"Trust you to be late to your own party, Doc," Ferretti wisecracked when he spied his second host rounding the corner, his hand linked with Annika’s.

"Great costume, Ferretti," Daniel grinned, taking in the man’s teased black wig, tightly laced black leather corset, fish net stockings and high heels.

The major struck a pose and then in a perfect strut of his character Doctor Frank N Furter from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, he mimicked, "I’m just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual, Transyl…" he froze when he saw the Nox woman. "Uh…hi, Lya."

The Nox was curiously studying the man’s outlandish costume. "Hello, Major. And whom do you represent?"

"Um…I’m actually part of a set." He hastily beckoned his teammates and Janet over, determined to ignore the snorts of laughter from SG-1. "We’re characters from a movie. I’m Doctor Frank N Furter, and may I present my faithful handyman Riff-Raff…"

Nyan dressed as the creepy hunchback took a bow.

"…and his sis…er…companion, Magenta…"

Brooklyn’s girlfriend, Mandy, dressed as the equally weird maid, smiled hello at the small woman.

"…Eddie…"

The stocky captain decked out like Meatloaf in his biker gear gave a wave.

"…And last but not least, Columbia."

Janet warmly greeted Lya, her sequined outfit, complete with bowler hat and hot pants, sparkling in the light of the lit braziers.

"Captain Rogers could not attend?" Lya enquired.

The doctor shook her head. "Unfortunately he’s in the infirmary. He was rather put out that he wasn’t well enough to complete our ensemble."

"Who would he have been?" Annika asked.

"Rocky," Ferretti replied. "He was looking forward to parading his stuff."

"Most fascinating attire," Thor commented, appearing at Lya’s side. He was gazing at the four score of costumed people.

"Thor, is that you under there?" For the benefit of all the non-cleared guests, the major and the rest of the SGC personnel did their best to hide their astonishment at the unexpected attendance of the alien dignitaries.

"It is, Major." The Yoda mask bobbed up and down. He turned to his hosts. "I am most eager to learn about the origins of the costumes your guests have chosen."

Before either Daniel or Annika could respond, Ferretti jumped in. "I’ll play tour guide," he offered, whisking the Asgard into the crowd with the rest of his troupe.

General Hammond introduced his wife to Lya, then held out his arm to escort her to get a drink.

Temporarily alone, the five friends watched the party that was in full swing, with everyone cheerfully chatting and mingling together.

"I’m amazed that everyone actually dressed up." Daniel accepted a tankard of beer from a passing waiter, his slightly awed gaze taking in the variety of costumes. There was a warm glow of happiness from beneath his heart and he squeezed Annika’s hand in response.

"Me too," she admitted. "Everyone went to so much trouble."

Many of their guests had chosen to group up, like Ferretti’s team. SG-3 and their partners were dressed as ‘The Flintstones’, including the purple pet dinosaur Dino. SG-9 had yellow latex masks of the characters Marge, Psycho Bob, Krusty the Clown and Mr. Burns from ‘The Simpsons’. The Russian team had chosen to come as members of ‘The Addams Family’, with the tallest man dressed as the butler Lurch, the shortest as Cousin It. The lady of the foreign team was Morticia, and the team leader as Gomez even included a mannequin hand resting on his shoulder as Thing. Daniel had to stifle a laugh at the sight of Colonel Chekov as Uncle Fester. But there were a lot of single and couple characters as well. Superman was taking a drink with The Headless Horseman. Shrek and Princess Fiona were chatting with Beetlejuice and Willy Wonka. Cassie and her boyfriend. as Trinity and Neo from ‘The Matrix’, were laughing with Janet and her Rocky Horror comrades. Siler dressed as the Grinch was having an in depth conversation with Walter who was Captain Jack Sparrow. Joyce, Margie and Catherine Langford, as Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and The Queen of Hearts, were an odd tribute to Disney’s cartoon villains.

"Strange that almost everyone chose fictional characters," Sam observed.

"It is not so surprising, Major Carter," Teal’c contradicted. "Considering the harsh reality we endure everyday, this event gives a rare opportunity for escapism."

"I never thought of it like that," the blonde mused.

One of the base nurses dressed as Wonder Woman, approached wanting to know about the party props and Annika moved off to play hostess. Daniel and Sam were drawn into conversation with Catherine, while Jack and Teal’c made it their mission to rescue Thor from the rapt attention of Joyce and Margie. About a half hour later when the two hosts managed to actually touch base with each other again, Sam joined them with a slight frown.

"Have either of you seen Jack? He seems to have disappeared."

"I think I saw him head towards the house."

Annika felt a mysterious burst of mischievousness through their bond and glanced sharply at her fiancé. He was wearing a ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ expression, but his eyes flickered to the second floor window. She saw the fisherman poke his head out from behind the curtain, scanning the sea of guests below. He gave Daniel the thumbs up, who in turn passed a covert head nod to Teal’c standing next to the DJ.

"Sam, you’ve got a smudge." The archaeologist raised his hand and wiped a gentle thumb to her cheekbone. His other hand stilled the denial that he knew was going to pop from his fiancée’s lips. Annika could see there wasn’t anything marring their friend’s make up.

The major automatically tried herself to rub off the imaginary mark. "Gone?"

Daniel shook his head, continuing the charade.

Sam shrugged. "Guess I’m making a trip to the bathroom." She headed towards the house.

Teal’c whispered to the man in charge of the music and the thumping beat of base was replaced by the echo of crashing waves against the beach, with the soft wistful melody of panpipes.

All the guests, including Sam, paused in action and speech at the abrupt change of mood music.

Before anyone could comment the tick-tick of a fishing reel releasing its line was heard from above. Heads swiveled up to see Jack, looking decidedly nervous, leaning out of the upstairs window, fishing rod in hand as he lowered a scrolled parchment by hook.

Making sure that the scroll was delivered to the right person standing below, he gave Sam a hesitant grin then jiggled the line in front of her face.

Bemused the major returned the smile, while unhooking the creamy paper tied with a bright red ribbon. She unrolled it, and read it, her head snapping back up to the window when she finished.

"What’s it say?" Annika asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

The blonde removed her wide-eyed gaze from her lover, who was looking even more jittery than before, to the redhead. She tried to speak, but there was a sudden lump in her throat that wouldn’t budge. Wordlessly she handed the paper over.

Daniel snagged it first. This contingency had also been planned, should Sam’s voice fail her, as it had. He cleared his throat and read out loud the poem for all to hear.

Quietly murmuring their surprise, every single person followed Sam’s initial reaction to stare at Jack.

Except for the object of his affection, he ignored them all. In between uncharacteristically shy glances down at Sam he reeled the fishing line back up and baited a new item to the hook. A pearl buffed closed scallop shell was jerkily lowered.

With slightly trembling hands, Sam opened it to reveal a two carat solitaire diamond ring set in white gold.

All heads that had just been lowered to see the treasure hidden within the shell, shot back up, only to find the tip of the fishing pole propped against the window frame minus the colonel.

"I love you, Sam."

Like a tennis match, everyone once again looked down at the sound of the familiar voice to see Jack standing at the doorway.

He took a hesitant step closer to Sam. "I know I’m not the youngest fish in the sea, and Lord knows you could do better than a crotchety colonel like me, but I’m asking anyway. Will you marry me?"

A hush fell over the crowd.

Stunned blue eyes locked on anxious yet sincere brown ones. A smile that could power the entire SGC complex graced Sam lips and Jack released the breath he hadn’t known he was holding.

"Yes." It came out in a whoosh as Sam propelled forward and Jack had his ribs crushed for the second time that day. Not that he cared; his mind was more focused on the lovely taste of his new fiancée’s lips pressed against his. Vaguely he heard a cheer go up from the crowd with a couple of quips along the lines of "About damned time."

When he was forced to come up for air, he locked an arm firmly around Sam’s waist and the couple turned to their friends, who were eager to bestow their congratulations. The first in line was Annika who hugged them both fiercely.

"So where did you get the poem?" she asked the older man.

"Oh, it was just something I whipped up one starry night," he breezed.

His teammates gave a look of pure disbelief.

"What? You don’t think I’m a man of hidden talents?" Jack feigned hurt.

An unladylike snort of laughter escaped from the newly engaged major. "Not when your last attempt was, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, beer and fishing’s my game, how about you?’"

"It got you to my cabin, didn’t it?" he teased.

"Spill, Jack," Annika pressed. "Where’d you find it?"

He gave a melodramatic sigh, "Well if you must know I was trolling the internet and stumbled…"

"Whoa, back up," Sam interrupted. "You used the internet?" The blonde’s expression was an equal mix of excited happiness, a residue from the proposal, and a glare. "You, who barely manages to switch on a computer, let alone use a search engine?"

The colonel grimaced. "Oy."

"O’Neill, I believe your cover has been blown." Teal’c’s lips twitched.

"Hey, T, you got the saying right!" Jack tried to change the subject away from his faked ineptness with the world of computers.

"That’s it," his fiancée declared. "From now on you write up your own reports."

"Jack! Poem!" Annika waved the parchment under his nose.

"Oh, right," he got back on track. "A fella…um…Nicholas Gordon, has a poetry site, all his own stuff, that he lets people use for just this sort of shindig." He then turned his attention to trying to wheedle Sam into remaining his mission typist. "For every report you write up I promise to…" he whispered something into his lover’s ear, making her blush.

"Deal," she agreed a bit breathlessly.

Jack gave a lopsided grin. "Sweet."

The teammates moved away to let the other well wishers have their say.

The party was just getting back into the swing of things when the celebrant turned up. Though he was not an ordained priest, he had agreed to the bride and groom’s request to arrive in character, and was dressed in the black robe of a Catholic clergyman, complete with white collar and silver cross, hung around his neck.

Ferretti took one look at the man and cracked, "You’re a little early, Father, they only got engaged tonight."

"On the contrary, Major Ferretti, this man has arrived at the correctly appointed time."

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. There was a temporary lull between songs and the Jaffa’s voice was clearly heard by all.

Annika had given strict instructions that this moment was to be captured on film, and in the silence that descended only the sound of a camera shutter could be heard.

The bride and groom, with wide smiles at their astounded friends, elaborated on Teal’c’s announcement.

"I’m afraid we have invited you all here under false pretenses," Daniel began.

"There was a final verse to the invitations," Annika explained innocently. "Mentioning that our house warming was also our wedding, but it wouldn’t fit on the page."

There were a few chuckles, but most of their guests were still doing great stunned mullet impersonations.

"So if you could all take a seat," Daniel directed. "We can get the ceremony underway."

A little shell shocked their gaily made up friends obediently moved towards the long tables, while the bridal party took their places.

"There are no more surprises to this house warming are there?" Janet asked playfully, settling on one of the benches next to Cassie.

"Not that we’ve planned," Daniel answered, directing one of the wait staff where to place the chalice needed for the ceremony on the head table. "Jack, you have the rings?"

The best man tapped one of his vest pockets. "I’ve got yours, Sam’s got Annika’s."

Daniel and Annika had spent many of their days off scouring every jewelry store around. Money had been no object, but neither had liked any of the selections on display. After much debate, they had decided they already had the perfect symbols of their love in the identical rings they had given each other at Christmas. Before getting ready for the party, the couple had removed the rings, entrusting them into the care of their chosen witnesses.

Daniel found it disconcerting to have a bare hand again, even if it was only for a couple of hours. The platinum circle hadn’t left his finger since he'd first put it on and he felt naked without it. He was eager to have the familiar weight back, and from that moment onwards, he had no intention of ever removing it again.

Annika, Sam and Teal’c had gathered at the side of the house. Sam, as the maid of honor, was making sure that the bride was looking her best, tucking a stray lock of red hair away from her friend’s suddenly pale face.

"Not nervous, huh?" One of the caterers brought out two bouquets as prearranged, and Sam handed her the bunch of wild flowers.

"Nope. I’m fine."

"Then, Annika Murdoch, please explain the choke hold you are maintaining on your flower arrangement." Teal’c sounded just as amused as Sam.

The redhead glanced down at the creamy blossoms entwined with amethyst and blue ribbon, clutched in an unintentional death grip. She loosened her hand with a wry grin. "You know how I said a wedding wasn’t necessary?"

Sam nodded, unwinding the trail of blue and green ribbons from her own bouquet.

"Yeah, well, I lied." She took a few deep breaths. "A marriage certificate is important. It makes everything official. I want that little piece of paper…" She absently rubbed the base of her third finger, missing the band of platinum. "And I want my ring where it belongs. I’ve felt half dressed all night," she groused.

"And you shall have them," Teal’c promised. He was to escort the bride down the aisle. At first the Jaffa had declined, and to the astonishment of Annika had become quite angry when she'd asked him. Seething with rage and disappointment he’d flatly refused and had stormed from the room. Totally bewildered and more than a little upset, Annika had tearfully sought out Daniel. The man’s reaction had confused the archaeologist as well, until he’d managed to coax from his fiancée precisely what she had said. As it turned out, the simple request had identified a cultural misunderstanding between Jaffa and Tau’ri. Annika had asked if Teal’c would ‘give her away’. To the Earth woman it was a figure of speech that identified the role of giving her family’s blessing over her marriage. Teal’c, a man born into slavery, had taken the term literally. He had been appalled that Annika had considered herself an object to be passed around. Daniel had resolved the issue by giving the Jaffa a brief history lesson on Christian marriage, emphasizing that the term was an archaic reference to what once had been, not what was now. He compared it to the warrior’s own title, pointing out that Teal’c still referred to himself as Jaffa even though he was no longer ‘a faithful one, a servant to the Gods’. He had then shown him a copy of their intended ceremony. Teal’c had humbly apologized to Annika for misinterpreting her request. Annika had apologized for offending Teal’c. And once again all was good between them.

Teal’c held out his arm to the woman, who in a few short months had become like a little sister to him. "Are you ready to become one with your soul mate?"

The butterflies in Annika’s stomach morphed into a herd of stampeding elephants. She felt a gentle caress beneath her heart. Feeling Daniel’s love envelope her from the inside out calmed her nerves. She nodded, linking arms with Teal’c.

Annika knew that the soft melody of the flute had started because Sam was already walking sedately forward. She knew that Teal’c was by her side and that she was walking down a path lined with the smiling faces of her friends. But she didn’t see or hear any of that. The only thing she heard was the steady beating of her heart. The only thing she saw was the man who waited but a few steps away. The man who had awakened her heart from the first moment she looked into his kind eyes, who had captured her soul with a shy smile and aroused her mind with his gentle words. The man she’d love for eternity and the man who loved her just as passionately.

When the music started, Daniel’s heart began to pound in anticipation. All his senses were in overdrive. He could hear the soft sounds of the people around him, breathing in and out, the swish of shifting clothing and the tap of high-heeled shoes walking towards him. He took a deep breath, and a mix of the night’s scents invaded his nostrils. Perfumes and aftershave, sweet wine, tangy beer, the aroma of the meal the caterers were preparing and curiously coffee, though he didn’t recall anyone drinking that beverage as yet. His sight captured every little detail. The thousands of sequins on Janet’s costume, the individual green hairs of Siler’s Grinch outfit, the gaudy red of Catherine’s lipstick.

Wanting to take advantage of this newfound sight, he looked beyond Sam’s shoulder to the woman who in a few short minutes would be his wife. His eye devoured her, wanting to remember this moment forever. Annika had removed the wizard’s coat, and the simple dress enhanced her natural beauty. Her big violet eyes, so expressive with every thought and emotion were glowing with love and happiness. She had brought so much joy and laughter into his life, more than he’d ever dared to imagine. He loved her with every breath of his body, with every thought in his mind. And extraordinarily Annika loved him back with equal fervor. If this was a dream, he hoped never to wake up, for a reality without her by his side did not bear contemplation.

A final step and Annika took her place in front of the celebrant. Sam stood to her left, Teal’c, temporarily on her right, then Daniel and Jack.

With a smile at the strangest bridal party he had ever seen, the celebrant began the ceremony by addressing the guests.

"We have been invited here on this magical night, to celebrate the joining together of Annika Murdoch and Daniel Jackson. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths, and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of Life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing. Without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in this journey called Life, let it be this.

"Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Daniel and Annika have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family’s blessing." He turned his attention to the smiling redhead in front of him. "Annika, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?"

"Yes, it is true," she replied.

"With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?"

Teal’c gave a slight bow of his head. "Annika Murdoch comes with me, a representative of her extended family and is accompanied by their blessings. A family created by spirit, for the familial bond which we doth share be stronger than existing blood kin." The Jaffa stepped back and to the side next to Jack.

The celebrant lifted his hands gesturing to Daniel and Annika. "Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say."

With eyes locked on each other, the couple did as bid.

"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the Spirit of Life is with you always." He paused turning to the groom.

"Daniel, I have not the right to bind thee to Annika, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."

Jack fished out the ring and handed it to his friend.

"It is my wish." With a surprisingly steady hand, Daniel lay the amethyst and sapphire ring in Annika’s palm, and her fingers closed around it, gently caressing his as she did so.

"Annika, if it be your wish for Daniel to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger."

Without hesitation she slid the stone encrusted band on, returning it to its rightful place.

"Annika, I have not the right to bind thee to Daniel, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand."

Sam relinquished her role of ring bearer to Annika, who immediately gave it to Daniel.

"It is my wish," her voice slightly husky with emotion.

"Daniel, if it be your wish for Annika to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger."

When he slid her ring on, he felt a thrill of bliss through their bond. His fingers interlocked with Annika’s, an unconscious symbol of their entwined hearts.

With a nod from the celebrant the couple recited their vows in unison.

"I, Annika Murdoch…

"I, Daniel Jackson…

"…In the name of the Spirit that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee to my hand and my heart, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself."

There were some happy sighs from the seated guests. The pure love and devotion that echoed from their voices as they recited their vows had a couple of tissues being reached for to dab at suddenly misty eyes.

The celebrant picked up the wine chalice from the table and handed it over to Daniel. "May you drink your fill from the cup of love and never be thirsty again."

Daniel took the cup and held it carefully to Annika’s lips for her to drink. She took a sip and then he transferred the cup to Annika’s hand. With his eyes still locked onto hers, he clearly saw the impish gleam that jumped into her violet depths. When she tilted the cup for him to drink he discovered the reason why. Instead of the wine that traditionally was used for this part of the ceremony, the liquid that trickled down his throat was warm sweet coffee.

With eyes dancing he couldn’t help but murmur, "The elixir of life."

"For you and me both," she replied.

The celebrant raised an eyebrow at the adlib, but moved on the final part of the ceremony. "By the power vested in me by the Life’s Spirit and the State, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you."

He barely finished the last sentence before bride and groom were enjoying their first kiss as husband and wife. Cheeks flushed with happiness they eventually broke off their kiss to the congratulatory cheer of those around them.

While they signed the official register, with Jack and Sam as their witnesses, the caterers started to bring out the first course of the meal. Like the decorations and invitations, the menu Daniel and Annika had decided upon was of a medieval flair. Trays of round loaves of barley, potato and tomato bread were laid out with flavored butters, pates and cheeses. The finger food allowed the guests to move around while they ate, most of who were eager to talk to the married couple, expressing their surprise, delight and congratulations at the unexpected turn of the evening.

By the time the main course was brought out, the bridal party had taken their places in the high backed chairs at the main table. The meal served up on platters, included tartes de chare, (individual pork pies with currants, raisins and pine nuts,) honey glazed baked chicken, a spinach salad seasoned with a rosemary and herb dressing, peppered mushrooms with saffron, and makerouns, which was a lasagna-type cheese dish.

After the waiters had cleared the plates away Jack stood, clapping his hands together to gather everyone’s attention.

"According to tradition," he paused, giving an exasperated shake of his head at the bride and groom. "Not that there has been much of that with these two tonight, or any other time for that matter…I, as the best man, am supposed to give a speech. So…here it goes…" He cleared his throat. "When one sunny day six months ago, my best friend started tripping over tricky obstacles like blades of grass and air, I knew something was up. And when Daniel admitted he met his neighbor and couldn’t get her out of his mind, my first thought was YES! Finally the man has found an interest that doesn’t involve a bunch of old rocks. I thought he’d stop working around the clock twenty-four seven, he’d get his nose out of those moldy books…"

"My books aren’t moldy," Daniel protested.

"Musty?" Jack compromised.

The scholar shrugged with a grin, "I’ll concede that."

"Get his nose out of those musty books, and basically have a bit of fun."

Daniel began to interrupt again, but Jack cut him off. "Nope, I know what you’re gonna say and N. O. No way you’ll convince me that ‘Beck’s Ancient Phoenician Symbology’ or that Budgie fella’s books are fun."

"I found them quite interesting," Annika piped up.

"Shhhh, I haven’t gotten to you yet." The colonel flapped his hand at her. "Now, being the conscientious friends that we are," Jack gestured to include Sam and Teal’c. "We wanted to make sure that everything was running smoothly…"

"Hey, don’t bring us into it," Sam shook her head. "You coerced us into going over to Daniel’s."

"Did not."

"Indeed you did, O’Neill," Teal’c contradicted. "You threatened to hide Major Carter’s computer and my Star Wars deluxe DVD edition if we did not accompany you."

"You say pot-ahto, I say pota-eto."

The guests chuckled at the banter that had become synonymous with the team before them.

"As I was saying…when we first met Annika, I admit that I wasn’t sure what to make of her. She was a bit of an oddball…"

"Gee, thanks, Jack."

"…and a real wiseass," he grinned at the redhead. "So naturally she fit in from the word go. But there was one thing, and one thing alone that had me putting aside her whacky behavior of that first meeting…"

"You found out she made cakes for a living," Daniel pronounced.

"My speech," Jack tapped at his chest. "Not yours." Then he became serious directing his words to the bride herself. "You made Daniel laugh. Since he’s met you, Daniel laughs more in one day than in all the years I’ve known him put together. You’ve made him happy." His tell tale smirk was back. "Of course you’ve done nothing to discourage his obsession with his work, since you amazingly have developed the same delusional work ethic as your husband, and he still barely manages to get any sleep…though for totally different fun reasons. But seeing that constant smile on his face is enough for me. And from the way your eyes light up whenever Daniel is nearby, a blind man can see that you love him as much as he loves you. That’s all any of us could ask for, it’s what we all strive for, and you, my two friends, have been lucky enough to find." Jack addressed the outer tables. "So, now I ask you to raise your glasses…er…tankards or whatever it is you’re drinking from, and wish them many years of fun and love in wedded bliss." He lifted his tankard. "To the bride and groom."

The guests all reciprocated the toast. "To the bride and groom."

Daniel made a very short speech, thanking everyone for coming and then the cake was wheeled out.

The cake itself was a rolling a plain of ‘grass’ with minute wild flowers dotting the greenery. In the center, Annika had created an intricate sugar castle, complete with a little drawbridge and banners in the couple’s wedding colors flowing from the turrets. Ivy vines climbed over the ‘stone’ bricks and tiny water reeds lined the toffee moat of aqua green. Standing on the main turret run were replicas of Daniel and Annika in their costumes.

"One of your creations?" Sam asked admiring the intricate detail of each and every brick and tile of the edible sculpture.

"Of course," Annika said in mock seriousness. "Do you know how much cake decorators charge?"

Husband and wife posed for the obligatory photo of them cutting the cake and then the caterers took over. The icing castle was carefully removed for a keepsake and the chocolate base with coffee cream was sliced up. The rest of the desserts were brought out to give the almost sated guests some variety.

Annika felt a tug of amusement from Daniel. She glanced over to see him surreptitiously studying Thor’s plate.

The Asgard had chosen a mini waffle topped with raspberries and cream over the fruit tarts, but had surrounded the sweet pastry with a half a dozen chocolate truffles. With a chuckle of her own, she wondered where the petite alien would put it all. For a being whose usual diet consisted of dice sized cubes of vitamins, Thor was having a marvelous time sampling the heartier Earth food.

A little while later Annika ducked upstairs to touch up her make up and readjusted her outer robe that she’d put back on after the ceremony. She got sidetracked when she glanced out the bedroom window, the bird’s eye view of the party capturing her attention. Two wonderfully familiar arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Hello, my Wife."

She leant into his embrace, resting the back of her head on his shoulder. "Hello, my Husband."

"Whatcha’ doing up here all by yourself?"

"Just thinking what a wonderful night this has been," she sighed happily. "Everything went perfectly."

"Yep," he agreed. "Operation Sneaky Marriage was a complete success."

The content couple spent another few moments surveying the revelry they had created, both smiling when they saw Sam sneak a kiss with Jack behind one of the suits of armor.

"I wonder if Jack knows how much it meant to Sam that he proposed in front of everyone." Annika hadn’t had a chance to tell Daniel about Sam’s surprising revelation from when they were getting ready. She had debated long and hard and decided that if she told Daniel, then he could tell Jack about Sam’s fears. But thankfully her Plan A hadn’t been needed.

"He knows. That’s why he did it."

"The way he did it was the second best thing of this evening," she declared.

"And what was the first?" he murmured in her ear.

Annika twisted in his arms, folding her arms around his neck. "Hearing those seven little words, ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife’."

"Not the kiss afterward?" he teased.

"Well…" she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "When you’ve had once kiss, you’ve had them all."

"That sounds like a challenge." Daniel had felt the shot of desire from her at the memory of that moment.

Annika raised an impish eyebrow and her voice became husky. "Care to take me up on it?"

"Gladly." His lips descended on hers, seeking her sweet taste, loving the way she eagerly responded. The ever present need for each other was like molten lava coursing through their veins. A hand moved down to cup her behind, holding her closer, wanting the increased contact of her body pressed to him even with the barrier of their clothing. The action elicited a soft moan against his mouth and he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with hers.

The loud sound of laughter from outside intruded upon their ears, inconveniently reminding them that they still had a yard full of guests. With a final peck of lips, they rested forehead to forehead, while they tried to still their rapidly beating hearts and cool their desire riddled bodies. They’d just gotten themselves under control when there was a quiet clearing of a throat from the doorway.

They looked over to see Lya standing hesitantly in the threshold. "I’m sorry for the interruption."

Smiling at the Nox they beckoned her in.

Daniel waved away her concerns. "We were just coming back down."

"I was wondering if I could have a word with you."

Annika nodded. "Sure, pull up a pillow." She patted the bed, taking a seat on the soft mattress. Her friend seemed uncharacteristically nervous and she wanted to put her at ease.

Lya hesitated a moment then delicately perched herself on the bed, but she didn’t say anything.

Daniel thought about leaving the two women alone. He knew what Lya wanted to tell his wife, and was unsure if it should be done privately. However it was clear the Nox didn’t know where to begin. Deciding to stick around to help, he started off with small talk. "Are you enjoying our little party?"

"Very much." Doe eyes looked gratefully at him. "That was a beautiful commitment ceremony," she started. "Your vows were very touching."

"Thanks." Annika flashed a loving glance at Daniel. "It took forever to find the right ones for us."

"Teal’c’s blessing, it implied that blood kin is not important to you."

The comment surprised Annika. She thought carefully before answering, knowing that the Nox way of life was deeply tied with the family unit. "Family is important. But just being genetically related doesn’t automatically earn them the right to be called family. A family accepts you for who you are and loves you in spite of it. The people out there…" She gestured to their guests outside. "They have acted more like a family than my biological relations."

The Nox nodded slowly, accepting her explanation.

The redhead misread the action. "I’m sorry if that offends you…"

"It doesn’t," Lya assured. "It’s just…would you have liked to have your genetic kin’s blessing?"

"Of course." Annika’s answer was immediate. "But since we’re not exactly on speaking terms at the moment, it wasn’t going to happen."

"You have at least one blood kin who bestows blessings to your marriage."

A frown of confusion marred her brow. "I do?"

Lya took a deep breath. "You have my blessing."

"You consider me family?" Annika got a lump in her throat.

"Um…Annika," Daniel spoke to clear up the misconception. "Not consider…are."

"What?"

"Many eons ago, a member of my people lived on Earth," Lya began to explain the story of Naturra. "…You are a descendant of hers."

The Nox waited anxiously for Annika’s response.

Daniel took a more direct approach, searching their bond. Total bewilderment was replaced by disbelief and a yearning of hope.

"Holy sh…er…sugar," she corrected. "Talk about a Da Vinci code moment." It came out a shaky whisper.

He gave her ribs a tickle, making her squirm away with an absent giggle.

"What was that for?"

"Confirming you’re awake," he grinned. "Trust me, much better than Jack’s method."

She smiled back. How typical of Daniel to know what she was thinking. A genetic link to the Nox explained so much about herself. It meant there was a reason she had her abilities, that she wasn’t a freak of nature. "So we’re…cousins?" She tilted her head in question at Lya, trying to work out their relationship in her head.

The small woman nodded shyly. "Many generations removed, but yes."

Violet eyes swung back to her husband. "Not dreaming?"

"Not dreaming," he confirmed.

There was an explosion of excited joy beneath his heart a second before a goofy grin spread across her lips.

"I’m part Nox."

The three of them were grinning like Cheshire cats.

Annika threw her arms around the alien woman. Lya returned the hug just as tightly. When the two eventually drew apart, there was a misty sheen to their eyes.

"I’m not gonna have to turn vegetarian am I?" the redhead joked, trying to rein in the multitude of emotions bombarding her.

"No, that is your personal choice," her cousin promised, wiping a happy tear from Annika’s cheek, then had to repeat the action on herself.

While the women composed themselves, Daniel explained about the need for secrecy, which Annika understood and agreed to. It was clear that they wanted to stay and talk longer about their newfound connection, but the sounds of the reception downstairs made them realize that tonight wasn’t the time or the place for a discussion that had the potential to last for hours. The three of them headed back outside to continue on with the party that was turning into a night of surprises for everyone.