My apologies for the long wait between updates. I'll try to do better next time.

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Previously...

Chicago General Hospital cafeteria, April 11, 2009

Sam and Jack returned to the waiting area, followed by the AF escort, and announced that they were going to the cafeteria. Daniel joined them, along with David and Jo and their children Denis and Bridget, as well as Betsy, Karen and Sandy. They picked up sandwiches, salads and drinks from the food line, and found a large table.

Jack drank his coffee and stared at the turkey sandwich he had chosen until finally Sam insisted that he take a few bites. He knew better than to argue with her, and after eating about half the sandwich, he had to admit that he felt steadier. He listened to the conversation around the table. Denis was interested in the fact that Daniel was an archeologist. Karen and Bridget, who were the same age, and had always been close, were comparing notes on their lives. Sam was talking with Sandy, who was majoring in physics at the University of Chicago. Jack's thoughts wandered, and eventually the voices became simply background noise...

St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Chicago, February 17, 1980

Jack ran his finger around the collar of his dress blues' shirt and swallowed nervously as he stood at the base of the steps leading up to the altar. He could see Ellen, sitting in the front row, smiling at him encouragingly. A hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. Aaron stood just behind his left shoulder, dressed in a tux.

"Relax, Jack," he whispered. "It's fine. It won't be long now."

"I know. Oh, God! I know!" Jack's voice was a bit louder than he intended, and he blushed. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "If I faint, make sure you wake me up in time to say I do."

Aaron chuckled. "You'll be okay, Jack."

"Yes, I will," he agreed determinedly.

He took a couple of deep breaths, and looked out over the guests gathered in the church; Dylan and Bridget McNamara sat beside Ellen, and the rest of that pew, as well as the one behind, was occupied by the other members of the McNamara clan. Betsy was grinning at him widely from her seat beside her husband, Len Brooks. Nearly all of the staff of St. Cat's Children's Home were there, along with most of the older children. He saw several uniforms in the rows, friends of his from the Air Force—Charley Kawalsky, Dave and Marcy Dixon, Lou Ferretti. Even his CO, Colonel Cromwell, was there with his wife.

Jack's eyes were drawn to movement at the back of the church. Two children appeared, a boy and a girl, both looking excited and nervous. The boy was David McNamara's six year old son, Denis, and the girl was Sara's sister Julia's daughter, Francine. Denis was wearing a small tux and Francie was dressed in a pale green, floor length dress. Both were grinning and fidgeting.

Sara's sister Julia, in a pale green gown to match her daughter's, appeared, speaking to both the children, straightening Denis' tie and handing Francie the basket of rose petals that she would carry. She kissed Francie and tousled Denis' hair. Then she positioned the kids in front of her, as they all waited for their cue.

Mike Laughlin came in sight behind Julia, and waited at the door, his attention turned toward something—or someone—in the vestibule. Jack held his breath.

Just then she appeared—a vision in a long white satin gown! Sara joined Mike, who held out his arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. He leaned down and kissed his daughter's cheek, then they both turned to face up the aisle, toward the altar. Even from here, Jack could see the way she smiled as her eyes found him.

The soft strains of 'Right here waiting for you,' which had been playing in the background, faded away, and there was a brief moment of quiet. Then the first notes of the Wedding March swelled, filling the church.

Julia nudged the children, and they started down the aisle, holding hands, looking scared and walking too fast. But after a few steps, Francie let go of Denis' hand and began tossing out the rose petals. Julia followed the children down the aisle, pacing herself with the music. A few beats later Mike stepped forward, escorting his daughter down the aisle. The congregation rose as one and turned to watch the bride, whose face was wreathed in smiles.

The ceremony was a blur for Jack. All he could ever remember was Sara's smile. He never knew how he managed the right answers in all the right places. He recalled reaching for Sara's hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. And then the priest was saying the magic words...

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Nothing had ever made him happier than this moment, and he pulled her into his arms and leaned down to bring his mouth to hers. "We're married," he whispered against her lips.

When they broke apart, the priest was smiling at them. He raised his hands, indicating that they should turn and face the congregation.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Father Stephens announced. "May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill."

The smiling newlyweds walked back up the aisle to a huge round of applause.

Chicago General Hospital cafeteria, April 11, 2009

How different was his first wedding from his marriage to Sam! Jack couldn't help but compare the two. He and Sam had found a justice of the peace at one of Las Vegas' many wedding venues. Daniel and Teal'c were their only witnesses. No one else even knew it was happening. They had literally joined a line of couples waiting their turn. Five minutes and five hundred dollars, and it was done.

He glanced over at his wife, who was still talking to Sandy. God! He was a lucky man! Two of the most wonderful women he'd ever known had loved him and consented to be his wife. He'd loved both of them with all his heart.

But fate had conspired to destroy his marriage to Sara, and almost to end his life.

St. Catherine's Children's Home, May 10, 1986

The phone on Sister Ellen's desk rang and she reached over to answer.

"It's a boy!" came the excited announcement.

"Oh, Jon!" she exclaimed. "That's wonderful! How is Sara?"

"She's exhausted, but fine—and just as excited as I am!"

"Tell me about the baby."

"He has blond hair, like Sara's. And blue eyes. Don't all babies have blue eyes at first, though?" he asked, but then rushed on before she could respond. "Sara went into labor about ten o'clock last night, and he was born at 7:14 this morning. Six pounds, fourteen ounces. Twenty inches. Ten fingers and ten toes and a magnificent pair of lungs! Can you come to Colorado Springs? I want him to meet you as soon as possible."

She laughed with delight. "I should be able to get away by the weekend. Let me check with Sister Mary Francis and I'll call you back. What's his name?"

"Charles Dylan Michael O'Neill."

"That's wonderful, Jon! I can't wait to see him! I'll call you when I know about my flight. Give Sara my love."

"I will," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

St. Cat's Children's Home, August 18, 1994

Another telephone call...

"Charlie's dead..." Jon's voice was barely recognizable, the voice of a broken man.

Sister Ellen gasped in shock. "What? Jon, what are you saying..."

"He... he found my gun... shot himself..."

"Oh, Lord," she whispered. "Jonny..."

"Can you come? Please?" he begged.

"Yes, of course. I'll be there in a few hours. Hold on, Jon. God is with you."

"Yeah," was all he said.

She cried after she hung up the phone, and said a prayer, but it didn't stop her from hurrying to make travel arrangements. Before she made reservations, she called Betsy. Three hours later the two grieving women boarded a plane to Denver.

~x~

The funeral was excruciating. Ellen had never known anything like it. She was horrified to see that Jack and Sara did not even try to comfort one another. Sara stood beside her father, his arms wrapped around her tightly, while Jack isolated himself. Ellen and Betsy stayed close beside him, Betsy holding on to his hand and Ellen with an arm around his waist—but despite that, he was alone, his withdrawal an almost-visible shield surrounding him, his gaze fastened on the small coffin.

The graveside service ended and the people slowly dispersed. Mike Laughlin led Sara away, pausing for a moment to place one hand on Jack's shoulder. Sara ignored her husband, and Jack did not acknowledge either her or her father. Mike turned and steered Sara in the direction of the cars.

Finally only Jack, Ellen and Betsy were left standing beside the little grave...

"Will you come home with us, Jon?" Ellen asked as they eventually made their way back to the cars.

He shook his head. "I can't. I have an assignment."

"Now? How can they..."

"I have an assignment," he repeated. "I have to report to Cheyenne Mountain day after tomorrow."

"We'll stay with you until then," Ellen promised.

Chicago General Hospital cafeteria, April 11, 2009

Jack rested his forehead in his hand, elbow on the table, as he recalled that dreadful event. A few days after Charlie's funeral, he had stepped through an event horizon, expecting never to return alive...

He was pulled abruptly from his thoughts by the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. He looked up to see Dylan's son, Robert, hurrying toward them. Jack was on his feet by the time the younger man reached the table. "Robby?" he demanded.

Rob reached for Jack's arm. "Aunt Ellen's awake, Jack. She's asking for you."

Jack was gone before the last words were out of Rob's mouth.

~x~

Author Note: Yes, I know that 'I Will be Right Here Waiting for You' was not released until 1989, but it's one of my favorite songs and I think it fits well. Also this is an AU, so maybe it was out by then...