Stepping inside where the reception was set up, Bella can't help but smile as she looks around the room. Thanks to Jenny they had been able to keep the Jeffersonian as the reception place as well in one of their large conference/stage areas for an exhibit. Once they found out that the wedding was for NCIS agents and most of the people coming were military or federal agents, they had jumped at the good P.R. opportunity.
"So is it Woods now or McGee? Hmm, that would prove to be a bit difficult don't you think?" A male voice asks, causing Bella to smile as she shakes her head.
"At work I'll stay Woods Tobias. But knowing you, you'll call me McGee just to try and confuse us."
The balding man laughs as he embraces Bella in a hug, "I just might. You look good Bella."
Pulling away, but keeping her hands on his arms, she smiles at him. "Thanks Tobias."
Seeing Gibbs walk in, Tobias smirks, "Well, I better let you get moving. Your uncle may smack me for taking all your time."
Bella laughs as she says goodbye and another group of people surround her. Smiling and engaging in some small talk, she looks up to link eyes with Abby, silently pleading for help.
Abby excuses herself from mark, and walks up behind the people surrounding Bella, bringing her arm up to her hair, she squeals, "BELLA! Help, your diamond bracelet you wanted me to wear is stuck in my hair!"
"Oh no Abs, sorry guys" Bella apologizes as she steps away from the crowd, pulling Abby with her away from the crowd. Once far enough away, Bella gives her a grateful smile. "Thanks Abs. People I can handle, people swarming me talking about me not so much."
Abby smiles as she lowers her arm, "Anything for you Bella, but remember, you owe me."
Bella laughs, "Of course Abby. You name it and I'll see if I can do it or not." Seeing Abby nod before disappearing off into the crowd, Bella breathes in slowly enjoying her moment of peace while it lasts.
"Bella my dear," Ducky's voice calls out as he approaches her side, pulling her into a tight hug, " I couldn't help but notice your and Abigail's quick thinking over there, so I thought I would entertain you for a few minutes if you don't mind that is."
Smiling warmly at the older man; "For you Uncle Duck, I wouldn't mind the company at all."
Ducky smiles widely at her comment, "You look absolutely radiant, that dress is very much you. Timothy is a lucky man indeed."
"Thanks Ducky," Bella replies knowing the man was truly speaking his thoughts and not what he thought she would want to hear.
Cupping her cheek with his hand, "It's a pity that your parents couldn't be here to see you today. I'm sure they would be very proud of the young woman you've become." Patting her arm, he smiles at her before spotting Jimmy. "If you would excuse me my dear," he says before chasing down the young man.
Only Ducky could jump topics that fast. Smiling at his retreating form, she feels a pair of arms encircle her waist from behind. Instantly smelling old spice, she leans into the embrace, placing her hands on top of his. "Can I help you?" She asks in a teasing tone.
"Not really, I found what I was looking for." Tim's voice whispers into her ear causing the smile on her face to grow wider.
Turning her head so she could look at him, she leans up to close the distance and kisses him. Feeling the warmth of his hand on her face causes Bella to lean in further, letting her senses take over the kiss. Hearing someone clear their throat, Bella mentally snaps back in control and breaks away.
Looking over to see Gibbs standing a few feet away, Bella bites her lip looking down at the floor. Even at her own wedding, he makes her feel like she was just caught making out with her boyfriend on the couch. "Mind if I steal your wife McGee?"
"No, of course not," Tim states quickly as his ears flush red. Giving Bella a kiss on her cheek, Tim heads towards where the mass of people is.
Smiling at his niece, he chuckles at her obvious embarrassment. "It's your wedding day kiddo. If the two of you didn't sneak off to the back corners I'd be a little concerned."
Sighing, she smiles up at him before biting her lip, "Uncle Jay, there is something I have to ask. How did you-" Bella touches her wedding ring, "how did you get mom's ring?"
"When they released their things, I kept it for safe keeping. I gave it to Tim after he came and asked me for your hand."
"He asked for my hand?" She glances over to where her husband is currently talking to his parents and his brother, she really shouldn't be surprised. Tim was a gentleman in every other way.
Hearing the music from the band begin to play, Gibbs hold his arm out for Bella to take. "Now remember Bells, there are children, so try to keep it PG-rated" as he laughs at the look of embarrassment on her face.
(A bit later)
Seeing Bella and Gibbs approach the main area of the floor Ziva makes her way over to the musician who hands over one of the microphones. Ziva's soft voice amplifies over the speakers, "I would like to everyone to clear the floor for the father-daughter dance." Smiling at Bella and Gibbs, "This is specifically for the two of you."
Gibbs glances over at Bella who just has a soft smile on her face. "Well, Bells you want to dance?" Bella nods as he carefully places a hand on her waist, and holds her other hand in his.
Ziva smiles at the pair, and says into the microphone, "It is time for Bella to 'fly away'." Ziva nods to the band, and a guitar begins to play, followed by a piano and Ziva's voice singing the lyrics with such purity everyone who was talking had to stop and watch the scene before them.
"You tucked me in, turned out the light
Kept me safe and sound at night,
Little girls depend on things like that.
Brushed my teeth and combed my hair
Had to drive me everywhere
You were always there when I look back..."
Gibbs listens to the words, the song holds such a deep meaning to the both of them, and he understands why Ziva (no doubt with Bella's help) had picked it out for them to dance to.
"And when I couldn't sleep at night
Scared things wouldn't turn out right
you would hold my hand and sing to me, Caterpillar in the tree,"
"How you wonder who you'll be, can't go far but you can always dream. Wish you may and wish you might, don't you worry hold on tight. I promise you there will come a day-Butterfly Fly Away," Gibbs sings low enough for only Bella to hear. They didn't simply find this song, Bella wrote the song.
Hearing Gibbs' deep voice sing to her, she rests her head against his shoulder. The last time that they had danced like this was the night of her Junior Prom, which had ended on a bad note. When she was younger, he would dance with her and Kelly and she never realized until now how much she had grown to miss it.
Tim stands on the side of the floor, his eyes on his wife and new uncle. Tim knew that Bella had been doing something as a gift for Gibbs and listening to Ziva sing the melody, he realizes that it is the song. Seeing Gibbs hold her, he sees the caring, loving uncle that Bella sees every time she looks at him instead of his usually emotionally distant boss.
Hearing the song come to an end, Gibbs looks down into Bella's moistened eyes. Giving her a kiss on the forehead, he wraps his arms around her into a tight hug, "Spread your wings Bug." Letting go he gives her a smile, looking up when he sees Jackson slowly approaching them. "She's all yours Dad."
Leading Bella out to the dance floor, Tim places his hand on Bella's waist as the band starts to play. Entranced by her shining green eyes, Tim gives her a soft smile. Starting the dance, Tim's nerves get the best of him. "Tim," Bella whispers gaining his attention, "Just think of us at home."
Leaning his head against Bella's, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath forgetting about the crowd of people watching them. Opening his eyes, he gives her a more confidant smile before gently pulling her closer to him.
Placing a hand on the back of his neck, she lays her cheek against him mentally thanking Sarah for the fantastic dj. Having spent some time with them, Bella had left the pick of what song they would dance to in her capable hands.
I know that the bridges that I've burned So lay here, beside me, just hold me, and don't let go
Along the way
Have left me with these walls and these scars
That won't go away
And opening up, has always been the hardest thing
Until you came
This feeling, I'm feeling, is something I've never known
And I just can't take my eyes off you
And I just can't take my eyes off you
As the song draws to an end, she keeps her face against him enjoying having him so close. Feeling his hand brush against her cheek, she looks up at his loving eyes. Bending down slightly, he draws her into a sweet, soft kiss.
When she finally pulls away she whispers in a teasing tone, "I believe you just kissed me in front of Gibbs. Whatever will you do Tim?"
His cheeks tinge a light pink but he holds her gaze answering in the same tone, "Well, I might just have to do it again."
"By all means, don't let me stop you." She smiles up at him before he leans down again, capturing her lips in another kiss.
"Uncle Tim, Uncle Tim," Annie's energetic squeals cut through the crowd before she grabs on to Tim, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
Tim laughs as he kneels down to her level, "What can I help you with Annie?"
"Will you dance with me? Please?" Annie sticks out her bottom lip for emphasis, batting her eyes at her uncle.
Tim looks up at Bella, "What do you think, love? I think this little lady would be devastated if I said no."
Bella nods as she looks down at Annie, "Just as long as he makes his way back here sometime today ok?"
Annie smiles, "I promise Aunt Bella. I won't steal him. He won't fit in my suitcase."
Everyone who was standing near them all let out a laugh at the girls response. Watching her run off, Gibbs smiles, "she's cute McGee."
Bella smiles at her uncle and answers for Tim, "Thanks Uncle Jay." At Jethro's confused face, Bella smiles wider and holds up her left hand, "I'm a McGee now, remember?"
Shaking his head at his niece; "Fine, she's cute Tim." Gibbs says correcting his statement. "And for future reference, it's Bella not McGee. Too weird hearing you answer to that."
Bella nods knowing he doesn't mean any disrespect, just that it will be hard for him to get use too. "It's not weird Uncle Jay, just different." Hearing a new song, Bella sees Annie come running up before grabbing on to Tim's hand, trying to get him from his chair. Laughing as Annie drags him out to the floor, she can't help but smile at the sight.
Feeling a presence join her side, she glances over to see none other than Callen her "adopted" big brother. His voice cuts in to her thoughts, "May I have this dance?"
Bella smiles with a nod, 'I think it can be arranged."
Callen chuckles as he takes Bella's hand and dances with her, "You look absolutely breathtaking Bells."
"Thanks G. I'm glad that you were able to make it."
"Wouldn't have missed this for the world. I thought about you all the time: how you were doing, if everything was ok, but I don't have to worry about that anymore. You got a great guy looking out for you."
Taking a quick glance at the dancing Tim and Annie, she can't help but smile. "I couldn't agree with you more."
The song comes to an end and Callen gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You better keep in contact Bella. You're like a sister to me, I don't want to hear from you ten years down the road and find out you have four kids or something."
She giggles and rolls her eyes at him, "I promise G."
Letting go of one of her previous naval buddies, Bella is instantly swept up into someone else's arms. A small whiff of cologne tells her exactly who it is. "Now what did I do to merit a dance from Anthony DiNozzo," Bella teases.
Tony tries to give her a stunned expression, "What, I can't dance with the bride without having a reason?"
"Of course you can Tony," Bella smiles at him. "You know I just like to pull your leg about as much as you like to pull Tim's."
Tony chuckles, "Yeah, its fun to tease Timmy." At Bella's smack in the chest, Tony sobers up, "You look beautiful, Bella. I'm glad you're happy. You of all people deserve it."
"Thank you Tony, for both comments" She smiles softly at him, "I didn't think I would ever get here to tell you the truth."
Tony nods, her previous relationship not to mention all the things that had gone wrong the week leading up to the wedding. Tony moves a stubborn strand of hair out of Bella's face and says, "Not to sound like the annoying 'big brother', but everything happens for a reason; be it good or be it bad, you always find your way around the boulders standing in your way. I knew you and Tim would get here; you guys love each other too much to not be together."
Bella can feel her eyes begin to water as she stares up at Tony in awe. Fighting to keep her emotions at bay she gives him a lopsided smile. "It's too late to sound like an annoying big brother, you've already filled that role a long time ago. Same as Callen."
"But I'm better than Callen," Tony says with a wink.
"I don't know about that. You both tried hitting on me," Bella teases. "But, Callen is more of the 'if I need a body to disappear' and you, though you probably hate it, are willing to listen and offer caring words of wisdom. Don't get me wrong, you guys are both great but you are different."
"Yeah, but see, one head slap from Gibbs and I stuck to my original choice. No offense, but I'm more scared of Ziva than Gibbs," he jokes.
"Trust me; there are some days I feel that same." Bella says and the two both begin to laugh.
Bella has disappeared, and Tim is sitting with Annie on his lap. A voice comes over the speakers and Bella returns to Tim's side with a cunning smile on her face. Looking up at her, Tim catches the smile and shakes his head, "Honey, what did you do?"
Bella smiles, "You'll see, Tim." If Jenny wouldn't give him a push, then I'll just push both of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mia's voice calls out. "I need to have the man acting as 'Father of the Bride' and the woman acting as 'Mother of the Bride' to please come to the dance floor for their dance."
Gibbs stands and shakes his head; Jenny looks over at Bella and raises an eyebrow. Bella smiles innocently and shrugs. Jenny's attention is taken off of Bella as Gibbs sticks his hand out to her, with his famous smirk. "May I have this dance, Jen?"
Casting a quick glance over at Bella who nods encouragingly, Jenny looks back up to Jethro, placing her hand in his, "I suppose so, Jethro."
The pair makes it to the middle of the dance floor and Bella nods her head at Mia. A soft tune begins to play, and Jethro pulls Jenny closer. As the lyrics start, Bella smiles, she knew this song was meant for her Uncle and Jenny.
Oceans apart, day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice, on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain
If I see you next to never
how can we say forever
Gibbs gently pulls a strand of hair out of Jenny's eyes and lets his hand linger longer than necessary on her cheek. "Ever wonder what it would have been like if you stuck around, Jen?"
Jenny brings her soft green eyes up to meet Gibbs' steel blue orbs. Fighting back tears, Jenny nods, "All the time, Jethro. To tell you the truth, when I walked out I was hoping you would come after me."
"I didn't know you wanted me to."
Jenny nods, and against her better judgment, she rests her head on Gibbs' shoulder, hiding her face in his neck. The smell that can only be classified as Jethro Gibbs, sawdust, bourbon, and coffee, flood her nose, and she smiles, glad she is able to be like this with him, even if it is just for a dance.
Wherever you go, whatever you do
I will be right here, waiting for you
Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for youI took for granted, all The times
That I thought would last somehow
I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can't get near you now
Oh can't you see it baby,
You've got me going crazy
"When I saw you again after so many years," Jethro begins, "it felt like no time had passed. Like we were back where we were so long ago."
Jenny nods against him, "I know. But we weren't. We hadn't been together in six years, Jethro."
"It felt longer," Jethro whispers against her hair. "I never stopped loving you, Jen."
At his confession, Jenny looks up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. She chuckles softly and shakes her head, "You wait until Bella's wedding to tell me this?"
He smirks at her, and shrugs, "Ah, a wedding seemed like the best place."
I wonder how we can survive, this romance
But in the end if I'm with you, I'll take the chanceOh you can't see it baby
You've got me going crazy
Jenny slyly glances over at Bella who is nearly squeezing Tim's hand off in hopes that this dance will bring Gibbs and herself as close, if not closer than they were before. Looking back up at Gibbs, Jenny smiles, Only Bella could pull this off. She's too cunning for her own good.
All he does is look lovingly into Jenny's eyes, and brings his hand up to rest on her cheek once more. Pulling her closer to him by the waist, he smirks at her. "Eight years is too long, Jen."
Nodding her head in agreement, Jethro closes the gap between them. As they part from their kiss, he says, "Never leave again, Jen. I don't want to lose you."
"I couldn't if I tried."
Sliding into the honeymoon suite that Tim rented for the night since their flight is early the following morning, Bella stares out the window, enjoying the view of the city. Feeling arms wrap around her, she leans against his firm frame. "Have fun today Bells?"
"I don't know if I would classify it as 'fun.'" She looks up at him, "I got up this morning alone,"
"Nothing I could do about that love," Tim whispers quietly against her neck before he faintly kisses her ear sending goose bumps down her arm.
"I had to sit for hours to get my hair and makeup done,"
"And you look absolutely fantastic Bella, and you know that," he whispers again, placing a kiss a little lower on her neck.
"then I had to wear this snug, white gown,"
"Again, you look stunning Bella. Absolutely beautiful," and again another kiss along her neck.
Enjoying his lips on her skin, she savors the minute before continuing, "I had to go up in front of a bunch of people."
He 'hmmms' lightly, "How did that go?"
Turning in his arms so she is facing him, her eyes meet his as she smiles. "Fantastic. I'm finally married to the man I love. I couldn't be happier."
His only reply is a soft kiss holding her close to him.
