The moment of truth came as Jenny positioned herself in the middle of the aisle just after the white curtained French doors were closed after Leyla exited the building. No one but Jenny knew who was escorting her down the aisle to Jethro. That was a surprise for everyone.
Behind the French doors as Jenny stood in the middle of the aisle waiting for her cue and for the doors to open, she was joined by Ducky. The nerves were still running high, thankfully her talk with Jethro moments ago had lessen her nerves some. Ducky could sense a bit of hesitation radiating from his friend. He knew he could never really get Jenny to completely relax, but if he was able to help in any way he would.
“Just breathe, my dear. We’re all here with you. Just breathe and block out all of the other people here. It’s just you, Jethro, your girls and your extended family.”
“Thank-you Ducky.”
Jenny and Ducky’s cue to start walking down the aisle began to play. The ushers opened the doors as all of those in attendance rose from their seats and turned to see the person of the hour on the arm of one of DC’s highly respected Medical Examiners ever. Jethro was completely stunned when he saw Jenny in her white bodes gown. This time around Jenny had opted to go sans veil and any other possible head piece. Even wearing a white gown was a bit of stretch for her. Jenny wasn’t exactly virginal, she hadn’t been in quite some time.
Neither were her younger counterparts with the exception of her daughters and her goddaughter being the five exceptions to that minor detail. As she and Ducky slowly progressed down the aisle that was the one thing on her mind in regards to her daughters who were waiting for her at the altar a few steps away from their dad, that Jenny hoped would never change until the day they each got married. She knew it was the same wish Leyla had for Amira. It was a wish all mothers had for their daughter, daughters. Jenny could tell that Jethro was a bit on the eager side with this renewal.
She knew where he wanted to be. It was the same place he always wanted to be when it came to the two of them. At least she was able to take comfort that she didn’t have to worry about her girls. Jenny had spent the last few hours before the ceremony arranging who the girls would stay with that night as well as when she and Jethro were over in Paris. Jenny had to admit to herself that she like Jethro also wanted to get their renewal night.
Jenny and Ducky were now only a few steps away from Jethro and the rest of the bridal party. They had just gotten to where Jackson was seated which was right next to Palmer, Breena, Cynthia and Camilla. Jenny switched her bouquet to her hand that was resting on Ducky’s so that she could hold her father-in-law’s hand for a brief moment before she had to take the last step to Jethro. As she stood in between Jackson and Ducky she could hear both Tony and Franks telling Jethro how gorgeous they though she looked. She expected that much from the two of them.
Jenny squeezed Jackson’s hand, thanking him for coming.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world.” Jackson whispered to his daughter-in-law.
Jenny and Ducky took their last steps to the altar.
“You’re so pretty, Aunt Jenny.” Amira said after Jenny took Jethro’s arm.
“Thank-you.”
Jenny handed her bouquet to Ziva and took Jethro’s other hand in hers as they turned to the official. When it came to the person officiating, that was Jethro’s surprise for Jenny. When Jenny saw the familiar face standing with the others at the altar. Seeing her predecessor standing just behind Jethro was a complete and utter shocker for her. Jethro knew how much Jenny wanted to keep the renewal within the NCIS family.
“It’s good to see you again, Director.” Morrow said to Jenny before he spoke to everyone else.
“Tom, please call me Jenny; we aren’t at the Navy Yard.”
Morrow nodded and proceeded on with the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today as Jethro and Jennifer recommit themselves today before all of you and their family.”
The renewal ceremony continued on. Morrow had Jenny recite her vows. Then Jethro was permitted to recite his vows. Morrow then had Jenny and Jethro exchange the rings they got for each other for the renewal.
After the ceremony they had party for everyone that was in attendance. Jethro’s one condition when it came to the renewal was that he and Jenny along with their daughters were sitting with his team, Ducky, Palmer and Breena, Cynthia, Franks, Leyla and Amira. Randomly Amira starts rambling and asks everyone at the table a question or two.
“I heard some of the kids in my class at school talk about September 11th, 2001 at recess the other day. I asked my teacher what the other kids were talking about and she said a bunch of terrorists hijacked four American planes and killed a lot of innocent people when they crashed the planes. What happened that day?”
“Well sweetie, four terrorists did hijack some of planes fifteen years ago. Two of the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York, The third plane crashed into the Pentagon and the last plane went down in a Pennsylvanian field. A lot of people died that day.” Franks said trying to be as calm as possible.
“A few years after that day was when I met your Daddy, Amira. Soon after that we made you and after you were born we went to live with Grandpa since Daddy died.”
“Okay, I have one more question.”
“Go ahead.” Jethro encouraged her.
“Where were all of you guys when the bad men came?”
That question was definitely a load question. Cynthia, the girls and Breena didn’t answer. Everyone else remained quiet until they figured out what they would say to Amira. They all wondered how they’d tell a nine year old what they were doing that day. It seemed insurmountable.
“Where were you that day?”
“I was here in DC; working at NCIS and taking care of my girls.” Jethro answered.
“I was about to start running an op in Cairo at the time.”
“I was helping Jethro with my nieces.”
“I was about to join Jenny on her op.”
“I was working on a case that Gibbs and his then team brought in, I was working on the evidence.”
“I was transitioning from Baltimore PD to NCIS.”
“I was graduating FLETC and starting to work as an agent at the Norfolk office.”
“I was examining the body that came from the case; Jethro had.”
“I was looking for a job.” Palmer said.
“I was having a drink at the Cantina.”
“Well I was in a market in Baghdad.”
“Oh.” Amira said.
The after party continued on and it was as if Amira hadn’t asked about one of America’s most testing times. At one point Tony had gone up to dance where most of the younger agents that were in attendance. Ziva was the one who had spent the most time on the dance floor with Tony. This also led McGee to question what really was going on between his friends for the umpteenth time. Seeing two of her agents dancing together and each of them letting the other get as close to the other as humanly possible reminded her of herself and Jethro. Abby and McGee danced a bit, which was somewhat expected. Everyone knew that Abby could get McGee to do just about anything she wanted him to do.
What intrigued Jenny the most was seeing her kid sister using her wiles on one of the other NCIS agents. Maybe there would another wedding in the future for the Shepard women if everything went the right way with Jaylyn’s new romance.
As the party began to wrap up things changed. The girls went back home with Leyla and Amira. The number of DC power players began to dwindle down some. The President, his wife and their children remained for a bit as did Jethro’s team and Franks did. At first Jenny was a bit concerned as far as if it was safe for the girls to head home with Leyla and Amira. Jethro saw the concern.
“Don’t worry, she can shoot. Franks taught her years ago when we had to deal with her mother and Bell.”
Then Jethro stood up and escorted Jenny to the dance floor.
“Looks like we finally get our dance.” Jenny said as Jethro gave the signal to McGee to hit play on the boom box.
The melody started to float through the air and engulf the love birds as they were watched by their friends and remaining family member. They were all intrigued by the sight in front of them.
“It’s like watching a fairytale.” Abby said.
“It is.” Ziva said.
“It always is with them.”Jaylyn chimed in.
“And it always will be.” Ducky said stating his peace.
As Jenny and Jethro turned in a circle once again, they heard a call from the tables that made both of the smile a bit.
“Hoo-rah, Gunny.”
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