11:05AM

It was time. Sam's mouth was so dry she wasn't sure she'd even be able to talk to repeat her vows – that was assuming she didn't drop dead from pure nervousness before she even made it to the alter! Of course, she couldn't do that. It'd kill Jack if she left him standing there. How many times had he reminded her that he loved her? How many times had he – jokingly, although she knew better – asked her not to leave him standing there? God, like she'd ever change her mind! She couldn't understand why he was so terrified, but now she could, because she was just as scared. Apparently Jack was just quicker when it came to finding all the bad things that might have happened. Who said he wasn't a genius?

She watched as the kids lined up, waiting for their cues to head down the aisle. Then she smiled when she watched as one of the Marine dog handlers handed a basket of flowers down to Jaffer, who took it in his mouth by the specially designed handle. The black lab seemed to know exactly what he was doing, because he wasn't trying to eat the flowers, and he was behaving better than anyone ever could have anticipated. Except Jack, of course, who had insisted that Jaffer be in the wedding somewhere. The President had put his foot down, saying he didn't want the wedding to be a circus, and that there was no place for a dog in the ceremony, and Jack had flat out told the President that he'd elope with Sam and they could all take their wedding and their Military and shove them. After that, a place had been found for Jaffer in the ceremony.

Sam's nieces were on either side of Jaffer, both girls decked out in lovely dresses. They looked over at her and smiled as they were told it was time. The music was starting to play. Sam gave them a nervous, forced smile, and they headed out into the sanctuary, taking flowers from the basket that Jaffer was holding, and spreading them carefully in the aisle as they walked slowly towards the front, where Jack and Daniel were waiting next to the preacher.

..............

Jack's smile was genuine when he saw Jaffer. The black lab was as big as the to girls that were throwing the flowers onto the floor, but he was behaving perfectly. When they reached about halfway down the aisle, Janet came into view, being escorted by General Hammond, who was wearing dress blues as well, and his impressive array of ribbons was completely overwhelmed by how lovely Janet looked on his arm.

Jack had never seen Janet dressed in anything but dress blues, and he had to wonder at that moment why the good doctor wasn't being chased by every single man on the base – and some of the married ones. From the looks on the faces of many of the men who were watching her and Hammond pass, the men were obviously wondering the same thing. Jack smiled, again.

Then the first of the kids came out into sight.

Jack's smile stayed right where it was, and while he was still nervous, he wasn't quite so scared. Shawn looked great. The tux looked superb on him, and he was walking with his head up, proud that he was in this wedding ceremony, and maybe just a little pleased about the young lady that was on his arm.

Gina was absolutely adorable. Her hair had been allowed to flow freely, and her dancer's body – which was just beginning to show curves of the woman she'd eventually become – was moving gracefully under the dress. She didn't walk so much as glide, next to Shawn.

Jack looked over at Daniel, who was watching the pair advance as well. The Colonel had to admit that Daniel cleaned up pretty well, too. He looked so sharp in his tuxedo that for the first time, Jack supposed he could understand why all the girls at camp tended to drift toward him. Of course, he wasn't Jack's type, but yeah, Jack could see the attraction. Maybe he could even understand why Sally put up with so much from him.

Maybe.

Jaffer had reached the steps that led up to the alter area that Jack, Daniel and the Preacher were standing on, and Jack grinned down at the lab, who was wagging his tail cheerfully. A motion from Jack – barely perceptible unless you knew what to look for – sent the black lab to the side to stand next to Daniel, and the two little girls walked over to sit in the very first pew, next to their parents. Their job was done.

A moment later Hammond deposited Janet at the steps leading up to the alter, and she gracefully walked up the steps to stand on the other side of Jack, leaving a conspicuous space between her and Jack. This was where Sam would stand. She smiled and Jack, and at Daniel, and the two men grinned.

"You look beautiful," Jack whispered, and Daniel and Jack both had the privilege of seeing her blush. That wasn't something that happened all that often!

Only a moment later, Shawn and Gina walked up, and separated, Gina going over to stand by Janet, Shawn going over to stand next to Jaffer, who wagged his tail in greeting when the boy came close to him. Shawn couldn't help himself; he reached down and scratched Jaffer's ears, watching as Danin and Andrew walked down the aisle, followed only a moment later by yet another pair. Each couple came slowly, and each couple separated at the stairs. Boys to the right, girls to the left, until there was no one left to come.

The music changed, suddenly, and everyone turned and stood up as Sam and Jacob appeared at the doorway. Jack felt his heartbeat increase, and Daniel reached out and took his friend's elbow, noticing that he paled.

"Easy..."

Jack nodded.

"I'm fine," He whispered back. He was, too. Just... nervous.

Daniel let him go, and Jacob and Sam started down the aisle. Jack's mouth was dry. Sam looked absolutely stunning, and he – once again – couldn't imagine what she was thinking marrying him. She smiled as soon as she got close, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

............

God, he looked even more nervous than she felt! Sam hadn't seen Jack that pale in a long time, and she knew that he was healthy and hale, so it had to be sheer terror. She could well understand what he was feeling; she was petrified. Only Jacob's solid presence next to her, and his strong arm to hold onto kept her from fainting, or worse – throwing up.

He looked so good! They all did. The boys were such good looking young men in their outfits, and the sea of Military dress uniforms could only make the men in the church look better. Daniel looked absolutely delicious in his tux, and Sam smiled because Jack looked better than all of them. Even if he did look pale.

Jacob smiled over at her, but Sam's eyes were only for Jack, now. She was close enough to see the gleam of love in his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat when he gave her a smile that was only for her. A smile that he very rarely showed in public and never in front of such a crowd. Of course, today was a special occasion, so there were always exceptions.

"I love you," Jacob whispered as he released her.

Sam turned to her dad, then, and smiled as he kissed her cheek carefully.

"I love you, too, dad."