Chapter Twenty-Nine

Two days later, Samantha Carter left the Milky Way galaxy. She left with a sense of peace, knowing that the war that had her preoccupied for that last two years was one hundred percent over and she could fully focus on the new one she was about to step into. She left knowing her friends would be alright. It had been a hard two years but they could now start to heal, especially Vala, and that's all Sam cared about. Before she left, she promised to be back sometime after the baby was born and made Daniel and Vala swear to send her as many updates on Elam as possible. All she asked for in return was for them to take care of Jack. Though her secret husband understood and supported her decision completely, being in a different galaxy was entirely different than being in a different State.

True to their word, Daniel and Vala made sure to include Jack in as many things as they could without him getting suspicious. Jack was at their house almost every weekend since Sam's departure and though the man could be tiring, the small family wouldn't have it any other way.

Summer quickly came to a close and before they knew it, Elam was starting school. They had spent that past month and a half preparing him for it, and in an academic way. Daniel and Vala had clearly expressed that he was never to mention the Stargate program or his time aboard the Odyssey; they had even went as far as to come up with a legitimate story about why he wasn't used to the outside world. After that first day at the park, Vala had confessed that she blurted out certain information without thinking, but luckily, the woman had thought Elam had simply been very ill for his first few years of life.

"Well, it would make sense to everyone if we told them he was," Daniel had said, "We'll can get Carolyn to give us a medical history for him that would fit, and we'll have to explain it to his teacher as well."

"Why?" she asked, still not a hundred percent what the Tau'ri school system entailed.

"Elam's bound to say or do something odd and maybe even slip up; if his teacher knew the circumstances, we could chalk it up to his overactive imagination he development during years of being stuck inside. It would explain why he doesn't what certain thing are or do."

"I suppose it makes sense," she conceded, "I just hate having him lie."

Daniel took a seat next to her on their bed. "I know, I do too," he told her, taking her hand, "but it's a necessary evil."

"I don't like it when you're right," she remarked with a smile.

Daniel chuckled and rose from the bed. "I know you don't," he smirked and took off his shirt. "I'm gonna go for a quick run, be back soon," he leaned down to kiss her and she capture his face, not releasing it.

At his puzzled expression, she gave him a stern look. "Put your shirt back on," she ordered.

"Why?" he dragged out.

"Too many women have the opportunity to ogle you," she told him, "You're mine and I rather they didn't."

His smirk was back. "So we're possessive today," he said, amused, "and maybe with a touch of irrational. Vala, I highly doubt women ogle me when I run."

"I am not being possessive…well, maybe just a bit, but I can say with certainty that I'm not irrational and it's not the hormones this time," she defended herself, "Do you know how many women have gone on and on about you at the park before they realized you're my husband?"

"We're not married yet," he corrected.

"Semantics," she brushed off, "The point is, put on your bloody shirt; only I get to see this," she told him as she ran a hand over his bare chest.

Still amused, he did as ordered. "Better?"

"Much."

"I still think you're blowing it out of proportion," he said, "I'm a hardcore nerd and last I knew, women weren't into that."

"Nerds are the new sexy," she quipped, "We're surrounded by many single mothers and women with absent husbands. You're appealing to them since you're more than a provider, you're a present father and husband who's actively involved. The fact that you are sexy as hell doesn't hurt."

Daniel nearly blushed. "If you say so," he conceded, "Now, if my attire satisfies you, I'm off," he kissed her again, "Love you."

"Love you too," she echoed.

And Daniel never ran without a shirt on again.

By the time Elam started school, he had his cover story down. His parents apologized profusely that he had to lie and repeatedly told him this was the only time that lying was ever allowed. The first month of school was bumpy since he felt so out of place, but once September rolled in, he was just like any other normal kid. When people said kids are resilient and adapt well, they weren't kidding.

o0o

In the beginning of October, and only four months after she left, Sam was summoned back to the Milky Way by the powers that be. She was only here for a few days but was able to negotiate for an extra day or two. From the moment she found out Sam was coming back, Vala dove into planning a small ceremony with only their closets friends, who happened to be their family as well. Thanks to the few days heads up Vala received from Sam, Vala was able to make sure everyone was able to make it.

Vala had called Jack, told him they would be using his cabin, and that he was required to be there Friday, the 12th, and if he could pull some strings so they could use the Asgard beams to get there instead of flying or driving. Jack hadn't even blinked and promised he was on it.

Her next stop was Carolyn. She had but all dragged the doctor out of the infirmary to pick out something simple to wear and some dresses for her and Sam to wear– again, nothing crazy, just simple. Luckily, Vala knew Sam's dress and shoe size. She didn't worry about the guys, only picking out ties that matched the dressed the bride's maids would wear. They all had a suit that would work. She did grab something for Elam since he hadn't needed anything semi formal since arriving on Earth.

The Thursday night before the wedding, after she had put Elam to bed, Vala was packing for the trip while listing off instructions for Daniel. "And don't forget tomorrow is Fun Friday and they tend to go over, but he won't have any homework; just don't be late to pick him up. Oh, and text me before the Odyssey beams you guys over."

"Vala, I know how to take care of our son," he said, watching her as moved around the room and added stuff to the growing pile of things. "Why can't we all just go together? Why do you need to go earlier? We can set everything up before Saturday."

"Forgive me for wanting our wedding to be special," she said, feigning hurt, "It's not like I'm going alone. Teal'c will be there and can help with most of it."

"It just feels like you're rushing this," he cautiously stated, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Vala dropped the clothes she held and fully faced him. "Do you not want to get married?"

"Don't do that," he ordered softly, "I'd marry you anytime, anywhere, you know that."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I just need to know that this is what you really want for our wedding," he replied, "I never pictured you'd want the small, intimate type wedding, and I don't want you to regret anything."

She sat on the edge of their bed, rubbing her hand across her expanded belly. "I want to marry you, Daniel," she said earnestly, "and I don't care about a big fancy wedding. I may have at one time, but now, I just want to be your wife. Life is too short and I don't want to wait anymore."

Daniel sat beside her and took her hand. "You sure?"

"Positive," she assured him, "Besides, at almost six months along, the last thing I want is a big wedding with people staring at my huge stomach."

"You're not huge," he immediately contradicted, "you're actually on the smaller side. Was it like this with Adria?" he asked carefully.

After her death, Vala had started to heal from it and would mention her every now and then, especially when it came to the pregnancy, often comparing it to her first one. While she could handle it now, Daniel was still always cautious when he mentioned her.

Vala snorted. "No, I was much bigger with her," she answered, "Not so sure why this one is smaller."

"Well, at least you both are healthy."

She squeezed his hand before standing. "C'mon, help me finish packing."

o0o

Despite her advanced stage of pregnancy, it didn't stop her and Teal'c from decking out the house and the small dock, where she and Daniel would be saying their vows, with what felt like thousands of twinkle lights; the lights reminded her of twinkling stars and that's where she had met Daniel, among the stars. The outside was finished, ready for tomorrow's ceremony, and by the time everyone started showing up, they were putting the finishing touches on the inside.

"Is it prom and no one told be about it?" Mitchell asked as he took in the newly decorated cabin.

"I'll admit, it's a bit juvenile," Vala relented, hanging up one of the last stars from the ceiling, "but I didn't have a lot of time to come up with something better."

"It is a theme wedding?" Mitchell continued to question.

Carolyn wacked him on the back of the head and shot him a glare. "It's lovely, Vala."

"I'm just gonna assume Teal'c did most of the ceiling decorations and you did not get up on that ladder," Daniel said as he walked into the cabin.

"Of course he did," Daniel pierced her with a look and she sighed, "Mostly anyways. I swear I did almost none of it!"

He sighed went to hug her. "Despite its slightly prom feeling, it's beautiful," he told her and gave her a small kiss. "Missed you today."

She smiled back. "I missed you too, though we've only been separated for like eight hours," she teased, "Where's Elam?"

Daniel jerked his head towards the outside. "Jack's teaching him how to fish."

"You were all just beamed here, how is he fishing already?"

"Jack's got skills," he told her and looked around again, "So, stars, twinkle lights, and a few random crescent moons; I'm guessing you had space in mind?"

Vala nodded and her hands went behind his neck. "It's where we met," she said, "it's where we began, where our family began, and where our children were conceived."

Daniel leaned down to kiss her once more. "It's perfect."

The next day, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran were married on a brisk October afternoon, surrounded by those they called family.

It had been a long road to this moment. They both had faced a great many challenges before meeting and even more once they did, but through every trial, they some how were able to find each other. Life had left them scarred, so scarred in some ways that they both never thought they could get past it, but they did and all it took was them meeting. It was a long process to get to this moment; they both needed time, but in the end, the wait was more than worth it, just look at what it gave them, what the product of time ended up being.

Two people, who claimed to be broken, seemed to become whole once they came together. And what a life they were about to begin.

o0o

"Oh, Daniel," Vala breathed, "look at him. Isn't that the most precious thing you'd ever seen?"

Daniel shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh," he teased before he pulled her closer to him, "Kidding. Yes, the sight of our son holding our newborn daughter as they both sleep is probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I've been to hundreds of planets and four different galaxies and nothing else measures up to this."

There was a short pause to admire the scene in front of them.

"Avalon," she said randomly, not looking away from her children.

"No," he instantly denied, "Anna."

"Too boring," she dismissed, "Camelot."

"Okay, now you're just messing with me."

Vala giggled. "Sorry, couldn't help it."

"Though I do like the idea of naming her after someone or something meaningful and significant."

"I assume Samantha and Carolyn are a no?"

"Yeah, maybe not after someone who's still alive," he agreed, "What was your mother's name?"

Vala crinkled her nose. "Morna," she replied, "and I'd rather not. As much as I loved her, her name is a bit…dreary. Yours?"

"It was Claire," he responded, "but I really don't think it works for her; she's not a Claire."

"Hmm," Vala pondered, "Georgiana? I know General Hammond is still alive, but he's not around all the time."

"Still not right," he rejected and tried to think of a name that would work for his daughter. "Elsie," he suddenly said.

"Elsie?" Vala repeated, intrigued.

"My grandma's name," he explained, "Grandpa Nick's wife. You're wearing her ring."

Vala lifted the ring from the chain around her neck and gently stroked it. "Elsie," she repeated, testing the name once more, "I like it. Elsie Jackson."

"Yeah?" he asked, surprised she went for it.

"Yeah, it's perfect for her," she said, "Now, all we have to do is decide whether her second name will be Camille or Michelle."

Daniel pulled away from her so he could see her face. "Why only those two names?"

"Please, we both know Jack's is going to be her godfather and Mitchell will be all hurt and offended by it so if her second name is after him, it'll soften the blow. I know we could use Cameron as a middle name but I don't like it, no offense to Cam, so Camille is the replacement for it," she explained, "Besides, Jack's name does not work as a middle name."

"No arguing there," he agreed, "although I think he'd rather have her be named after him."

"Too bad," she retorted, "Now, I'm leaning more towards Camille, you?"

"Elsie Camille Jackson," Daniel murmured, "I think it's perfect; she's perfect."

"So, we finally picked a name?" she asked, "No take backs?"

"No take backs," he promised. He carefully leaned forward and grabbed the sleeping infant from her brother's grasp. He settled the baby between him and Vala. "Welcome to the universe Elsie Camille Jackson."

"It's a crazy place, our universe," Vala chimed in, "but it's full of amazing things and wonderful people."

"But you'll never want for adventure," Daniel added.

Vala turned to Daniel and said, "Let the adventure begin."

The End.

o0o

Author's Note: *takes a bow* Thank you all for reading! Thank you to those who followed it, favorited the story, and left reviews/feedback for me! It all means more than I can ever express in words! Would you believe that I had originally intended this to be a short one?

I am working on another one (well a few actually) and it might be a few minutes before another is published so bear with me people! I hope you'll come back to read the next one.

Please let me know your final thoughts and feedback on how I can improve as a writer!