CHAPTER 5
The next day, Jenny took the elevator down to autopsy, hoping Ducky would be down there and had a moment to talk.
"She entered autopsy to find Ducky sitting at his desk going over an autopsy report.
"Ducky? Do you have a minute…..to talk?"
"Well, Hello there Mrs. Gibbs. What do you wish to speak to me about?" Ducky sat the autopsy report aside, and with a twinkle in his eye, turned his attention to Jenny.
"Okay. Number one, I'm not married to Jethro yet, and number two, now and even after the wedding you can still call me Director or Jenny. But, that's not why I'm here."
"Oh, I knew that."
"Ducky as you know, my mother passed away many years ago, and my father passed away twelve years ago."
"Yes. What a tragedy…where exactly are you going with this?"
"Ducky, would you do me the honor of giving me away?"
"Why Jenny, I would be more than honored. After all, you are like a daughter to me. Ducky got up and gave Jenny a hug. "It would be my pleasure to walk you down the aisle, my dear."
"Thanks Ducky."
"You're Welcome." Jenny broke the embrace and walked out of autopsy with a sigh of relief. She finally had everyone she needed for the wedding party.
Back in her office, Jenny was going over some Ops that she had been working on over the past couple of weeks. Years of working arms dealers operation in Europe all added up to this one, which was lead by LaGranwille. Jenny had been trying for 10 years to bring him down. Now, she was so close, she couldn't wait to put a double tap in his heart. Or one in his head. He was not only an arms dealer, but he had killed her father in the very study she now used as her own. She had sent Tony on so many undercover missions tracking his every move. He was also 'involved' with LaGranwille's daughter, Jeanne. She often felt that there was something more between Tony and Jeanne than there was supposed to be. She hoped that he wasn't too involved. He was only supposed to be dating her so that he could track LaGranwilles movement. When it was over, he was to break up with her, but something told her that probably wouldn't happen.
'Beep'
"Yes Cynthia?"
Kate and Abby wish to see you Director."
"Send them in." Jenny closed the folder and took her glasses off just as the girls walked in.
"Can I help you girls?" Jenny stood up and walked over to stand in front of them.
"Yes. We brought you a little gift." Abby held out a little pink bag with tissue paper sticking out of it.
"Thank you guys so much. Did you know about the gift Becky gave me?" Jenny took the bag from Abby and began to open it. She was mentally preparing herself for anything. After all, this was Abby. Kate was more modest. But, Abby wasn't.
"Yeah. May I just say that she has really good taste." Abby grinned at Jenny, knowing that she probably blushed when she opened it.
"…A garter! The one thing I forgot about! Thank you guys!" Jenny put the lace garter back into the bag and gave Kate and Abby a group hug. "I hope nothing changes between us. Even if I am marrying your boss." Abby chuckled.
"Nothing will change Director. If anything it will bring us closer."
"Yeah, after all, we are family…I just hate claiming Tony." Kate smiled. "But we're still a
family."
"That's good to know girls. Don't forget. The next wedding rehearsal is in two days. Try to bring the heels you will be wearing on the wedding day, that way we can get used to them and break them in. We'll want to be comfortable on the wedding day. It will be long."
"But it will be totally worth it."
"I know. Wow. It still feels like a dream. I still can't believe I'm getting married."
"You better believe it. In 7 days you will be Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs."
"Yeah…Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs…Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs…I like the sound of that."
"So do we…Just do us a favor?"
"Sure what is it?"
"On the wedding day, eat something so you don't faint on the alter."
"I will, I promise."
"You will what?"
"Eat something before the wedding so I don't faint at the alter, but I can't promise that I wont be nervous."
"We know that you'll be nervous. We'll be nervous too. Just remember to take deep breaths and relax."
"Easier said than done."
"True, but doesn't hurt to try."
"Try what?" Gibbs walked in with two coffees in his hands, unannounced, as usual.
"Trying not to be nervous on my wedding day."
"Ah. Piece of cake for me. Can't say the same for you."
"Well, you've done this four times. This is my first."
"Wow. Haven't heard those words in awhile…" Gibbs handed Jenny her coffee and grinned.
"I haven't heard you say that since Paris Jethro."
"Same thing here Jen."
Abby rolled her eyes. This was awkward. "Okay, I'm not embarrassed hearing about your sex life, but for some reason this is just a little too awkward."
"I agree with Abby, Jethro."
"Yup. So do I."
"What did you need Jethro?"
"Does a man need a reason to see the women he loves?"
"No, but you could at least make up a reason."
"Could have but didn't." Jethro gave Jenny a kiss on the cheek and left, anxiously awaiting
when she would finally be his forever.
"Slow down Abby. There should be twenty-four counts between the entrance and the first
pew."
"Sorry. I'm just not used to walking so slow."
"You'll get the hang of it. Besides, the dress and train will slow you down."
"I never thought of that."
"Let's try this again people. You've almost got it down." The wedding coordinator clapped
her hands and cued the pianist to restart the music.
"Okay. We'll start from the top. The wedding party lined back up in order, and Jenny stood on the left of the entrance, across from Ducky, out of sight from Jethro when they opened the doors for the rest of the party. As Jenny was watching the party go up the aisle, her heartbeat began to quicken. She was getting excited. Kate called it FTBS, or First Time Bride Syndrome. It made sense. She heard the cue to walk to Ducky. She met him in the middle, and began her long walk to the alter, smiling at Jethro the whole way. This was just practice, but in a couple of days she would finally be doing this for real. As she walked up the aisle with Ducky at her side, it finally became real to her. 'Wow,' she thought. 'Jethro looks so calm up there. Of course, he's done this four times.'
"Who gives this bride away?"
"I do." Ducky answered as if he had done it before. He turned to Jenny, pretending to lift her blusher, gave her a kiss on the cheek. Then he took her left hand in his right, and Jethro's left in his left, and joined their hands. It was a symbol of the Brides family giving their blessing on the wedding. The rest of the rehearsal continued without a problem. She just hoped it went that way on the wedding day.