The song ‘When Something is Wrong With My Baby’ is performed by Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham, no infringement intended.
AUTHORS NOTES: A huge thanks to my two beta gal's, Kes and Jenn!

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Sam and Janet were sitting in Sam and Jack’s living room, drinking wine and trying to find a wedding dress that Sam liked.  Sam shook her head.  “My god, I can’t believe how ornate these are.  Hasn’t anyone ever heard of simple?”  She continued to flick through yet another wedding book.  “Maybe I can just get married in my dress blues?” She said as she threw the book on the coffee table.

“Like hell you will.  You are my best friend and I will not see you wearing your uniform on the best day of your life.  We’re going to find a dress that’ll knock the Colonel’s socks off.”

“Yeah, well I’m seriously considering doing this without him at the moment,” Sam said as she got up to get them both another glass of wine.

“Why?  Did you two have a fight?”  Janet asked as she accepted the glass that Sam offered her.

“Not really.  I guess we’re both just stressed, but he’s trying so hard to get out of having to make any decisions as far as this wedding’s concerned.  Getting him to help is like pulling teeth.”

“He’s a guy, Sam.  They just want to know what to wear and where to show up.  At least he hasn’t come right out and said do it yourself, like my ex-husband did.”

They heard keys in the front door.  “Speak of the devil,” Janet said as the door opened.  In walked Jack, carrying a bunch of red roses.  “Uh oh, what have you done?” She asked when she saw the flowers.

“Nothing!” Jack defended himself.  He walked over and handed Sam the bouquet, giving her an affectionate kiss.  “Hi, angel.”

“You don’t give a person flowers unless it’s an anniversary or you need to grovel,” Janet persisted.

“For crying out loud!  I didn’t do anything!”

Sam chuckled and accepted the flowers.  “Thank you, Jack, they’re beautiful.”

“You’re more than welcome,” he told her.  Sitting down at her feet, he started massaging them.  “I was talking to my mom today.  She and Dad are gonna be coming here in a few days.”

“I told you he was grovelling!” Janet cried, triumphant.

“What’s so bad about your parents coming?  I’ve been dying to meet them for ages,” Sam said, confused by Jack’s behaviour.

“I know.  I’m just not sure how mom’s gonna be.  She’s still a bit pissed that I never tried to work things out with Sara.  I’m just warning you that she might not do the whole ‘welcome you with open arms’ routine.”

“I’m sure your mother only has your best interests at heart.  It’ll be fine,” Sam told him, but he didn’t look too convinced.

*****

A few days later, Sam was doing a last minute tidy up before Jack’s parents arrived.  She couldn’t remember ever being quite so nervous before.  “Relax, angel.  The place looks perfect,” Jack told her as he walked into the living room.

“Really?  Are you sure?”

He chuckled and took her in his arms.  “Sam, you’ve never been this nervous when you’ve faced a battalion of Jaffa.  I’m sure they won’t be that scary.”

Just as she was about to reply, the doorbell chimed.  Jack was pretty sure that Sam resembled a deer caught in headlights.  He moved forward to kiss her.  “I love you.”

She smiled, the words cutting through her nerves.  “Okay, let’s not keep them waiting, huh?”

Jack nodded and moved to answer the door.  “Mom!  Dad!  It’s good to see you!” Jack said, pulling first his mother then his father into a hug.

Closing the door behind them, he turned and walked over to Sam, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulders.  “Mom, Dad, this is Sam.  Sam, this is my mom, Susan, and my Dad, Charles.”

“It’s great to finally meet you,” Sam told them, shaking Charles’ offered hand.

“Well, son, you most certainly weren’t lying when you said Sam was beautiful,” Charles said to his son.

Jack smiled, turning to wink at his fiancé.

“Yes, Jack.  You seem to have a thing for women with short, blonde hair,” Susan told him, not even noticing both her son’s and husband’s glare.

Sam cringed and moved away from Jack.  “Can I get you both something to drink?”  She asked, trying to change the subject.  The last thing she wanted to hear about was Jack’s ex-wife.

“I’ll have a beer if you have one,” Charles said.

“No problem.  Mrs O’Neill?”

“Do you have any wine?  Preferably white and not too dry.”

Sam nodded.  “Coming right up.”

They proceeded into the kitchen where Sam got out a beer for Jack and his father, before pouring herself and Susan a glass of wine.  “So, what’s for lunch?” Charles asked.

“We’re gonna have a barbecue,” Jack said as he got the marinated meat out of the fridge.

“My cooking’s getting better, but I didn’t want to risk poisoning you both on our first meeting,” Sam said with a laugh.

“You’re not that bad, angel,” Jack told her, giving her a kiss on the temple.

“Not to worry, Sam.  Some people are just natural cooks.  Now Sara was a good cook.  I don’t remember her ever cooking a bad meal,” Susan told her.

“Is that right?” Sam replied, taking another sip of her wine and trying to appear polite.

Jack cooked them lunch and they ate it on the deck, enjoying the warm spring sun.  After they’d finished eating, they moved into the living room, talking as they drank coffee.  “So, Sam, are you planning on retiring from the Air Force?  Or do they allow you to take extended leave?” Susan asked.

“Excuse me?” Sam asked, confused.

“When you and Jack have children.  Surely you’re not going to just take maternity leave and then go back to work?”

Sam looked at Jack before answering.  “To be quite honest, we haven’t talked much about kids, but I’d probably want to go back to work after a few months.”

“You’re kidding?  I mean, after Sara had Charlie, she gave up her job and became a full time mother.”

“Really,” Sam replied.  She was so sick of hearing about Sara.  All afternoon she had been compared to Jack’s ex-wife and she was finding it increasingly difficult to remain polite.

The phone rang and she sighed as she went to answer it.  “Hi, Sam, it’s Janet.  How’s things going with the in-laws?”

Sam was about to answer when a plan came to her.  “So you need me to come in?”
“Oooh, that good huh?” Janet said with a chuckle.  “You can come over if you need somewhere to hide until they leave.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon.”  She hung up the phone and turned around.  “Sorry, I’ve gotta get to the base.”

“Is there a problem?” Jack asked as he rose from the chair.

“Nothing for you to worry about, just some science stuff.”

“You sure you don’t need me to come with you?” He asked, secretly wanting an excuse to get away from his parents for a while.  He could tell his mother had upset Sam and he wanted to make sure she was alright.

“It’s fine, Jack.  You stay here with your parents.  I’ll be home later.”  She gave him a kiss and said goodbye to his mother and father before walking out the door.

“God, mom!  Could you have made it any harder for her?” Jack said as soon as he heard Sam’s car start.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Susan defended.

“I’m talking about the way you treated Sam!  Comparing her to Sara like that.  They’re two totally different people.”

“I can see that, which is why I’m concerned.  Are you with her because she is so very different from Sara?  As a way of trying to forget?”

Jack looked at her incredulously.  “No!  Mom, I love Sam.  She is an incredibly smart, sweet, beautiful woman and she loves me too.  Why can’t you just be happy for us?”

“Because I think you’re making a mistake.  I can’t stand by and let you do this.”

“Susan...” Charles began.

“Stay out of it, Charles.”

Jack shook his head in disbelief.  “Fine.  You do what you want, but let me tell you now, Sam and I are getting married.  I thought at least you’d try to be happy for us.”  He walked over to the door.  “I think you’d better go.”

*****

“Hey,” Janet said as she opened the front  door for Sam.

“Hi,” Sam replied dejectedly.  She walked inside and they headed to the kitchen.  “Where’s Cassie?”

“At the movies with a friend.”  Janet moved to make coffee.  “So, how come you’re hiding out here?  Things not going too well with Jack’s parents?”

Sam shook her head.  “All I’ve heard all day is Sara this and Sara that.  Everything I say or do is bad compared to Sara.”  she sighed.  “I so wanted them to like me.”

Handing Sam her coffee, Janet ushered her into the living room, flicking off the television as they sat down.  “It’ll be alright, Sam.  It’s not like they live around here and you have to see them all the time.”

“I know.  It’s just... with mom gone and Dad half way across the galaxy, the thought of maybe having parents again was kinda appealing.”  She snorted.  “Sounds stupid, doesn’t it?”

Janet covered her friend’s hand with one of her own.  “No, Sam, it doesn’t.  I can’t imagine what it’s like for you.  I mean, I don’t talk to my folks all that much, but at least I know that I can just pick up the phone and call them whenever I want.  Or just jump on a plane and go and see them.”

Sam nodded.  “I know I’m being stupid.  I mean, whatever they say or think shouldn’t matter.  But I just felt like I was deemed inferior compared to Sara and I can’t help but think that maybe Jack might see that too.”

She finally lost her control and let a tear slip down her cheek.  She allowed Janet to pull her into a hug, listening as her friend spoke.  “Oh, Sam, Jack loves you and you know it.  He could have had Sara back, but he chose you.  It’s *you* he wants.  Don’t let anyone else push doubts into your mind.  Just think about what the two of you have.”

Sam nodded, a determined twinkle in her eye.  “You’re right.  All that matters is that we want to get married.  If people don’t like it, then that’s their problem.”

“That’s more like the Sam I know,” Janet told her.

“Thanks, Janet.  You’re too good to me.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for,” Janet reminded, giving her shoulders an extra squeeze.

*****

It was almost seven when Sam returned home from Janet’s.  Jack was pacing the living room, only stopping when he heard the key in the lock.

“Where the hell have you been?” He asked as soon as she walked in the door.
“Hello to you too,” she replied as she shut the door behind her.

“Where were you?” He asked again.  “I called the base and they said you hadn’t signed in since Friday.  So?”

“I went to Janet’s,” she told him.

“You went... so you lied to me!”

“What’d you expect me to do?  Tell you, in front of your parents, that I was bailing ‘cause I was sick to death of being compared to your ex-wife?”

He sighed.  “Couldn’t you have just tried to agree with her?”

“Well what do you want me to do, Jack?  Lie?  I am *not* Sara.  I have different thoughts, different priorities.  I’m not going to change them for your mother!”  She grabbed her keys and walked back out the door.

“Sam...” He called as she shut the door behind her.

When Sam hadn’t returned two hours later, Jack was starting to get worried.  It was after nine and it wasn’t like her to stay out without letting him know where she was.  ‘She’s probably back at Janet’s,’ he thought as he dialled the doctor’s home number.

“Hello?”

“Janet, it’s Jack.  Is Sam there?”

“Yeah, she is,” Janet replied slowly.

“Can I talk to her?”

“Well...”

“Please, Janet?” He almost pleaded.

“Hang on.”

Jack heard muffled voices and then Sam came to the phone.  “Hello?”

“Hey, baby.  I’m sorry, okay?  I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”  He paused but she said nothing.  “Are you coming home tonight?”

Sam sighed.  “I’ll be home later, we’re just watching a movie.”

“Okay.  I’ll see you then.  I love you.”

“I love you too.  Bye.”

Jack replaced the receiver and slumped into the chair.  He wasn’t sure why he’d gone off at Sam earlier.  He knew she wasn’t the one he was angry at, but for some reason he’d taken out his frustration on her.

“Yeah, great marriage we’re gonna have if you hit the roof every time something doesn’t go the way you planned, Jack,” he said to himself.  Sighing, he got up and went to the alcohol cabinet.  He got a glass and a bottle of whisky before heading up the stairs to their bedroom.

*****

Sam opened the door to the house and walked in, locking it behind her.  The place was quiet and she walked up the stairs to the bedroom.  Jack was asleep across the bed, still fully clothed, a half empty bottle of whisky on the bedside table.  She sighed and changed into a nightie, covering him and turning out the light, before heading back down stairs.  She just didn’t want to fight with him.  If she had known how stressful planning a wedding was, she would have taken Jack up on his suggestion to head off to Vegas.  She laid down on the sofa, taking the blanket off the back to cover herself as she looked into the roaring fire.  She closed her eyes and fell asleep, dreaming of being married by Elvis.

*****

Jack woke up and immediately reached for Sam.  He sat up with a start when he encountered a cold bed.  Looking at the bedside clock, his heart almost stopped when he saw it was almost three.  She should have been home by now, their girl’s nights never went this late.  He jumped out of bed and headed out of the bedroom.  In his panicked state, he didn’t even
realise that all the lights were out, when he had left them on for her.

He hurried down the stairs and saw her curled up on the sofa, her face highlighted by the dying fire.  She opened her eyes when he turned the lamp on, squinting against the light.  “What are you doing down here?” He asked as he crouched in front of the sofa.

She shrugged.  “I didn’t want to have another fight.  I just thought it would be easier to sleep down here.”

He leant forward and kissed her on the forehead.  “I’m sorry I was such a bear.  It’ll be better now, I promise.  I don’t care what they think anymore.  All that matters is that we’re getting married.”  He kissed her on the lips.  “Come to bed.”  He grinned at her.  “Let me make it up to you.”

With a smile, Sam threw back the blanket and allowed him to lead her back up to their bedroom.

*****

At around midday the next day, Jack went out to get them both some lunch, leaving Sam at home to relax.  He’d been gone for about ten minutes when there was a knock at the door.  Curious as to who had come around without calling first, she put down the novel she’d been reading and rose from the sofa.  She opened the door and standing on the other side was Jack’s father.  “Mr O’Neill,” she said, surprised.  “I’m sorry, Jack’s not here.”

“It’s Charles, Sam, and I actually wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh.  Come in then,” she offered, suddenly nervous.

He laughed as he walked in.  “Don’t look so worried, I promise I won’t bite.”

She allowed herself to grin as she led him over to the sofa.  “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“That would be nice.  Thanks.”

She went out into the kitchen and came back several minutes later with two cups in hand.  “There you go,” she said as she handed him one.

“Thanks.”

They sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes before Charles cleared his throat.  “I came to apologise for Susan’s rudeness yesterday.”

“Charles...”

“No, she was way out of line.  I want you to know that I don’t agree with her and I’d like to try and explain.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“I know, but I’d like you to understand where she’s coming from.  You see, we didn’t plan to have only one child.  When Jack was about two, Susan was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had to have a hysterectomy.  She was devastated.  Then Jack grew up, got married and Sara had Charlie.  Susan was elated, we all were.  Jack was away so much in those days, so Susan would stay over to help out with Charlie and the two girls got really close.  Then Charlie... died, and in a way so did Jack.  He shut everyone out and Susan was the one to get Sara through.  They’re still close now.  I think that Susan doesn’t want to betray Sara by liking you.”

Sam wasn’t sure what to say.  “Why are you telling me this?”

Charles smiled.  “Because my son loves you... and because I like you and I’d like to think that one day we could all be close.”

Sam smiled, tears shining at his admission.  “I’d like that too.”

At that moment Jack walked through the front door.  He saw his father and Sam’s tears and he wasn’t sure what to think.  “What’s going on?”  He threw an accusing glare at his Dad as he walked over to Sam.

“Nothing, Jack.  Your Dad and I were just talking.”  She kissed him when he sat down next to her.

“I came to apologise for your mother’s actions yesterday,” Charles elaborated.  “And to tell Sam that I’ll definitely be at the wedding.”

Jack smiled and moved to hug his father.  “Thanks, Dad.  That means a lot to both of us.”

“You are my son, Jack, and all I want is for you to be happy.  It’s obvious to anyone that cares to look, that you are with Sam.”

He rose from the sofa and gave Sam a quick hug.  “I really should be going.  We’re heading back to Chicago first thing in the morning and there’s a few things I’d like to get done first.”

“Thank you for coming, Charles.  I really appreciate it,” Sam said as she led him to the door.

“Just look after my son and we’ll call it even.”

She smiled.  “You know I will.”

Charles nodded his agreement.  “I’ll see you both at the wedding.”

“Bye, Dad.”

Jack closed the door behind his father and turned to Sam.  “Well, that was a surprise.”

“Yeah, a nice one,” she replied as she moved into his arms.

“So, you feel better now that you talked to him?”

“What?  You mean now that only one of your parents hate me?”

Jack grinned.  “Yeah.”

“Mmm, much.”  She pulled out of his embrace.  “Now what’s for lunch?  I’m starving!”

*****

Late the next morning, Jack was sitting comfortably on the sofa, engrossed in a hockey game.  He didn’t even notice that Sam had walked into the living room until she spoke.  “Jack?  I thought I might go down to the mall for a while.  I’d like to try and get Cassie’s birthday present while I’ve got some time.”

“Okay.  Do you want me to come with you?”

She shook her head.  “I can go by myself.  You stay here and watch your hockey game.”

“Come here,” he told her, opening his arms and gesturing for her to sit on his lap.  Once she was comfortable, he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close.  “Are you okay?” He asked, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

She smiled.  “I’m fine.”

“So how come you were so restless last night?  You must have gotten next to no sleep.”

“I’m sorry, did I keep you awake?”

“Sam,” he gently admonished, seeing her attempt to change the subject.

“Come on, you know I hate it when your upset.  Tell me what’s bothering you?”

She sighed.  “I hate the thought that I’ve caused a rift between you and your mom.”

He reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.  “Baby, that’s not your fault.  What she did to you, hurt me as well.”

“But it shouldn’t.  Just because she doesn’t like me, doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.”

“I know that, but I love you and when somebody hurts you, I can’t help but be hurt as well.”  He shrugged.  “That’s just the way it is.”

She smiled and snuggled closer to him.  “You better not let the people at the base find out what a softie you are.  You’re reputation will be shot.”

“If they do find out, I’ll know where it came from,” he returned, tickling her sides.

“Jack!” She squealed, jumping up.

“Yes?” He asked, his voice innocent but his eyes dancing with mischief.

Shaking her head, she leant in to give him a kiss, pulling back just in time to avoid another round of tickles.  “I’ll be back later.”
Jack grinned.  “Have fun.”

*****

Jack was so engrossed in his hockey game, he didn’t even hear the doorbell the first time.  Hearing it the second time, he grumbled as he got up from the sofa.  He opened the front door and was surprised to see his parents standing on the other side.  He looked at his mother with a narrowed gaze.  “What are you doing here?”

“I was hoping I could talk to Sam,” Susan said.

“Why?  So you can upset her a bit more?  Don’t you think you did enough the other day?”

“Jack,” Charles warned.  “Give her a chance, son.”

“I’m not the one she owes an apology to.”  He turned back to his mother.

“Do you know how hurt she was, mom?  She’d been looking forward to meeting you both for ages and when she finally does, you do nothing but pick her to pieces.”

“I know.  What I did was unforgivable.  I was just being petty and selfish and I didn’t give her a chance.”

“Well it’s your loss.  You’re missing out on getting to know the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

“I’d like to.  If you’ll both give me the chance that is.”

Jack’s face softened as he saw the tears in his mother’s eyes.  He could see she was scared of being turned away.  He pulled her into a hug.  “Mom, I love you, but you hurt Sam and that hurts me.  You understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she replied.  “I’m sorry.  I just want you to be happy.”

“I know, but you have to realise that I’ll only be happy with one woman.  Sara is my past, mom, but Sam is my future.”

“Let me talk to her, Jack.  Let me apologise.”

“That’s not up to me.  Only Sam can let you do that.”

“Where is Sam?” Charles asked, looking around the living room.

“She went to the mall for a while.  It’s our God daughter’s birthday next week and Sam went to get her a present.”

“Why didn’t you go with her?”

Jack shrugged.  “Shopping’s not really my thing.  Besides, I think she wanted some time to herself.”

Susan looked closely at her son.  “I haven’t caused any problem’s between the two of you, have I?”

Jack shook his head.  “We’re fine.”

Susan nodded, relief flooding her face.  “Well, I think I’ll go to the mall.  You never know, I may just run into my future daughter-in-law.”

*****

Wandering past the shops, Sam walked up to the bridal boutique and looked in the window.  They had a new dress in the window and Sam had never seen anything so gorgeous.  It was perfect.  She was about to walk into the boutique when she heard her name.  “Hello, Sam.”

She turned to see Jack’s mother standing next to her.  “Mrs O’Neill, hi.”

“Please, Sam, call me Susan.  After all, I’ll be your mother-in-law soon.”

“Okay, Susan.  I thought you and Charles were heading back to Chicago today?”  Sam was rather surprised by Susan’s personality change.

“We were but then I thought about how unfair I’d been to you and I just had to apologise.  Would you like to get a coffee?”

Sam nodded and led the way over to a cafe.  After they had seated and ordered, Sam spoke.  “How did you know where I was?”

“We went to Jack’s... I mean *your* place and Jack told us you had come to the mall.  I thought it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack but... here you are.”

“Here I am.”

The waitress came with their cappuccinos and both women took a sip before Susan spoke.  “I really am sorry, Sam.  There was no excuse for the way I acted and I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“It’s alright, Susan.  I’ll admit I was upset at first, but Charles explained things and then I understood.”

“But that’s no excuse.  Yes, Sara and I are very close and I did feel as though I would be betraying her, but I was also worried about how career orientated you seem.  Jack was a great father and I want him to experience that again.  He deserves a second chance.”

“I understand that and I’d love to have his kids but... I’m not sure if I can even have children.”

Susan stared at her for a moment, shocked.  “Does Jack know this?”

“Yes, of course.  When he asked me to marry him, I hesitated for that reason.  He’s so great with kids and I didn’t want to rob him of the opportunity, but he still wanted me.”

Susan smiled.  “You know, when we got back to the hotel the other night, and after Charles had given me thorough tongue lashing, I started thinking about my son.  You see, the last time I really saw Jack was just after he returned to active duty and, even though he was better than just after Charlie died, he was still pretty dead inside.”  She reached over and squeezed Sam’s hand.  “But now, Sam... now he’s alive again and I know you’re responsible for that.  Thank you for making my boy live again.”

Sam smiled.  “You’re welcome.  You know, I really do love him, Susan.”

“I can see that and I know he loves you.”

They smiled at each other and drank some of their coffee.  “So,” Susan began.  “Have you got your dress yet?”

Sam shook her head.  “I haven’t been able to find anything I like, although the one I just saw in the boutique window was gorgeous.”

“Well you should go and try it on.  Does your mom live around here?  It really is a mother-daughter thing to do.”

Sam looked down at her coffee.  “My mom died when I was a teenager,” she said quietly.

“Oh, sweetie, I had no idea.  I’m sorry.”

Sam gave her a sad smile.  “That’s okay, you couldn’t have known.”

Susan looked at the young woman sitting opposite her.  Even in this short time, she’d really begun to like her and could see why her son adored her.  “You know, Sam, I may not be your mother, but I’d be honored to come with you if you wanted to try the dress on.”

“Really?” A smile lit up Sam’s face.

“Of course.  Come on.”  Susan paid for the coffee and the two women walked to the bridal boutique.

“Hello, can I help you?”  The shop assistant asked as they walked into the store.

“I wanted to try on the pale blue wedding dress in the window,” Sam said, smiling at Susan.

“Certainly, ma’am.  What size are you?  Eight?”

Sam nodded.  “Yes, but an eight’s usually too short for me.”

“Well the dresses aren’t hemmed until they’re bought for that reason.  It’s not too hard to take a dress up, a bit more difficult to make it longer.  Let me get it and take it into the dressing room for you.”

“Thanks.”

The woman moved off and Susan turned to Sam.  “You don’t want a white dress?”

Sam shook her head.  “I’d feel a bit hypocritical.  You know, since Jack and I are living together.”  Her face flushed and she looked away, embarrassed.

“You don’t have to be the virginal bride to wear white these days,” Susan told her, chuckling as Sam’s face burned redder.  Thankfully, the shop assistant returned, saving Sam from any more embarrassment.

She walked into the change rooms with the assistant, who helped her into the gown.  Sam was grateful that she had help because she was sure that she’d never get into it unaided.  The assistant zipped her up and then opened the curtain so she could show Susan.  “What do you think?” Sam asked, knowing that this was the one she wanted.

“It’s beautiful, Sam,” Susan replied in awe.

“Okay, let’s have a look,” the assistant said as she examined the dress’s fit.  “The length will be good and it fits perfectly around the waist.  It may just need taking in around the top of the bodice here.”

“Maybe not,” Susan said, thoughtful.  She walked over to the lingerie section  and picked out a white push-up bra.  “Try that on.”

Sam obliged and when she walked back out a few minutes later, she had an even bigger grin on her face.  The bra allowed her to fill the bodice out as well as show off a bit of cleavage.

“Now it’s perfect,” Susan said, nodding her approval.

“Do you think Jack will like it?” Sam asked, suddenly nervous.  She was about to buy her wedding dress.  Somehow, that made everything more real.

“He’s going to love it, Sam.  You look so beautiful.”

Sam looked in the mirror one more time before smiling to the assistant.  “I’ll take it.”

*****

Jack looked at his watch again, wondering where Sam and his mother were.

“I’m sure everything will turn out alright, son,” Charles assured him.

“I hope so, Dad.  I know you and mom will love Sam once you get to know her.”

“Oh, I adore her already,” Charles replied honestly.

Jack had to smile at his father’s words.  He’d said them to Sam when they’d first met.  He’d tried to be sarcastic, but he knew that there had been a part of him that had been telling the truth, even then.

It was then that they heard the crunch of gravel as a car drove up the driveway.  Both men looked at each other, tensing slightly and praying for the best.  The sound of two doors slamming told them that the two women had come home together, which had to be a good sign.

“Oh my god!  He didn’t?!”  They heard Sam say as she opened the front door.

“He certainly did,” Susan assured her.  “I was horrified.  Of course Charles found it highly amusing.”

Jack just stood staring as his fiancé and his mother walked in, chatting like old friends.  “Hey,” Sam said to Jack when she saw him, walking over and giving him a kiss.  “Hi, Charles,” she greeted, turning to the older man.

“Uh, hi, Sam,” Charles returned, as dumbfounded as his son.

The two women were oblivious to their shock.  “Jack, you should see what Sam bought today,” Susan told him.

“But you’re not going to,” Sam continued.  “It’s bad luck.  I can show you what I bought Cassie though.”  She grabbed a bag and pulled out the contents.  First she showed him a purple sun dress, then a gift pack containing purple body glitter, nail polish and hair accessories.  “I thought she’d like them since she’s so into purple at the moment.”

“Uh, yeah,” Jack stuttered in reply.

“Well, as much as I’d love to stay, we better get going if we want to catch our flight.”  She walked over to her son.  “Jack, darling, it was great to see you.  We’ll be back in May,” she told him, giving him a hug and a kiss.

She then turned to Sam.  “I had a lovely afternoon, Sam.  Thank you.”  She pulled the younger woman into a hug.

“Thank you for all your help, Susan,” Sam replied.

“It was no problem.  You just phone me if you need me to help withanything.”

Sam nodded.  “I will.”

Susan turned to Charles.  “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your son and future daughter-in-law?”

Giving himself a mental shake, Charles bid the couple farewell and they both headed off.

Closing the front door, Sam turned to look at Jack, noticing his somewhat confused look.  “Are you okay?”

He shook his head.  “Am I in an alternate reality?”

“What?”

“Who was that and what did you do with my mother?”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Sam laughed.  “She’s actually a nice person when she’s not hating me,” she told him with a smile.

Jack nodded.  “Yeah, she is.  I’m so glad that you two made amends.  I’d hate for the two most important women in my life to be at war.”

She shrugged.  “I won’t lie and say I’m still not hurt, but it must have taken a lot for her to hold out the olive branch, the least I can do is not throw it back in her face.  Maybe one day we’ll even get close.”  She gave him a cheeky grin.  “Besides, she’s got heaps of stories about you and I want to hear them all.”

She moved away before he could retaliate but he lunged for her, grabbing her around the waist and digging his fingers into her sides.

“Jack!” She squealed.  “Stop it!”  She got out of his grip and started running, Jack hot on her heels.  Sam raced towards the stairs, but Jack was stopped as he passed the door.  The sound of the doorbell scaring him as he ran past.

Sam stood at the end of the hall grinning.  “Saved by the bell!”

“Yeah, yeah.  You just wait,” he replied as he opened the door.

Janet stood grinning on the doorstep.  She arched an eyebrow, having heard Sam’s squealing.  “Am I interrupting something?” She asked.

“Nothing that can’t wait,” he told her, giving Sam an evil grin as she walked up the hall.

She moved around him.  “Janet!  You have the best timing!  Come in.”  She pulled her past a still grinning Jack and into the living room.

He shook his head, closing the door and following them.  “Get you two a drink?” He asked.

“A glass of wine please,” Sam said with a smile.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Janet agreed.

They sat down in the living room and Jack went out to the kitchen to get drinks for the three of them.

“I bought my wedding dress today,” Sam said, excited.

“You did what?  I thought you wanted me to help you.  Did you go alone?”

“Ah, no.  Jack’s mother was with me.  It was her idea and she was making such an effort to be nice, I couldn’t say no to her.”  She looked at her best friend.  “You don’t mind do you?”

Janet smiled.  “Of course not.  I’m glad the two of you are getting on okay now, but I get to help you pick out what to wear on your honeymoon.”

“Who said I’m planning on wearing anything?”  Sam laughed.  “I want you to help me pick the accessories and shoes to go with my dress too.”

“I’d love to.”

Jack walked back into the room and handed them a glass of wine each.  Janet raised her glass in toast.  “Here’s to smooth sailing ‘til May.”

“Oh, I’ll drink to that,” Sam laughed as the three of them clinked glasses.

*****

When something is wrong with my baby
Something is wrong with me

If I know she's worried
Oh I would feel that same old misery
We've been through so much together
We spoke as one and that's what makes it better

When something is wrong with my baby
Something is wrong with me

Oh and just what, just what she means to me now
Oh you just, oh you just wouldn't understand
And the people say, oh they say she's no good
Oh but she's my woman
And don't you know I'm her man

*****