Sorry about that last chapter. Jack just couldn't get past all that without opening up to somebody.
So here's a short, fluffy one, just to lift the mood.
Approaching 200 reviews! Thank you guys so much!
112
Sam wakes to Jack's hands and mouth on the sensitive places of her body. His kisses on her throat and breasts soon have her gasping for air, and she responds ardently. Soon they have divested themselves of clothing and are stretched out on the couch, Jack deeply ensconced between her thighs. Sam's climax comes almost too quickly, and she sinks limply into the cushions as Jack grins down at her. She watches his face as he moves slowly, almost lazily, within her. His expression is relaxed, rapt, engaged. Her passion soon rekindles, and together they reach the crest, sliding down over the wave together.
He buries his face in the softness of her shoulder, nibbling gently at the tender rise of her breast. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" he murmurs softly.
She smiles. "Love you more."
"Not possible." He raises himself up to look down into her face, his eyes are dark and strained, his expression at once relieved and uncertain.
"Are you all right?" she asks.
"I think so." He tells her. "Yes...thanks to you. I guess I needed to let that all out." He leans down to kiss his way up her jaw until he finds her mouth, and kisses her softly. "You stayed," he says against her lips, his voice rough. "You don't know what that means to me."
Her eyes widen in surprise. "The only place I want to be is with you, Jack. Always. No matter what. I hope you know that by now."
"Thank you," he whispers. "Thank you for my new life, Samantha..."
She can't remember him ever calling her by her full name before. The sound of it sends shivers through her body.
"Our new life," she whispers. "Ours. Together."
He finds her mouth with his again, and kisses her deeply, sweetly, and for so long that she is dizzy. His lips travel slowly over her cheek, her throat, he kisses her collarbone thoroughly, then moves to her breasts. First one, then the other, he caresses with lips and tongue until she can hardly think. Finally, his mouth travels down to her belly...
...and there he pauses, and rests his cheek on her stomach.
She can hear him speaking softly, but it is a moment before she makes out the words; "...Little Bean... Are you Beanie-Boy or Beanie-Girl, little one? I can't wait to meet you, baby... to feel your little fingers wrapped around mine... to hear those baby squeaks and gurgles. To be able to hold you myself. Your mom is holding you now—keeping you safe, so you grow strong and beautifu... Do you know what an amazing mother you have, Little Bean? She's just incredible and I love her more than my own life. And we both love you even more... even more, Beanie..." His hand cups Sam's stomach softly and she listens, a smile blossoming on her face, as his voice continues in the same sweet, loving tones... "Let me tell you how smart your mom is, Beanie. Do you know she blew up a sun once? And she figured out how to travel through time. I'll bet you'll be just as smart... And your old dad is gonna be so proud of you..."
113
Jack's paperwork hits General Hammond's desk on October 20th, Jack's birthday. His transfer is effective immediately. He has two weeks to report to General Braddock at Peterson Air Force Base—no later than November 3rd.
They scramble to move the date of the wedding up to the following weekend. The only invited guests who have to travel are Jack's family, and Sam's brother, and his family. Once they have all confirmed that they can make it, everything falls into place amazingly well.
On Saturday, October 28th at 1:00 o'clock, Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill are married in The Mountain Chapel, near Mountainside State Park, a few miles from Colorado Springs.
Sam has her wish—she is not showing yet. Her dress is a lovely cream- colored satin that Janet and Cassie helped her pick out. It is a simple scoop-neck, long sleeve design, with a discretely flared floor length skirt. She wears no veil, but instead a crown of cream and white flowers circles her head. The flowers she carries match the ones in her hair.
Jack resists the idea of getting married in his mess dress uniform, but is finally convinced when Sam tells him he looks 'good enough to eat.' The answer he gives her to that cannot be repeated in mixed company.
In Colorado, marriages may be solemnized by a member of the bride or groom's family, so this one is presided over by Major General Jacob Carter (USAF, Ret.), a choice which is not entirely to Jack's liking!
"Are you sure we're legal?" he keeps asking Sam afterward at the reception. "Did he do all the right paperwork? Did Selmak double-check him?" She elbows him into silence more than once.
Sam and Jack have had to limit the number of people invited to the ceremony; the chapel seats only 65. Quite a few more are asked to the reception, however, and the community rooms in the basement are bursting with nearly 300 people. It is packed and noisy, and everyone has a wonderful time!
Their three-day honeymoon is spent... somewhere, but neither one of them actually pays much attention to exactly where that is...
xxx
OK, I'm not sure if the law that lets a family member officiate at a wedding includes Colorado. I've read that it's legal in some states, and it just seemed too good to pass up. Can you imagine what Jacob was really thinking while he performed the ceremony! And how worried Jack must have been! Or maybe Jacob has changed his mind about Jack... I hope so.