Author's Note: I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update! With school starting and some family issues, I have been fairly busy lately. I hope to start updating more frequently, but I can't guarantee anything, I'm going to try for once a week. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 17: Wedding
Jack stood at the front of the chapel with Rob and the chaplain. Charlie was sitting with his Uncle Jim in the pews. Jack and Rob turned toward the back of the chapel as the doors opened. Kath walked through the doors to the alter and turned to face the back as well. Jack held his breath, waiting to see Sam; he could feel his heart rate accelerate when she and Jacob stepped up to the doorway. Neither Sam nor Jack could keep from smiling as Sam walked down the aisle. Jacob placed his daughter's hand in that of her groom before sitting in the pews. Jack and Sam turned to face the chaplain.
"Welcome to today's celebration of the love between Sam and Jack. Today is more than a union of two people; it is the union of two families. You will be a support system for Sam and Jack throughout their lives, and they will support you in yours.
We are gathered today to join this man and woman in holy matrimony. This is a day of love and commitment. It as a day of family; as such, I would presume that none of you object to this union. Sam and Jack have decided to memorize their marriage vows, please face each other and join hands. Sam," the chaplain prompted.
"I Sam take you Jack to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and honor, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, in good times and in bad, for the rest of our lives," Sam looked Jack right in the eyes as she voiced her vows.
"Jack," the chaplain looked to the groom in front of him.
"I Jack take you Sam to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and honor, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, in good times and in bad, for the rest of our lives," Jack said, keeping his eyes locked with Sam's.
"You have spoken your vows to one another, and now you will exchange rings to be a constant reminder of your vows and love for one another. The rings please," the chaplain held out his hand to receive the rings from Rob and Kath. "A circle is constant, never-breaking, like the love of this couple, may these rings always remind you of that bond," the chaplain nodded to Sam.
Sam took Jack's wedding band from the chaplain's hand and slipped it onto Jack's left ring finger, "With this ring, I thee wed."
At the chaplain's nod, Jack repeated the gesture with Sam's wedding band, "With this ring, I thee wed."
"You have publicly declared your lifelong commitment to one another. I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Jack and Sam smiled at each other; wrapping his arms around her waist, Jack leaned down to kiss Sam.
"I present to you, Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Jack O'Neill," the chaplain concluded the ceremony.
Sam and Jack turned to face the back of the church and were immediately enveloped in hugs by their family. Jim gave Charlie to Sam who held him close. She and Jack were looking forward to the finalization of Sam's adoption of Charlie so they would be a true family in the legal sense, not just emotionally.
The group soon headed off to an early dinner at The Pier House. Once there, Jacob gave Sam a letter from her CO informing her that she was receiving a commendation for her work with the Strike Eagle project. It was just another high point on an already wonderful day.
After a wonderful meal, Sam and Jack said their goodbyes before departing to pick up luggage and catch their flight. They had refused to tell anyone where they were going on their honeymoon, not wanting to be reachable for the short week away. Charlie would stay with Jacob to bond with his now official grandfather.
AN2: I know Jack is now a Lt. Col. when he was still a major in the last chapter. I meant to have him be promoted sometime in the December before the wedding. I will be going back and making that adjustment soon. Hope you enjoyed!
~Silme