Author's Note: This was more fun to write than I thought it would be. ^_^ Gotta love a good wedding. Thanks so much, Kay, for pulling me up on the Washington thing. *blush*
April 14th, 2021
Abby examines the wedding ring that partially covers her candle tattoo, a gold band complete with a swirl of black jet. "I'm kinda disappointed. Ziva caught my bouquet when I threw it, but she hasn't married Tony yet."
"I don't think their relationship's that serious, Abbs."
She rolls her eyes. "Oh, sure. The same way ours wasn't for the first few months. They'll be together forever."
Gibbs shakes his head, amused. DiNozzo and Ziva are forever breaking up and getting back together. If they got married, they'd be divorced within two months. "Our wedding wasn't enough for you? Now you want to watch everyone else's?"
She grins. "Our wedding was more than enough for me."
Vows
June 3rd, 2017
"What if he doesn't like it? What if this is too weird and freaky for him? What if-"
"Abby!" Ziva's voice cuts through her tirade. "You have been together eight years. He knows what he is getting, and he loves you. Calm down." Her friend hands her a bouquet of black roses with a smile. "You will be fine."
Abby takes a deep breath, eyeing herself in the full-length mirror. In place of the traditional white wedding dress, she's wearing a long, black gown, opaque satin until it reaches her mid-thighs. From there down to her ankles is lace, the pale hue of her skin shining through the material.
"How do I look?" she asks Ziva.
Ziva smiles, handing her the funeral veil Abby found in a thrift store a while back. "Evil."
Abby giggles, adjusting the veil. "Cool."
They head out to the hearse, where Abby's father is waiting. Together, they pile into the oversized vehicle and begin to drive out to the church Abby handpicked for the wedding: a burned-out shell that was hit by arsonists a couple of years ago.
As the hearse draws closer, Ziva gazes out of the window, looking up at the ruin. "I expected it to be more run-down."
Abby grins. "It's so atmospheric and spooky… it's perfect. Especially at sunset."
They park the hearse around the corner from where the outdoor ceremony's to be held, and Ziva looks up at the orange-tinted sky. "Good timing. Are you nervous?"
Abby fidgets. "A little."
"Good luck," Ziva tells her, and Abby gives her a spontaneous hug. Ziva's learned to accept the tokens of affection, although she still hesitates to initiate them. "I will let everyone know you are here."
Abby watches her disappear around the corner, then turns to her father. Ready? she signs.
Daniel Sciuto nods, his eyes bright with pride. You look beautiful, darling.
Glowing with excitement and anticipation, Abby holds out her arm. Daniel takes it, and together they begin to walk toward the wedding.
As they turn the corner and the ceremony comes into view, the band strikes up. It's a classical version of a song Abby loves, inoffensive to her guests but still pretty cool. All eyes turn to watch her approach, and a murmur of admiration goes through the crowd as they take in her dress.
Abby's eyes immediately seek out Gibbs, standing at the end of the open-air 'aisle'. His eyes sweep over her as she moves toward him, and at his appreciative half-smile she breaks into a full-on grin.
Daniel releases her arm, and Abby kisses his cheek before he joins Gloria in the front row. She faces Gibbs, feeling more energised than if she'd just finished her tenth Caf-Pow! of the day.
A hush falls over the gathering as the pastor begins to speak. "Dearly beloved..."
As he goes through the traditional litany, Abby watches Gibbs' face, wondering if he knows the entire thing off by heart yet. By the fifth marriage, she wouldn't be surprised. The thought amuses her, and she bites her tongue to stifle a giggle.
Gibbs notices and raises his eyebrows in a question. She innocently turns her gaze toward the pastor, knowing he'll ask her about it later.
"If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
The stillness is absolute. No one says a word. Gibbs would probably shoot them if they did… Abby bites back another giggle at the mental image.
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs, do you take Abigail Sciuto to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"
Gibbs' gaze never wavers from her face. "I will," he answers with a slight nod, and Abby feels a thrill at the simple phrase.
His fingers are steady as he raises her hand, slipping the gold and jet ring they picked out for her together onto her finger. His thumb brushes her candle tattoo for a second before he releases her, and Abby smiles down at her hand, loving the way the metal band feels against her skin.
The pastor turns to her. "Abigail Sciuto, do you take Leroy Jethro Gibbs to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"
Abby doesn't stop to consider her answer. "Totally."
A ripple of amusement goes through the attendees, Gibbs included. During the laughter-filled pause, Abby slides Gibbs' ring onto his finger – just a traditional gold wedding band.
The pastor is used to Abby after so many Sundays spent in her presence, and hardly misses a beat at her unusual consent. "Then by the power vested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Abby manages to resist the temptation to jump up and down on the spot with elation, but it's a close thing.
"You may now kiss the bride," the pastor tells Gibbs.
As the onlookers hold their breath, Gibbs folds back her funeral veil with gentle fingers that skim her face. Abby leans into him as he kisses her softly, cementing their marriage to cheers from friends and family.
Gibbs pulls her into a hug as they break off, murmuring into her ear, "Love you, Abbs."
She knows he does, but he expresses the sentiment so rarely that she shivers happily, nuzzling his neck. "Wow, today must be special."
"Don't forget, we have company," he reminds her, and she releases him reluctantly to give a little wave to their guests.