Author's Notes: We're nearly to the end. I think there will be two more chapters and then the story will be finished. In case anyone notices, I am aware that the date of the wedding in terms of the number of months is different by one from when they first married, I'd made a mistake on the time scale at the beginning and corrected it later. I'm posting the correct version on the website and at my livejournals. Speaking of livejournals, join my skewedbelievers community I moderate even if you only read occasionally and seldom post, sign up. I hope you've enjoyed reading it and would love to hear from you. Reviews are greatly appreciated and inspire me to write and post more.

Part 55

Age:34 Years 9 Months

Jack got out of the shower and began to dress in his formal wear. The white tie and tails were reminiscent of what he wore the first time he married Samantha and dressed for their wedding in the bridal suite of the For Seasons motel. Although the first time he was alone when he dressed, today Konstantine was in the room and there had been a parade in and out of the room by the men of the Konstinappolis family. A smile crossed Jack's face as he imagined Samantha getting dressed at their new home just outside of town and the Konstinappolis women no doubt helping her dress and offering her advice.

Today they would be married for the last time. The first time had been wonderful but not legal, the second time had been legal but had little romance to it. But today would be perfect, the November day was unseasonably warm and the sun was shining. Ironically, it was the day before Thankgiving and they were getting married exactly 22 years to the day after their first wedding.

At an age when some people were thinking of getting married for the first time, Jack and Samantha were almost to their silver wedding anniversary. Although Jack didn't feel the same nervous uncertainty he had when he married Samantha when they were teenagers, nervous anticipation coursed through him as the ceremony drew closer. The ceremony was to take place in their rose filled clearing which was still blooming due to Jack's diligence and the unseasonably warm weather.

Last week the architects had completed the small marble pavilion and memorial for their son. His body was laid in it's final resting place and a proper funeral was held. To their surprise the entire Konstinappolis family attended and paid their respects to little Jack Konstantine. Both Jack and Samantha still ached for their son; but avenging him and laying him to rest in the place where he'd likely been conceived gave them a sense of peace. Although they would always mourn him, they were ready to start their future and start putting the past behind them.

As Jack was dressing at the motel, Samantha was being fawned over by Sofia. Even though the ceremony would be the third and final time she would marry Jack, it was the first time Sofia would marry off a Daughter. So Samantha had surrendered to her adopted Mother's wishes and allowed her to help select a wedding gown.

Last week Sofia had taken Samantha to a bridal shop where they found her dress. With a train and formal, the wedding gown would have been completely inappropriate for remarrying Jack, had it not been for the color. Instead of virginal bridal white, the gown was a deep shade of scarlet that was reminiscent of Jack's roses. Everything about her appearance today from her gown to the bouquet made of Jack's roses, proclaimed who she belonged to, she thought with pleasure as she looked at her reflection.

While Sofia fawned over Samantha, various women of the Konstinappolis' came in offering her advice on everything from the keys to a happy marriage to sexual advice that left her blushing. Even though she was far from virginal, the women of the Konstinappolis family spoke very freely. Sofia gave her a sympathetic look and she felt a sensation of deja vu, remembering how Sofia had gotten her through the first couple days of her marriage with her advice. Although Samantha suspected she and Jack would be able to handle consummating their marriage without assistance this time.

Since their legal ceremony two months ago, they hadn't yet consummated their marriage. At first because of Jack's injuries and their quest for vengeance for Jack Konstantine's death. Then the last two weeks Samantha had been busy with wedding plans and Jack had suggested they wait until after their final wedding ceremony. She wondered if they would finally have a non-disastrous wedding night.

Reading Samantha's thoughts, Sofia told her, "The third time is charmings, no?"

"Indeed. Mostly I just want to see Jack, this is the longest I've been apart from him since we got back together," Samantha sighed. Then asked, "Why did I let you talk me into sleeping in a separate room last night?"

"Both of you have had enough of the sad faces. You are needing the luck to be good," Sofia replied.

"I guess," Samantha reluctantly agreed.

Maybe Sofia was right, but it didn't make it any easier, she thought. How had she ever made it for all those years without Jack? Now spending 24 hours away from him, she felt ready to climb the walls. It would be hard to be proper and dignified at the ceremony when she wanted to fling her arms around him and hold him.

Just as Samantha's eyes started to tear slightly, her cellphone rang and her heart leapt at the musical ringtone. Several days before Jack had gotten them a brand new pair of cellphones that no one but them would ever have the numbers for, so she knew instantly it was Jack. Several of the Konstinappolis women gave Samantha and Sofia strange looks when they laughed at the musical ringtone that played Every Breath You Take. Sofia and Konstantine had gradually been told the whole bizarre tale of Jack-Of-All-Trades and Samantha's romance. To be ironic, Jack had programmed the stalker song onto Samantha's cellphone. He offered to change it if Samantha wished; but she wouldn't hear of it.

"Jack," Samantha answered breathlessly and then listened. "I miss you too, this is killing me! Is it too late to elope?"

"Don't you dare!" Sofia exclaimed.

Laughing Samantha spoke into the phone, "Sofia just told me the same thing."

For a moment Samantha listened and assured, "Don't worry, I'll be there. Not a white dress exactly, but I think you'll recognize me."

Listening to Jack, Samantha murmured softly, "I love you. I'll see you in just a little bit."

Samantha hung up and as she accepted the handkerchief Sofia offered her to dry the tears that were forming, she decided the waterproof mascara had been a darn good idea. Although she still felt anxious, it helped hearing Jack's voice. Somehow she suspected that neither of them would be craving time apart from one another any time soon. As much as she'd adored Jack when they were teenager, she loved him even more now.

Nearly two hours later, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Konstantine stood beside Jack serving as his best man. As the matron of honor, Sofia walked down the aisle before Samantha and took her place. Although the Newquays could have afforded the finest musicians in the world to play at their wedding, they preferred to have the Konstinappolis Quartet that was comprised of Konstantine and Sofia's Sons that had played at their wedding reception twenty-two years before.

As the Konstinappolis Quartet played the same rendition of Can't Help Falling In Love they had for Jack and Samantha's first dance, Samantha walked up the aisle towards Jack. Watching his wife approach, Jack smiled. Although he'd thought she was beautiful in white on their first wedding day, the sight of her in the crimson gown and carrying his roses took his breath away. The potential he'd seen in her when they were innocent teenagers, radiated from Samantha as she declared very publicly who she was and that she was his.

Approaching Jack, Samantha felt a wave of happiness wash over her. The dazzling smile he offered her was the most carefree and happy she'd ever seen from him. It was obvious he was pleased with her appearance and she blushed with pleasure. Years before, Samantha though she would never see any man look as handsome as Jack had on their first wedding day. Now, twenty-two years later, she decided he was even more handsome as he stood in their clearing, waiting for her.

When she reached Jack, she handed her bouquet of roses to Sofia. As Samantha and Jack joined hands, Sofia and Konstantine moved in front of them and Konstantine told the family members who sat in chairs lining the aisles, "There will be no officiant of ceremony except for me and Sofia. Because our children are already married by law, today they marry for love and to make Mamma happy."

His words made the family laugh. Sofia then spoke, "The children will be speakings their own vows. Jack, you are wishing to speak?"

Taking both of Samantha's hands, Jack began his vows. "My Samantha, from the moment I met you, you've had my heart. Our path to true love has been strewn with thorns, but every moment has been worth it because it's brought us here today. I offer you my heart and my life, all that I have and all that I am is yours."

His voice thick with emotion, he continued. "More than two decades ago, I joined my life with yours for the first time and I made a vow to you then which I would like to make to you again today. Pledging my love and friendship, I vow to forsake all others and keep only unto you until death. Whatever life holds, I promise to treat you with love, patience, and understanding."

Samantha dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief from Sofia before Konstantine asked if she would like to say her vows.

Looking at Jack, Samantha spoke, "My Jack, I'll be honest I don't remember when I first loved you, because I can't remember ever having not loved you. Even in our darkest hours, I've never once stopped loving you and would willingly relive those days to be here with you now."

Samantha's voice wavered slightly, then steadied as Jack gave her a reassuring look. Gazing into his eyes she continued, "Twenty-two years ago, as a naïve girl I made a vow to you which I wish to make to you again as a woman. I promise to be your love, your comfort and companion, keeping only unto you until death does us part. Whatever life holds, I promise to treat you with love, patience, and understanding."

After Jack and Samantha stood gazing at each other in silent communion for a moment. Sofia's eyes misted slightly as she announced, "Already you are marrieds in eyes of the law. Now you are marrieds in the eyes of love which is more important. Be grateful the gods have preserveds your love through the sad face times and enjoy your life together now that you are in the good times."

Just as emotion threatened to overwhelm the mood, Sofia made everyone laugh by commanding, "Kiss. This is kissings part."

Tenderly, Jack and Samantha's lips met in a kiss...