(:chuckles: This story turned out to be a lot longer than I thought it would be. Thank you for the review, Roeskva.)

Part 10, The First Day

Sam thought she had been nervous last night, but that was nothing compared to now. Music was playing. She knew the wedding party was walking down the aisle, each person on their own due to Betty being the only woman in it. The rest were men. Sam couldn't see them because she was hiding around a corner. Any second now, it would be her turn to start walking.

"You'll do fine," Jacob said. He had been smiling all day. His little girl was getting married. He never thought he'd see the day. It was the first time he'd actually see one of his children get married. Mark hadn't invited Jacob to his wedding.

"Thanks Dad." The music started, and she felt her heart pounding. She also felt excited as she took her father's arm. They walked out, and she saw everyone looking at her. She concentrated on not tripping and not walking too fast.

She looks beautiful, Martouf thought as he saw his bride walking closer.

She does, Lantash agreed.

Martouf took her hands when she arrived. So concentrated on her, he missed something being said and wondered why Jacob was saying he did something.

He's saying he's the one giving Samantha away. Pay attention.

Sorry. Martouf listened to a prayer before watching the man move around into the middle of the aisle. Martouf turned with Samantha and looked over the guests before really paying attention to what was being said.

"Do you Martouf Kiron, take Samantha to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"

"I do," Martouf said while Lantash thought, We do.

"And do you, Samantha Carter, take Martouf to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"

"I do."

She does! Martouf thought excitedly while missing what was said next.

Of course she does. Now pay attention.

I'm just missing another prayer. Martouf waited until it was time to exchange rings. He smiled as Malek brought the rings. He took the ring and gently took Samantha's hand. "With this ring, I pledge my love and life to you."

A lot of vows, Lantash thought, which caused Martouf to grin a little more as he put the ring on Sam's finger.

Think it.

With this ring I pledge my love and life to you...even if you can't hear me.

She knows you are thinking it, and that's what matters.

Sam took Martouf's ring and took his hand. "With this ring, I pledge my love and life to you." As she put the ring on his finger, Martouf decided to never take it off.

"The two outside candles have been lighted by their families to represent their lives to this moment. The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received from their families, are distinct, each burning alone. They light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love."

This candle represents both of us, Martouf thought as he picked up his candle. He and Samantha lit the unity candle. Now all three of us burn as one.

Who lits ours for us?

Malek. Martouf set his candle down.

"By the power invested in me by the state of Colorado, I hereby declare you husband and wife. You may celebrate your union with a kiss."

About time, Martouf thought as he gently pulled her closer. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He heard people cheering. He smiled when the kiss was over. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look very handsome."

"Lantash thinks so," he teased as he began walking down the aisle with her. "So...after this?"

"We hide. The guests leave to go eat. We come back and out and take pictures. Then we go eat."

"Then we dance."

"Lots of dancing."

They did as she said, hiding with the wedding party while the guests left the room. Then they came back out and posed for many many pictures. Lantash took control for some of the pictures so he could feel like he was part of the wedding. He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you," he whispered.

Sam smiled. She had noticed that Lantash took control. Surely the other Tok'ra had as well. She wondered if Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c noticed. "I love you too."

"I thought my vows to you."

Sam chuckled to that, nodding slightly. She figured he would. She turned to him and spoke quietly. "I thought to you too."

He lifted her up, which the photographer took advantage of. They were posed a few times in this position before they were released. As the others left, Martouf took over, smiled, and kissed her. "My wife."

Sam smiled. "I'm going to have to get used to calling you my husband...my husbands."

"You have another day before you call Lantash your husband." Martouf smiled. "He'll have a different anniversary date with you." Though he hadn't been married through Tok'ra tradition yet, they'd accept this as his wedding day.

Sam smiled before leading him out of the room. "We need to be introduced now."

"They already know us," Martouf teased.

Sam smiled as she waited for her cue. She heard the dj saying, "Now for the first time as a married couple, I present to you, Martouf and Samantha." Sam lead Martouf out into the room. People cheered as she lead him to the couple's table.

Though it was a buffet, the wedding planner brought them their plates. She had earlier asked them what they'd prefer to eat. Before there was a chance to eat, people began clinking their forks against their glasses. The Tok'ra looked confused. So did Martouf.

"We have to kiss now," Samantha explained before kissing him.

People cheered, and Martouf smiled afterwards. "I like that traditon. They should keep clinking."

"If they do, we won't be able to eat."

They didn't have much time to eat anyway. The guests clinked a lot, and soon it was time for the toasts. Betty was up first, and she found herself a bit nervous. She and Sam got along well, but when it came down to it, they were more sister-in-laws than friends. The only reason she was the maid of honor instead of one of Sam's better friends was because she was female. "Friends and family..." She looked over the group. "Today we celebrate the union of Samantha and Martouf, and the union of two very large families."

Lantash gave a mental chuckle. With the number of Tok'ra who were allowed at the surface, it would seem to most of Sam's family that his family was small. Betty knew better though.

Mark's family, which was now her family, didn't bother Betty. The Tok'ra and military personnel made her nervous though. "I know many-" She mostly looked to her family "-were surprised when Sam announced not just her marriage, but the fact that she was dating someone." She saw smiles among the guests, as many had been surprised. "However, Mark and I were lucky to meet Martouf almost two years ago. We watched the relationship grow, and we know that the future years will only make it stronger." She paused slightly and raised her glass. "To Samantha and Martouf."

Samantha whispered a "And Lantash" to Martouf before clinking her glass against his and sipping. He kissed her afterwards.

As Betty sat down, it was time for for Malek's speech. Amb was in control, but he retreated so quickly that Malek hardly had time to hide his eye glow. I'm sorry, Amb thought as Malek stood up. You know how I am with speeches. He wanted to cringe as he saw all those people staring at him. I'm glad you're in control.

Malek smiled, not knowing it was a strange sight to see for members of the SGC. "I realize many of you do not know me. I am Amb Malek, Martouf's best friend. I feel as though I've known him all his life."

Well, it helps having met him over a hundred years ago, Amb thought. You've known him longer than you've known me.

Malek smiled a bit. "One of the first things you'll know about him that that he is warm and always smiling. However, I know the difference between being friendly and being truly happy. I see it in him." He looked to Sam. "Samantha, I see the way he lights up when he knows he's going to see you, the way he smiles when he's thinking of you. You make him truly happy. Only one person knows that more than I do."

Very true, Lantash thought, knowing Malek was referring to him.

Malek raised his glass. "To Samantha, for making my best friend happy, and to Martouf, for doing the same for her."

Martouf clinked and drank before giving Sam a kiss.

"He makes marriage sound easy," Sam said.

"Is the hardships of marriage usually mentioned in a toast."

"Well, no."

Martouf chuckled. "Are you nervous?"

"A little," Sam admitted.

Martouf took her hand. "I know our situation makes it difficult, but we'll help each other through it. This marriage will last for the rest of our lives."

Sam smiled before kissing him. "I know."

The wedding continued on well. The dancing lasted a while afterwards. Sam and Martouf left before the others, escaping to her house. Once they arrived, Martouf took the branch he had given to her while proposing. It had since been carved and decorated. He nailed it to her front door. Sam thought it looked odd to see him using a hammer. "If people ask about our wedding night, they probably won't expect me to tell them that I watched you nail something to my door."

Afterwards, he picked her up and carried her into the house. "Did I carry you right?"

Sam smiled. "Yes." She was set down so she could lock the place up, but it didn't take long to be picked up again. He brought into her bedroom and set her into the bed. "Is there anything else you need?"

"I need to change again." She had changed into more comfortable clothes already, but what she was wearing now wasn't appropriate for what was next. As she went to get up to change, she was picked up and set back into the bed. "Sorry," she said as she remembered she nearly broke the tradition of his people, the Kiron. Once the bride was in bed, her feet weren't to touch the floor until morning.

"It's all right." Martouf said as sat down next to her. "I know you're tired and tomorrow is a big day. I understand if you don't want to have sex tonight."

She smiled at the bluntness. "It's our wedding night." She watched him smile before kissing him.

To be continued...