The Collective Years
12: Wedding Wishes
PhDelicious

Disclaimer: See all the others.

A/N: Shorter, but sweet and sooner. Enjoy.

Sam

Sam stood in her childhood bedroom contemplating the elegant, old-fashioned, cream colored satin dress, with its square neckline, thin straps, and full skirt. The only adornment on the dress was the long line of buttons down the back which trailed all the way from the low cut back to the dress's hem and camouflaged the set of tiny hooks used to fasten the dress.

I can't believe Dad suggested this, or that he even knew where the dress was. But he was right. This is the perfect dress. I'm getting married tomorrow.

She flopped backwards onto her bed to stare at the ceiling.

I'm getting married…Tomorrow! On New Year's Eve with a reception on my parents' space-heater lined, tent covered, rose petal bedecked patio! We just did Thanksgiving and Christmas! Forget last minute details I barely had time for important arrangements. Thank God for Catherine! How did I let Jack talk me into a New Year's wedding? Oh right, I'm a romantic sap and completely incapable of refusing him when it is important. Good thing he's the same way.

Sam smiled to herself and remembered exactly how she'd allowed Jack to maneuver her into this position. She'd been wearing Jack's rings again for about a month when the subject of wedding dates finally arose.

oOo

"Samantha?"

Jack's voice combined with the brush of his hand across her bare shoulder caused Sam to roll over onto her back and turn her head to look at him. She blinked sleepily.

"I'm sorry, were you asleep already?"

"Not quite. What's on your mind?"

"Never mind. We can talk about it another time."

Jack leaned forward and kissed Sam on the forehead. Then he shifted to lie flat on his back. Sam moved to follow him. She looked down at him and when he didn't meet her gaze she placed her hand on his cheek and pushed gently. Jack turned with the pressure of her hand.

"What's bothering you Jack?"

"I was just…"

Jack eyes closed and he sighed.

"I was just wondering when we were going to get married."

"Jack?"

"I don't want this to be a long engagement. We've known each other long enough to know that this is the right decision. I…don't want to wait anymore."

"Jack…when were you thinking?"

"This summer?"

"Do you have any idea how much time it takes to plan a wedding? There's no way I'm going to have time to plan a wedding during the semester. We haven't even talked about where the wedding's going to be. I just don't think summer would be possible."

Jack sighed.

"I know…it's just…I don't know…can we just forget I brought this up?"

"No, Jack, I can't just ignore this. Are you giving me a deadline?"

Jack jerked up straight in surprise, nearly knocking Sam off the bed.

"No! Shit, I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I want to marry you Samantha, whenever you're ready. I would just prefer sooner to later."

"So if not this summer then…?"

"I've spent way too many years without you, mainly because I'm an idiot. It would make me so happy to be able to start next year out right…married to you."

"Oh Jack."

The discussion wasn't forgotten, but it was postponed as Sam pushed Jack down onto the bed and positioned herself across him to gain access to his mouth.

oOo

In the end they had decided to have the wedding back in their home town on a day that had always had special meaning to them. After spring finals Jack and Sam had taken a short trip back east to pick location for the ceremony and the reception. Jacob had volunteered to host the reception and Catherine had agreed to take care of the majority of the details such as the caterer and music and flowers. And now all the arrangements had been made, all the details attended to, and the big event was tomorrow.

"Sam? You need to get some sleep."

"And going downstairs to play with you, Cassie, Catherine, and Rosa is going to achieve that?"

Janet shrugged her shoulders.

"Well at least we'll know your not brooding."

"Brooding? Why would I be brooding the night before my wedding?"

"Maybe obsessing or worrying would be better words. Now, come play for a little while and we'll get you tired out enough to actually sleep."

"What are you guys doing down there?"

"Well we would be doing make-overs but that's for tomorrow. So we were thinking about doing a Grease sing-along."

Sam rolled her eyes but conceded to Janet's manipulations and stood to follow her downstairs.

Jack

"Do I really have to? Come on guys, isn't this a bit much?"

"Jack, stop whining and put the damn blindfold on."

Mark waggled the strip of cloth at Jack, as they stood in the O'Neill's foyer with Teal'c and Daniel.

I hate blindfolds. I can't believe they think this is necessary. I want to celebrate the fact that I'm getting married tomorrow, not bemoan the fact that I'm going to be tied to the same woman for the rest of my life.

"Indeed O'Neill this amount of complaining is unbecoming for a man of your age."

"Speaking of age, aren't we a bit old for this?"

"Jack, stop being a baby. It's the night before your wedding you're getting a Bachelor party. We have permission so just relax and go with it."

Jack rolled his eyes at Daniel.

"Fine. Fine. I can't believe you talked to Samantha about this."

Jack stepped closer to Mark and turned his back to allow himself to be fitted with the blindfold.

"We wanted you to have fun without worrying about Sam. Janet and Catherine have everything well in hand."

Mark looped the blindfold around Jack's forehead and tied it off tightly. He placed Jack's hands on Daniel's shoulders.

"All right guys, let's head out."

oOo

To Jack it felt as though they'd been in the car forever. At first there had been a sequence of short straight stretches between turns, but the majority of the drive had been spent driving on the same road.

Where the heck are we going?

"Guys, I'm starting to feel a little car sick. How much longer are we going to be driving?"

Not really but if it gets me information…

"Just a little bit longer Jack. We're getting off the highway now."

As Mark spoke Jack felt the car slow and drift to the right. They circled around for a few minutes but eventually they slowed, turned sharply and parked.

"Everybody out. Jack, keep those hands away from the blindfold."

How did he know I was going to…oh right, he can see. I wonder where we are. It smells like the city, lots of people and cars.

"Okay Jack, any guesses? No?"

It sounds like he's pouting. Who knew Carter could pout? Samantha does, in a very attractive manner, of course, but Mark?

Hands reached out and pulled the blindfold down over Jack's face. Jack blinked as the bright lights of the Continental Airlines Arena parking lot shone in his face in sharp contrast to the previous darkness.

"Damn! Hockey game? Sweet! You guys are the best. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"You're welcome Jack. Come on, we're almost late because you bitched for so long before we left."

The guys walked across the parking lot and into the arena. Mark flashed his ID at the gate and a man came scurrying over to show them to their seats, right up against the glass directly across the rink from the Devils' bench.

oOo

The game had been amazing, close, low scoring, and well played, with just enough fights and hard hits to make it extra exciting. Jack had expected to head out to bar for a few drinks and then have an early night, but the same guy who had shown them to their seats returned at the end of the game and now Jack was walking into the team locker room with the guys trailing behind him.

I should have known something more was up. After all they put my face up on the big board and there was a familiar name on that roster.

"Jack O'Neill! Now there's a name I never thought I'd hear again."

A shorter, broad, balding man still dressed in his jersey, greeted Jack with a hearty hug.

"Hey George. I can't believe I didn't make the connection right away. It's not as though Hammond's a common name, especially in hockey."

"I hear you're getting married tomorrow."

"To my sister of all people. I think you met her a couple of times George."

"Carter! Daniel, Teal'c, it's nice to see you all again."

Jack moved out of the way so that each of the guys could shake George's hand. Then introductions were made to the rest of the players still milling around in the locker room. After a few minutes of discussing the game, George interrupted.

"Well, I think the guys would like to get home, but if you're up for it we've got some skates for you to try out."

"Sweet!"

"So if you'll just suit up over here, we can get you out on the ice for a bit."

Jack followed George over to a small corner of the locker room. There was a pile of jerseys on the bench and four pairs of skates on the floor. George began handing out the jerseys.

"Jack, Carter these are for you. They've got your names and old numbers on them. Daniel, T, I wasn't sure what you guys would want so they're blank for now, but if you let me know I'll get them done and shipped to you within a few weeks."

Jack pulled on the jersey and kicking off his shoes he plopped down onto the bench to lace up.

My friends are the best!

Sam

I hate alarms. Why is it still going off?

Sam rolled over into a soft feminine body.

Wha? That's not Jack. Who…oh right.

"Sorry Cassie. Will somebody shut of that damn alarm? Please!"

"Got it," mumbled Janet from the air-bed on Sam's floor.

Sam pushed herself up onto her forearms and peered over Cassie's prone body to look sleepily at Catherine and Janet, who were sharing the other bed.

"Morning gorgeous," grinned Catherine, wide awake. "Time to get up and get going. We've got a lot of things to do today before we get to the wedding."

Sam stuck her tongue out at Catherine and flopped back down on the bed with a huff.

I don't wanna get up. There's plenty of time between now and 4 pm. I can sleep a little bit longer.

This time it was Cassie who spoke.

"What time is it?"

"Nine. We're supposed to be at the hair dresser at 10; then we're back here for makeup and photos. And then we need to be at the church by 2 to start getting everyone dressed."

"Thank you, wedding planner Carter."

"No problem, soon to be O'Neill."

Sam rolled her eyes and then rolled out of bed. She dragged a hand through her hair to move it out of her face.

"All right, I'm up, I'm up."

oOo

Several incredibly busy hours later Janet, Catherine, and Cassie were dressed and Sam was just about ready. Ignoring the constant motion of the photographer, Catherine and Cassie held the dress for Sam to step into and Janet began to hook Sam in. Cassie moved around behind to help out Janet, while Catherine lifted Sam's veil off of its hanger.

"Ready back there?"

"Just about, got it. Okay, there."

Janet and Cassie stepped back from Sam so Catherine could approach and slide the veil down onto her head.

"All set?"

"I think so."

"Something old?"

"The dress was my mom's."

"New?"

"Earrings."

"Borrowed?"

"The necklace is Jack's mom's."

"Blue?"

Sam merely smirked at Catherine. After all it had been her idea for Sam to wear a blue garter; Catherine had even helped pick it out. Catherine grinned back and then reached forward to make a final adjustment to the veil.

"Enough fussing Catherine. Let's go get these pictures over with. I hate photos," groused Cassie.

The Bridal Party headed out of the parlor room they'd commandeered and headed to the snow covered lawn in the back of the church to shiver through some outdoor photos.

Jack

Jack waited anxiously in the small windowless room off to the side of the sanctuary; catching occasional glances of Daniel or Teal'c or Mark as they helped seat people. The number of guests was relatively small; close friends, a few extended family members, and some people from the SGC. Everyone had been invited back to the reception at the Carters' but only those in the wedding were invited to stay through the New Year.

We're actually going to do this! I'm getting married in a few minutes! Check that, I'm getting married now!

The minister had stepped forward to stand in front of the alter and gestured for Jack to join him. Jack scanned the small crowd of guests as he walked out to stand at the end of the center aisle. Mark, Daniel, and Teal'c came to stand behind him. The string quartet began to play and the guests rose. Jack's parents were the first to appear in the doorway at the back of the sanctuary. They were followed by Cassie, Catherine, and Janet, each waiting until the previous bridesmaid was halfway down the aisle before they stepped forward. Then the music changed.

Jackie Carter, the flower girl, began to walk down the aisle, dropping a mix of red and white rose petals as she went. Following closely behind her was her brother Matt holding a small pillow with two rings tied on. Finally Sam stepped into view on Jacob's arm; light from the setting sun came in from the large windows behind her catching in her hair and reflecting off her dress to create a halo around her. Jack could do nothing other than stare at the beauty approaching him.

I am so lucky!

Jacob and Sam halted just before they reached Jack. Jacob turned to his daughter and lifted the veil away from her face and laid it behind her. He kissed Sam lightly on the forehead and turned to face the minister, tears in his eyes.

"Who presents this woman for marriage?"

"Her mother and I do," choked Jacob.

Sam turned and hugged her father tightly, whispering something that Jack couldn't quite hear. Then Jacob took her hand and placed it in Jack's.

"You screw this up again and I will hunt you down."

Jack bowed his head in acknowledgement and then Sam stepped up beside him and they turned to face the minister together to take their vows.

A/N: Yep I'm leaving this chapter here. I figure most of you have been to at least one wedding. As for me, I was in two in the same weekend this past summer and I'm sick of them. So I'm leaving the details of the remainder to you. I realize this chapter is shorter than the others in this particular story, but I wanted to get it out and I really didn't feel like writing the reception or the honeymoon. One more left to tie this into all the other stories in my little world. Reviews appreciated with many thanks.