Sleepless in Seattle

After the movie

Chapter 7: The Wedding

Disclaimer: Sleepless in Seattle is distributed by TriStar Pictures, produced by Gary Foster and Directed byNora Ephron. Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman and Rosie O'Donnell.

Not mine! I'm just extending the story line.

A/N: This will wind up the story; it's been fun. I've watched this movie dozens of times and always find it enjoyable. The other Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan films are also worth watching (You've Got Mail, Joe and the Volcano).

…

Sitting down to dinner with the Reeds, Sam was impressed. Now he knew where Annie had learned her cooking skills. Barbara Reed was an excellent cook. Small talk had touched various topics… how they met, what he did for work, living in Chicago and Seattle; the usual things. Then Barbara brought out the embarrassing things (as mothers are wont to do), about Annie; Her tomboy young life climbing trees and her first pre-teen crush. The time she made her first pie and used salt instead of sugar in the recipe. The black eye she gave a school-mate that had teased her.

"Mom!" Annie had cried exasperatedly. "Hush, or I'll tell Sam about some of you're um, 'interesting' stories.

Sam had been smiling throughout this. It had been cute to learn some of Annie's secrets from her early life; teasing material to be sure. "Cliff, I understand you like model trains."

Cliff grinned and promised to show Sam his collection in the basement.

It was getting late and Barbara showed Sam to the spare bedroom, that happened to be next to Annie's old room. "There's bath towels set out for you in the bathroom down the hall. Feel free to use the shower whenever you feel like. Oh, and don't tell Cliff, but I don't mind if you share Annie's bed. After all, you're engaged." She blushed slightly and turned away, heading back downstairs.

Sam stood there with his mouth open in shock. He had not expected such openness from her.

Annie surprised him, however. Instead of him sharing her bed, she insisted on sharing his. "Dad suggested it," she giggled. That was the second time he'd been surprised that night.

"Those two haven't quite got their act together," he replied. "Your mother suggested I share your bed."

Annie smiled. "Mom was always the one to lead in the relationship. Dad is a bit more conservative, but I think he really likes you. I know Mom does.

Settling in for the night, they snuggled together, kissing and lightly dozing until sometime after midnight when Annie felt Sam's need for her. They made love for the next two hours until exhausted they fell into a deep satisfying sleep.

…

The next two days were a flurry of meeting family and planning for the wedding. Cliff entertained Sam in the basement, showing off his collection of trains while Barbara took Annie shopping for a wedding dress.

They had decided to move the wedding up to June, so there was a lot to do in the next couple of months. Fortunately, Barbara was a master at organizing weddings, having had a part in Dennis and Betsy's as well as Harold and Irene's. Uncle Milton rounded out the Reed family guest list and Sam had the task of coordinating with Greg and Suzy and his friends. It would be a small wedding, although Sam was remembering several people that he knew would want to attend from Chicago.

Annie took Sam to meet Becky for lunch one day. "Becky, this is Sam. Sam, this is my best friend and boss Becky."

"Finally I get to meet the man that had us going crazy for months." Becky was enthusiastic, to say the least. "You had Annie mesmerized from the first time your son called the radio show."

Annie and Sam had the decency to blush. "Becky!" Annie admonished. "I wasn't that bad."

"No? You don't remember the morning after when Sam was all you could talk about? Or the continued distraction that culminated in flying out to Seattle, by the way telling Walter that you had an assignment elsewhere? Mesmerized isn't too strong a word. Obsessed might better fit."

Annie had blushed a deep scarlet at that.

"Oh, and don't forget the detective you…"

"BECKY!" Annie warned.

Sam had paid attention at that. "What about a detective?"

Annie grimaced and reluctantly told him the story of hiring a detective to take photos of him, so she could see what he looked like before she met him. She continued blushing fiercely as she revealed the lengths she went to find out more about him than the radio had revealed. She had to be sure he was the one.

Sam was amazed what Jonah had started and how it snowballed. If he was unsure of Annie's affections before, they were thoroughly dispelled now. Reaching for her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. "If I'd known all the trouble you'd gone to find me, I'd have run right to you. That day at the airport, you caught my attention and I tried to follow you and at the marina… I was drawn to you. Jonah was right, we were meant to be soul mates."

It was a teary eyed Annie that finally realized that Sam truly loved her. Even Becky's eyes were misting. The lunch went well and Becky was asked to be Annie's Maid of Honour at the wedding in June and invited her co-workers Keith and Wyatt.

…

Packing up her car the next day, Annie and Sam bade goodbye to her parents for the long ride back home. They made it to Chicago that evening and stayed at the Ramada on the waterfront.

Sam had phoned Greg and Suzy to let them know they'd arrived and would see them tomorrow. They were surprised that they'd moved the wedding date up to June, but promised they'd be there.

That night, Sam and Annie made love again and it had become a thing they looked forward to every night. It was the next day that Annie remembered she hadn't taken her pill. "Oh oh. Sam…" she hesitated.

"What is it love," he asked concernedly.

"Um… I forgot to take my pill last night and I'm at my most fertile time of month. Oh Sam, what if I get pregnant?"

Sam smiled and said, "Relax sweetheart, if you become pregnant, I'll still love you and we'll have a new brother or sister for Jonah. I had hoped for this to happen anyway, it's just a bit sooner than I expected."

Annie rushed into Sam's arms, hugging and kissing him. Soon the kissing turned serious and clothes were shed. They would be a bit late to meet Greg and Suzy.

…

"Sam, Annie. You two look great," Greg said as they entered their home.

Greg gave Annie a warm hug and Suzy pulled her into a warm embrace, obviously happy to finally meet the woman that made Sam so happy; for Suzy could tell right away that the two were deeply in love.

"We were expecting you a couple of hours ago," Greg mentioned.

Annie and Sam blushed and stammered. "Uh, we… that is…"

"I see," Suzy smiled. "Well, that's good, we understand, don't we Greg."

Greg, a little slow on the uptake, finally got it and laughed. "Yeah, we understand, couldn't keep your hands off her, could y…" A swift kick from Suzy ended that. "Ouch."

The rest of the visit concerned arrangements for the wedding and finalizing the guest list. Greg was to be Sam's Best Man and Becky would be Annie's Bridesmaid. Suzy was a bit disappointed that she wasn't going to be Annie's bridesmaid, but understood that Annie had known Becky much longer than Sam had known Greg and Suzy.

…

The next day they started the long drive back to Seattle, stopping in small motels along the route to rest. Annie's period passed without the usual monthlies and they suspected that she was indeed pregnant.

"We'll confirm it when we get home, love, but I'm excited," Sam had told her. Annie wasn't so sure, but if Sam was happy, she could be happy too. Annie did want a child, but how would Jonah react. She knew that Jonah might be jealous, but hopefully he would get over that and love his new sibling.

"We should start thinking about names, darling," she suggested. It'll help pass the time on the trip home."

"Good idea, love," Sam agreed. "Girl or boy?"

"Lets go through girls names first."

And so it began. The girl's name was decided as Emily, after her mother's middle name, but the boy's name got stuck between Abraham (Abe), Gregory (Greg) and Robert.

They decided to think some more about that and at last arrived in Seattle as dusk was settling in.

"We're home!" Sam called out. "Jonah?"

A blur met them as Jonah launched himself at his father, hugging him tightly. "I really missed you Dad," and turned to Annie, hugging her just as tightly. "Annie, I missed you too," tears in his eyes as he said that.

"Cold all better, Jonah?" they both said together, and laughed.

"Yeah, I think I caught it from Jed. Now Jessie's got it. I haven't seen her for a couple of days now. She says she doesn't have it as bad as I did, but her parents are keeping her at home. I miss her, but we still talk on the phone."

"Where's Clarisse?" Sam asked.

"Oh, she went out for groceries, she should be back by now."

As if on cue, Clarisse walked in the door with a pizza. "Mr. Baldwin! How was your trip? Miss Reed, Jonah really missed the both of you."

"How was Jonah, Clarisse? Was he any trouble?"

"No Mr. Baldwin, he slept for the first two days and had Jessie over for two days until she caught his cold. He's been moping around the last couple of days but he's been no bother. We've pretty well run through all the games though."

"Thanks Clarisse, here's something extra for your time and trouble." He handed her two hundred dollars. She goggled at the amount and stammered her thanks.

After Clarisse had left, They ate the Pizza and prepared for bed. Jonah insisted on a bedtime story, and Annie found one of his favorites and read to him until he fell asleep; Howard the bear firmly tucked close to him.

Sam and Annie talked for a bit and then retired for the night. Bed squeaks were the only sounds heard for the next two hours until they too quieted for the night.

…

The next day, Sam took Annie to his family doctor and found she was indeed pregnant. He recommended an Obstetrician and made an appointment for her.

Over the next few days, Jonah was gradually brought into acceptance that Annie was going to have a baby. At first he was jealous, but quickly got over that when he realized he would finally have a brother or sister. He became very protective of Annie and when they could finally detect a faint heartbeat, he was in awe.

Annie's morning sickness passed eventually, and the wedding day was soon approaching.

Jonah surprised them one morning when he asked if Jessica could come to the wedding, maybe as a flower girl. Jonah explained that Jessie was the one that urged him to write Annie and suggest meeting in New York on Valentines Day.

After talking to Jessica's parents, she was thrilled when they agreed.

Flight reservations were made and the day of departure finally arrived. They picked up Jessica and made their way to the airport. The flight was long and tiring but Jonah and Jessica were too keyed up to sleep.

Sam figured there was the beginning of a romance there, but they were both very young. They would keep an eye on that.

They would stay with the Reeds and after the wedding would return home. Sam had planned a short honeymoon after they got back and decided Jonah would accompany them.

Arriving in Baltimore, Cliff once again picked them up. Introduced to Jonah and Jessica, Cliff immediately took to the youngsters. Both children had fallen asleep in the car and in truth; Sam and Annie were exhausted as well. Pulling into the driveway, Sam woke Jonah and Annie woke Jessica. Sam had to carry Jonah inside, but Jessica was fully awake and followed Annie up the steps.

Barbara greeted them with hugs and kisses and decided to put the children straight to bed. "We have a bunk bed set up in the spare room. We'll put Jonah up top and Jessica on the bottom." That seemed to work out well, as Sam and Annie got them ready.

Sam and Annie took Annie's old room and checked if there were any messages from Greg and Suzy. Suzy had phoned to say that they had arrived that morning and were staying with friends on the outskirts of Baltimore. They left a phone number and Sam promised to contact them tomorrow. Retiring for the night, they continued their snuggling and love making well into the night.

…

The day of the wedding turned out to be sunny and warm. Baltimore turned out its best weather for the wedding day. Annie knew that Baltimore in summer could be unbearably hot and muggy, but this was early summer and the weather was perfect.

Her mother and Becky had been aghast when they learned she was pregnant a few weeks ago and her father had just found out last night. Becky had been the first to recover and congratulate her. Her mother had stormed at her for a day and then broke out in smiles that told her it was all right. Her father was still recovering from an almost apoplectic fit. But today, he'd put that behind and escort his princess down the aisle and smile, even though he had misgivings. Barbara knew her husband would soon get over it and be happy that his daughter was going to give him another grandson or granddaughter.

Greg and Suzy were ecstatic and wished them both the very best. They hadn't told the other relatives yet, but that would change when they noticed the bride was showing a bit.

Inside the church, Sam waited patiently with Becky at the alter with Jonah as the ring-bearer and as the music started the wedding march, Sam saw Annie enter on her father's arm. His breath hitched as he saw the beautiful gown Annie was wearing. She was a vision that he could hardly believe. How had he been so lucky?

Jessica spread rose flower petals from a basket in front of the bride to be and her father, and shyly joined Jonah.

When Annie finally joined Sam, both were nervous, but a glance at each other was enough to settle them down. This was it: the moment of truth in their relationship. Neither thought they were good enough for the other, but both loved each other deeply. The ceremony began and Sam found himself repeating the wedding vow without thinking, so enraptured was he with Annie. Annie stumbled once, but recovered quickly and vowed to love honor and cherish Sam for as long as they lived.

"The rings, please." Sam and Annie exchanged rings that Jonah nervously handed them, and then the pastor intoned, "I now pronounce you Man and Wife. You may kiss the Bride."

Joy flared in their hearts as their lips touched in a tender kiss that lasted much longer than usual.

Afterward, at the wedding banquet, Sam only had eyes for Annie. Annie blushed prettily as they cut the cake and fed Sam the first piece. The dance that followed was a dream for Annie and she barely remembered thanking all their friends and relatives in the reception line.

That night, Sam Baldwin took Annie Baldwin to bed and was no longer "Sleepless in Seattle".

That December, a daughter was born to Sam and Annie, named Emily Ann Baldwin.

Years later, Jonah would marry Jessica, to no ones surprise.

END.

A/N: Well there it is. Hope you liked the ending and I hope I didn't screw up the wedding too badly. I know I've left a few things out, but hey, I had no guidance on this chapter.

Larry.