Set after Resurrection (Season 7), twenty-fifth in the 'By My Side' Series
Mary and Ken tie-the-knot at last!
Author's Note: Well, I am in quite a good mood at the moment - I have new glasses, so I can actually see what I'm typing, and I have a (hopefully) fun story to present! We have a much happier story this week. I'm sure you all remember the events of story 16 (Young All Over Again) - here is the follow-up! It is a happy day for all.:) Sorry it's so short - I will make up for that next time...
GlowingHaven: Hey, that's ok. You eventually reviewed, that's what counts.:) I understand lack of internet access. I understand the frustration:) For me though, it's always been when visiting home when I have that trouble. Thanks so much for your comments.:) I'm so happy that you thought I did a good job. No one seems to have disagreed with the fact that Cassie needed to be dealt with further! Yes, here is the update... one that was 'soon'. I hope you'll enjoy this as well:)
froggy0319: Yes, believe me you weren't the only person to wish to see more of the Cassie story-line. Barely anything has been said other that 'she survives' in Heroes Pt 2, and that she was 'going through a hard time' in Ex Deus Machina. However, this just leaves the door open for my own creative juices to do whatever I like with the character within these parameters (though I'm still not sure about that second line - we'll see). I'm glad that you liked that last update:) Here is the next update:)
CharmedAli: Thanks.:) That about summed it up:)
sparkles make me smile: Thanks so much! I really appreciate what you wrote... it was something that was going to be sad no matter what, but it needed to be done. Yes, it always annoyed me as well that Cassie was never really addressed in that episode, other than 'she survives'. Heck, they could've done better than that! So I just used what they provided in the episode, to weave it into dealing with her, with slight alterations to allow for Sam and Jack as a married couple.:)
Trickster's Queen of War: Thanks so much:) Here is the update... I hope it was soon enough for you.:) I am trying to move things along at the moment!
deathstreet89: Hey - don't panic:) There are highs and lows in life, and that was an example of a low - but things will improve for Cassie. As for Sam and kids... have faith. Have I ever disappointed yet? Anyway, the timeframe covered hasn't been that large. By starting with when each story is set, I am giving a rough time-frame according to the airing dates of the original episodes (though when it comes to season breaks, it can be harder to determine). These air-dates are probably available on many sites, though I get my information from and Back to the point... I have not forgotten about their having children - I have a master plan for this, which I have organised down to every last detail.:)
Ilovesg1: Hmm, an interesting comment you made about Cassie distancing herself from Janet's family. I had to sit and think about my reply to that. I guess what I was thinking there was that Cassie was still coming to grips with Janet's death, and that in some ways she is bound to withdraw at the moment - she would be floundering. That said, she will continue to have contact with them - this is mentioned in passing in an upcoming story. It's just that at the moment she is clinging to Sam and Jack, as they are two people she is very close to - she is probably closer to them than Janet's family. Cassie's issues with relationships with others won't appear hugely in this series, though it will be touched on as Cassie has to deal with these relationships. However, I'm not going to permanently scar her, or anything like that. And she will have others that she will turn to, as well.
feb04: Yes, I agree that TPTB should have brought Cassie back for the memorial service at the SGC - that's why I made sure there was an actual family funeral that she could attend. This ignoring just seemed wrong, and it seemed that the character was just brushed aside. Yes, I agree about Jacob's death (as well as Janet's) being dealt with too quickly. Both are things that I am definitely dealing with. And yes, I promise Cassie will not be forgotten - she will certainly appear now and then.:)
LittleElectron: I'm glad that the story touched you. I always felt that the episode could have used something like that. And I always like hearing that the characters come across as they ought to. Thanks.:)
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The day had had finally arrived - Mary and Ken's wedding. Sam and Jack awoke at 0540, to prepare for the simple ceremony at 0800 hours. They had two of Jack's aunts staying with them, his Aunt Rosie, and his Aunt Vera (and their other halves, Uncle Robert and Uncle Greg), as well as Mary herself.
Aunt Rosie and Aunt Vera were already in the kitchen preparing breakfast at that godforsaken hour. Rosie was cooking eggs, while Vera had prepared muesli.
After showering, Jack and Sam made their way to the kitchen. "Holy Hannah!" Sam exclaimed, as she surveyed the spread.
They both sat down, and eagerly started to eat breakfast. Despite the early hour the positive mood exuded by these women was infectious, especially considering the occasion. "Mm, this are great eggs, Auntie," Jack complimented Rosie, using his pet name for his favourite aunt.
Rosie smiled, and ruffled his hair, as if he were still a little boy. "Glad my eggs still hit the spot."
Sam had been very amused by Rosie and Vera, they still treated Jack like a little boy. Jack acted annoyed, but he was genuinely fond of his aunts, who had helped raise him.
Mary hardly ate a thing, and started to explain, "This is delicious Rosie and Vere, but..."
Rosie laughed. "Were you any different on the morning of your first wedding?"
"I distinctly remember a young woman rushing for the bathroom every five minutes as well!" Vera added.
"You can laugh!" Mary told them. "Neither of you were different either!"
"Well, on my wedding day, we had to fight for the bathroom - you were nearly nine months pregnant with Jack!" Rosie giggled at the memory.
The three sisters laughed, in a joyful mood, though tinged with a little sadness. After all these years together, Mary would be moving. The trio walked up the stairs, to change into their clothes, and check on Robert and Fred.
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Once Sam and Jack had eaten, they too went to dress. Jack looked handsome in a blue shirt, and black pants, while Sam was dressed in a pale blue skirt suit.
Jack whistled. "You look fantastic!"
Sam smiled. "You don't look so bad yourself!" Kissing him, she added, "Good enough to give your mother away."
Jack laughed. "Think about it. Who ever came up with that phrase. It sounds like I'm sending her to a rest home or somethin'!"
"Your mother would kill you if you even suggested that," Sam giggled.
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It was nearly time to leave, when Mary stepped down the stairs, wearing an attractive fuschia dress.
"Wow!" Sam remarked, impressed. "You look wonderful, Mary!"
The bright out-going woman actually looked bashful. "Thanks honey."
Once everyone was ready, they all left, following Sam in her Volvo, Jack and Mary in their rental cars. They quickly stopped past the motel, where Mary's other two sisters, Maureen and Eleanor and their husbands, Max and Bernie, were staying, who followed suit.
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Though the morning was cool and crisp, the sun shone down, and the sky was a brilliant blue. Ken's garden was beginning to bloom, and looked beautiful. All in all, it was a lovely day for a deserving couple.
As Jack, Sam, Mary, and the rest of the tribe arrived, so too did Ken's children, children in-law, and grandchildren. Though Teal'c and Daniel had been invited, they decided, eventually, that they didn't want to intrude on a family moment, though they knew Mary would protest otherwise. Thus, they chickened out of passing that message on personally, and bribed Jack to let his mother know himself.
Maggie led Mary into one of the back rooms of the house, so that Ken would not see her before the ceremony.
The pair hugged. "I'm so happy for you, you and Dad are gonna be happy together," Maggie told her soon-to-be step-mother."
"Thanks honey, I can't tell you how much that means to me at the moment," Mary burst out, emotionally.
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Meanwhile, Father Quigley arrived, and set up his belongings, ready to begin the ceremony.
Lisa, Ken's eldest granddaughter, had brought along her keyboard, and with help from Dennis, her father, they hooked it up near the makeshift aisle that had been put in place. The poor thing sat down as she waited, while her husband, Ben rubbed her back. She was currently eight months pregnant, and mobility was a problem.
Finally, it was time to begin. Sam went to sit down near the front, where Jack would soon join her. Though the idea was for a small ceremony, Ken's entire family, plus Jack, Sam, Mary's sisters, and her brothers-in-law made for a crowd, and a few rows of seats had been set up either side of the makeshift aisle.
"Good luck," Sam wished her husband, before he walked off the grab Mary.
Ken went to stand up the front near Father Quigley, and at the given signal, Lisa started playing the wedding march, and Jack walked with Mary up the aisle. Mary looked radiant. The task of giving his mother away done, Jack went and sat down with Sam. The squeezed each other's hands tightly, and grinned at one another.
Sam sat and thought as she watched the brief ceremony progress. Since Janet's death, she had been taking things easy, and trying to stop and smell the roses. The loss of her best friend had left an ache in her heart, and she missed their close friendship. She was glad for this opportunity to celebrate life. It was something positive, which was exactly what she needed. Both she and Jack were truly touched by this simple display of love.
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All too soon, the ceremony was over, everyone went and gathered around the newlyweds. It was at that time, that the cameras appeared, and Ken and Mary dutifully posed.
Meanwhile, the outdoor chairs were brought out, and filled with food for brunch.
"It's a good thing you only made eggs and muesli, joked Jack to Rosie and Vera. "Otherwise we'd never be able to fit in any of this."
They laughed, it was well-known that when Mary and/or any of her sisters cooked up a breakfast - by hell, they could cook up a breakfast.
Sam and Jack helped move the chairs over to the tables, which had been already arranged and decorated. All were soon seated.
Rosie, very much like her eldest sister, reminded by the condition of Lisa's stomach, forthrightly asked Jack and Sam, who she was in discussion with, "So, when are you two going to start a family? You've been married nearly a year now."
Sam and Jack looked at each other and rolled their eyes, smiling. How very typical of Rosie, (or even Mary, for that matter) to be that blunt, if only she knew Sam and Jack were trying for exactly that.
Sam bit back a giggle. "It is something that is on the cards. But there is nothing to report at this stage of time." This was all Sam would disclose - giving her enough information to sate her curiosity, yet not really any information at all.
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After Ken had stood up, and made a brief speech, thanking everyone, it was time for the newly weds to leave for the airport. They would be flying to Honolulu, and spending two weeks at a resort.
After helping clean up (though Sam had to coerce Jack), Sam, Jack, and his assorted Aunts and Uncles headed back to their place, so they could have a proper catch up.
On the drive, Jack was quiet, as he comprehended the events of that morning. At 51 years of age, he had gained a step-father, and four step-siblings. That in itself felt weird, after never having those roles filled before. He knew he could live with it though, and he was truly glad for his mom. His mom deserved it, though it had pained her to pack her belongings and leave her family and friends. She would be happy though, and Jack was glad she would be living nearby. It seemed that she and Ken were meant to be.
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Coming Soon on Story 26: Without You
Get the tissues out for this next story!
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