Disclaimer on chapter one.
AN: Ain't ya'll just lucky...I finally got to this chapter and I got it written! So the long awaited...Wedding Ceremony! hmm, let's see Ceremony was copied from an online one...and the movie info was gathered by the Monument Valley National Park. All right I think that's all I have to disclaim...On with it...and you better tell me what you think :-). dark rolling sea.
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Wedding
Everyone was gathering, as Gibbs stood fidgeting with his suit. He looked around hoping to catch a glimpse of Kate, but failed. His stomach was fluttering with nerves and his mind was scattered. He couldn't deny the happiness he felt, underneath the current of nerves.
Gibbs looked around when he heard someone talking. He glanced at the front row and saw Kate's grandfather talking to Kate's brother E. J. The younger man seemed to have tuned the older man out, but Gibbs caught some of what was being said.
"A lot of movies were made in Monument Valley. Oh sure. They've been using that landscape since silents back in the 20s. Some of them you might have heard of, some of the more recent ones are Forest Gump, Tall Tales, Lightning Jack, To Wong Foo, Waiting to Exhale, Wild, Wild West, Mission Impossible II, and Windtalkers. Of course they weren't filmed entirely there but some of the shooting was there.
"Then of course you can go back to the 20 and 30s, with The Vanishing American and Stagecoach. John Wayne was in Stagecoach. He also did Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande, The Searchers and a lot more. Mostly John Ford movies too. There's actually a lookout in Monument Valley National Park that's named John Ford Point. Nice view. It's where he filmed most of his movies from."
"That's nice, Gramps, but it's almost time for the wedding now," E. J. said looking over his shoulder.
Kate was with her bridal party in a back room of the church. There was a smile on her face, but her stomach was churning. Abby bounced up to her with a grin and wrapped her arms around Kate's shoulders. Kate returned the gesture.
"I can't believe you and Gibbs are finally getting married!" Abby squealed as she released Kate.
"I know," Kate said, the grin widening on her face.
"It's about time," Abby said her head bobbing with enthusiasm. Kate laughed and nodded her agreement.
"It's almost time," Kate said pushing Abby towards the door. "You lead."
"I know. I really am super happy for you two. I'm so glad you finally got your acts together," Abby replied with a smile as she turned and walked to the door. Kate couldn't help but smile at her friend.
The music cued up and Abby and the others lined up to head towards the alter area. Kate looked around and saw her father coming at her. She smiled as he came up in front of her. He gave her a warm hug.
"My baby's getting married," he said with a smile.
"Daddy, you're going to make me cry," Kate said with a smile in return.
"I'm looking forward to that dance at the reception," he said with a smile.
"Me too, Daddy, me too," she replied.
It was then that Abby started for the alter area, walking slowly. When she was half way there Melanie started after her. Megan came next slowly walking towards the front, followed by Suzy. When it was Hayley's turn, Kate was ready to persuade the child, but she put on a big smile and slowly walked down the aisle dropping flower petals as she went. She received smiles and 'awes' as she made her way in the silver dress.
Kate turned to her dad. "Well this is the time," she said. Her dad smiled at her then held out his arm as the music started to play. Kate slipped her arm through her father's and the two started for the front.
Gibbs looked up for the first time since the beginning of the wedding as he heard the music cue for Kate. He took a deep breath and waited. Finally Kate came around the corner with Doug escorting her and his heart began to pound. The firm line of his lips curled upwards into a smile, before teeth were shown in a full blown grin.
They slowly made their way to the front, as Kate locked eyes with Gibbs. There was nothing in her life she could compare to this moment as the emotions charged through her body. This was the best day of her life, she thought as she walked up next to him. The Pastor cleared his throat.
"Who gives this woman away?" he asked.
"I do," Doug said placing Kate's hand into Gibbs'. Doug then stepped back and sat down in the front row next to Kate's mother. The Pastor continued on with the ceremony but Gibbs and Kate were oblivious to what he was saying.
They were staring at each other, both smiling, as they studied the other. They were in their own little word as they waited for the time they would have to speak. Gibbs couldn't believe that he was going through this again…for the fifth time.
The Pastor continued on about the sanctity of the bond that they were forming. Gibbs felt something bump into his leg and he glanced down with the corner of his eye to see Hunter shifting around toeing at the top stair. Gibbs slipped his foot back and nudged the boy, who brought his head up and rolled his eyes. Gibbs finally focused on what the Pastor was saying.
"You stand here as two individuals at the dawn of your life as one. Through your relationship, you have come to know, respect, and love each other. Although your backgrounds and experience are different, you share the same goals and ideals. Today you are making the deepest commitment of your lives as you acknowledge your intention to be married and with it your promise of trust and devotion to each other. From this point on, you will think first of this union you are now creating, and how you may strengthen it.
"This ceremony formally unites you in marriage, but only you can unite with each other in your hearts. The bond uniting you is the entire meaning. We hope your companionship will bring you strength and your life is enriched by affection and mutual respect bringing peace and contentment.
"A marriage is many things. But a good marriage is a relationship of love. Essentially, to be in love means to have a deep sense of identification with another person. It is to live in the life of that person, feeling his or her joys and troubles as if they were your own. And when two people are truly in love, each is concerned with helping the other become what he or she ought to be. The husband wants to nourish the best qualities of his wife; the wife wants to develop what is good in her husband."
The Pastor continued on with more about what marriage and the vow they were taking should mean to each other. Gibbs started to tune him out again, focusing his attention on Kate, wondering when it would all be over and she would be his wife. Memories of the last three years drifted through his mind, reliving all the moments he had shared with Kate, wondering how he lived his life before she graced it with her appearance.
Kate was also lost, thinking of how much her life had changed in the three years since she had met Gibbs. She recalled the past year that they had spent together, the overwhelming joy they had shared. She thought about their unborn child, growing in her belly. Hearing her name brought her from here reverie.
"If you Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and you, Caitlin Rose Todd, have freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners in this holy estate, and know of no just cause why you may not be so united, will you join your right hands, and now will you join your left hands."
Kate and Gibbs did as instructed turning slightly to face each other, the smiles on their faces showing their happiness in the moment. They both turned to the Pastor. Finally he continued.
"Do you, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, solemnly declare in the presence of God and these witnesses that you take this woman, Caitlin Rose Todd, to be your lawfully wedded wife? If so, please answer I will."
"I will," Gibbs said confidently.
"Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, keep her in sickness and in health, and cherish her until death do you part? If so, please answer I will."
"I will," Gibbs said again.
"Do you, Caitlin Rose Todd," the Pastor continued turning towards Kate, "solemnly declare in the presence of God and these witnesses that you take this man, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, to be your lawfully wedded husband? I so, please answer I will."
"I will," Kate replied.
"Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him in sickness and in health, and cherish him until death do you part? If so, please answer I will."
"I will."
"Do you have the rings?" he asked both of them.
"I do!" Hunter said jumping up suddenly with a smile. Everyone chuckled at the young one's enthusiasm. Hunter reached up with the rings and handed them to the Pastor before he continued.
"These wedding rings have neither a beginning nor an end. It is a symbol of everlasting love and faith. May it ever remind you of the solemn vows and obligations that you have this day taken, and keep steadfast therein until the end," the Pastor finished.
He reached over and gave Gibbs a ring, "Will you place this ring on the bride's left hand and repeat after me, Caitlin Rose Todd, this ring I give you."
"Caitlin Rose Todd, this ring I give you," Gibbs replied while he slipped the ring over her left finger.
"In token and in pledge," the Pastor continued.
"In token and in pledge," Gibbs repeated.
"Of our constant faith and abiding love."
"Of our constant faith and abiding love," Gibbs finished.
The Pastor turned to Kate and handed her the other ring, "Will you place this ring on the groom's left hand and repeat after me. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with this ring I give you."
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with this ring I give you," Kate said as she slipped the ring over his finger.
"In token and in pledge."
"In token and in pledge," Kate repeated.
"Of our constant faith and abiding love."
"Of our constant faith and abiding love," Kate finished.
"May these rings stand as a sign to you of your desire to live, to love, to create, to build your lives and help the lives of those whom you touch.
"May today's celebration remain with you as the sign of the partnership you have formed. We hope that you will grow and change with circumstance. We hope that you will not be afraid of making mistakes and that you will always be open and honest with each other. We trust that you will learn to accept the changes of life and its wonder – as at this moment you accept the joy of being married. May the love that you feel and share with us today continue to grow deeper and stronger.
"Leroy Jethro Todd and Caitlin Rose Todd having consented together in marriage and having witnessed the same before this company and thereto having pledged your faith, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of Indiana, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the Pastor said with a smile.
Gibbs grinned at Kate before he moved in and kissed her for the first time as husband and wife. Kate smiled lovingly up at him when he pulled back. They both looked at the Pastor.
"Ladies and Gentleman I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs," Pastor Lutz said with arms spread and a smile on his face. Gibbs held his arm out and Kate took it, slipping her arm around it. They walked out of the sanctuary and rounded the corner out of site. Jeb led Abby out, while Ducky led Melanie, Donovan led Megan, and Tony and Suzy followed them. Last came Hunter and Hayley, a picture that gained many smiles as they trudged along at the rear.
Everyone gathered at the doors of the church while Gibbs and Kate made their way out. They were applauded as they walked from the church arm in arm towards the limousine. The smiles on their faces marking the joy they felt evident to the world.
They climbed into the limousine followed by the rest of the wedding party as they headed towards the reception. Kate leaned in and wrapped her arms around Gibbs and snuggled into his chest. His arm came around her and pulled her tightly in as he dropped a kiss in her hair.
"I love you," he whispered low enough so only Kate heard. She turned her head and looked up at him with a smile, leaning in and kissing him lightly.
TBC…
AN2: Yes coming to an end, but there will be at least one if not two more chapters on this one. Depends on how I put the next chapter together.
