CH 80
Jack stood up and walked over and turned the TV on to see what was on. When they had the morning news, he saw it was about his father's funeral and that the reporter said that therewere helicopters showing up in the last five minutes with SF, getting out and then more showed up with something in the nets under four helicopters.
Jack was wondering what was going on. He watch and listen he didn't hear Sam walk out of the bathroom and sat next to him, he turn to her
"Sam do you know anything about that?" he pointed to the TV
"Yes, you know that the church could only hold about three hundred"
"Yes?"
"Well there wasn't going to be enough room for every one after all it is a military funeral, so I called the chief of staff. He knows about your father death and his record so he said he would take care of things and well as you can see he doing it for a war hero"
"Dad not a hero"
"Jack the general told me what he received in the Korean and Vietnam War, he is a hero"
"What did he get?"
"Ten purple hearts, two metals of honour and six silver stars for stars"
"I didn't know"
"Well know you know and the men he serve with in the two wars, they might come today to pay their final respects to him"
"I guessyou're right" they look at the news for ten minutes before Jack stood up and turn the TV off
"Well we might as well get ready"
"Sure, I'll go and take care of my hair"
"Ok"
Sam stood up and walked into the bathroom and took care of her hair and make up while Jack started putting his dress blues on. When he was dressing, Sam walked out and he walked into the bathroom to relieve himself while Sam got dressed.
Sam wore a black dress that goes just above her knees with a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves. She then put on her new black stockings and shoes. When Jack walk out of the bathroom he stop and look at Sam
"Wow, Sam you look great"
"Thanks Jack" he put his shoes on then his jacket and tie.
When done and Sam pick up her black shoulder bag and key to the room. It was time to leave. Few minutes later they walkedoutside to the waiting limo. Once they were in, they were on their way to Silver creek. Sam held onto Jack hand all the way there.
When they got there, there was media and SF everywhere. They were stop and Jack wind down the window
"What the problem" the SF walk over to Jack
"Sorry sir, we checking to make sure no media try to sneak in"
"Very well" the he stood up and wave his hand then he said to the driver
"Go on through" then they carry on and Jack made the window go up again.
Few minutes later the limo stopped at the entrance of the stadium, then the doors opened and they got out and the doors closed. Jack walked around to Sam's side and held onto her hand. There were a lot of people, young and old alike. Jack let out his breath and looked at Sam
"I'm staying with you Jack"
"I know" then they walk towards one of the tents where the service was being held.
The ones who are on the door gave them a four-page sheet then they walked in. they could see the coffin up the front. They walk up to the front where there was a row of chairs for family only. They both sat down and waited. When one of the men walked over to them
"Excuse me but this is for family only" Jack look at the guy, and Sam saw the look and she turn to the guy
"We are family this is Captain O'Neill Mr O'Neill son" the guy was shock
"I'm sorry, sir I didn't know" then he moved away. Sam looked at Jack
"What a jackass" he said Sam smile and lean over
"Stop talking about your ass Jack" then she look at him and he smile
"Thanks" then he gave her hand a squeeze that she did in return.
Sam turn around to see the place filling up and that there was more showing up, when she turn to look at Jack
"The tent is full and there is more coming"
"You're joking?" Sam shook her head
Then the minister showed up and walked over to Jack and gave him his condolence before walking up to where he is conducting the service. Sam notices the speakers in the tent and a microphone up the front. Couple of minutes later the minister started the service.
Ten minutes into the service where everyone including Jack heard about the life of his father. Sam could see the tears falling down his checks, so she got a hanky out and passed it to him and she put her arm around and onto his back going up and down.
Then it was open to anyone who wants to share anything about Jack's father. There was one person after another who stood up in front and said a few words about him. Most were his old army buddies. There was one woman she went up last; she was holding her son in her arms. From what Jack and Sam could tell the baby was a month old.
"Hi I'm Rose Simpson and this is my four week old son Charlie… I didn't know Mr O'Neill till I saw him in the bank last Friday morning, he said to me that I got a beautiful son, which thank him" then she sniffle
"Mr O'Neill is a hero, when the bank robbers ran in and started shooting, he turned and covered my son who was in my arm and me from the bullets… We fell to the ground but he made sure that he didn't land on top of us and he said, 'close your eyes and let them think you were shot'. So I did that till I heard the police show up and the robber was gone, when I opened my eyes his eyes were still close. When the paramedics showed up and checked him over, I could tell that he didn't make it. He gave his live to save two strangers and I never had a chance to thank him for saving our lives till today" Then she walk down to the coffin and put her hand on it with tears falling down her cheeks
"Thank you for saving our lives" then she walked back to her chair. Sam looked at Jack who turned and looked at her
"Now you know what happened," he nodded.
Ten minutes later six SF who were in their uniforms carried the coffin out, then Jack and Sam stood up and walked out with their arms around each other then others started to follow. Since the cemetery was one hundred meters down the road they put the coffin on the back of a cart and a Clydesdale horse pulled it. Everyonefollowed till they got to the cemetery then the coffin was moved over to its resting-place.
"Sam" she turn around
"Auntie"
"Here" she past her two red roses to her
"Thanks" then she turned to Jack and pass one to him
"Thanks"
Then the ones who were close watched as the six men folded up the flag and passed it to a general who then passed it to Jack. Then he returned back to his spot after giving Jack a salute, which Jack did in return. Jack then steppedforward and placed the flower on top of the coffin, then Sam did the same.
Jack gave the nod and then the coffin was lowered into the ground. Just as there was a six gun shoot and burgled played as the coffin was lowered into the ground.
Jack and Sam moved over so guests could shake their hands or give them a hug after they pick up some dirt and throw it into the hole. By the time they did the last guest they follow the mister and the others back to the stadium.
When they got there, the tent where the serve was being held, there was now table and chairs set up everywhere. They both went and got a drink and started talking to some of the guests there. There were caters that brought out food on serving trays for every one there.
Sam made sure Jack had something to eat. Hours after they returned, Sam went to the ladies room at the stadium to relieve herself before returning. When she saw Rose Simpson, she walked over to her.
"Hi" Sam said
"Hello are you family of Mr O'Neill?"
"Not yet" Sam sat down
"What do you mean?" she frond
"That air force officer who was next to me, that is Jack O'Neill Mr O'Neill son and I'm Jack fiancee" Rose was shock
"Your to young" sam smile
"We planning on a long engagement"
"AH how is Mr O'Neill copping?"
"It been really hard on him in the last few days especially today, he got no other family but me now"
"Well at least he got that"
"Yeah"
"There sure is a lot of people here today"
"I know, a lot are his war buddies and wives, his old partner and hundreds of workers that he employed years ago, he was a well known man but he was also a private man, just like what Jack is"
"Ok I notice there is a lot of air force here?"
"I know, they are Jack work mates, they are here to help support him"
"That good of them"
"I know, thank you for coming today and telling us about what he did, the cops haven't told Jack a thing about how he died… now we all know"
"It the least I could do"
"Would you like to meet Jack"
"Sure, I would like that"
"I'll go and find him"
Sam stood up and walked over to where he was last time, when he was still there, she walked over to him.
"Hey you were away along time" they wrap their arms around each other
"Sorry, I was talking to Rose Simpson"
"Ok"
"She would like to meet you"
"Ok, lead the way"
She held onto his hand and walked over to where rose is and sat down. They talked for half an hour before Rose had to go since she was catching a flight back to LA. After they said their goodbyes to her they went and talked to some of the others there.
Everyone was gone by six that night. Jack and Sam thank and said goodbye to the last guest just as the limo showed up since Sam called and knew how long it would take to get there from minneapolis.
"Come on Jack it been a long day"
"True, it has" they got in and headed back to the hotel. Sam was snuggling in his arms.
"Jack"
"Yes Sam" she moved to look at him
"Remember what I told you when I was little what happen after my grandmother pass away, what I did that night of the funeral" jack through about and try to remember
"Sorry refresh my memory"
"Ok but why don't I show you"
"Ok" Sam moved so she talk to the driver then she moved back to Jack side again
"Sam"
"Trust me"
"Ok" Few minutes later the limo stop
"I'll be right back" she gave him a kiss just as the door open for her
"I'll be a couple of minutes"
"Yes ma'am"
Sam walked into the shop and she got what she needed then she paid for them, then returned back to the limo. Once she got in, they were on their way again. Jack tried to see what Sam brought but she made sure he couldn't look into the bag.
When they got to the hotel and got out, they thanked the driver before walking into the hotel. Sam walk up to the front desk and talk to whoever is on then she walk over to Jack he was still standing at the same spot
"Sam I heard what you ask for, so what is in the bag?"
"You will find out soon enough, come on" she held on to his hand and they walked to the elevators.
Few minutes later they were in their room, Sam put the bag on the bed and then took her shoes off. She went to her bag and got her nightie out and walked to the bathroom and stops to look at Jack whom he was taken his jacket and tie off
"Jack get changed into your night wear and get into bed, I'll be back and no looking in the bag" she said smiling.
Then she walked into the bathroom and got changed into her nightie and did her night routine except for cleaning her teeth then she walked out again with clothes in hand. She put them on her bed then she got into Jack bed since he was already in there.
"Sam what are you up to"
"Trust me"
She gave him a kiss then there was a knock on the door so she got up again to let the guy in with the trolley, then Sam signed the slip and the guy left. After the door was locked Sam returned back to bed and got comfortable again then she turned TV on till she came across a movie then she snuggled into Jack arms.
"You want to know what's in the bag don't ya?"
"Yes"
"Ok" then she made the bag go to her and she pass it to him
"Open it"
So he opened it while Sam looked at him, he pulled out packets of potato chips, cream filled donuts, packets of candy sweets and other junk food.
"Care to share why you got these?"
"When my grandfather passed away and grandma was alone the night of his funeral I said to her remember what you told me about the best thing to have after a funeral and to share it with the one you love is junk food. So she gave me some money and I went to the shop and brought back potato chips, candy sweets and four different ice creams. That night Grandma ask mum and dad if I could stay the night, mum said yes… dad just walk away"
"When did your grandfather pass away?"
"Week before we meet in our dreams"
"Ok and your grandmother?"
"Living in a retirement village in Washington, we been keeping in contact by letters, she know about you and would like to meet one day"
"I would like that to Sam, does your parents visit her?"
"Too busy to, but Mark did the last time he was there. He pass her the copies of the latest photos of us"
"The same photos you send Tracey and Phillip?"
"Yep"
"Ok so what do you want to eat first?" Sam smile
"Ice cream"
"Ok" Sam made the two tubs of ice cream and spoons go to her.
When they got them, they took the lids off and made them return back to the trolley then they started eating their ice cream and sharing each other chocolate and double chocolate while watching the movie.
