Chapter Twenty-One:

I stepped out into the lush garden in the central courtyard of the city and smiled. I had tended the plants lovingly over the last few months, and it was finally starting to look like a garden again. Right now, it was hung with white ribbons, creamy lilies and rich purple violets, and you could see glimpses of the sea through the green. It was the perfect place for a wedding.

And my parents were the perfect couple to be wed in it.

I quickly followed Janet across the courtyard and through the door beyond. Inside I found my grandfather sitting in a chair watching his daughter (and my mother) with an amused smile on his face.

"Sammie, you look beautiful." Jacob said, his eyes dancing.

"My skirt is all twisted and I can't find my lipstick!" Mom replied, a hint of panic in her voice.

"I don't think Jack will care if you're wearing lipstick or not." Jacob pointed out. "I know I didn't care if your mother was wearing lipstick when we got married. I spent the whole day hoping it wasn't a dream."

I caught the sad and wistful look on his face as he added the last bit, and knew that he was sad my grandmother was missing today. I never met her, as she died before I was born, but I've heard many stories and knew she would be just as happy for her daughter as my grandfather was.

Janet walked over to where Mom was standing, looking frantically for her lost lipstick. With the same efficiency she used to run the infirmary, she sat my mother down in front of the mirror, sorted through a pile of cosmetics and pulled out the lost tube of lipstick and various other bits and pieces. "We'll start with by fixing your face." She said. "Then we'll sort out your skirt and go from there, okay?"

"Okay." Mom replied a little weakly.

I smiled at Jacob as I came to sit beside him. "Shouldn't you be helping your mother fuss?" he asked me softly.

"Nah." I said. "I wouldn't want to interrupt Janet. Besides, she's a bit territorial about this sort of thing."

Jacob laughed. "She is, isn't she?"

"I heard that." Janet said.

I just flashed her a grin. "You always do." I told her.

I sat back and gazed carefully at my mother. She looked beautiful in her simple white gown. The strapless dress hugged her slender waist, before falling straight from her hips to floor in a graceful line. The skirt swirled around her legs as she stood up, her face meticulously fixed by Janet's practiced hand. Mom had twisted her hair back away from her face and a million tiny little gems glittered from amongst the blonde strands. Diamonds glittered at her ears and throat. She looked amazing.

"My skirt is still twisted." She frowned, gazing downwards.

Janet carefully straightened it, before shooting me and Jacob an amused look. "Mom, you look amazing." I said, getting up to give her a hug. "Dad is going to freak."

Mom blushed slightly at my words as she hugged me back. "Thanks, Shan." She replied. "You look beautiful too."

"Thanks, Mom." I smiled and gave her hand a light squeeze.

Both Janet and I wore dresses of pale violet, meant to compliment the flowers or something. I hadn't been paying much attention when Mom and Janet had been discussing that part. I only knew the dresses were beautiful. Janet's was similar to Mom's, but the top was a halter instead and the skirt was a little shorter. With her auburn hair done up in a twist behind her, and a violet tucked into it, she looked gorgeous.

"If you guys are going to get mushy, I might have to go and find Jack." Jacob threatened mildly at all the hugging.

"You just want a hug too." Mom retorted, before going over and giving him one. "So, Dad." She said as she twirled around before him. "What do you think?"

"I think you're the most amazing thing I've ever seen." Jacob replied, his eyes glittering with what looked suspiciously like tears.

"Oh, Dad." Mom sniffed, as she too tried to hide back tears. "Now who's getting mushy?"

Janet chuckled. "Right, Shannon. Your turn." She said.

"My turn?" I echoed.

"Yes." Janet replied, giving me the once over. "I'm going to do something with that hair of yours."

"What's wrong with my hair?" I asked. "It's not like anyone will be looking at me anyway."

"Just humour me." Janet said, and pushed me down into the chair.

I sighed, but let her turn me towards the mirror. If she wanted to play with my hair, then she could play with my hair. She wouldn't let me leave this room until I agreed, anyway. "And don't forget to put on your shoes." She reminded me as she wielded the hair brush.

I rolled my eyes at her in the mirror. "Yes, Aunt Janet." I said.

About ten minutes later, Janet stepped back with a satisfied sigh. "There." She said. "That's better."

I had to admit that she was right. I don't know what she'd done, but my hair was now pulled back away from my face and falling in a wavy cascade over my shoulders and slightly down my back. As a finishing touch she tucked a violet in amongst it, just like she had in her hair. "Thanks." I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek as I jumped up. "It's great."

It was at that moment, that there was a tentative knock at the door. "Is everyone decent?" Came Daniel's muffled voice.

"Come on in." Jacob called out. "I could use another man in here after all this fluffing."

"Dad." Mom said, glaring slightly.

The door opened and Daniel walked in, looking very handsome in his tailored black suit, white shirt and grey tie. There was even a small violet tucked into his lapel – no doubt that was Janet's work. "Wow." He said and blinked a few times.

"That bad, huh?" I teased, as Daniel opened and shut his mouth a few times.

"Sam, you look amazing." He said. Then he shot Janet a slightly teasing grin, before walking over to her and giving her a large kiss. "I think you look beautiful too." He said, obviously noticing the slightly annoyed look on Janet's face when he complimented Sam.

"I take it it's time to get this show on the road?" Jacob asked, getting up.

"Everyone else is ready." Daniel confirmed.

"Okay then. Tell them we're ready to start." Jacob said.

Janet reached over and squeezed Mom's hand. "Are you ready?" she asked.

Mom took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah." She said. "I am."

I quickly ducked over to the back of the room and hunted up my shoes and bouquet as Janet helped Mom into her thin veil and Daniel went to tell everyone they were ready to start. I slipped them on my feet, before I turned at the sound of the door opening. Oh, goody! I thought when I saw who it was. The groomsmen are here.

I grinned at the sight of Teal'c standing there in a suit almost exactly the same as Daniel's. He was a big man and there was a whole lot of suit. "Hey, T." I called out delightedly as I walked up to him. "Nice suit."

He raised an eyebrow in his usual way. "Indeed." He said.

I laughed. "Now you're just being nice." I said. "What did Dad have to promise to get you into that thing?"

"You do not wish to know." Teal'c replied.

I let out a bark of surprised laughter and grinned in amused delight. "Well, when you put it that way…"

"Indeed." Teal'c said again as he offered me his arm. "I believe it is our turn to join the wedding party."

I took his arm, feeling really small beside him, despite my heels. "Let the party begin." I said as we walked towards the door.

The stately music drifted over the lush garden and the scent of lilies was in the air. Sunlight dappled the elegant arbour in the centre of the courtyard, decorated by sprigs of lilies and violets. The guests sat on wooden benches in rapt wonder at the event that was moments from taking place.

I stepped out onto the aisle scattered with flower petals on Teal'c's arm. I kept me steps even and sure as I walked to the beat of the music. My face was serene and I couldn't help but smile at all the familiar faces I saw in the crowd. Friends and family were all gathered here to bear witness this day of joy and love. Thor was even there with some of the other Asgard, watching the events with a unique curiosity.

My gaze flicked to where my father stood, looking handsome in his tailored suit. His face was calm, and when he caught me looking he gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back with a burst of love for the remarkable man who I was lucky enough to have as a father. I felt tears began to threaten as I finally realised just how much my parents meant to me and the joy that I was able to share this day with them.

Taking a deep breath so I wouldn't start blubbering, I took my place at the end of the aisle on the opposite side of the priest to Dad. Teal'c took his place beside Dad and turned to watch Daniel and Janet take their turn up the aisle.

I heard the music move to a crescendo and knew it was time for the bride to make her grand entrance. As everyone turned to await Mom, I kept my gaze on Dad and was gifted by watching his expression as he saw Mom. His whole face seemed to light up when he saw his beautiful bride and love flowed from him. I couldn't help it, but as I turned to watch Mom take her final steps, tears began to trickle down my face.

Gently, Jacob lifted up Mom's veil and kiss her cheek. Then he passed her hand to Dad and smiled at them both. "Take good care of each other." He said softly, before going to sit down.

Smiling, the priest began his service, his melodic voice lulling me just as much as the joy and beauty of the day. The ceremony passed quickly, until it was time for the vows. "The couple that stands before me are as unique and courageous as they come." The priest said, smiling gently. "And it is their wish to say there own vows to each other in the presence of those they hold dear."

At the priest's nod, Dad began. "Sam, from the first time we met, you cast a spell over me. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, I couldn't resist you. Rules just didn't seem to matter anymore." Dad said, his voice soft as he gazed lovingly at my mother. "Despite all the years that have gone by, you still remain the strong, spirited, courageous and intelligent woman I fell in love with all those years ago. I love you so much, Sam. Please let me spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."

Tears filled Mom's eyes as she listened to Dad's quiet speech. Sniffing slightly, she spoke her own words of promise back to him. "Jack, for as long as I've known you, you've inspired me to reach for the stars. You were always there to guard my back and offer a shoulder to cry on." Mom said softly. "You caught my heart with a glance and it has been yours ever since. Years will never change the way I feel. You own my heart and soul and always have. I love you so much."

"Do you, Jonathan Patrick O'Neill, take this woman to be your wife, to love her and to hold her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, wherever your life may take you, til death do you part?" The priest asked Dad.

"I do." He replied reverently, without taking his eyes from my mother's and slipping the ring onto Mom's finger.

"Do you, Samantha Joy Carter, take this man to be your husband, to love him and to hold him, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, wherever your life may take you, til death do you part?" The priest then asked Mom.

"I do." Mom replied, her voice soft and sure, as she slipped a ring onto Dad's finger.

"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife." The priest said, sending a shiver of delight up my spine. "You may kiss the bride."

And, man did he kiss her!

The whole garden erupted into cheers at his words and I gave a watery laugh at the joy of it all. Beside me Janet sniffed and I could swear that Daniel was close to tears too. It was just all so beautiful!

"Ah, Jack." Daniel hissed after a moment. "You can stop now!"

There was a ripple of laughter through the assembled guests at the newlywed couple broke apart and turned to face the crowd. "May I now introduce Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill?" the priest said in a rather amused voice.

A tear slipped down my face at the words. Joy burst through my heart. I grinned as the well-wishers began to mob the newlyweds. Life was just so damn good today.