"It's been such a beautiful wedding. You must be so very happy and so very proud. I know I am." Hetty smiled across the table at Allison, well aware of the somewhat loaded statements she was so boldly laying down and decreeing as if they were gospel truths.
"They make a lovely couple," Allison agreed.
Six months ago, she had been filled with doubts and worries. The public fall of Jack Brandel had been rather spectacular, and the subsequent events had not reassured her that Kensi was marrying into the most stable family. But things had moved on since then, especially since their visit on the way back from that rather strange road-trip to Death Valley and Los Vegas. Allison had noticed there was something palpably different about both Kensi and Marty at the time, something she could not quite put her finger on. Whatever it was, whatever had happened (and Allison strongly suspected that Marty had managed to put himself in danger yet again – really, the boy seemed to have a death wish or something) it had pulled them even closer together, until even Allison could not deny the very real love.
And seeing Kensi today, looking at her now, just confirmed that this was the right decision. Her daughter was clearly on top of the world. Marty – well, he was growing on her. Especially now that he had finally had his hair cut and had even managed to shave. If only he could make a little bit of an effort more often… And if only he wasn't quite so very rich. Allison had been prepared to help Kensi out when her daughter finally settled down. For years she had been putting money aside each month in a special account, so that when the time came, there would be enough for Kensi and her future husband to use as the down-payment on an apartment, or even a house. That clearly wasn't going to be necessary now. Perhaps she should just blow the lot on a really good holiday?
Allison had always thought that a cruise would be lovely, only you didn't want to do something like that by yourself: no, you wanted someone to share it with. Her eyes drifted across the room and finally settled on Jethro Gibbs, who was chatting quietly with a tall man Allison had heard referred to as Nate. A cruise might be just the opportunity she had been waiting for. Lots of time to spend together, romantic sunsets watched from the deck of a luxury ship – what could be nicer? And who knew – by the time they got back, there might even be some good news? Lots of people had honeymoon babies, didn't they? She was under no illusions that her daughter found it very hard to keep her hands off Marty, and that the feeling was fully reciprocated. However, they were obviously being careful. He was a Catholic, after all. Now they were married though, and Allison could see no reason why they wouldn't have a baby as soon as possible.
It was finally time for the speeches, and Marty's throat felt as dry as sandpaper, dryer if that was possible. Standing up, he managed to get through all the obligatory thanks to parents, family and friends. After that, it didn't seem quite so bad and he even managed to relax slightly, even though there was something slightly unnerving about having so many eyes fixed so very firmly upon him.
"It means such a lot to Kensi and me to have you all here today, to share in our joy and happiness with us. And I had this whole speech written, but right now I'm just so happy that I don't think I could read it."
A large percentage of the female audience sighed emotionally at this, including Hetty, who appeared genuinely moved. Then again, she had been drinking champagne fairly steadily since 4 o'clock.
"I couldn't believe my luck when Kensi agreed to marry me. You see, nobody makes me laugh more, nobody makes me happier, and nobody is going to be a better mother." He turned to face her and raised his glass. "So here's to you, Kensi. Thank you for being such a beautiful bride and for making me the happiest man in the world."
"You could take a few lessons from him," Denise said in an undertone. Sam prudently decided to ignore that remark and merely stood up to join in toasting the bride.
Callen looked across at Nico, who shifting uncomfortably in her chair. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm just trying to find a position that isn't too uncomfortable." She was way beyond even hoping to find a position that was actually comfortable, knowing that would be futile. "Anyway, I've got to join the band for the first dance in a few minutes."
With an effort, Nico got to her feet and padded across to the piano. It had been a long day, and bed sounded just about perfect right now. Only she wouldn't miss this for the world. As long as Mikey didn't break one of Kensi's toes, this was going to be the final touch to a day filled with classical romance and beautiful music.
The lighting was slowly,dimmed, so that the pale blue and silver walls of the marquee seemed to shimmer in the reflected light form the candles on each table, and the single spotlight that punctuated the dance floor and the couple that stood facing one another.
"You ready?"
Marty nodded. "We start with the right foot, don't we?"
"Just like we practised." Kensi had to smile at the look on intense concentration on his face. "And try to smile, okay? It's meant to be fun."
"Fun?"
The opening notes rang out as a series of crystalline arpeggios from the piano soared into the air and then, at a nod from Nico the band joined in and the bridal couple began to circle around the floor as "Come Rain or Come Shine," played out, slowly and dreamily.
Watching from the sidelines, Callen felt an unaccustomed lump in his throat. I'm going to love you, like nobody's loved you. Come rain or come shine, he thought. Christ, that was romantic. This whole day had been romantic, from start to finish. He hadn't expected to feel like this. Weddings had been a rite of passage for other people; and a great opportunity to meet people (mainly women). But this was different. This time he was personally involved and everything had been about a public proclamation of love and the determination to make a brand new life together. And so what if Deeks wasn't the greatest dancer in the world – he was up there, with his wife and looking so damned happy it was as if he was lit from within. This was what it was all about, Callen realised and knew that he wanted to get married more than he'd ever wanted anything in the world. With the possible exception of not having a vasectomy. Clearly, he was going to have to do some major negotiating with Nico over that. Maybe he could use music – serenade her with something like "I Only Have Eyes For You?" If Deeks could do romance, then he could too. And how could you possibly fail with a song like that?
After a couple of circuits of the dance-floor, they separated and Kensi went over to Jack, while Marty held his hand out to Allison.
"I'll try not to step on your toes," he whispered. "But I can't guarantee anything."
"I wouldn't worry. Kensi's father used to do it all the time."
Jack proved to be rather an expert dancer, and whirled Kensi around in an accomplished fashion. It was just a pity the dancing genes had not been passed down a generation. "Welcome to the Deeks/Brandel clan. Which are you going to use, by the way?"
"Neither. It's too complicated, so I decided just to stay Blye. You don't mind, do you?"
"Why would I? I use Rowena's name these days anyway. It seemed easier, somehow. And it's only a name, isn't it? It's what's in your heart that's important."
"I think this is our dance." Nate smiled down at Nell, who had a rather dreamy expression on her face. "I may not be the most exciting partner you'll have tonight, but I'll probably be the safest."
Out of the corner of her eye, Nell could see her new friend busily clearing tables. He was going to be working for at least another couple of hours, but he had her cell-phone number and the night would still be young, and the grounds of the house were large enough to afford all sorts of opportunities. So, in the meantime, she would dance – why not? She could do safe with Nate and then she could throw caution to the winds underneath the stars. Or not. Anything could happen on a night like this. Anything at all. She might even fall in love.
Hetty decided to bide her time until the disco started a little later, having taken the precaution of speaking to the DJ beforehand and making sure he had a selection of Lady Gaga tracks. 'Poker Face' would be a good place to start, and it was a track she felt was singularly suited to herself. You had to love the Gaga after all.
"I think it's just about time."
The party was now in full swing, and Hetty had been delighted to find another fervent Gaga-aficionado in the shape of Crosby. Tony and Ziva had spent most of the evening dancing as closely together as possible, all their normal defences completely let down. They'd been doing a lot of talking, a lot of thinking and they planned to do a whole lot of loving after the party was over.
"So soon?" Kensi couldn't believe the day was nearly over and she was suddenly reluctant to leave.
"We've got a plane to catch, and I'm in the mood for a honeymoon. I'm in a honeymood."
The next part of the adventure was about to begin, but there was one last thing they had to do.
"If you thought I was going to be the typical bride and not make a speech, I'm afraid you were wrong." The flowers on Kensi's head were slightly skew-whiff, but Marty just thought she looked more adorable than ever as she stood on the stage and addressed the audience.
"A few days ago, we asked a talented friend to help us put together a musical tribute, and since then, all sorts of people have been working away behind the scenes to create this. And by some miracle, they managed to keep it a secret. We wanted this to be a surprise and to be our way of saying 'thank you' to everyone who is important in our lives."
She paused, as the audience exchanged bewildered looks, not quite sure of what was coming next, and looked directly at Hetty. "And we also wanted to say that the winner of the NCIS pot on the 'will they or won't they' sweepstakes had kindly donated her winnings – her rather substantial winnings – to the LAPD benevolent fund. Which was very generous."
"Even if federal employees are forbidden from gambling while on official duty," her husband added somewhat piously.
"Just for the record, those of you who have had the dubious pleasure of hearing Marty sing will be very glad to hear that we used a backing track." Kensi left the stage, and the gales of laughter subsided as the film began to play.
The love theme from Moulin Rouge began to fill the marquee. Clearly the wedding photographer had worked overtime, because the opening shots were the formal wedding portraits, showing a couple who had eyes only for each other, and whose love shone out, brilliant and true.
Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings?
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time
"Did you know about this?" Callen asked. Nico shook her head silently, as older photographs began to fill the screen next, including an informal shot taken around ten years ago, where she and her best friend had their arms around one another. They had travelled some hard and lonely roads in the intervening years, but finally their destinies had entwined once again.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather, and stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time.
"I think I love you even more now than when we got married," Sam whispered. He and Denise had been so stupid, they had nearly thrown it all away, but somehow, by the grace of God, they had weathered the storm and found safe harbour in one another's arms. And they had never stopped loving each other, even if they had somehow lost sight of that fact.
George looked at Eric and wondered what he'd done to deserve such a man in his life. "So that was why you disappeared earlier on. You've done a great job."
"Think of it as our present to them." It had taken a huge amount of work, especially putting in the wedding portraits, but it was worth it. Seeing the finished product was incredible, as was hearing the wedding guests' sighs of admiration. Even Eric, who was a notorious perfectionist, was pleased with the results, but George's praise and appreciation meant more than anything. "This isn't much like our wedding, is it?"
"No, not much. Ours was small and perfect – because you were there. And I will love you, until my dying day."
You could not dictate when or indeed how love would enter your life. You could resist it with all your might, but if it was truly meant to be, then in the end you would be powerless to resist, because true love, the love that knows no bounds, would sweep you up to such great heights that you could almost touch eternity.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day.
The music ended and for a second the screen went blank. And then Marty and Kensi appeared, in casual clothes, sitting on the terrace in brilliant sunshine,with Bobby beside then. This had clearly been filmed a few days before, as both Bobby and his master were sporting their normal shaggy hair.
"Enjoy the rest of the evening," Kensi said.
"And don't feel you have to drink the bar dry. Even if it is free. And that means you, Callen."
They looked at one another and then spoke in unison. "So keep on dancing – even if Mr and Mrs Deeks have now left the building."
There was a momentary silence, as the audience digested this news in darkness.
"The sneaky little devils!" Hetty couldn't help herself. "And I wanted to try to catch the bouquet."
Come What May (swoon - such a romantic song!) composed by David Baerwald.