84
The rehearsal went well and after the Chaplain spoke with Sam and Jack for a little while long and then they thanked him and headed on home. When they arrived home there were three black SUV's and a grey car parked in their driveway. They recognised the car as belonging to General Hammond. They all got out of their cars when General Hammond opened the front door and walked out to greet them.
"George, what's going on?" Jacob asked.
"You will find out soon enough."
They walked into the house and took off their boots and jackets before following Hammond down to the family room. When they walked into the room they found eight men in suits and one man who had his back to them, all looking out the window.
"Ok, what the hell is going on here sir?" Jack asked.
"I came to let you borrow these stars until we have the proper promotion ceremony" said the man, whose back was to them, as he turned around and everyone just gaped at him.
"Henry, you old dog you!" Jacob said and stepped forward to shake the President's hand.
"How are you Jacob? Still travelling around the country I hear." Jacob laughed.
"Yes; what's this I here you're the President and you beat Kinsey to the post."
"Yes, I did and I found out what you have been up to."
"Well now you know. Henry, this is my son Mark, his wife Laura, and my grandchildren Karen, Joan and Brian."
"Nice to meet you all."
"You too, Mr President" Mark said still in shock.
"Of course you know my daughter Sam."
"Yes I do. Colonel Carter congratulations on your promotion, engagement and up coming wedding."
"Thank you sir, we hope that you and the Joint Chiefs can make it on the day?"
"Yes, we will be here. I've already spoken to the ambassadors from Russia, China and the UK; they will be flying back here for the wedding." Jack and Sam smiled at the news.
"Oh, that reminds me" Jack got his phone out and pressed speed dial.
"Yeah, it's General O'Neill; please patch me through to the control room…
"Walter, it's O'Neill; how many for the wedding so far… yeah ok, thanks" then he hung up.
"He is going over the list now and will call me back with a number."
"Ok; and while I'm here you will be needing these on your wedding day" Henry said.
Hammond stepped forward and passed Jack a small box. He opened it and found his first stars.
"We will be needing them back at the end of the day."
"Of course sir and thank you."
"You're welcome. You have a beautiful home here Colonel."
"Thank you sir" Sam said smiling.
"Sir, would you like the royal tour?" Jack asked.
"Yes thank you."
"Sir, would you and your men like some hot chocolate or coffee?"
"Hot chocolate will be fine thank you."
Jack showed the President around the house while Sam went to make everyone a hot drink. When the two men returned they joined all the others in the family room. They talked for awhile, having their drinks and cookies that Sam had made the night before.
"Henry would you like a game of pool before you go?" Jacob asked.
"Sure, why not? It has been a long time since I last played pool."
Jacob laughed as he set everything up. They talked for the next hour while Jacob and Henry played pool. The kids, Cassie and Sam played twister and Sam won. Then it was Teal'c, Jonas, Janet, Jack, Sarah and Daniel's turn. At the end they all collapsed on the floor laughing. Then it was Mark, Laura, Jack and Sam's turn.
The kids were laughing when they saw the angle's they were all in. When it was Mark's turn to move, he lost his balance and he and Laura fell down together, laughing. Then it was only Jack and Sam left. Jack tried to push Sam over.
"Hey" he tried to distract her and then he tried to push her over again. He smiled and then he did it again.
"Jack"
"Yes Sam" he was grinning.
"Did you know your fly is open?"
That caused him to lose his balance and collapse on the floor and their family and friends burst out laughing. She then stood up and stood in front of Jack. When he got on his knees she held out her hand and helped him onto his feet.
"That was a bit below the belt Sam."
"Yes it was" then she stepped forward and gave him a kiss. Not long after that George, Henry and his Secret Service detail left, after Jacob had won the game. Everyone relaxed for the remainder of the day.
That evening Walter called to let Jack know the number of personnel and their guest's who would be attending the wedding. Jack and Sam worked it out together how many would be there and they came up with a rough number.
The next day they called the bakery to let them know how many tiers the cake should be. Then they called the 'Antlers Hilton' and gave them the rough figure for the wedding reception. They spent the rest of the day with their family and friends.
The next day Jack and Sam went around town in the afternoon to pay the balance for everything as well as collect the flowers and shoulder sprays for the wedding party. They also stopped for pick out gifts for the wedding party. When they returned home later that afternoon Jacob and the family were watching a movie so Jack and Sam went up to their room and lay on the bed, snuggling and kissing.
"Jack?"
"Yes Sam."
"We didn't talk about a honeymoon."
"True; when and where would you like to have it?"
"How about after the promotions? I was thinking two weeks up in this cabin I've heard so much about and a lake where the bass grow this big" she indicated 'how big' with her hands, making Jack smile.
"I think that fishing would be the last thing on my mind" and he gave her a kiss.
"True; because you will be distracted with other things."
"Yes I will be alright."
"What do you think?"
"I like it" they kiss once more.
Later that evening, Sam packed an overnight bag since she was staying at Janet's for the night. A few hours later they all went to the Air Force Academy Mitchell hall for the New Years Eve party. Jack and Sam spoke to a lot of members of the SGC during the evening. There was eating, drinking and dancing during the night. Jack and Sam danced to lots of slow songs during the night and when the last song was played they all heard over the countdown,
"Ten, nine, eight" everyone joined in.
"Seven, six, five, four" Jack and Sam kissed.
"Three, two, one, Happy New Year!!"
Then they all sang 'Auld Lang Syne' except for Jack and Sam who were still kissing. When they did come up for air,
"Happy New Year Sam."
"Happy New Year Jack" and they kissed again.
"Ok you two break it up. Come on Sam you can see him this afternoon."
"Ok Janet" then she looked at Jack.
"I love you."
"I love you too" Jack said as he gave her a kiss and then Janet dragged her away to another part of the room. When everything calmed down form bringing in the New Year, everyone was waiting for the next song to begin. Instead there was an announcement,
"Ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages, a little bird, by the name of Cassie, just asked me to share some good news with you. Congratulations are in order for the new Brigadier General Jack O'Neill and the new Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter on their engagement that happened on Christmas day; congratulations to you both" everyone clapped and cheered them on.
"For those who don't know the happy couple, would you please raise you hands" they both raised their arms and gave them a wave.
"There they are; when you see them congratulate them" then someone got up on stage and whispered some thing in the emcee's ear, he nodded and smiled,
"Something I just found out; General O'Neill, just one question. Why did it take you eight years and don't give us the regs crap".
Jack walked over and climbed up onto the stage and said in the microphone,
"I told a Captain Carter, when we first met, that I like women but hate scientists. Now I love one woman and one scientist" Jack said, grinning.
"What do you think everyone? Good enough reason?"
"No" they all said and laughed.
"Sir, I told you yo would like me when you got to know me" Sam yelled out. Jack thought about what Sam said and stepped forward.
"Oh, I adore you already Captain, and I hope you still have that sweet little tank top number" everyone burst out laughing.
"That's what happened beginning with our first mission together, all except for the tank top part. You see Sam was under my command and also my 2IC. It has taken me years to get to know Samantha Carter; not Doctor, Captain, Major, now Lieutenant Colonel but just Samantha Carter, whom I love. I hope that you all understand why it took eight years and now she isn't under my command anymore and who knows how long that will last, so why not take this opportunity. It might not come around again. Now that you know all this, is my reason good enough for everyone now?"
Both he and Sam waited for everyone's answer as they thought about what Jack had just said. They all understood where he was coming from and started nodding.
"What was that?" he put his hand behind his ear and learned toward the audience.
"YES" they all shouted.
"Good, let the party continue and Cassie, you're in trouble missy." every one laughed. Jack stepped down from the stage as a new song started.
It was after two in the morning when Janet, Cassie and Sam left the party and it was not long after that when Jack and the others left for home. Everyone had a good evening and enjoyed themselves.
A few hours later Sam woke up, hearing noises outside her room and then the door opened up and women were walking into the room.
"What the? Janet, what's going on?"
"It is your hen party."
"Oh, well then I don't think we can all fit in here so why don't I meet you all downstairs" they all turned and headed downstairs.
"Here is some coffee, you are going to need it" as she passed her a mug.
"Thanks Janet."