Chapter 48

Thank you all for the lovely reviews. Have no fear, the end may be in sight, but it ain't over yet.

Cassie's POV

"Uncle Jacob?"

"Cassie. You look beautiful."

"Not as pretty as Sam."

"Give it a few years Cassie and you'll be giving even Sam a run for her money. Your Mom will be beating the boys off with a stick."

"Are you happy Uncle Jacob?"

"Yeah Cassie. It's not every day a guy's little girl gets married, but I'm happy she's happy."

"Have you given Jack the father-son-in-law warning yet?"

"Not yet. I figured I'd let them do the rounds first. After all, I can't have Sam overhearing can I?" He winks at me. "And Selmac wants to add in a few wise words too."

"You know what'd be even better?"

"Cassie, you do realise you are already in trouble with your Mom right?"

"I was just gonna suggest that you get Jack alone by offering to fix his ribs with a Gou'ald healing device. I can keep Sam distracted for long enough."

He chuckles. "Heaven help the male population of the Universe in a few years young lady. They'll have no chance against you."

"So you'll do it?"

"Yes, I'll do it."

"Thanks Uncle Jacob." I reach up and kiss him on the cheek before running off to grab Teal'c for his part in the plan.

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Sam's POV

Some men should come with warning labels attached. And my Colonel is no exception. Four broken ribs and he can still take my breath away. Of course the nimble fingers playing my spine have a lot to do with it. I've lost count of the number of times over the years that he's made me feel some thing close to this with just a look.

I keep looking at the ring on my finger. Checking that its really there. That Colonel Jack O'Neill really belongs to me. We mis-step and I feel the twinge in my ribs telling me to take it easy.

I bring my eyes back up to meet his and we reluctantly decide to leave the dancing to other people. Our friends. Our colleagues. Daniel and Janet are one of the couples out here and I send them both a wink as Jack leads me back to the drinks table.

Siler's there, talking to Thor about the particle accelerator. I bite my lower lip as I think back to why I built that. Jack looks at me and I feel the silent apology in his gaze for that time. "Sam, I…"

"It was worth it Jack." I answer softly, rubbing my thumb over the back of his hand that has suddenly gripped mine. I drop my head to look back to Thor, anything to avoid the concern in his eyes.

"O'Neill. Major Carter. Are you intending to keep your affectations?"

"Yes Thor. On base, I'm still Carter. At home, I'll be Mrs. O'Neill."

"Carter-O'Neill." Corrects my husband and I send him a quick surprised look. He winks at me. "Doctor Major Samantha Marie Carter-O'Neill."

"Thay that five times fasth thir." Quips Siler with a big smile. I don't think I've ever seen Siler grin like this.

"Siler. I hear you had a lot to do with this?"

"Justh preparing the Gate-room thir."

"Thanks Sergeant." I add softly. "It's the best wedding present we could have asked for."

"My pleasure Major. But the presenth are for later. And I don't think I could top the Asgard gift."

"Asgard gift? There's presents?" asks my husband as his eyes sparkle like a kid at Christmas. "So Thor, what did you get us? A couple of those Asgard ships? A tel'tac? A new fishing pole for the Mrs?"

"I am providing transport to where ever you wish to go for your honeymoon, O'Neill. There are several planets with-"

I interrupt. "No offence Thor, but we're going to Northern Minnesota. I have a promise to keep."

"As you wish Major Carter."

"You sure Sam? We can go to Minnesota anytime?" Questions my husband, but I know that's where he wants to go in his heart.

"Let's be Joe and Judy Regular for once okay?"

"Minnesota it is then." He squeezes my hand in a silent thank you that makes me shiver.

"Sammy?" asks my Dad and I sense Jack tense beside me, an automatic reaction that has me hiding a grin. "Jack."

"Hey Jacob. Great party."

"No 'Dad' Jack?" teases the older man and I giggle, earning myself a glare from my spouse. I can almost here the order 'No giggling Carter!' that makes me laugh harder.

"How's your ribs Jack?"

"Ahh, you know how it is, sir." I duck my head to hide my smile at the title. "Carter." He growls warningly and I look up with a straight face, but he can sense my giggles bubbling just beneath the surface, and rolls his eyes, before turning back to my Dad.

"Would you like a little help from Selmac with them?"

I see Jack catch on quickly and he checks with me out of habit. I nod slightly and he smiles. "That'd be great. Thanks."

I have an uneasy feeling in my gut that tells me the Colo- Jack is worried. "I'll come with you and unlock the safe guys."

"It's okay Sam, I'm sure we can manage, right Jack?"

My eyes narrow in suspicion at my father as he practically orders my Jack to obey with his eyes and voice. It's the 'General' tone that has me automatically snapping to attention before I even realise what I'm doing.

"Yes sir." Replies the Colonel, and an instant later I can feel his embarrassment as he recognises that he responded to the command out of habit. He raises my hand to his lips and kisses it softly. A movement that makes my knees tremble and I see the triumph in his eyes as he senses my subconscious response, before turning to follow my Dad.

I watch two of the most important men in my life leave the Gate room before turning back to face the party. Teal'c is heading towards me and I smile.

"Hey Teal'c."

He nods in greeting. "You are concerned MajorCarter?"

"I think my Dad's just taken the Colonel for a traditional father to new son-in-law threaten session."

"JacobCarter is merely concerned for your well-being."

"I know he means well Teal'c, he always does. It's his methods that have me worried. He says he's going to fix the C-Jack's ribs with the hand device."

"Do you not believe that to be the case?"

"Let's just say, I'll feel better when they are both back in here without any bruises. I wouldn't put it past either of them to start a fight."

"While we await the return of O'Neill and JacobCarter, would you do me the honour of a dance?"

I laugh softly. "I don't know Teal'c look at what happened last time."

"I assure you MajorCarter, I shall only relinquish your hand to O'Neill or JacobCarter."

"In that case, I'd love to. Thank you."

He nods and leads me back over to the dance floor.

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Cassie's POV

Teal'c is dancing with Sam. Mom's dancing with Daniel. Uncle Jacob's got Jack out of the room and is fixing his ribs. Uncle George is keeping an eye on the proceedings. Uncle Ferretti is passing out money to those who won money on where Jack and Sam will be going on their honeymoon, and starting new pool's for their first fight, first baby and God knows what else.

I glance around stealthily and after ensuring no one is watching me, I sneak a small box into the hamper full of presents under one of the tables. It cost three weeks allowance, and if Mom ever found out I walked into that shop, let alone bought anything, I'd be grounded until retirement, but it's their honeymoon, right?

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Sam's POV

Five minutes after they left I feel Jack staring at me as Teal'c waltz's me around the floor. I look up and let out a sigh of relief. He and my Dad are both watching me.

Dad whispers something in Jack's ear and I can see my husbands eyes twinkle as he answers back cheekily, before making his way towards the drinks table and picking up a Guiness.

Dad heads straight for Teal'c and I, and Teal'c releases my hand with a subtle head nod and his equivalent of a warm smile.

"Thanks Teal'c." I say, even as Dad starts dancing with me.

"Jack's a good guy Sammy."

"I know. That's why I chose him. Did you threaten my new husband Dad?"

"I'm so proud of you today. You look… beautiful."

"Dad?"

"We fixed his ribs for you."

"Thank you, but did you threaten him?"

"Only a little. It's a father's perogative." He defends himself and I turn the glare up a notch, pleased to watch him squirm for a few seconds, before I laugh softly.

"I'm a big girl now Dad, I can handle Jack O'Neill."

"That's what he said."

"See, I've got him well trained already."

"Your mother would have been so proud of you today."

I feel a few tears pricking the backs of my eyes and rest my head on Dad's shoulder. "I really wish she was here."

"Me too Sammy. But as long as we remember her… she'll always be with us right?"

"Right." I affirm before turning my head slightly to look at Jack, who has been coerced into a dance with Cassie. Cassie's laughing as he acts like a clown, stumbling slightly, spinning her out, back in and then dipping her, which earns him a shriek. I feel a tearful giggle start in my throat and wipe my eyes.

The song ends and I pull back regretfully, but as I see Dad chuckling at something over my shoulder, I turn and smile. Cassie is laughing so hard she's almost crying as Jack tickles her for something.

"Say it Cass!" he warns as she wriggles in his arms.

"No!" She shrieks with laughter as the torture by tickling continues.

"Say it."

"Never, Jack!"

I wink at my Dad and move to stand a few steps behind Jack, waiting for him to acknowledge me. I can feel him sense me, but he keeps his back turned while he tickles.

"Please Sam! Help!" giggles Cassie.

My husband stops tickling her and turns around sheepishly, but winks at me. I rest my hands on my hips and tap my foot, playing along.

"Hey honey." He says cheerfully.

"Colonel." I reply sternly and he winces.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"I might ask you the same question. Sir." I add the title for good measure and Cassie looks back and forth between us worriedly. Jack keeps a firm grip on her arm and his eyes direct me to her feet. I nod almost imperceptably.

"Just goofing around Sam."

"And what did she do to deserve that?"

"She said I was old."

"Hey! I did not!" protests Cassie.

"Did too."

"Did not!"

I whistle to interrupt them and they both shut up. "Cassie?" I demand my explanation.

"I told him to act his age, not his shoe size." She admits.

"Shoe size?" I ask and in an instant I have lifted her feet, while Jack lifts her upper body off the ground and she yells in protest as he tickles her mercilessly.

"Say Uncle, Cassie."

"Un- Uncle TEAL'C!" She squeals and we gently lower her to a standing position. Teal'c comes and stands by us, and Jack 'hides' behind me. I shiver as he peeks over my shoulder and his breath warms my neck. His arms wrap around my waist from behind and I lean back into him.

"Hey Teal'c." Jack waves and peeks his head up again before delibrately resting his cheek against my shoulder.

"MajorCarter. O'Neill. CassandraFrasier." He chides all three of us and if I wasn't being distracted by the way Jack's hands are caressing my stomach and sides I'd be able to play this game better. As it is, I know I can't utter a coherent sentence right now, so I keep quiet, and run a recently scarred hand over my husbands.

"T! Buddy. Carter was tormenting Cassie. I stepped in to stop it."

I pull forward out of his embrace and turn on him at that, my eyes laughing into his, even as I open my mouth to berrate him. He holds up his hands in a defensive position but we are interrupted as General Hammond strides into the melee.

"Colonel. Major."

"D'Oh!" whispers Jack as we both turn around and come to attention.

"It has been brought to my attention that there are a few outstanding requirements to make this an official wedding reception. But there is nothing in my list about torturing Alien Ambassador's by tickling?"

"No sir." We both answer with a smile as he gestures to a hamper of presents that Janet and Daniel have just wheeled over.

"About those outstanding requirements sir?"

"Yes Colonel?"

"Permission to open presents sir?"

"Granted."

I laugh as Jack tugs my hand towards the hamper. He gestures grandly. "After you Mrs. Carter-O'Neill."

"Yes sir." I quip and reach for a small wrapped box, sitting on the top. The card reads: 'With love' and isn't signed, and I frown, recognising the hand writing, but unable to place it for a moment.

"Come on Sam, or you'll never get to the cake!" orders Cassie, and it clicks. A present from Cassie. But why wouldn't she sign it, unless…

I carefully open a corner of the box and glance inside to see a piece of ice blue silk. I close the box with a blush and pass it to Jack, who looks at me strangely before opening the box, chuckling, and shaking out the negligee for all to see, as I reach for the next package.

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