Kate paced the small room where her, Rachel and Abby had gotten ready. There was less than 10 minutes until she had to pick up her bouquet and walk down the aisle to her awaiting husband to be. She stopped and looked in the mirror to make sure her make-up and hair was still perfect. A smile graced her features as she finally saw how beautiful she was right now.
The door to the room opening made her turn, the smile still on her face, but slowly falling as she studied the look on her sister and Abby's face.
"What? What's wrong?" she asked walking over to them. Abby looked at Rachel as she held out a folded piece of paper to her sister.
"Sweetie, I'm so sorry" she said as Kate reached out for the note. She could hear her heart beating louder and louder as she took the note and opened it.
Written inside was in his tell tale scrawl was the simple word 'Sorry'. She stared at it, willing her voice to her work. She looked up at the girls, tears in her eyes.
"He's?" she couldn't even finish the full question.
"Kate I'm sorry. I don't think anyone saw this coming" Abby said as she took a step closer to her friend.
"No" she said shaking her head.
"Katie" Rachel said softly. Both women were now standing in front of her, her sister reached out and touched her arm. It was that touch that made her crumble.
"No" she cried out as she let them hold her.
"No" she cried so hard it felt like her body was going to break.
"Kate" it was soft, like coming from across the room, but she knew it was him. It was his voice.
"Katie, wake up" she heard him again, this time finally opening her eyes. Through her tears she saw his face in the darkness and it was like she was able to breathe again.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight.
"Hey, you're okay" he said softly as he held on to her. He waited a moment before pulling back and looking at her, wiping away the few tears that were still on her face.
"What happened?" he asked her softly. At first she looked away, ran her hands over his arms before speaking.
"You walked out. You left me. On our wedding day" she said softly. Gibbs sighed and pulled her into him and kissed her head.
"Was just a dream Katie. I will be there. I promise" he told her softly as she curled her body into his more. She knew in her heart that he would never do such a thing, but it felt so real. He pulled her down onto the bed, his arms still wrapped around her. She cuddled into him and sighed.
"Two days and we will be husband and wife" she said as she ran a hand over his chest.
"For better or for worse" he smiled and kissed her again "Now get some sleep" he told her. She nodded and finally was able to sleep without anymore nightmares.
Kate's heart was beating too fast. She had to sit down before she either passed out or threw up. It was just like her dream. All she needed was Rachel and Abby to walk in with that piece of paper.
She turned and looked at the door as it opened and in walked Rachel and Abby, her breathing stopped.
"Hey sweetie, you doing okay? You look like you're about to pass out" Rachel came to sit next to her younger sister. Kate nodded and tried to give her a small smile.
"Look, the boys are doing just fine. The celebrant has just arrived and mom is busily ushering everyone to their seats" she said as she wrapped an arm around her.
"And just so you know, Gibbs looks very handsome. And Tony, like wow" Abby said with a grin, which made them all laugh.
"You know, he did tell me about that dream you had. And I can safely say that man is not going anywhere" Rachel said, making Kate smile.
"You have got one amazing man sweetie" she kissed her younger sisters head and was joined by Abby.
"Agreed. After 13 years of waiting this day has finally come" her best friend added. Kate took a deep breath, she didn't want to cry just yet.
There was a soft knock and then the door opened and Ducky pocked his head inside.
"I believe there is a wedding we must get to ladies" he said as he entered the room. After speaking with her mother, Kate had decided to ask the old man to walk her down the aisle, as she didn't want to have to choose between her brothers.
"Absolutely. Come on, let's not keep that man of yours waiting" Rachel and Abby both stood up and grabbed the three bouquets. Kate stood with a smile and took hers.
"You look beautiful my dear" Ducky said as he kissed her cheek. She blushed slightly and she felt her stomach flutter. This was finally it. She was only minutes away from marrying the man she had been in love with for many years.
The girls lead the way out of the room and towards the awaiting family and friends. Just before they reached the arch in the garden. They blew Kate a kiss before they started their slow walk down the aisle. Ducky looked at her and squeezed her hand.
"Are you ready?" he asked her with a grin. Not trusting her voice right now, she just nodded and smile. With a pat to her hand, they turned the corner and she finally saw him. She couldn't help but freeze. There he was, looking as nervous as hell wearing his dress blues. She couldn't take her eyes off him, it wasn't until she felt Ducky squeeze her hand again that she realized she was supposed to be walking down the aisle towards her husband to be.
With a deep breath she started walking towards her man, not taking her eyes off him. She had never seen him look more handsome, or as happy as he looked right now, in this moment.
When they reached the end, Gibbs stepped towards them, still not taking his eyes of his wife. She looked absolutely breath taking. Ducky shook his hand with a big smile.
"Look after her" Ducky told him. Gibbs grinned, still not taking his eyes off her.
"I promise" he then took Kate's hand and they stood side by side as the celebrant conducted the ceremony.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" she announces and Gibbs pulls his new wife closer, she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him deeply. She had been wanting to do it since she saw him.
The cheers and applause got louder and they finally pulled apart.
"I love you" he told her softly, making her smile grow even wider, if that was even possible.
"I love you too" she said as she kissed him again quickly. When they pulled apart they were met with hugs and kisses from their friends and family as they made their way back up the aisle.
They had done it. They were officially married. Husband and wife. For better or for worse. Until death do they part.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Mr and Mrs Gibbs for their first dance as husband and wife" the MC announced as Gibbs grabbed Kate's hand and lead her out onto the dance floor. Neither of them were used to being centre of attention and having so many eyes focused on them.
Gibbs pulled Kate in close, took her hand in his, his other wrapping around her. She smiled as she looked up at him, she still couldn't believe he wore his old Marine dress uniform. She didn't even know he still had it, but it would explain why he had started going for runs every morning.
When Russell Dickerson's 'Yours' started playing through the speakers they started moving slowly, their eyes locked.
"Have I told you how handsome you look tonight?" she asked him softly, making him smile and nod.
"A few times. I'm glad you like it" he said as his hand ran up and down the small of her back, not only just feeling the soft lace of her dress, but making sure she was real. Making sure this was in fact his Katie standing in front of him.
"I love it and I love you. So very much Jethro" she moved her arms up to wrap around his neck, his wrapping around her waist.
"See, no need for those nightmares" this made her laugh and hug him tight as he moved them around the dance floor. They were then soon joined by their guests on the dance floor. She rested her head on Gibbs' shoulder closing her eyes just to enjoy this moment. She never thought she would have a moment like this, so she had to take in every second. She felt his lips on her head and smiled.
"Don't tell me the Mrs Gibbs is tired already?" she opened her eyes to see Tony and Abby next to her and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Not at all, just enjoying this moment" she explained with a sweet smile.
"Well do you mind if I ruin this moment and steal you away from your husband?" Tony asked with a cheesy grin, making her laugh and nod. They swapped dance partners, Abby clearly happy to have some quality time with Gibbs.
"So what's it like being married to the boss?" Tony asked as they started dancing across the room.
"It feels amazing. And you can stop calling him that you know. He is no longer either of our boss'" she said with a smile. Tony laughed and nodded.
"I know, but he is still boss to me" she smiled and they were silent for a moment before Tony spoke again.
"Do you ever wish things had been different?" he asked. She looked at him, not really sure what he meant.
"Like if I hadn't left after Ari? Or are you more thinking if you had swept me off my feet before Gibbs had the chance to?" she asked with a grin. This made Tony laugh, taking away the seriousness of the conversation.
"Oh Kate, a bit late now to admit your feelings for me" he said laughing, Kate shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"No, I mean if our lives were normal. If you and Gibbs hadn't been almost killed by a terrorist, if you actually acted on your feelings first instead of waiting until it was too late" he was now serious and Kate couldn't help but actually think about his question.
"Sometimes I do wish things had been different. Who knows, maybe we would have gotten married earlier, or had kids" she shrugged as she looked around at her guests that were dancing and laughing and enjoying themselves.
"But even still, I wouldn't change anything at all" she looked at him "And neither should you Tony. You are an amazing father and an even better man" she smiled. Tony looked at her and smiled. There was no need for any more words. He just hugged her tight, before they got pulled apart by her brother Daniel.
Kate grabbed a flute of champagne and headed out one of the doors to the patio and looked up at the night sky. She smiled but sighed. It was the perfect night. It was the perfect day in fact, but a little piece of her still felt sad.
She sipped her champagne and looked out at the garden in front of her. She didn't hear the person approach her until she felt the hand on her back, making her jump slightly. She turned to see her husband standing next to her, looking a little worried and she gave him a small smile.
"You okay?" he finally asked and she nodded, but he didn't believe her. She turned to look up at the star filled sky and leaned back into the solid chest of her husband.
"Growing up, I believed that if you lose someone close to you, if you looked up at the sky at night the stars twinkling were their eyes looking down at you" she said softly. Gibbs wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder.
"He is up there looking down on us right now and he would be so proud of you" he told her softly. It was no secret that every little girl grew up and imagine her dad would be the one to walk her down the aisle. That she would share a father-daughter dance on her special day. To not have your father here on your big day, would be very hard but Kate had put on brave face for most of the day.
Kate turned her head to face him and kissed his cheek.
"He would have loved you" she said softly and she felt his arms tighten around her even more.
"Not as much as I love you" he said softly making her smile.
They stayed like that for a while, not really knowing how much time had passed.
"There you two are. Everyone is looking for you two. They are getting ready to cut the cake" Kate's eldest brother James said as he walked over to them.
"Right, we better get in there" Kate said as Gibbs finally let her go. He kissed her head and headed inside first, leaving Kate with her brother.
"You two okay?" he asked eyeing his baby sister. She smiled sweetly and nodded.
"Yeah. Just thinking about Dad" she told him. James nodded and stepped closer to her.
"He would be happy for you, you know that right?" he said and she nodded.
"He is a great guy Katie. And he loves you" he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
"I am so happy for you. Now come on, I really want some cake" this made them both laugh and they headed back in.
Kate couldn't stop laughing as she pushed open the door to their room and Gibbs carried her inside. He kicked the door closed behind them and she kissed him deeply. He put her down, her arms still around his neck.
Kate pulled back and looked up at him.
"I have a surprise for you" she said softly as she bit her lip. Gibbs grinned and pulled her against him. As much as he was grateful to have been surrounded by friends and family all day, it was so nice to finally be alone with each other.
She turned around in his arms, looked back over her shoulder at him.
"Undo me" she ordered him. He grinned and ran his hands down her back to the zipper of her dress. He slowly pulled it down, while also taking in how good the fabric felt on her body. When it got to the end he carefully urged it down and it pooled at her feet. She stepped out of it and away from him and turned to face him.
It was clear her surprise had worked because he was speechless. He stood there just staring at her.
"Do you like it?" she asked, her hands on her hips. She was standing there in a lace white corset, matching sheer white thong with garter belt, thigh high stockings and her heels.
"Wow Katie" he said softly, still unable to move or even blink. She grinned even more and carefully stepped over her dress to be in front of him. She ran her hands all over his chest, taking in his uniform.
"I love this so much, but I also happen to love what's underneath it" she told him as her fingers played with the buttons.
"So take it off" he said softly as he watched her. She grinned and one by one started undoing the buttons on his jacket. She carefully pulled it off him, and with their backgrounds she couldn't find the will to let it hit the ground, so she walked over and placed it on the chair. She went to turn back to go to him but he was already there, his lips attacking her neck and then her shoulders. Her eyes closed and she couldn't stop the small moan that escaped her lips. She reached back and dug her fingers into his hair.
"Please don't go slow Jethro, I have wanted you all day" she told him and she could feel the grin on his lips. He turned her around and kissed her deeply, pushing her back to the table. He lifted her up onto it, his hands roaming all over her body, like he couldn't get enough of her.
Kate's hands grabbed at his body wanting to be closer to him, her hands running down his chest to his pants. She undid his belt, then his zipper and pulled down his pants, hearing the satisfying soft thumb of them hitting the floor.
"Mmmm I like these" she said with a grin as her hands felt the silk of his boxers. She bit her lip as she looked down at them, his excitement clearly evident between them.
Gibbs shrugged and looked down at her.
"Wanted to dress up too" he says almost like he was embarrassed. She couldn't help the grin spreading across her face as she ran her hands down his chest to the inside of his silk boxers and grabbed his very hard member, causing a moan to leave his mouth.
"I need you now" she told him. He looked down into her eyes, so dark with desire.
"Anything for you Mrs Gibbs" he said, leaning down and kissing her deeply.