I had half of the chapter written and truth to be told I wasn't quite happy with it and then ALIMOO1971 came and left her review and here we are now.

Thanks, and enjoy!

M.

Thirty Nine

"I'm sorry we have to do it like this, Sam. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind for our anniversary," he whispered to her as they moved in the kitchen preparing for the small gathering that was about to happen in their home.

She turned around with a raised eyebrow and a smile. Then she moved purposely, and he took a step back. Sam was the only person in the world who could make him do that without him knowing why exactly he was doing it. But, here he was the big bad General O'Neill trapped between the sink and his wife. Who, of course, wasn't cutting him a bone and had this expressionless mask he couldn't quite pinpoint what did he said this time. She looked at him straight in the eyes, and he looked back and sighed.

"I'm…" he started, but she was faster. Her finger found his lips before he could continue apologizing. When she was sure, he wasn't going to speak she took the finger out and replaced it with her lips to which he hummed in delight. Breathless and confused he frowned looking at a thoroughly kissed Sam.

"It's a gathering with friends, Jack, our family. And you have no idea how much I enjoy it. Especially after what we've been through the pasts years."

"But it should've been a special night for us," he sighed. "that's what I've had planned."

"Well, it will be. Just remember this day four years ago when it became important for us. That day when we finally did something about us, and we chose to share it with them, friends and family. If you think about it will be almost the same thing we did for our wedding. Before that day we've never been alone for long, and then we noticed we had a break to do this. You proposed, and I accepted, and we got married hours later. I don't see anything wrong with doing it again." She smiled, and he chuckled. "What?"

"You never seize to surprise me," he pecked her lips softly.

"Nor do you," she smiled. "What did you have planned?"

"I was going to take you to Colorado, where I was going to drive you to our place in the mountain for a picnic, and then, I was going to take you to Siler's house to pick your bike. And last but not least, I was going to take us to the cabin to do some cuddling."

"That's so sweet, Jack. My gift was going to be lame against that."

"Your gift?"

"Yes. You will have to wait for it now." She winked turning around and resumed her previous work. "Hey, how did you planned to go from Colorado to Minnesota and then back here again?"

"The Hammond is in orbit," he shrugged. "And Hayes gave me permission to do it."

"Did he now?"

"Yup, you know, something about us being his favorite couple."

The bell went off, and Jack pointed her to get the door while he got the things outside. Soon their home was filled with loud chats and laughter coming from Daniel, Vala, Cameron, Teal'c, Amelia and her husband. And even Cassie had managed to get herself in town. But the last time the bell rung, Sam confirmed what Jack had said, they were the President's favorite couple, since he too was in their home.

"Colonel Carter!" he greeted as soon as he saw her. "If you don't mind us joining you, it will be nice to salute you properly inside. I'm incognito mode." He said touching the cap he had covering his head.

"Ah, they are in the backyard, sir. Do you think that's safe?"

"Well, even with all the complaint from the Security service, I'm in your home, Colonel. And that means that I have not only you but SG-1 and Jack to protect my sorry ass. So, let me congratulate you, I remember the first four years being difficult I can't start to imagine how being married to Jack O'Neill is." He joked looking at Jack over her shoulder.

"Oh no, sir. You must know I lost the upper hand the moment I said I do." They laughed at Jack's joke as they walked towards the back.

"Hey, Jack. What about your other plans?" Hayes asked when Sam was out of hearing range.

"Well, first that meeting in the morning wasn't top on my list. Second, I don't know if I mentioned the issue we had with Social Services?" Hayes frowned and shook his head no. "Some weeks ago, Naysa was hospitalized, and the Doctor saw her and Sam's condition and thought I wasn't responsible for it, so he called Social Services. I got a call a couple of days ago to let me know that we shouldn't get out of DC if we wanted to keep our daughter. And trust me, we don't want to do anything that can take Naysa out of our hand."

"Don't worry, Jack. I will call them and let them know how much of a good guy you are. I'll send them your file, and then they will know you are a hero and everything will be solved."

"Or, they will decide that someone who has gone through what I did shouldn't be parenting again."

"Oh, I never thought about it. Your file is extremely blackened out," Hayes grimaced. "But your medals have to count for something, won't they? Relax, Jack. They won't take Naysa out of your care; we won't allow it."

"That's good to know, sir." He patted Hayes' shoulder.

After a while, Jack finally relaxed, and they were enjoying a day surrounded by those who they loved the most while watching their daughter play around. Sam walked to him and embraced him sideways, something he relished in. It was rare the occasion in which they allowed themselves to make public displays of affection. So, as they were, he couldn't but call them over and to toast.

"Well, first I want to thank you all for being here. It's an honor call you all my friends, our family. Most of you know how many hells we've lived through, and you are still here, and we valued that and…" the bell sounded making them both frown. "Are you expecting someone?" he asked Sam and she shook her head no. "Any one is missing a +1 that you didn't let us know?" Jack squinted at them making them laugh.

"Ah," Jack left out a sigh and placed his hand over his heart. "I thought you could've forgotten to let us know you had a new boyfriend, Cassie."

"Not a chance!" she laughed. "You know, if one of you go and look, it will be far easier to know who the hell is." She suggested. "But as you are joined at the hip today… then both of you go, and we'll wait for you here."

Begrudgingly they accepted that the alien not so girl anymore was right, and they turned around and walked inside. The idea of who might be weighted heavy as they strolled towards the doors trying to feel some reassurance that if it were who they thought, their friends wouldn't allow for anything to happen. With a last look and a sigh, Sam opened the door.

"Mrs. O'Neill." The annoying voice came to Jack's ear, and he couldn't help but feel the rage building up.

"That's Colonel O'Neill, Miss Kelly." He almost growled at her.

"General and Colonel then, I don't know what's the fuss." She started as they walked towards the living room. "Your military titles only show that you are living out of our country and from the citizen's money from taxes. So, you should come down from that pedestal in which your placed yourselves. It's not like you've saved the world or something." She added as she passed them and sat on one side of the couch. They clenched their jaws tightly, that certainly wasn't what they were expecting for their anniversary party.

"I mean, Colonel, you are on medical leave because you got trapped by someone and failed to be retrieved on time. So yeah, I'll give you some cookie points Colonel. But you, General? You do what? Move papers from one side of the desk to the other? As if that's something to be proud of."

"You can think whatever you want of our careers, Miss Kelly," Sam tried not to hiss at her. "But we did for this country things that you wouldn't even begin to understand. We appreciate if you can keep your thoughts about how much of waste our positions are and start with what you are here to do. We have a party going on, and we would love to be back at it before you manage to ruin it for us."

"Oh yeah, of course. I imagine all your friends are here," she snorted. "I just can't picture your most cited friend, 'the president' sitting in your garden and drinking beer from a plastic cup."

"Actually, I'm more of cheap wine from a conventional glass than a beer from plastic cups kind of guy," Henry commented as he entered the room. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt whatever this is, I just wanted some more wine," he finished raising the glass he had in his hand. Miss Kelly blanched.

"Sure, suit yourself." Jack shrugged.

"The one you were drinking is on the second shelf to the right," Sam added.

"Ah, my savior. You have no idea how much we as a country owe these too," Hayes added before he disappeared towards the kitchen.

"That's… He's…"

"Henry Hayes? The President? Our friend?" Jack offered her. "That you have issues with us because we are military doesn't mean we were lying to you, you know?"

"I… well… I … hum… I must go. I forgot I had another appointment. Ah, bye." She rushed towards the front. And soon they heard the door closing behind her. Hayes chuckled entering the room.

"So, I guess that was your social worker?"

"Yup."

"You told him?" Sam asked him feeling a bit embarrassed.

"He asked." Jack shrugged.

"Oh, come on. Every body knows I like both of you. You more Sam, you are way less of a problem than Jack, of course. What I don't get is why you didn't tell this to anyone up high, I mean, Naysa's folder could've raised a helluva lot of questions. And I'm not sure you'll have the answer for everything."

"We thought it was being handled, sir. I guess we were waiting to cross the bridge when we reached it."

"Oh, well. If I can't avoid you calling me sir in your home, why should I expect you to ask for help solving a personal issue? Now, you Jack. You were willing to ask permission to use the Hammond for private purposes, why didn't you tell me?"

"She asked not to." He shrugged.

"Ah, I guess you can't argue with one of the brightest minds on Earth, can you?"

"You might, sir. But I screwed my chances the moment I said I do, four years ago." Sam hit him behind his head as she and Hayes chuckled at the image of Jack rubbing the back of his head and then, they returned to the party feeling at least better.

"Who was it?" Cassie asked.

"Someone who had much to criticize but nothing to add."

"Oh, okay." She shrugged. "How long until we have cake?" And that was everything they needed to forget the visit and enjoy once again their anniversary dinner. The night fell and Daniel cleared his throat and finished with a mischievous smile once he got their attention.

"What is it, space-monkey?"

"Well, most of us knew your plans for today, and we are aware we couldn't possibly make up for being here interrupting your day even if we were all here for that darn meeting in the morning. Sooo…." He trailed. "Our gift to you," he finished, and Cassie delivered an envelope to them with a flourish. They frowned and opened it, and they exchanged a glance before looking around the table.

"One night at the Washington suite? You are kidding right?"

"Nope. Ah, he had something to do with it since he was the guiltier of us. But we did our best," Daniel grinned after pointing to Hayes.

"Now, before you start making up excuses, the room is paid for and… We are taking care of Naysa, we know all the rules, and you are going to be at most an hour away. And you already had your bags packed, Jack. So nothing to worry… Go!" Cassie smiled.

"Thank you…" Sam added biting her lower lip and containing the happy tears she was trying not to shed. The happy tears were still there when they finally walked out of their home and into their car to spend a honey moon as they did four years before.