Authors Note: So this chapter is mostly Kate and Bella, but I hope you like it. If you have any ideas, I'd like to hear them. Sorry this update wasn't up as quickly as the others. I hope everyone has a Great Thanksgiving!
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
"So do you have a specific design you're going for?" Kate asks, as she and Bella get in the car.
Bella shakes her head, "Not really, I've always said when I see it, I'll know that it's the dress for me. I never 'fantasized' over my wedding growing up; I was a weird kid."
Kate laughs, "Yeah, I've had my wedding planned since I was nine. To this day I still hear about not being married or a mother yet, from my mom. My brothers have all gotten married and are starting their families; I'm just focusing on my career."
"And Uncle Jay," Bella says with a knowing smile.
Smiling, Kate nods, "Yeah, there's him too."
"You really love him don't you?" Bella asks, casting a quick glance over to Kate.
"Yeah," Kate answers, and then turns to smile at Bella, "I really do. I can't imagine what life would be like without him."
Bella nods, "I know the feeling. I can't imagine life without Connor. I'm scared everyday that something is going to happen to him; that the next knock on my door will be his CO and the Base Chaplin telling me he's gone forever."
"You're an incredibly strong young woman, Bella," Kate says, shaking her head, "I can't imagine going through anything you've had to deal with in your life; especially being engaged and married to a man in the service; hell even being in the service myself."
"It's not easy, believe me. But I had Uncle Jay through my parents' death, and now I have Connor. The good has to outweigh the bad at some point, right?"
"That's one way to see it."
-KIBBS—
The girls walk into the dress shop looking around at all the dresses, and various accessories. Bella immediately rules out the color pink, never having cared for the color at any point in her life. She explains to Kate that her favorite flowers are Calla Lilies, and she wants them to be the main flower in all of her arrangements.
After trying on numerous dresses, the girls leave the first dress shop not having any luck. Kate turns to Bella as they are walking down the side walk, curiosity getting the best of her. "What was he like when you were growing up?"
Bella's eyes grow distant as she thinks back, "A lot like he is now. At least when I lived with him, but when I was little...we use to go to the park when he was home. I remember Kelly and I would dance around the room with him." A small smile drifts across her face, "he used to smile a lot more."
Kate smiles sadly, "I'm sorry if this bothers you; me and him together." Thinking back to when they first started dating, Kate can't help but wonder if she's making him happy or not. "Do you think he's unhappy now?"
Bella shakes her head no. "I've grown up with him; I've seen him at his best and his worst, Kate. The way his mouth seems to always move into a smile while looking at you, or the spark in his eyes." She gives her a warm smile and touches Kate's arm, "It's something I've been hoping to see for a long time. He just doesn't really know how to let people in anymore. He's scared of getting hurt." we both are.
Mentally sighing in relief, Kate stops walking and gently takes Bella's hands, "Look, I want you to know that I don't want to replace your Aunt Shannon. He's told me about her and about Kelly, just recently your parents and you; I think he wanted to surprise me with meeting you. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon; even on his stubbornest days and no matter how crazy he makes me, your Uncle is the man that I want." Smiling, she adds, "I hope you and I can grow to be great friends."
"I'm not surprised he didn't tell you about me and the other way around. Don't get me wrong I knew he was seeing someone, I could tell. He still feels the need to protect me some days." She looks Kate in the eyes, "Thank you, Kate; for everything."
"It's really no problem. I'm just glad he's not alone in this world. Before I came along he just seemed so distant and closed off."
"Trust me, he was. Him and his cursed boats I swear," she rolls her eyes and laughs, "And don't ask me how he gets them out of the basement. I still haven't figured that out."
Kate laughs, "I think that is a secret known only to your Uncle."
Bella nods, "You may be right on that one."
-KIBBS—
Sitting at a table outside of a small sandwich shop, Bella and Kate wait for their food to be ready. In an effort to make conversation, Bella asks, "Have you ever been horseback riding?"
Kate's eyes light up at the thought of being on a horse. "I used to go horseback riding all the time when I was growing up. My parents put me through equestrian classes and everything. I competed in little competitions as well."
"That's awesome. I never competed, but I've always loved to ride," Bella says, and chuckles, "You can thank Uncle Jay for that one too."
"No way," Kate says, sipping her water, "I've never seen your Uncle on a horse."
Bella nods, "Oh yeah, he's a natural on a horse. Though with the line of work you guys are in, I couldn't tell you when the last time he rode was."
"Are there any stables around here?" Kate asks, now more than anything wanting to see Jethro on the back of a horse.
"I'm not sure," Bella answers, "I've never really looked. Connor can't ride a horse to save his life."
Kate chuckles, "That's too bad."
Shrugging, Bella jokes, "I love him despite his faults."
-KIBBS-
Walking into the house later that night, the smell of Gibbs' cooking fills their nostrils. Bella smiles happily, and turns to Kate, "I have been wanting Uncle Jay's cooking for the last week since he said he was gonna bring you to meet me."
Kate laughs, "The man can cook."
"Indeed," Bella agrees, and drops the bags of wedding stuff by the door. She heads towards the kitchen and Kate can soon hear Bella's rejoices. "It's about time you cooked, Uncle Jay!"
Kate heads to the kitchen, a smile on her face. She walks over to Jethro and loops her arms around his neck, giving him a kiss hello. "It smells really good in here, Jet."
"Thanks, Katie," pecking her once more he pulls away with a smile, "how was shopping?"
"We got a few key things for the wedding," Bella answers, then frowns slightly, "the dress part was a bust though."
"You'll find something, bug," Jethro assures her.
"I hope so," Bella says with a sigh. "I just always thought that the dress would be the easy part."
Gibbs' eyes look as if they are far away; both Bella and Kate can tell that he is lost in a memory. He gives a small laugh and says, "Do you know how long it took your Aunt Shannon to find a dress?"
"No," Bella says with a small smile. "If you remember correctly I came around after you and Aunt Shannon were married."
"Well, she swore up and down that she was just going to get married in jeans and a T-shirt if she couldn't find a dress," Jethro begins. Bella smiles, it's been a long time since she's heard a story about her late Aunt. Kate squeezes Jethro's hand, silently telling him to continue. "It was finally a month until the wedding and your mom and Shannon were out finishing up some last minute things; and when they walked into the dress shop for your mom's final fitting, Shannon's dress was situated perfectly on the mannequin. She tried it on, and the dress fit her like a glove, not one alteration was needed-or so your mom said."
Bella smiles, "Sounds like some of mom's stories. She and Aunt Shannon got along great." Bella attempts to sneak some of the dinner from around his back, "I'm sure mom had some stories too."
Jethro nods and smiles at Kate, giving her wink, "Yes they did; and if you taste anything before I put it on the table you won't get dessert."
Bella clicks her tongue lightly before letting out a huff, "I'm hungry. Not all of us can survive simply off of coffee mister," she adds with a wink. "But if I must," she sighs dramatically before laughing.
"I know for a fact that you are not starving," Jethro says with a chuckle. "I fed you before you and Kate left this morning, and she always eats lunch around 12:30, so I know she fed you."
Bella sticks her tongue out at him before moving away knowing he would probably swat at her, "Be nice, I've been shopping today." Jethro only laughs at his niece; she never was one for shopping. Before he can reply, Bella's cell phone starts ringing. "Excuse me for a moment guys."
As Bella leaves, Kate shakes her head, and leans up to kiss Jethro softly. "Must you always give her a hard time?"
Gibbs sways his head a little as if in debate before nodding, "Growing up, Bella and I would play together. The banter went along with it, even after Kelly's birth. Think of it like a sign that everything is ok. I poke, she laughs and she does the same thing."
"It's good to know you're not always a bastard," Kate jokes, referring to their trip to Gitmo a couple months back. "You know," she whispers, "I really like the playful Jethro that I'm seeing this week."
"Really?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.
"Definitely," she answers with a nod.
"Well, we'll have to see if he can come out and play more often then, won't we?"
Kate only smiles, and nods, "If he knows what's good for him he will."