A/N: And here we go for the next part! There's one more chapter after this, and then we are done! It feels so strange that the story is finally over, but I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as we did.
All credit of course goes to the amazing Demetra83! One more reference to the original series, I couldn't help myself! It's a tiny one though, but if you want to find it, think... yellow!
Aaaand... let's go!
Chapter 54 – Festivities
Reynolds choked on his fruit juice.
"Excuse me? She's married?"
"Yes, she's a stealthy one, this young lady," Hammond said, taking his cue from Jack. "In any case, she always used to tell her Dad she'd marry a Major General, like him."
"She... She's married to a General? But... but to whom? Since when?"
Everybody was confused as to the ambiguous relationship linking the two officers. The small group, formed by SG-3 and the two Generals, had grown, and everyone was hanging onto every word Jack said. He seemed to know quite a lot about the Colonel's private life. Daniel and Teal'c were observing in silence, along with Janet, mystified as to Jack's true intentions.
"Then what have you been playing at since you've been here?" Reynolds asked.
"It was to keep Carter safe."
"Wait Jack, I know what I saw in your office the other day!"
Hammond raised an eyebrow along with Teal'c.
"I lent Carter my car," Jack calmly explained. "Nothing to get all worked up about, huh?"
Jack signaled Sam to come over.
"Carter, please allow me," Jack said, approaching Sam. He pulled on her ball chain, dislodged her dogtags and wedding ring and showed Reynolds the gold ring.
"See, she's wearing her wedding ring 'round her neck."
"General, Sir?" Sam queried, surprised.
"I just told Reynolds you were married to a Major General."
"Oh, I see," Sam blushed.
"Have you been married long Carter?" Reynolds asked.
"Ten years today."
"Today?" Hammond enquired, stunned.
The whole room was shocked at Sam's confession.
"You should be spending the day with your husband, rather than hanging out with your colleagues!" Reynolds exclaimed.
"Oh, but I am..." Sam mysteriously said, before she made a beeline for the bathroom.
All eyes turned to Jack. There was no room left for doubt any longer. When Sam came back, it was just as if she'd parted the Red Sea. The sea of bodies made way for her to easily approach Jack. He winked at her, but neither of them wanted to make a show of themselves. Jack's eyes were however attracted by a glint on Sam's hand; she had put her wedding ring back on.
"Shouldn't we call you Colonel O'Neill then?" Reynolds asked.
"Heck no, it's still Carter. There's already been a Colonel O'Neill at the SGC, I don't want to take a backseat to him," Sam laughed.
"I'd say it's rather you who puts him in the backseat!" Jack answered.
"I can't believe it, how could we have been so blind?"
"Erm, you know, I didn't see anything either, and I spent eight years by their side..." Daniel confessed, slightly ashamed.
Nobody believed him at the start; the whole base thought that if Jack and Sam shared this secret, then their SG-1 colleagues and friends would have been in on it. Teal'c declared he had always known but had kept the secret until a few weeks ago.
"And, pray tell, what do we owe this change in circumstances to?" Hammond asked, suddenly stung.
Jack glanced at Sam, and with her tacit agreement, confessed the truth.
"Colonel Carter and myself are expecting a joyous occasion, that's why I won't ask her out, no alcohol allowed!"
Reynolds congratulated the parents-to-be with a friendly hug.
"Good, can I unbutton my jacket now, Sir?" Sam asked, starting to feel constrained in her uniform.
"Of course, go ahead Carter."
"Is that what you're playing at when it's just the two of you?" Wallace sneered.
"May I remind you you're talking to a General and a Colonel? Show some respect, Captain!" Hammond snapped.
He'd read the report Jack had sent him regarding this so-called officer. He abhorred disrespecting behavior in general, but especially if it had to do with his goddaughter in any way, shape or form.
The rest of the day went on in a similar satisfied mood, and if most of the personnel went back to their respective duties, a few of the highest-ranking officers and civilians went up to the briefing room with SG-1 and General Hammond. They sat around the table and talked in a relaxed atmosphere.
The O'Neill couple was aware they were at the center of everyone's attention, but there would be no change made to their work habits as far as they were concerned. They would simply have no longer the need to hide, or arrive in separate cars at different times, or invent a reason to see each other, etc. They did not however intend to make any public display of affection. Jack elaborated on his thought out loud.
"Hey, don't look at me, I'm not going to dip her in my arms and kiss her!"
"You won't?" Sam pouted, disappointed.
Everyone laughed at look Jack gave her. Hammond gave them the rest of the day so that they could enjoy the rest of their anniversary together.
Sam had a bath as Jack pondered as to where they could go to celebrate this second date for their anniversary. His wife came out of the bathroom, wearing a gray silk kimono, her hair still damp. She put a hand on Jack's upper back, standing behind him as he was focused on his laptop screen. He sniffed the pleasant scent emanating from Sam's body.
"I love this bubble bath..." he smiled before turning away from the screen.
He froze.
"What?" Sam enquired, raking a hand through her hair.
Jack got up, his gaze unwavering. He thought her absolutely stunning in this garment. The kimono was short, and barely covered the young woman's derrière, uncovering her endless legs.
"What would you say to staying in tonight and ordering some takeout?" Jack asked, unbelting Sam's kimono.
Sam nodded with a dazzling smile on her face; the couple partook in their own night-long festivities, celebrating the General's promotion, their ten-years wedding anniversary and the confession of their secret.
A/N2: Well, we're nearly there! Epilog up next, stay tuned...
