This vignette happens about one month before the wedding, during Jack and Sam's first visit with Sam's brother Mark and his wife, Lisa. (Alluded to in the Backstory chapter, 'Friends and Family').
THE DRESS
Sam had been at Mark's for less than twenty-four hours. She was relieved to see some warming in the relationship between Jack and Mark. She was certain this had a lot to do with how well Jack got on with the kids.
Right now, Jack and Mark were in the back yard organizing a softball game with Nick, Amanda and half a dozen neighborhood children. That left Sam and her sister-in-law, Lisa, with a little peace and quiet. Thanks to Mark, Sam had just found her mother's wedding dress in the attic and was marveling over it.
"Try it on, Sam. Come on, use my bedroom, there's more dressing space. I'll be sure Jack stays away. You wouldn't want him to see you in the dress before the wedding."
"Okay, I'd love to try it on, Lisa. Will you help me?"
In about 20 minutes, Sam had managed to transform herself into a stunning bride in a gorgeous dress that seemed perfect for her.
"It's amazing how well it fits. It's like it was made for you. Not to mention you are the fastest dresser I've ever seen."
"Oh that. It's a talent that comes from spending most of my time in BDUs and combat boots. It doesn't take very long to throw them on."
Sam looked toward the window just in time to see two little grinning faces plastered to the window pane. Nick and Amanda were fascinated at the transformation in their Auntie Sam, who all of a sudden looked like a fairy princess.
"Daddy, Uncle Jack, come see Auntie Sam!" the two hollered, full voice.
Lisa made a beeline to the bedroom window just in time to see her husband and almost brother in-law running in from the yard, ready to come to the rescue. When they arrived, all they could see was Lisa standing directly in front of the window wearing her sternest "you're in trouble now" look.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"You two, that's what's the matter! Sam is trying on her wedding dress and the two of you are not allowed, especially you, Jack."
"And why not?" He asked indignantly.
"Because it's wedding tradition, bad luck and all that."
"Well, that's a bad rule and Sam knows how I like to break rules, especially bad ones."
At that, Mark wisely decided it was time to teach his soon to be in-law a few valuable lessons about being a modern husband.
Rule number one, always listen to the wife, especially about things like wedding tradition and other topics you know nothing about.
And so began male bonding in the Carter-O'Neill clan.