Pulling up to the Mitchell's house Jack got a quick glimpse of five faces looking out through of one of the windows, before he saw them disappear out of sight. Obviously ducking out of the way in the hope that Jack hadn't seen them.

"Looks like the kids are waiting for us."

Sam smiled as she always did at Jack using the term kids to describe the members of SG1, considering that none of them had been kids for a long time, although they did act like kids sometimes. Especially Jack, she thought, turning her head sideways to look at him, smiling even more at the thought. It was one of the many things that she loved about him.

Both of them getting out of the car, Jack yelled out, "SHE SAID YES!"

"Jack, what are..."

Sam didn't have a chance to finish her sentence, before she heard a loud squeal that sounded like Vala followed by the heavy thud of footsteps as the members of SG1 rushed out of the house to greet them. Suddenly she found herself being hugged by Vala, followed by the others, each of them offering their congratulations before they went over to Jack to do the same.

Only Teal'c held back, standing quietly by, a smile on his face as he took in the happiness of his friends. When everyone had finished all the congratulations Teal'c went up to Sam, bowing. "Samantha Carter, if it is not too presumptuous of me, I would be greatly honored to be the one to give you away at your up coming wedding to O'Neill."

Tears prickling at her eyes, Sam hugged him. "Teal'c. You'll be doing me the honor. I'd love you to give me away. Thank you."

Jack went over, putting his hand on Sam's shoulder and giving Teal'c a nod that conveyed his appreciation. "Let's get out of the cold."

Back inside, Cameron and Anna disappeared leaving the others carrying on talking, before they came back, carrying between them bottles of beer and a glass of cranberry juice.

"Perfect choice, Mitchell," said Jack, taking one of the bottles.

"Thought it seemed appropriate."

Handing out the rest of the bottles, while Anna gave Teal'c the cranberry juice, Cameron raised his opened bottle. "So, a toast? Daniel you're the best man, how about a few words?"

"Okay. Sam, Jack. All I can say is that it's about time."

"Indeed."

Jack took a sip of his beer. "Not you too, Teal'c."

"Daniel Jackson and I have seen the unspoken love between you for many years. I am glad that it is unspoken no more and that my two friends can be together."

"Indeed!" chimed the voices of Vala, Daniel, Cameron and Anna, causing Sam and Jack to laugh.

"Right. We've got things to organize."

Cameron pulled out his cell phone from his jean's pocket. "Mitchell here. Operation COW is a go..." Cameron walked around the room as he talked, flipping it shut after a few minutes.

"Operation... cow?"

Seeing Sam's confusion Cameron gave her a big smile, giving a nod in Vala's direction. "Yep, COW. Carter O'Neill Wedding. You can blame Vala for that one."

"I think it's a great name for a secret assignment. No-one knows what we're talking about and yet it's obvious at the same time. It's perfect," replied Vala, pleased with herself for coming up with the code name in the first place.

Trying not to laugh Sam could only agree with her. It was perfect and the day was only going to get better. At just after midnight tonight on Christmas Day she was going to be Mrs Jack O'Neill. What's more her and Jack had the people who meant the most to them here to share the day with them and to witness them getting married. She wouldn't want it any other way. Everything really was just perfect.

*S***S*

Looking into the mirror Sam was pleased with what she saw, the dress was exactly right. She had a feeling that Jack would think so too.

The dress was of a platinum silver silk that followed the contours of Sam's body falling in a straight column from hip to ankle. It reminded Sam of the sort of thing that movies stars like Jean Harlow had worn in the 30's. It was simple and elegant and beautiful. With it she wore a matching lace bolero jacket and shoes.

Finding the dress had been just another one of the many surprises of the day. When Anna and Vala had taken her upstairs to the Mitchell's bedroom she had not expected the sight that had greeted her. Walking into the room she had been confronted with a selection of wedding outfits, some of which had been hanging on hangers, others had been draped over the furniture. It had looked liked a bridal shop.

After the shock had worn off she had scanned the outfits taking it all in, moving around the room slowly, her hand gently touching each one. There had been a variety of styles, from the traditional white dress to a smart suit, and every one of them had been beautiful but one dress had caught her eye. The dress that she was now wearing.

The day had been full of surprises and at times seemed almost unreal, and yet here she was looking at herself in her wedding dress, filled with complete certainty that this was what she was meant to be doing. She had never felt so calm, so sure of anything in her life.

Giving herself a once over, running her had down the front of her dress, she knew that she was ready.

"It is Teal'c, may I come in?"

Hearing his voice Sam smiled. "Come in Teal'c, I'm ready."

"O'Neill has chosen wisely, Samantha Carter," said Teal'c upon entering.

"Is that your way of trying to tell me that I look nice?" The smile on Sam's face getting wider.

"Samantha Carter. I have rarely seen you look as beautiful as you do right this moment," he said, tears glistening in his eyes as he did his best to hold his composure.

Going over to him Sam reached up, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you. You look very dashing, yourself."

Sam had always liked the way that Teal'c got enjoyment out of Earth's fashions. His collection of hats was just one of the many ways that he did this and he had a sense of style that was all his own. Today he looked very handsome, she thought, dressed all in black with a red shirt and a small red rose in his lapel.

"That's what I told him," said Vala as she came into the room, dressed all in red, the same shade of red as Teal'c shirt.

In her hands she carried a small bouquet of red roses which she handed to Sam, before she walked around her smoothing down the dress and checking Sam's hair. Turning to Teal'c. "Okay, Muscles. I think we're all ready."

*S***S*

As she walked outside with Teal'c on her arm Sam's first thought was that she was surrounded by stars. Blinking she realized that what she was actually looking at were hundreds of twinkle lights that had been wrapped and draped through the trees, the lights traveling all the way to the top of the trees, seemingly blending into the night sky.

"Oh... Teal'c. It's beautiful," Sam spoke softly, her voice carrying across into the night.

Teal'c looked at his friend, pleased by her reaction. Weaving the lights around the trees had taken some time but it was worth it, to see the joy and wonder on her face now. After all that they had been through over the years they deserved some happiness, it was good that finally O'Neill and Samantha Carter had realized this also.

Tearing her gaze away from the night sky and lights Sam looked around seeing the biggest surprise of all. She saw all the people from the Stargate Program who had been in her life fall these years. There was General Landry, Carolyn, Walter, Siler, Dr Lee, Colonel Reynolds and his wife, Rodney, Jennifer, John, Ronon, Teyla, Major Lorne and Radek.

She took in each of them, seeing their faces smiling back at her as her own smile got bigger. Looking past them she saw Cameron and Anna, then finally Daniel and Jack with Major Davis standing in front of them dressed in his military blues.

As the shock worn off, she moved forward holding onto Teal'c arm, Vala behind her. Her friends parted as she walked ahead, all of them thinking the same thing, that Sam had never look happier. Moving closer, her eyes focused on Jack, their eyes holding each other's gaze, their smiles never wavering.

Finally reaching Jack, Sam handed her flowers to Vala and slipped her hand into Jack's, the two of them turning to face Major Paul Davis.

"Sam, Jack. I'm truly honored to be the one to perform tonight's task of joining the two of you in marriage. And I know I speak for everyone here, when I say how pleased I am to be here to celebrate this night with you," Paul paused, smiling at the two of them, "Sam and Jack have their own vows that they would like to recite. Jack, would you like to go first?"

Facing Sam, Jack took a breath. "Carter..." Hearing quiet laughter he realized what he had said and chuckled softly. "Sam. You know I'm not one for speeches but you also know that I always say what I mean. You mean more to me than I can ever say in words, but I will show you how much I love you every day. I will always be there for you and I will always love you. This is for always."

Taking the ring from Daniel, Jack slipped it onto Sam's finger.

Tears prickling at her eyes Sam recited her vows. "Jack, you are my true love. I love you more each day than I did the day before. My love for you is endless. I give you my heart, my love, always."

Sam slipped the other wedding ring onto Jack's finger. Holding hands, the two of them stood there, smiling at each other.

"Jack and Sam have made a promise and a commitment to love one another. With that I would like to now pronounce you husband and wife," spoke Major Davis.

As the voice of General Landry shouted out, "And it's about time", Jack kissed Sam, as cheering and laughter echoed around them.

Ending the kiss, Jack looked down at Sam. "Merry Christmas, Carter."

*S***S*