Author's Note: So, this one-shot is for my McKeller friends who put up with all my idiosyncrasies. Namely, the fact that I like the character of Keller but not of McKay. Either way, this is for you guys! You know who you are! Merry Christmas! ~lg

oOo

"Rodney!" Jennifer Keller-McKay stared at her husband as he grinned at her from inside their quarters. "It's. . . . it's. . . ." She couldn't form the words.

Rodney McKay stood in front of the biggest Christmas tree she'd ever seen inside a single room. Lights glittered from the green branches, all the colors brightening the corner of the room with their glow, and soft Christmas music played in the background. Under the tree, boxes wrapped a bit clumsily in bright paper cluttered the white tree skirt. And the entire tree had been covered in glass icicles. Just like the one she'd described all those months ago.

Suddenly, tears came to her eyes, and she hugged her husband. The last time she'd been so moved by Rodney McKay had been the night he proposed to her. And the day he promised to "love, honor, and cherish" her. And the time he found her in the infirmary after a long shift just to give her a hug. And. . . . Okay, maybe she just loved this man.

Seeing her tears, Rodney stepped away from her. "Whoa! Hey. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Jennifer smiled. "It's the hormones and the tree and. . .and everything."

"You're sure?"

"I'm fine, Rodney." She gave him a slight shove and knelt in front of the tree. Not an easy task any longer. But she couldn't help the action. Christmas had always been her favorite time of year. Since coming to Atlantis, she'd learned that life was to be cherished. Celebrated. Even the time they spent on Earth couldn't have diminished that importance. Then, last Christmas, just before Atlantis returned to Pegasus, Rodney knelt in front of her father's Christmas tree and asked her to marry him.

Jennifer smiled again, remembering those months. She had been ecstatic and had started planning an elaborate wedding right away. Then, she discovered she was pregnant. While thrilled to be carrying Rodney's child, she didn't want to wait until she couldn't see her feet to get married. So, they asked their closest friends and colleagues to join them in a small ceremony in her father's back yard. She had chosen to keep her maiden name for professional purposes, but she loved being Rodney McKay's wife.

Behind her, Rodney moved, and slipped an arm around her shoulders as he joined her on the floor. "Eggnog?" He let one hand rest over their unborn child. "Non-alcoholic, of course."

"Of course." Jennifer smiled at him and accepted the tiny cup he offered. He'd pulled out all the stops for this surprise. Nutmeg dotted the top of the eggnog, and she took a sip before giving Rodney a quick kiss. "How did you do all of this?"

Now that she'd managed to get off of her aching feet, she looked around the rest of their quarters. Rodney helped her into her favorite chair, positioned strategically next to the Christmas tree. He settled in front of her, gently removing her shoes and massaging her swollen ankles. A nativity scene sat on the coffee table. More lights brightened the window. Garland and ornaments formed perfect swags over the door. And, now that she thought about it, a wreath adorned the corridor wall next to their "front door."

Rodney glanced up from his work. "I had help." He shrugged. "Sheppard and Lorne, mainly. And Ronon and Teyla, too."

Jennifer's smile widened as she thought about their friends. "Are we having them over for dinner, then?"

Rodney looked up and blinked. "You want to?"

"Yes." She glanced around. "Well, not a lot of people, obviously. But definitely your team. Evan, Carson, and Radek, too."

He narrowed his eyes. "Please don't tell me you want to invite Cadman."

"No." Jennifer chuckled. She liked the Marine lieutenant well enough, but Rodney still couldn't get over how Cadman had spent twenty-four hours or so in his head. "She's on the Daedalus, headed back to Earth to see her family."

"Oh, good." He smiled at her. "I—I'm sorry. I know she's your friend and all, but. . . ."

"Rodney, it's okay!" Jennifer pulled her foot from his hand and touched his shoulder. "I understand. And the people I just mentioned are fine."

"Okay." He looked around. "I'm glad you like it."

"I do." She eyed the boxes under the tree. "Are those empty?"

"What? No!" He stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. "Do you honestly think I would do that to you? But, not all of them are for you. Well, I mean, most of them are, but some of them are for others. The baby. Sheppard. Teyla."

"Rodney." She stopped his babbling with a finger over his lips. "It's okay to have gifts under our tree for our friends."

He nodded and kissed her carefully. "Now, stay here. I'm going to get dinner while you read a book or something. You spend entirely too much time on your feet for a woman in your condition."

Jennifer settled back in the chair as he headed out the door. Her hand rubbed her swollen abdomen as the child moved inside her. She had never been so content, so full of joy, as she was right now. Rodney was right, though. In another month, she'd need to surrender her CMO duties to Carson until she returned from maternity leave. But she refused to think about the technicalities of that. Instead, she turned to stare at the Christmas tree and revel in the surprise her wonderful husband had given her.

oOo

Rodney returned to their quarters with two trays piled high with food. He'd only had a sandwich at lunch as he and Sheppard furiously tried to explain Christmas decorations to Ronon while getting the McKay quarters ready for Jennifer's arrival. Behind them, Lorne had snorted in amusement as he finished assembling the Christmas tree. Now, Rodney couldn't wait to enjoy dinner with his wife.

Shaking his head at his good fortune, Rodney froze inside the door at the sight that met his eyes. Jennifer had curled into the easy chair, her feet still bare, as she laid an arm protectively over their unborn child. She'd clearly been staring at the Christmas tree when exhaustion got the better of her. Now, she slept peacefully, with a smile on her face, as the lights from the tree gave her an ethereal glow.

I am the luckiest man alive! Rodney thought as he set the trays aside. He'd known that a long time ago, but he still couldn't get over how completely Jennifer loved him. Instead of waking her, he found a blanket to cover her and settled back to watch his wife sleep while he ate his evening meal. Later, when she woke, he'd make sure she ate something. But, for now, he decided to simply enjoy the contentment and happiness she brought to his life. He smiled and whispered, "Merry Christmas, my love."