Author's Note: This chapter is a long one, I thought about splitting it up but decided not to due to it flowing so well. Nothing really much to say, expect this is part of the story that was being planned since the start of this story. Big thanks to Clara Who 123 for proof reading this chapter due to how this chapter plays an integral part for the next 10 chapters.
Enjoy the update, please review if you feel up to it
Chapter 20: A Tracy Wedding
The next day, Don would be stood in G's living room; he would be buttoning up his white shirt while looking in a mirror provided by Kensi. Jeff would walk into the room wearing a suit similar to Don's. "How you feeling?"
"Nervous" Don would say with a smile "The day that I met her, every hour since then has been leading up to this; I just hope I don't mess it up"
"You won't do, you got your speech written?" Jeff would say helping his son with his tie "Why is it I have had to tie seven of these today"
"Yeah, finished it last night, for the first time I struggled to put my words to paper" Don would say laughing "First time for everything, and obviously you knew how to tie the knot better than any of us" Don would slip on his waist coat, and then the suit jacket, Jeff would brush the shoulders of Don's jacket.
Jeff would pull out a box from his pocket, which would be similar to the box that holds Izzy's pendant that Gibbs has with him at Don's apartment. "Your mother had brought something for each of her boys a few weeks before she died, she had told me she planned to give them to you on each of your wedding days" Jeff would say handing the box to Don.
Taking the box Don would look at his father with tears in his eyes, opening the box, Don would see a silver chain, and attached to the chain would be a pointed Amethyst pendant. Don would smile at the thought of his mother. "I just wish she could be here" Don would say picking up the pendant before putting it on. Jeff would move forward, placing his hand on Don's shoulder
"I know son, I wish she could be here too, at least you will have a piece of her with you" Jeff would say hugging his son. After a few seconds of hugging Alan, Gordon, Virgil, John and Scott would walk down from the spare rooms in their suits. Don and Jeff would turn to look at them as Pride, G and Sam walk out of the kitchen.
"You ready to get married kid?" Pride would say as the car pulls up outside. "I just spoke to Gibbs they will be leaving in half an hour as planned" they would leave G's heading towards the cars. Getting into the car Don would smile as Jeff gets in the passenger seat while Virgil and Alan get in with him, Scott, John and Gordon would be in the second car with Pride while G and Sam would be in Sam's car.
After arriving at the church Lady Penelope and Izzy had picked out months ago. Don would get out of the car to be greeted by LaSalle, McGee and Tony who would be waiting for them. "Well would you look at that the kid can scrub up" Tony would say joking, he would get Gibbs slapped by Don, Tony would rub the back of his head as they show the group to the room where they will be able to finish getting ready in.
Over at Don's apartment, Izzy would be getting her hair and makeup done along with Jen, Ziva, Alexis and Tintin, Gibbs would be waiting outside. All the bridesmaids and maid of honour would be in their dresses ready, after getting her hair and makeup done, Izzy would be pacing in her room nervously looking at the dress, Ziva would enter the bedroom looking at her.
"It will be fine Izzy; you know that, Gibbs will be here soon as we need to leave in 20 minutes to be there on time."
"I know I'm just nervous" Izzy would say as Ziva helps her into the dress. After doing the finishing touches, Izzy would walk out of the bedroom to be greeted by Gibbs and the others.
"You look beautiful Izzy" Gibbs would say hugging her, he would pull out the pendants box from his suit pocket "I have a present from your soon to be husband" He would open the box to reveal the silver pendant in the shape of a heart, a ruby gemstone and an amethyst gemstone would be next to each other on the heart. Izzy would have placed her hand over her mouth in surprise.
"It's stunning" Izzy would say as Gibbs puts it on her
"Something new" Gibbs would say after putting it on her, "I know how much you wish your parents were here today Izzy, Don knew that too so both of their birthstones are on the heart."
"So they will always be with me close to mine" Izzy would say hugging Gibbs. "Thank you for everything"
"Not a problem, now let's get going." Gibbs would say holding out his arm, heading towards the car that will transport them to the venue, the bridesmaids would leave before they do in Ziva's car.
After getting into the Car, Gibbs would sit next to her, closing the door. Izzy would be holding the pendant as she starts singing. (Italics – Izzy, Italics/Underlined – Gibbs and Izzy, Bold – Don, Italics/Bold – Don and Izzy)
"The day we met
Frozen I held my breath
Right from the start
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart
…beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubts suddenly goes away somehow"
"One step closer" Gibbs would sing this line with her at this point as she rests her head on his shoulder. She would carry on singing knowing Don can hear her through her IR watch.
"I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
The car would pull up outside the venue; Gibbs would exit the car holding out his hand to help Izzy out of the car. They would be met by her bridesmaids; Jen would pass her the bouquet before they take a step towards the hall.
Don would be stood at the alter waiting for Izzy he would continue where she had left off
"Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this"
All the guests would stand up; Don would face the ordained minister until Virgil gives him the cue to turn around. The doors to the hall would open as the bridesmaids start to walk down the aisle, both Don and Izzy would carry on singing
"One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
Ill love you for a thousand more"
Izzy would take Gibbs arm as they start to walk slowly down the aisle. Don would stay silent as Izzy sings
"I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
As she got half way, Virgil would nod to Don, who would turn round breaking out into a big grin with tears in his eyes. He would continue singing with Izzy
"And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
I will love you
A thousand years"
When they finish singing Gibbs would take Izzy's hand before kissing her on the cheek, he would then shake Don's hand. "Take good care of her Special Agent Tracy"
"Always Leroy" Don would say with a smile as he takes Izzy's hand from Gibbs, the couple would hug after not seeing each other for a few days.
"You may now be seated." The minister would say as the guests sit back into their seats. Jen, Ziva, Ellie, Alexis and Tintin would be stood behind Izzy while Virgil, Scott, John, Gordon and Alan would be stood behind Don. Jeff, Ruth and the island residents along with Colonel Casey, Lady Penelope and Parker would be sat in the pews in front of the boys, while Director Vance, Hetty, Pride, Gibbs and their teams would be sat in the pews in front of the girls. Members of the NYPD Special Victims Unit would be sat on the grooms side.
"We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between Isabelle and Donald, by joining them in marriage. I believe you have both written your own vows?" The minister would look at the two in front of him, both would nod. "Isabelle?" The minister would state as Jen hands Isabelle a piece of paper.
"Don, ever since I first met at the naval academy, I froze holding my breath as you walked into the academy; I knew that I loved you there and then. We may have had our ups, and our downs, but I have seen you grow into the man I love today, you have been a part of my life for so long now, you are not only my family, my best friend, you are my soul mate, you are my Starling.
Today, I promise you this: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. Together, let us build a home filled with learning, laughter, and light, shared freely with all who may live there. Let us be partners, friends, and lovers, today and all of the days that follow."
Izzy would pass the paper back to Jen as the minister looks to Don who would take a folded piece of paper out of his suit jacket; unfolding it he would take a breath.
"Izzy, the day we met, was one of the best days of my life; my love for you has grown since that day. When we left the academy and you found out about your parents my heart broke for you, having lost my mother at a young age I knew how you felt, and I just wish they could all be here with us." Don would be holding onto the pendant his mother had brought him the week before she died. Tears would form in his eyes.
"All I know is that your parents and brother would be proud of who you are today and my mother would have loved you no matter what, after everything we have been through, I didn't think we would have gotten here. However our love for each other and the help of our friends and family proved me wrong, you are my Hummingbird.
So today, I promise to stand by your side and sleep in your arms. To be the joy to your heart and the food for your soul. To learn with you and grow with you, even as time and life change us both. I promise to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. May we have many adventures and grow old together."
Izzy would have tears in her eyes like Don, both smiling at each other. Jeff and Ruth would be wiping the tears from their eyes while Lady Penelope would be using a handkerchief to dab her eyes.
The minister would smile before taking a breath. "Please repeat after me" The minister would say the lines Don needed to repeat.
Don would take a breath before repeating the minister each step at a time. "I, Donald Slayton Tracy, take you, Isabelle Louise Burnley, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." Izzy would slip the ring onto Don's wedding finger.
The minister would look to Izzy. "Isabelle" The minister would say the lines again changing the parts for Izzy to say.
Izzy would take a breath, repeating what the minister was saying after he has said it "I, Isabelle Louise Burnley, take you, Donald Slayton Tracy, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." Don would slip the gold ring with the green emerald stone in the center onto her finger to accompany the engagement ring.
"By the power invested in me by the State of California, pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride" The minister would say.
Don would take Izzy by the waist as he pulls her into a kiss; the guests would clap before the two stop kissing. "I love you Isabelle Tracy" Don would say with a smile.
"I love you too Donald Tracy" Izzy would reply with a smile before kissing him. Don and Izzy would make their way down the aisle shortly followed by Virgil and Jen, Scott and Ziva, John and Ellie, Gordon and Alexis, Alan and Tintin before the guest follow them.
The guests would be shown to the room where the reception is being held while Don and Izzy head outside into the stunning gardens, the sun would shine over the venue. Soon after they stood outside, the rest of Don's family would head outside along with the bridesmaids and Gibbs. The group would each hug the newlyweds congratulating them.
"You did good out there Hawkeye" Scott would say pulling his brother into a hug. "Welcome to the family Mockingbird" Scott would say grinning before pulling Izzy into a hug, he would kiss her on the cheek.
Jeff would kiss Izzy on the cheek as Ruth kisses Don on his. "That was beautiful" Jeff would say "Your parents would be proud Isabelle, welcome to the family" Jeff would hold a box out to Izzy "A little something from me and the boys"
Izzy would take the box, as she opens the box a purple amethyst pendant like Don's would stare back at her. "Thank you Jeff" Izzy would say hugging him. She would pick the pendant up before Don puts it on his new wife to go next to her pendant she received earlier.
"Your mother would be proud of the man you have become Don" Jeff would say hugging his son, "She would have said this was a beautiful wedding, and that you are going to make a great husband" Jeff would feel Don sob a little.
"I wish she could have been here" Don would say trying not to cry, Izzy would place her head on his shoulder, while his brothers hold back tears themselves.
"She was here, watching over you all" Jeff would say pulling his sons into a hug, "So were Izzy's parents, they were watching over us, making sure nothing bad happened today"
"Why did you decide to start singing on the journey from the apartment?" John would ask
"Just something I felt was right, turning on the watch so you could all hear it in the hall felt like a way to show how much Don meant to me and that I was thinking of him"
"How did you know to join in Don?" Alan would ask
"I always know" Don would say smiling before kissing Izzy "As the song said, every breath, every hour had lead us to this moment"
After taking photos as a whole wedding party, and then the photos of Don and Izzy together, the groomsmen with their respective bridesmaid, the best man and maid of honour together, and then the photo of the families as a whole, meaning Gibbs had to go grab the NCIS teams out for these as they were all part of the family. Izzy would look to Don.
"Shall we join our guests?" Izzy would say with Don nodding, they would both wait outside as the wedding party enters the reception hall to take their seats.
Gibbs would stand up to take the microphone "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome the newlyweds onto the floor for their first dance" the guests would clap as Don and Izzy enter the hall heading to the dance floor. Jen would stand at the microphone while Virgil sits down at the piano, Don would nod to his twin who would start playing.
Jen would start to sing Make You Feel My Love as the two slow dance to the song.
"When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love"
Don and Izzy would be chatting quietly while guests and their family film, the official photographer would be taking photos as they dance.
"When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
Oh, I hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love"
Don would laugh as Izzy says something before smiling and kissing his wife.
"I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I will never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue
And I'd go crawling down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love"
Don would spin Izzy around him. When he stopped spinning her, Don would mention the pendant as Izzy touches it.
"The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
There's nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of this Earth for you
To make you feel my love, oh yes
To make you feel my love"
As Jen stops singing, Virgil would finish playing the tune as Don and Izzy slow to a stop, the room would clap again as Don and Izzy head to their seats.
Sitting down at the table, Izzy and Don would be sat at the center, Jen would be sat next to Izzy followed by Gibbs, Ziva, Ellie Alexis and Tintin, while Virgil would be sat next to Don followed by Jeff, Scott, John, Gordon and Alan.
Gibbs would stand up tapping a fork against his champagne glass, the room would grow silent as everyone looks at Gibbs. "Izzy asked me to make the welcome speech today, but before I do I want to acknowledge, with permission from the bride, the missing presences of the parents of the bride, Jane and Matthew Burnley and brother of the bride Lewis Burnley, who as most will know were tragically killed in a RTC in 2006, while they are not physically here, they are with us in spirit I want to thank her parents for helping Isabelle find what she wanted to do, which is how I found her." Izzy would smile at Gibbs mouthing Thank you to him, making him smile.
"As most of you know I am Leroy Gibbs, and to many of you I am, Special Agent Gibbs, Gibbs or Boss-man" Everyone would laugh at this
"Firstly, I want to welcome you all here tonight, and thank you all for coming in honour of the bride and groom, I want to personally thank Jeff Tracy, father of the groom, and Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward for paying for everything, I want to personally acknowledge, with permission from the groom, another missing presences tonight, being in the form of Lucille Tracy, mother of the groom, who had died protecting Young Alan from an avalanche while on holiday in Iceland in 2001, while she isn't physically here, she is with us in sprit and In the form of her six sons" Gibbs would look at the Tracy boys. Gibbs would then turn to Izzy
"Isabelle, you have shown me things I did not think I would see, I have watched you grow from a teenager to the beautiful young woman you are today, you are kind and caring, you have a heart of gold. When I first met you, you were lost, you had just lost your family, who would be proud of who you are today, you are not just a friend, you are my family, my daughter, and I will always be here for you" Izzy would smile at him before he turns his attention to Don.
"Donald, when I first heard you were coming to my team, I thought you would be a spoilt rich kid, but you were not, you were a charming young man wanting to help others, when you first told me about what happened to your family in 2001, and then what happened to you when you were kidnapped, I knew I wanted to help you, when you told me why you became an NCIS Agent, I felt proud. You showed me to never judge a book by its cover, you became a brilliant special agent, you became my family that day and today you have become like a son to me" Gibbs would say smiling
"Normally at this part of the speech I would give the happy couple some wisdom on how to keep their marriage happy, but somehow I don't think I can qualify for that due to being divorced three times" Gibbs would say making everyone laugh "So instead, Don, Izzy, listen to each other, help each other and do not keep anything from each other. Now I would like you all to stand and raise a glass to the happy couple" Gibbs would say as everyone stands up, "To Don and Izzy" Everyone would echo the words Gibbs spoke. After Gibbs sits down, Don would stand up.
"Thank you Gibbs for those kind words, and thank you for helping Izzy to become who she is today. I want to thank you for hosting tonight as well Boss-man" Don would say the last part mockingly. "Dad, Lady P, I want to thank you both for helping get everything ready for today and for paying for everything. Virgil I want to thank you, for not only being a shoulder to lean on, but to also accepting to be my best-man, truth be told, I didn't see anyone else being able to fill the role if you had declined, Jen, I want to thank you for being the Maid of Honour and helping Izzy get ready."
Don would turn to his four brothers sat after Jeff "Guys, thank you for accepting Izzy into the family so early on, and thank you for supporting me throughout the week. Ladies" Don would say turning to the bridesmaids "You all look stunning, thank you for supporting myself and my beautiful bride throughout everything, Izzy and I have a small thank you gift for you all" Don would say as he and Izzy hand a named box to each of the wedding party.
"Isabelle, I want to thank you for agreeing to marry me, the day we met, I knew you were the one for me. Just look at how stunning you look tonight, you always look beautiful but tonight you took it to a whole new level." Don would kiss Izzy on the cheek before turning to the guests "I want to thank you all for being a part of our lives, and for being here today, you have made our wedding memorable. I want to echo something Gibbs said in his speech, there are many people we wish could be here tonight, whether family or friends, but we know they are here with us in spirit, every single one of them." Don would look down remembering those they have lost over the years, he would touch the pendant "Iz, I love you with all my heart, and I promise I will look after you." Don would look around "Bring out the food" Don would say making everyone laugh.
After nearly finishing their meals, Jen would stand up, tapping her fork against her glass, everyone would quieten down and look at her. "Again I want to start by thanking you all for being her tonight, I have known Izzy my entire life, growing up together as neighbours, going to school together, when I had gotten the call that her parents and brother had died, I rushed to the academy to be with her, the day I met Don was that day and seeing him support her made me realise the love they had for each other. Whenever I had broken up with a boy, Izzy would always say to me 'Never give up, you will find the one for you' and somehow I feel like I have" She would look to Virgil smiling. "No matter what happens, everyone will find their true love. And today we got to see an example of that in the marriage of Don and Izzy. Don, you have always taken care of her, and I know you will take care of her until the day you die, and I thank you for that. To Don and Izzy" Jen would sit down as Virgil stands up.
"When Don told me he was going to propose to Izzy, we were sat in his bedroom in his LA apartment a few days after he was discharged from the hospital, he told me the idea to propose to Izzy, the details for the rings and her pendant, I knew he truly loved her, to see in his eyes that he loved her when talking about her. When Izzy came to the island to help Don recover, that night he was more relaxed then I had seen him during that time. Don, you have always been my rock, the person I could rely on to talk to. Normally the best-man would roast the groom, but I am not going to do that. Izzy, welcome to the madhouse of a family we are, we all love you for how happy you make our brother, you have always helped each of us out when we are feeling down, and I hope that one day I am sitting where you two are now, I hope you have wonderful adventures together. To Don and Izzy" Everyone would raise their glass echoing Virgil.
Gibbs would take Izzy by the hand to the dancefloor while Lady P walks over and takes Don by the hand to dance. "You found a wonderful young lady Don" Penny would say as the two dance to the music
"Thank you for everything Penny" Don would say kissing her on the cheek.
Ruth would make her way over to her grandson "Mind if I have a dance?" She would ask looking at the two dancing
"Not at all" Penny would say smiling as she allows Ruth to dance with her grandson.
Jeff would have taken over for Gibbs. "Thank you for everything Jeff" Izzy would say looking at her father-in-law
"Not a problem Izzy, now that you are a Tracy you will get smothered by those boys" Jeff would say making the two laugh. Jen and Virgil would be dancing together, so would Scott and Ziva, Ellie and John, Gordon and Alexis and Tintin and Alan.
Ruth would smile at her grandson "Your grandfather would be proud of you right now Don, seeing you up there reminded me of when your grandpa and I got married, when your parents got married"
"Hope it lived up to the Tracy standard" Don would say smiling
"It did" Ruth would say as the two hug while dancing.
After the wedding party had danced, Don and Izzy would make their way over to the cake, allowing for photos to be taken, they would cut into the cake before taking a small slice for each other, Don would feed Izzy a piece of cake with Izzy doing the same for Don, after allowing Grandma to cu the cake up and giving it out to the guests the two newlyweds would slip outside to take some romantic photos in the moonlight. After spending ten minutes outside they would head back in to dance with everyone.
Don would take the microphone looking at everyone with Izzy standing next to him. "Everyone has been asking when we would be leaving to go on our honeymoon tonight, the truth is, we are not going on our honeymoon for a few months, just to give us time together on the island. So while we will be leaving before everyone else, we just wanted to thank you all again for being here tonight. To a wonderful evening" Don would hand the mic back to the DJ while everyone claps. Grace Casey would make her way over to them.
"I'm glad you came Grace" Don would say hugging his godmother.
"Congratulations, I am happy you found each other. I wouldn't have missed it for the world; however I have to leave due to having a meeting with the world council in the morning"
"Understandable, work comes first Grace" Don would say hugging her, Izzy would then hug Grace. Watching Grace walk over to the others to say goodbye Don would kiss Izzy on the lips. Before Grace would leave, everyone would make their way outside to see the newlyweds off. Everyone would cheer throwing confetti over them both as they make their way to the car waiting for them, they would hug everyone on their way down as well. Getting into the car, the two would wave from the windows as the driver takes them to the hotel that Jeff had booked a room for them. The rest of the guests would depart 30 minutes after Don and Izzy heading back to their respective hotels and houses.