Author's Notes: Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not covering the bachelor party in this story. Maybe as a separate one shot at some point but not now. This chapter is much shorter than the previous two but it was such a perfect stopping place that I couldn't resist. I hope I don't have people throwing turkeys at me at the end of the chapter. Speaking of turkeys, Happy Thanksgiving for all my fellow Americans. I hope the holiday is a good one for you.

Disclaimer: The show Flashpoint and its characters were created by Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern and belong to them and the networks who air the episodes. Since the show has ended, our only way of getting new Flashpoint is through fan fiction. This story is my attempt to help fill the void, and the only profit I make is the warm fuzzy feeling reviews give me. Anything that does not come directly from the show is my own creation and should not be used without my permission.

So Many Words

Chapter 4

The next morning started out as indeed the perfect day. Or at least it had every indication that it should be. The sun wasn't up but the forecast called for a beautiful clear day. Even if it had been pouring down raining, Jules wouldn't have let it bother her. She woke early, too excited to stay asleep a moment long, but missing having Sam's warm strong body spooned against her. Almost immediately, she reached for her phone. It might be bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding but nobody said anything about talking. She just wanted to talk to him for a few minutes, see if he was as nervous as she was. Just before she hit the speed dial, she set the phone aside again. More than likely Sam wasn't awake quite this early, especially after a night out with the guys. She didn't want to wake him up just because she wanted to hear his warm voice in her ear. Besides, even if he was awake, did she want Sam to know she was nervous? Would he see it as some sort of bad sign that she was having second doubts or getting cold feet. Not to mention that if he wasn't nervous, it would just make her more nervous wondering why he wasn't and she was.

So she spent the time she probably should still be sleeping putting her hair up in hot curlers. She wanted at least a hint of curl to her hair for the ceremony even if she'd have to throw it up into a ponytail soon after. With it up, she glanced at her watch. She still had a couple of hours before she had to be at City Hall. It seemed like the clock slowly changed from one minute to the next. At this rate, it would take forever for the wedding to start. She wondered how brides made it through the day for a wedding that wasn't scheduled to start until late afternoon or evening. She didn't think she would make it if she had to wait that length of time.

Just when she thought she was going to go stir crazy, she heard others in the house moving around and talking. She made her way downstairs to find that her father had been up probably as long as she had. It wasn't nerves on his part but normal sleeping pattern for him. He'd used the time to cook breakfast for everyone. Even though he'd prepared all her favorites, she found she was too nervous to eat.

Thinking she might be worried about Sam's condition, her brothers were quick to inform her she had nothing to worry about. They went on to assure her that, although everyone had had a good time the night before at the bachelor party, nothing had happened that she needed to clobber Sam -or anyone else - over. They further assured her that Sam would be there on time and in good condition for saying "I do." She hadn't really needed them to tell her that; even if she hadn't charged Spike with making sure it happened, she trusted that Sam wasn't going to do anything to ruin the day.

As soon as she could without appearing rude, she retreated back upstairs to the bedroom to dress. She removed her dress from the garment bag where it had been hanging since she bought it, except for the times when she'd taken it down to try it on. She held her breath as she zipped up the back, praying she hadn't gained enough baby weight so far to make it not fit. It didn't matter that she'd tried it on just the day before and it had fit perfectly, not being able to fit in her dress had been one of her biggest fears since buying the dress.

There was a knock on her door. Jules glanced at it through the mirror and offered a "come in." She suspected it might be James. She knew he'd been itching to do his big brother duty to make sure she was as happy as she seemed about the wedding and marrying Sam.

It was her father instead. He was already in his suit which he'd obviously carefully pressed because it showed no hint of wrinkles. He stepped nervously inside. When he saw Jules standing there in her dress, a lump formed in his throat. He shook his head.

"Just like an angel. Sam was right yesterday, you are going to be the most beautiful bride ever."

Jules blushed. Considering she could already feel the tears forming, she hoped her eye make-up, which she hadn't even put on yet, was as waterproof as it claimed. The last thing she wanted today was to have her mascara run and look like a raccoon. "I think you're biased. Sam as well, but thanks. You look pretty dashing yourself."

She crossed over to him and fixed his tie which was slightly crooked. When she finished, Jack took her hands in his and led her over to the bed and motioned for her to sit. "Jules, I hope you don't mind, but I've been on the phone last night and this morning and I've made some additions to the wedding. I know you don't want a big fuss but I wanted to do something. I ordered a few flower stands for the room. Nothing major, just some white roses that will go with that arch they had set up. I also ordered some matching boutonnières for Sam and the family. And by family, I've included your teammates. And a small bouquet for you. I hope you don't mind. You might not be a big fan of flowers but it would have been important to your mom."

Jules shook her head. "I don't mind. It's sweet of you to do it. I can't believe you were able to get everything set up on such short notice. But Daddy, white roses? That had to cost a small fortune."

Jack waved off her concern. "I've been saving for your wedding for years. The flowers barely put a dent in things. The rest I plan to give to you and Sam as your wedding present. Put it toward the expenses you've already had for the wedding, for the honeymoon, or for whatever the two of you need or want. I know how hard it can be for a young couple starting out."

Jules wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. "Dad, you don't have to..."

Jack cut her off. "I know, but I want to. I also want you to have something else. I know the two of you aren't doing all the traditional wedding things but are you doing the whole 'something borrowed' bit?"

Jules laughed; she'd never realized her father was up on all the wedding traditions. "Sophie's been on my case about that one." Then remembering her father would have no idea who Sophie was, Jules added. "She's Ed's wife. He's my team leader. She loaned me a couple of bracelets to wear for the something borrowed and she gave me something blue as well." She didn't add that the something blue was a really dainty and sexy matching bra and panty set. While she was sure Sam would appreciate what she was wearing under her dress, no one else needed to be privy to the information, especially not her father. "My dress is something new and I guess my earrings could count for something old because I already had them. So, yeah, I guess I am following that one."

Jack shook his head. "I've got a better idea for your something old." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. "I gave this to your mother the day you were born. I think it's time you had it."

With shaky hands, Jules accepted the box and opened it. Fresh tears filled her eyes as she looked at the simple opal drop necklace. She could remember her mother wearing it year after year when she was a little girl. She didn't bother to wipe away the tears this time. "Daddy, are you sure?"

He nodded. "I promised your mother I would give it to you on your wedding day. Besides, you wearing your mom's necklace makes it seem a little more like she'll be there as well. I had it cleaned so it would be nice and shiny for you."

She let him help her put it on and then went to look in the mirror. She fingered it lightly. She hadn't realized how much she was going to miss not having her mother present at the wedding until just then. Keeping one hand on the opal drop, she quietly placed another hand on her stomach. It was still too early to know if she was carrying a boy or a girl but her instinct had been telling her it was a girl from the moment she first thought she could be pregnant. Regardless of the gender, she felt like the bridge between a mother she'd lost too early and a baby she couldn't wait to meet. She tried to swallow the lump forming in her throat. Several tears slipped silently down her cheeks, unnoticed by her. "It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful. Just like your mother. She would be so proud of you today. She'd kick my tail for making you cry but she'd be proud of you." Jack insisted as he joined her at the mirror.

Jules turned and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Daddy. I think Mom would be pretty proud of you as well." She stepped back. "So I guess that takes care of everything. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue."

"And a six pence in your shoe." Her father added. "Don't forget that part. Of course, most people use a penny instead, typically one stamped with the current year. Since they stopped making the penny I couldn't get one that had this date so I brought this instead."

He held out a small coin. "It's an Irish penny stamped with the year your mother and I got married. Her father got it for her for our wedding. You remember how traditionally Irish Patrick was. Apparently an Irish penny is supposed to bring good financial luck to a new couple. Your mother and I might not have ever had lots of money to spare but we managed to do okay. We always had what we needed when we needed it. I want that for you and Sam as well."

Jules hugged him again and then kissed his cheek. "You're the best."

"I didn't do much." Jack protested. "Now, I better get out of here so you can finish getting ready. You gave your co-worker such a hard time about making sure Sam gets to the chapel on time, I'd better make sure you do the same."

Jules followed him to the door and once she was alone in the bedroom again, she moved to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. She spent more time on both than she normally did, wanting to look her absolute best for this day. She wanted everything about the day to be perfect not only for herself but for Sam.

When she was finally satisfied, she left the bedroom and headed downstairs to where her father and brothers were waiting. This was it. She was leaving the house as Julianna Callaghan. The next time she crossed the threshold, she would be Mrs. Samuel Braddock; not only would she be a wife but everyone would also known she and Sam would soon be parents as well. She'd always thought she'd feel some sort of sadness at losing what she thought she would consider her independence. Instead, she found herself looking forward to the moment she and Sam were pronounced man and wife.

She almost felt as if all her life had been leading her to this moment. Instead of feeling like she was losing something, she felt like she was about to gain so much more. It was a new but wonderful feeling. The ceremony couldn't come soon enough. She hurried her brothers along, each one seemingly thinking of something they'd forgotten. Once she finally had everyone out to the Jeep, she insisted on driving, not trusting anyone else to get her to the chapel as quickly and as safely as she could.

Once at City Hall, her brothers promised to introduce their father to the members of the team they'd met the night before to avoid the chance of her running into Sam before the service. Usually weddings down at the chamber were pretty low key but Sarge had really pulled some strings to make it as nice as possible. So while her brothers and father went into the main room they were going to be using for the service, she made her way to the small side room that had been set aside for the bride. The florist that had delivered the displays her father had ordered had already left her bouquet on a table in the room. She picked it up with a smile. She knew her father would probably end up having to hold it for most of the ceremony but she loved that it had been important enough to him that she have one.

Jules glanced around with a shaky breath, wondering what Sam was doing right then. She figured he was in a similar room also waiting. She wondered if he was as anxious as she was. She knew Sam wanted to wait until it was time for the service for them to see each other but she wished she could see him for just a moment.

As she waited, she opened her small purse and pulled out the folded sheet of paper she'd put there. After taking the long soaking bath the night before that her father had suggested, she'd curled up in bed with a notebook, determined to write her vows to Sam. It had taken her several hours, with another small garbage can rapidly filling up before she had something she was satisfied with.

Samuel Braddock, I vow to always be yours. I might have made the mistake in the past of putting other things before you, before us, but never again. This- you, our life together- is what I want, all of it. No second thoughts, no doubts, no fears. Whatever happens from this moment on, I'm ready to face it with you by my side. I love you with all my heart, no buts allowed. I vow that nothing and no one will change that.

"Jules?"

She turned at the sound of Spike's voice. Her teammate was standing in the doorway, shifting nervously from one foot to another. He looked at her and swallowed hard.

"Wow, you look amazing. I mean, not that you don't always look… I mean, it's just that… I…" He swallowed again, seemingly unable to form a coherent sentence.

She glanced down at herself, blushing slightly. "Spike, it's not like you've never seen me in a dress before. You all saw me decked out at the Gala last year; I was probably dressed even more formally then."

He nodded, still looking flustered. "Yeah, but that's nothing compared to now. Sure you looked amazing that night, but today, I don't know. I can't explain it; it's like you're glowing." Then he smiled. "Trust me, it's a beautiful thing. That's why I hate to do this."

Her left eyebrow raised in question. "Hate to do what?"

"Jules, we've got a slight problem with the wedding."