A/N: I struggled a lot with this chapter because I even think it's a bit corny, and I know Elliott and Cassie act way too old for their age but I'm blaming it on their childhoods or lack thereof.


Christmas Eve was upon the group and Jack had invited everyone to his house and invited Michelle's husband as well but it was his holiday on-call at the hospital.

Sam had told Jack that they didn't need that much food, but Chinese on Christmas Eve had always been old SG-1s thing and Jack wasn't changing it now. He had ordered a spread of taking out her laid out buffet-style on the table. He had also made a special trip to Reddy's and bought 2 cakes a pie and an assortment of cookies.

Jack had encouraged Elliott to attempt to reach out to his parents on the holidays but his calls and messaged went unanswered and Jack felt bad for talking him into it to begin with. One of his brothers did call him back though and they seemed to catch up, and Elliott seemed to be in a better mood after that.

Janet was also stuck on Christmas Eve working at the base but promised to be there as soon as she got off. Cassie had been staying with Jack for the last few days, but going home that night.

The tree was stuffed with gifts mostly to Cassie but there were also things for Elliott and everyone else invited to the place. They usually never bought anything expensive and Jack had clued Robert in as well as Michelle. Robert was still dawning a cast on his whole arm and a sling, but he was feeling better and Jack was happy for him.

Robert was glad that after a few months he was so easily welcomed into their group, and although he loved his former SG-2 members this seemed different, this seemed like a family. He loved being a part of it.

When Janet showed up at 7 pm, the group of 8 had already eaten but there was plenty for her as well. Even though it was technically Sam's turn to pick out a movie she had asked Elliott to do the honors and he shared his favorite Christmas movie Jingle All the Way.

The group laughed at the movie and everyone was cheery. Jack had turned on Christmas music and built a fire in his rarely-used fireplace.

"Go ahead, Cass," Jack claimed and showed her the tree, why don't you pass out the gifts.

Cassie smiled and looked around passing out the gifts. She hadn't gotten to know Michelle and Robert yet but she knew that soon enough it would be Aunt Michelle and Uncle Robert. Cassie ignored the gifts that would be opened tomorrow at Jack's house. She and Janet would be back tomorrow afternoon.

The group opened their gifts of socks, wine, and beer. Jack got a cake of the month club. Daniel had given Cassie a book he had overheard her wanting.

She squealed in delight when she opened it up.

"I've wanted this for so long!" Cassie claimed.

It was a special order she hadn't found the money for and it was rarely and hard to find.

"You spoil her Danny," Jack said jokingly.

Jack smiled.

The group then relaxed with hot chocolate before slowly parting ways.

Daniel was back at his apartment. Sam had insisted Teal'c stay with one of them, and he agreed to go Daniel's.

Janet and Cassie went home.

"I'll see you in the afternoon," Cassie claimed and kissed Elliott goodnight.


Christmas morning came, Sam was relishing the warmth of Jack O'Neill beside her. She pushed herself into him finding more warmth, and he let out noise before pulling her close and falling back asleep.

Sam smiled and laid there thinking about the past several months. This was more than she could ask for a perfect Christmas gift. She hated the fact that she had to leave tonight and pack to go to Mark's. She wanted to see the kids but she wished that Jack was going with her. She felt much better when he was around. She closed her eyes knowing she wouldn't go back to sleep but just laying her next to Jack was more than enough.

About 45 minutes later Jack stirred and Sam smiled turning over kissing his lips.

"Merry Christmas," Sam claimed.

"Merry Christmas," Jack started kissing her lips again.

"Can't we just stay in bed today?" Jack asked.

Sam smiled.

"You wish. Don't know if Cassie and Janet would be excited to just be standing in the bedroom to visit.

"I guess you're right," Jack claimed and rolled over and stretched.

"You coming?" Jack asked.

"Where?" Sam asked.

"To shower," Jack claimed like it was obvious.

"It's the perfect gift," Jack said again.

Sam smiled.

She followed Jack into the shower.


It was still early, and they weren't sure if Elliott would be up yet. Jack wanted to make Christmas special despite the lack of his parents.

Jack made it to the kitchen to see that Elliott was not up, and he smiled as he warmed up pie for breakfast.

Sam had taken a little longer to get dressed and came down as she saw him put the pies in the oven.

"You're kidding," Sam claimed.

"It's pie sweets for Christmas breakfast is tradition," Jack claimed.

Sam rolled her eyes but kissed his lips anyways.

After what they just did in the showers Sam was a little surprised when Jack pulled her back in and could feel the stiffness in his pants. Sam dared to put her hands over the crotch of his pants.

"Later," Sam claimed.

Jack knew now was not the time, but it felt good and the two stayed close to each other.

They heard Elliott coming down the steps and took a small step back still close to one another.

"Merry Christmas," Jack stated.

Elliott gave him a sad smile. Jack knew he was hurting.

"We're having pie," Sam stated.

Elliott laughed.

The three of them sat at the table enjoying pie with ice-cream and whipped cream.

Cassie and Janet were set to be there around 1 pm and Elliott and Jack were the ones cooking.

Elliott was hesitant to sit around the tree with Sam and Jack, they didn't make him uncomfortable, he knew that it was the first Christmas for them together, and he wanted them to have their time too but it seemed it was all for not when he suggested it.

Sam and Jack hadn't really discussed gifts. Sam had handed his gift to him first. He opened it and she smiled as he eyeballed it. "It's perfect," Jack claimed.

The sun filter for the telescope he had never bought was in his hands. Today unfortunately was not the day, despite being in Colorado in December the cloudy day wasn't producing snow, it was raining with no end in sight.

Jack handed Sam her gift, and she lit up as soon as she saw it.

"Jack, I've been wanting to go forever!" Sam said excitedly.

He had gotten them tickets see her favorite play, in Denver in March.

"I was hoping we could take that vacation we keep putting off. General Hammond gave us two weeks." Jack claimed.

Sam smiled at him.

"Sounds perfect," Sam admitted.

Jack tossed a gift Elliott's way, and he opened up it was a CD he had been wanting but hadn't bought for himself. Jack then handed him another present.

It wasn't really heavy but Elliott had no clue what it could be. He tore the paper away, to a new laptop.

"I can't accept this," Elliott claimed.

"You can and you will it's from me and Sam, you're going to need it for your college classes.

"Thanks!" Elliot claimed, and hugged both Sam and Jack, and took the electronic out of it's box.


Cassie and Janet arrived at the front door Christmas packages in hand.

Jack smiled and hugged Cassie tight.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Jack claimed.

Cassie smiled at her dad and hugged him. She was excited to spend the day there, especially with Elliott.

Elliot held her close and felt excited and nervous all at once. He wasn't sure how her gift would go over. He had thought about it for a long time. He had even questioned if he should ask Jack but decided not to second guess it.

When it was time for Cassie and Elliott to exchange gifts he opened his first and it was so thoughtful but funny at the same time. Cassie had found a white dog to match his brown so it could have a friend. Elliott loved it instantly.

When Elliott gave Cassie her gift she opened it and it was a small notebook when she looked at him confused she opened the notebook and found it to be filled with his words.

She looked at him oddly and he smiled as she began reading the notebook to herself.

Cass,

I know it's been less than a year since we first started dating, and I know we've both been in relationships before but you're the first one that every time I see you my breath is taken away. Every time I touch you I feel the goosebumps and I never want it to end. The past few months have been the oddest in my life and I can never repay you for talking your dad into letting me stay here. You're an angel. I thought for a really long time about what I should get you for Christmas and every time it has always come back to one thing, but I thought it was too much too soon. I want you to know how much I love you but I also want you to realize how quickly our worlds will be changing, with and without each other. Before you know it, I will be off to college and there will plenty of time for you to forget about me. I'm not saying you will but, there will be a lot more time where I'm not around and I physically hurt when I think about the fact I won't see you almost every day, that I won't be there to sit with you at lunch or help you with your homework. I won't be in the room next to you at your dad's. I've decided to go to Colorado State and Major in Geology, it has a great program and I'm not too far from home, because this is the closest thing I have to home. The back of this notebook has your gift but before you turn to find it, I want you first to know what this gift is not. It's not an expectation, I don't want you to think that this changes anything and I want you to know that this is a gift is a reminder that I care. This is not a promise, I don't want us to have promises we can't keep. This isn't a certainty, things change every day but this is a gift for you, forever. I don't know what will happen tomorrow but I know that you will always be my first true love, and even if it fades and we fall away I want you to remember what you mean to me. I love you and I care for you more than I can put into words. I hope this gift puts a smile on your face. Merry Christmas.

The next page is blank, and Cassie turns another page to find that the pages have been cut out in the middle and in was a ring. A thin ring that looked like flowers laying on their side with tiny gemstones as the blossom. Cassie had tears streaming down her face.

"Elliott!" She squealed.

"It's beautiful thank you so much. I love you." Cassie said and kissed his lips slowly. She didn't care that her mom and dad and aunt Sam were watching but they were very curious about what had gotten the girl so emotional. She slipped the ring on her finger and Jack visibly paled and Janet and Sam both looked nervously at each other.

"Have you told them your decision?" Cassie asked.

"No, I wanted you to be the first to know," Elliott claimed.

"I'm going to Colorado State and Majoring in Geology." Elliott smiled.

"Congratulations." Sam got out.

"So now let's see that gift," Janet claimed.

Cassie took showed her mom the ring and she and Sam owed and awed, and even Jack admitted it was pretty. The relief of it not being a diamond engagement ring flooded through him, not that he thought Elliott would be stupid enough to do that, but then again he had some hair-brained ideas at 18.

With the five of them together they enjoyed the day watching Christmas movies on TV and talking about the future. Sam was convinced that the this was the best year ever and the next year could only get better.