The doors to the Drawing Room swung open in tandem. The guests stood and turned to watch the bride enter. With the push of a couple of buttons, McGee orchestrated the flow of The Wedding Song by Kenny G into Pachelbel's Canon in D with Ocean Sounds.
At the front of the room, Gibbs had one foot forward as though he'd been about to walk down the aisle toward the doors. Ducky's hand was on his shoulder, apparently trying to hold the groom in place. Jackson was not surprised.
A faint hum of surprise rolled through the room at Eli's presence.
Jethro's piercing gaze focused on the trio as soon as the doors opened. His look landed on Eli first and he stiffened, eyes narrowed. His hard stare cut to his dad, clearly trying to decide if he should be furious with him at this turn of events. Jackson just smiled and patted the air slightly with his right hand in an attempt to reassure his son that all was well.
And then Gibbs' arresting blue eyes found the woman he loved and all else faded to the edges of his consciousness.
His heart stuttered, then started beating in double time. She was so stunningly beautiful he'd have forgotten to breathe if his lungs hadn't continued to do so automatically. She had eyes for no one but him and her gaze was confident, happy and in love. He was mesmerized.
A short aisle had been created by the placement of the chairs for their guests, with a section of seating on either side. The chuppah was set up in the front of the room between the dual fireplaces and a gas fire crackled merrily in both.
Outwardly, Ziva appeared the very picture of composure, but on the inside she was practically quivering with anticipation. She had to force herself not to run to Jethro and throw herself into his arms. Instead, she proceeded deliberately up the aisle, arm in arm with her two fathers.
When the three of them reached her groom at the edge of the canopy, Jackson gave Ziva a kiss on the cheek, squeezed his son's shoulder and took his seat in the front row. Gibbs held out his hand to this woman who held his heart. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his. With a kiss to her forehead and a faint smile, Eli wordlessly released his daughter into her soon-to-be-husband's care and took a seat beside Jackson. With his patented smile for her alone, Jethro pulled Ziva more fully under the chuppah to stand close beside him.
Ziva's heart was filled near to bursting with joy. Suddenly, she handed her bouquet to Abby, who accepted it reflexively. Leaving her right hand in Jethro's left, she raised her other hand to his neck and pulled him down for a kiss that rocked his world.
After a few deliciously long seconds, Judge Elaine Kaplan leaned in close to them and pointed out good-naturedly, "Usually we save that part for the end."
Ziva and Gibbs grinned against each other's mouths, then pulled apart – just a little.
Eyes sparkling up at him with happy excitement, Ziva admitted, "I couldn't wait." Chuckles from the guests danced on the air.
"Finally! She used a contraction!" The chortles erupted into quiet laughter as Tony voiced his exaggerated relief. Even Jethro and Ziva were not immune. Gibbs pulled her in for a warm hug, tucking her under his chin, as they joined in the amusement.
It was an auspicious beginning to the rest of their lives together: surrounded by affectionate laughter and the friends and family who loved them both.
The judge began speaking and the small crowd quieted.
"Please be seated," she began, as Ziva took her bouquet back from Abby. "Ziva and Jethro would like to thank you all for celebrating this special day with them, and it is my pleasure to be here, as well."
The judge was a pleasant, friendly woman who'd known Ducky for a long time through their bridge club. She'd performed many weddings over the years, but she had developed a special affinity for Gibbs and Ziva from the moment she met them. One couldn't help but be captivated by the way these two fit together like two halves of a whole. She had the sense that they'd each lived through difficult – perhaps unspeakable - experiences that had left them scarred and even broken at times. Yet, the love each had found in the other had brought them both healing and peace and happiness. It was heart-warming to see.
Ziva and Gibbs had enjoyed getting to know Elaine Kaplan, as well, and felt very comfortable with her. The three of them had met on a couple of occasions so that she and they could learn a little more about each other and so they could get her input on the ceremony.
Elaine had encouraged them to consider including readings or songs that spoke to them, as a Jewish wedding was meant first and foremost to put the bride and groom front and center and celebrate the bond between them. There was plenty of room for creativity in conveying that. She was also clear that they should feel free to include any traditional wedding customs they wanted, but they should not feel bound to those, especially since the groom was not Jewish. Too, being an Israeli Jew was more of a cultural identity for Ziva that was spiritual at times, but not overtly religious.
Gibbs couldn't really care less about music or readings on some level, but he knew Ziva wanted to create something special and meaningful, and he wanted her to have no regrets about the day. While sharing their emotions publicly was not second-nature to either of them, marrying Jethro was the most important thing in Ziva's life and she wanted their wedding to reflect the love they had for each other. Plus, after two years of hiding, it was frankly liberating to claim their relationship out in the open, even if it meant displaying aspects of themselves that they normally only shared with each other.
Ziva had done a little research and then they'd had another evening session on their sitting room couch accompanied by a glass of bourbon and her laptop. They'd decided on a poem to include, the wording of their vows and some other aspects of the ceremony. The judge would share a brief message of her own, as well.
When Ziva had voiced a concern that some of the words might feel a little too revealing or "phoo-phooey" to Jethro, he'd assured her he was all right with the rest of the world knowing exactly what she meant to him. In fact, maybe they should add Special Agent Levine to the guest list, he'd smirked, making her laugh. Besides, he'd added, a Marine can handle anything once – even the mushy stuff.
There was a song Ziva had come across that seemed very fitting, but, as she'd shared with Abby, they weren't really sure how to include it without standing there awkwardly as it played. She somewhat reluctantly left it out, but was perfectly happy with their other plans.
The judge continued the ceremony, focusing her attention on the bride and groom. "Every marriage should be so fortunate as to start out as yours already has, with love and laughter in abundance. I hope you'll remember these words as you live out the rest of your lives as husband and wife.
"Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the gentle care your obviously deep connection deserves.
"When frustration, difficulties and fear loom, as they do in all relationships at one time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not only on the part that seems wrong. In this way, you will ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is always there."
Ziva and Gibbs smiled at her, then at each other. Their hands squeezed together more tightly.
"Now, Ziva and Jethro, if you will take a seat and direct your attention this way, Abby, Tim, and Tony have a gift for you." She gestured toward two chairs a few steps away and then toward the side where Tony was removing a white covering from a large flat screen computer monitor perched on a cart that was skirted in more white.
The bride and groom threw a questioning look at Abby, who just gave them a mischievous, satisfied smile. They moved to the chairs that were waiting for them. Gibbs sat first and tugged Ziva down on his lap.
"I have my own seat right beside you," Ziva pointed out to him in a low voice, though she did not make a move to actually sit in it. One arm came up to drape along his shoulders.
"Too far away," Jethro mumbled, wrapping both arms around her waist and settling her in more firmly.
Tony pushed a button on the laptop that was on the cart and started the DVD the three friends had created. The strains of Bless the Broken Road filtered out into the room and pictures of Gibbs and Ziva slowly faded charmingly across the screen. Suitable quotes about love and relationships were interspersed here and there with the photos. The couple was stunned.
The pictures included copies of all the ones displayed in their sitting room, as well as others that included the team. Abby had gone through her photos from the last couple of years with an eye toward looking for a connection between these two with the knowledge she had now. She'd been amazed at just how often the two of them were standing near enough to touch each other – and equally amazed that she'd never noticed. There were even moments captured on film where Gibbs' hands rested casually on Ziva's shoulders or one of them was glancing at the other with what could only be described as an intimate look.
Ziva cast her gaze over at Abby, staggered that her best friends had found a meaningful way to include the song that had spoken to Ziva's heart…and she was humbled by the caring so clearly communicated by their efforts. Tears filled her eyes as the two women shared a knowing smile, then Ziva turned her attention back to Jethro and the video.
While the three friends had really only been thinking of giving Ziva something she wanted, the greatest gift in sharing the photos was that now the progression of their relationship was out of hiding, as well. The family and friends present were provided with a window into the couple's private lives over the last couple of years, rather than only having the perspective of the last couple of months.
As the voice of Rascal Flatts carried the song through the room, Ziva and Gibbs watched the video, heads close together, occasionally whispering personal comments to each other or sharing a smile at various pictures. About halfway through the song, the words caught up with them and Ziva rested her forehead against Jethro's, their emotional connection on display for all to see.
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
As the song ended, anyone who could lip-read saw Ziva sigh "I love you" and Gibbs say it back. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
As the two of them returned to stand in front of the judge, Ziva blinked back tears and found Tim, Tony and Abby with her eyes, wordlessly communicating her gratitude. All three of them practically glowed.
"Jethro and Ziva, if you will please turn toward each other as I read these next words," Judge Kaplan directed. To the guests she offered, "This poem is called I Promise written by Dorothy R. Colgane.
"I promise to give you the best of myself
and to ask of you no more than you can give.
"I promise to respect you as your own person
and to realize that your interests, desires and needs
are no less important than my own.
"I promise to share with you my time and my attention
and to bring joy, strength, and imagination to our relationship.
"I promise to keep myself open to you,
to let you see through the window of my world into my innermost
fears and feelings, secrets and dreams.
"I promise to grow along with you,
to be willing to face changes in order to keep our relationship
alive and exciting.
"I promise to love you in good times and bad,
with all I have to give and all I feel inside in the only way I know how.
Completely and forever."
Ziva and Gibbs looked deeply into one another's eyes as Elaine recited the reading they'd chosen. In those moments, the others in the room faded away as they focused on the words and each other.
"And with that in mind," the judge continued, "do you, Jethro, take Ziva to be your wife?"
"I do," he answered firmly, that patented half-smile of his curving his mouth.
"Do you promise to love, cherish and protect her, whether in good fortune or in adversity, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," he repeated.
Judge Kaplan spoke to the bride.
"Do you, Ziva, take Jethro to be your husband?"
"I do," she responded softly, her voice husky with emotion.
"Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him, whether in good fortune or in adversity, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she affirmed, never taking her eyes from Jethro's.
"May I please have the rings?" the judge asked, taking one from Abby and one from Ducky. Ziva handed her bouquet to Abby for the second time.
"Jethro, as you place this ring upon Ziva's finger, repeat after me," Judge Kaplan directed. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and commitment." Jethro repeated the words as he slowly began sliding her wedding ring on Ziva's finger.
The judge continued, pausing appropriately to allow Gibbs to echo her words. "With all that I am and all that I have, I will honor and support you and be faithful to you. From this day forward, I will be your partner as you will be mine."
A happy tear spilled down Ziva's cheek as she looked at the ring now residing on her finger, then looked up at Jethro with her heart in her eyes. With a small smile, he gently wiped her tear with his thumb.
"Ziva, as you place this ring on Jethro's finger, repeat after me," the judge instructed.
Pushing his wedding ring on Jethro's finger, Ziva quoted the judge's words, "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and commitment."
The judge continued, pausing for Ziva to repeat the words.
"With all that I am and all that I have, I will honor and support you and be faithful to you. From this day forward, I will be your partner as you will be mine." Ziva's voice rang clear as she spoke her vows.
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Judge Kaplan finished happily. With a smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eye, she told Gibbs, "It's your turn now, Jethro; you may kiss your bride."
More chuckles filled the room. The bride and groom grinned at each other as Jethro cupped her cheek with one hand and rested the other on her waist, as her arms slid up around his neck. Their mouths came together in a slow, warm kiss that didn't end until Abby called out "Mazel Tov!" and tossed confetti she'd made from iridescent ribbon into the air to rain down on them.
The couple had decided not to include the traditional custom of the groom breaking a glass with his foot. Most interpretations of that ritual centered around remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem or reminding all of the fragility of life and relationships. Ziva and Gibbs were well acquainted with the latter and already lived their lives doing all they could to keep their bond safe and protected.
Abby, however, had decided to adapt the cultural tradition, and all the guests repeated, "Mazel Tov!" It was the perfect touch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Jethro and Ziva Gibbs," the judge announced. Ziva's laugh floated delicately on the air and that rare full-blown Gibbs grin curved his lips as they heard their names linked like that for the first time.
As the Finale from Handel's Water Music began for the processional, Ziva retrieved her bridal bouquet from Abby. Gibbs looked at his favorite forensic scientist and murmured, "Cover for us." With a firm grip on his wife's hand, Jethro started purposely down the aisle.
Grasping his intention immediately, Ziva suggested in a whisper to Abby, "Yichud."
Abby's slight confusion cleared. "Of course – yichud!"
As Jethro and Ziva went through the doors into the hall, they could hear Abby's voice explaining about the Jewish wedding custom of the bride and groom having a short time of seclusion immediately following the ceremony. Unbeknownst to Gibbs, he was participating in an age-old tradition. All he knew is that he wanted his wife to himself before being surrounded by their friends and family.
"What's yichud?" Jethro asked without breaking stride as he briskly led them to the destination he had in mind. He'd only heard the very beginning of Abby's explanation.
Ziva told him and he smirked.
"Huh – maybe I'm a little Jewish after all," he speculated. Ziva chuckled.
Gibbs made short work of getting them to the room where he and Ducky had gotten dressed for the ceremony. Closing the door, he leaned against it and pulled Ziva to him. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her passionately, pouring everything he felt into it … from missing her all week to the emotion engendered by finally having her as his wife. She blindly laid her bouquet on a nearby table and melted into him, having absolutely no desire to be anywhere else.
When they finally came up for air, Ziva stroked his cheek with her fingers. "Welcome home, Special Agent Gibbs," she murmured in an intimate tone.
"Good to be home, Mrs. Special Agent Gibbs," he returned, loving the way her eyes lit up at his words.
"Say that again," she appealed to him in a whisper, wonder in her eyes. He obliged and she had to kiss him one more time. He wasn't complaining.
This time when their lips parted, Ziva tucked her forehead into his neck. "I cannot quite believe it is real. I was a little afraid something would happen in the middle that would stop everything," she admitted softly.
"You really think I'd have let that happen?" he asked, arrogance lacing his tone.
She smiled at his confidence, but didn't answer. She just snuggled in more tightly as he gazed down at her.
"Don't have the words to say just how beautiful you look," Jethro told her quietly, running his hands up and down her back to mold her even more closely to him.
"I am glad you like the dress," she smiled.
"Talking about what's in the dress," he corrected her, "but the dress is nice, too."
Her lips curved as she met him halfway for another kiss until their need for oxygen drove them to simply hold each other, grateful beyond words to have the other near enough to touch again after almost a week apart.
"So, Eli showed," Jethro stated the obvious. "You OK?"
She nodded. "I had no idea he was coming. I left a message thanking him for sending the earrings, but I did not hear back from him. We actually had a good talk; I will tell you about it later," she revealed. "And your father was wonderful."
Jethro laid his head against hers as he made a mental note to get Jack's perspective on what had transpired with Eli. But the fact that she wasn't upset about it went a long way toward keeping him calm.
Raising his head, he reached for her hands. "Let's put this back where it belongs," he suggested, his thumb rubbing her engagement ring on her right ring finger where she'd placed it for the ceremony.
Traditional Jewish brides didn't wear jewelry other than the wedding band they received under the chuppah, but, taking Judge Kaplan's words to heart, she had done as she wanted and worn her mother's earrings and her engagement ring as she had wanted both close to her.
With a smile and a nod, she straightened out her fingers. Jethro slid her diamond ring from her right hand and placed it on her left above her wedding band. His look of possessive satisfaction once he'd accomplished the task made her grin inwardly.
"Brought you something," he said suddenly. With a squeeze of her hands, he let go of her just long enough to pull a slender rectangular box from his overnight bag.
Turning back, he handed it to her, then wrapped his arms around her waist again. God, it felt good to hold her. His arms had seemed empty all week.
The sales clerk from the jewelry store had wrapped the box attractively. Ziva peeled off the paper and opened the box. Her eyes widened as she took in the lovely bracelet.
"Jethro," she breathed appreciatively. Looking up at him, she whispered, "It is gorgeous."
She took it out of the box and he helped her fasten it onto her wrist. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she said, "Thank you. I love it – especially because it is blue like your eyes."
Gibbs smirked. Chalk another one up for McGee.
Ziva pulled his lips to hers for a kiss that had his pulse jumping.
When she released his mouth, she informed him in a throaty voice, "I have a wedding gift for you, too, but you have to undress me to find it." The gleam in her eyes managed to be both teasing and sexy.
"Mmmmm…" Gibbs murmured, running his hands over her appreciatively. "Can I start now?"
She laughed. "I believe our guests are expecting us. Would you take a rain check for a couple of hours?"
"If I have to," he pretended to grouse as he nuzzled her neck.
"Speaking of our guests, the sooner we join them, the sooner we can get away for our private party," Ziva pointed out in a suggestive tone, though she made no move to step away from him just yet.
"Good point," he agreed, dropping a kiss to her lips. "After you, Mrs. Gibbs."
A/N: We have two more chapters, but this chapter is really the culmination of where this story has been headed and I hope you think I've done it justice. Personally, it makes my fluffy heart VERY happy. :D It turned out to be a little different - and more detailed - than I had originally thought it would be. The judge's words near the beginning of the ceremony are based on "An Apache Blessing." I have put links to the four songs referenced in the story on my profile, in case you'd like to hear them. Reviews are appreciated more than you know. Thanks so much for reading!