Chapter 31
Sam was situated in a small room off to the left of the main room of the chapel along with Sara, Jill, Janet, Lori, and Mark and Lori’s seven-year-old daughter, Anna, who was going to be the flower girl. She was standing and looking herself over in a large, full-length mirror in the corner of the room. Her wedding dress was long and flowing, and hugged her upper body so well as to accentuate her curves. It featured a lacy neckline that was neither too high nor too low, short sleeves, and a long, detachable train. Janet was something of a hairdresser and had managed to gather Sam’s short hair into a respectable French Twist. The bridesmaid’s dresses were a soft blue and were equally beautiful.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Sam asked as she tried adjusting the headpiece of her short veil.
“Sam, please, it’s fine,” Janet assured her. “You look gorgeous.”
“I do?” Sam asked her timidly. “This is all happening so fast, I feel like something’s just not quite right.”
“Everything is fine, nothing is out of place, and you are gorgeous,” Sara chimed in. She looked down at the flower girl and smiled. “Isn’t she, Anna?”
The little brunette smiled and nodded. “Uh-huh!” she exclaimed.
Sam blushed and smiled broadly at the little girl. “Thank you, Annie,” she said affectionately. She bent down and smoothed her niece’s long hair back and gave her a small kiss on the cheek, causing the little girl to beam. Sam took a seat and propped her elbows up on a small dressing table.
Sarah Gardner suddenly poked her head inside. “How is everything going in there?” she asked.
“Just fine, apart from one slightly anxious bride-to-be,” Sara joked.
Sarah chuckled softly. “Looks like the men have just arrived.”
At this, Sam’s ears perked up and her eyes widened. “The men?” she parroted.
Sarah nodded. “Yes. Steven, Robert, Daniel … oh, and your Dad,” she finished with a slight smile.
Sam began wringing her hands nervously and finally rose to her feet. As she was about to cross the room, Sara crossed in front of her and grabbed Sam’s arm, effectively stopping her. “Whoa, girl, where are you going?”
“Daniel’s here. I … I just wanted to take a quick peek and see what was …” she trailed off, her tone making her sound like a guilty child.
Sara grinned, seemingly amused, and shook her head. “Sam, you know the tradition. The bride and groom aren’t supposed to see each other before the wedding,” she chastised.
Sam rolled her eyes and sighed. “I know, I know,” she reluctantly conceded. She went back to the dressing table and sat back down on the chair. She removed a tissue from the box on the corner of the table and began to twist it between her hands.
Janet looked at her sympathetically and made her way up to her anxious friend. “Sam, are you okay?”
Sam looked shamefully down at the mutilated tissue in her hands and sighed heavily. She looked up at Janet. “I … I don’t know. Everything was happening so fast, and now it seems like it’s just dragging – like I can’t wait to get it over with. The more everything drags, the more nervous it makes me. When are they starting? It has to be …” she stopped as she looked down at her dress watch and realized it was still only a few minutes to ten.
Janet’s lips edged upward in a faint smile. “It’s normal to feel that way, Sam,” she said. “I was the same way when I married Robert. On our wedding day, I arrived at the church before he and his group did. The wedding was supposed to take place at eleven and I was still sitting there at a quarter to twelve, wondering what happened. I was starting to worry that he got cold feet,” she recounted grimly. “Luckily it turned out that the limousine picking them up was late and it blew a tire on the way to the church. You can imagine what a bundle of nerves I was. At least your groom is here on time.” She finished with a slightly sardonic grin.
Sam uttered a short, nervous laugh before Janet continued, “I haven’t met a bride who didn’t have butterflies in her stomach before the ceremony took place. It’s something we all go through. And, if you’re this nervous, I can imagine that Daniel is just as nervous, maybe even more. You’ll be fine. And after this is all over, the butterflies will be gone and you’ll have him all to yourself.”
Sam blinked rapidly to prevent tears from falling as she smiled at her good friend. She rose from her chair and pulled Janet into a hug. “Thanks, Janet,” she replied softly.
She stepped back and noticed that Sara had made her way up to Sam as well. “You’ll be fine. I won’t even get into what I was feeling right before I married Jack, as we only have so much time before the ceremony starts,” she joked. “Just remember, we all love you and couldn’t be happier for you.”
Sam smiled and mouthed, “Thanks.” At that moment, one of the employees at the chapel stuck his head inside. “Ladies, it’s time for the ceremony to begin,” he informed them.
Sam drew in a deep breath, grabbed her bouquet, and steeled herself as the flower girl was ushered out of the room, followed by her bridesmaids. “Here we go,” she said silently.
Daniel stood and waited nervously alongside Steven and Robert Rothman down the aisle of the chapel as he heard the organ begin playing the traditional wedding march. He looked around and realized that the chapel was indeed larger than he’d originally realized. He scanned the small pews, looking for recognizable faces. On Sam’s side was an older gentleman whom he assumed, due to his resemblance to Jacob, was her uncle Irving. Seated next to him was Sam’s brother Mark with his young son David. Then there were a few of her colleagues from her department at the college, Sara’s mother, her sisters, and Jack. Daniel had seen Jack just moments earlier and had exchanged amiable words with him. He was far from his joking, adolescent manner and he actually congratulated Daniel and commented on how good he looked in the tux. Daniel was very appreciative of the fact, as he was still quite nervous and thought any ridiculous teasing would set him off.
On his side, he spotted Sarah, Ed Kleinhuis and his wife Mildred, Robert Rothman’s wife Iris, and several other familiar faces from the Anthropological Sciences department. His eyes narrowed as he suddenly noticed another couple making their way inside, briefly speaking with an usher, and taking a seat in the back on his side of the aisle. Daniel squinted as he tried to figure out who they were. He seemed to be successful, as his mouth dropped open and he made a slight strangled sound.
Could it really be them? Was he so stressed out that his eyes were playing tricks on him? Sure, they appeared many years older and were wearing a style of clothes he’d almost never seen them in, but their faces were unmistakable and he knew it was them. What on Earth would they be doing here? He thought they had written him out of their lives long ago. Sam seemed intent on helping him mend the rift between them, but he had insisted her not to bother and she backed down. What, then, were they doing at his wedding in Colorado?
Before he could agonize over it any further, he felt a tap on his arm. He turned around and found Steven smiling at him. “There’s your bride,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
With that, Daniel turned from the direction of the pews on the right side to the back of the chapel. His expression changed little as he witnessed his beautiful bride emerging from the small room to the left and making her way up to her father. Her dress was gorgeous, her face was gorgeous, her hair was gorgeous … she was gorgeous. He knew he was one lucky man.
Sam took a quick look down the aisle and, although Daniel was quite far away, she knew he was there and it quelled her anxiety just a bit. She turned to her right and found her father, donned in his dress blues and smiling proudly at her.
“Dad,” she smiled shyly.
“You look beautiful, kid,” he told her affectionately. He chuckled softly upon witnessing the faint blush that colored her cheeks. “I never thought I would live to see this day. I love you and I’m so proud of you. And I know your Mom is proud of you, too.” His voice became uneven and he sniffled as he leaned over and gave her a small hug.
As they parted, she looked up at him and gave him a watery smile. “Thanks, Dad. I love you, too,” she said as her voice wavered.
The two Carters reined in their overwhelming emotions and Jacob took hold of Sam’s arm as they walked in a slow, steady gait. Once she reached Daniel, Jacob stepped aside and the young couple was reunited. Sam glanced quickly at Daniel and felt her heart leap up into her throat. She didn’t think he could look any more handsome. He was dressed in a sleek, black tux, and his long, shaggy (though neatly combed) hair hung over the top half of the collar. She tried to bite back her instincts and urges until after the ceremony was over.
Every so often, Daniel himself would glance over at Sam when he thought she wasn’t looking. He couldn’t help admitting that he was nearly overwhelmed by her beauty. He’d always thought she was very pretty, but now she seemed radiant. He didn’t know if it was makeup or a natural glow that made her face shine like this. The fact that the dress and her hair suited her nicely certainly helped. Daniel still couldn’t help feeling a little bit distracted after witnessing the very familiar-looking couple seating themselves, but he knew he had to remain disciplined and get through the ceremony.
They glanced quickly at each other and gave each other’s hands a little squeeze as they turned to the minister and the music faded. The minister smiled warmly at them both before leading them through their vows.
“And do you, Samantha Carter, take Daniel Jackson to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?”
Sam looked into Daniel’s eyes and found a hint of unease in them. A little smile slowly made its way onto her face as she confidently stated, “I do.”
The unease left Daniel’s eyes and breathed a tiny sigh of relief. A tender smile formed on his face as the minister continued, “By the power vested in me, by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you man and wife.” He turned and smiled lovingly at the new couple. “You may kiss the bride.”
Sam and Daniel looked at each other for a moment. Her eyes bored into his before she threw her arms around him and they engaged in a slow, passionate kiss. The sound of music, applause, and cheers filled the air as they professed their undying love for each other.
After their display of deep affection, the announcement came that the reception followed out in the back of the chapel. As everyone began making their way out the back doors, a few people came up to Sam and Daniel to congratulate them, but Daniel’s eyes sought out the familiar-looking couple. He cursed to himself upon not finding them anywhere and thinking that it was most likely a hallucination. He took Sam by the hand and led her out the back of the chapel. His assumption was incorrect, as he found them standing off to the side, appearing aloof as they sipped from glasses of punch and looked warily at the other guests.
Sam looked around the area in which she now found herself. The back yard was even more gorgeous than she imagined. In front of the patio some distance away was a small creek with a bridge going across it. On either side of the bridge, the water spilled down and culminated in small waterfalls. There were also several stone fountains. Perhaps the best part of all was the breathtaking view of Pikes Peak. She beamed happily, glad that they’d picked this chapel.
She looked at Daniel and her smile faded when she noticed the uneasy look on his face. “Daniel? What is it?”
“My parents are here,” he said in the smallest voice Sam ever heard.
“What?” she asked, not sure if she heard him right.
Daniel pointed to the familiar looking couple, who were now chatting with Steven Rayner and Ed Kleinhuis. Sam’s gaze fell upon them and her jaw dropped. “Oh, my God,” she whispered as she clamped her hand over her mouth. She felt warmth coming back into her cheeks.
Suddenly, for a split second, Daniel locked eyes with his parents. Sam felt a small fear grow deep within her as she wondered what would happen next. She witnessed Daniel’s parents slowly making their way up to her and Daniel and she looked away, embarrassed.
Daniel looked at them for a moment, a hundred questions suddenly bringing themselves to the forefront, but still leaving him unsure of what to say. “Hello,” he said simply, trying to sound as neutral as possible.
Claire and Melburn looked at him, feeling just as awkward as he did. “Hello, Son,” Mel finally said.
“Hello, Danny,” Claire chimed in, a slightly awkward smile making its way onto her face.
“You’re looking well,” Daniel said, trying to keep his expression neutral as well.
“You, too,” Mel replied. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“You even wear your hair the same,” Claire added fondly, but still sounding a bit awkward.
For what seemed like an eternity, Daniel and his parents stared at each other. The three of them seemed to be a little uncomfortable with the way they were masking their feelings. As their eyes penetrated, unspoken questions and confessions were being shared. Then, without warning, Mel stepped forward and embraced Daniel fiercely. Sam looked on curiously and thought she saw Daniel trembling just a bit inside his father’s embrace, as if the emotional wall finally crumbled.
“I’m proud of you, Son,” Mel’s voice wavered. He reluctantly let his son go before his mother enveloped him in a hug. “Oh, my Danny,” she said, sniffling. Daniel echoed her sniffling just before she let him go.
Sam grinned affectionately as she watched the three Jacksons straighten up and try to keep their emotions in check. Finally, Daniel spoke, “What are you doing here? I mean, how did you …”
“We never would have missed your wedding, Daniel,” Mel said frankly. He turned and smiled at Sam. “Your beautiful bride paid us a visit to … let us know what you were up to.” He blushed and his expression became uncomfortable for a moment. “She convinced us to stop acting so pigheaded and be the kind of parents we once were to you.”
Daniel’s brow furrowed in confusion and he looked pointedly at Sam. Sam’s blush deepened and she fixed him with a chastened expression. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I know you didn’t want me getting involved, but I just couldn’t …”
“There’s no need for you to apologize, dear,” Claire interrupted. “I missed out on so much of Daniel’s life and I didn’t want to miss out on too much more.” She smiled tenderly at her son.
Daniel’s agitated expression melted and he turned to Sam. “Yeah,” he conceded as he regarded his new bride with a faint smile and squeezed her arm.
“Can you ever forgive us for cutting you out of our lives over something so ridiculous?” Mel asked Daniel seriously. “As long as you’re happy in what you do, we’ll always be proud of you.”
Daniel studied his father’s face and smiled upon finding true sincerity in it. “I really appreciate that. We have a lot of work to do in order to put things back to the way they were before.”
His parents nodded. “We know,” his father said quietly. “I hope we can start now.”
Daniel nodded back and smiled. “Sure, why not?” he said before embracing them again. Sam looked on and smiled proudly, glad that she was able to bring some happiness back to Daniel where it was lacking.
It was now close to noon and the reception was about to come to an end. Sam reviewed the events that had taken place over the past hour or so. Before the cake was served, the photographer took the “official wedding photos” of Sam and Daniel alone as well as those of them with the wedding party. As they were having cake, the toast to the bride began as Jacob recounted stories of Sam from her childhood, most sweet and some slightly embarrassing. Luckily, Jacob let Sam off easy as far as that was concerned. The only thing that Sam regretted was that, although there was soft music in the background, there was no dancing, so she and Daniel didn’t get to have their slow dance. She hoped they would get to have one eventually.
As Sam and Daniel began to make their way around to the front of the chapel, they ran into Ed and Mildred Kleinhuis. “Do you two have any idea where Steven and Robert are?” Ed asked Daniel curiously.
“They mentioned that they had to leave a bit early, but I’m not sure what for,” Daniel replied.
Suddenly, Sarah appeared on their left. “They took my car,” she interjected.
“Ah, why?” Daniel asked as his brows drew together.
An impish grin made its way onto Sarah’s face. “I’m not going to tell you,” she said as she turned and led Mildred and Ed over to their car.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Daniel said grimly as he looked at Sam with a wary expression. Sam couldn’t help but chuckle.
After receiving more congratulations and hugs from their guests, they headed over to the limousines where Jacob was waiting with a smile. “Come on, you two. It’s time to head back home.”
Sam and Daniel rode in one car while Jacob rode with Sarah, as well as the other members of the wedding party, back to Sam’s house. Once they neared the familiar one-story structure, Daniel did a double take when he got an eyeful of the not-so-familiar-looking vehicle that was also parked out in front.
“What’s that?” Sam asked curiously.
“That’s my car,” Daniel said warily. “I think,” he added.
As they climbed out of the car, Daniel noticed that his once-blue Pontiac appeared like a victim of Halloween Night vandalism. The windows were festooned with multi-colored, silk lei, and the windows were soaped up to reveal such phrases as “Just Married,” “Do Not Disturb,” and “The Doctors are in.” Tied to the back bumper were the customary tin cans, as well what appeared to be wooden beetles. Steven and Robert stood in front of the car and gestured toward it as if they were car salesmen.
“Oh, Rayner, Rothman, what have you done?” Daniel said as he sighed in a deep, melodramatic way.
His reaction earned a snigger from his two friends. “Hey, come on, you didn’t think we’d let you get away without this age-old wedding tradition, did you?” Steven said.
Daniel rolled his eyes and Sam shook her head. Her eyes drifted down to the bumper once again. “What’s with the beetles?” she asked.
“Oh, uh … that’s a scarab,” Robert replied. “It’s an ancient Egyptian symbol for good luck. Figured a little luck couldn’t hurt you guys as you make your way to … uh … wherever you’re going,” he trailed off awkwardly.
Daniel turned and smiled at Sam, ready to finally tell her where they were going. “Belize,” he said.
Sam’s eyes widened and she regarded Daniel seriously.
“Don’t worry; they speak English down there, at least at the hotel. And I know enough Spanish for us to get by,” he assured her. With that she gave him a kiss on the cheek. She laughed nervously as Daniel scooped her up and carried her up the front walk.
“Come on, honey, we have a lot to do before we
embark on the
journey celebrating the beginning of our life together,” he stated
coyly. His statement earned a broad smile
from Sam
and two pairs of rolling eyes from his friends.