Chapter Twenty-Five

The moment they walked through the house, Vala knew it was perfect. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, nice updated kitchen/living room, a good size backyard, and an unfinished basement to store all of Daniel's 'priceless artifacts,' and that wasn't even mentioning its location – close to the good school Daniel wanted for Elam, parks nearby, and only one block away from a certain blonde Colonel.

Again, perfect, and she had that particular blonde Colonel to thank for it.

The day after they had told everyone about the pregnancy, Sam had mentioned that a house was for sale down the street from her and hinted that it would be perfect for them. Sam could be there to help out with the kids whenever she was available, and Vala could sneak away whenever she needed a moment to herself or some girl time. While Daniel liked the location, he was a little skeptical on the size, which Vala didn't get.

When she asked him about it, he shrugged and said, "It only has three bedrooms."

"Only three?" she repeated, "Why would we need more?"

He shrugged again. "In case we ever decide to…you know…expand our family again one day," he said sheepishly.

Vala stared at him, wide eyed, and a brow raised. "We're becoming parents to not one, but two children in the span of only one year, and you're thinking about adding on more children?"

"I'm not saying I want another one right away," he defended, "just maybe a few years down the road?"

She pinned him with a look. "I like the house, Daniel, and I'm not turning it down on the potential of more children," she stated firmly, "If we do have more, they can share rooms. There's certainly plenty of space for them to and that's not mentioning the basement."

Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, that would work," he agreed, "and if you really want to get it, we can."

Vala softened. "I want you to want it as well," she told him, "It's going to be our home and I want you to love our home just as much as I do."

Daniel cupped her cheek, rubbing it with his thumb. "I will," he promised her, "all I need is you and the kids there."

"Even if we stay in our current home?" she challenged teasingly.

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head at her. "Yes, even if we stay in our small, cramped home," he assured her.

Vala leaned in to kiss him. "It's really not fair for you to say shit like that," she chastised lightly, "Makes me a pile of goo on the inside."

"My evil plan," he said deadpanned before his face cracked a small smile.

She rolled her eyes at him and stepped out of his arms, moving around the empty house. "So, yes to the house?"

"Yes to the house," he agreed and laughed when she squealed and jumped into his arms, planting another kiss on him.

"I love you, my Daniel," she whispered against his lips.

"And I love you too, my fruitcake."

o0o

So they had gotten the house and within a week of buying it, they were moving into it. Daniel had their realtor negotiate for a quick closing, wanting to be able to get in and have everything set up before Vala got further into her pregnancy, and the seller agreed. The team, Jack, and Carolyn had all volunteered to help move in the bulk of the stuff from Daniel's old place and the new stuff they recently purchased for Elam and the new house. With everyone split up and their own task to complete, everything was moved in, though maybe not all unpacked.

The bedrooms and kitchen were the only rooms where everything was set up the first day, leaving the rest for Daniel and Vala to unpack. A good portion of it was all of Daniel's 'priceless artifacts' that they had dumped in the basement for him to take care of at a more leisure pace.

As a thank you to their friends/family, pizza was provided at the end of the day, though it did not serve as a housewarming party – at least that's what Mitchel claimed; he insisted on doing one next week when more of the house was finished. The man hadn't even asked, just stated that it was going to happen and that they'd all be there at 1700 hours sharp.

It was during dinner that Sam made her announcement. "I've been offered to lead the Atlantis expedition," she blurted out, causing all chatter to cease.

Everyone aside from Jack was surprised, but of course he knew; it was his job.

"Sam, that's…that's great," Daniel spoke first, both happy and deeply saddened at his friend's promotion.

"Congratulations, Samantha," Vala offered, forcing a smile.

"You are indeed most deserving of this command, Colonel Carter," Teal'c told her.

"You said 'offered,'" Mitchell pointed out, "but are you taking it?"

Sam glanced at each family member, lingering on Jack a little longer, who gave her a small smile. "They gave me until Monday to decide," she said carefully, "but I think I'm gonna take it."

Of course she was; it was a huge command, not to mention a big step in her career, and she would be a fool to decline it.

Daniel saw the woman he viewed as a sister struggle with her decision and wanted to help. "I can't think of anyone better to replace Dr. Weir than you," he told her earnestly, "You understand both aspects of the job, probably better than Weir since you're both a scientist and military. You're gonna do great."

"Well, of course she is," Vala chimed in, "Samantha excels at whatever she does. Atlantis is lucky to have her."

"I have to agree with Princess and Jackson," Mitchell said, giving Sam a small smile, "but that doesn't mean I don't hate losing you from SG-1; first Vala and now you. It's gonna be weird without the girls on the team."

"Indeed," Teal'c concurred.

There was a brief pause.

"Well, I know I'm only the doctor that you all avoid," Carolyn spoke, "but for what's it worth, I do agree with everyone else and let me offer you my congratulations, Colonel."

"Sam," she corrected.

"Sam," Carolyn agreed.

"Thank you, guys, for the support," Sam smiled sadly, "It means a lot, and I'm really going to miss you all."

Daniel got up from his seat and hugged her. "We're gonna miss you too," he whispered, tightening his hug.

Vala joined the hug, soon followed by everyone, even Jack and Carolyn.

It would suck without her, but change was a part of life and no matter how hard you tried to stop it from happening, it never would.

"Whys you all hugging?" Elam asked as he walked into the room.

Vala gestured for him to come over and added him to the group hug. "I'll explain later, darling."

o0o

"Hey, you okay?" Daniel asked, frowning in concern.

Vala waved him off as she left the bathroom. "Just my nightly routine since you jinxed me," she said sarcastically with a tight smile.

"No, I didn't mean the morning sickness."

"More like night sickness," she interjected.

He rolled his eyes. "I was talking about how quite you've been since everyone left," he said and grabbed her hand as she walked by him and pulled her to his lap. "I know it's about Sam. Do you wanna talk about it?"

Vala sighed and planted her hands on his chest. "What's there to talk about?" she asked, "Sam's leaving and that's that. I won't ask her to stay; I won't be that selfish."

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't want her to go either," he offered. "It'll be weird without her here."

"It will," she agreed, "She won't be here when the baby's born," she whispered.

Daniel smiled ruefully. "I know," he said gently, "but I'm sure she'll come and visit as soon as she can."

Vala sniffed and rubbed her head. "I know she will, but I also know she won't be able to visit often," she said, "So much is changing so fast, it's hard to keep up."

Daniel rubbed her arms, trying to offer some comfort. "It is," he didn't deny, "but things will settle down or we'll get into a good rhythm and it won't seem as chaotic."

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. "At least one thing will always be constant," she stated, "and dependable; something I can always count on."

Daniel raised his brows, questioning. "And what's that?"

She used her hands to bring his head closer. "You," she whispered, meeting his eyes, "your love, our love, and our family."

He gave her lips a quick peck and smiled. "You mean the family that is currently changing to add a new member?" he teased.

Vala smacked him at the back of the head. "You very well know what I meant," she said accusingly, "Why'd you have to go and ruin a lovely moment?"

Daniel gave a short laugh and tugged her closer to him. "I'm sorry," he apologized and kissed her, "But I do have to disagree with you; my love for you is not going to stay the same."

"Excuse me?" she bit out, glaring at him.

Tightening his grip so she couldn't escapes, he continued, "Since the day I fell in love with you, that love has only grown and it grows every day, so no, it's not going to stay the same, it's only gonna grow and won't stop until I'm dead; even then, it still may keep going."

Vala ignored his quip at the end. "Daniel Jackson, I never pictured you as a romantic," she murmured, "but I rest my case."

"Wow, is Vala Mal Doran really surrendering?" he said in mock surprise, "You're actually admitting defeat?"

She slapped his head again. "Be careful or I'll change my mind about letting you have your way with me."

"Well, we wouldn't want that," he turned her around to lower her to the bed, "As my apology, why don't I let you have your way with me instead?"

Vala flipped them over, settling on top of him. "I accept your apology," she said graciously before diving in.

o0o

Author's Note: So if you look at the dates for Ark of Truth and when Sam went to Atlantis, she left like right away. Technically, AOT came out after she had left so...

Sorry for the short chapter but it didn't flow with any of the others so yeah. Wrapping up and only a few to go, but some ends still need to be tied up.

Thoughts, please!