Title: Mistletoe and Eggnog
Author: Tels
Fandom: Stargate SG1
Characters: Jacob/Selmak/SG1/Janet
Rating: PG13
Word count: 978
Prompt: #92 - Christmas
Summary: see title
Notes: Sequel to Christmas Assassin
Mistletoe and Eggnog
By Tels
It was Christmas Eve, three days after the assassination attempt. Jacob was sat in front of a roaring fire with a glass of eggnog in his hand. Carols were playing softly on the stereo and he was watching Sam and Mark decorating the tree. He'd explained trees to Selmak with the help of a site on the internet. Infact he'd hit google and found one site called ‘How to explain Christmas to an Alien.' ( www.howstuffworks.com/ christmas .htm) Selmak had taken offence at that but Jacob had gone though it with her anyway.
Jacob took a mouthful of the eggnog.
Selmak baulked a little at the taste. <What is that?> she asked.
<A Carter family tradition> came the reply.
<Brat… you know what I mean. Other than disgusting, what is it?>
<Eggnog.> Jacob replied taking another mouthful. <Eggs, Sugar, Brandy, Rum, Milk, Cream, Icing sugar and Nutmeg sprinkled on the top.>
Selmak wrinkled her nose. <Okay and how do you make it?>
Jacob laughed and finished the glass. <Well… You beat egg yolks and sugar together until they are senseless. Set aside while you beat the egg-whites til they are stiff. Then you add some harshly thrashed cream. Dump all this into the yokes along with all the alcohol. Then chill.>
<Uh huh> Selmak said shaking her head. <And how many have you had?>
<It's Christmas Sel… stop being a grouch.> Jacob got up and refilled his glass. <Wanna know why it's called eggnog?>
<Hit me> she sighed knowing he was gonna tell her anyway. Okay it was her first Christmas on Earth, the past few years they had been too busy to come and celebrate as Jacob wanted but this was a pretty weird custom if you asked her.
<Originally in Europe it was wine but when America was founded they used Rum or grog. Hence egg n grog. However it was originally drunk in carved wooden mug called a noggin. So it was called egg and grog in a noggin.>
Selmak could see where he was going. <Eggnog for short> she said cutting off his spiel. <Look I know we almost died three days ago but can we at least recover slowly here? You wanted to show me Christmas and you can't do that drunk now can you?>
Jacob poked his tongue out at her and returned to his seat by the fire. He reflected how nothing had changed much as Sam and Mark bickered over the lights and baubles and tinsel. Then as now Mark would eventually give in to his sister without making it look too obvious.
Two whirlwinds flew into the room and rugby tackled Mark to the ground with cries of “Daddy!”
Jacob smiled as Mark left off teasing his sister to fake capitulation for a moment before turning on his children and tickling them until they begged for mercy. This was a side of his family he had never thought to experience. But thanks to Selmak who had insisted he'd mended fences with Mark earlier that year, here he was.
He watched as Mark lifted Jen up to put the angel on top of the tree. Both kids were staying up later tonight before a neighbour watched them while the rest of the family went to midnight mass. Not practising Catholics, the midnight carol service was a part of the Christmas traditions and something they all wanted to do this year, as it was their first Christmas together for many years.
Selmak was relieved to hear that the God whose birth this holiday was meant to commemorate was at least getting some attention.
A couple of hours later
The doorbell went and Sam went to answer it. She was throwing the traditional team Christmas Eve party. It lasted until eleven when the whole ensemble would go to church for the carols.
More eggnog was drunk by all. Selmak reluctantly admitted that after however many glasses it was she had drunk it really wasn't that bad after all.
Jack and Sam were chatting by the fire while Daniel and Teal'c were reading stories to Jen and Ryan.
Janet was sat with Jacob by the fire. She had been relieved to hear he was now fine and the two of them sat and chatted quietly.
Selmak's eye was suddenly drawn to Mark and Laura. They were standing in the doorway. Mark had spent part of the afternoon hanging some part of a tree from the top of the door frame. She watched as Mark pulled Laura right underneath it, wrapped his arms round her and kissed her. Soundly. <Uh Jacob…> she said.
<Hmmmm?> Jacob replied. <What's up?>
<Why are Mark and Laura kissing like that in the doorway under a tree?>
Jacob laughed. <Tradition> he replied.
<Oh-Kay> Selmak answered, wondering if she had failed to pay attention while reading Christmas 101 on the net.
<Mistletoe is believed to have healing powers for everything from female infertility to ingestion. Some cultures also associated mistletoe with their goddess of love.>
<So you kiss under the mistletoe to stop her getting sick and to have more kids?> Selmak asked confused.
<Not exactly> Jacob said. <Let me show you.> He put his glass down and took Janet's hand. “Mind helping me explain mistletoe to Selmak?” he whispered.
Janet smiled. “Not at all,” she said. She led him over to the doorway. She looked at him. “You see Selmak,” she whispered. “It's traditional. It means good luck, take care, good fortune in the coming year,” she broke off. “As well as being a sign of affection between two people.”
Jacob pulled her closer and kissed her, deliberately pushing Selmak fore mid kiss.
Selmak broke the kiss and looked at Janet.
She looked up at him innocently. “You like?” she asked.
Remembering to use Jacob's voice Selmak nodded. “Could you show me more of this tradition?”
Janet nodded and kissed him again.
Fin
© Tels July 2006