Author's Note: Reviews are appreciated and make me type faster.

Part 10

Age 12 Years 8 Months

As Jack and Samantha drove away from the church, they held hands, her left hand in Jack's right. When they stopped at a stop sign, they paused and kissed, until a car honked loudly behind them. Studying Jack, Samantha smiled at her new husband and hoped that somewhere her mother had seen her wedding and would have approved. She imagined her mother would have loved Jack every bit as much as she did.

"Samantha," Jack said worriedly.

"Hhhm?"

"There was a slight mix-up with hotels," Jack confessed. When he finished telling her about the For Seasons Motel vs the Four Seasons, Samantha laughed. Feeling relieved, he asked, "So you're not disappointed?"

"As long as we're together, that's all I care about. Besides, I plan to spend my time looking at my handsome husband, not the accommodations."

When they pulled up in front of the motel, Jack parked in front of their room and opened the door for Samantha. Offering her his arm, they walked towards the restaurant. Silently he hoped that it wouldn't be too disastrous. Despite the fact there was only the two of them, Jack had ordered a reception with all the trimmings for Samantha. The day had to be perfect for his Samantha. As it was the motel was a far cry from the luxurious suite he'd envisioned and he didn't want his plans to unravel further. Before entering the restaurant, the couple paused and kissed.

Opening the door the pair entered and were greeted with great enthusiasm by a middle aged couple.. The man cried out with a heavy accent, "Is the newlyweds!"

Jack and Samantha's eyes went wide as the couple swept them each into a hug and kissed them on both cheeks. Uncertainly they accepted the greetings of their hosts and looked at one another. Although the staff was very enthusiastic, Jack had a sinking feeling that the reception, much like the accommodations wasn't going to be quite what he'd planned.

The woman grabbed Jack's chin and announced, "Very handsome." Moving to Sam, she placed her hands on either side of her face, "And so pretty! They will make beautiful babies won't they Konstantine?"

Before the man had a chance to answer his wife, she ambled on happily, "But where are my manners. Let us take you to table we have prepared."

Jack and Samantha continued to look at each other as their hosts lead them through the restaurant. There were only a few patrons dining as they were lead to a table. All of the tables had plain white cloths on them, except for the heavily embroidered cloth that adorned the table they found themselves seated at.

"Sit and relax," Konstantine told them. "Sofia and I will bring your wedding feast. You'll like, yes?"

When their hosts disappeared, Jack apologized, "Oh Samantha I'm so sorry. I wanted our wedding day to be perfect for you."

Before she could respond, Sofia and Konstantine returned to the table with several young men behind them. Konstantine was bearing a large platter with what appeared to be a turkey on it. As dishes were placed on their table, Jack and Samantha sat mutely watching.

Their host placed the turkey on the table with a flourish, "For Giving Thanks wedding."

Looking at their anxious expressions, Samantha smiled and squeezed Jack's hand under the table. However strange, the dinner had a great deal of consideration and effort put into it. The younger men who had followed the couple who appeared to be their parents moved to a small stage and began to tune a couple baglamas and a lyra as one sat down at an ancient upright piano. As a soft Greek folk song filled the air, Jack and Samantha were touched by the amount of work their host and hostess had put into the evening.

Jack smiled and told them, "Thank you so much. Everything looks wonderful. My bride and I appreciate."

"You like?" Sofia pressed happily.

"Everything is perfect," Samantha answered truthfully.

"Good. Now eat! We'll be back to check on you. Later you have cake and dance," Sofia ordered and lead her husband away.

Picking up the carving knife, Jack inquired teasingly, "May I serve my bride some festive wedding turkey?"

After they had served themselves from the variety of dishes, the pair ate slowly often pausing to kiss. Sofia and Konstantine frequently stopped at the table to smile and fawn over them. Despite it's unusual nature the Thanksgiving feast with Mediterranean flair was quite good. Midway through more people arrived at the restaurant who were friends and relations of their hosts. Jack whispered in Samantha's ear then and she nodded, pleased with his suggestion.

Approaching their hosts, Jack declared, "As my bride and I have no family, we would be honored if you and your family would join us in celebrating."

Sofia and Konstantine embraced Jack and grabbed Sam and embraced her as well. As tables were pushed around the bridal table, Sofia insisted, "You must call us Mamma and Poppa like everyone else then."

Jack and Samantha sat back down as more dishes came out from the kitchen and everyone was served. Although alcohol wasn't served to Jack and Samantha, the other guests toasted them enthusiastically. A towering cake was brought out with fresh roses adorning it and Jack smiled at Samantha's reaction. She had mentioned a traditional wedding cake wistfully and Jack had attempted to arrange on, but in light of all the mix-ups he was doubly thrilled this important request had been fulfilled.

"Jack!" Samantha cried in delight. "I can't believe you did this!"

As she pressed an enthusiastic kiss to her husband, their adopted family cheered and several men offered suggestions which left them blushing. Sofia sternly ordered them to behave that they were embarrassing the young ones. Once Jack and Samantha cut the cake, they fed one another neatly and tenderly. Surrendering the cake knife to their hostess, she cut and served everyone.

"Now you must dance," Konstantine declared. "What is your song and my boys will play for you?"

Looking at Jack, Samantha responded, "We don't really have a song."

"Play nice American love song for them," he ordered his sons.

As the band began to play, Jack lead Samantha to the small area that was intended for dancing. They laughed slightly as they began their first dance to the very strange rendition of Can't Help Falling In Love. Neither of them were particularly Elvis fans, but the heartfelt performance with Greek flair was unique and touching.

"Even though things haven't gone the way you planned, I've loved every moment of today. I love you so much Jack," Samantha murmured as he held her closely.

Pressing his lips to hers, he replied, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For loving me. For liking today. For being you."

Samantha gazed into her husband's eyes which had tears dancing precariously in them and found her own eyes misting. Never had she felt so happy or loved as she did with Jack and becoming his wife she knew they would be together always. Secretly she was rather glad about the mix-up with their accommodations. Their hosts had made their day seem more traditional and like they had a family than the fancy hotel would have.

As the evening progressed, the couple had a sense of nervous anticipation as it came closer to time to leave and go to their room. The minister had taken Jack aside before the ceremony and given him a talk that left Jack feeling rather confused. Reverend Franklin spoke at length on sins of the flesh and what a considerate Christian husband should do. None of what he said was what had been in the Kama Sutra book that was in the attic and Jack felt a little uncertain as to which was correct.

Samantha was excited, when Jack had touched her breasts while they kissed it felt so good and now they were married, they would make love. As nice as her dreams of Jack had been and the fluttery feeling she'd had when she caught him touching himself that one time, she could only imagine how nice sex would be. Pressing her mouth to his she kissed him the way she normally did in private. Arousal was singing in Samantha's veins as she clung to her husband.

Amid many good wishes, the couple finally took their leave. Slowly they walked towards their room, stopping to kiss and embrace one another. At last they reached the bridal suite and unlocked the door. Carefully, Jack picked Samantha up and carried her over the threshold...