Nana was the first to speak. Looking between the two of them she said, "Your…" she didn't finish what she was saying, but a soft smile graced her features, making her look twenty years younger.
"Fiancé yes Nana, that's why we came here today. We were talking about who we wanted to come to the wedding and Sam made me realise that I at least owed it to myself to come and tell you the good news and invite you to the wedding." He looked at his parents, "And since I kinda guessed that you would be around at some point I thought it would be a good time to try and make up and invite you too."
Pauline looked at Sam then at Jack then back at Sam. "You got him to come here today and speak to people he hasn't spoken to for close to ten years?" When Sam nodded Pauline stood once more and moved around and hugged Sam fiercely, "Thank you Major, for bringing my family back together. I don't know how you did it but thanks."
Sam just stood and hugged her back while Jack smiled at the two of them, "Like I said, she's a genius, and can talk me into doing stuff that I normally wouldn't do." Pauline released Sam and Jack kissed her on the forehead.
Sam smiled at him then looked at Pauline, "Don't thank me Mrs O'Neill. I just pointed out that if my dad and brother could make up then there was nothing to lose in coming here."
Jack put his arm around her and the two of them leant against the wall. Nana and Mary shared a happy look while Bill looked confused. "You're engaged?" Jack nodded. "To your second in command?"
Jack nodded again, "Yeah, because of the work we do the president gave us special dispensation and the frat regs don't apply."
Bill nodded again while Nana smiled, "So you've obviously been together a while if you're engaged."
Jack shook his head, "We started working together about six years ago then a couple of months ago we went to her high school reunion and by the end of the weekend we were a couple." He and Sam shared another smile before Jack continued, "Then I proposed maybe three days later." He saw the shocked looks that his family were sharing and smiled. "Yeah it was pretty soon, but when I asked Jacob for his blessing he didn't seem to mind the speed, we've loved each other a long time."
"Jacob?" Nana questioned.
Sam spoke now, "My father. Retired General Jacob Carter. He and Jack get on like a house on fire."
Jack smiled at her, "And you hate it."
Sam laughed at him, "Why would I hate it Jack, it's not like he can tell you anything more embarrassing then has already happened."
The two laughed and shared a long look. Nana, Bill and Pauline watched as the two seemed to have a conversation with their eyes. Nana was the one who broke the silence, "So when is the wedding?"
Jack and Sam looked away from each other as Sam answered, "We're not a hundred per cent sure yet, but the person organising the venue, food and music said he thought a November wedding would be nice and we agreed."
It was August now, leaving only a few months before the big day. Nana opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Sam's cell ringing. "Sorry," Sam apologised as she pulled it out her pocket. She smiled when she saw the ID. "Hey Janet," she answered, "What can I do for you?"
"Cassie was wondering, since she has a day off school and neither of us are at work, if now would be a good time to go dress shopping," Janet said over the phone.
Sam looked at Jack who nodded. Sam opened her mouth to answer Janet but she obviously thought that Sam had taken too long to answer because she spoke again. "Tell the Colonel that he can have you back later and if he doesn't let you come Cassie will help me with his next physical, and she'll have the needles."
Jack and Sam shared a quick look then Jack took Sam's phone off her and held it to his ear. "I'll have you know doc she was just about to answer when you threatened the life of an officer and your best friends fiancé."
The whole room heard Janet laugh. "Oh come on Colonel. A few little pin pricks never hurt anyone."
"Yeah," Jack answered, "But those needles are about the same size of elephant tusks."
Janet laughed and Sam took her phone back off Jack. "Sure Janet, let's go shopping. I'll be at yours in a bit, we're a bit busy at the moment." She foresaw her friends question and said, "I'll explain what we're doing later now go have fun with your daughter before you get feed up with me and dresses."
"Ok Sam, we'll see you in a bit. Text me when you know roughly what time you're going to be getting here."
"Sure thing Janet, see you in a bit," Sam said, before hanging up. She looked at the rest of the room, "Sorry about that."
They all waved her apology away. "Don't worry Sam," Nana said, "She's your friend and she and her daughter obviously want to see you."
Sam nodded while Pauline turned to her son. "She threatened you with needles?"
Jack nodded, "Yeah, Doc Fraiser is the CMO on the base we work at and me getting threatened is a regular occurrence."
Sam laughed, "She only does it cause you have a tendency to leave when you're meant to be in bed."
Jack laughed, "Last time she actually told the nurses to not let me out of their sight for more than a couple of seconds."
Sam laughed, "She did the same to me by the way sir. Said something about subordinate copying CO."
The two laughed together then looked back at Jack's family, all of whom were smiling at them.
"If you're going out Sam, you should go soon," Pauline said.
Sam shook her head, "No, it's fine."
Pauline shook her head too. "It's lovely to have met you but you need to go dress shopping. Trust me when I say that it will take a while to find the right dress." Sam nodded but Pauline could see that she still felt bad about leaving so abruptly. "If it makes you feel any better we're having a family meal on Friday night," she turned her gaze to Jack, "You're brothers and sister will be there. You can tell them the good news."
Jack and Sam shared a look. After thinking for a moment Sam nodded, "We should be around Friday night Jack, Hammond has me and Daniel in the labs and you on paperwork."
Jack groaned before looking at his mother, "We'd love to mom, if you're sure."
Pauline nodded, "Perfectly sure Jack, it will be nice to get to know Sam better."
Sam and Jack both pushed off from the wall and everyone else stood. Jack hugged his mom and Nana before shaking his father's hand. Sam got a hug from both Pauline and Nana before she too shook Bill's hand. "It was lovely to have met you all," she said.
Bill smiled at her, "And it is lovely to meet a woman with such a firm handshake."
Pauline and Nana both laughed while Sam blushed. "We'll see you on Friday Jack, Sam," Pauline said as the officers made their way to the door.
They opened it and stepped through but stopped just the other side when Pauline spoke again, "I've said it before but I'll say it again, thank you Sam, for putting my family back together."
Sam smiled at her and Jack hugged her again. Once he released her he looked at Sam. "Come on dear," he got an elbow in his ribs for calling her that, "Don't want the doc to be mad at the both of us."
Sam shook her head and smiled at Pauline, Bill and Mary, the latter having sat back in her chair. "It was lovely to meet you all and I look forward to Friday."
The two O'Neill's and the elderly Driscoll waved and watched as the pair linked hands and made their way down the hall and out of the building. When they were out of sight Pauline smiled at her husband and Nana, who both smiled back. They were all happy that Jack had found someone who obviously meant the world to him and even happier still that their family was back together.
