A/N: And now the moment you've all been waiting for. (And waiting for. And WAITING for!!!) I'm so, so, SO sorry for the incredibly long delay – I fell into "Holiday Hell," but I'm finally resurfacing. So, here it is. The Epilogue. I think part of me was putting it off because I didn't want to admit it was finally over. In any event, this has been one of the most amazing, exciting experiences I've ever had as a writer. Over 400 reviews, and a host of faithful readers… it's almost too much for me to absorb! Thanks, all, for your comments, inspiration, and attentiveness.
Never fear, I've still got lots of stories up my sleeve. Be prepared for new material soon.
Epilogue
Dressed in simple peasant robes, High Councilor Shinsall smiled warmly at the many people assembled in the Council Palace's Great Hall. Raising her arms in a gesture of celebration, she took a deep breath and began speaking.
"Friends, Colonists, guests. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our annual Harvest Celebration. In a tradition as old as the Colonies themselves, we come together to give thanks for all that our Creator has given us.
"Though Harvest is generally a time to gather our crops and partake in the fruits of our labor, it is also a time to sew new seeds for future generations. This is how it has been with us for ages, and in many ways, we cannot imagine our lives following any other path. Fall brings the Harvest, and spring brings the babes. For as long as we can remember, the circle of life has continued unbroken and unchanged.
"However, time always brings change, and even our Colonies are not immune to it. We have grown from a society of farmers and craftsmen into an advanced, technological people. And in growing, we have come into a new era of fruitfulness. This era promises to bring us peace, prosperity, and, most importantly, new relationships with valued allies. This, perhaps, is the greatest achievement of our times. The Colonies have emerged from centuries of isolation into the bright light of the Universal Community.
"Last year, at our Harvest Celebration, it was my pleasure to introduce you to our new allies in the war against universal oppression. The Tauri, our ancestors from the distant planet of Earth, had located us through the Stargate, and were eager to pursue a friendly relationship with us. Last year, I was excited for the opportunity to explore a new culture and gain new technology. Much to my surprise, these expected rewards would actually be the smallest benefits we would receive through the Stargate.
"Indeed, in one short harvest cycle, I have come to know some of the finest individuals that my heart could imagine meeting. And, much to my delight, not only have I been warmed by their personalities, but I have also been in a position to make their lives better.
"One year ago, Brigadier General Jonathan O'Neill and Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter came to us in an official capacity to participate in a summit between the Colonists and the Tauri. And, thanks to some good, old-fashioned Colonist formality–" A chuckle rippled through the Great Hall as those assembled took a moment to laugh at their notorious adherence to etiquette, "-I managed to make a rather momentous error. Relying upon my proven and, ehm, unfailing sense of people and their relationships," Shinsall rolled her eyes, "I mistakenly assumed that the General and the Colonel were just one more married couple participating in our annual Harvest Celebration." At that, a collective gasp arose from the crowd, followed by scandalized murmurs and some nervous laughter. Shinsall waved a hand in an effort to regain silence. "Yes, yes," she continued. The crowd again grew quiet, eagerly awaiting the conclusion to her shocking story. "It was perhaps the biggest mistake of my entire professional career, and you cannot imagine my profound mortification when I realized the error."
Taking a deep breath, she let her gaze wander over the people assembled in the Great Hall. "As you may have guessed, the extent of my blunder wasn't fully realized for, oh, about a month. Moreover, it seemed our Ka'Shakk worked doubly well, since Colonel Carter was expecting twins." At that pronouncement, another shocked ripple of laughter tore through the crowd, as the adults in the crowd began to absorb the High Councilor's words and their meaning. Shinsall winced visibly. "Unfortunately, the situation was compounded by a Tauri law that prohibits military fraternization. Not only were General O'Neill and Colonel Carter abruptly thrown into the path of approaching parenthood, but they were also jeopardy of losing their careers. Imagine my chagrin when I was made aware of the details."
Taking a sip of water, Shinsall allowed the crowd to digest her words before continuing. "Thankfully, the Tauri officials in charge of dispensing justice were reasonable men, who heard my shameful confession and accepted my pleas for mercy on the behalf of their fine military officers. General O'Neill and Colonel Carter were allowed to keep their esteemed positions, and were given commendations for their dedicated service to their world."
A playful gleam entered the High Councilor's eyes as she continued. "More importantly, though, was the fact that my unfailing sense of people had actually not misfired. In short order, I was happy to see that the biggest mistake of my life had not caused the total ruination and chaos that I feared, but instead, had brought together two people who had desperately needed each other for some time. My innocent, albeit mistaken, assumption over time was turned into true fact. As spring drew near, Colonel Carter and General O'Neill prepared to exchange their vows of matrimony right here in the Colonies."
The crowd again grew noisy, but this time with happy chatter and wistful sighs. Holding up a hand for silence, Shinsall grew serious. "I wish I could end my tale here, but alas, Fate had other plans for the fine couple. On the very afternoon of their wedding, one day before Birthmonth began, dreadful news reached Colonel Carter as she prepared for the ceremony. General O'Neill had been killed in a horrific accident on another far-off planet, and would never be coming back."
Silence filled the Great Hall. As Shinsall gazed at the faces in the room, she saw shock, sadness, and disbelief reflected in the eyes of her people. "I wept with Colonel Carter, and attended the beautiful military funeral held for General O'Neill on Earth. In the dark weeks that followed, Colonel Carter thanked me for, of all things, making such a colossal blunder. She was profoundly comforted to still have two tiny bits of her beloved growing inside her." Unable to restrain her emotions, Shinsall wiped a tear from her eye as she recalled those sorrowful conversations with Sam.
Hers was not the only moist eye in the Hall. Seeing the effect of her words, the High Councilor took a deep breath and pushed ahead. "But wait, the story does not end there, either. Shortly after my last communication with the Colonel, I received word of what can only be called a miracle… or, I suppose, three miracles.
"The first miracle was a tiny angel named Janelle Sha're, a delicate little girl with her momma's big blue eyes." Shinsall paused while a cheer went up from the crowd. When it was again quiet, she continued. "The second miracle was a pudgy cherub named Jonathan Daniel Teal'c O'Neill, who, I'm told, had his daddy's knack for letting the world know when he was unhappy." Again, the crowd laughed and cheered, and again Shinsall paused. After a moment, she gazed dramatically around the room, drawing every eye to her as she took a deep breath. "The third miracle was as magnificent as it was impossible. It took the form of a mighty, though somewhat battered General in the Tauri's United States Air Force. Apparently, Someone was listening to the fervent prayers being mournfully whispered on two planets, for, despite the sheer hopelessness of the situation, General Jack O'Neill appeared at his beloved's bedside within an hour of her giving birth to his children."
At once, the room erupted in a wild roar of disbelief and happiness. The normally calm, reserved Colonists laughed applauded passionately, completely appreciating the wondrous tale they'd just heard. Shinsall allowed the chaos to continue for a few moments before she again raised her hand. "Clearly," she said as quiet once again settled over the room, "I can see that some of you think I've invented this story for the benefit of our Harvest Celebration. Let me assure you, that is not the case. However, in case the word of a politician is not good enough to convince you," she said, smiling dryly, "I take great pleasure in introducing those individuals whose living presence bears witness to the truth of my story. May I present General Jack O'Neill, Colonel Samantha Carter, and little Janelle and Jonathan!"
The doors to the Great Hall opened, admitting the two proud parents and their tiny bundles. The colonists applauded with unrestrained delight, and stood in unison as Sam and Jack entered the Hall. Following the family into the massive room were Daniel, Teal'c, General Hammond, and Jacob.
Sam felt the festive cheers of the Colonists wash over her in an almost physical sensation of pleasure. Beaming, she looked at the man beside her, and felt her eyes fill with blissful tears. Jack looked mildly uncomfortable at all the attention being directed at him, but one look into his eyes convinced her that he was just as content as she was. When their gazes met, the world disappeared for a moment, and everything seemed utterly right with the world.
Behind them, Daniel and Teal'c saw the obvious affection pass between their two closest friends. The men exchanged a knowing look, and Daniel smiled happily. His past experiences had taught him to believe in the balance of the universe, but nothing confirmed those beliefs more than the events unfolding today. Sam and Jack's happy ending was right in a profoundly cosmic way. They had both suffered so much and gone to such heroic lengths to save billions of innocent people, it only seemed fair that they were finally able to be rewarded with such intense happiness.
Jack's gaze swept over his two perfect children and his amazing, smart, gorgeous fiancé. Unlike Daniel, he failed to see how he deserved any of the blessings being heaped upon him. However, he'd never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he'd take his second chance and pray that he might someday be worthy of it. He could hardly tear his eyes off of Sam. Three months after giving birth to twins, she looked better than any woman had a right to. Though her figure seemed to fill out her lovely, flowing, white gown a bit more than it might have a year ago, it was almost impossible to tell she'd ever been pregnant at all. The daisies woven into her short, blonde hair gave her an ethereal presence that was only heightened by her wide, luminous, crystal-blue eyes. A beam of late-afternoon sunlight streamed in through one of the Hall's giant windows, bathing her in sheer radiance. It caught her mid-laugh, sparkling off her full, red lips and dancing through her golden hair. In that moment, Jack felt his breath catch in his throat as he witnessed what could only be described as perfection. When her enormous cornflower eyes met his, he paused in the middle of the Hall, and in a tremendously uncharacteristic moment of spontenatity, leaned forward and kissed her swiftly on the lips. When the crowd witnessed this honest, unplanned act of love, the cheering in the room intensified tenfold.
As his lips left hers, Sam clutched little Janelle to her chest and gaped at Jack. Somewhat unhinged by his public display of affection, she blinked in shock. "What was that for?" she asked, trying to be heard over the roar of the crowd.
Jack shrugged and smiled. Shifting Jonathan into a more comfortable position, he leaned close to Sam's ear and spoke with enough volume to be heard only by her. "I love you, Samantha." When he pulled back, she blushed happily. Jack winked at her before resuming his purposeful steps to the front of the room.
When the party finally reached Shinsall, she raised her hands and again waited for the room to grow quiet. Clearing her throat, she gestured to the couple in front of her. On cue, they turned and handed their precious bundles to the waiting arms of Uncle Daniel and Uncle Teal'c. Then, in unison, they returned to their initial positions.
When the High Councilor spoke, it was with a note of joyous exultation. "Colonists, before me stands a couple wishing to unite in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. They ask for your blessing and the support of your community. And so, I ask you: do you approve of this union?"
A sharp, boisterous, "Aye!" resounded through the Hall.
Smiling, Shinsall returned her attention to Sam and Jack. Gently, she reached forward and placed Sam's hands into Jack's strong grasp. With a soft squeeze of Sam's fingers, she continued. "The Colony gives their blessing. The rest, my friends is up to you. Speak your hearts and be joined together as one soul for eternity."
Sam took a deep breath. For all their pomp and tradition, the Colonist's wedding ceremony was tremendously simple. First, the community was asked for their blessing. Then, the couple exchanged vows of their own creation. Once that was complete, the officiant gave a final blessing of the union. The whole affair wouldn't take more than ten minutes. Of course, when Jack had heard that he'd actually have to speak in front of an entire crowd of strangers, he'd almost changed his mind about the nature of the ceremony. However, Sam's heartfelt pleas had somehow managed to sway him. The simple honesty of the service appealed to Sam in a way that she couldn't explain. Perhaps it was the too-recent memories of the complicated military funeral rituals, but in any case, Sam was thoroughly pleased at the beautiful, unadorned marriage rites.
"Jack," she said softly, squeezing his warm hand affectionately, "when you came into my life all those years ago, I thought you were an arrogant, rash, self-centered jerk." At her first words, laughter resounded through the Hall, especially from Daniel, Teal'c and Hammond. Seeing Jack's eyes lighten with humor, she smiled into his warm, sparkling gaze. "As I served with you, I discovered that while you are, indeed, arrogant and rash, you couldn't be farther from self-centered, and you're only a jerk to people who really deserve it." This time, as the room filled with chuckles, Jack's was the loudest of them all. "However," she continued, a note of seriousness creeping into her voice, "I also came to see many other facets of your personality that I feel honored to have witnessed. Your competence as a commanding officer was only outshone by your unfailing dedication to your world. The sacrifices you made in the service of your people gave me a level of respect for you that I'd never before experienced. It was this unrelenting service that kept us apart for so long, and, ironically, what ultimately drew us together."
Swallowing, she stared into his deep, coffee-colored eyes and poured her soul out to him. "The moment I discovered I was having your babies, Jack, my first reaction wasn't fear or dread. It wasn't even shock. It was pure, simple joy. Somehow, my heart had always known what my mind had not. We were meant to be together. Our beautiful children were just a physical expression of the love I'd been holding for so very long."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her blue eyes. Jack's hand's tightened around hers in mute support, giving her the power to clear her throat and continue. "When I thought I'd lost you," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "I didn't know how I could possibly go on. I thought I'd never be able to live with such a gaping hole in my heart. Much to my surprise, however, I found a well of strength deep inside me. It was a well that had been filled through years of following your example as a soldier, and through months of feeling your support as a lover. It was only because of your strength, Jack, that I found the will to survive your loss." Clearing her throat, she closed her eyes for a moment as tears ran down her cheeks. When she reopened them, the joy in her gaze was breathtaking. "Amazingly, it turns out I don't have to live without you. I can keep you close to me for a future I'd almost given up on. And so, here I am today, holding your hands in mine. It seems impossible that we're actually here, and at the same time, impossible that it took us so long to get here. Jack, before another moment passes, I want to make it official. I, Samantha Carter, want nothing more in this life than to be your wife."
For a long moment, silence hung in the room as Jack collected himself. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated on the woman before him. Much to his surprise, the rest of the world seemed to fade away as he began speaking. "You, more than anyone, know that talking has never been one of my strong points. In fact, if I recall correctly, Daniel and Teal'c actually sent you to supervise me during last year's Harvest Celebration because they thought I might screw up and say something that would cause an interplanetary incident." Laughter from both the Colonists and the members of SG-1 punctuated his statement. "I guess," he said dryly, "we owe an awful lot to my total inability to communicate." Sam gazed tenderly into his eyes and chuckled warmly.
Humbled by her dazzling smile, Jack felt strong emotions grip his heart. "Samantha, I'll never be able to say what you mean to me. Luckily, you seem to hear it in spite of me. God knows, I don't deserve a woman like you." He paused, just looking into her eyes, trying to make her understand the depth of his emotions in the only way he knew how. After a few, perfect heartbeats, he saw the love that he felt reflected in her gaze, and he knew she'd heard the volumes of love and passion that were trapped in his chest. When he continued, his eyes took on a playful glint. "But, being the self-centered jerk that I am, I'm going to take you anyway." A tearful laugh erupted from Sam's throat, and she squeezed his hands gently. He reached up and brushed a tear from her cheek. Then, replacing his hand over hers, he spoke the formal statement that would complete his vows. "I, Jonathan O'Neill, want nothing more in this life than to be your husband."
With a brilliant smile, Shinsall placed her hands over the couple's. "Dear friends, your words have sealed what your hearts have created. It is my pleasure to bless your union. With the authority given to me by the community gathered here, I happily pronounce you wed." Then, borrowing a phrase from the traditional American ceremony, she grinned and said, "You may now kiss the bride."
Smiling impishly, Jack swooped down and captured his bride's lips in a searing kiss of possession.
Behind them, Jacob turned to General Hammond and spoke over the noise of the cheering crowd. "I think I see more grandchildren in my very near future."
Clapping his hand on the other man's back, Hammond laughed jovially. "I think you're right, Jacob. I think you're right."
Sand pelted the thick canvas of the military-issued tent. Gas lanterns burned brightly, giving light in spite of the fierce, choking sandstorm that raged outside. Two men stood over a circular set of paving stones set into the earth, intently examining the instrumentation spread out before them.
"Well, I'll be damned," one of them muttered. The SGC emblem on his sleeve gleamed in the lamplight. "Captain, come have a look at this."
The other man was older and wore both the SGC badge and the Air Force insignia. Leaning over, he examined the digital readout in his colleague's hand. "Son of a gun," he murmured. "Is that correct?" His eyes shot up and met the gaze of the other scientist.
The first man nodded. "Yes, sir. I've checked it twice."
The officer took a deep breath. "Guess we'd better get Colonel Carter over here right away."
"Ah, sir," the younger man said with a smile, "She's getting married today."
Clapping a hand to his forehead, the captain looked mildly embarrassed. "Of course. I can't believe I forgot." He glanced again at the instrument in the younger man's hand. "That reading just threw me for a loop."
Nodding, the young man grew serious. "Yes, sir. I completely understand."
The officer shook his head. "Well, I hope Colonel Carter and General O'Neill enjoy their honeymoon. Because I suspect it's going to get very busy around here when they get back."
The two men exchanged eager, yet anxious glances with each other before returning their attention to the red LCD screen in question.
The captain sighed again.
"Very, very busy."