CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Two weeks later.

Jack knocked on the door of his daughter's room at the Bed and Breakfast that they were staying at. All of a sudden he jumped back as the door flew open and revealed a scene of almost utter chaos.

Taking a tentative step into the large room, Jack surveyed his surroundings.

To his left was his sister Lizzie and two of his sister in laws Caroline and Katrina who flew in a few days ago.

To his right his mother and his daughter sat getting their hair done by his other sister in law Melissa, and directly in front of him stood the most beautiful woman in his life, Samantha Carter soon to be O'Neill if he had anything to do with it.

He still stood, largely unnoticed until three teenage girls in identical dresses came up from behind him and gave him a hug. Careful not to get make up on his suit Cassie, Caitlin and his neice Lucy each gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Now see, I'm the luckiest man in the entire universe at the moment, surrounded by a bevy of beautiful woman." He announced over the chatter.

"Dad, how are the boys?" Megan asked as she stood up, hair apparently finished.

"Well let me see, Johnny is running in circles after my father gave him some red cordial. Teal'c is still trying to figure out how to do up a tie and your husband to be is trying to show him. It's quite funny actually. I just ducked over to see how you ladies are doing."

"Well, Sam, Janet, Nanna and I all have to get dressed and then that is about it I suppose. Don't you go to far Dad, the photographer will be here in about half an hour." Megan told him while waggling a finger in his direction.

"You got this wife thing down pat sweetheart." Jack said as he ducked the flying pillows being thrown at his head, by several of the women in his family.

Making a hasty retreat Jack headed outside for a few moments of peace before his daughters wedding.

Sitting down outside in one of the gazebo's on the grounds Jack thought of how this young woman, his daughter had changed his life.

He was now a proud father and grandfather. He was going to propose to the love of his life in the next few weeks. And he and his family were close again. They hadn't been this close since before Charlie died.

He never in his life thought that he would ever have gotten to walk his daughter down the aisle. He was one of the happiest people alive at this very moment.

He checked his watch and noted that he had just enough time to have a chat to Daniel before he had to head up to Megan's room. He stopped by his room to check on the boys and found everybody to be calm and collected. Johnny was even dressed and ready to go.

Pulling Daniel aside Jack took him out on to the patio.

"Jack, are we going to have that if you hurt my daughter, I'll kill you' talk?" Daniel asked while Jack fiddled with the younger man's tie trying to get it straight.

"Yes we are Danny boy, because that is my daughter up there that you are about to marry. Now don't go rolling your eyes at me. Stand still or it won't be straight." Jack said referring to the tie.

"Jack I promise with all my heart that I will take care of Megan and the children. I love them all so much it hurts some times. I want to spend the rest of my life making them happy. Is that satisfactory?" Daniel asked as he stood back to look at the man who was his best friend, his surrogate big brother and soon to be father in law.

"Daniel, I just want you to remember that Megan and those kids are my whole life, apart from Sam. I want you to become apart of that too. I know that sometime today you will be thinking about your parents, I wish they were here too Daniel." Jack paused when Daniel lowered his head and started shuffling his feet.

Jack took Daniel by the arm and led him to the two seats in the shade on the patio. Sitting down side by side Jack continued with his hand on Daniel's back.

"I do wish they were here as well Daniel. But we both know that's not possible. I know you didn't grow up in the best environment and I honestly wish I could have done something to change that. God you know I suck at this feelings stuff."

"Jack it's ok you don't have to say anything else. I get the point I think." Daniel said while he looked out over the garden where he was to be married in less then an hour.

"No I want to finish. I'll just spit it out. OK. I have come to think of you as more than a best friend. You have that whole kid brother thing going for you but that's just even more confusing. IwantyoutoknowthatlatelyIhavebeenthinkingofyoumoreasason." Jack spat the last bit out at a rate of knots.

"What?" Daniel asked looking at the man sitting next to him.

"I want you to know that lately I have been thinking of you more as a son." Jack said more slowly.

"Jack. I don't know what to say. Thank you, I think is a good answer." Daniel stood and leaned against the banister.

"Jack, I just want you to know that I feel the same way too, sort of. I know what you mean. You are one of the best friends that I have ever had. Honestly. The geeky kid with the glasses and the shaggy hair didn't have many friends growing up, hell even when I grew up I found it hard to keep friends for any longer than it took to say I believe the Pyramids were made by aliens'. As you can properly tell that never went down that well."

"Understandable. But I want you to realise that after today you are officially family. The O'Neill clan is a big one, and I think you fit right in." Jack said as he pulled Daniel into a sideways hug.

"I know you will look after Megan. I wouldn't trust her happiness to anyone else space monkey. Now I have to high tail it up to you fiancé's room, apparently I'm needed for some photos. Go back inside and sit back and relax."

Daniel nodded as he followed Jack back into the room.

Watching Jack leave the room, Daniel went to check on Johnny.

Jack once again knocked on the door of his daughter's room and automatically stood back as the door flew open for the second time in and hour.

Putting his hand over his eyes as he walked into the room Jack called out, "everyone decent?"

He received a kiss on the cheek as a reply and opened his eyes to find the love of his life standing beside him.

"Jack, wait till you see Megan. She looks beautiful. Did you bring Johnny up?"

"Nope, I forgot. I'll go grab him. I'll be back in a second." With that Jack rushed out of the room in search of his grandson.

He arrived back a few minutes later with Johnny and his father in tow.

"Were back." He called out as he entered the room.

His breath was taken away as soon as he opened the door. In front of him was a vision of beauty. Sam was right. Megan looked gorgeous. She was wearing an ice blue coloured gown, which was fitted around the top. With tiny little straps with crystals on them that matched the ones on the front of the bodice. The skirt was full with a three or four foot train built into the skirt.

Her hair was up off her shoulders, showing off her neck and she looked absolutely radiant.

"Wow." Was all Jack could mutter as he was ushered into the room by Cassie and Caitlyn.

Johnny went to run to his mother but was caught by the back of his jacket by his grandfather before he could smear anything over the dress.

"So I guess its photo time." Jack finally managed to spit out.

It took half an hour for all the bride's family photos to be completed.

Jack then headed downstairs with the photographer with Johnny and the twins to have their photos taken with Daniel.

Once that was all complete, the groom and his attendants headed down to meet and greet the guests who were arriving for the ceremony.

Jack was taking the position of best man beside Daniel but he was also the father of the bride so he was giving his daughter away.

So once again Jack and Johnny who was the ring bearer for the day headed upstairs to escort Megan down the aisle.

Jack didn't realise that he would be this nervous. Arriving at his daughter's door, he realised that he had butterflies in his stomach.

Once everyone was organised and only the bridal party remained in the room they got into order and headed down the stairs to the garden.

Lucy and Johnny were up front, they were then followed by Caitlin, Cassie, Janet and Sam who was the maid of honour. Jack and Megan walked slowly behind the bridesmaids, Jack whispering in Megan's ear just as the exited the building.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened in my life, Megan. I want you to be happy."

Megan stopped short of going down the last few steps onto the lawn and reached up and gave her father a kiss on the cheek.

"Ditto." Was all the reply he got before the music started.

Jack walked his daughter down the aisle to the song Eternal Flame by the Bangles.

He watched Daniel's reaction to seeing Megan as she came towards him. He looked almost ready to keel over. There was a space next to him that Jack was to fill after he had finished his fatherly duties. Then there was Teal'c who stood like a statue with almost a grin on his face. Beside him was one of the newest members to the SGC, Jonas Quinn. Ever since he had become friendly with the doc he had joined their close knit group. Then on the end was his nephew Rory, who was Caitlin's partner in the bridal group.

"Who gives their blessing for this woman to marry this man?" The celebrant asked to commence the ceremony.

"I do." Jack answered after giving Megan's hand a tight squeeze.

Jack quickly took his place next to Daniel and waited for the celebrant to continue.

"I know pronounce you Husband and Wife. Daniel, you may kiss your beautiful bride." The celebrant announced at the end of the ceremony to cheers of joy from the guests.

Megan looked deeply into Daniel's eyes as he lifted her veil. He never looked more handsom than at the very moment. The joy that filled his eyes lit up his face until it looked like his smile would explode.

"I love you." He whispered for her ears only as he leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss.

NOTE: NEXT UP IS THE RECEPTION. I APOLIGISE FOR THE DELAY IN POSTING. I APPRICIATE EVERYONE'S FEEDBACK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WELL WISHES FOR MY SON. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS ONE.

ELLIE MAE