A/N Thanks Book_Junkie007 for the read through
Reminder: Jimmy Palmer is engaged – S8.
Disclamer: Not. One. Thing.
In all the years the team had worked together, none of them had been in relationships significant enough to warrant engagements. Sure, Gibbs had been married a few times. DiNozzo had been engaged back in Baltimore, but it had ended before any plans were made. He hadn't let any woman get that close again. McGee decided long ago that he would only marry once. He had yet to find that one. And Ziva, she never allowed anyone to become close enough for that grand gesture. Ray had presented her with an empty box and promise. Ziva was used to broken promises; it all began with her father, then her brother, and continued with her ex-lovers. Abby and Ducky had never made it that far.
Until Jimmy Palmer.
He had met his match in Breena Slater, a mortician.
oOo
The wedding of Jimmy and Breena took place on a warm, sunny day in Virginia. The sky was painted with bright white cumulus clouds. Tents scattered across a green, recently plowed field, with bales of hay strategically placed around it so anyone could sit down when dancing became too much. Inside the big tent, tables lined with mint green table clothes, metal water pitchers filled with wildflowers stood tall in the middle of the tables, white tea lights circled the pitchers. Simple white dishes and silverware filled the empty spaces at the tables. The champagne flutes were designed with a heart. There were six people at each table and the meals were family style. Weddings were about blending and creating new families. It seemed right.
The NCIS family sat at one table. They came as a package deal. The men dressed in their Sunday best and Ziva actually wore a dress. DiNozzo tried to take as many pictures of this major event as he could, perhaps saving the pictures for blackmail. Abby shed her black, she wore pink. Laughter filled the air, stories were rehashed, new details came to light. They reminisced about past weddings, whether they were fun or god-awful.
oOo
After meeting Shannon in 1976, he didn't want to let her go. She felt the same way. They wrote to each other everyday. Gibbs was at basic training, Shannon still at her aunt's house. She knew he was waiting for his orders but once he was stationed, she would be there. Camp Pendleton, California. Neither had been to California, they liked that they were able to start this new journey together. Gibbs knew he wanted to marry her. He knew Shannon wanted to marry him. It took six years for him to finally ask. They were young, Gibbs wanted to give Shannon everything she wanted. So, he waited. Six years building a foundation, of love, trust, support and memories.
One day, Shannon was outside planting flowers. Gibbs whispered her name, he'd snuck behind her. He was down on one knee. "Shannon, I want to spend everyday for the rest of my life with you. Marry me?"
She started crying and panted, "Yes, absolutely, yes." He placed a ring on her finger.
Their wedding was just them, witnesses and a justice of the peace. She wore a white, thick strapped sundress. He was in his blue dress. The vows were spoken, the rings exchanged, the kiss placed.
Shannon wanted to celebrate by heading to the beach to celebrate. She'd packed a change of clothes, bathing suits, towels and a picnic basket for their first meal as husband and wife.
She set out the blanket and unpacked the food. She handed Gibbs a sandwich.
"Our first meal . . . peanut butter sandwiches?" He laughed.
Shannon challenged,"Yes, do you have a problem with that?"
"No! Not at all, Mrs. Gibbs."
"Just remember I love you."
"I know."
They gazed toward the ocean then turned looked at each other and smiled. Together. Always.