A/N: Ladygris is responsible for the idea for the series. DaniWilder is responsible for this chapter.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The expedition Christmas party was a jolly affair, lights, a tree and decorations all vying for attention. The dress code was casual and a live band made up of expedition members played in one corner of the room. Jennifer pulled Rodney to a stop just outside the entrance to the Rec Room. She was in jeans and a festive sweater in red and white with Santa and his sleigh. It had taken some convincing, but Rodney was in a white shirt like he'd worn the night before and the same silly tie. He'd tinkered with the device inside so that the tiny light that was Rudolph's nose would blink until he turned it off. It went perfectly with the matching Santa hats they wore.
"You ready to do this?" She still had hold of his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
He nodded and shrugged. "Think they'll be surprised?"
Turing him to place her palms on his cheeks. "Our little announcement won't be much of a surprise to our friends, but I do think there will be a lot of broken hearts in Atlantis tonight."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just glad I'm not one of them. What?"
The last was said with a smidgen of the McKay annoyance when Jennifer laughed. "Silly, Rodney. I was talking about you."
"Ha-ha. Where were all these women when I was single?" He took a deep breath. "Let's go."
They held hands and stepped forward to activate the sensor. Inside, they were drawn into the circle of their friends, some of which had already imbibed copious amounts of Christmas punch. Couples were on the dance floor gyrating to the music, groups of two to ten were standing around talking, laughing, eating and drinking. But most of all, they were having fun.
About an hour into the party, Rodney, Radek and Chuck were exchanging stories about being snowed in on Christmas, Rodney in Fort McMurray, Chuck in Calgary and Radek in some small village that no one but he could pronounce. Jennifer came over and took her fiancé by the hand and dragged him away.
"It's time. Let's do it while the band is on a break."
"Okay." He picked up a spoon and tapped his glass. "Can we have everyone's attention, please? Hey! I'm talking here." They crowd continued to ignore the physicist. He leaned over and whispered to Jennifer and a moment later a shrill whistle cut through the noise and merriment. "That's better. I, uh, we have an announcement to make. Um, yesterday, I asked, I mean last night…uh, well, you see, I've, uh…wh-what I wanted to say is…" Jennifer took his hand in both of hers. He looked down at her beautiful brown eyes smiling up at him with love and just like that, his nervousness disappeared. "Okay, here's the deal, folks. Jennifer and I are both officially off the market."
She lifted her left hand so all could see the diamond sparkling in the bright lights. "What Rodney is trying to say is…we're getting married."
There was a moment of stunned silence then the room erupted in applause, whistles and cheers. Their friends and colleagues gathered around to congratulate them. There were hugs from the women and handshakes from the men. And occasionally hugs from the men and handshakes from the women.
Once, Jennifer looked over and Rodney was talking to Laura Cadman. She thought he'd stopped being creeped out by her a long time ago but he just nodded and gave the red-head a sick smile. Jennifer almost laughed out loud when Laura ignored Rodney's extended hand and hugged the stuffings out of him. He paused a moment and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.
Chuck came to stand behind Laura, resting his hands on her shoulders. She leaned against him and his arms went around her waist. The Gate Tech leaned down and kissed her on the ear then shook Rodney's hand. "Congratulations, Doc."
"Thanks, Chuck." The couple moved away and was replaced by Ronon.
"McKay."
"Conan."
The two friends watched each other warily then the Satedan suddenly stepped forward and gathered Rodney into a back slapping embrace. Into his ear, Ronon said, "Break her heart and I'll break your legs."
Rodney took a step back, rubbing his hands together tensely. "I'd laugh but I've got the feeling you're serious."
"I am." Ronon turned and strode into the crowd leaving Jennifer and Rodney alone again…finally.
The music slowed down, changed to something romantic and sweet, and not all were Christmas songs. A few others were thrown in here and there to prevent boredom. Jennifer nudged Rodney and he belatedly asked her to dance. Swaying side to side, his hands on her waist and her hands on the back of his neck, she let her fingers play with the short hairs there. He laughed lightly and twitched his shoulders because it tickled and she stopped.
Jennifer relished the feel of Rodney's arms around her and her heart beat a little faster knowing that she'd be able to do this every night for the rest of her life. Tipping her head back, she saw that he was watching her with wide and loving eyes. She urged him down for a long kiss. They were so lost in each other they didn't notice when the music changed again.
John watched his best friend dancing with the woman he loved and smiled. He knew they'd get together eventually but it was a tough road to get to this point. He made his way to the band and had a word with the group's leader then gathered the usual suspects around and together they watched and waited. Wait for it! And there it is!
When Atlantis' first couple kissed, the band stopped the song they were playing. John picked up his guitar, stepped into place behind the microphone and started singing.
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
down the stairs to have a peep.
She thought that I was tucked up
in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
underneath his beard so snowy white.
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
if Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.
Rodney and Jennifer pulled away from each other to see that the dance floor had been cleared and they were the only couple dancing while the band played that silly Christmas song. They laughed, touched their foreheads together and kept dancing.
Over Jennifer's shoulder, Rodney caught John's eye and tried to give him a death glare but it failed because he was too happy to bring it off.
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
down the stairs to have a peep.
She thought that I was tucked up
in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
underneath his beard so snowy white.
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
if Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.
By the time the song ended, the dance floor was full again. Applause filled the air and the band segued flawlessly into their next number.
End
A/N: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is an American Christmas song with music and lyrics by Tommie Connor.
The original recording by Jimmy Boyd reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1952, and on the Cash Box chart at the beginning of the following year. The song was commissioned by Neiman Marcus to promote the store's Christmas card for the year, which featured an original sketch by artist Perry Barlow, who drew for The New Yorker for many decades.