AN: Don't you just love the word festooned? Anyway someone asked me why Scattered Leaves isn't updated. The truth is... I got stuck. I still know where it's going but I have a middleish part I just can't seem to work out. But When I do I'll start updating that one. The muses do not bow to me. I bow to them. I'd rather take longer on a story and have it be RIGHT than push through just to get it done. Even brilliant authors write boring books when their heart isn't in it.

The Silver King

The meeting hall was festooned with bunting and streamers. Several people had on paper hats in support of Governor Pitkin.

The Ladies' Auxiliary had outdone themselves in decorating for the Bonanza King of Ledville. Mostly they ordered Teal'c around who graciously did as he was bid by the plethora of little old ladies, the mayor's wife, and Vera Slaughter whose finances had taken a downturn in recent years. Her fine mansion by the river was now a boarding house. The servants were now locals, her fancy east coast butler and ladies maid having moved on when their pay was drastically cut. Vera made every attempt to still appear prosperous however and imperiously was canvassing the room making certain all was to her liking.

Ernest was studiously avoiding her so she approached Delilah Pratt instead. "Why, Mrs. Pratt, I had not expected you to grace our presence, what with you being a Californian." She said it in such a way that it was clearly an insult.

"Was an invitation required, Vera? I was unaware a public event required your permission." Delilah returned and ignored her after that.

"I think it's nice Ernest employs so many colored folks. It shows a great deal of social acceptance." Vera said, fanning herself.

Jack's head whipped in her direction and his fist balled up. Ernest saw the movement and shook his head and gently held his arm. 'Watch,' he mouthed.

"Mrs. Slaughter, you are insulting my son's friends who are not his employees. I understand your confusion having no friends who you don't have to pay yourself."

Vera huffed in outrage. "Well I never!"

"I've met your son, Vera, so you did at least once." Delilah called after her as she stalked off.

Ernest grinned at Jack. "No one wise tangles with Mother Pratt." He said sagely to Jack.

Daniel who had expected to have to defuse the situation himself looked at Delilah Pratt with an impressed expression. "Now we know where Jack gets his sarcasm from." He said to Sam who nodded grinning.

"I think I need to take lessons." Sam breathed.

"Yah, me too." Daniel agreed.

"She never seems to learn though. Mother shuts her down every time she visits but Vera can't help herself from trying to widen her social circle. If she'd stop trying to do it by insulting people, she'd get farther." Ernest grins at a memory. "Mother, do you recall when she insulted Zorelda?"

Delilah Pratt laughed merrily. "And Zorelda kicked her in the shins so hard Vera had to have stitches. When she threatened to sue me-"

"Mother told her that if she did, she'd be assured of making the San Francisco Chronicle for having been beaten up by a midget in public." Ernest said laughing.

"Ernest, that's terrible!" Abigail said coming up behind them with Delilah Jones and James in tow. "Miss Delilah had some work to finish up before we could come over."

"Any issues?" Jack asked his great grandfather's soon to be wife. It didn't escape him how much he was like her.

"Not a sign of that worm, Colonel O'Neill, but I'll keep my eyes peeled just the same." She told him with a firm bob of her head, her ringlets bouncing.

"Doctor Carter has been teaching me how to defend myself, Colonel."

"Delilah, please call me Sam or Samantha." Sam reminded her.

"My apologies, ma'am. 'Tain't used to being informal with white folks yet." She said looking ashamed of her mistake.

"Well, don't you never no mind." Abigail reassured her. "You treat us just the same as you would yer family 'cause far as I'm concerned, you are now."

Ernest and his mother nodded in agreement. Sam and Daniel both smiled encouragingly.

"On the contrary, I'd say she's an improvement on many of my relatives." Yonish said with amusement as he joined them.

"Did you not refer to Ernest Pratt as your brother by heart, Professor Bartok?" Teal'c asked the scientist.

"Precisely." Yonish agreed, making everyone laugh.

Hours later, the party was breaking up. There wasn't much difference in a small western town between a party and a political rally really. Ernest had led Abigail off a little early. Delilah had rolled her eyes in amusement. "He'd better be serious about that proposal. The whole town saw him take her to bed." She said laughing.

"Well, least she won't have wedding jitters afraid of what to expect." Delilah Jones said then covered her mouth horrified that she'd said that out loud. Jack and Yonish had laughed and Daniel had grinned in amusement. "I'm terribly sorry, ma'am. I never sholda said that."

"Oh nonsense you weren't wrong. I'd honestly be more concerned if he hadn't. I'd like some grandbabies before I leave this plane of existence." Delilah Pratt said. "The sooner they get on that the better as far as I'm concerned. As long as the wedding happens before she shows too much that is."

"It was really nice of you to make sure the mayor didn't turn it into a society wedding." Sam said, trying to change the subject for the young black woman who was still upset that she'd said something untoward.

"Ernie never did want the trappings of his social position. This is their day, not the tabloids. Speaking of which, Miss Carter, I do believe we need to get you measured for a dress."

"Er… me?" Sam asked, befuddled.

"Yes you, and Jack, dear, you are a fine figure of a man in your work clothes but if you don't get a suit I'm going to put you into one of Ernie's. You too, Doctor Jackson."

"Over my dead body." Jack says.

She grins. "Then it's decided. My staff will be joining me in town shortly. Zorelda had to make arrangements for someone to care for the cat while we're gone and honestly none of my houseguests are useful in that sort of way. Once they arrive my chambermaid will measure you all for the tailor. You don't need to worry about the expense either. Consider it a wedding gift as you'll be able to wear them for your own soon as well?"

Sam blushed a little. "We… um... haven't set a date, Mrs. Pratt." She said with a wince.

"Well, why not? Neither of you is a spring daisy." She tutted. "I don't mean that unkindly. Age is just a construct of the mind anyway." She said with a wave of her hand. "But what on Earth are you waiting for?"

Sam and Jack were saved from answering by Yonish. "I believe they wish to have their homestead finished and ready to move into before they commit to wedded bliss." He answered for them. "After all, why hurry into marriage when you aren't ready?" He winked at Sam who he knew was the hold up as some small part of her worried they might be able to go home yet.

"I wouldn't want to overshadow Ernest and Abigail's wedding Mrs. Pratt." Jack told her with an engaging smile.

"That's the same smile Ernest's father, Wilber, used to give me when he was up to no good." Delilah Pratt told him in an exasperated tone. "I didn't fall for it then and I'm not fallin' for it now."

Daniel chuckled at Jack's expense. "I told you no one trusted you when you smile like that, Jack."

"Shut yer yap, Danny, or the pipes will call yah home." Jack threatened good-naturedly.

"Well they can't, Jack. It hasn't been written yet." Daniel said smugly.

"Aye, but all me wee Irish relations will both love and loathe it in equal measure forever more." Jack said with dramatic aplomb in a thick Irish brogue.

Sam and Delilah Jones looked at each other and burst out in laughter.