A/N: okay here it is. the final ending, the epilogue, hope y'all like! thanks for all the reviews and for sticking with it! and htanks to trickstersqueenofwar for betaing this

Epilogue

"ALISON MARIE O'NEILL!" Sam growled in frustration, hearing the little girl giggling from under the kitchen table. She got down onto all fours as best as her six month pregnant frame would let her and stared eye to eye with her three year old daughter.

"Alison, please come out. You know I don't have the patience for this." She reached under the table and pulled the little girl out.

"C'mon, Daddy should be home in a couple of hours-"

"DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!" Alison shouted jumping up and down.

"- and then Uncle Daniel and Uncle Sea will be by to pick up Corbin and Bailey. You want to play with them as much as you can before they have to go home don't you?"

Little Ali nodded her head vigorously and ran out of the kitchen, stopping at the doorway. "Cassie comin', Mommy?"

"Yes, honey. She should be here soon." Sam watched as her little girl ran into the little room to join her cousins, both just about her age.

Daniel and Janet had finally gotten married the year after the defeat of the Goa'uld and Cassie's last name had officially been changed to Jackson, though that wasn't to last long. About the same time Sam had found out she was pregnant with Alison, Janet had found out she and Daniel were expecting their first child. Corbin and Alison had been born within days of each other and Corbin's brother Connor only days ago, though he was home with his mother hopefully sleeping while Corbin was elsewhere.

Of course, Seamus and Sarah hadn't been far behind and their daughter, Bailey, their honeymoon baby, was only four months younger than her cousin, her brother Jaysin following just over a year later. Seamus had also become a grandfather twice over again as well, both Sean and Jenny welcoming little boys into their lives. Sean's son Matthew was a year and a half old, Jenny's son Eric was two.

Eleanor was enjoying her new grandchildren and great grandchildren, including Corbin, and Jack and Seamus were delighted to see their mother so happy. She spent most of her days watching the children with Sam and the younger woman definitely enjoyed the help, although on days when Eleanor had her Seniors' meetings, like today, it could get quite hectic in the O'Neill household.

Sam finished washing the plates she'd used to give the kids their afternoon snack and moved to the living room to keep an eye on the three youngsters. She sat down at the couch, picking up one of her scientific journals, hoping to catch up on some light reading while the children were actually being quiet. Sure, she missed working at the SGC full time and there were days she felt jealous of her husband and her team, but she really wouldn't trade any of this for the life they'd lived before. It was a decision she hadn't made lightly, but she loved being there for her children and the others.

Jaysin was taking a nap in what would soon be the nursery again and the three children were settled in the living room playing with the Brio trains set up on the train table Jack and Sea had built for Nate and the twins years ago.

The tabletop stood about two feet high, with solid arch base legs that could fold up to slide the table upright behind the couch to get it out of the way when company came over. The trains, the Duplos and the Legos that went on the table were the only toys allowed out of the downstairs game room, mostly so the adults could keep an eye on the kids during the day until they got older and they could trust them out of their sight.

"Hey!" Sam heard just as she turned the page on the current article she was reading. Sighing she closed the magazine and tossed it aside, looking down on the three just in time to see Alison pinch Corbin hard on the arm.

Corbin scrunched up his face, his dark blonde hair falling into his watery eyes, and he reached over, tugging hard on Ali's long, brown curls.

"Ow!" She punched him, hard and scowled at her friend, a look Sam had seen so many times on her father.

Corbin growled and tackled Ali, wrestling her into the carpet. Bailey's eyes grew wide as she shuffled away from them, her thumb going straight into her mouth. It was a habit Sea and Sarah had yet to break.

Just as Sam was about to work herself up off the couch, a loud voice rang out and the front door closed with a bang. "Okay you two! Break it up!" Cassie practically shouted. Oh, yeah. Jaysin wouldn't be sleeping much longer after that.

Cassie stormed into the living room and pulled Corbin off of Ali by the back straps of his overalls and tossed him gently onto the couch beside Sam. She picked up Ali and set her on the other side of her mother, perching on the edge of the train table.

"Thank you, Cassie," Sam said, looking at the young woman in front of her. "Now would either one of you like to tell us what that was all about?"

Both children looked down and their folded hands and shook their heads.

"Fine, you can both sit here while Cassie plays with Bailey and Jaysin."

"She pinched me fiwst!" Corbin yelled, pointing a finger at Ali.

"You stolded my shrain!"

Corbin stuck his tongue out at Ali, who stuck hers out back, her nose wrinkling up.

"Do I have to separate you two for the rest of the day?"

Corbin back down immediately. "No, Auntie Sam," he said shaking his head.

Ali, however, still fumed, her arms folded tightly over her chest. Sam rubbed her temples in frustration. "Just wait 'til your father gets home," she muttered.

Ali's eyes brightened and a huge smile broke out over her face. "Daddy?"

"Okay, maybe that wasn't such a threat," she muttered, looking over at Cassie's barely contained grin.

Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Cpt. Hailey had been off world for a week and had just gotten back late last night. Unfortunately, the team had to be back on base early that morning so none of the kids had seen their fathers yet.

Neither of the older women had noticed Bailey slip out of the room while Sam was talking to the older two. She returned, leading her younger brother by the hand, the little boy clutching "Cow-a-cow" in his pudgy little hand.

"Uh! Iza Cass!" He ran forward and threw his arms around the older girl. For some reason there were only two people Jaysin could stand being around right after his nap; his mother and Cassie. No one knew the reason behind his obsession, but at least he didn't throw a hissy fit if they weren't there when he woke up. Usually, if neither was available, he sat on the couch cuddling under his blanket with "Cow-a-cow."

Now that all the children were up and about, Sam couldn't wait for her husband to come home.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Jack stood outside his SUV, leaning against the vehicle, his arms crossed over his chest, and waited for the first of the munchkins to come running out the front doors of the school building. Daniel had already headed to his house to pick up Corbin, Sea and Sarah not far behind.

Jack watched the little bodies flow from the building, his eyes searching for the three little boys he was there to pick up. He spotted the two identical bright spikey, blonde heads walking together, both talking animatedly with each other and laughing at something the other had said. As they got closer, the other children started moving out of the way and he could tell which boy was whom. Jake still liked dark green or olive drab and Liam loved BDU blue.

He could tell the moment they realized who was waiting for them at the parent pick up spot. They stopped dead in their tracks, looked at each other as if trying to decide if he was real or not, and broke out into a run.

"Dad!" they both shouted at once, throwing themselves into his arms. He bent down to their level so their weight wouldn't throw his back out. He held them close and slyly kissed both their cheeks. They weren't quite old enough yet to feel embarrass or grossed out and Jack took full advantage of that any time he could. He remembered clearly the day Charlie had decided he was too old to hug his parents in front of his friends.

"Hey guys," he said smiling. "Where's your brother?"

He would have preferred to stand up, but both boys had perched upon his thighs, neither wanting to let their father out of their sight again, and his knees just couldn't handle him attempting to stand with both his five year old sons in his arms anymore. Not that his knees could really take their current position to well, either.

Jake and Liam each released their father by one arm and pointed back at the school. Jack could see one head of black hair walking dejectedly in their direction, head hung low. Obviously there was something wrong, something Jack just couldn't understand, it being the last day of the school year and all.

"Neal!" Jack shouted, setting the twins back on the ground. He waited for his son to register his voice. He hadn't seen them in so long, a week really was too much these days, and he couldn't wait to get home to see his little girl.

Neal looked up, and seeing his father standing there with Jake and Liam on either side of him, sped up his pace, though he didn't run and the expression on his face didn't change either.

"Hi, Dad," he said, his voice somewhat flat, though his eyes at least showed he was glad to see him.

Jack leaned down to hug him tightly. He'd have to find some way to find out just what was bothering the six year old. He stood back up and opened the door of the SUV, two carseats buckled into the far back seat, a booster in the middle row for Neal. He took the boys' backpacks from them and held the door as all three climbed in and buckled themselves into their appropriate harnesses.

The big Suburban wasn't something he normally would have thought about getting even just a few years ago, but their growing family had been the deciding factor in his willingness to get rid of his precious truck. Besides, it got about the same gas mileage and usually if they didn't have to take more than three kids any one place, they drove Sam's Saturn.

"Dad?" Neal asked, sounding just a bit apprehensive.

"What's up, Bud?" Jack looked at his son through the rearview mirror, their eyes connecting quickly before Jack's visual attention was back on the road.

"Am I 'dopted?"

Jack would have nearly slammed on the brakes if the three boys hadn't been with him. As it was he was startled by the question. It had never come up in the five years they'd had custody of Neal. They'd never avoided the topic with him, but he'd never asked who the people in the picture next to his bed were, and Nate had always felt the time wasn't right yet to tell the little boy about his real parents.

"'dopted?' Oh, a-dopted. Who told you about adoption?" he asked curiously.

"Jessica's 'dopted. Her real mommy an' daddy didn't want her no more, so her good mommy an' daddy 'dopted her cuz she needed a home." He paused, his eyes turning sad. "I don' look like you or mom, or Jakey or Lee or Ali. I look like Nate an' he doesn' call you mom or dad," he said sadly.

They were getting closer to their house now, and Jack thought this would be a good conversation to have with Neal when Nate and Sam were in the same room. He was about to suggest they call his brother when Neal spoke again.

"Bobby Crane said you an' mom are stupid cuz you couldn't think of a better name fer me."

"Mommy and Daddy aren't stupid! Bobby's stupider!" Jake shouted from the far back of the vehicle.

"Yeah!" Liam chimed in. "Bobby's a stupid-head!"

"All right, you two. That's enough of that. We don't call people names and Bobby's not stupid, guys, he just doesn't know what he's talking about."

Jack put the huge vehicle into park in front of their house. The twins scrambled out of their seats and Jake ran to the front passenger door to grab their backpacks out of the front seat where Jack had thrown them. Neal was a little slower moving, not sure how to react to his father's avoidance of his simple question.

Jack rested his hand on his son's upper back as he threw the boy's backpack over his shoulder and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.

"Nate?"

"Who else would answer my phone?" the young man responded, humorous sarcasm lacing his voice.

"Nate," Jack growled, no where near as forcefully as he would an Airman or the children when they were acting up.

"Sorry, Jack. What's up?"

Jack watched Neal walk through the front door ahead of him and sighed to himself. "Why don't you come on over?"

"Jack?"

"You might want to bring the albums."

Jack closed the phone and stuck it back in his pocket as he entered the house, hearing the children rampaging around downstairs. A very tired Sam and Cassie faced him as he and Neal closed the door behind them.

Cassie handed an ashamed looking Alison O'Neill to her father and stepped back. She and Sam simultaneously raised a hand over their heads and flipped an invisible switch, saying, "Bing! Off duty!"

Jack just shook his head, laughing and rested his forehead against his daughter's. "What did you do this time, Baby Girl?"

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Nate pulled up in front of the O'Neill's house, noticing immediately his wife's car was in the driveway and smiled. Cassie could always make him smile, no matter what was going on around him. This was definitely a time when he'd need her.

She's good for you.

Nate's grin widened. And for you, my friend.

We're both here for you.

Thanks.

Nate hesitantly pushed open the front door, the box of photo albums in his arms. He was nervous, that was for sure, but Levi gave him a mental push. As he crossed the threshold, he felt a heavy weight slam into him.

"Hi, Nate," his brother said, squeezing his waist.

"Hey Bud."

"Whatcha got?"

"Pictures," he responded, setting the box down in the hallway. He wanted to check on Cassie before he took Neal into his room with Jack and Sam. He walked into the living room to see her playing trains with the four little kids, Jaysin perched sleepily on Cassie's lap. He loved watching her with the kids, she'd be a great mother.

She looked up, smiling at him as he approached. He gave her a light peck on the lips, nothing too serious in front of the kids and hugged her to his side.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered.

"I'm fine, Nathan." She smiled, patting his cheek.

"You sure? You weren't looking too good this morning."

"I said, I'm fine. I made it to finals on time with no problems at all."

Nate brushed a lock of hair out of her face. "I'm just trying to look after you."

"I know." She kissed the tip of his nose. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He stood back up right and looked in Neal's direction.

"They're waiting for you," Cassie said softly, giving him a gentle nudge in the direction of the stairs.

He nodded and walked out, picking up the box as he left. Neal knew to follow, his dad had told him Nate was coming over and they were all going to have a talk.

"Nate?"

"Hmm?" he mumbled, trying to concentrate so he didn't go tumbling down the stairs. Neal put the baby gate back up behind them.

"Am I in trouble?"

At the bottom of the stairs, Nate put down the box and picked up his brother. "No, of course not. We just want to talk to you about some things okay?"

"Did I ask a wrong question?"

"Never be afraid to ask us questions, Neal," Jack answered, coming up behind them. He picked up the box for Nate and led them to Neal's room where Sam was waiting on the bed.

"Hi Mom." He snuggled into his brother, looking embarrassed.

"Hey, Big Guy," she said smiling. It was a name Jack had started calling Neal when they'd first adopted him and it had stuck, though only their close family were allowed to use the name. "Why don't you come sit next to me?"

Nate set his brother down and watched as he scrambled onto the bed next to Sam. Jack sat on the other side of the little boy and gave him a quick squeeze. This was going to be a hard conversation all the way around.

Nate picked up the framed photo of his parents, staring at it softly. He thanked Levi silently for holding back the tears and crouched down in front of Neal. "Do you know who these people are?" he asked, trying to keep the waver out of his voice.

Neal shook his head. "They're 'portant, though, right?"

"Very." He stopped and switched gears for a second. "Do you ever feel Mom and Dad treat you differently than Jake and Liam?"

"Uh huh." Nate was surprised and didn't hide it from his face. Of course, Jack and Sam were as well. They'd always tried to treat all their children equally. "I get to do things that Jakey an' Lee can't. They're not old 'nough yet."

The three adults nearly burst out laughing in their relief.

"Why are they 'portant?"

Nate swallowed. He still wasn't sure how he was going to explain their situation.

"They're your real mom and dad," he said gently, hoping to soften the blow.

Neal looked up at Jack and Sam, confusion in his eyes. At their nods he turned back to Nate, tears forming in his eyes and asked, his voice shaking, "They didn' want me no more?"

Sam and Jack immediately came down on the boy, hugging them for all their worth and raining down their love for him.

"No, that's not it at all, Neal. Mom and Dad, they were my mom and dad, too. They loved us, so much. We had a brother and a sister, too."

"Why'd they leave?"

"They didn't. When you were a very little baby, only two months old, they died. Auntie Sara Thompson helped find you so Sam and Jack could adopt you."

"How'd they die?"

Nate felt the lump rise in his throat, flashes of that night playing through his mind. "A bad man took them all away from us, but they will always be in here." Nate poked his brother in the chest, pointing to his heart.

"But I don' remember them."

Jack squeezed Neal into his side. "We'll help you."

"You knew them?" Neal asked up at Jack.

Jack shook his head. "No, but Nate was old enough to remember them, and he'll tell you anything you want to know about them."

Neal didn't speak for a moment, only stared at the photo of his biological parents. "Can I still love you guys?"

Sam's heart broke, hearing the desolate sound in her son's voice. "Baby, you have lived with us since you were almost a year old. We love you just as much as we love Jake, Liam and Ali. You're very special to us, and you can love us without them getting mad."

"That's right," Jack said taking over. "Just because you didn't grow in Mommy's tummy, doesn't mean you're not our son."

"Our real parents would want you to be taken care of, loved and most of all they'd want us to be together. You know I work with your dad, and you know what?" Neal looked up at his brother. "Mom and Dad, they adopted me too, because I still wasn't old enough at the time."

"Why is my name so dorky?"

Nate nearly laughed. "I'm sorry, Bud. That's my fault. Our biological parents-"

"Bio-what-ical?"

"It means the parents who gave birth to us, like your Mom and Dad are going to have a new baby. Our biological parents named you Neal Landon Tanner. When Jack and Sam adopted you, they asked me if I thought you should keep your last name, but I told them to give you theirs."

"Bobby Crane and lotsa other kids make funa me cuz my name's Neal O'Neill. They said Mom an' Dad are dumb."

"Would you like us to start calling you Landon?" Sam asked sweetly.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course, Big Guy. Just have patience with us, everybody's going to have to get used to it."

Nate nodded as he reached behind him, opening the box behind him. "I brought by some pictures if you want to take a look at them."

Neal, er Landon smiled shyly and nodded, leaning into his father's side.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

The party was in full swing by mid afternoon in the early summer breeze. Jack stood at the grill, looking out at the backyard, a smile on his face. The children played together on the jungle gym Jack and Sea had built just after the twins' second birthday. Ali tried keeping up with her brothers as best she could. Yep, she was definitely a tomboy. Not that it bothered Jack any. With any luck, it'd keep her away from boys extra long.

"What're you thinking?" Sam asked as she came up beside her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Nothin'. Mostly just hoping Ali isn't interested in boys until she's thirty."

Sam laughed heartily, leaning into him. He could feel the little one kicking his back and grinned.

They stood together as Jack cooked the steaks, watching their family. It was their annual family picnic and the only time each year everybody could be seen together. Sean and Jenny both drove their families in, though Jerod and Tommy flew out to see each other every break from school. Karen and Grant brought the kids

This year Ry'ac had joined Teal'c and come through the 'Gate for the party along with his betrothed. Drey'auc had decided to stay in the Land of Light with their daughter, Tal'ia, though last year they'd come through with the rest of the family. After the demise of the System Lords, Teal'c had spent the majority of his time in the Land of Light and only came back a few times a month for briefings on the movements of the free Jaffa.

Jacob was in one corner of the yard, deep in conversation with General Hammond. He and Selmak had only been back to the Tok'ra a few times in the last five years, preferring, instead, to stay in Colorado where he could be close to his grandchildren and visit Mark and the rest of the family more often. Besides, Selmak hadn't really been in very good standing with the High Counsel since before the downfall and had taken advantage of that fact to choose to stay on Earth with Jacob.

"I think they're up to something," Sam said, bringing them both out of their observations.

"Your dad and General Hammond?" Jack turned around to stare at his wife, perplexed.

"No! Cassie and Nate. They're acting like newlyweds again." Sam grabbed his head and turned it to the other side of the yard where the two were sitting, Cassie on her husband's lap.

Jack glanced over at Sam. "They are newlyweds, Sam."

"But they never got that close in public. They're both shy people."

"Okay, say they are up to something," Jack conceded. "So what?"

"Alright, so I'm being nosey."

"No, you're acting like his mother, which is just fine."

Sam laughed, resting her hand over her raised belly.

"How's the little one today?" Jack's hand joined hers.

"Restless."

Jack loved being around during both Sam's pregnancy with Ali and this one now. It was wonderful to watch her go through all the stages and be there for her when she needed him. It was an opportunity he'd missed with the twins and vowed never to miss again. And that was the crux of the problem, really, since he was on a front line team.

"Where's Tommy?" Sam suddenly asked, noticing for the first time the teen wasn't there.

Jack smirked. "He wanted to show off for his girlfriend, now that he just got his license. He's bringing her by, should be soon."

"That's some way to break her in. Sure she can handle the family?"

"Here's the test. He obviously likes her enough to want us to meet her."

The two watched Daniel approach them, Connor nestled comfortably in his arms.

"Hi, Daniel," Sam smiled warmly.

"Hey guys." Daniel shifted his small son in his arms. "You notice anything odd about Cassie and Nate?"

Sam turned on her husband, playfully smacking him in the arm. "See! I told you something was going on."

"Okay, okay. So you did."

Jack, Sam, and Daniel all turned to watch the subjects in question get up and walk over to them, both looking nervous and apprehensive. Jacob turned from the other corner to check on his daughter and Jack motioned him over, hoping maybe he or Selmak would be able to help.

Cassie gave a small wave. "Um, you know where Mom is?" she asked Daniel, leaning into her husband of almost three years.

"Right here, honey." Janet waved from her seat in one of Jack's lounge chairs as the group turned to look at her. She'd been relaxing on the deck, eyes closed, still tired. Connor wasn't sleeping through the night yet, and while Daniel was great for changing him, or easing an upset stomach, he didn't exactly have the correct organs to feed the child.

Cassie seemed nervous and tried to hide behind Nate's shoulder. The man gave a small grin at his wife and pushed her gently forward. "We'd like to talk to all of you while we're in the same section of the yard," he said, trying not to let his own nervousness show.

His head dropped as Levi took over, though with civilians at the O'Neill's household, he kept Nate's voice the same. Only those who knew the truth could tell the difference. After all, Levi was his own being and had different mannerisms, especially when it came to Cassie. He always felt a little awkward, like a pedophile, when he surfaced.

"Selmak, I've gone over all of Nirrti's research concerning the Hok'Taur, and Cassandra's condition, and I've talked extensively with Nate on the subject. Neither he nor Cassie wanted the subject brought up until they were ready to extend their family. I don't recall a host ever having a child with a… I'm sorry Cassie… girl… with as much Naquada in her blood. The three of us are concerned."

If anyone was surprised that Levi spoke more like a young human from Earth than a Tok'ra symbiote, no one showed it. Of course, they'd gotten used to him and knew he was trying hard to fit in, since he'd resigned himself to living out his days on their planet. He still went off world with SG-2, the team he'd been assigned to when he'd graduated West Point, and they utilized his unique abilities to the fullest.

Jacob shook his head, Selmak taking over. "As far as I can remember, nothing like this has ever happened, though I do not think there would be anything wrong with the child."

"Sam and Jack both have Naquada in their blood, and there has never been any documented effects on any of the children," Janet commented, sending an apologetic glance Jack's direction. Hathor's failed attempt at implantation had left both Naquada and the protein markers in his blood and Levi's possession had increased the amount of the foreign metal to be found.

Jack coughed, slightly suspicious of the direction of conversation. "What brought all this on?" he asked, though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.

Cassie suddenly found her shoes to be most interesting as she shuffled just slightly backwards, trying to keep Nate between her and the rest of their family.

"It's my fault, really," Nate said, indicating he was back in control. "Levi and I were fighting, and I told him to butt out of our lives, so he went to sleep."

Cassie's confidence grew as she lovingly watched her husband bravely face her parents. "Nate and I…" she paused, placing a protective hand over her stomach. "Are going to have a baby."

Had they been inside, Jack was sure the two women would have sucked all the air out of the room. As it was, Sam just clung tighter to his arm as Janet struggled to hurriedly climb out of the chair she'd been in when the couple had dropped their bomb.

Janet immediately bombarded them with questions. "Why didn't you come to me first? How far along are you? What about school? How do you expect to finish your degree? Did you even think of other forms of protection? You can't always rely on Levi!" she fumed, her voice raising with every sentence.

"Whoa, whoa, okay, hold on," Nate broke in as the voice of reason, stepping between his wife and his mother-in-law.

Cassie laid a comforting hand on his arm. "Mom, as odd as it sounds, I didn't really want to find out from you. I mean, it would be pretty weird, and it only happened about a week before Connor was born, so the doctor was just barely able to detect anything. I could tell before then, but you were so busy with Connor we didn't want to disturb you."

Janet pulled her daughter into a tight hug, noticing Daniel hadn't said a word. "Honey, we are never too busy for you."

"I know, Mom," Cassie replied, hugging her back.

Daniel stepped forward, finally finding his voice. "Your mother raised some very valid points. What are you going to do about school? This will put a damper on your dreams of becoming a doctor."

Cassie shook her head defiantly. "No, it won't. It will just take longer to accomplish. We can do it, Dad."

Jacob took the baby from his arms and he enveloped Cassie and Janet in a warm hug. "As long as you're happy, that's all we've ever wanted."

"I am, Dad. Honest."

While Cassie was surrounded by her parents, and Nate could relax enough to leave her side. He stepped up to Sam and Jack and looked directly into Jack's eyes.

"This isn't going to be easy, Nate," Jack said somewhat sternly, his arms folded over his chest.

"No, it's not," Nate agreed. "But we're gonna work together on this. My parents, Cassie's parents and you four here, you've all given us a great basis for how to raise our children."

"Being on a front line team, you're going to miss stuff."

Nate nodded. "Yeah, but thankfully, run-ins with the snakes are few and far between now a days, we're mostly exploratory."

"Yes. Thankfully." Jack smiled.

Nate shuffled from foot to foot. "There's actually something else I wanted to ask you guys. I would be eternally honored if our child could call you his or her grandparents."

"Oh God, we're old," Jack groaned playfully as he hugged his wife to his side. She smacked him playfully.

"We're delighted, Nate. Congratulations." Sam leaned forward on her tiptoes and tried to hug the tall young man. He was just barely taller than Jack and most people commented on the unlikely couple he and Cassie looked. "Don't worry, you guys will have plenty of help."

"Thanks, Sam."

Jack grasped his hand and Nate gave him a firm hand shake, pulling him into a tight hug. "You take care of them or you'll have an entire military base after your ass."

"I know, Sir, thank you." He was familiar with the threat. It was the same one given to him on their wedding day and while some people had thought them awfully young, those that had seen them from the first day they'd met, knew it was perfect for them.

"Excuse me? Can I have your attention?" General Hammond suddenly broke out, shouting above the crowd. "Thank you. Now, as most of you know, I've worked closely alongside the O'Neill's, Jackson's, and… Murray, for almost ten years now. I feel the time for change has come. I'm going to retire, and before you say anything, I have already chosen my successor. Jack will be given a promotion to the rank of Brigadier General and control of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, with a formal ceremony for base personnel on Monday."

George raised his beer in Jack's direction as the rest of the family turned towards the younger man and cheered. He gave a tiny wave as his wife stared him down.

"Obviously, this has been coming for a while," she said. "When were you going to tell me?"

"Oh, about the time Daniel came up to us. I agreed to do this because I don't want to leave you guys anymore. That last mission was Hell, Sam, and nothing even happened. All I thought about was getting home to you and the kids, and that's not a distraction I can risk in the field. I was ready to retire until Hammond proposed a solution."

Sam leaned up, grabbing her husband's head between her hands and kissed him, hard. When they broke apart, they were both struggling for breath.

"So I take it you like?" Jack asked with a smirk.

"Very much," Sam whispered back.

END

A/N: okay i hope y'all liked this, it was very hard to write, i got most of the way through, then lost all motivation. my great gramma died wed. so we're gong to CT today and i wanted this up before we left, i probably won't be feeling up to working on The Family Business anytime soon, sorry, but as soon as i do, i promise i'll post asap!

thanks again to all of you!