Author's Notes: Reviews are appreciated and make me write faster.
Chapter 26
Lying in bed, sleep eluded Jack. Tomorrow he would wed his Samantha at last and they would be bound in this time, but what would happen if they ever went back to their time? Samantha said it didn't matter, but he feared it would be a different story when confronted with her friends and co-workers. For that matter, Jack thought, he wasn't sure he would survive if they went back.
Before everything had gone black in the museum, he'd felt more bullets hit his body. Samantha would likely be all right, only one bullet passed through him and into her, as far as he knew. His body had shielded hers, but Jack knew at least three bullets had struck him and that made his chances of survival very slim. So going back to their time wasn't necessarily good for his well being.
At the same time, Jack couldn't help but wonder, what had brought them here? He knew it had to be connected somehow to the painting, but what exactly had happened? Had they been transported to another time? Were they in heaven? Heaven didn't seem too likely since he doubted they would be occupying his ancestor's bodies in heaven. After he married Samantha, they would have to try and solve the mystery of how and why they were there, then decide whether to stay or try and find a way back.
Although things had been difficult with the duel and it's aftermath, Jack found he was quite content. Hearing his voice with a French accent when he spoke took some getting used to and the clothing was somewhat aggravating to wear. However, Jack decided, having Samantha in his arms made it more than worth while. His Samantha was stunning in the 18th century fashions even if they were challenging to navigate, it was nice seeing her dressed like a woman instead of the dark suits she wore like armor. Some adjustments would have to be made if they remained to make life more comfortable, but all in all he wouldn't mind staying.
Shortly before dawn, sleep claimed Jack at last and he slept until Phillippe appeared with a breakfast tray saying, "Good morning, Jack. Ready to get married?"
Smiling Jack responded, "As soon as I have a bit of coffee. Any sign of the priest yet?"
"A messenger arrived about an hour ago, Father Marc Valois is going to arrive by 1 PM and is willing to perform the ceremony at 4 PM," Phillippe informed him.
"Perhaps I should skip the breakfast tray and dine with Samantha."
Shaking his head Phillippe declared, "Non. The mademoiselle gave me strict instructions that I was to keep you above stairs until 1 PM and then once I was certain she was hidden in her room, then you may go below stairs. She said I was to tell you quote un quote, that you may not see her until the wedding and that if you try it will be a marriage of convenience for at least a week."
Jack laughed and took a sip of coffee and accepted an improvised cigarette and a light from Phillippe. Taking a deep puff, Jack looked at the clock and smiled. It was 10 AM in six hours, his Samantha would be his wife. She would look like an angel and they would say their vows under the roses at the Death Pavilion. The Death Pavilion, Jack thought wryly, what a place for him to marry his Samantha.
Which one of his ancestors had died there? Jack mused. All he could remember was that it was a Marquis who killed himself. Since his title was Viscomte, it must have been some time in the future when a higher title was acquired. It didn't really matter though, it was part of the family history when he was a boy so it had to be destined. As long as he married his Samantha that was all that mattered and it didn't matter why the Death Pavilion would receive it's nickname.
Phillippe's voice brought Jack from his thoughts as he said, "I must insist you allow me to help you dress. To the world I am still your valet and I will not have word getting back to Paris that you were anything but perfectly attired at your wedding."
Jack submitted to Phillippe's demand and allowed his distant relative to assist him into an ivory satin frock coat and knee breeches for the occasion. Although Jack did put his foot down when Phillippe attempted to persuade him to powder his hair. There were some concessions to the time period Jack refused to make and powdering his hair was one of them. The only way he would powder his hair or don a wig would be if he was forced to attend a function attended by the King where to do otherwise would be considered an insult.
"So Jack, where are you taking the mademoiselle for a wedding trip?" Phillippe inquired as he fought with Jack's cravat.
"I'm not sure Phillippe. Perhaps Paris, back in our time Samantha loved Paris and was prevented from traveling there."
"What prevented her from traveling to Paris?"
As Phillippe fussed over Jack and then followed him downstairs to await the priest's arrival once Samantha was upstairs, Jack told Phillippe the highlights of his relationship with Samantha. With wide eyes, Phillippe listened as Jack described killing Samantha's husband and later supervising Sharon killing Coop. Phillippe couldn't decide what was more remarkable Jack killing so many people in the name of love or the notion of women wearing pants and holding jobs.
Shortly after 1 PM, the priest arrived and grilled Jack about the particulars of the wedding and why his priest left. After handing over a large sum of money, the priest was more than happy to perform the ceremony and with added funds agreed to let Jack and Samantha make additional vows of their own and to be married outside instead of in the estate's chapel.
When it was at last time to head to the Pavilion, Phillippe followed Jack. Since Jack had no friends in the 18th century, he requested Phillippe do the honors. At the Pavilion, Jack paced around restlessly as they waited for Samantha. The priest was there staring blankly at the surroundings and Phillippe was getting dizzy watching Jack pace about.
"The mademoiselle will be here soon, Viscomte," Phillippe assured him, opting to use Jack's title in the presence of the priest.
"I know Phillippe, but you cannot imagine how important today is for me. For nearly a decade, I've waited for this moment," Jack replied.
At last Samantha appeared, her father and ladies maid flanking her on either side, a bouquet of red roses with thorns clutched in her hand. Jack smiled as she approached and the priest asked, "Are you ready to begin, Viscomte?"
"Yes," Jack answered.
Samantha's maid moved to stand by Phillippe as her father placed Samantha's hand in Jack's. As the priest began speaking, Jack's heart raced as he stared into Samantha's eyes. Dressed in ivory, she looked the way Jack had always dreamed she would when she became his wife. For so many years he'd prayed for this moment and even though it hadn't come about in quite the way he'd imagined, Jack was ecstatic.
As she stood holding Jack's hand a sense of euphoria and freedom washed over Samantha. Being free of the constraints of the VCTF and her nosy but well meaning friends was a wonderful feeling. Although she would have resisted the notion and never admitted it before coming to the 18th century, she always knew she belonged to Jack, Samantha realized. Whether in this time or back in theirs, her place was with Jack. Gazing at Jack, Samantha smiled and realized she was happier today than she had been on the day she married Tom. Jack was her destiny.
Once the traditional vows and rings were exchanged, the Father Marc announced in a disdainful tone, "The Viscomte requested that he be allowed to make additional vows of his own wording."
Ignoring the presence of the others, Jack vowed, "My Samantha. I have waited for this moment for a very long time. From the day I first saw you I loved you. For all time, I am yours and yours alone. My life is yours my Samantha."
When Jack finished, the priest said, "If there's nothing else-"
"Actually there is," Samantha interrupted. "I have something I want to say to Jack."
"Very well," Father Marc sighed in a pained tone.
Facing Jack, Samantha promised, "For a long time I was afraid to let myself love you because loving you meant facing all of who I am. Being with you made me realize I shouldn't be afraid of being who I'm meant to be, but rather I should fear being something I'm not. I've loved you for longer than I was aware of. And as you said to me, I say to you. For all time, I am yours and yours alone. My life is yours my Jack."
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen," the priest declared as he signed the cross.
Once they were pronounced married, Jack didn't wait for permission to kiss Samantha. Taking her into his arms he kissed her and held her for several moments. Then Samantha's ladies maid began to cough loudly as Samantha in turn gave Jack a lingering kiss, which made the priest turn away blushing...