Thanks again to Bailey1ak for the time you spent helping me edit this! To everyone who reviewed or added this story as an alert, thanks to all for the encouragement! This is the final chapter :)
Almost one year since her father's death had passed.
In the time she'd officially resigned from the chief medical officer of Atlantis, Jennifer had moved into her new house and made it a home. True to his word, Cameron had happily moved each box into her house and assisted in unpacking. A few friends, including Vala, Daniel, and Teal'C also helped out in the initial process, each chuckling as Cam cheerfully whistled a tune as he grabbed boxes from the moving truck and carried it through the door. They'd all expressed relief that SG1's leader was happy that Jennifer had decided to stay on Earth.
Work proved to be interesting as usual. Between close call missions, an overabundance of data sent from Pegasus, and several medical mishaps and emergencies, Jennifer and Cameron kept busy their first official year together as a couple. Working together, they maintained professionalism, but when an infirmary curtain was up or an office door was closed, they shared quick embraces and whispers of love.
Now into the last months of the year, Jennifer thought back a few weeks to her first Thanksgiving spent together with Cameron. They'd zigzagged across the country, visiting Maggie first in Wisconsin, then to his parents, and ended the trip with a quick day trip to California so she could attend Juliet's wedding. Jennifer was thankful for the business of the traveling, keeping her thoughts more on her family and friends, rather than missing her father.
And even though she couldn't be more happy with Cameron, her job, and the joyous celebrations of the last few months between both Anna and Juliet's wedding, Jennifer couldn't bring herself into the holiday mood as Christmas loomed closer. Now one week away, she sighed as she glanced at the calendar in her office at the SGC.
It would be the first year spent celebrating Christmas without her father.
She knew that Cameron would realize that and make up for it, somehow. He did well with picking up on her emotions throughout the grieving process.
Cameron walked into her office just then, hands tucked into his pockets. Leaning against the door frame, he shook his head.
"Daydreaming again," he grinned at her. "I'm going to have to report this to Landry. You can't keep thinking about me all day like this."
Her emotions settled and immediately her heart lightened. Rolling her eyes, she stood up and loosely put her arms around his waist. Jennifer's lab coworkers were all in meetings, leaving them some privacy.
"If you didn't have this romantic date planned tonight..." she trailed off, narrowing her eyes.
Cameron laughed. "Speaking of which, you're still planning on cutting out early so we can get ready at my place? You brought whatever you'll need?"
"Yes, Cameron," Jennifer sighed. "You reminded me twice last night."
Cameron had been acting strange the last few days. Because they'd both been gone so much with work obligations, he'd volunteered to set up a few days to clean the house and decorate for Christmas, since they hadn't done so yet. Jennifer felt it a little odd, but thought he was doing it for her sake. And to take her mind off of other things.
Bending down to kiss her, he looked at his watch. "Alright. I have one more thing to do before I pick you up. See you then."
Cameron walked down the hall, glanced behind him, and entered a doorway a few wings over from Jennifer's lab.
"You made it," he said gratefully. "I was getting worried when Landry said you'd been delayed."
Ronon sat back in a chair, slouched a bit. Legs spread and tapping a small wooden box on the table, he nodded to another corner of the room.
"I had to wait on a few others," he explained.
Looking in the direction he'd indicated, Cameron was surprised. Eight others from Atlantis were playing cards across a table, waving at him.
Looking back at Ronon, he laughed. "Nice. She's going to flip. Now, did you bring what I asked?"
Ronon held up the box. "Of course."
Cameron eagerly stepped forward, but Ronon held the box closer to his body.
"Where's my payment?"
Cam rolled his eyes. "Give me a few hours. You can trust me for it."
Ronon shook his head, tucking the box back into his coat.
"Seriously, man," Cameron said, rocking back on his heels. "You've got trust issues."
Smirking, Ronon stood up and patted his back. "Hey. We're trusting her with you."
Later on, Jennifer smiled as Cameron held the door open to the car.
"Cam," she sighed. "You didn't have to rent a car for the occasion."
Although she appreciated not to have to step up into his truck, between the dress and the shoes, Jennifer felt a little guilty he was going through so much trouble for their date.
"Hey," he smiled. "Any excuse to rent out this baby again."
She laughed. "Should've known- typical man."
He slid into the car and began driving to the restaurant. They chatted for a few minutes, talking a little about work and plans for Christmas. He'd asked her to return home with him for a few days for the holidays.
Cameron kept one hand on the wheel and another over her two hands, warming them. She shook her head.
"I swear I packed those leather gloves," she sighed. "I'm losing it. Or getting old. One of the two."
He laughed. "I told you we could stop to buy a pair. "Shoot," he said, giving off a frustrated look. "I forgot something at the house." Cameron glanced at the clock, then gave her an apologetic look. "We're early, at least. I forgot your present."
"Present?" Jennifer asked. "Cam, it's not even Christmas."
Cameron swung the car around. "No, it's not a Christmas present. It's something special just for tonight."
"Then give it to me afterward," Jennifer reasoned.
"Trust me," he said. "And it'll only take a few minutes to backtrack back to your place."
Thinking he was being silly, Jennifer just sighed. Instead of trying to change his mind, she glanced at the surroundings. A thin cover off snow had brushed against the ground. She loved it, mostly because it reminded her of home.
When they finally reached her house, he stopped the car and looked at her.
"Where are your gloves? I'll grab them while I'm inside." Cam asked, shutting the door slightly so she wouldn't get cold. He listened while she told him, but when his eyes glazed a bit at her directions, Jennifer just shook her head.
"It'll be easier- and quicker- if I just get them. I'll go in with you."
Cameron tried to change her mind, but eventually came around to help her out of the car. Wrapping and arm around her shoulders, he walked slowly to the door and pulled out his set of keys to her house. Unlocking the door, he pushed it slightly open and let her walk in first.
The darkened house lit up the moment she walked in. Confused, she looked over to find Juliet grinning at her a few feet away.
"Merry Christmas, Jen," Juliet said with a huge grin on her face.
"What?" she gasped, embracing her cousin, then hearing a noise to her left. Sitting all stretched out at an elegantly set long table, from the living room to the kitchen, were at least twenty people.
Jennifer's hands started to shake from the surprise. Cameron gently pushed her in so that she could see the rest of the crowd at the table.
Half of the people were from Atlantis- Ronon, John, Teyla, Torren, Marie, and several other nurses from her previous staff. Across from them were Cameron's parents, his brother and his family, and Juliet's husband. And at the far end of the table sat Jennifer's staff, including Jeff at Anna's side, Samantha, and sitting next to her was a grinning General O'Neill.
Still in shock, everyone watched her in amusement as they laughed and called out "Merry Christmas."
And then General Landry walked in from the kitchen, ushering in Carolyn Lam. Both were holding huge platters of sliced ham and turkey from the oven.
Jennifer's eyes began to dry out as she tried to keep them open to take in everything. Shaking her head, she walked close to the table, giving hugs to everyone who was sitting in her house.
At one point, she finally looked back at Cameron.
"Merry Christmas," he whispered, squeezing her hand and motioning for her to take off her coat. "I thought I'd make our first official Christmas together special by having our friends and family all in one spot."
Tearing up, she nodded, finally understanding what he'd been up to the last few days. Cupping his face, she gave him a lingering kiss, barely hearing the whistles and claps going around from the onlookers at the table.
Each of them made their way down the table, greeting everyone with hugs, handshakes, and several kisses on the cheek.
"Folks," Cameron smiled. "I'm going to steal her away to let her catch her breath for one minute. Start passing around the food. We'll be in the kitchen."
Ronon stopped him, patted him on his shoulder, and Cameron felt something drop into his pocket as he ushered her into the kitchen. Sending him an appreciative look, he shut the door behind them.
Now empty trays that the catering company had delivered sat nearly on her island near the middle of the kitchen. Turning to her, Cameron sat her down at the table.
"So you were surprised?" he asked, kneeling down in front of her.
"Ah, yes," she laughed, clenching her hand over hIs. "I can't believe you planned all of that for me. My heart is still pounding from the surprise."
"Well, I have one more for you," he said, looking into her eyes. "I asked Ronon to help me with it."
Cameron dropped his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out the small box.
Jennifer grew still, darting a glance from him to the object in his hand. Nervous, he opened it and watched her face as her eyes grew round.
Nestled inside was a gold ring, with a sparkling round diamond that was surrounded by two smaller gems. The color of the jewels made Jennifer look closer.
"Cam," she breathed. "I recognize those. Are they from-"
Cameron nodded. "Pegasus. Ronon was kind enough to help me find someone who'd be able to set them into the ring. The band was my grandmother's. The ring came to me, but I gave the emerald to my brother to keep. I thought it would be more fitting to have a diamond in yours. When I told Maggie about the idea, she suggested using the diamond from your mother's ring . I wasn't sure if you'd mind, but she said you'd been debating about making it into a necklace but hadn't decided. And then I had the idea of getting Ronon to find a stone from Pegasus to put in it. And by the way, that was a little bit of red tape to cut through before it got cleared."
Looking at her closely, he began to sweat. The fact that she hadn't jumped up, horrified, gave him some confidence, but knowing she hadn't made the connection fully yet, he took a deep breath.
"Jen," he began slowly. "I probably should be asking you this in a romantic place... like Paris or something. And I know we've only been together for a year. But I know in my heart that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I've never been this happy in all my life. And I'm just hoping that you'll consider me as a husband."
Her eyes began to tear up, making him more nervous. Instead of stopping, he continued on.
"It won't be perfect. You understand the risks of the job. Life will be unpredictable. But I can't imagine my future without you in it."
Jennifer smile through her tears, shaking her head.
"You haven't asked yet," she said softly.
Taking another breath, he clenched her hands, leaving the ring in her lap. "Marry me, Jen. I swear I'll try to be the best husband I can possibly be."
Jennifer laughed through her tears. "You're already more than I could've ever wished for."
Cameron narrowed his eyes. "That's not a clear enough answer."
"Yes," she blurted out, wrapping her arms around his shoulder.
Feeling relieved, he cupped her face and kiss her. "Now, let's make sure it fits."
Jennifer slipped the ring on, looking down in amazement. "It fits. In more ways that one. You put a lot of thought into this."
He fingered the ring, looking at it for the first time since Ronon had the gems put into the empty setting prongs. "I figured it would be more special if it represented everything- our family, your life in Pegasus..."
Jennifer couldn't help the tears from coming. "It's perfect."
Together, hand in hand, they emerged from the kitchen. Everyone had begun eating.
Clearing his throat, Cameron stood next to Jennifer at the foot of the table.
"Everyone," he began. "Jennifer and I are grateful that you were all able to make it out here tonight. It means a lot having everyone we care about under one roof."
Looking at Jennifer, she grinned in response.
"And I couldn't have been more surprised that Cam had arranged all of this," she said, beginning to blush.
Cameron wrapped his arm around her, grinning a wide smile. "And I also just gave her another surprise in the kitchen. Unless any of you have an objection, Jennifer's agreed to marry me."
Applause and yells erupted from the table.
"Well, now. It's about time," General O'Neill grinned, slapping Cameron on the arm and kissing Jennifer on the cheek.
Cameron just caught the General's eye and gave him a knowing grin.
"Sir, I'll just say 'thank you' and leave it at that," Cameron replied, watching O'Neill give him a confused look.
Hugs and congratulations went on for hours as Jennifer and Cameron's group of friends and family celebrated both the holidays and to new beginnings.
"So," Sheppard said to Cameron later. "When's the wedding?"
Cameron shook his head. "One step at a time, Sheppard."
Sheppard leaned back on the kitchen counter.
"You know, she'll need someone to walk her down the aisle," Sheppard noted.
"Still watching over your former CMO, Sheppard," Cameron asked, but with a smile. "I've thought about that, actually."
"Yeah, well," Sheppard said. "It's going to be another hard time for her. First the holidays without him..."
"Are you volunteering?" Cameron asked, chuckling when Sheppard's eyes flew wide open.
"Uh..." Sheppard said. "I doubt she'd pick me out of everyone for that. I mean... that's a big deal."
Cameron shrugged. "She looks up to you. Respects you. You made quite an impact on her on Atlantis. Especially when you took care of her when she got news about her dad."
Sheppard shrugged. "Anyone would've done the same. Especially anyone who's been through the same thing. But getting back to the subject... I mean, she's got a lot of people she'd ask before me. General Landry. That uncle out west of hers. Heck, most of the men from Atlantis, too."
"Well, we'll see who she picks," Cameron said. "Doesn't matter who she picks. She's going to look amazing walking down that aisle."
At that moment, Jennifer walked in. Sheppard grinned at her.
"Your fiance is already planning the wedding," Sheppard warned. "You better get in here before he plans the entire day."
Jennifer laughed, reaching up and kissing Cam on the cheek. "Doesn't matter to me. I'm not picky. I just want something casual... outside on a nice spring day. With all of our friends and family that can possibly make it."
Turning to Sheppard, she hooked her arms through Cameron's. "Do you think we can time it so that a few of you can come back for it? It'd mean a lot to me."
Cameron had to hold back a laugh. Sheppard looked as if he'd say anything to her to make her happy.
"Count on it," Sheppard promised. "Give me a list of who you want there and I'll do my best to make it happen. But try to time it around a Wraith attack, will ya?"
Jennifer shook her head. "I'll do my best."
Five months later, Jennifer stood around the corner of the garden back in her hometown of Chippewa Falls. Just a few steps away, there were just under one hundred white chairs sitting with their closest friends, family, and coworkers.
Foliage and flowers burst out of every corner of the garden. Taking a deep breath of the bouquet she held, she sighed.
"Happy?" her uncle asked her.
"Incredibly," Jennifer answered, giving him a big smile. "I wish my dad could've seen it. But Cameron told me he'd asked my father permission to marry him that day he passed away. At least he knew Cameron was aiming at asking me eventually."
Sheppard turned from around the corner. "All right. We have a go."
Jennifer rolled her eyes. "You did not just say that."
Grinning, he offered her his arm. "Sorry. Forgot I'm off duty today."
"Yes, and you have a very important job," Jennifer reminded him.
Jennifer looped her arm through her uncle's. Together, with both men at her side, she began her walk down the rock stepping stones that led to Cameron.
And when Cameron saw her coming toward her, he smiled wider than she'd ever seen him smile.
Sheppard, always the comedian, whispered down to her.
"Are you sure about him? Because there's a few men in Pegasus that would definitely interest you."
Jennifer nudged his shoulder.
"Absolutely not," Jennifer murmured. "I found my home. Here on Earth."