I'm so so sorry it took this long to post this. I found I'm a bit of a hypocrite as I usually get a little impatient when a story I like is not updated regularly, so I decided to rework the last chapters and then post them faster. I can't promise you one each day but I will try.

I have been quite busy and couldn't reply to all you who reviewed. I'm really grateful you share your thoughts with me as it helps me to develop the story further. I'm already working on a sequel to answer all your questions. So please keep going.

Thank you all for your support.

And now back to the story!

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Still going to play with Nancy a bit!

And for diama56 a tiny tiny bit more steam. Not even close to M though.

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Chapter Eleven

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In the Park

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"I could get used waking up like that," John mumbled into Teyla's neck. He carefully shifted to his side and then rolled on his back pulling Teyla with him till her head rested on his chest. Teyla's eyes were closed and she took deep breaths to calm her hammering heart. She could hear John's heart beat in sync. Her hand drew lazy circles around his navel.

"It is a very nice way to wake you like that. Thank you for agreeing to come with us today." Teyla said shifting so she could see John's face. She crossed her arms on John's chest and rested her chin on her arms. His eyes were closed and a small satisfied smile played around his lips.

John shrugged. "I wanted to go out today anyway. Though I really liked shopping with TJ it's not something I want to do every day."

Teyla couldn't agree more. John had shown her most of the things he had bought last night while she had eaten the food he had ordered and they had exchanged their stories of the day before.

John's left hand travelled to his mouth to cover a yawn. Teyla's gaze fell on the simple but beautiful band around his ring finger; she lifted her head to look at her own band. Her thoughts wandered back to last night.

"I was not aware of your domestic qualities," Teyla teased when John was done cleaning up. He had put away all the things he had bought too. She stood at the counter next to him drying the last plate.

"I'm glad there're still some things to learn about me," John answered bending over to steal a kiss from her. Teyla chuckled, handing John the towel to dry his hands.

"There will always be something to learn about you, John Sheppard," she said in mock seriousness.

John grabbed for Teyla, but she had anticipated his move and ducked away. They fooled around a bit and ended up on the sofa watching a movie or better said the movie ran while the two were busy showing the other how much they loved another.

Though they managed to watch the end of the movie and that had been when the couple got married.

"I do like the concept of exchanging rings," Teyla said her voice innocent, "there is no such concept in our culture," she pause thinking, "Jennifer has told me that there are many different ways to get married on Earth. I find it quite interesting."

"You wanna get married?" John asked and Teyla turned on her back to look at him fully. Her face confused.

"Did you not say that due to the papers Mr Woolsey brought, we are now officially married?"

John chuckled. "Yes we are."

"So there is no need to get married again?"

"No."

Teyla smiled satisfied with the answer.

John shook his head. He should have known that Teyla didn't need a wedding to feel they belonged to each other. Teyla turned to see what was coming next and John used her distraction to get the small box he had hidden between the couch pillows before. When Teyla realized she didn't really care to see the next movie she turned on her back again.

"What is in the box?" she asked curiously.

"I bought this today. I thought you might like it," John said handing Teyla the box. Teyla slipped into a sitting position eyeing the box interested.

She pulled the box open and starred at its content before putting the box on the couch table again.

"Oh, John, I …!" she started turning to him showing him rather than telling him what she thought of his gift.

…

"That's a nice way to be thanked" John whispered still a little breathless.

Teyla chuckled. She was again tucked in front of John. She took the box and pulled out the bigger ring she turned and took John's left hand.

"I love you John Sheppard," she said looking in his eyes, "and I'm honored to call you my husband. I hope the ancestors will bless our relationship for a long time." With that she slipped the ring on John's left ring finger as she had seen in many movies.

She turned again and took out the smaller one studying it. It had the same form and color as John's, but there were three stones imbedded in the ring. Two were a honey color but the one in the middle had the same shade of green as John's eyes.

She was just about to slip it on her finger when John stopped her, his arms sneaking around her and he took her left hand.

"I love you, Teyla Emmagen. I have for a long time. I was never good at expressing myself, but somehow with you it's not as hard. I'm honored that you chose me. I do want you to be my wife forever." He slipped the ring on her finger. "Thank you for our beautiful son."

Teyla turned around again moved by his loving words, a tear sliding down her cheek. John pulled her close and kissed her tears away. Soon they were lost in each other again. The next thing she was aware of was being carried to bed by John.

"When do we have to go?" John asked shifting slightly and with that pulling Teyla back to the present.

"Mr Woolsey said we are leaving at 0900 hours."

"Good to know." John said. "That means we can sleep a little longer. It's only 0545 hours." He pulled Teyla against his bare chest. Their night had been short and they could use some more sleep. So they actually really just went back to sleep.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Morning, Mr Woolsey," John said letting the older man in. "You want something to eat?"

"Thank you, I already had breakfast." Richard took in the room. Torren was sitting on a blanket playing with blocks. Teyla sat on the sofa obviously reading the report he had sent to her this morning. She quickly looked up.

"Good morning, Mr Woolsey," she said turning back to her reading.

Colonel Sheppard offered him a place at the still set table and placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

Woolsey watched Sheppard clean up. He never had guessed the Colonel was this homey, but then the man had served in the Air Force for almost 20 years now. Teyla stood up and picked up Torren. She walked over to them and handed the boy to the Colonel who took the boy to the next room to get him ready.

Woolsey wondered how the two could believe they would be able to keep their relationship secret. Anyone who knew them would know within two seconds that something had changed, even if the two hadn't done anything else than passing the boy from one to the other.

Woolsey had never seen the Colonel this relaxed and even Teyla seemed to be more balanced if that was even possible.

"Mr Woolsey, I do have some question regarding this," Teyla asked and Richard fell out of his trance. He looked at the file and with that at Teyla's hand. It was then he realized that Teyla wore a silver band on her left hand.

The next 20 minutes Richard answered any questions Teyla had always distracted by the ring he kept looking at. By the time they were done the Colonel returned with a freshly dressed Torren, a backpack and a diaper bag. He moved to the fridge and pulled out several prepared boxes and bags as well as bottles.

"Okay I'm ready if you are," he said standing in front of them. Richard tried to inconspicuously sneak a peek at the Colonel's hand. Luckily he chose that moment to shift Torren and Woolsey saw a matching ring on his hand.

He couldn't help grin. These two would not fool anyone, but it didn't matter. They deserved their happiness.

XOXOXOXOXO

Teyla held her face in the sun. The talks this morning had been smoother; nevertheless she was happy to spend a couple of hours with her son and John who had prepared an awesome picnic for them.

TJ played next to her with his ball.

"Dada," he suddenly said and Teyla opened her eyes, but she already knew that John hadn't come back yet. "Your Daddy is still with General O'Neil, but he should be back soon," Teyla said and was relieved that Torren just grinned and went back on playing with the ball John had given to him.

She looked around and when she found nothing out of order she closed her eyes again, enjoying the warm sun on her face. Suddenly Torren squealed and Teyla opened her eyes, seeing he had gotten up and was toddling after his ball that was rolling away down the slightly sloping lawn. She jumped up and started after him, calling to him to sit down as he was already quite some distance away. He was not used to run downhill and had no control over his speed. Suddenly he jerked and fell forward but before he hit the ground he was caught by a dark haired woman.

Teyla saw John's watch dogs tense, but they kept their distance as Teyla had already reached the woman holding a confused and shaky looking Torren.

XOXOXOXOXO

It was a beautiful day so Nancy decided to spend her lunch break in the nearby park. She loved to sit on the benches and watch the other people have picnics or enjoying their lunch like she was. Today was very busy and the only empty bench she could find was next to the big lawn under a tree. She sat down started to eat after a while she began to look around.

The first thing she recognized was the stroller, she had seen so often yesterday it was ingrained in her memory. She could make out two sets of legs behind it, but the people were covered. She was debating if she should go and see if she could see John, but she didn't quite have the guts.

Then the little boy peaked around the stroller grinning. Nancy followed his gaze and found John walking up to the blanket.

"General we're ready to go," she heard John call up and then saw him pick up the boy blowing a raspberry on his cheek. Behind the stroller an older looking man stood up. John put the boy down and said something to the person remaining behind the stroller.

"Okay Torren, be good for your mom; daddy is going to be back soon," the older man said and Nancy saw John chuckle and shake his head.

"dood be dada," she heard the young boy call, but couldn't make out who was meant as both men turned back and waved.

Nancy shook her head. For years she had pushed her memories of John back. When they had met last year, she had been relieved to find out that it had been the right choice to split up. He still had been into the secret stuff up to his neck. But every time she saw him now he was in civilian clothes and looked relaxed and happy. Had he finally quit? And what was the connection to the boy.

Suddenly something clicked into place. John had call the man General and his friend yesterday had said the next time the General wanted him to babysit he would tell him to hire a nanny. So was this General the father of the boy? Nancy looked up and saw that the boy had moved away from the blanket and was running down the slope, though it didn't look like he was very used to that and before she could think about it she shot forward. She was just in time to catch the boy when he finally stumbled.

Nancy looked up and saw a young woman hurrying her direction; she was only a few feet away now and quickly looked around nodding. Nancy became aware of several people in dark clothes watching her, their faces tense. She looked at the boy who was blinking surprised and maybe a little scared.

"Thank you so much," the woman told Nancy as she took the boy back into her arms.

"Mama fas," he mumbled shuddering a little.

"I know. What did daddy say about going off the blanket?"

"No."

The woman huffed out in relieve and nodded.

"Now you know why he said it," the little boy nodded and snuggled into his mom obviously content to stay where he was, ball totally forgotten.

The woman looked at Nancy her eyes kind. "Thank you so much. It was very kind of you," she said again.

"It's okay, I kind of just reacted," Nancy answered. "It didn't look like he knew what to do with the slope or his legs."

Teyla nodded smiling. "He just learned walking and his father usually carries him when we are … outdoors."

Nancy had the feeling she had wanted to say something else, but didn't ask further. A million question burst into her mind and she had to bite the inside of her lip to keep them in.

"I am Teyla and this is Torren."

"Nice to meet you I'm Nancy. You come here often?"

Teyla shook her head, "no it is the first time we are in Washington."

"Oh vacation. That's good."

"I'm here for work, but my husband is here for vacation."

"Your husband is military?"

"Yes."

"Must be hard to be alone all the time with a toddler and not knowing where your husband is," Nancy tried not to sound to bitter.

Teyla shook her head again and chuckled, wondering where the woman got that impression. "I work with the military too and my husband is the military commander of the base we live on. He is usually never gone more than a day or two and I almost always know where he is."

A flash of jealousy shot through Nancy. Why could this woman have it all? It just wasn't fair. "That is good." Nancy said looking at her watch. "It was really nice meeting you. I'm sorry. I have to go back to work."

"Thank you again and have a nice day," the woman, Teyla said again and turned to walk back to her blanket. Nancy saw the people she had seen before slowly go back to their places and sit down too resuming their surveillance. Her family must be important to have this much attention.

She too sat down again finishing her lunch. The woman and the boy were covered by the stroller again so Nancy couldn't see what they were doing, but from the look on his face, the boy was probably sitting as close to his mom as he could. Nancy stayed a little longer before she decided to pick up her things and leave.

Too many things were going through her mind and suddenly she didn't want to know if John had anything to do with this woman or the child. She just wanted to be as far away as possible.

On her way back to work she saw the General from before again this time without John. Nancy inspected the man while he climbed in the waiting car and was relieve that he too wore a wedding band. That would make it possible for him to be Teyla's husband even if he seemed a little old for her.

"Uh, sorry!" Nancy had been so concentrated on the General she had walked smack into someone standing at a newspaper stand.

"Nothing happ… Nance?"

Nancy's head snapped up so fast she was dizzy for a moment.

"John," she squeaked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on some down time," he said waving his hands. "You okay?" he added and Nancy was surprised he seemed more relaxed and less awkward.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a lot going on at the moment. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"How's … Grant?" He asked clearly still not really remembering her husband's name, but this time at least getting it right.

"He's good. You're not here because you need my help again, right?" Nancy asked careful.

John shook his head and all of a sudden the awkwardness was back.

"No. I'm here on vacation not for work." He looked at his watch. "Listen Nancy, it was nice seeing you," he said already starting to move, "but I'm kind of in a hurry, sorry."

"If you have time call me, I still have the same number. We could have a coffee."

"Eh sure, bye Nance."

"Bye John."

XOXOXOXOXO

"Sorry it took so long," John sat down on the blanket giving Teyla a quick peck on the cheek. Too many people were watching them for him to be comfortable. "I can't believe O'Neill sent a company to watch me," he mumbled looking around.

Torren quietly climbed on John's lap. "You okay pal?" John asked noting that Torren seemed a little subdued.

"Dada," he said and plopped his thumb in his mouth.

"It's a little early for your nap pal," John said looking at Teyla.

"Torren learned why he was not supposed to leave the blanket," Teyla explained. John held up his son once more to see if really everything was all right.

"He is fine; a woman caught him before he could fall. But he got scared quite a bit," Teyla added stroking over Torren's hair lovingly.

John pulled the boy back on his lap.

"Are you alright you too look a little pale?"

John nodded and grinned sheepishly.

"I did tell you that I was married before?" John asked unsure.

"You did tell me," Teyla stated amused, "when you tried to convince me you are not the right partner for me."

"I did not…" John swallowed the rest. He had tried to convince Teyla he was a bad choice.

"You did," she confirmed again, "but I think over the past week you realized that you were wrong."

John smiled at Teyla, but didn't say a word. Not all his doubts had been perished and they hadn't hit any roadblocks yet.

As if she had read his mind she leaned over. "We did have our fair share of disagreements in the past and there will be some in our future, but I guess we will have to deal differently with them now, evading each other is not an option anymore."

John couldn't help chuckling. "I guess you're right" and Teyla was right now that he thought about it. They did have their differences, but they had always managed to find each other again. He slowly lowered himself to the blanket and pulled Teyla with him. When he was sure they were fairly covered. He searched Teyla's lips, Nancy totally forgotten.

XOXOXOXO

"Jules?" Nancy called to her assistant, "I'm going to take another break. I'll be back in an hour."

"I noted it Director Harrison."

"If anything comes up call my mobile."

For the past two hours Nancy Harrison had been busy trying to concentrate, but her mind had wandered to the thousand possibilities she had pictured concerning what she had learned about John. There were so many possibilities it gave her a headache.

She loved her current husband, she really did, but a small part of her now wondered what her life could have been like if she hadn't asked John for the divorce. The woman Teyla had looked so happy and fulfilled. She was working; but still seemed to have time for her son and husband.

The worst scenario was that this Teyla lived the life she could have lived if she had stayed with John. The life she had wanted with John. She had usually gotten a glimpse of this life when he had been home long enough to forget about the horrors he had lived through. Her pressing him to tell what was going on had usually made thing worse.

She sighed. She would take another walk in the park. Maybe John was still there somewhere and she could ask him about what was going on. She needed to know the truth so she could get over it. She wondered why it was so hard. She had been the one to say no to children and with that had been the one that had destroyed their relationship. She had been the one to move on just a year after the divorce.

John living a happy life shouldn't disappoint her this much, but it did. Maybe she was lucky and his life was not that happy. Nancy shook her head. He had looked happy and the woman had looked happy too. Why all of a sudden did it bother her so much? 'Because this boy could be yours' a little voice in her head supplied.

Nancy easily found the place where she had seen Teyla before and the stroller was still there too, though it had been moved. Nancy sat down on the bench now giving the perfect view of the blanket while being hidden behind some bushes.

She had recognized John immediately, but he wasn't alone. The same man that had been at the shopping center was with John and both were playing with the boy. The men sat opposed each other and rolled the ball between them. Torren squealed and tried to kick and catch the ball, but he wisely stayed between the adults, every time the ball rolled to far away he went over to John and sat on his thigh, forcing the other man to get the ball.

Nancy watched them play like this for quite some time, at one point Torren seemed to have enough he moved over to John and stayed seated on his thigh. Nancy saw the boy start to suck on his thumb and lean further against John.

It seemed playtime was over then. John got up and moved to stroller. When he started to lower the boy into the stroller Torren started to whine and whimper. John straightened up and started to sooth the boy. Though he didn't need to do much as the boy calmed as soon John stopped putting him down. John waited a few minutes and tried again, but again the boy started to fuss.

In the end John's friend started to clean up and put everything together while John kept the boy snuggled against him. He looked so content and happy with the boy that Nancy felt her heart break. John looked like a dad that moment, a very happy dad and Nancy realized that John would have quit; he would have held his end of the bargain. She had thrown it all away.

He would have made a great dad. She thought things through once more and came to the conclusion that the General had to be Teyla's husband and with that Torren's father. She felt sorry she had taken this all from him as she watched John and his friend leave. On the one hand she was relieved, on the other she felt guilty. Satisfied she waited till John was gone and the walked back to her office.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Sorry." John apologized for the hundredth time.

"Actually I'd rather clean up your mess in the park then have to go shopping again," Cam answered. "Seriously how could you stand shopping for a whole day?"

"Hey it was for TJ and if you remember the nearest Shopping center to where I live, is a galactic bridge away. I haven't been shopping in years."

Cam chuckled. "Yeah forgot about that."

"How long is the short stuff going to sleep?"

"Usually he sleeps for one and a half hours or two."

"Wow."

"Mitchell he is barely one. He sleeps like that."

"What are we going to do?"

"Going back to the hotel," John answered amused.

"Seriously, how can you enjoy babysitting the whole day?"

John chuckled. "I'm caring for my son not babysitting," John felt like having a déjà vu. Didn't he have a similar discussion with McKay?

Thinking of his friend made John realized how much he missed being home.

"Your son?"

"Long story!" John said not explaining further.

Cam knew Sheppard good enough, to know he would have to accept the answer he had gotten, if the man wanted to be the boy's father let him be. Every kid needed a father and Sheppard seemed to be the right man to fill that role.

"Okay and what are we going to do at the hotel?" Cam decided to change the topic.

"I'm going to watch some football," John said, "I don't think babysitting duty included the hotel."

"Hey, you're not going to keep me away from a good game."

"Alright you can come."

"Yes." Mitchell did a little celebration dance and John rolled his eyes getting in the car.

…

"Heck that was just amazing," Mitchell commented on the latest move.

"I can't believe that worked," John groaned.

"You so owe me," Cam said taking a long swig from his beer.

"Hey the game is not even half through," John answered.

"Dada hunry," TJ chimed in.

"Alright," John got up. "You want something too?"

"What cha got."

"I was about to order room service."

"I'm in."

John ordered chicken and vegetables for him, Teyla and TJ. Cam ordered a steak.

"How long do they need?"

"20 min…" John trailed off when the door opened.

"Hey Teyla," John jumped up from the couch leaving Mitchell behind. Torren too got up and John stayed behind him to make sure he wouldn't fall down.

He then picked TJ up to hand him to Teyla.

"How was your day?" He asked keeping his distance.

"Hello Colonel Mitchell," Teyla greeted the other man. "It was very productive."

"Hey Teyla," he answered and turned back to the TV.

"We are watching football," John explained his eyes telling Teyla the things he couldn't say. "I ordered room service."

"We will talk about you watching football without me later," Teyla said in a teasing voice. "I'm very hungry."

"Good I ordered a load full."

"If you excuse me I'm going to change," Teyla handed Torren back to John and vanished in the other bed room. Mitchell looked around. John had made him use the bathroom in the right side room and the room did only have a kid's bed in it.

There was no third room and John too had gone into the room Teyla had just vanished into to change his shirt after TJ had emptied his bottle over John. He wisely kept quiet, but he started to wonder. Teyla came back five minutes later and settled on the couch between the men.

Cam looked at her and his gaze fell to her left hand. She wore a silver colored band. He leaned forward and inconspicuously looked at Sheppard's hand, but it was empty.

They had dinner and after another 30 minutes it was bedtime for the kid so Mitchell decided it was time to go home.

…

"Teyla have you seen my ring?" John asked looking around the sink; sure he had forgotten it there before.

John sensed movement behind him and froze. Teyla stood in the door in her natural beauty.

"I put it to your dog tags," she answered sauntering over to the bath tub. "I was thinking to have a bath," she said wiggling her naked butt, while opening the faucet, "Care to join me?"

"Humm," was the distracted answer she got, a moment later John stood next to her, his clothes laying under the sink.