Ok, here's the final chapter. Lemme know what you think?! ;) ... And thank you for those who have been reading and reviewing :)
It had been two weeks to the morning that Jack had re-proposed to her in bed. The backyard was full of people and he took a deep breath before entering the kitchen. Smiling at her back, he moved over and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What ya doin'?" He smiled, as he felt her tense and now relax after hearing his voice.
"Nothing," she sighed and lent back against him.
"How's the hearing going?"
"Better, but it's still not one hundred percent." she sighed and shrugged before straightening and continued to cut the salad.
"Sam,"
"Mm,"
"When I said I would take..."
"Not now, and not today Jack," she stated glancing at him over her shoulder.
"No Sam! I really need you to know that I wasn't thinking! I was so stupid to say that! You complete each other! You're the others, other half! I was so stupid for even thinking I'd do something like that! I'd never have won no matter how much I elaborated or lied about your condition! I really am sorry," he sighed and bowed his head. Turning to him she smiled.
"I know all that! I reacted the way I did because of the way you were talking to me. If I'd just have let you calm down, then the last few weeks wouldn't have happened."
"But then we'd only be settling. I wouldn't have gotten the kick up the ass I needed to complete what I did," smiling she nodded and pecked his lips.
"I love you Jonathon!"
"I love you too Sammie," he whispered and hugged her tightly to him. "God I have missed you!" He muttered.
"Come on, we have to tell them why they're all here," she smiled pulling away and grabbing the now finished salad.
"Yeah I guess so!" He laughed.
Looking around Xantheia smiled at all the people she thought she knew. She had no idea what was going on, she wanted to find her mum and ask why all these people were invading her play space in Jack's, no in her backyard! But she didn't know where she was! Sighing Xantheia looked around and smiled widely when she saw one General George Hammond standing there watching her.
"Grandpa George!" She called and ran to the man, who was smiling at her. Crouching he hugged the eleven year old tightly to him.
"How have you been munchkin?"
"Good! Grandpa George guess what!"
"No, what?"
"Jack's my real dad!" She exclaimed with a grin.
"Is that so?"
"Yep! But he never knew, and mum said he was dead, and now he's here, and they had a fight but we came over a few weeks ago and had dinner, and I remembered something Jonas did to me, and Jack, um dad," she muttered with a blush. Smiling George nodded. "Hugged me and begged mum to come back!" She beamed.
"He begged did he?"
"Uh-huh!" She giggled.
"Well I wish I was there to see that!" He smiled.
"It was funny a little, but I was upset too!" She pouted.
"Does mum know everything that happened munchkin?"
"No, and you can't tell her! Dad's promised me he won't say anything!"
"I promise munchkin! You have to tell her, not us!" Nodding she was about to continue when Jack's voice ran through her head. As everyone looked up and smiled.
"Everyone! We have an announcement to make! Sam and I are getting married!" He rushed out and waited for the yells, and cheers to die down. Smiling he shook his head. "A lot of you don't know this, but about twelve years ago now, Sam and I had first met in Minnesota. She was your average military brat, and I was a captain... OW!" He huffed glaring at her.
"Mum, was a military BRAT!" Xan yelled which caused everyone to laugh.
"So are you Xantheia Mae O'Neill!" Sam yelled at her. Freezing she stared at both of them. Sam smiling slightly and Jack looking more then a little apprehensive. Grinning she ran straight for him.
"DADDIE!" She yelled, as she ran into him. Laughing he smiled at her.
"Careful my little devil!" He whispered at her. Grinning she turned to cuddle between their legs. Looking up he smirked. "So! When she was nineteen I had proposed to her. After all these years we have finally realised the other wasn't dead. And after a rather large and totally embarrassing fallout recently, we thought now we got over it we'd get married for sure! It's taken eleven years, but..."
"I get a dad too!" Xantheia yelled, and cheers went around the group again as all glasses were raised.
"O'Neill's!" Many people called out.
"Kiss her you idiot!" Several other drunken slurs shot out. Laughing Jack grinned at her before kissing her deeply. Groaning Xantheia pushed them apart, and glared at them.
"GROSS!" She huffed. Laughing Sam grabbed her daughter and held her tightly.
As the alcohol was flowing, many of the people had become unable to move other then to drop and pass out on the lawn. Smiling Jack shook his head and remembered the night he'd first met Sam back in Minnesota. Shaking his head he sighed. Looking around he finally went inside. Where he froze and swallowed.
"General," he stated staring at Sam's father.
"Colonel,"
'Crap!' He thought.
"Didn't know you would be here sir,"
"George sent me a message."
"AH!" He stated and nodded his head slightly.
"I hear you intend to marry my daughter," wincing Jack stared at him, and nodded numbly.
"Ah, yes sir."
"And?"
"And?" Jack questioned.
"You don't want to ask me anything son?" Wincing at the undertone that came through when the older man called him 'son', nearly had Jack keeling over.
"She's already said yes."
"That can change,"
"I don't think you could do that,"
"Is that so?"
"When Sammie gets something in her head no one can change her mind," smirking, the General rolled his eyes.
"She is my daughter colonel,"
"I am aware of that sir,"
"And what Jon says is true," they both jumped as they heard Sam's voice filter into the tense aired room, and move to Jack's side.
"Sam," her father stated.
"You're not ruining this. Jon proposed when I was nineteen dad! If he didn't go on that mission we'd be married by now! We would have been married when I turned twenty-one, and I was dammed sure of keeping it from you,"
"Sam!"
"When you love someone, you can't help but love them. You once told me that when love strikes, you'd be willing to do anything to keep that person with you at all times. Well Jack and I love each other! We have since we met. I lied and I got Xan. She has always reminded me of him, and I've had him with me forever. And now..."
"Sam, think about this!"
"What's there to think about? Don't you want Xan to know her father?"
"Sam!"
"No dad! This is final! We both want you there! And I want you to give me away, but if you can't over come what ever it is that is hanging over you, then I don't want you to be there!"
"Sam!" Both men stated staring wide eyed at her. Shrugging she looked at both of them, before heading back to check on Xan.
Talk about a rushed wedding! Jack thought. He had only proposed to her, what felt like yesterday! It was two weeks after the proposal that they told everyone and now it was another few weeks. All in all it had been a month since he'd asked her. And now he was standing in the small room in the side of the church looking at him self in the mirror. He had his dress blues on, and took a deep breath. He could do this couldn't he?
He'd done this once before and look how that had turned out! But Sara wasn't his be all and end all! If Sam rejected him then he knew there was no point in life! He wanted and needed not only her but his daughter in his life as well! Glancing over his shoulder he smiled at the suits the boys were wearing. And he thought he got off lucky!
Best friend and best man, Charlie Kawalsky, was wearing a white suit with a white shirt, but a pale pink vest and matching tie. He looked totally amazing! Who thought white would be the mans colour? But he looked good! Next were his grooms men. One doctor Daniel Jackson, and one Louis Ferretti. They both also had white suits, but they had white vests, however, their shirts and ties were blue!
As Jack's gaze shifted to the young boy that Lou was crouched in front of Jack's smiled turned into a grin. He just looked so dam adorable! He was Debbie's son, which made him Lou's son! He hated his best friend for dating his sister, but the child that now stood in front of his father was not only a spitting image of him, but had so much of Debbie in him he thought it was near hysterical! So reeling in on his thoughts, he looked the boy over.
Lou had just finished tying the boys black bow tie for him, and stood taking a step back to admire his young man. Jack smiled thinking he and the boy got out of this lightly! He was wearing black pants, and polished shoes, a white shirt and to match the other men, he had a white jacket. Jack watched as Daniel pulled something silver from his pocket and crouched by the boy.
"Your mum said to give you this," he said gently taking the boys right arm, and slipping a sliver bracelet onto it, that had the words 'pageboy' engraved into the top. Grinning he nodded.
"Thank you Daniel," he smiled. Nodding Daniel grinned at him and stood.
"Right Coby!" Jack stated looking at the youngest male in the room. Looking up at his uncle Coby grinned. "This pillow here," Jack stated handing the boy a small head sized squared white silk pillow, with light blue and pink trimming to match the men's suits, he nodded, taking it.
"I carry this right?"
"That's right! But be careful! You see this ring?" The ring was white gold. It had six indented, diagonal rows of small diamonds, scattered beautifully through the ring. Nodding the boy looked at him. "You must keep holding it this way up and very, very still ok?"
"Ok, but why?"
"It's so the rings don't fall," Jack smiled.
"But there's only one,"
"At the moment Coby, but mum will give you the other one before we head in ok? Uncle Jack's not allowed to see it just yet,"
"Oh, ok!" He grinned at his father and uncle.
Sighing Sam took a deep breath. She was so nervous! She was put into her wedding gown and had been standing in front of the full length mirror for the last ten minutes. She had tears in her eyes, and wished beyond anything that Jack thought she looked beautiful! Her dress was sleeveless, and hugged her full rounded breasts tightly. It hugged her torso tightly and then fell away from just above her hips. The bodice had several small beads and embroidery across the front, which looked like several tree branches.
With the soft flowing material layering over its self on the skirt, it looked like there was more beading and embroidery. It fell in a small bell shape from the waist to the floor. The veil looked like it was attached to the back of her head, when in fact it was connected to a very small tiara that sat just above her hair line. The veil then ran the length of the dress and pooled on the floor behind her with the dresses own train. Swallowing she managed to turn herself around to see the other women finishing off each others hair and makeup.
Taking in the appearance of her maid of honour Sam was silently blown away! She looked at her in amazement. The light pink dress that she wore was stunning. It was a french Satin off the shoulder, figure hugging bodice, that also had some beading across the front. A separate piece of fabric is pleated to the side. There are four of these pleats, across her stomach and abdomen. Starting on the right and coming together on her left. Which leaves this open from the base of the pleats to the hemline. The skirt drops in an A line form to just under her ankles.
Next Sam's gaze wondered to her two brides maids. Her sister in law Kristine, and Jack's sister Debbie. After the two had met and she and Jack had got back together, Sam had asked her without Jack's knowledge, until of course he asked her husband to be his grooms man! She remembered the conversation about how it took Jack too long to ask! Smiling to her self she shook her head. Coming back to the present Sam smiled at them.
Their dresses were both a pale blue. They had spaghetti straps and also had pleats. However this started on their left and finished on their right. The bodice once again hugged their figures nicely, and then dropped in an A line skirt like Janet's, only these touched the floor and her's didn't. However there was no pleat, which gave an open cut down their sides, like hers. Instead their dresses had come with a matching shall.
Sam's gaze then traveled to her daughter. Which forced her to turn around and stare at Debbie finishing getting the little devil into her dress. It also had spaghetti straps, and the bodice clung to her nicely. The straps and the small 'hemline' around the top of the dress was a deep red, with some white embroidery around it. Just under this there was a beautifully embroided pattern that could have looked like a butterfly.
As the dress and the embroidery were both white it was hard to tell. As the skirt fell in a small bell like shape like Sam's, there was more embroidery on the bottom. With one 'picture' that also could have been a butterfly, it stopped at her ankles. Smiling as Xantheia turned for her auntie Debbie, Sam's smile just grew when she saw the back. The dress was pure white. However in the middle of the back there was more red. There was the material as it was around the top of the bodice.
It started out small but then traveled the length of the dress, and stopped at the hemline. There was small buttons all the way from the bottom of the dress to the top, also in red. There was also the same embroidery around the edges of the deep red section, where it connected to the white on either side. And with her white shoes Sam thought she would steal the lime light.
Looking up after Debbie had finished with her dress, Xantheia smiled at her mother's grin. Nodding her head in approval Sam carefully sat as Xantheia moved to her and hugged her tightly. Xantheia had her long hair out and slightly curled. It fell to sit just at the top of the dress, and finished her angel like yet devilish look.
"Sam," Debbie said gently. Looking at her Sam smiled slightly.
"Yeah?"
"Jon's ring," Sam didn't get time to say anything as she looked around. Janet smiled and held the small box to Debbie, as Sam sighed and closed her eyes.
"You're meant to be like this Sam, it means it's meant to be," Debbie whispered. Looking up Sam nodded, before the woman left. The ring, Jon's ring, Jack's ring - the same person but yet totally different. But anyway! The ring! It was called 'The Canyon', by the jeweller. He had gone on to tell her that the design was to accentuate the beauty of tungsten.
The edges of the ring are ground and polished to create a wonderful shine. The center portion of the ring was cut into a groove. She didn't know what he'd get her but with the choice of leaving it as a groove, or having it inlaid with gold or platinum, Sam decided to get platinum. The contrast between the platinum and the white gold of the ring will make him stand out in a crowd with a neon light screaming 'I'm taken! My wife will beat you senseless if you come near me!'
Taking a deep breath Sam closed her eyes and tried to relax! There was a knock at the door, and a shout from outside. It was time! Her eyes snapped open and she froze. Could she go through with this? Could she settle to being married? She was someone who didn't take well to being stuck in the one place. Looking around she started to freak out. She couldn't do this! She had to get out of here! She was going to be stuck! She wasn't that type of person!
Granted she wanted her daughter to have his last name, and while sending away the information to have the birth certificate amended, Sam's heart was now pounding! With the new certificate arriving two days ago, Sam smiled at her daughters reaction. She'd jumped right into Jack's arms. She could call him dad now and not worry about anything! Her name had been changed to O'Neill and the details that were once missing about her father were filled in.
But still Sam knew she couldn't go on with this! The other women were now outside with Xantheia. There was another door into this room that she had to use earlier so Jack wouldn't see her, upon Debbie's demanding, so she knew she could get out without anyone seeing her! Taking a deep breath she stood and looked around as tears stung her eyes.
Looking around as everyone was standing Jack swallowed and couldn't help the fact his hands were now sweaty. He had never been so nervous before in his life! He had a bad feeling and he didn't want it to come true! He stared at his nephew grinning at him, while carrying the pillow carefully next to his daughter who was throwing rose petals from the small basket she was carrying. Next his eyes shot up to Janet. Turning slightly he smirked when he realised what Sam had done.
She'd made sure the men were dressed to match their partners. Smiling at him she nodded ever so slightly. Next he saw Debbie and Kristine coming down the aisle wearing blue, which matched Daniel's and Lou's shirts and ties. But as the three women, Coby and Xantheia all took their spots, the music changed and everyone stared at the back of the church. Jack closed his eyes when he didn't see her or her father standing there. He was not gonna show emotions!
He had his daughter here staring at him, he had his sister and his daughters mothers best friend staring at him. He had Sam's brother and sister in law staring at him. However both of those had smug looks that read 'well we so knew she'd never follow this through,' and that made it even harder on him. Taking another deep breath he stared at the tears running down his daughter's face as she tried to stop them. The music had stopped and everyone was staring at everyone else trying to understand what was going on.
Let me know what you think.. Hopefully it's not too mean to leave it like this ;) ... If you think it is I'll have to try and find the little piece that was written as
the start of another part, but was never finished...
