John strode into the hotel lobby and sighed heavily with relief. Elizabeth leaned over the concierge desk, one heel popped above the marbled floor and the hem of her skirt wavered with the gentle sway of her body.
"John?" Elizabeth turned.
He felt surprisingly uneasy to be the recipient of her half-hearted attempt at a menacing expression. Was he late? He frowned and glanced at his watch. He hadn't wanted to leave her side, but he had to pick up the ring from the jeweler. At the time he asked his father to bring the box from the safe, the appearance at the fundraiser had seemed too high a price to pay in return. It had seemed crazy at the time, but he was glad he'd jumped through the hoops with his family to pick it up. It had just been days ago, but he'd had no idea that he and Elizabeth had been so close to what they'd become.
She pulled his wrist up to see his watch, her eyebrow arching high when she turned back to his eyes. "Three minutes? That may be a new record in punctuality for you. I've been forced to wait for much, much longer."
Her eyes lowered, but not before he'd recognized the flash of sadness. He'd become torn about their impeding return to Atlantis, their time here had been amazingly uncomplicated. Soon enough, she'd be again on the balcony outside her office trying to hide the fear in her eyes while she watched his team step through the event horizon. His fingers grazed the velvet box tucked inside his pocket. This would be something to remind her he would fight until his very last breath to return to her side.
"Sorry I had to leave in the first place." He heard a muffled noise from behind Elizabeth and his eyes focused on the concierge sign. "We have plans tonight, I hope you hadn't already given up on me."
"When have I ever given up on you?" Elizabeth shot him a pointed look. "I was just arranging for a taxi."
"That won't be necessary." He felt another twinge of regret. He should have told Elizabeth already.
"So I've learned. I've been helping Charles learn how to use his email so he won't miss anymore Code Red's."
"Code what?" John took a step to the side and stretched out his neck to catch a glimpse of the person hidden behind Elizabeth and the computer. "Charles?"
"One of these days, you boys will have to stop giving this old man a heart attack. What happened to the good old company bulletin board? I never missed a Code Red in those days. I always knew when to take a day off if the terrible twosome were in residence." Charles eyes were twinkling as he stood up behind the desk.
John found himself momentarily speechless as he apprised the man before him. He seemed shorter, thinner and the little hair he had left was pure white. But the smile was unmistakable as was the warmth within his voice.
"I'm sad to say I haven't seen my BB gun in years and I'd imagine Dave would consider them childish these days." John took a step closer. "They really called us the terrible twosome?"
"Yes and I venture little has changed. I'd imagine Elizabeth has her hands quite full trying to keep you in line." Charles stretched his arms around John, clasping him with surprising strength.
Feeling somewhat awkward and, not quite deserving of the man's show of affection, John patted his back and gently extricated himself.
"Hey. I've matured over the years, I've actually become quite responsible." He eyed Elizabeth skeptically. "What did you tell him?"
"He kept muttering about Code Red's and how this newfangled email would be the death of him." Elizabeth laid her hand on Charles' arm. "I had to distract him somehow, for a moment, I seriously thought I'd have to call 911."
John looked at Elizabeth. "And you told him good things?"
She cringed and hesitated before speaking. "I may have commiserated with some of his stories and contributed some of my own for his consideration."
John felt the muscles in his face scrunch uncomfortably tight. "Fine. I'll just have to prove it. Charles, we'd love to have you and your wife join us for dinner tonight."
Charles turned towards Elizabeth, the amusement mounting in his expression. "See that's exactly the problem. Never could say no to the boss's son, just ask the helicopter pilot."
A wave of indignation flashed hot through his chest. "Now wait just a minute, he wanted to teach me and he didn't get fired."
Charles rolled his eyes. "He didn't stay fired but I dare say teaching a ten year old how to fly a helicopter would be more than enough to serve as grounds for termination."
John felt the corners of his lips twist. "Well, like you said, he didn't stay fired. Though I'll bet it's been killing dad to have to take a taxi across town to board the chopper since the 911 airspace restrictions went into place."
Charles visibly winced. "Don't remind me. Those were not good days. He's grown used to it now though. Tell you what, you promise not to bring that up and I'll go round up the Mrs. It'd be good to see you all together again. Don't know that I have since your mother…"
John's gut twisted at the reminder. At lot of things had changed after they'd lost his mother. The only way he'd ever been able to deal with it was to change the subject.
"I remember. Why don't you round up your wife, along with the real concierge you ran off the desk when you decided you wanted to work." John turned to Elizabeth. "Charles has been retired for ten years now, but he still torments his replacements by showing up unexpectedly and shooing them away from his desk. He can be scarier than he looks."
Charles focused a scolding glare upon John. "Hmm. For arguments sake I'm going to overlook that comment. We'll be there in ten minutes."
John glanced at his watch again. "We're supposed to be there in five."
Charles scratched his chin absentmindedly. "Truth be known, the missus scares me more than the bosses son. I don't think commanding her to immediately walk out the door will endear me to her heart. Ten minutes ought to work though."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in reproach towards John before speaking to Charles. "You take all the time you need, if you're joining us we will wait as long as necessary. From what I can tell, you've earned the right to make him wait a little."
Charles chuckled and he briskly headed off towards the hotel's front desk.
John's hands fell on his hips as he watched Charles leave. He couldn't help but wonder what Elizabeth was thinking now, though he believed he had a pretty good idea. He hadn't been entirely truthful with her, but he'd never been comfortable talking about his family's money.
"So your father-"
"Sorry, yes. He's kind of the principle owner of this hotel. He stayed here with my mother not long after their honeymoon and-"
"The rest is history? Including how you learned how to fly a helicopter at age ten, though somehow I'm not entirely surprised."
His heart started beating faster as she moved closer and tucked her arm under his and around his back. The smell of her perfume washed over him and he found himself struggling to focus.
"The story isn't as interesting as you'd think. No crashes or emergency landings." He steered Elizabeth towards the elevator. "Come on, I've been dreading facing your mother all day."
Elizabeth rested against the back wall watching him jab in the code that would lead them to his father's floor. And it was a floor, the entire top floor, that consisted of his father's living quarters. It was complete with a rooftop garden he felt sure Elizabeth would love, at least love if it weren't 33 degrees and snowing outside. He was well aware that she was fond of the mild climate in their home in the Pegasus galaxy.
John moved towards her side. His fingers strayed through the curls of her hair and her eyes locked on his and narrowed. His gut coiled, sometimes he wished he wasn't so transparent to her. She'd probably already picked up on his unease, but with any luck, she was contributing it to her mother's presence. The box deep within his pocket pressed uncomfortably against his leg and for the millionth time he wondered how she would receive that gesture.
His fingers trailed down her side, finally lacing with her own. When the door opened, they silently stepped into the foyer before John punched in the code that would allow them access to the living quarters on this floor. They found the apartment already bustling with activity, the living room and kitchen already full with friends and family who arrived before them.
They stepped inside and he watched Elizabeth's eyes pan the room. The living room opened into the kitchen which opened into a den. A large patio with stairs that lead to the rooftop garden lay outside the dining room. Elizabeth's mother and his father were bickering good naturedly with the cook as Dave stood nearby stirring one of the pots, looking like he was trying to tune them all out. Jennifer and Rodney were perched on stools at the kitchen island. Only Charles and his wife Joanna were left to arrive and as Elizabeth's mom moved towards them, John found himself looking even more forward to their arrival and to the distraction it would cause.
"Elizabeth? Isn't it time you properly introduce us?" Elizabeth's mother grasped his hand. Her voice was rich and her tone was warm. He finally started to relax.
John could hardly remember doing more than nodding during the ensuing introduction. Dave was beckoning Elizabeth closer and she left John beside her mother.
"You seem nervous, yet my daughter seems very happy. Do I make you uncomfortable? "Catherine looked concerned.
He hesitated. "Not you, just a question I was hoping to ask you."
Catherine's green eyes pierced into his own and John was struck by the uncanny recognition as if it was Elizabeth herself boring into his eyes.
"I must admit you've peaked my curiosity." She said. "What is your question?"
"Well…" John's fingers grazed the velvet box within his pockets. "Maybe it'd be easier to show you."
John steered Catherine deeper into the room and further away from prying eyes. There was no point in trying to charm Elizabeth's mother, he'd known that since she'd met him so infamously that morning. This was the only way he could fathom she'd understand how he truly felt about her daughter. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath before discretely slipping the box out of his pocket.
It felt like an eternity since Elizabeth's mother left his side heading back towards the kitchen island. She joined his father, Elizabeth and Dave who seemed to have taken over and relieved the cook of her duties. John gravitated towards the bar on the opposite side of the room. The beer was across the room in the fridge so he poured himself a scotch, welcoming the warmth that rolled down his throat. It was needed more than he cared to admit. The scene unfolding was one dripping too realistically with the hint of domestic harmony. In his experience, it was the kind of harmony he usually only experienced just before he was about to lose it all.
He'd almost finished his drink when he noticed Elizabeth had slipped off to the side. Her eyes were wide with what he recognized as her analytical gaze. He knew what she was thinking and she was right. He was withdrawing and retreating, instinctively moving to protect himself. In spite of it all, he couldn't stay away from her even if he wanted to. Maybe it was time he finally figured out how to show her that.
"Oh come on, we all know you two are together. Can you please cut out the love struck stares now?" Rodney's voice dripped with his trademark sarcasm. "You don't exactly have to pretend in present company."
John rolled his eyes and nodded his head towards the door to the patio. Elizabeth arched a brow, but moved to join him. He slipped off his suit jacket as he moved to meet Elizabeth at the door. Snow was still falling and it was freezing outside.
They moved outside and he secured the door behind them. Elizabeth had just nestled into his jacket when he saw her smile waver. The box. His heart jerked. He'd forgotten the box was in the jacket pocket. His heart began to race, he still hadn't quite settled upon any words that were close to what he wanted to convey.
"John?" Elizabeth pulled the velvet box from the pocket and held it up.
"I know it's a little late for Valentine's Day." He took a step closer and pulled the box from her fingers. "This was the only thing that could have made me leave your side this afternoon, don't think that will happen again anytime soon." He almost winced at his own poor attempt at humor.
Elizabeth huddled deeper into his jacket. Snowflakes lightly dusted her hair. John was amazed that he had yet to even feel a chill, but that could have something to do with the look simmering within her eyes. He pulled the emerald ring from the velvet box. The platinum band was encrusted with diamonds and it sparkled from its recent cleaning.
"I want you to have this. I'm not good with words sometimes and I thought maybe I could show you." He slipped the ring on her finger trying to ignore the tears welling in her eyes.
"John?"
He cupped her face and leaned towards her, kissing her lips softly.
"Ok, boys and girls. I guess the IOA manual doesn't have a category for this, but I'd think it goes without saying that you should always strive to not make the headlines of the Washington Post social page. What's this about the hot couple debuting at the wedding of the weekend?"
John's nose brushed Elizabeth's as they simultaneously turned towards the patio door where one petulant looking Jack O'Neill stood.
"Oh, crap." John couldn't suppress the whisper from crossing his lips.
Dave emerged just beside Jack. "You're engaged! She's wearing mom's wedding ring." His voice rang loud enough to stop all conversation in the room behind him.
"Oh, crap!" Jack visibly winced.
John caught Elizabeth's eyes stretching impossibly wide even for her. Crap was an understatement. He wondered when Charles and his wife were going to arrive. They were too late for the distraction of their arrival to save him now.