." News delivered, he suddenly felt at peace, knowing, without a shadow of doubt that his decision was the right one.
"Oh. That's lovely," Sam, gushed.
"Well, I'll be," Jack, spluttered.
Ben breathed a sigh of relief and sank down in his chair, glancing over at Daniel. For some reason he needed Daniel's permission—his approval—and when he received a knowing smile and a mouthed 'congratulations' from the linguist, the last piece in his jigsaw fell into place.
When the sound of the clinking of Janet's glass interrupted the subsequent excited chatter round the table, everyone turned to face her.
Janet stood and smiled. "Okay, guys, I've had a three day head start on this situation and have prepared some little parting gifts." She reached into the bag she'd hidden under the table and pulled out two neatly wrapped flat boxes. "I know we're going to be making regular shipments through the 'gate to help supply the new hospital," she stated handing Ben and Lilly the gifts, "but here are a few personal items that I hope will always remind you of us. They're both kinda the same thing," she added when Lilly and Ben just stared at the boxes. "You'll need to open them together so you don't ruin the surprise for each other."
Ben and Lilly glanced at each other. "After three then," Ben said with a grin, and they both carefully removed the paper and then opened the boxes.
"Wow! Guys, this is... wonderful!" Ben gently removed the solid silver stethoscope and digital thermometer.
"I figured you'd get a lot of use out of these," Janet said cheerfully. "We got them engraved as well." She watched Lilly carefully turned the stethoscope over.
"'For Lilly. May you always remember your friends from Earth as fondly as they remember you,'" she read aloud and then looked over to Janet. "I will always treasure them."
"There's more in there," Janet said when Lilly went to replace the items in the box.
"What? Oh..." Lilly rooted round and pulled out a crisp white lab coat. "That's just great!" She beamed, holding it up for all to see.
Janet lounged back in her chair and took a sip of her drink, a pleased smile on her face. "We had your names stitched on the pockets." Lilly ran her fingers over the embroidery on her coat, suddenly finding herself a little emotional. "I... just don't know what to say," she murmured. Ben placed a comforting arm around her shoulders as she reached for a napkin to catch her tears.
"I do," Jack interjected, excitably. "Eat up, kids!"
Within minutes, the group of friends were tucking into O'Malley steaks, laughing and chatting about the adventures on the horizon.
Xxx
EIGHT MONTHS LATER.
The sun was beginning to set on another perfect late summer's day on Mandana. The still warm breeze wafted the heady fragrance of fruit blossom through Quinn's orchard, where a small group of friends—spanning two universes—gathered to celebrate the life joining of Lilly Tanger and Ben Ashton.
The small clearing hand been decorated to fit the occasion. Tea lights flickered in the trees, and flower petals cover the orchard floor, blanketing the pathway that led to an old willow tree. Either side of the pathway was furnished with ornate chairs covered in gold silk that billowed in the wind, despite being weighed down by people who meant so much to the happy couple.
Ben stood beneath the willow with Niall Wenton proudly at his side, his new leg courtesy of the SGC. For some reason, Ben was not in the least nervous—he welcomed the next part of his new exciting life plan willingly.
Ben and Lilly had spent the last few months devoting their time towards the expansion and improvement of the hospital in Gowton. The SGC had provided regular shipments of updated equipment through the Stargate and had invited several Mandanans to Earth to train under Janet and her team. She and SG1 had travelled to Mandana for the opening of the new Quinn Frasier wing of the hospital and then the wedding of their good friend and colleague.
To Ben, this weekend brought mixed emotions. To make Lilly his wife was a dream come true, but at the same time, he knew he was cutting ties with his life on Earth.
Giving up his world had been hard but making Lilly his world felt so natural, so right and when the farm bell rang out, he turned and watched the love of his life slowly make her way along the meandering path, her father by her side.
Lilly Tanger's elegant beauty took his breath way. Her red hair cascaded down her back, neatly clipped up at the side, and the gems that intertwined her curls, sparkled in the evening sun's rays. Her long white silk dress was plain yet perfect off the shoulder affair with a fitted bodice. Layers of lace covered the skirt and created the following train. Carrying a single cream rose, Lilly practically glided down the petal-covered, velvet carpet.
Ben could not quite believe how lucky he was as Sergi placed his daughters hand in his.
"You look beautiful, Lilly Tanger," he sighed, leaning in and kissing her cheek tenderly.
Lilly cupped his cheek. "As do you, Benjamin Ashton." She smiled and then turned to face Greta, who was overseeing the short joining ceremony.
"Friends and family," the elderly platon addressed the well-wishers. "As per Lilly and Benjamin's request, they would like to exchange their own personal vows." He smiled warmly and then nodded at Lilly, indicating that she should proceed.
Cara stepped forward and accepted Lilly's rose before she turned, took Ben's hands in hers, and looked him straight in the eye.
"My Ben," she said tenderly. "You are my world, my life and my rock. We have our lives in front of us to enjoy and treasure. With you at my side, I feel we can do anything and I will love you until the day I take my last breath."
"That was beautiful," Janet sniffed.
"Handkerchief, Doc?" Jack turned and handed Janet his own.
"Thanks." Janet sniffed again and blew her nose loudly, causing several of the guests to turn round and stare. "Sorry," she mumbled.
Ben cleared his throat nervously and turned to the guests. "Okay, my go. Don't expect too much." He shrugged and the consequent laughter calmed his nerves considerably.
He took a deep breath. "My Lilly," he said tenderly. "I love you more than life itself. You have literally changed my world and completed who I am. I want to share our life adventures, and grow old at your side. You are my everything."
Daniel dangled his handkerchief over Sam's shoulder and she took it gratefully.
"Cara, Niall… the rings." Greta continued the ceremony and, within a few minutes, the tokens had been exchanged. The announcement of joining was shouted to the wind and Ben and Lilly were strolling down the petal carpet, being showered with petals by their guest.
"That was so lovely," Sam sighed.
"It sure was," Janet said. "Lilly looked stunning."
"The fabric you sent was beautiful." Sam and Janet linked arms as they discussed the logistics of making Lilly's dress.
"Well, Mari and Hanah did all the embroidery."
"They did an amazing job..."
Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c walked a few steps behind the girls, shaking their heads and rolling their eyes when Sam and Janet started to giggle like school kids.
"Looks like we've got our hands full tonight," Jack huffed, knowing full well that Sergi had opened up his wine cellar for the occasion.
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.
"You'd best make sure you take your turn in dancing with them," Jack stated. "You just know there's gonna be dancing."
"I do not dance O'Neill."
Jack quirked an eyebrow at the sudden rise in Teal'c's voice.
"Yup, there's gonna be dancing to the early dawn." He then turned and watched Daniel, who was walking slowly, head down and looking preoccupied. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Daniel said.
"Sha're?" Jack knew just where Daniel's mind had wandered.
Daniel nodded slowly. "Happy memories," he looked up and smiled.
"Good to hear," Jack smiled back and the team then joined the other guests in Greta and Mari Quinn's courtyard.
The setting sun dipped below the horizon, heralding the end of another perfect day. The air was filled with singing and laughter as two worlds came together to celebrate their union and, yep… there was dancing to the early dawn.
Chapter 2
The Winds of Change Are Blowing Wild and Free
The seasons were beginning to change on Mandana. The long hot summer days were closing in and the autumnal winds brought dark, rain filled clouds. The climate on the small planet was very similar to Earth. Ben Ashton had noticed this during his first full year as a Platon, or healer. He'd seen the changes in weather, the scorching hot, summer days, the deep snows of winter and the rainstorms of autumn. As he rested from his labour, he felt the first few drops of rainfall and knew he had to finish his task of securing the roof on his and Lilly's first house as quickly as possible.
Lilly's mentor, Greta Quinn and his wife Mari, had given the young couple the old blacksmith's cottage on the edge of their estate as a wedding present and Ben had been attempting to restore it to some sort of respectable living condition over the last six months. It had been a hard task as he was trying to juggle is own studies as a junior Platon and helping Lilly with the training of new Helena's, Mandana's equivalent to nurses, at the hospital in the nearby town of Gowton. He had relished the challenge, though, and he was so proud of the progress everyone was making. The hospital was being slowly fitted with new equipment, thanks to the gifts being sent from the SGC every two weeks, and there was a new training program in place designed by Janet Fraiser. The program included a select group of natives being sent to Earth for intense, specialised training. Real advancement was being made and lives were being saved.
He found that he had quickly adapted to life on Mandana. It was much simpler than life on Earth. Everyone had a job, a life skill and they would all come together to help each other, there would usually be wine involved in the process. People here lived off the land; they grew their own vegetables, slaughtered their own livestock and wove their own cloth. It reminded him very much of Amish living and he'd found the life to be very calming and relaxing. The community members played a very big part in the events of the principality. The society was made up of individual skill providers. If you wanted any furniture made you would turn to Hendly Graton and his team of carpenters. Upholstery was overseen by Jenr Yendy, metalwork by the Fenton brothers and construction by Sergi Tanger, Lilly's father.
Ben found he didn't miss Earth's technology at all, the lack of a central source of electricity on Mandana meant a lack of 'modern' gadgets. They relied on fossil-fuel powered generators, each dwelling had one and it was sufficient to provide a means of refrigeration and, if you were lucky, hot water though it was just as easy to boil water on the wood stove. Yes, life was simple; families made their own entertainment and worked very hard on their land to survive. It was as if they were caught in a time bubble and Ben felt he had found his place in the universe.
A rumble of thunder in the distance soon ended Ben's break and he popped his flask back into his pack before picking up his hammer again.
He needed the roof secure before the storm hit.
Xxx
"That's great, Drena," Lilly praised the young Helena as she tied off the last stitch in Mrs Hasnded's hand.
"Just tape down some gauze," she continued. "And you'll be good to go, Mrs Hasnded," she smiled at the pastor's wife as Drena finished dressing the elderly woman's hand.
"Thank you, my dears," Mrs Hasnded smiled gratefully at the Platon and her Helena.
"No problem." Lilly turned and collected a medicine bottle off the cabinet in her consulting room. "I want you to take one of these, three times a day after food," she advised as she noted the dosage on the bottle of antibiotics. "You can take the normal herbs for any pain and if you develop a fever you must come back and see me," she clicked her pen shut and handed the pastors wife her medicine.
"I will, Platon Ashton," Mrs Hasnded shook the bottle slightly before placing it in her bag. "You will give my love to your parents and young Cara for me, won't you?"
"I will," Lilly nodded.
"And that lovely husband of yours." The older woman smiled knowingly.
Lilly smiled to herself as she helped her patient into her coat. Ben had sure caused a stir amongst the women in the principality, young and old.
"Of course," Lilly, answered sincerely.
"You both need to come around for supper soon," Mrs Hasnded picked up her hat, "Pastor Has would dearly love to talk over cultural differences with young Benjamin," she stated while pinning her hat.
Lilly removed her stethoscope from around her neck. "He is overworked at the moment," she sighed. "There is much to do at the cottage and training is taking up much of his time."
"He works too hard," Mrs Hasnded placed her hand on Lilly's arm. "As do you Lilly Ashton," she smiled.
Lilly patted her friend's hand. "I know," she admitted. "But the storms are upon us and the roof of the cottage still leaks."
"Then you must get help my child."
"Ben wants to do it," Lilly shrugged, removing her lab coat.
"He is stubborn." Martha observed.
"He is not used to our ways."
"You must talk to your father and ask if he'll guide Benjamin."
Lilly knew that Martha Hasnded was right but she also knew how proud Ben was, how hard it was for him to allow others to help. His life on Earth had been very different; he'd had to fend for himself after his parents were killed in a car crash when he was just a teenager. For Ben Ashton to admit that he needed help or even allow others to help was very difficult for him.
Lilly glanced at the clock. "I'll walk you to your buggy, Martha," she smiled. "I'm going to drag my husband off for a picnic lunch before the storm hits," she took Mrs. Hasnded's arm and smiled at Drena.
"Do you mind finishing up?" She asked. "Then you can call it a day. I know Anton will need your support this afternoon."
Anton Beuner was senior surgeon Conrad Beuner's son and he was undertaking his Platon surgeon bard today for the fourth time. Medicine did not come easily to Anton and his father often queried his calling but Anton had just returned from his rotation at the SGC under the guidance of Doctor Warner and was feeling more confident about his abilities. Hopefully today would be the day he'd finally make his father proud.
"Thank you, Platon," Drena picked up the medicine tray. "He does indeed need my support," she smiled as she crossed the room to discard the used materials.
"We will all be thinking of him, you will tell him that won't you?" Lilly opened the door for Martha.
"I will," Drena bowed and then continued with her task.
"Right, Martha. Where is Bern waiting for you?"
Xxx
The wind was whipping around the cottage picking up leaves and debris as Ben struggled with his task. He glanced at the clouds and noted that they were getting thicker and darker. Inching carefully across the roof to the next section, he estimated that he had an hour at most before the storm hit so he quickly reached for his hammer and tacks to start on the next damaged area.
Ben really wanted to make this house somewhere he and Lilly could call home, somewhere they could raise a family, and somewhere they could grow old together. The cottage, which came with plenty of land and outbuildings for animals, was situated right between Quinn's farm and Gowton where Sergi and Hanah Tanger lived and where the hospital sat right on the outskirts of the small industrial mining town. From the cottage roof, you could see the top of the buildings and, if you looked opposite direction you could just about make out the Stargate on top of Earth Hill, named in the strangers from the ring's honour. Ben had built a balcony onto the main bedroom so he could always view the gateway back to his homeland. He wanted to keep an eye on any 'gate activity. Mandana was a very peaceful place that had managed to keep under the Goa'uld radar by providing a lesser-known System Lord with regular supplies of Naquada but Ben knew very well that the peace could be broken at any moment and he needed to keep as vigilant as he could. Lilly's family didn't understand that. SG-1 had been the first people through the gate for many generations. The Mandanan's saw no threat from off world influences anymore. Years ago trading traffic used the Mandana gate as a through way in the Goa'uld trade route but gold and jewels found on other planets were, now, far more valuable than the grain and cloth that Mandana supplied so they'd been left alone. Daniel Jackson had reminded Ben about what had transpired on Abydos and the fact the Goa'uld would always be a threat, what was one man's grain could be another's gold, and Ben had promised to be on guard at all times.
The wind gusted again throwing small rocks at Ben as he scurried up the tiles, tacks in mouth and hammer in hand, concentrating on the painstaking task. He longed to be curled up by the fire with a stomach full of Mari's stew with Lilly soft and warm in his arms but he had to get a move on before the rain came.
Xxx
"Get on," Lilly urged Hector, her trusty horse. After stopping off at the farm to collect the picnic basket that she'd prepared before her shift at the hospital, she was making her way down the winding lane that led to the cottage. Taking another glance at the dark sky, Lilly figured that they'd be returning to the farm for lunch rather than enjoying the food under the willow tree in their future garden as they planned.
"Our garden," she sighed wistfully. Lilly had never pictured herself settling down. Cara, her younger sister was the homemaker; Lilly was the scholar, the loner, and the dreamer. Her life before Ben was one of studying and books, of career and advancement. Love, marriage, and children, those were for others she always thought. She'd had no time for gentlemen callers, they got in the way of her destiny and she'd sworn her dedication to her vocation to Platon Quinn. Her life had been mapped for her for years and, as she made her way to the man who'd stole her heart, she couldn't quite believe how lucky she was.
"Get on, Hector," she urged again, smiling from ear to ear at the prospect of taking her husband in her arms.
Xxx
Ben heard the familiar sound of hoofs on the stone path and turned and grinned when he saw Lilly's buggy meandering along the lane. He still felt the thrill of newlywed passion at the thought of spending some quality one on one time with his wife, even though it was only going to be for a quick snack.
He replaced the hammer in his tool belt and removed the tacks from his mouth. Inching along the roof ledge he felt for the ladder with his foot and gingerly placed one foot on the top rung. It was at that point in time that the heavens opened and the wind gusted. Ben frantically tried to hang on but the ladder slipped.
He was falling.
He could hear Lilly screaming his name in the distance as a blinding pain shoot through his chest and shoulder just before his head bounced off a rock.
He knew no more...