Chapter Sixteen – Promises
"But you promised!" She pouted like a petulant child. Her arms folded across her chest.
"I did nothing of the sort," Gibbs argued back.
"You did so. You said if I did all my physio and didn't give the nurses any shit for a whole day you would do it. And I've been good today - you can go and ask Shirley."
"I may have said something similar. I don't recall my exact words ..." This was a promising sign. She could break him, she knew it was possible - given the right ploy. He stared at her with steely determination in his eyes.
"Ple-e-a-se." ... He looked disdainfully over the top of his glasses. Okay, so begging was not going to work. She tried a different tack ...
"I saved you my jello ... " She sniffed at the small pot on her bed tray suspiciously. "It's red flavour!"
He hesitated, just for the tiniest of moments. That was the tell. Ah-ha! Success!! Jello - she could always rely on the Jello!!
He stared heavenward for a moment and then sighed heavily. "All right. All right. You win ... but not with the stuff."
She looked at him in disappointment. "It has to be with the stuff. That's the best part."
"But it makes my hands smell all ... girlie," he grimaced.
"But you promised! I've been dreaming about you all day. I've been waiting here for you." She looked up at him longingly, chewing her bottom lip tentatively. He sighed. She looked so cute when she did that ... AND she damn well knew it! He couldn't turn her down.
"All right. All right. But you gotta keep the noise down this time. Everyone was looking at me weird when I left the other night."
"I will, I will." She promised excitedly. She giggled and shuffled down the bed towards him.
He took off his jacket and hung it across the back of his chair. Then he unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up a turn or two.
"Come on, come on, before Shirley interrupts us." She hassled him impatiently.
"Okay! Pass me the jar." He sat on the bed with her. "And stop wriggling will you?"
She did as she was told, closed her eyes and lay in wait - the anticipation almost more than she could stand. He opened the jar, smeared some of its content onto his hands and threw back the sheets. She squealed excitedly.
"Shush, will you."
"I'm sorry, I can't help it. You're just so good." She sighed.
"Ssh! You wanna shout it to the whole world?!" He hissed looking around self consciously.
No one had heard her, thankfully. He knew this would take a while. He picked up her right foot and rubbed the lemon and jojoba foot cream into the skin before running his thumb up the insole towards her toes. The groans and sighs could be heard all the way back to the nurses station.
"They're at it again in 306," Shirley complained to her colleague.
"That is one lucky gal!" Replied her desk mate, Andrea. "I would pay a hundred bucks for a foot rub that good. All she needs is an extra pot of jello!!!"
@
Bishop exited the elevator onto the third floor. She could see the two nurses at their work station. They saw her and suddenly found lots of important nurse things to do. As she walked towards them she started to hear ... noises. She stopped at the desk.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"That depends," asked Shirley. "What do you think it is?"
There was another groan from 306. "Don't stop that. Ahh, just don't. Yeah, just like that ..."
Ellie' s eyes were wide as saucers. If that was her friend she could hear, did that mean The Boss was ... eew!
"Should we be listening to this?" She asked Shirley.
"Probably not," replied her colleague, Andrea. "But it sure makes the night shift interesting!"
Shirley was putting on her coat - her shift was over for the day. She headed towards her patient's room. Ellie jumped ahead of her.
"I-I don't think we should disturb them, do you?" Said Ellie.
"Why not?" Asked Shirley. "I'm just saying goodnight."
"Yes but," she almost fell through the doorway with Shirley. She took in the scene in an instant. "Feet. Of course, it was feet. I remember you said he was good at it." She looked in shock at Gibbs who raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "The feet thing ... not the ... other ... thing. Not that you're not good at the other ... thing. But I wouldn't know anything about that of course. ... Oh God. Should I just leave?"
"How do I get home if you do?" Asked Gibbs. Shirley interrupted.
"I'm on my way now Gibbs. I'll see you in the morning. Oh, and Gibbs, I checked on that thing you were asking about? Doc says fine. Anytime after eleven should be okay. Goodnight." She turned to leave and then stopped suddenly. "Oh, one more thing ... You're keeping the whole floor awake again."
"I'm stopping now anyway. And thank you, Shirley. See you tomorrow." He stood up from the bed and covered his wife's feet with the sheets.
"You're stopping?!" She protested.
"You heard what Shirley said. You're keeping the whole floor awake again. I told you you had to be quiet this time."
"I think I really should leave," flustered Ellie.
"No, no. I'm coming." Said Gibbs
"Oh God, no," gasped Ellie under her breath. She closed her eyes trying to block out that particular mental image. "I'll never be able to unthink that." She muttered despondently.
"What's Shirley been checking?" She asked loudly. He kissed her forehead.
"It's a surprise. You'll find out tomorrow." He made to leave. She grabbed his hand - which was soft and lemon scented!
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"No, never." He looked at Bishop and raised both eyebrows at her. She turned and left the room. He leaned over her, a hand on either side of her pillow. They kissed tenderly for some time. Her eyes remained closed as they parted. Her face a picture of rapture. She sighed.
"I miss you so much."
"I miss you too. Now, get some rest. And it's no use asking Andrea about your surprise, she knows nothing about it." She tried to look innocently at him. It wasn't working.
"Would I do such a thing?"
"Uh-huh." He kissed her quickly again. "Now, be good - that's an order."
Ellie and Andrea watched the couple from the desk. "Doesn't he realise there this big window right behind him?" Ellie asked.
"I guess not. They're very sweet together aren't they?" Replied Andrea.
"Yes. Yes, they are ... but don't ever say that to him. Ever.
"Bishop, where're you parked?" He barked as he left the room. She jumped at the sound of his voice,
"South Parking Lot, Boss."
"Good night, Andrea. And thank you again, for letting me stay late."
"The pleasure is all ours, Gibbs," she smiled. "Good night."
@
They climbed into the car. "All set?" He asked.
She nodded and smiled warmly. "All set."
"D'you think she'll like it?"
"Gibbs, she will love it. Any woman would. It's the most romantic thing I think I've ever heard of." She gushed excitedly. "And I would never have thought of it from you." She faltered. "That sounded worse than I meant. It's just you know, you're not the most demonstrative of people and ... "
He smiled looking off into the distance. "I made her a promise. I wanted to see it through. She deserves that much."
Bishop gave him a goofy looking 'that's-so-sweet-but-I'm-never-gonna-tell-him' smile and held his hand for a second.
He patted it gently, "And I really must thank you for all your help. Everybody's help. I couldn't have done this without you. If I'd know it was so involved maybe I'd've made more of an effort with the others."
She reached across and hugged him. "Let's get you home." She said. "Busy, busy day tomorrow."
@
Shirley got to work early the next day too excited to stay home. She had grown fond of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs. They were an interesting couple and today, today would be the best! She could write a romance novel about it!
He arrived with a garment bag over his shoulder. He walked into her room as she was drying her hair. "Just in time," he said kissing her cheek. "Don't put that nightshirt on. I brought you this," he showed her the bag.
"Why? What's going on? Am I getting out of here?"
"I'm breaking you out for the day. I bought you a new dress and some new shoes. I thought we could go say 'hi' to everyone at work. Then go get coffee, maybe sit in the park for a while and then we're going to the Adams House to meet Tony and Senior for an early dinner. How does that sound?"
"Heavenly." She grabbed the dress bag. "Okay, let's go."
"Did you really buy this?" She asked suspiciously.
"Okay, you got me. Ellie bought it. But I like it. It's nice and ... " He struggled for a word, "floaty." As he helped her into it he whispered, "D'you remember the last dress Ellie helped me buy?"
She smiled salaciously. "You weren't so eager to get me into that one I seem to remember! Out of it, maybe! ... " They smiled at their shared secret.Ever.
@
Disappointingly there weren't many people around at NCIS. Ellie explained where everyone was. "Tony and McGee were on a case, Ducky and Jimmy were picking up a 'customer' and Abby was in court. "Director Vance is hovering about somewhere I think."
"No, it doesn't matter," she tried to smile. "I can't stop people from working. They didn't know I'd be visiting today. I wanted to introduce Shirley to everyone. I mean, I spend all day talking about them all." Gibbs gave the slightest of smiles as he pushed her wheelchair towards the elevator.
"Well never mind, shall we go and get a coffee and sit in the park?"
She sighed. "Okay. Maybe we'll see someone out there we know."
"Well I'll see you again soon," said Ellie as she turned back to her computer screen. As soon as the elevator closed Vance and Bishop ran for the stairs.
@
"Shirley, would you like a coffee?"
"No Gibbs, I'm fine. Thank you though."
As she sat and drank her mocha with all the trimmings she could swear she could hear music coming from somewhere.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Maybe there's an open air concert somewhere. Let's go and see."
Gibbs looked surreptitiously at his watch. "All right, but let me finish my coffee first. I'm enjoying not having to rush it."
Gibbs pushed the wheelchair up the hill. The music was definitely getting louder. "Oh look," said Shirley, somebody's getting married. How lovely!" There were rows of chairs arranged in two sections with an aisle through the middle. A stage at the front with a canopy, elaborately decorated with flowers. On the stage a string quartet played. She sighed. "Well they have a really lovely day for it." she smiled.
Gibbs leaned down to her in the chair. "Hey, let's go crash the party?"
She looked shocked that he should suggest such a thing. "We can't do that! It'll spoil it all. They'll be looking back at the photos one day thinking 'who the hell are they?'"
"Sure we can. Nobody will notice if we stand at the back. Don't you want to see the bride? Come on!"
He started to push the chair towards the wedding party. She was beginning to panic. "Jethro, stop. Whatever has gotten into you?! We can't just barge into somebody's wedding. What on Earth will people say?"
He stopped for a moment. He looked suitably chastised. "Well, maybe you're right."
"I know I'm right and so do you." she hissed. She turned to Shirley who appeared to be struggling to keep a straight face. "I'm so sorry Shirley, what must you think of us?"
Gibbs knelt down in front of her. He took both her hands. "I know we can't just walk into somebody else's wedding. "
"Good!" she interrupted
He continued. "But seeing as this is YOUR wedding, I don't think anyone will mind. He stood and started to walk towards the stage. He turned and continued backwards, "And you're going to walk down the aisle - that's your physio for today." He smiled enigmatically and blew her a kiss.. "Gotta go." He nodded towards the canopy at the front of the audience. "See you up there." He ran behind the stage and changed quickly into his tuxedo. Tobias joined him for a moment. "That was fun," laughed Gibbs. Then he pointed at Tobias "Rings?" he asked.
Tobias patted his top pocket. "Rings" he replied.
Gibbs smiled."Okay then. Let's do this." The two men took their places at the front of the stage. He nodded at the quartet. The music changed.
@
Shirley was giggling like a schoolgirl. She clapped her hands with glee. "Oh it's been so hard to keep the secret. Especially if you were having a bad day - he's been working on this for weeks. Now come on, out of that chair, my lady!"
Emily came running up to join them - a veil flowing behind her as she ran. She and Shirley placed it upon her head and fussed with it until they were happy before lowering it over her face.. Emily hugged her aunt tightly. "Its been SO exciting helping Uncle Gibbs and SO hard not to tell you," she laughed. The music changed. "Oh, that's our cue," Emily said and headed off down the aisle with Shirley.
DiNozzo Sr. turned around as they reached the back of the aisle. He looked suave and dashing in a very expensive looking tuxedo. He beamed at her. "Don't you look lovely, my Dear. That's a beautiful dress." He handed her a single pink rose. "Junior said you should have this too." He offered her his arm.
Confusion reigned. It took a while for it to all sink in. Dr. Mallard took her other arm chivalrously. "I believe, Jethro made you a promise, My Dear. We've all worked very hard to help him keep it." He explained. He stood proudly to attention. The medals on his breast pocket shone in the light.
Everyone stood as they started down the aisle. Holding on to both surrogate fathers she walked slowly towards her husband, acknowledging the people around her as she passed them.
They reached Gibbs and Fornell - his best man as promised. His eyes shone. He looked adoringly at his wife as he took her arm from Ducky. Dr. Mallard took a seat next to Moira. He offered Moira his arm gallantly. She blushed like a teenager. Senior joined his son on the groom's side. She turned to Gibbs.
"How long did this take you?" She asked, amazed.
"Oh, I had a lot of help." He nodded gratefully towards their friends.
@
James Palmer (Autopsy Assistant and part-time Marriage Officiary) stepped forward, smiling happily. On the stage next to him was an easel covered by a satin sheet. He addressed the audience and couple alike.
"I know that this wedding was all a bit of a surprise and sprung on you last minute. And I know that you have been very busy at the hospital working on getting better. So Tony and I took it upon ourselves to write some vows for you. So repeat after me: " With a theatrical flourish he removed the silk cloth.
"I [insert name here]
Take thee Leroy Jethro Gibbs to be my already legally wedded husband.
For richer, for government salary,
For coffee and bourbon,
In sawdust and engine oil,
For as long as we both shall live."
Jimmy then turned to Gibbs. "Now it's your turn Gibbs. Don't worry, we've used only short words."
"I, Leroy Jethro Gibbs take thee
[Which one are you again?]
To be my already lawfully wedded wife.
For richer for Govenment salary.
For coffee and drinks with little umbrellas.
In vintage fabric "I didn't know that was a thing! " interjected Gibbs ... and air miles.
For as long as we both shall live.
Tobias came forward and presented a small tray on which their wedding rings sat. Gibbs placed her engagement and wedding ring on the third finger of her right hand and kissed them tenderly. She picked up his ring and he too offered his right hand. "If you do, then so do I." He said softly.
Jimmy continued. "With the sharing of vows and the exchanging of rings witnessed by those gathered here today, and by the power invested to me by the American Marriages Online Correspondence Course, I now pronounce you husband and wife ... again. Jethro, you may kiss your fifth bride."
Gibbs lifted her veil, they smiled at each other broadly. He wrapped her in his arms and without hesitation they kissed each other tenderly. Applause and laughter filled the park.
@
At the Adam's House later that afternoon Tobias placed a hand on Gibbs' shoulder as he told his story, " ... and then he shot me in the butt!" Laughter ensued. That story never got old ... well, at least to Fornell.
"As well as catching Bad Guys, Jethro has caught more than his fair share of wives." [Nervous laughter.] "And all of them amazingly beautiful women. We have no idea how he does it, do we fellas?! Many a beer has been sacrificed to the discussion of this particular Gibbsian talent."
Gibbs looked down in embarrassment. (Was he blushing?) Fornell shrugged and scratched his head. "I mean, is it charm? Guile? Witty conversation? Whittling ability?" [More laughter.]
"They obviously see more of him than we do." There was uproar. She winked theatrically at her audience. Tobias hammed up looking at his notes. "I'm sorry, that should have read, they see more TO him, TO him than we do." He waited for the room to calm.
"But seriously, if there is anyone who deserves an extra chance of happiness, it has to be these two people here. I have watched their relationship grow through good times and bad. I have seen them both blossom as individuals and as a couple. They are good for each other. I am honoured that they call me 'friend'. I wish them both every hope and happiness in their future together. Please stand, and join me in a toast, ladies and gentlemen."
The room stood. They all raised their glasses. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, the Bride and Groom"
"The Bride and Groom." Repeated their audience and applauded. The two friends of many years shook hands and slapped each other manfully on the back as they swapped roles.
Tobias went and hugged her affectionately and kissed her behind her ear. "Are you enjoying today?" He whispered. She nodded yes. "You deserve it." He said his voice cracking emotionally. "We love you, you know that, right?" He added quickly before moving away from her.
Jethro stood up and wait for their audience to settle. He reached into his pocket and took out a sheet of paper. There was a gasp from some. Was he really going to make a speech?! He looked at the paper, holding it at arms length. Then he held up his hands.
"Sorry, sorry. That's a lumber receipt. I was wondering where I'd put that." The room erupted in merriment. He waved his hands for quiet. He put the paper back in his pocket and took a deep breath.
"As some of you may know, I'm not one for words. Much of the time, I think they're over rated. But I made a promise to a certain lady a while back, that she would have a proper wedding and I didn't want to let her down." [The audience collectively sighed happily.]
"I have a lot of thank you's to make. To all the people who helped me organise today. You all know who you are and there are too many of you to list. I didn't realise how much goes into one of these. My others I just showed up with my suit cleaned and my shoelaces tied!" [More laughter.]
"I have to thank the medical people for letting us escape for the day and in particular, Nurse Shirley Thompson who gave up her day off to be here for us today." There was a hearty round of applause. Shirley was made to stand and take a bow. Abby handed her a bouquet and hugged her. She giggled like a school kid.
"I have to thank you all for coming. I realise it was short notice for many of you. I hope you are having a good time and will continue to do so for the rest of the evening." [A ripple of applause.]
"And now, I only have one thing left to say," he turned to face his wife, took her hand kissed it lightly and held it to his heart. He stared lovingly into her eyes, a glimmer of a tear only she could see.
"I love you, Mrs. Gibbs."
There was a collective sigh from around the room followed by applause. As they watched Gibbs kiss his bride tenderly, Tobias nudged DiNozzo Sr, "And that Is how the lucky bastard does it."
@
The afternoon sped by in a blur. She chatted and laughed and smiled until her face hurt. It felt like she hugged everybody at least once ... And Abby dozens of times! But time was getting on, and Shirley was paying attention.
"I think it's time to get you back." She whispered to the couple. Gibbs nodded in agreement.
"Come on, Babe. I don't want to get in trouble with the docs."
An ambulance was waiting outside with boots and streamers on the back. The DiNozzo boys grinned at her. "It had to be done." Said Junior as he hugged her warmly. "I said it would all work out, didn't I?" He whispered softly.
@
She was virtually asleep by the time they got back to Room 306. Gibbs helped Shirley get her ready for bed.
He kicked his shoes, climbed onto the bed and spooned next to her for a moment, his arm around her waist. Within seconds, they were both soundly asleep.
Shirley drew the curtains across the observation window. Sure, it was against regulations but no drug would make her sleep as well as that man's arm around her! She considered it her wedding gift to them both and closed the door softly behind her.
@
Nurse Doyle (nee Ratchett) walked into 306 the following morning to find a man in a tuxedo wrapped around her patient. She sighed. "Mr. Gibbs, would you kindly get out of Mrs. Gibbs' bed?" She barked.
"No," he stated emphatically. His arm tightened around his wife - he wasn't going anywhere without a fight this morning.
"I really must insist, Mr. Gibbs. It's in your wife's best interest."
"It's Special Agent Gibbs" He advised without opening his eyes. "And I have a gun."
"It could be Your Royal Highness Gibbs for all I care. Now out!" She demanded.
Her patient groaned sleepily in protest and grabbed his arm to keep it around her.
"Agent Gibbs," she tried reasoning with the couple. "You have to let me do my job. And my job is taking care of your wife without you getting in my way."
He thought about begging for ten more minutes. It probably wouldn't work he decided. Bribery then? He opened one eye and took a good look at Nurse Doyle. Her face was stern and unforgiving. Nope, not that either. Resigned to his fate, he sighed.
"I don't want to Babe, but this mean, evil woman is making me do it." He kissed behind her ear and slid slowly from the bed to avoid disturbing her too much. He turned to the nurse. "I'm going home to shower and get changed. I'll be a couple of hours."
"Thank you," she said, more softly. "And congratulations to the pair of you. And thank you for the cake in the break room." She smiled for the first time. "Shirley told us all about it - Such a sweet story."
Gibbs knelt down in front of her. He took both her hands. "I know we can't just walk into somebody else0's wedding. "
" Good! " she interrupted
He continued. "But seeing as this is YOUR wedding, I don't think anyone will mind. He stood and started to walk towards the stage. He turned and continued backwards, "And you're going to walk down the aisle - that's your physio for today." He smiled enigmatically and blew her a kiss.. "Gotta go." He nodded towards the canopy at the front of the audience. "See you up there." He ran behind the stage and changed quickly into his tuxedo. Tobias joined him for a moment. "That was fun," laughed Gibbs. Then he pointed at Tobias "Rings?" he asked.
Tobias patted his top pocket. "Rings" he replied.
Gibbs smiled."Okay then. Let's do this." The two men left took their places at the front of the stage. He nodded at the quarter. The music changed.
Shirley was giggling like a schoolgirl. She clapped her hands with glee. "Oh it's been so hard to keep the secret. Especially if you were having a bad day - he's been working on this for weeks. Now come on, out of that chair, my lady!" Shirley placed a veil upon her head and fussed with it until she was happy before lowering it over her face.
Emily came to join them - her dress coordinating with Shirley. She hugged her aunt tightly. "Its been SO exciting helping Uncle Gibbs and SO hard not to tell you," she laughed. The music changed. "Oh, that's our cue," Emily said and headed off down the aisle with Shirley.
DiNozzo Sr. turned around as they reached the back of the aisle. He looked suave and dashing in a very expensive looking tuxedo. He beamed at her. "Don't you look lovely, my Dear. That's a beautiful dress." He handed her a single pink rose. "Junior said you should have this too." He offered her his arm.
Confusion reigned. It took a while for it to all sink in. Dr. Mallard took her other arm chivalrously. "I believe, Jethro made you a promise, My Dear. We've all worked very hard to help him keep it." He explained. He stood proudly to attention. The medals on his breast pocket shone in the light.
Music played. Everyone stood. Holding on to both surrogate fathers she walked slowly towards her husband, acknowledging the people around her as she passed them.
They reached Gibbs and Fornell - his best man as promised. His eyes shone. He looked adoringly at his wife as he took her arm from Ducky. Dr. Mallard took a seat next to Moira. He offered Moira his arm gallantly. She blushed like a teenager. Senior joined his son on the groom's side. She turned to Gibbs.
"How long did this take you?" She asked, amazed.
"Oh, I had a lot of help." He nodded gratefully towards their friends.
James Palmer (Autopsy Assistant and part-time Marriage Officiary) stepped forward, smiling happily. On the stage next to him was an easel covered by a satin sheet. He addressed the audience and couple alike.
"I know that this wedding was all a bit of a surprise and sprung on you last minute. And I know that you have been very busy at the hospital working on getting better. So Tony and I took it upon ourselves to write some vows for you. So repeat after me: " With a theatrical flourish he removed the silk cloth.
"I [insert name here]
Shannon,
Diane,
Rebecca,
Stephanie,
Take thee Leroy Jethro Gibbs to be my already legally wedded husband.
For richer, for government salary,
For coffee and bourbon,
In sawdust and engine oil,
For as long as we both shall live."
Jimmy then turned to Gibbs. "Now it's your turn Gibbs. Don't worry, we've used only short words."
"I, Leroy Jethro Gibbs take thee
[Which one are you again?]
To be my already lawfully wedded wife.
For richer for Govenment salary.
For coffee and drinks with little umbrellas.
In vintage fabric "I didn't know that was a thing! " interjected Gibbs ... and air miles.
For as long as we both shall live.
Tobias came forward and presented a small tray on which their wedding rings sat. Gibbs placed her engagement and wedding ring on the third finger of her right hand and kissed them tenderly. She picked up his ring and he too offered his right hand. "If you do, then so do I." He said softly.
Jimmy continued. "With the sharing of vows and the exchanging of rings witnessed by those gathered here today, and by the power invested to me by the American Marriages Online Correspondence Course, I now pronounce you husband and wife ... again. Jethro, you may kiss your fifth bride."
Gibbs lifted her veil, they smiled at each other broadly. He wrapped her in his arms and without hesitation they kissed each other tenderly. Applause and laughter filled the park.
At the Adam's House later that afternoon Tobias placed a hand on Gibbs' shoulder as he told his story, " ... and then he shot me in the butt!" Laughter ensued. That story never got old ... well, at least to Fornell.
"As well as catching Bad Guys, Jethro has caught more than his fair share of wives." [Nervous laughter.] "And all of them amazingly beautiful women. We have no idea how he does it, do we fellas?! Many a beer has been sacrificed to the discussion of this particular Gibbsian talent."
Gibbs looked down in embarrassment. (Was he blushing?) Fornell shrugged and scratched his head. "I mean, is it charm? Guile? Witty conversation? Whittling ability?" [More laughter.]
"They obviously see more of him than we do." There was uproar. She winked theatrically at her audience. Tobias hammed up looking at his notes. "I'm sorry, that should have read, they see more TO him, TO him than we do." He waited for the room to calm.
"But seriously, if there is anyone who deserves an extra chance of happiness, it has to be these two people here. I have watched their relationship grow through good times and bad. I have seen them both blossom as individuals and as a couple. They are good for each other. I am honoured that they call me 'friend'. I wish them both every hope and happiness in their future together. Please stand, and join me in a toast, ladies and gentlemen."
The room stood. They all raised their glasses. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, the Bride and Groom"
"The Bride and Groom." Repeated their audience and applauded. The two friends of many years shook hands and slapped each other manfully on the back as they swapped roles.
Tobias went and hugged her affectionately and kissed her behind her ear. "Are you enjoying today?" He whispered. She nodded yes. "You deserve it." He said his voice cracking emotionally. "We love you, you know that, right?" He added quickly before moving away from her.
Jethro stood up and wait for their audience to settle. He reached into his pocket and took out a sheet of paper. There was a gasp from some. Was he really going to make a speech?! He looked at the paper, holding it at arms length. Then he held up his hands.
"Sorry, sorry. That's a lumber receipt. I was wondering where I'd put that." The room erupted in merriment. He waved his hands for quiet. He put the paper back in his pocket and took a deep breath.
"As some of you may know, I'm not one for words. Much of the time, I think they're over rated. But I made a promise to a certain lady a while back, that she would have a proper wedding and I didn't want to let her down." [The audience collectively sighed happily.]
"I have a lot of thank you's to make. To all the people who helped me organise today. You all know who you are and there are too many of you to list. I didn't realise how much goes into one of these. My others I just showed up with my suit cleaned and my shoelaces tied!" [More laughter.]
"I have to thank the medical people for letting us escape for the day and in particular, Nurse Shirley Thompson who gave up her day off to be here for us today." There was a hearty round of applause. Shirley was made to stand and take a bow. Abby handed her a bouquet and hugged her. She giggled like a school kid.
"I have to thank you all for coming. I realise it was short notice for many of you. I hope you are having a good time and will continue to do so for the rest of the evening." [A ripple of applause.]
"And now, I only have one thing left to say," he turned to face his wife, took her hand kissed it lightly and held it to his heart. He stared lovingly into her eyes, a glimmer of a tear only she could see.
"I love you, Mrs. Gibbs."
There was a collective sigh from around the room followed by applause. As they watched Gibbs kiss his bride tenderly, Tobias nudged DiNozzo Sr, "And that Is how the lucky bastard does it."
The afternoon sped by in a blur. She chatted and laughed and smiled until her face hurt. It felt like she hugged everybody at least once ... And Abby dozens of times! But time was getting on, and Shirley was paying attention.
"I think it's time to get you back." She whispered to the couple. Gibbs nodded in agreement.
"Come on, Babe. I don't want to get in trouble with the docs."
An ambulance was waiting outside with boots and streamers on the back. The DiNozzo boys grinned at her. "It had to be done." Said Junior as he hugged her warmly. "I said it would all work out, didn't I?" He whispered softly.
She was virtually asleep by the time they got back to Room 306. Gibbs helped Shirley get her ready for bed.