Today marked a month since Ellie had been released from the hospital, in her arms, her new baby girl. Finally, Nick and Ellie took their eyes off the baby long enough to realize that their wedding was in two days.
Jack had extended her stay and graciously took over wedding planning. Helping her, surprisingly, was Gibbs. Guess it was true, Jack could convince Gibbs to do anything.
Ellie woke up to a screeching cry coming from the baby's room. She rolled onto her back and woke Nick with a sharp jab in the stomach.
"It's your turn" she groaned.
Nick took the folded pillow from off of his head and sauntered over to the baby's room, grumbling along as he went.
"Freya." he half groaned as he stepped in.
She was lying on her back now, pawing at a stuffed bunny a few inches from her face. Nick broke into a grin as he wiped his eyes and lifted her up.
Nick backed up and fell seated into the chair, holding her tightly as she snuggled deeper into the nape of his neck.
The next morning Nick awoke in the same chair, only this time Freya was nowhere to be seen and a fuzzy was draped over him.
He practically ran into the kitchen, all the tiredness immediately falling away.
"El-" he cried.
Ellie was standing in the kitchen flipping gorgeous golden pancakes and juggling Freya in the other arm.
"Hey sleepyhead." she smiled
Nick stood gaping before breaking into a relieved grin.
"Come here Fre-ya" he enunciated, running over to grab her from Ellie's arms.
He had just passed the living room when a knock came from the door. He picked up Freya and shifting his weight, opened the door.
Jack burst in holding ten different types of napkins. "Ok, you guys need to pick a color, I have it narrowed down to five shades of yellow, two shades of purple, and three shades of blue."
Ellie practically rolled her eyes, "Jack, they're napkins, people are gonna wipe food off of their faces with them. I don't think the color really matters."
Jack looked taken aback but Ellie continued. "The food, on the other hand, I have never been more excited to eat in my life."
Per Ellies' request they had ordered nearly every type of appetizer and dessert in existence, all the way from mozzarella sticks to decadent chocolate lava cakes.
Jack and Ellie spent the rest of the morning bickering over the importance of color coding the napkins while Nick took Freya on a walk through the park.
Ellie slumped back onto the bed with a huff. "She's finally down."
Nick simply let out a small groan and turned to face his fiance. "We're getting married tomorrow," he whispered, twirling her golden hair around his fingers.
Ellie let out a huge smile, "I love you, future husband."
"I love you, future wife."
The wedding day was a mess of food, preparations, and after yesterday's conversation, sky blue napkins. Ellie was immediately shoved into a room and zipped up into a beautiful floral white dress. When she emerged she heard gasps of amazement.
"Oh, Ellieee." Kasie squealed, "You look amazing!"
Ellie was wearing a tight strapless dress, with floral patterns covering it from head to toe and a low rise back that flowed a whole foot behind her. She twirled around in the mirror, catching the ooh's and ah's of her bridesmaids.
Two rooms down the hall Nick stood in front of a panel of mirrors, a midnight black suit and corn blue tie. Jimmy, Gibbs, and Tim sat behind him, guzzling beer after beer.
"The ceremony hasn't even started, save the alcohol for the vows." he laughed
Gibbs jumped up and came over to Nick. "You ready?" he said, fixing his tie.
Nick chuckled, "Not even a little bit."
The music played softly and everyone stood, turning to face the back of the aisle. Ellie emerged, holding her dad's arm, her silky dress flowing freely behind her. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun with two small flower pins keeping it up. She looked absolutely breathtaking.
Nick's eyes were glued to her as she walked slowly. His heart started racing and he looked back at Mcgee. He sent him a small nod and a smile and Nick turned back to face his bride. What felt like hours later she stood opposite of him. Jack, Kasie, Ziva, and Abby stood in a neat line behind her, Ziva at the front, holding a beautiful bouquet of white lilies, the same ones that Quinn gave Ellie after Quasims funeral.
At the signal they stepped closer together, taking each other's hands in theirs. Nick looked up at Ellie and their eyes met, the rest of the world melting away around them.
Ellie went first, she took a deep breath and swallowed. "Nick." she started "Did you know I hated you when we first met?" the guests all laughed. "No really, you were arrogant and selfish, and you didn't know how to work with a team."
"Ellie, you are supposed to say good things." Ellie laughed and tightened her grip on his hands.
"Nick, you are not that man anymore. Now you are the man who will nerd out with Mcgee, who will risk his life for anyone on his team, who agrees to things like goat yoga." a tear slid down her cheek. "Nick. You are the love of my life and the father of my miracle child. I love you." She laughed a little and wiped away a tear.
Nick took a second before starting. "Ellie, I never told you what happened during my fight with Ziva. I know you are dead set on saying I was weaker than her, and maybe that's true. But that's not why I got distracted. Ziva leaned over and whispered into my ear, telling me that I was a wuss for not admitting my feelings." he smiled. "The only thing I thought about for weeks after was how she knew it before me. I was so mad that I couldn't admit it, that I couldn't tell you that I wanted you in my life, that someone I just met knew before I did."
Ellie shifted her eyes back at Ziva, and Ziva sent her back a small wink and smile.
"Ellie, I will never make that mistake again, not for any reason. I love you."
Ellie giggled and tears slipped down her cheek, they leaned in, and Nick caressed her smooth cheek, moving a wisp of hair behind her ear.
He leaned into her ear and whispered "Rule 5."
Oh man. I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry while writing this. It was so hard to find an ending as perfect as these two. Hopefully, you enjoyed this. I couldn't resist not writing the wedding. For your information,
Chapter 5 - You don't waste good.