Sappy. Yes, that's exactly the right word for this story. :P
This story I do like, but it also seems to get shoved under the bed a little.
If there's anyone who's waiting for new chapters, I'm very sorry for the constant delay in updating! Here goes:
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Wise Men say…
-Take my hand
It was good to be back.
Sam looked at the sky and smiled when she saw the clear sky, even now that it was the season for rain and heavy winds. The trees seemed to glow while showing the different shades of bright yellow, orange and red. Rich. The colours were rich. She glanced at Jack who seemed to be in deep thought and grinned at his ruffled hair, which caught the light almost as well as the leaves did. It shone like polished silver. He scanned the park and smiled when he found the person they had been looking for. The lady stood by the pond and was throwing small pieces of bread to the ducks, unaware that she was being watched.
The park was crowded with people who were drawn there by the end of the season fair. Merchants were trying to sell coffee and cookies and a band was entertaining whoever felt like listening to their smooth jazzy sound. Even though everyone was dressed in thick coats, woollen hats and gloves, the atmosphere was cosy. Sam and Jack made their way over to Ella and a smile broke through on her face when she saw the couple approaching her.
''Sam! Jack!''
She carefully put what was left of the bread on a bench and hugged them both.
''Wow, it's been a while…''
Sam held on to Ella's hands. It was a strange kind of friendship she and Jack shared with her, but it was a good one. Ella had become somewhat of a go to person. The sweet grandma who was always full of advise… She was surprised that Jack reacted to her the way he did. He would probably never admit to it, but he cared.
''It's the first time we're back in Colorado Springs… Life's been way too busy.''
They continued their small talk, but Jack seemed to get more uncomfortable by the minute. Sam frowned, but decided not to get into it right now. He seemed to notice her look and raised his eyebrows.
''Uhm, Sam? Would you mind getting us some coffee?''
Sam stared at Jack for a couple of seconds.
''Jack… can't you get it yours…''
It earned her a look and suddenly she realized that he needed to talk to Ella. She turned to the other woman.
''Can I get you some?''
Ella nodded and didn't seem to notice the tense situation. Sam started the journey to the coffee stand and sighed at the sight of a queue the size of one you could normally only find in Disneyworld.
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Jack fiddled with the object in his pocket and wondered if he was doing the right thing. They didn't need this, but it would make sense. It would be the most sensible thing to do… He loved her. A lot. He sighed and stood in silence. He had never been the kind of guy to ask for advice. Especially not when it came to his love life. He looked over his shoulder and watched Sam walk up to the line for coffee. He wasn't thirsty, but he knew that it would take her a while to get back and he needed the time. Ella studied his face and smirked.
''It has gotten pretty serious between the two of you, huh?''
Jack smiled. It really had.
''I'm planning on asking her to marry me…''
She clapped her hands together and gasped.
''Planning? What's holding you back?''
Jack looked up at the sky and wondered how he was going to explain something that he probably made more complicated in his mind, than that it was in reality. Would Sam think his proposal was a rushed decision? Would she doubt his motives? Did or did he not only want to get married because they had a small window of opportunity now that they weren't in the same chain of command? Was it selfish to ask her to do this now? He returned his attention to Ella.
''Work. Work's holding me back.''
Ella laughed and shook her head in response. Jack opened his mind to try to explain, but Ella raised a finger and stopped him from speaking.
''Life's too short, Jack. And I believe you know that very well. Seize the day, grab every opportunity that life throws at you… All those cliché's are true. The memory of an entire career can fade away next to that of one romantic gesture. Follow your inner sap. Do what your heart tells you, even if your mind protests.''
Jack looked at Sam and noticed that she was near the end of the line. He was struck with a sudden burst of inspiration and knew that Sam would either love or absolutely hate the idea he had. It was unlike him. It was cheesy and maybe even stolen from a movie he had seen without remembering it, but at least she would remember…
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Sam sighed again. The man in front of her couldn't make a choice between regular coffee or decaf and she grunted so that no one could actually hear it. She would kick Jack. He owed her. She had been standing in line for over fifteen minutes and figured that if the coffee wouldn't be worth it, he'd owe her even more. She looked at the place where she had left Jack and Ella and found that they were gone. Great. One more point of criticism to add to that list. Sam was thinking of what she would let him do to get even when she suddenly felt something tuck at her sleeve. She looked down and found a little boy looking at her. He giggled when he noticed that he had her attention and spoke up with a kind of childish intonation only little boys could have.
''You're Sam.''
It sounded more like a statement than a question, but Sam confirmed it anyway.
''Jack says…''
He looked at his mom, who was smiling and standing a little further away. He had forgotten what Jack had said, but apparently seeing his mother cleared his head.
''Oh yeah. Jack said tell Sam to say, um... ...yessiryourebetty.''
Sam looked at him and had no idea what he meant and he ran away before she could ask him. She shook her head and igured that she would have to ask Jack. The man who stood in front of her had made his choice and Sam placed her order. She wondered what Jack was up to, but her thoughts were interrupted again, this time by a woman who somehow reminded her of Aretha Franklin.
''Sam?''
She nodded and began to feel uncomfortable.
''Jack wanted me to tell you that you can find him at the pond, he and the other lady had to rush over there, so he asked me to tell you.''
Sam blinked.
''Oh and honey, from one woman to another… If you won't, I will… UhHuh.''
The woman winked at her and walked away without saying another word. Sam paid for the coffee, grabbed some milk and sugar and had to hold on to the three paper cups with both hands. What in earth was Jack doing?
''Samantha!''
A young man with a British accent ran up to her with a big grin on his face.
''Say you will! I made a bet with my friend that you would.''
Sam shook her head and briefly closed her eyes in disbelieve.
''Jack again?''
The man laughed.
''Absolutely.''
He gave her a thumbs up as he ran off again. Something began to dawn on her. He wouldn't, would he? Sam was sure she had started to blush and she continued her walk towards the pond. This wasn't something Jack would do. He couldn't actually be… An elderly couple waved at her and told her she had to say yes. A girl with a ponytail walked with her and whispered that Jack was nice. A jogger simply yelled ''Go Sam!'' when he passed her. It went on and on. …Say yes, Sam. Go for it, Sam… All things considered, strange planets and aliens taken into account, this must have been one of the strangest moments in her life. Sam looked over her shoulder and noticed that most of the people who had given her a message were following her. When she took in the image of the pond, she noticed that Jack wasn't there, but Ella was.
''What's going on?''
Sam was nervous and felt that she could break into a fit of girly giggles anytime. Ella nodded at the small group of people behind Sam and then looked at her.
''I take it you received the messages?''
Sam felt her cheeks glow and was grateful for the little breeze cooling them down a bit. Her mouth got dry, so she simply nodded. Ella squeezed her arm and stepped closer to softly say something in Sam's ear.
''You guys made it work. You'll be just fine.''
She took a step back and made a gesture which indicated that Sam had to turn around. Sam followed her instructions and saw Jack standing there.
''Jack? What…''
He crossed the distance between them and came to a halt in front of her. He fiddled with something in his pocket and pulled it out. Sam gasped when she saw the little black box.
''I won't go down on one knee for you and I won't promise to give you the world. I'm not going to point out just how good we are together or tell you that I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. You know everything there is to know, Sam…''
Sam stared at him and she was well aware of the silence that had fallen over the …spectators.
''…In order to convince you I have decided to let my actions speak for themselves and have them backed up by an independent party.''
She grinned. She grinned and tried to hold back a giggle. Jack wiggled his eyebrows at her and opened the box, revealing a ring that made her laugh out loud. It was made of bent and woven paperclips. The sharp edges were bent to the outside. Jack grinned and continued his speech.
''Every time I got bored, I was forced to make a choice between reading my memo's and thinking about you with office supplies in my hands.''
He shrugged and put on his trademark boyish Jack O'Neill- smile.
''You know how I am with those darned memo's…''
In a whisper he added a '...'This ring in sponsored by the United States government. I'll get you a real one...'', for only Sam to hear.
''So... marry me?''
The question came suddenly, but Sam had been preparing herself almost the entire walk from the coffee stand to the pond.
''Yessiryou'reMary!''
Jack pulled a questioning face and Sam was finally able to let out a giggle.
''Yeah… I figured that message got lost along the way…''
''Ah… But it was a yes, right?''
Sam smiled.
''Yes. Yes, it was.''
''Good.''
The small audience cheered and applauded, but all Sam could focus on was the thought of kissing her now fiancé. Number three, but definitely the best one. She acted on her thoughts and grabbed Jack so she could kiss him. As she held him in a hug, she looked at Ella, who had tears in her eyes and nodded at her. Somehow, Sam believed that she had played a part in all of this and she was thankful for that.
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Oh... Sugar, sugar...
I hope everyone's fillings are still in place. Did I mention it was sappy? ;) And yes, probably a bit OOC, but hey.
There will be one, maybe two more chapters.
Thanks for your time!