Chapter 12
Kate woke up to find her husband staring at her. She smiles at him and then stretches her arms in the air. She looked at the clock and couldn't believe what time it was.
"Oh my God, Gibbs, how come you didn't wake me up?"
"Katie, you are sleeping for two now and I know how exhausted you were yesterday. We have plenty of time today. We are going to the Vatican Church and then the Vatican Museums. Then we can go shopping if you want."
"Really, go shopping?"
"Yeah, I know how much you love to shop and we can get something for our little Katie too. So, now my pretty wife, get up and get ready because I am starving. Since little Katie is half of me, I'm sure she has an appetite of a Marine."
Gibbs pulled his wife up from the bed and kissed her nose.
"I'll get ready fast."
"I'll be waiting here."
True to her word, Kate took a shower and was dressed in 30 minutes. Her hair is growing long and since returning to earth, she has been leaving her natural curls more often than in the past. It saves her time and Gibbs loves it.
They walked out of their hotel room and in to the elevator holding hands.
"So babe, have you written your vows yet?"
"I actually have it memorized. Have you written yours?"
"Well, just like you, I also have mine memorized. I hope we get there soon because I am so hungry."
"I am too. You're right, this little one is a Marine." Kate said laughing.
"But you know Katie, as much as I love being a Marine, I don't know if I would want her to be one. The military still is very sexist and I would not want our daughter to be subjected to such kind of treatment. I would do anything in my power to protect her even if it cost me my life, Katie."
"I know you would but remember sweetie, everything will be up to her. All you can do is guide her and show her how much you love her. You're going to be a great father, Gibbs. You're a great husband and you show me every day how much you love me. You'll do the same for our little Katie."
"That's a promise I will keep for the rest of my life."
"You know what makes you a great man Gibbs, it's your integrity. Your unwillingness to compromise for what you believe is right. That's what I love and admire about you."
"Thank you. I love you too. Babe, look at that beautiful church."
"It's even more beautiful than the pictures. Honey, later can we try this Thai restaurant? It's a few miles from here but I read rave reviews about it. If you don't mind getting pizza again for lunch, there's L'isola della Pizza." Kate told the driver to pull over to the taxi stop. Gibbs came around the taxi to open the door for Kate.
They walked to the restaurant and were seated right away.
When their order came, Kate couldn't believe Gibbs appetite.
"Gibbs, are you sure it's me who is pregnant and not you?" Kate said laughing.
"I guess I'm just really hungry plus it's not my fault that this pizza is so good."
"Gibbs, if you have not noticed, I'm not the only one gaining weight."
"I know Katie, but you're such a great cook and I'm happy."
"You know babe, I heard people say that when a woman is pregnant, the husband also eats like he's pregnant. His appetite is almost the same as the pregnant wife. Was it like that for you before when Shannon was pregnant with Kelly?"
"You know, I think that was my regret when Shannon was pregnant, I was there when she gave birth but not during her pregnancy. I remember being worried and calling her all the time. It was really hard because I really wanted to be there for her."
Kate reached over across the table and held his hand.
"I'm sure she knew how much you wanted to be there."
"Yeah and she said that the important thing is that I was there during the delivery. Katie, it was an amazing experience. There's nothing more beautiful that seeing a life that you created together. I can't wait for little Katie to come into this world."
"I'm a little scared but I know you will be there every step of the way. Come on babe, we better get going now. We have a lot to see today."
Kate called the waiter for the bill and Gibbs paid it.
Even from the outside, Kate and Gibbs couldn't believe how beautiful the Vatican Church is and when they walked inside, they couldn't find the words to quite describe what they see.
The murals, the dome, and everything about the Vatican Church moved Kate to tears. And to be here with the man she loves, it was perfect. They stood at the very front and held each other's hands, facing each other. There, they made their vows.
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs, I don't remember ever been this happy in my life. You have changed my life since the day we met. I knew that you're the one because you always made me feel safe. There's not a moment spent with you that I regret. There is always a reason for the ways things happened. I know that the time I have here is very short but to me, it's a lifetime. I never knew love until I fell in love with you. And this life we created together is proof of how much God loves us. Always remember this, I will always be with you and little Katie. I will never be far away. Death and time will never keep us apart. You're the love of my life and I love you more than you will ever know. Every beat of my heart is for you. Every desire I have is for you. And my life is always you."
Gibbs couldn't help but be moved to tears. Every word Kate said he felt. He kissed her lightly on the lips and then touched her stomach before he said his vow.
"Katie, there's nothing in this world I would not do for you. You're a dream come true. You make me feel complete. Without you, life loses is spark. You are the light in my darkness. You are what makes my heart beat. You are my happiness. And you are the love of my life. I will love you for the rest of my life. And I promise to love and care for our little princess. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws. I feel at times that I don't deserve you and I don't deserve this second chance with you but I thank God everyday for every second I spent with you. You are and will always be my heart and my life."