A Secret of Her Own Part 3
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Five hours later Tim paced the length of the small dressing room. Tony had just left claiming he was gonna go find Ziva. He checked his reflection in the mirror for what seemed like the millionth time. The black suit and crisp white shirt where pretty standard but Abby had insisted on a dark garnet and silver striped tie. Adjusting the knot at his neck, he had to admit it looked great. He adjusted the single white rose on his jacket and pulled at the silver pocket square. His parents had come in awhile ago congratulating him. A knock sounded on the door.
Turning away from the door he called out, " Come in Tony." When he heard the door close he asked, "Were you able to find Ziva?" When he got no answer he turned shocked to find Gibbs and not Tony. He was dressed in a dark suit much like his, Palmer's and Tony's except he wore a solid silver tie and a red rose.
"Boss? Is Abby alright?" The older man smiled slightly.
"Yeah, she's fine." Tim exhaled his held breath. "Ok good." He relaxed his shoulders but he wondered why Gibbs was here. Walking further into the room, he motioned for McGee to sit, which he did. Gibbs grabbed a chair and pulled it close to where McGee was sitting. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally Gibbs spoke.
"Tim," McGee was slightly shocked by the use of his first name. " I wanted to tell you that you've come a long way since we first met. I've watched you grow into a more than capable agent and a great man. I'm proud of you and I know that you're going to be a good husband to Abby and a good father." McGee sat shocked, stunned into silence. Never had he thought he would ever hear these words from Gibbs. Wait, he thought, how'd he know about the baby? Gibbs' eyes never left his.
Answering the question he saw written on the other mans' face," She told me last night before she left."
"Thanks Boss." Gibbs nodded. Both men stood up as the door opened and Tony walked in.
"Everybody out there is ready to start. You ready for this, Mc Groom?" Smiling he said, "I've waited eight years for this day."
All three men stepped out into the hall. Gibbs headed down the hall and disappeared around a corner. McGee turned to Tony,"You got the ring?" Tony nodded his head and patted his pocket," Right here." Tim nodded,"See you out there." He said as he walked away leaving Tony alone in the hallway.
Tim made his way into the chapel. When the nuns had first suggested it to Abby they where both unsure but seeing it now he knew it was perfect. Everyone was seated. The lights where dim and candles flickered everywhere. Flowers decorated every surface. The sweet smell of magnolias and lavender hung in the air. Making it the the front he greeted the pastor with a handshake. Looking around he spotted the nuns sitting together in the pews on the brides' side. He waved and smiled at them. Abby's brother and sister in law sat a few seats away, near the front.
He recognized several people from work including the Director and his wife. Ducky was seated in the front row next to his parents. When they made eye contact, Ducky smiled. The music began to play and he exhaled the breath he was holding.
The double doors in the back opened revealing Palmer arm in arm with Sara. Her strapless black dress flowed as she walked. The candlelight twinkled off the silver spider she wore at the top of her dress, another of Abby's ideas. As they approached Sarah smiled and winked at him. They soon separated, Palmer coming to stand behind him. Next came Tony and Ziva. Although her dress was identical to Sarah's, he thought it looked completely different on Ziva. Her dark hair was pulled up on top of her head. Halfway down the aisle Tony leaned in whispering something to her. She glared at him and gently hit him with her bouquet of red roses,gardenias and lavender. Parting they took their places. Tony standing directly behind him. Abby's nieces came next spreading flower pedals all over the aisle.
The music changed and everyone stood up turning to look at the back of the chapel. The doors opened again revealing Abby arm in arm with Gibbs. She took his breath away. Behind him, Tony nudged him. Whispering, "Breath Probie. If you pass out I'll never let you live it down." McGee took a deep breath and Tony chuckled.
Her white dress was overlaid with lace. Delicate red beading encircled her waist trailing down the full length of the back of her dress, the hem and the train. Her veil was trimmed in lace and it trailed behind her, but didn't cover her face. Her dark hair was down and slightly curly. Her ever present bangs were swept to the side. A silver skull barrette pulled one side of her hair up off her face and neck. Her lips were dark red and her illuminating green eyes smokey. Her hands encased in black lace wrist gloves clutching her bouquet of wisteria,bleeding hearts, gardenias, black roses and lavender. Dark green leaves encircled the flowers and the steams were wrapped in garnet ribbon. She took her breath away.
As they got closer, their eyes locked together, She smiled. Reaching the front, he came forward taking her hand from Gibbs,who leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek. With their back to the audience he whispered, "I love you." her smile grew wider as he gently placed a hand on her stomach, she winked and they turned their attention to the pastor. The ceremony was a blur to Tim as he stared into Abby's eyes.
"Timothy and Abigail have decided to write their own vows. Timothy." When he didn't respond Tony nudged him. McGee looked back at him.
"Vows." He whispered. Facing Abby once more he said," Abby, I've loved you from the moment we first met. You are everything to me. I couldn't imagine my life without you. I promise to love you for the rest of our lives. You make me feel like the luckiest man in the world. I can't wait to share our lives together. I love you."
"Abigail."
"Timmy," when she spoke her voice was thicker than usual. Her eyes barely containing tears. "You are my best friend but more than that you are my other half. We fit together like puzzle pieces. I love you so much. You knew before I did that we were meant to be together and you waited until I was ready. Throughout everything you are my rock, my support when everything else around is manic. Timmy, you are my everything. I love you." A tear rolled down her face, he reached up and gently wiped it away. Blinking a few of his own away.
"Now for the exchange of the rings. Timothy."
McGee turned to Tony, who was smiling holding the ring in his fingers, he dropped it into McGee's upturned palm. Turning back to Abby, who was slipping off her left glove and handing it and her bouquet to Ziva. The pastor was talking but all Tim was focused on was her. Taking her hand in his, he slipped the white gold band encircled with diamonds and rubies onto her finger. "I do."
"Abigail." She turned, taking the ring from Ziva. Turning back around she slipped the white gold band onto Tim's ring finger. Grasping his hand she squeezed it smiling she said, "I do."
"With the power invested in me I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride." Leaning in, he took her face gently in his hands. Rubbing his thumbs softly along her jaw. Their lips came together, feather light at first then she urged him on by nibbling on his full bottom lip. He deepened the kiss.
Tony cleared his throat and chuckled nervously. "Awkward." They broke apart smiling. The tips of McGee's ears turned bright red. Abby laughed.
"I announce to you Timothy and Abigail McGee.." They turned to face their loved ones who were clapping. Abby put her glove back on and took her bouquet back from Ziva. They walked down the aisle together. As Tony and Ziva came together she linked her arm through his. He smiled down at her.
"It was a really beautiful ceremony." She said.
"Yeah it was." Ziva chuckled. "What?" He asked.
"Oh nothing."
"Come on Zee-vah."
"I was just wondering how long it is going to be before there is a little baby McGee on the way." Tony looked at her, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Sooner than you think." He said quietly.
"What?" she asked stopping him.
"Huh?" Damn, he thought, I should have kept my mouth shut.
"What did you say?" Ziva asked, not believing what she thought she had heard him say. Although that would explain Abby's weird behavior the past few days.