Chapter Text
When Sam woke up on her wedding day, she never thought the day would have ended this way. She was ready to Marry him. It is the day. She is going to marry Pete.
She had woken up to Cassie's knock on her bedroom door. She had gone through all the motions of the preparation not thinking too much of the future she is committing to. It's too late to back out now and why would she. She loves Pete. Right?
"Stop it!", She yelled internally as she adjusted her simple dress waiting to be told all is ready.
Her dad came to check on her a couple of times and she felt like he was waiting for her to ask him to bail her out. To get her out of this mess she has made and let her disappear leaving Pete and all her problems. He had tried to understand her decision and had kept telling her he would support her as long as she promised this is what she wants and if she truly is happy. She had told him she is and that was that.
It's finally time and she is about to walk the isle where at the end her future awaits.
- - -
Carter is getting married today. This is the day where Jack O'neill has been praying, to whatever God is out there listening, will never come true unless he is the one waiting for her at the altar. Seems like none of the Gods who heard cared enough to answer his prayer. He had felt like he was dressing for his funeral when he put on his dress blue for the occasion. Daniel and Teal'c had come to pick him up and as expected, Daniel had tried to talk to him about what he thinks of all this and of Shanahan. Teal'c had shut him up by saying it is not our place to second guess Colonel Carter's choice in a life partner.
When they finally get to the church, he sees a swarm of dress blues that have shown up making him feel like he can camouflage into the crowd if needed. But with the big guy next to him, there is no mistaking who the trio are who just showed up together. Jacob was at the door welcoming the guests on one side and Pete’s parents on the other. He shook Jacob's hand and tried not to read into what his eyes were saying. He doesn't need to repeat that awkward conversation he had with him about the wedding and Pete. Jacob had really tried to bully him into talking about it but he wouldn't budge. He said all the right things and made all the right comments that left Jacob so frustrated he stormed out of his office.
He tried to look pleasant and have small talks to whoever stopped to say hello as he walked into the church. Once they are seated somewhere in the middle at the far right corner, he takes a deep breath and prays again to have the strength to get through this without tearing apart at the seams.
It didn't take long after they got seated when they were told the bride was about to walk in.
- - -
There was a knock and Jacob came in to tell her it's time. He told her she looked beautiful and wished her mom was here to see her like this. He may not approve of the man she chose to marry but he is going to be happy for her on this day no matter what.
He held out his arm and Sam inhaled deeply and smiled as she took his arm. Sam looked up and saw Pete's big smile plastered on his face. She took another deep breath and tried to match his excitement. She forced herself not to look for her friends and the General. She kept her eyes front and center as the good soldier she has always been.
- - -
There she is looking as beautiful as ever, smiling ahead looking towards her husband to be. "God, She looks amazing," he thought as he tried to reel in all the emotions that threatened to show on his face. "This is it, you've lost her. You should have talked to her! You should have opened up! You should have begged her if that was what it took!" he admonished himself.
Jacob handed her over to Pete and all he could do was close his eyes not to see the happiness in her eyes as she looked at her husband to be.
The ceremony went on, as Jack fought with his internal demons.
"Are you okay, Jack?" Daniel asked, his eyes gesturing towards his white knuckles holding on for dear life to the seat.
Jack ignored him and focused on his breathing. Of course he is not alright! The woman he loves is about to exchange vows with another man. As beautiful as she looks, he couldn't look at her at this moment.
"If there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest spoke and he heard himself saying the word that was screaming in his mind.
"I object!" he heard and couldn't believe he actually said it out loud. He heard all the gasps and commotion from the guests and he slowly looked up waiting for all eyes to be on him. Instead everyone was looking at the young man standing a few rows behind him on the right side.
"Oh thank God!" he thought, feeling relieved that it wasn't him who just ruined Sam's wedding. But when he actually looked at the person approaching the stunned couple, his stomach dropped to his feet.
"Jack, is… is that…?" Daniel asked and Jack didn't know how to respond or even breathe for that matter.
"I object!" the young man said again as he walked the long aisle towards the couple and continued, "because this brilliant and beautiful woman right here doesn't belong with that man," he said pointing to Pete.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jack screamed out as he bolted out of his seat heading straight to the man as he approached the couple standing with confusion.
The young man turned around and spoke. "I'm making this right Jack," he said and kept walking towards the couple.
"Sam, who the hell is this guy?" Pete asked but he could see she was as confused as he was.
She couldn't see clearly who the person was as the sun glare hit her right in the eyes. She put her hand in front of her face and stood there stunned when she saw him.
With anger boiling inside of him, Jack reached right when the man got to the front.
Sam shook her head to clear it and stepped forward to de-escalate the situation before it got out of hand.
"Sam! What the hell? Who is this guy?" Pete yelled out, misunderstanding her action.
"Pete, just …," she glanced out to the audience and looked back to Pete, "give me a few seconds okay. Let me see what's going on."
"There is nothing going on Carter, he is getting outta here with me, right now!" Jack said as he grabbed the surprisingly strong arm of the young man.
"Nope, not gonna happen old man. I'm here to put in my two cents and I'm not leaving until I do," the man said, yanking off the hand that was holding him. "The question is, Sam," he continued looking up at her, "Do you want to do this out here with all these good people listening or would you rather have this conversation in the back. Just me, you, and the General?"