Warning: This chapter is like a stuffed animal, filled with fluff but I couldn't resist!

A/N: Many, many thanks to DaniWilder for all of her suggestions and the Beta.

Gracias,

JJ

Dis-Harmony

Chapter 6

Big Surprises and Small Packages

Two Weeks Later

Harmony's birthday celebration was nearly over. It had gone on all day and Rodney was so tired he was heartily glad that they'd come in a pair of Jumpers so he wouldn't have to walk back to the Stargate. He rubbed his eyes, yawned and once again thought about a puzzling email he'd received from Jeannie stating that she was sorry she wouldn't be here for the big event because she couldn't spare a month away from her family at this time. Madison was starting school and Kaleb a new job so things were hectic in the Miller home. He pushed it out of his mind again and gazed at the paintings on the back wall.

Harmony, over her pre-teen pique at what had transpired at the Ruins of Larus, had made a change to the embarrassing painting of John crouching in terror while he, Rodney, fought off the rogue Genii singlehandedly. The redo now had John also holding a P-90 and looking semi-heroic though Rodney was still in the foreground.

But what really drew his eyes was the one next to it. The young queen had a painting created to commemorate the challenge. It was of Jennifer, Teyla, Harmony and Flora. They were all depicted as great warriors befitting the newest heroes to the crown, "another glorious victory." Jennifer, her blonde hair a halo around her head, looked strong, confident and fierce in her Athosian attire. His pride in her soared and not just because he loved her. Challenging Harmony had been a noble and, dare he say, gallant thing to do for anyone. He was just glad she'd done it for him. If he hadn't loved her before, that would have done it!

He looked around the Great Hall. In addition to John, Teyla, Jennifer and himself, those in attendance included Woolsey, Lorne, Carson, Amanda Cole, Radek, Marie Cho, Ronon, Chuck, Amelia, and a few others. In fact, most of the Atlantis attendees were either from Medical or Science and Research. Another thing that puzzled him.

They were all dressed as he was, in a suit, dress or dress uniform. Why Harmony thought they needed to be dressed up for her birthday party he had no idea. He thought about removing his tie but every time he tried either Teyla or Sheppard stopped him, though they did allow him to remove his jacket.

He sighed and knocked back the last of his wine. An attendant was there immediately to take the empty glass and hand him a full one. Just as he was bringing it to his lips a hand snatched it from him and replaced it on the attendant's tray. "No more wine for him." John ordered. "Water or tea only." And, as John had been reinstated as a hero to the crown, he was instantly obeyed.

"As you wish, Sir John."

"Hey, I was gonna drink that!" Rodney snapped indignantly.

"You've had plenty already. Stick to something non-alcoholic for the rest of the night."

Rodney crossed his arms and glared at John. "Funny, you don't look like my mother."

"Ha, ha. We still have a big night ahead of us and I do not want you heaving in the Jumper on the way home."

The physicist opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by the sound of trumpets. Rodney put his hands over his ears and winced.

Everyone got quiet and turned to face the dais where Harmony and Flora's thrones were positioned side by side. Seconds later, Teyla, holding Jennifer's hand, brought the physician over and made her sit next to Rodney. She took the seat next to her while John demanded the physicist put his jacket back on. He did albeit reluctantly. It was the same suit he'd worn to Mardola's funeral but with a blue shirt and less conservative tie in shades of blue that matched Jennifer's dress.

Jennifer was in a simple yet sexy Persian blue cocktail dress. It had a scooped but conservative neckline front and back, the area under her breasts was ruched to emphasize her curves and it had an asymmetrical hemline that fell to just below her knees. It flounced when she walked drawing the eye to the sway of her hips and toned legs. Her feet were tucked into two-inch strappy sandals and her hair was worn in an elegant yet simple up-do. Diamonds sparkled in her ears and around her neck.

Harmony stood and smiled at the group assembled before her. "I wish to thank all of you for attending the commemoration of the beginning of my seventeenth year of life. It has truly been a wonderful celebration. But now we must move on to an even more joyous occasion: The Betrothal Ceremony!" Applause thundered around the room as well as cheers and whistles from the group from Atlantis.

Rodney leaned over and whispered to John, "Oh, crap! I completely forgot. Were we supposed to bring an engagement gift?"

"No! Now shut up!"

Harmony gestured for quiet as the officiator from Mardola's service stepped up beside her. He was wearing long white robes and carrying what looked like a bible. "Cleric Santo will perform the ceremony for…"

"Oh, boy. Here it comes. Now we get to find out who Harmony has chosen to replace me. Not that anyone ever could. I'm just saying."

"Will you be quiet and listen?" John chastised him.

"…the heroes to the crown, Rodney McKay and his one true love, Jennifer Keller!"

* * * * *

Everyone applauded as they turned and looked at the couple sitting side by side with identical deer-in-the-headlights expressions. They looked at each other and in unison said, "Did you know about this? What? Of course I didn't know!"

Then it hit Rodney. "Sheppard!"

The Air Force Colonel placed a hand over his heart. "I cannot tell a lie. It was Harmony's idea."

"But…"

Teyla and John stood and urged Rodney and Jennifer to their feet. They stood but didn't move toward the front of the room and an uncomfortable silence began to descend. Sheppard leaned close and whispered in his ear, "Rodney! Take Jennifer's hand and walk to the front of the room. It's easy, left, right, left, right. There you go."

Rodney was so stunned that he obeyed automatically, his right hand grasping Jennifer's left pulling her forward. They reached the dais and Harmony directed them to stand in front of Cleric Santo, an older man with graying hair and white robes trimmed in gold.

Santo gestured and the room became so quiet Jennifer could hear the blood rushing through her veins. In fact, that's all she could hear. Every other sound in the room had faded away. Her sense of touch had also deserted her. All she could feel was Rodney's hand clutching hers almost to the point of pain as they stood in front of their friends and the royal council.

Rodney was nearly paralyzed. He'd gone up against Wraith, murderous Genii, Michael's hybrids, super volcanoes and a tiny parasite that had invaded his brain but he was more scared now than at any other time in his life. Well, except for when he and Jeannie had been kidnapped by Henry Wallace and she'd been injected with nanites. There had been a real chance that his sister would die and that fear had motivated him to offer himself as a meal to the hungry Wraith they'd eventually named Todd.

Yes, he'd thought about marrying Jennifer. In fact, it was the first thing he'd thought about after their first night together, once he could think again. But he hadn't wanted to spring something like that on her too soon although he had already planned the event in his mind. They would have a romantic supper or a picnic under the stars, champagne, slow dancing, a few sweet kisses then he'd pull the perfect ring from his pocket, drop to one knee and say…

"Rodney, you're hurting my hand." Jennifer whispered in his ear.

"Oh, sorry." His hand immediately released hers and she flexed her fingers to restore the circulation.

She and Rodney engaged? Not that she hadn't entertained the idea a time or two…or three but they'd only been a couple for a short time and weren't ready to take that step yet. Were they? Obviously Harmony, John and Teyla thought so or they wouldn't have planned this without consulting them.

"We are here today to join Rodney and Jennifer together in betrothal. The vows they take today are not as binding as the vows of marriage but, like those of marriage, should not be taken lightly." He opened the large leather-bound book in his hands. It was old; at least as old as the castle itself, the edges worn from the hands of many who had gone before.

"Who will stand with Rodney and Jennifer and bear witness to this betrothal?"

Rodney and Jennifer's heads whipped around when they heard John and Teyla announce in unison, "We will, my Lord." They came forward, John to stand on Rodney's left and Teyla on Jennifer's right.

Rodney looked over at Harmony and she gave him a smile and nod of encouragement. Turning to his right he saw the woman he loved looking up at him with a timorous smile and just like that his panic evaporated. The churning in his mind calmed and his ability to focus on a single task to the exclusion of all else returned. He could do this! He wanted do this! Here, now, in front of his…family. Suddenly, that puzzling email from Jeannie made sense. She'd been invited to attend. It would not be the same without her but she had a life and a family that needed her. He needed her just as much but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.

He brought his attention back to Cleric Santo who had continued to speak. "They will now each state their full names then read aloud from the Book of Larus the vows that will bind them together in betrothal." A young man, also dressed in white robes but without ornamentation, stepped forward and handed Rodney a small tome already open to a page near the center.

"I, Meredith Rodney McKay…" His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

"I am sorry but you must speak louder so that all may hear your promise." Santo advised him.

Rodney cleared his throat and started again, louder this time. "I, Meredith Rodney McKay…" he looked down at the page. The words were flowery and old-fashioned. "Thee", "thou" and "foreswear" were used in abundance. He closed the book and handed it back. "I-I-I'm sorry, but I can't. This is too...much..."

A gasp went through the crowd and he could hear shocked whispers but ignored everything but the woman beside him.

Jennifer was stunned. He didn't want to marry her? After all she'd gone through for him, the waiting, the hoping, the challenge, and here he was dumping her during their engagement party and in front of their friends! He is soooo gonna-

"...so I'm going to, you know, just say what's in my heart." He turned and took both of her hands in his, looking deep into her brown eyes. "Jennifer…before I met you I was never really alive, just going through the motions of living. But you have shown me what was missing from my life. I never thought I was capable of loving someone as much as I do you at this moment but, somehow, I know that I will love you even more tomorrow. You have filled my life with laughter and wonder and a thousand things that have no name. You are the missing piece of my heart, the other half of my soul. I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I'm with you. Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream of a life other than work. And I look forward with great joy to spending the rest of my life with you, caring for you, nurturing you, being there for you in all that life has in store for us, the good, the bad and everything in between, and I vow to be true and faithful for as long as we both shall live."

-get lucky tonight! She couldn't help it. Tears welled up in her eyes, clinging to her lashes and spilling down her cheeks. Their eyes locked on each other until Santo cleared his throat and she brought her attention back to the ceremony.

The cleric nodded and she took a deep breath, let it out and, in a voice that all could hear, said, "I, Jennifer Elaine Keller, love you so much I don't think there's a word for it. I love you in spite of all your little...flaws or maybe because of them, I don't know which. And, well…" she paused to gather her thoughts, "...ditto! To everything you just said!" Thunderous applause greeted her simple pronouncement and her tears began to flow faster.

"At this time, our people usually exchange a small token, something that reminds you of the vows you have taken today. We understand that your people exchange rings." To Santo's left stood a young girl carrying small box that looked familiar to Rodney. He gestured and she stepped forward shyly. She opened the box and nestled inside were a set of wedding rings in silver. A note was with them and he recognized Jeannie's handwriting. He took the folded sheet of paper out and read it while Jennifer looked over his shoulder.

"Mer,

When John and Teyla told me about the betrothal ceremony I was so excited I could barely stand it. I knew the two of you would be perfect together and now I will have the sister I have always wished for!

In Euclidian geometry, a circle is a simple shape consisting of those points in a plane which are the same distance from a given point called the center. A ring is a circle, a shape without an end like the love I know you have for Jennifer. Grammy and Gramps would have wanted you have their wedding rings to wear as a symbol of that love.

Congratulations, big brother and don't forget to send pictures!

Love,

Jeannie, Kaleb and Madison"

At the cleric's direction, John took the smaller ring from the box and passed it to Rodney. He slipped the circle of silver over Jennifer right ring finger then raised her hand and kissed the back of it. A perfect fit!

Teyla took the larger ring, handed it to Jennifer, giving her a smile as a single tear escaped. Jennifer pushed the ring over Rodney's right ring finger then, as he'd done before her, kissed the back of his hand and pressed it to her cheek. A perfect fit, just like us!

They kept hold of each other's right hands as instructed and turned to face Santo again.

"Love alters not with brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom. As you have stood together and given your hearts to one another let all who bear witness rejoice in your happiness. You will be forever more, two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one."

Rodney held up a hand to stop the applause that had begun. He leaned toward Cleric Santo and asked a short question. The man grinned and nodded. The physicist turned to the love of his life, put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her as those gathered around them cheered. Her hands went to his shoulders and pulled him close so they were now touching from shoulder to knee then slid her arms up around his neck, pushing her hands into his hair. His hands slipped to her waist and around to her back pressing her even closer. He tilted his head deepening the kiss. Her hands came up to frame his face feathering her thumbs over his cheeks. Neither of them noticed that the crowd had stopped cheering and were now watching the couple, completely captivated by the spectacle they were providing.

Rodney thought he felt someone touch him on the shoulder but ignored it and kept kissing Jennifer. He could go on drinking from her lips forever. She was the only nourishment he needed.

Somewhere in the back of her mind Jennifer knew that they would need to come up for air at some point but not yet. Kissing him was all she wanted to do, all she needed. If she had to choose between loving him, and breathing, she would use her last breath to tell him she loved him.

John watched Rodney and Jennifer kiss and kiss and kiss. Hands in his pockets he made a quick scan of the sea of faces. The kiss went on so long that people began to shift and whisper nervously. He adjusted his tie and picked bits of imaginary lint from his dress uniform just for something to do, cleared his throat, then tapped Rodney on the shoulder. He either didn't feel it or chose to ignore it. John thought it was probably the latter so he edged close enough to whisper in his friend's ear.

"Rodney? Rodney! Rodney!!"

The physicist lifted his lips from Jennifer's and said dreamily, "What? I'm kinda busy." He waved him away like he was a pesky insect. "Come back…later." Jennifer pulled his lips to hers again.

"I understand but, you know, people would kind of like to get back to the party. I mean, if it's not an imposition."

"Hmm? Oh!" He and his love reluctantly parted and the party resumed.

Ten and a Half Months Later

Rodney, Jennifer, John and Teyla were escorted into the Great Room and asked to wait. Before long Harmony entered and embraced each of them in turn. Several attendants milled around the periphery of the room waiting to do the bidding of their queen and the heroes of the crown.

"It is good to see all of you again. I wish to thank you for coming with so little notice and hope you will stay to share the evening meal with us."

John didn't need to consult with his companions. "It's not a problem and we'd be honored, Your Majesty."

"Excellent." She smiled and clasped her hands together in front of her. "I have asked you here to tell you that I am betrothed."

All four of the Atlanteans broke out in big smiles. "That's…great but you, uh, didn't invite us to the ceremony." Rodney complained.

Harmony smiled at Rodney the way a woman does when a man is being more than a little dense. "We did not have a ceremony. That practice was abolished by queen's decree immediately after the one you shared with Jennifer."

"Oh, uh, so, when will we get to meet him?" Rodney asked.

"Immediately." She held out her hand and a young blonde man in the uniform of a Captain in the queen's army stepped forward. He looked familiar as he slipped his hand into hers and she looked up at him adoringly. "You remember Joran from the challenge."

The women surged forward to embrace Harmony and the men shook hands with Joran. Then they switched and Rodney gave her a hug. John also accepted a quick hug from her. The women hugged Joran and he seemed a bit shell-shocked by all the attention being shown to him by the Atlanteans but, to his credit, he bore it with patience, dignity and a smile.

"How is Flora feeling?" Jennifer asked once the clamor had died down.

"Much better today. She is resting at this time. The past few days have been…trying."

"I bet! Will she be joining us for the meal?"

"Yes. She is quite insistent. She would like to see you before we adjourn to the dining hall."

John's attention had wondered but snapped back when he heard the two women talking about Flora. "She's not sick, is she?" He still considered her a friend and was concerned, especially after what happened the last time they'd met.

The women laughed and Jennifer was the one who answered. "Not exactly." She turned to Harmony's fiancé. "Joran, will you be joining us for supper? We'd like the chance to get to know you better."

"I am sorry but I will not. I have business in the next settlement and must leave within the hour in order to arrive before nightfall. Perhaps next time." He nodded, kissed Harmony's cheek and departed through a side door.

Rodney watched him go then turned to Harmony with a smile. "So that's your fiancé?"

Harmony nodded. "I have known him all my life and we have often talked late into the night about nothing and everything." She blushed. "Then one day, someone I have trusted not only with my life but the life of my sister, said these words, 'When you get home, have a good look at the people around you. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you found that love has been staring you in the face all this time.' I took her advice and found Joran."

Rodney looked down at the circle of silver on his right hand and knew in an instant that Jennifer had been the one to dispense that pearl of wisdom. He took her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

An attendant stepped up to Harmony and whispered in her ear. She nodded and the woman exited through a different door than Joran had taken. She reappeared almost immediately with a tray that contained a carafe of wine and several glasses.

"Jennifer, Flora is calling for you. I will conduct you to her myself." To the others she said, "Please, have a glass of wine. The meal will be served in one hour. An attendant will show you the way and Jennifer, Flora and I will join you there."

Without another word, Harmony swept from the room with the physician on her heels. She carried her emergency medkit plus another, the contents of which she refused to divulge.

One Hour Later

Rodney, John and Teyla entered the dining hall to find Jennifer, Harmony and Flora already there. Flora stood to greet the Atlanteans. She hugged Teyla and Rodney but when John stepped forward they both hesitated remembering the last time they'd met. Finally, Flora simply extended her hand and John bowed over it in a courtly manner. "Lady Flora, you're looking well. I'd heard you were under the weather."

"Under the…ah, yes. It is true that I have not been at my best these last few days. However, I have been informed that this is normal and my full strength will return within the coming weeks."

John was relieved but tried not to show it. "That's…good." He moved around the table to take his seat next to Teyla.

Flora exchanged mysterious smiles with her sister and said, "Before we begin, I have someone I want all of you to meet." She nodded to the attendant and another woman was admitted. She was carrying a small bundle which she placed in Flora's arms. A cooing sound was heard and the Atlanteans stood. The dark-haired woman pulled back a corner of the blanket to show them a sleeping baby. He had dark hair that stuck up randomly all over his head and one small fist was pushed into a cheek making it look as if he were giving them a lopsided grin.

John's eyes got so big they hurt. "I-i-is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, John. This is my son born just three days ago."

His friends were watching him very closely gauging his reaction. He cleared his throat. "Oh, well, c-c-congratulations. What, uh…"

Flora looked down at the small sweet face with love. "His name is John."

* * * * *

John felt like he'd been sucker-punched. Flora had a baby, a boy she'd named after him. He did a quick calculation and sagged in relief that it had been nearly eleven months since they'd spent the night together. The boy couldn't possibly be his…could he? What if her people were different and it took more than nine months to make a, uh…

Okay, no need to panic, John! He forced himself to take deep even breaths and tried not to show that his mind was in turmoil. What if this was his child? What might Flora want from him? Child support? Marriage? Anything? Nothing? He wanted to talk to her alone to ask these questions and more but didn't know how to go about arranging it without causing a scene. Hell, it's already a "scene." I might as well just ask and get it over with. "Uh, Flora…"

She was smiling brightly again but not at him. He heard footsteps and a tall man with broad shoulders, dark blonde hair and a beard, both liberally sprinkled with gray, entered the room and moved to her side. He crouched beside her chair, kissed her then ran a finger lightly down the cheek of the sleeping child. "I have missed you terribly, my wife. If I had but one wish it would be that I would never have to leave your side ever again."

"I know, but you must. The queen's army would be lost without you to guide them." The new mother suddenly remembered that they were not alone. "Forgive me. You have not been introduced. It is my great pleasure to present our friends from Atlantis. Teyla Emmagan, Rodney McKay, Jennifer Keller," she indicated each in turn, sweeping her hand toward John last, "and this is Colonel John Sheppard, the man responsible for the joyfulness that is our son. John, this is General Badrick Keelan…my husband."

A huge grin split the man's face as he circled the table to shake John's hand. "John Sheppard! You have my eternal gratitude."

"I, uh, do?"

"Yes. For many years, I have loved Lady Flora from afar, never expressing my feelings. She is so young and I felt that she could not love someone of my advanced age; my son, Joran, is older than she by fourteen lunar cycles. When you returned her to the settlement after her illness, I thought that I'd lost her to another. It was this that gave me the courage to confess my love and beg her to be my wife.

"She refused me at first, but I was relentless in my pursuit and eventually she acceded to my request for her hand. We were married and just three days ago, she gave me a second son."

Flora picked up the narrative. "We have named him John to remind us that it is not necessary to travel great distances to find your true love. You only need open your heart."

* * * * *

John was quiet on the walk back to the Stargate but the others weren't. Flora's baby was all they could talk about, especially Rodney who just had to show off his baby burping skills. He was convinced that he was not the father and wished they would shut up about the chance resemblance between baby John and adult John.

"…and did you see those eyes?" Jennifer was saying.

"Yes. Quite remarkable. They were such an unusual color, wouldn't you say, John?" Teyla asked with a smirk.

He ignored the byplay and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other as quickly as possible. Maybe if he broke into a run he could reach the 'gate before them, return to Atlantis and lock out M84-414 so they wouldn't be able to return home. No, that wouldn't work. Teyla could outrun him and would prevent him leaving until Rodney and Jennifer arrived.

"You know, I think you're right, Teyla. John, what would you call that shade of green?" Rodney twisted the knife a little more. "John? Don't pretend you can't hear us, Lieutenant Colonel Smelly Cat." He started humming the song made famous by the defunct American television sitcom "Friends."

John came to an abrupt halt and turned. The expression on his face was equal parts indignation and frustration. He slashed a hand through the air level with his ear. "I have had it up to here with your insinuations, innuendos and intimations so cut it out! Not another word or so help me…" Jennifer, Rodney and Teyla looked everywhere but at him. All three had sheepish grins they didn't bother to hide. "Now let's get home before I miss Minnesota at Syracuse." He turned and continued on with the others close behind. After about five minutes of silence except for the sounds of the forest and a few snickers from his friends, John said, "Hazel."

"Excuse me?" Rodney asked.

"Hazel. The color of baby John's eyes is…hazel." Unseen by his friend, John's lopsided smile finally reappeared. "You know, Rodney, I think all of this teasing is once again fueled by jealousy."

"For what reason could I possibly be jealous this time, pray tell?"

John dialed the DHD then walked confidently toward the event horizon. His final comment just as he entered the Stargate was, "Because once again someone has named their child after me and not you!"

They stepped out of the wormhole and into the Gate Room. Rodney, crossed his arms, looked smug and said, "Oh? And just where did you get that idea?"

"What do you mean where did I get that idea? His name is John. She told us so herself."

Jennifer and Teyla were laughing because they knew what was coming. John shot them a withering glance that they naturally ignored.

"True, but what she didn't tell you was his middle name." Rodney rocked back and forth on his heels trying and failing to restrain his delight.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding!"

"I am not. The newborn son of Flora and Badrick is named John Meredith Keelan!"

The End