The newly minted Jennifer McKay moved her right hand over to cover her husband's left hand as surreptitiously as she could manage, which was nearly impossible seeing as how it was their wedding reception and they were sort of on display for all to see.
Rodney looked to her and managed a smile that probably fooled everyone else, but not her. He was upset and she knew it. And she knew why.
She glanced out at the people sitting at the tables as they listened to Evan's speech. He'd been asked to say a little something on behalf of the city's military contingent in place of John who wanted to skip it since he was the Best Man and had enough on his plate.
"So let me finish…"
"Finally!" John whispered loudly, drawing a chorus of snickers from the audience and a slight glance from Evan who continued on without missing a beat.
"…by wishing the happy couple a lifetime of love and happiness. And I know I speak for the entire military population when I say that we will do our utmost to make sure that happens." Evan started folding up the paper in front of him and looked over to Rodney with a smirk playing upon his lips. "Oh and Doc? If you don't treat her right, you know you're gonna be in a lot of trouble right?"
The room erupted in noise- some people applauding and some whistling with a few oorahs mixed in for good measure.
Everyone was reacting so enthusiastically that they didn't notice Rodney's hand flinch underneath hers or how his jaw tensed.
Evan had been the third person- behind Radek, speaking for the Science Department and Teyla who had spoken for the Athosians- to intimate that Rodney would eventually hurt Jennifer in some way or another. It didn't matter that all three had spoken in jest; it was striking a chord with Rodney, and not a happy one. Jennifer knew Rodney would never hurt her, but she also knew there was a part of Rodney that worried terribly about it.
Once the crowd settled Jennifer turned in her chair as much as her dress would allow so she could face Rodney. She gently pulled on his hand until he turned as well, keeping her hand supportively wrapped around his as she smiled at him.
The rest of the room disappeared and she could see only him, and as the seconds ticked by his eyes brightened until they were the shade of blue that took her breath away.
"Don't listen to them, Rodney," she whispered, and when his brow creased in confusion she added, "When they say you better be good to me. Don't listen to them." The corner of his lips turned downward and she leaned in closer to him. "Will you love me?" He nodded and she asked, "Will you cherish me?" Again he nodded, though this time he smiled as well. "Will you make me happy?"
Rodney's nod was confident as he said in a sure voice, "Yes."
Jennifer smiled as she leaned in closer to him and said just before their lips met, "Then that's all that matters."
A/N: "Better Be Good to Me" is a hit single from Tina Turner's 1984 album, Private Dancer. It was written by Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman & Holly Knight and released a few years before by the band Spider.