On Monday morning, Sam kissed Jack before leaving for work lingering a moment more than she was supposed to, but he was flying back to Colorado, and she wanted to get as much time with him as she could. But finally, she had to let him go.
They return to their previous routine of calling each other over the next three months. And it's at the end of month three when they found an opening in their schedules, they both had a weekend off, and both had to be in Colorado Monday morning.
However, Jack knew Sam was worried about her brother not liking him because he was USAF and how Mark hated everything related to it. So, he offered her to meet in San Diego, and have an opportunity to get to know her brother. With a bit of convincing, she agreed, and they flew for the weekend. Sam didn't know how but by the end of their visit Mark and Jack were almost best friends.
When they returned to Colorado, they went to Jack's place. She smiled when she saw the two-story house.
"Jack, I love the house!" she exclaimed happily.
"Wait till you see the inside!"
They got out of the cab and got their bags, and as the taxi left, Sam followed Jack to the front door. He showed her the house complete with the game room with bar, lounge room, family room, main dining room, large kitchen with breakfast bar and smaller dining room, and two bedrooms on the main floor, and each of the seven bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.
When they finally reached the master room, they both lowered their bags, and she took a look around, walking into the bathroom. She closed the door so she could use the toilet and she took a moment to watch around using the mirror while washing her hands. The master bathroom had his and her hand basins, a large walk-in shower and large spa bath and toilet. When she finished, she opened the door and saw Jack walking over to her.
"I had the bathroom renovated a couple of months ago," he grinned. "Watcha think?"
"Ask me after I try out the shower and bath," she grinned wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him happily.
"What would you like to do now?" he asked.
"We should go shopping, you didn't have much in the kitchen," he blushed.
"Let's go then," He gave her a kiss then they walk out of the bedroom while talking. Later that night, they tested the bath and Jack used his new found set of skills to make her agree that it was an excellent addition. They got to bed early, and next morning he dropped her at Cheyenne Mountain. On Saturday morning, he took Sam to the Garden of the Gods, they walked around hand in hand and had lunch at the café.
That afternoon, they took the chance and went for a stroll through Cheyenne mountain state park. He guided her to a trail and walked arms around each other simply enjoying the walk and the beautiful day. The moment they reached the top, they saw the extension of the land below them with the orange glow of the sun giving an amazing contrast.
"Wow! It's beautiful here," Sam whispered. Jack pointed to a boulder, and they both sat down watching the sunset.
"It is," Jack affirmed. He looked out and then at her and stood up before kneeling holding her hand in his.
"Jack?" She asked when she looked at him.
"Sam, your letter was right about something, you are special. And mine was also right, you are amazing, and since I met you for the first time, I started to fall for you. These past few months while getting to know each other everything has been wonderful, perfect even. And I know without a shade of doubt that I love you, Samantha. You are the most beautiful, smart, warm, loving person I ever met."
He let go of one of her hands and searched in his pocket until he finally pulled out a box and opened it. Sam was in shock.
"Will you, Samantha Carter, marry me?" Sam looked at Jack and smiled brightly.
"Yes!" she shouted." I will marry you, Jack."
He got the ring out of the box and dropped the box before slipping the ring on her finger. Then he stood up pulling Sam with him. He hugged her, and she hid her face on the crook of his neck, before changing directions and kissing him. He lifted her up and spun her around, none of them noticed the group of people who had just been witness to their happy moment until they clapped.
They stopped feeling somewhat self-conscious, and Jack placed Sam back on the ground. Jack bent down and picked up the box before the people walked over them to congratulate them on the engagement before they left. When they were finally alone, Sam looked her ring. It had a round diamond of a karat, on each side a quarter karat round diamond was mounted. The ring itself was white gold. She looked up when she felt Jack's eyes on her.
"Believe it or not, it was in my letter," he added sheepishly, "it even said where I could have made it done""
"Rings?" she asked surprised.
"Yeah. There was a wedding ring to match the engagement ring. A five stones wedding ring. But the letter said you would rather wear a plain wedding band because of the work you do," he explained.
"I would like to see the ring," she smiled.
"It's at home," Sam wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Then, let's go back and celebrate," she told him.
"Why not?" He answered after kissing. They walked back down the trail holding hands.
When they arrived back at the house, Jack pulled her towards the bedroom, and opened a drawer, taking out a box, he opened it to reveal the ring he was talking about before.
"It will make a great eternity ring," she commented.
"I know," he said and closed the box and placed it back in its place. Then he turned to his fiancée. "You mentioned something about a celebration?"
"Yes, I believe I did," she grinned as she kissed him.
Hours later, Jack ordered pizza, and they had dinner while talking about their wedding and calling family and friends. The next morning Jack hugged and kissed Sam at the front gates of Cheyenne mountain. He watched her as she carried her bags through the gates and gave them to an airman. She turned to Jack who was looking at her and waved to each other before she got into the waiting transport. With a smile plastered on his face, Jack drove home.
With his retirement made official, he found himself with more time available in his hands, and since Sam only seemed to get busier in DC, he started planning their wedding. He found out different areas for their small wedding, but he had to wait until she could confirm a free weekend to make it happen. When Jack called Thursday night, they only talked for ten minutes.
"Jack! I got some good news," she said as she picked the phone.
"Please, do tell," Sam laughed.
"Well, we can get married the first week of September."
"That's in five weeks!"
"I know! I managed to secure three weeks off, but that's the only time of the year I can get them together," she said biting her lower lip.
"Don't worry; I'll sort things out here. Hang on," he said, and Sam heard the rustle of paper, "I made a list of wedding venues and dates," he explained. "There are two available for the first week of September: Pine Crest and the Academy Chapel."
"The Academy Chapel!" Sam told him excitedly
"Cool, I was thinking the same thing. And how about the Academy Hotel for the reception?"
"Sounds like a great idea."
"Ok, I'll make the calls in the morning. Now, the most important piece of every reception: cake," Jack said, and Sam laughed
"Chocolate and vanilla," Sam answered quickly.
"Chocolate with Hazelnut Bavarian and vanilla with raspberry filling?"
"I love it! How about butter cream topping with loose lace over it?"
"Sold! And for the top of the cake?"
"I saw a shop here in Washington that does wedding cake toppers. They got glass hearts with the names and wedding date on."
"So, no bride and groom…"
"I thought about it. This is different; I can send you a picture of it."
"Can you?"
"Sure, I'll have to do it tomorrow."
"Ok, cake topping on hold. Honeymoon?"
"Surprise me," she whispered.
"Oh, I can do that alright!" Sam laughed.
"I don't care where we go, Jack."
"I know."
They talk for few more minutes before hanging up after the umpteenth yawn of Sam.
Over the next five weeks, Jack and Sam find themselves busier than ever. On weekends Sam goes looking for a wedding dress while Jack spent his days sorting out the wedding. Once he got the picture of the topper, he agreed with Sam, and she had it made.
They invited fifty of their family and friends to the wedding. Two friends of each were designated bridesmaids and groomsmen, and Sam's niece was marked as the flower girl. The day before the wedding Sam's party arrived at the Academy hotel where they are staying along with family and friends that came from all over the country.
That night, the couple had a quiet night at home since the next day was going to be insanely busy.
"Sam?" Jack asked when they were sitting on the couch
"Yes?"
"Have you spoken to your father?" Sam moved from Jack side and turned to watch him a sad expression on her face.
"I have. He's not happy with me," she grimaced.
"Because I haven't met him?" He frowned, not understanding how anyone could have a reason not to be happy for Sam.
"No...it's not you; it's NASA," she said.
"Oh! He thinks that us getting married would stop you from your dreams," he affirmed.
"Yes," she clenched her jaw trying to keep her emotions at bay.
"Does he know that the wedding is tomorrow?"
"Yes," she nodded, "He said he's too busy to be here for it," she bit her lower lip, but tears were falling down her cheeks
"Come here," he said pulling her into his arms. "At least you got plan B," he told her and made her giggle
"True," she leaned forward and kissed him. Then she snuggled against him once again. They talked until it was almost midnight, they fell asleep snuggled on the couch, and early next morning, Sam took a cab to the hotel where her party was expecting her.
The morning was busy for both. Sam and her bridal party went to have a spa treatment while Jack and his friends went to play a round of golf. Feeling relaxed and rested, they started to get ready for the ceremony.
It was late in the afternoon when the last one finally arrived at the church. Jack and his groomsmen were in their dress blues. When the music started everyone turned to see Sam niece walking down the aisle, she was wearing a white frilly dress and flower wreath, and she held a single white rose.
The bridesmaids followed her one by one, and once they reached the front, the music changed. Everyone stood to see Mark walking Sam down the aisle. She was wearing an ivory off the shoulder sweetheart neckline full bodice, with a ball gown and detachable cathedral train with a lace edging. A diamond and crystal tiara held a triple layer veil, and in her hands, she had a teardrop bouquet of white roses, and Jack couldn't take his eyes out of her.
When she reached the front, Mark placed Sam's hand in Jack's and kissed her cheek before walking over and sitting down next to his wife. The ceremony started, and soon they were exchanging vows, and an hour later, Jack was finally able to lift the veil and cupping Sam's face he kissed her dipping her. When they broke the kiss, they followed the minister to sign the marriage license.
"It's with pleasure that I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan and Samantha O'Neill," the minister said when they returned to their places. Their guests clapped as the music started.
Taking that as their queue, the bridesmaid passed Sam her bouquet before she and Jack walked down the aisle while people smiled and clapped at them. When they all were outside of the church, there were a few photos taken before Jack, Sam, the bridal party and family left to get their photos taken while everyone else headed to the hotel.
An hour later, they entered the reception and found everyone enjoying themselves. As the party progressed, Sam could tell Jack was looking forward to cutting the cake. And he enjoyed that part a bit too much. It was after midnight when Jack and Sam snuck away from the party and head to the honey moon suite for the night.
The next morning when Sam woke up, she opened her eyes and looked up at Jack who was observing her.
"Good Morning Mrs. O'Neill," he whispered making Sam smile
"Morning Mr. O'Neill," She leaned over and kissed him. He moved them until Sam was on her back and he was on top looking down at her
"I'm looking forth to our three weeks of honeymoon, Sam."
"Me too. Care to tell me where we are you taking me?"
"A place where there are a lot of trees, plenty of privacy, and just you and me."
"Your cabin," she affirmed.
"Our cabin," he corrected.
"I can hardly wait," she smiled.
"I bet you can't," he wriggled his eyebrows and kissed her, it quickly became more.
Three hours later, Jack and Sam drove north to Silver Creek, Minnesota. They spent a night at a hotel on the way up. When they finally arrived at the cabin the next day, Sam looked around as she got out of Jack's truck and breathed in the fresh air
"Well? Watcha think?" Sam looked around then to Jack
"I love it!"
"Sweet! Come on! The sooner we get these things inside the sooner we can start enjoying our honeymoon," he wriggled his eyebrows making her laugh.