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 To Elvis, Or Not To Elvis

Trivia Answers:

Thirty-four Elvis Presley Songs were used in the ceremony for Jack and Sam's wedding at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.  (And yes, that chapel really exists in Las Vegas, Nevada, and yes, Bon Jovi, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Roger Glover of Deep Purple, as well as other celebrities were really married there!)

The chapel was larger than Sam had expected. A dozen rows of pews lined a wide, central aisle, each pew painted in cream, to match the cream, silk wallpaper. Beside a podium at the far end of the room were large floral stands, and on each were arrangements of brightly colored tropical flowers. The flowers had been Jack's idea, surprisingly enough. Seeing them in place made her glad they'd spent the extra on the special arrangements.

"This is the moment I've waited for," 'Elvis' began to sing, as strains of the Hawaiian Wedding Song came from hidden speakers overhead, "I can hear my heart singing. Soon bells will be ringing."

This is it. The sudden thought had Jack gasping for a moment. Watching the woman he'd loved for so long; her eyes locked with his own, and sparkled like sapphires. He still wasn't used to the idea that they had permission to even admit their feelings to one another. Now they were making a very public, very permanent commitment to one another.

"This is the moment of sweet Aloha. I will love you longer than forever. Promise me that you will leave me never. Here and now, dear; all my love, I vow dear. Promise me that you will leave me never. I will love you longer than forever," 'Elvis' continued to sing, as Casey and Janet walked down the aisle to the front of the chapel. He waited until they were standing beside the men of the wedding party before leading Sam through the open doors. " U-a, si-la. Pa-a ia me o-e. Ko a-lo-ha ma-ka-mea e i-po. Ka-'u ia e le-i a-e ne-i la. Now that we are one, clouds won't hide the sun. Blue skies of Hawaii smile on this, our wedding day. I do love you with all my heart."

With all my heart, Jack thought. I love you Sam, with all my heart.

She couldn't hide her smile when she saw the love in Jack's brown eyes. Always so guarded when they weren't alone, his eyes declared to everyone who looked at him that he loved her. Her smile widened at his broad wink.

When they'd reached the front of the room, 'Elvis' greeted the men of the wedding party, then, Sam's hand still on his arm, turned to face Jack. A new tune began to play, and once again he began to sing. "Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can't help falling in love with you. Shall I stay would it be a sin, If I can't help falling in love with you?"

Nope, didn't have a chance of not loving you, Jack thought, memories of the first time he met then Captain Doctor Samantha Carter dancing in his mind. The way those beautiful eyes had flashed with indignation at his insinuation that she wasn't up to the task at hand. The way she'd been so nervous before that first trip through the wormhole.

I've loved you from the minute you began complaining about me being a scientist, Sam thought, her eyes soft with love.

'Elvis' was still singing…"Like a river flows surely to the sea, Darling so it goes some things are meant to be. Take my hand, take my whole life too for I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows surely to the sea, Darling so it goes some things are meant to be. Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you. For I can't help falling in love with you."

The music ended, 'Elvis' took Sam's hand, and placed it on Jack's arm. He stepped behind a narrow lectern that sat alone at the very front of the room. "Dearly beloved, we're gathered to witness the marriage of this man," he glanced at his notes, "Jack O'Neill, to this woman, Samantha Carter. If there be any among you who can show just reason that these two should not be wed in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Daniel, Casey, Janet, and Teal'c all exchanged grinning glances, then turned their attention back to 'Elvis'. There were no reasons to oppose the marriage. And oh, so many to support and approve of the union. The love between Jack and Sam wasn't even supposed to exist, according to military regulations. But it did, and had endured so much there wasn't a doubt in their minds that the two would be able to face anything and everything that life tossed at them. Not even the Goa'uld would be able to threaten their love.

"Marriage is a promise. It's a vow to communicate and to share. Marriage is saying to that special man or woman, in front of the whole world, I'm Yours, and I'll Never Let You Go. That I give you All That I Am, that you're Always On My Mind; I accept Anything That's Part of You. Marriage is saying out loud, and in front of witnesses that I'm Pledging My Love to you."

Sam's lips were twitching. Jack was grinning. Teal'c had one eyebrow raised, and a look from Janet assured him that she would explain the…odd…comments as soon as they were alone.

Casey glanced at Daniel, to confirm her suspicions. His smile brought one to her own lips. So, how many song titles can be used in this ceremony? she wondered.

"Marriage is a way to say As Long As I Have You, I can face anything that life holds for me. Marriage is proclaiming to the world that My Wish Came True."

In spite of his attempts to remain silent, Daniel snorted softly. Relaxed when he heard Janet's barely suppressed giggle.

"Because of Love, You'll Never Walk Alone. For the Good Times, in the bad times, your love is a Good Luck Charm. Startin' Today, you're embarking on a new life. What a Wonderful Life you'll have together. Jack and Samantha, you're here to vow yourselves to one another in holy matrimony." 'Elvis' stepped from behind the lectern. "Jack, take Samantha's hand in yours. I want you to repeat after me - I Just Can't Make It By Myself."

Jack grinned, reached for Sam's hand, caressed her knuckles with his thumb. "I just can't make it by myself."

"I Need You, I Want You, I Love You," 'Elvis' prompted.

Jack repeated the words.

"I'm glad that A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You could find A World of Our Own."

Again, Jack repeated the line. He was starting to chuckle, and Sam was giggling as well. Snickers and chortles from behind them let him know that his friends were as amused as he was.

"And you're a hunka-hunka burnin' love," 'Elvis' said, gyrating his hips.

"You're a hunka-hunka burnin love," Jack said, moving his hips in a fair imitation of 'The King'.

Daniel, Casey, and Janet lost the ability to remain silent, and began to laugh loudly. Even Teal'c was smiling. Sam was giggling as well.

"And I've gone From a Jack To a King because of your love."

Even though he was grinning, the love in his brown eyes told Sam that he meant exactly that, and she caught her breath once again to see that love so visible.

'Elvis' turned to the happily blushing bride. "Sam, I want you repeat after me. I'm So Glad You're Mine."

"I'm so glad you're mine," Sam said, her fingers tightening around the longer, stronger fingers of her lover…the man who would, in a few short minutes, be declared as her Husband.

"And I'll never step on your Blue Suede Shoes."

"I'll never step on your blue suede shoes," she said, laughing as Jack looked down at his bare toes in the red flip-flops he wore.

"I'll never leave you in Heartbreak Hotel," 'Elvis' prompted her.

Her words were emphasized by the love in her eyes, leaving no doubt that she had no intention of ever letting Jack slip away from her.

"I Feel That I've Known You Forever," 'Elvis' said.

Sam's eyes misted over as she repeated the line, her heart agreeing with the sentiment wholeheartedly. Before she'd met Jack, she'd never known true, deep love. She'd never been loved as unconditionally as Jack loved her. She could barely remember those days. All that came to mind were days of knowing him, loving him. Even though she'd not been able to declare that love, or even admit it to herself. It was nothing short of a miracle that she was standing where she was, declaring to him, to the world, that her heart belonged only to Jack O'Neill.

"You're Gentle On My Mind," 'Elvis' continued.

"You're gentle on my mind," Sam repeated.

"Love Me Tender, and Forget Me Never," 'Elvis' said softly, seeing the emotion that played across the bride's face.

Jack reached out to brush the tear from Sam's cheek, then smiled and mouthed the words 'always', and 'never'.

'Elvis' wrapped his hands around the entwined fingers of the couple standing in front of him. "A Hundred Years From Now, you'll still be living in a Fairytale, as long as you keep this in mind: It Feels So Right to be together, until death do us part."

Picking up the microphone he'd used while singing before, 'Elvis' began to sing 'Blue Hawaii'. "Night and you," 'Elvis' crooned, "And blue Hawaii. The night is heavenly. And you are heaven to me. Lovely you. And blue Hawaii. With all this loveliness There should be love."

The hula girl that Jack had insisted upon began to dance, the graceful movements of her arms bringing the love song to life.

Casey laced her fingers with Daniel's. The love in the eyes of her best friends brought tears to her own as she watched.

"Come with me," 'Elvis' continued, his voice so much like 'The King's' that it was spooky, "While the moon is on the sea. The night is young And so are we, so are we. Dreams come true, In blue Hawaii. And mine could all come true, This magic night of nights with you. Come with me, While the moon is on the sea. The night is young, And so are we, so are we. Dreams come true, In blue Hawaii. And mine could all come true, This magic night of nights with you."

The hula girl finished with a flourish, then stepped back to stand beside Ruth.

Elvis stood directly in front of the bride and groom. "Jack, do you take Samantha to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." There. I said it. Out loud and everything. And I do love you, Sam.

"Samantha, do you take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." Wow. I never thought I'd utter those words…not like this. I do. I do. I do!

"Jack and Samantha, do you have rings to exchange?" 'Elvis' asked.

"Yep," Jack replied, producing two wide, platinum wedding bands from his pocket.

'Elvis' accepted the rings, then returned the smaller of the two to the groom. "Jack, slip this ring on Samantha's finger, and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

Sliding the ring on the third finger of her left hand, Jack repeated the words.

'Elvis' offered the larger ring to Sam. "Samantha, put this ring on Jack's finger, and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed," Sam said softly. She worked the ring over Jack's knuckle. Stared at it for just a moment. The ring was so different from the narrow gold band she'd seen him wear briefly, from his marriage to Sara. The platinum band that shimmered in the soft chapel light signified that General Jonathan J. O'Neill was her Husband. And that thought set her heart hammering against her ribs with sheer joy.

Taking a lei from around his neck 'Elvis' placed it around Jack's neck. He did the same for Sam. "By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, you can now tell your bride to Kiss Me Quick."

"Kiss me quick," Jack grinned. He pulled his Wife into his arms and kissed her, felt the slight trembling of her lips beneath his.

Sam wrapped her arms around Jack's shoulders, clinging to him as they shared their first kiss as Husband and Wife. Her heart was racing, her pulse pounding…she was so happy it frightened her.

Married. He was married. Again. This time I won't screw it up, Jack thought, holding as tightly to Sam as she was to him.

"Hey, come up for air," Daniel said, sending Casey, Janet, and Teal'c into gales of laughter.

"Smartass," Jack muttered.

"Payback," Daniel retorted, grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulations," 'Elvis' grinned, offering his hand to Jack.

"Thanks," Jack grinned.

'Elvis' hugged Sam, then turned to hug Casey and Janet as well. The photographer, who had been moving around the group unobtrusively, posed the happy couple and their friends for at least a dozen photographs, with and without Elvis, then made certain the information for mailing the photos was correct before congratulating the bride and groom, and hurrying out of the chapel.

'Elvis' escorted the group to the lobby, kissed the bride on the cheek, shook Jack's hand again, and wished them well. In a flurry of excitement, the happy group found themselves back the limo that had been waiting for them.

In order, the songs used are:

01. Hawaiian Wedding Song

02. I Can't Help Falling In Love (With You)

03. I'm Yours

04. I'll Never Let You Go

05. All That I Am

06. Always On My Mind

07. Anything That's Part of You

08. I'm Pledging My Love To You

09. As Long As I Have You

10. My Wish Came True

11. Because of Love

12. You'll Never Walk Alone

13. For the Good Times

14. Good Luck Charm

15. Startin' Today

16. What a Wonderful Life

17. I Just Can't Make It By Myself

18. I Need You, I Want You, I Love You

19. A Boy Like Me, a Girl Like You

20.  A World of Our Own

21. Burnin' Love

22.From a Jack To a King

23. I'm So Glad You're Mine

24. Blue Suede Shoes

25. Heartbreak Hotel

26. I Feel That I've Known You Forever

27. Gentle On My Mind

28. Love Me Tender

29. Forget Me Never

30. A Hundred Years From Now

31. Fairytale

32.  It Feels So Right

33. Blue Hawaii

34. Kiss Me Quick

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