A/N: Um…wow. Can anyone else believe we're at chapter 50-and the end of this story? When I started this story in April of last year, I never imagined how much it would blossom and grow, or become my baby. But it has, and I am very sad to see it end, but, I think it's time. Thank you to everyone that has reviewed this story, put it on alert, or favorited it-you all mean the world to me. I hope you'll tell me what you thought of the conclusion too!
This turned a little song-fic-ish to start, but I heard the song and I couldn't resist (it's Mama's Song by Carrie Underwood). And, finding a song for Fee and Gibbs was a little difficult, but after a good hour of YouTube searching, I settled on 'Daughters' by John Mayer. Both songs made me cry when I heard them, because it reminded me of my parents. Hence why both songs were chosen.
And now, I give you the epilogue of 'A Past Reminder'.
Eight years later…
Mama, you taught me to do the right things
So now you have to let your baby fly
You've given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life
Jenny Gibbs sat quietly in the small chamber nestled in the side of the church, watching the flurried activity around her with a soft smile.
Standing on a slightly raised platform, her now-twenty six year old daughter stood in a beautiful white gown, her thick brunette curls secured underneath a veil, beaded pearls lining the headband of it. She looked gorgeous, but Jenny still could not believe it was her daughter's wedding day.
After dating through college, Logan had proposed to Fiona on the day of graduation with his grandmother's ring, a gorgeous diamond with sapphires on both sides of it. She'd, of course, said yes, and so the preparations had started. And now, a year later, Jenny was getting ready to say goodbye to her daughter.
And I know you watched me grow up
And only want what's best for me
And I think I found the answer to your prayers
She'd watched Fiona grow from a fifteen year old into the beautiful young woman she was today. She'd watched her blossom into an intelligent, confident adult, and she'd helped her through all the hardships life had thrown at them.
"Mom?"
She looked up at the sound of her name, her gaze softening at the sight of Fiona.
"You look beautiful sweetheart," she said, coming over and touching her daughter's cheek. A deep blush crossed the bride's cheeks, her green eyes sparkling.
"I can't believe all this is happening," Fiona admitted, sighing out a breath. "Can you believe I'm only ten minutes away from marrying Logan?"
"Honey, I still see you as that fifteen year old that walked into my office and turned my whole world upside down," Jenny told her, watching as her daughter's face softened as she remembered. "I know your father feels the same way."
"And look where we are today," Fiona commented, looking around her.
Sitting in front of the vanity, getting the finishing touches on her hair, was Emmeline. The now-nine year old had grown into a beautiful little girl; with her thick auburn hair and bright green eyes, she was the perfect mix of her parents. Somehow, she'd managed to skip the impatient gene, and was quiet and thoughtful, although she loved to run and jump. She was currently dressed in a pale lavender dress, and she had been chosen as the flower girl. Now settled in her hair was a crown of daisies and lilacs, pinned securely into her curls. She swung slightly in the chair, singing a song from chorus.
Standing in one corner with a fussy toddler was Abby, her thick, dark hair piled onto the top of her hair almost messily, but beautifully. In the ten years she'd been married to Tim, she'd remained the active, bubbly woman she'd been before; she'd just adjusted around being a wife and mother as well. Little Rebecca Marie had been a well-wanted gift to Abby and Tim, after they'd learned that conceiving would be more difficult for them than most couples. But three years ago, they'd learned Abby was pregnant, and they treasured Becca that much more, because there was a good chance she would be their only child.
Fiona's gaze next moved to Ziva, who sat in a chair, watching the festivities from her seat as she sat with a baby carrier at her feet. Inside was Isaiah Eli DiNozzo, now only two months old. Out with Tony was Arianna Elise DiNozzo, Isaiah's five year old sister. The two had married only six months after Fiona had graduated from high school, and Arianna had been born a few years later. Isaiah was a bit of a surprise to them, as they hadn't been trying, but he was a welcome addition. Fiona smiled, watching as Ziva reached into the carrier and scooped up the now-crying infant, holding him carefully, minding her burgundy bridesmaid's dress.
"A lot has changed since you arrived," Jenny remarked, slipping one arm around her daughter and pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "And I'm so glad you did sweetheart. You are so lucky to be marrying this man."
And he is good, so good
He treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me
Jenny knew how much Fiona meant to Logan, and that her daughter truly loved the man she marrying. She would be proud as she watched her daughter and Logan exchange vows, and as they took their first steps as husband and wife.
"Fiona, do you love Logan?"
Jenny was brought from her thoughts by her youngest daughter's question. Em stood near her sister's feet, her bouquet of pink and lavender-colored roses in her hands and a curious look on her face.
"Well, Miss Em," Fiona said, adopting a nickname she'd come up with when her sister had been a baby. "I love Logan very much."
"Is that why you're marrying him?" Em asked, tilting her head slightly. Fiona smiled, nodding.
"I'm marrying him because he loves me and I love him, and we want to spend the rest of our lives together. Someday you'll find a man you feel the same way about, and no matter what Daddy may say, he'll be happy to walk you down the aisle too," Fiona said, flashing a look at her mom, who rolled her eyes. "But don't grow up too fast-you've gotta keep Mom and Dad young for me, and any grandkids that may come their way."
"Please, tell me that's not your way of telling me you're pregnant," Jenny practically begged, raising one eyebrow at her daughter. Fiona laughed, shaking her head.
"No, Mom, you've got a little while before you've got to think about being called 'Grandma'," Fiona replied, touching her little sister's cheek gently. "And you are no where near ready to be an aunt yet. I think you've got to be at least ten first."
"I'll be ten in four months!" Emmeline cried, her green eyes alight with excitement. "Right Mommy?"
"That's right sweetheart, you'll be ten this October," Jenny said, nodding. She sighed as her youngest ran off to see Ziva and Isaiah, turning back to Fiona. "You look so grown up."
"I still feel like that fifteen year old sometimes though," Fiona admitted, letting a soft smile touch her lips. "It seems like that was only yesterday."
And Jenny agreed; it felt like only yesterday that that teenage girl was standing in her practically brand-new office, telling her that her sister had recently passed away from cancer and that she now had to care for this teenager.
But she'd loved every single second of it.
Mama there's no way you'll ever lose me
Giving me away is not goodbye
As you watch me walk down to my future
I hope tears of joy are in your eyes
"I think that we're going to have to go sit soon," Jenny said, glancing at the clock. "There are only a few more minutes."
"Gosh, why is everything moving so quickly?" Fiona asked, her hands fluttering nervously. Jenny took them gently into her own hands, kissing each of them softly.
"Just take a deep breath, and get ready to walk down that aisle to your future," Jenny told her, and for the first time, tears glimmered in her emerald green eyes. "I am so proud of you sweetheart."
"I love you Mom," Fiona said, tears glistening in her own eyes. Jenny smiled, leaning up and kissing her daughter's cheek before hugging her tightly.
"I love you too Fiona," she whispered before pulling back and wiping her tears. She squeezed her daughter's hand once more before stepping back and turning to both Ziva and Abby. "I can take Becca and Isaiah out to Tim and Tony now."
Fiona watched as her mom took Isaiah's carrier and Becca's hand before blowing a kiss to Emmeline and then Fiona, and then leaving the small bridal suite. She took a deep breath, looking into the mirror again.
She was ready.
Mama don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me
As she waited for her father to come and tell her it was time, she sent a thought skyward.
I miss you Mom, she thought, a smile touching her face. But I know you'd love Logan, and that he'd love you too. I'm happy, and I love you. Don't worry about me-I'm in safe hands.
Then there was a knock on the door, and she took a deep breath, going over to the door and opening it. Her dad stood in the doorway in a crisp black tux, his face more weathered due to the past few years, but still looking handsome as ever. He let out a low whistle when he saw her, nodding.
"You look beautiful sweetheart," he said, his blue eyes shining. "Are you ready for this?"
"I'm ready Dad," she said, nodding her head. "Are you?"
"It's gonna be hard to give you away, I won't lie, but he makes you happy. I couldn't ask for anything better for my daughter," he said, letting her slip her hand into the crook of his arm. He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, breathing her in, one last time before she became someone else's. "I love you Fee."
"I love you too Dad," she said, her throat clogging with emotion. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, her dress rustling with the movement. They stood by the doors for a moment, and then the organ sounded.
"Let's do this sweetheart," Jethro said, and his smile reminded her of all the times they'd spent together on his boat, and all the time they'd spent together; all the times he'd used those exact words. She grinned, nodding.
It was time to meet her future.
Jethro pushed the door open, and together, they started walking.
Everyone turned and stood, and Fiona blushed as they passed family and friends. Friends from both high school and college that she'd met-her friends from childhood were even there. Then there was family-Tim's sister Sarah was there with her husband, Ziva's father was there, and there, in the front row with Ducky and her mom, stood Jack. Her mom was next to Jack, and he held her hand tightly as she dabbed at her falling tears with a handkerchief. Emmeline waved to her, a wide smile on her face, and she nodded. She saw Tony in the front row on the opposite side of her mom, Isaiah asleep in his arms and Arianna clutching his pant leg. McGee stood on Arianna's other side, Becca looking curiously from his arms at them. Palmer and his wife were there as well, and Fiona let all of her memories from NCIS wash over her.
Then, her gaze went to her soon-to-be husband.
He looked dashing in his crisp black tux and bow tie, his hair sporting the Marine crew cut he'd gotten when he'd enlisted after college graduation. He was training to be a medical technician for the military, and Fiona couldn't be prouder of him. When his gaze met hers he grinned, his eyes alight with happiness. Her heart fluttered, and her dad squeezed her hand closer to him for a moment as he took a deep breath.
It seemed like they'd barely been walking when they reached the altar, and then Jethro completed a sign as old as marriage itself. He carefully took Fiona's hand and raised it briefly to his lips before passing it to Logan's, squeezing both their hands.
"Keep her safe, Marine," he said, nodding to his soon-to-be son-in-law. Logan nodded, his green eyes solemn.
"That I can do sir," he replied, his gaze falling onto his almost-wife. "She's in safe hands."
"I know son," Jethro said, a smile touching his face. "I know she is."
With that, he went to stand with his wife, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her graying-temple lightly. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes briefly before opening them and taking a deep breath, watching as her daughter and almost-son-in-law turned to the preacher.
It was time for the rest of their lives to start.
After the exchange of the vows, and the putting on of the rings, the preacher finally said the words they'd all been waiting for.
"Logan, you may kiss your bride," he said, a smile on his face. Logan grinned and lifted the half veil off of Fiona's face, touching her cheeks gently before leaning forward and capturing her lips in a kiss. It was short and sweet, and when they broke away their eyes were alight with happiness. They turned, hands interlocked, and the preacher spoke again.
"And may I present Mr. and Mrs. Logan DiNozzo!"
There were cheers and clapping, and Fiona flushed bright red again. She looked at her husband-her husband- and together they took their first steps as man and wife. Jenny's cheeks were streaked with tears of happiness, and Jethro wiped them away with his fingertips, bestowing a kiss on her forehead before taking her hand and following Fiona and Logan out of the church.
They waved as Fiona and Logan got into the limo parked in front of the church, 'Just Married' painted in white on the back window and metal cans strung on the back bumper. They watched as it drove off, and Jenny reached down and scooped Emmeline up, her body protesting the motion vehemently.
"Your big sister just got married," she said to her daughter, and Emmeline nodded, her face breaking out into a smile.
"You cried," Em told her mom, touching a tear track on her mom's face. "Are you gonna cry at my wedding too?"
"Em, don't even make your mom and I think about your wedding. We just got through this one," Jethro said, shaking his head. He reached over and took Em from Jenny, situating her on his hip. "You are too young to be thinking about getting married. Let's go enjoy Fee's reception, and see her before she goes to her honeymoon, alright?"
"What's a honeymoon Daddy?" Emmeline asked, and Jenny laughed, slipping her arm through her husband's as they began to walk to their car.
"Well, it's like a vacation for right after you get married," Jethro explained, obviously uncomfortable.
"What do you do on it?"
"Well, uh, Fee and Logan are going to Greece, so they're going to be on a beach," Jethro said, swallowing hard. Jenny's laughter threatened to spill over, and he sent a glare at his wife. "You love going to the beach, right Em?"
"I love swimming!" Emmeline exclaimed, her green eyes bright. "So Fee and Logan are gonna swim and stuff?"
"That's exactly what they're going to do sweetheart," Jenny said, rescuing her husband.
"Are they gonna come back with a baby?" Emmeline asked, and Jenny paled as she looked at her husband.
"Well, why do you ask that?" she managed, her eyes wide.
"Cuz Auntie Abby said that Fee was gonna come back pregnant, and you said pregnant was when you have a baby, like when Auntie Ziva was pregnant with Isaiah, and then Arianna came over to our house while Auntie Ziva went to the hospital to get Isaiah," Emmeline explained, shrugging her shoulders. Jenny sighed, remembering to strangle Abby later for planting the idea in her daughter's head-even if it probably was true.
"Well, just because Auntie Abby said it doesn't mean it's true Emmy," Jenny replied, tweaking her daughter's nose. "Let's just go and enjoy the party, okay?"
"Okay Mommy. Are we gonna dance?"
"You bet we are," Jenny replied, smiling at her daughter. "We're even going to get Daddy to dance. How does that sound?"
"Not gonna happen Jen," Jethro muttered, his gaze dark as he looked at his wife. Em looked at him with big green puppy-dog eyes, her lower lip stuck out and quivering.
"Puh-lease Daddy?" she begged, her hands clasped together and tucked underneath her chin. "For me? Pretty please with sugar and sprinkles and a cherry on top?"
"Oh, alright, alright, I'll do it," Jethro said, relenting easily to his daughter's will. Emmeline motioned to be put down, and Jethro let her easily, watching as she ran up to walk with Jack and Ducky. Jenny laughed softly, pressing closer to him and murmuring in his ear.
"You are putty in that girl's hands."
"Yeah, yeah, rub it in why don't cha," he grumbled, shaking his head. "You aren't much better though, so I wouldn't be talking."
"Oh, I can say no when necessary," Jenny replied, raising an eyebrow at him. "I just can't wait to see what you're like when she's sixteen."
"She's not leaving the house," Jethro said seriously, his eyes wide. "If she's even half as beautiful as you and Fiona, she's not dating until she's thirty."
"I don't think that's going to happen," Jenny said, rolling her eyes. "Oh, she'll be beautiful alright, but that girl is going to have boys lining up around the block to date her."
"I'll just kick their asses," Jethro said, puffing out his chest. Jenny snorted, shaking her head.
"There's the big, bad Marine I fell for all those years ago."
"Ah, you love me for it," Jethro replied, looking down at her. "And I love you, my fiery lady-director."
"Call me that again and I'll kick your ass," Jenny said, glaring at him. "I haven't been lady-director in nearly five years."
"Hasn't been the same without you babe," Jethro told her, kissing the top of her head. "I have no one to fight with."
"Jethro, you fight with Leon all the time."
"Yeah, well I can't exactly have make-up sex with Leon after we fight," he informed her dryly, causing her to roll her eyes.
"That would be awkward," she replied in a deadpan, leaning her head against his arm. "Have you told Tony you're retiring this August?"
"Jen, I only told Leon last week," Jethro said, looking down at her. "I'll tell the team soon. I know Tony's ready."
"He's been ready for a while now," Jenny said, nodding.
"He, Tim, and Ziva make a good team, and I'm sure they'll find a good Probie for him to teach," Jethro said, a proud gleam in his eyes.
"They all learned a lot from you," Jenny replied, smiling up at him. "I did too."
"Oh, I learn more every day," Jethro said, leaning down and kissing her, his nose bumping hers affectionately. She smiled when he pulled away, her eyes closed for a few seconds more.
"Over a decade later and I still love you like I'm a teenager," Jenny said, shaking her head as they continued to walk towards the reception hall. Jethro laughed, the sound easy and natural now.
"And many more to come," he said, and Jenny nodded in agreement. "You ready to be a grandparent?"
"Please, I have a nine year old. Do you think I'm ready to be a grandparent?" she asked, raising one eyebrow at his question. "But it'll happen before we know it. Those two are as bad as we were. Can't keep their hands off of each other."
"Please Jen, I don't need these mental images," Jethro replied, groaning lightly. Jenny laughed quietly, shaking her head.
"Jethro, they're married. It happens."
"You know, Abby is right. She's gonna come back pregnant."
"And you know what?" Jenny asked, looking at him. "That's okay. They love each other, and they are more than ready for a baby. Hell, I was pregnant with Em when we got married."
"Our circumstances were a tad bit different than theirs Jen," Jethro said, raising an eyebrow. His wife shook her head at him.
"Not really. Either way, if they do wind up having a baby within the next year, I'll be more than happy for them."
"I will be too," Jethro said, kissing the top of her head. "Sarah looks like she's going to burst."
"Her due date is tomorrow," Jenny replied, shaking her head slightly. "I have no idea how she's able to still get around."
"I have no idea how her husband deals with her," Jethro said, wincing when Jenny hit his chest. "Hey, hey, don't hit me."
"Don't joke like that," Jenny said, glaring at him. Finally, the reception hall came into sight, and Jethro let out a breath of relief.
"Jen, calm down," he said, kissing her temple. "We're going to have fun with our daughter before she leaves for Greece for two weeks, alright?"
"Don't remind me," Jenny said, leaning into him again, letting him wrap his arm fully around her. "I look at her, and I still see that fifteen year old girl that walked into my office and changed everything."
"We owe her, big time," Jethro added, his grip on her tightening slightly. "Without her, things would be so different."
"I owe her you," Jenny said softly, looking up at him and touching his cheek. "Who knows if I ever would have had the courage to tell you how I felt without her coming."
"I've never been more thankful than when you asked me to stay," Jethro replied quietly, his blue eyes full of rare emotion. Jenny nodded, her eyes reflecting his. "I love you Jenny."
"And I love you Jethro," Jenny said, reaching up and kissing him fully, right in front of the reception hall. They were interrupted by a loud wolf whistle, and they pulled away to see Tony grinning from the front steps with Ziva and his family. Jethro rolled his eyes at his Senior Field Agent, taking Jenny's hand as they walked towards their family.
"Boss, you giving us a show outside the reception hall?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "And, I don't know if this has fully set in yet, but we're related now, like, legally."
"DiNozzo, don't make me head-slap today. I'm happy, don't ruin it," Jethro said, but his eyes showed his teasing. Tony grinned, clapping Jethro's back. "I can't believe my daughter is a DiNozzo."
"Ah, Boss, DiNozzo's are great!" Tony cried, throwing his hands up in the air. "I mean c'mon, Ziva loves it!"
"Tony, I would not speak for your wife. She may cause you bodily harm," Jenny told him, watching as he swallowed before looking at Ziva, kissing her cheek.
"Sweetcheeks, ya know I love ya," Tony said, reaching down to scoop up Arianna, smiling at her giggles. "And I love you too Princess."
"More Daddy!" she cried, hugging him tightly. Ziva smiled before heading to Jenny, Isaiah in his carrier.
"Hello Jenny. It was a beautiful service. Fiona was absolutely gorgeous," she said, hugging her friend after setting the carrier on the ground. "And Isaiah did not cry, which I was afraid was going to happen."
"Oh, Fee wouldn't have minded," Jenny said, shaking her head as they all started into the hall. "We should find her so that we can congratulate her properly."
It only took them a few moments to find the bride and groom, and as soon as Fiona saw them her face lit up.
"Mom!" she called, lifting up her dress so that she could walk over to her and hug her tightly.
"Oh Fee, it was beautiful," Jenny whispered, keeping her daughter close.
"Thanks Mom," Fiona replied quietly, tears in her voice, but excitement as well. "I'm married. How crazy is that?"
"Only as crazy as the thought that I just watched my daughter get married," Jenny replied, finally pulling away so that she could wipe at the mascara starting to drip down her face. "So much for waterproof mascara."
"Oh Mom, we proved that theory wrong a long time ago," Fiona said, shaking her head as she laughed. Jenny joined in, nodding.
"I guess you're right."
"Fee, you looked amazing sweetheart," Jethro said, coming over and hugging his daughter, kissing her hair. "It was perfect."
"Thanks Dad," Fiona said, pulling back and kissing his cheek. "Come on, Logan wants to talk to you."
Fiona led them over to where her husband was waiting patiently, and once Fiona reached his side, she linked their fingers together. Logan cleared his throat, nodding to his in-laws.
"I know I'm supposed to save this for the toasts, but I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for giving me your daughter, and us your blessing, and for everything you've done for us over the years," Logan said, his green eyes happy as he looked at them. "It really means a lot to me-and I'm glad to be a part of your family now."
"Logan, you were a part of our family the moment you caught our daughter's eye," Jenny told him, smiling at him. "But now it's official-and we're glad to have you."
"Welcome to the family Logan," Jethro said, sticking out his hand, and Logan shook it with his free one. "I know you'll take good care of her."
"You don't have to worry about that," Logan said, nodding as he looked at his wife.
"We know that," Jenny said, smiling. "We'll let you greet your other guests-we'll see you at the table."
"I love you Mom and Dad," Fiona said, giving them a smile.
"We love you too," Jethro said, smiling at them. Then, Tim, Abby, and Becca came up, and Jenny and Jethro slipped away to find their table.
"She looks so happy," Jenny said, looking over at her daughter, who was talking to one of her friends animatedly.
"Because she is," Jethro replied, slipping his arm around her chair, letting her lean against him slightly. "We all are."
"Ain't that the truth," Jenny said, letting a smile slip onto her face. "Ain't that the truth."
And the truth it was.
They'd made it through dinner and the toasts, some of which had been laugh-inducing, and some of which had been tear-jerkers. Now, it was time for dancing.
But, before anything else, there was the father-daughter dance, and Fiona found her dad, slipping her hand into his.
"You ready to dance?" she asked, her voice soft and teasing in his ear. He nudged her with his elbow, rolling his eyes.
"You're the one with two left feet," he replied in a low whisper, making her laugh, the sound light and beautiful in the air.
"I'll show you two left feet," she said, grinning. He spun her out onto the dance floor, bringing her back with the swish of her skirt.
The strumming of a guitar began, and the room quieted as the pair began the dance they'd spent probably too much time practicing. John Mayer's voice came out over the speakers, and Fiona rested her head on her dad's shoulder, sighing softly as she squeezed his hand.
Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
The song meant a lot to him-then again, the girl in his arms meant a lot to him. While she may not have been his flesh and blood, she'd taken his heart to a place it hadn't been in a long time before that. And because of this girl, his entire life had changed-for the better.
He felt her sigh against his chest, her breath tickling his neck as she snuggled a little closer, her dress rustling between them. He pressed her closer, kissing her forehead.
Their movements around the dance floor resulted in a badly misshapen circle; they were just going with the flow. But neither cared-there were no such things as shapes and circles and patterns.
There was just there the here and now-that moment that both would hold in that special place in their hearts reserved for fathers and daughters.
On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world
Fiona had never felt safer than when she was in her dad's arms.
It was just a fact. For the past ten and a half years, her safe haven had been in Leroy Jethro Gibbs' arms.
Now there was another man who kept her safe-a new safe haven. And she loved Logan, with every fiber of her being, but she knew that her father's arms would still always be available-they would still keep her safe from even the darkest storms.
She pulled back to look up at his eyes, the sapphire of the irises reflecting her face back at her.
"I love you Dad," she said softly, and his face softened, his lips curving up into a smile.
"I love you too, kiddo," Jethro replied, using the nickname from her teenage years. As she smiled he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The bubble that they'd surrounded themselves with began to weaken as the music faded, leaving them with the last chorus.
So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
Jethro placed another soft kiss to his daughter's forehead as the song ended, and she squeezed his hands, smiling.
"Thank you," she said softly, before she was swept away by other guests and questions and her new husband. "Thank you for everything-for loving me, raising me, for doing everything. You're the best father I could have asked for-that any girl could ask for."
"I'd do anything for you," Jethro replied, cupping her cheeks softly, tapping his thumbs on her nose lightly, making her smile, and try to wiggle away momentarily. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me-I can't imagine my life without you."
"I'm not going anywhere," Fiona said, leaning in and kissing his cheek, smiling. "So you don't have to. Just watch everything else unfold."
"Can't wait," Jethro replied, and Fiona grinned.
"Go dance with Mom-she's probably bawling her eyes out somewhere. Go make her smile," Fiona said, seeing Logan coming towards them. "It's what you do best."
So Jethro watched as his daughter was swept away by her new husband, laughing with him, kissing him. He turned to find Jenny, knowing Fiona's words were probably right-Jen had been very teary and emotional since the announcement, so he wouldn't be surprised if she was crying.
He found her with Em at their table, wiping her streaming eyes with a tissue. He sat down next to her and took one hand, running his thumb along the back of her hand. She let out a watery laugh, shaking her head.
"I have turned into an emotional mess because of this," she said, wiping at the falling tears. Jethro merely squeezed her fingers, and she returned the squeeze, throwing him a grateful look.
"Mommy, Fee isn't going away!" Emmeline said, trying to reassure her mom by patting her hand. Jenny laughed, kissing her daughter's hair.
"Oh, I know," Jenny replied, tickling the little girl's cheek. "She's just growing up too fast for Mommy to handle-and so are you. I can't believe you're going to be ten soon."
"Stop reminding me!" Jenny said, shaking her head as she pulled the little girl closer, tickling her. Emmeline shrieked with laughter, trying to get away.
"Stop Mommy!" she cried, trying to pry her mom's hands off. "Stop it, that tickles Mommy!"
"Oh, too much for you?" Jenny asked, smiling at her daughter's giggles.
"Yes-Mommy!"
"Oh, alright," Jenny said, relenting. Giving her daughter a playful push, she kissed her nose. "Go out and dance. I'm sure you could get Uncle Tony to dance with you."
Both parents watched their daughter run over to where Tony was sitting with Ziva and Isaiah, Emmeline eventually getting Tony to stand up and take her out to the dance floor. Jenny leaned against her husband, kissing his cheek softly.
"It's almost time," she said quietly, letting him wrap his arms around her waist and pull her back against his chest, almost sitting on his lap.
"I know," he replied just as quietly, resting his chin on the top of her head. "We knew it was gonna happen soon enough Jen."
She sighed, curling further into him, breathing him in.
"I love you," she said, raising her gaze to his. "I'm so glad I have you."
"I'm glad I have you too Jen," Jethro said, cupping her cheeks in his hands, pressing his forehead against hers. "I love you too."
Smiling, Jenny kissed him, sexy and slow, just they way they liked it. They didn't hurry to finish-no one was paying much attention to them, and Jenny just wanted to take the time to kiss her husband.
She had everything she could ever want-and she'd gotten it because of the amazing woman dancing on the floor with her brand new husband. She'd gotten back the man she'd always wanted.
All she'd needed was a little past reminder.
-The End-
