By the time Nick and I got to the banquet hall of the Addams House Hotel with our twins, their dates and Jayla; things were already underway. As I had expected the usual suspects were at the bar ordering drinks. JD and Dave of course had invited Franks, Leyla, Amira and Jackson to their wedding; Dave knew that even though Franks, Leyla, Amira and Jackson weren't directly let alone biologically related to JD that she still considered them to be family.
Franks and Jethro were at the bar getting drinks for themselves, Jen, Amira and Leyla. After I had given Jayla to Nick, I had gone over to the bar while Jethro and Franks waited for their drinks.
"Isn't it a bit early in the night to start drinking?" I asked as I came up behind the two men I considered to be my mentors.
"Its never too early darlin'." Franks said.
"Still on Mexico time, huh?"
Franks nodded as he turned away from the bar for a brief moment to say hello.
"It was a beautiful ceremony." Franks whispered in my ear.
"Thank-you."
"What would you like to drink Jay, it's on me." Jethro asked.
"That's sweet Jethro, but just because you're my brother-in-law doesn't mean you have to order me a drink."
"Stop being so damn stubborn Jaylyn and let me get you a drink."
"Jethro, you know what I drink. It's always been bourbon just like you and Jen since I was twenty-one."
Jethro then turned to the bartender.
"Make that three bourbons."
The bartender nodded as he poured my drink.
Jethro and I then rejoined the rest of the bridal party at the table.
"What's going on?" Jen asked.
"Oh nothing, Jethro just told me I was being petulant and he brought me a drink."
"Well he's an expert on petulance." Jen said as she looked to see what her husband's response was as she fed Bella.
Before long JD and Dave had arrived.
"I'd like to announce for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Anders." the dj said.
I started to cry a bit as I saw my daughter and new son-in-law walk onto the dance floor. Seeing my daughter walk onto the dance floor in her bodes corset wedding dress on the arm of her husband just made me lose it. Seeing JD dance with Dave to their wedding song which was Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks reminded me of when Nick and I danced to At Last at our reception. Before long Nick would be up on the dance floor dancing with JD to Chuck Wick's Stealing Cinderella.
Once that was over Dave was going to dance with his mother to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but it was the original version of the song; the one that Judy Garland herself sang in The Wizard of Oz since that was his mother's and JD's favorite song. I knew when I finally saw Dave and Grace dance to that classic song that I was going to wish that I had at least one boy during one of my pregnancies. Throughout the night I was told by the guests that both the ceremony and the reception were beautiful. Soon I would finde out that JD had planned something without me knowing.
"May I have everyone's attention; the bride has something she'd like to share with all of you." the dj said as he hadned the microphone over to JD as she came over to where the dj set up his equipment earlier.
JD thanked the dj before she spoke to the rest of us. I just wanted to say a quick thank-you to my parents; Jaylyn and Nick as well as my in-laws Grace and Chris, who made all of this happen. Now for those of you that likely have heard my parents, my aunts and uncles say to each other "Forever and For Always" throughtout the evening; believe me it's nothing compared to growing up hearing that phrase as much as I have. With the inside joke of everyone knows how long my parents as well as my Uncle Tony and Aunt Ziva have been married is the same as mine, Hannah and Leah's ages; is that the phrase they all say is their way of that life is short and unpredictable especially in their chosen professions. There is a minor story that goes with that whole rant I have been going on about. As soon as Hannah, Leah, Jayden, Jocelyn, Benjamin, Jaliyah, Noah, Ashleann, Drew Jr. and I all started dating we were told that untl we were each married we were not allowed to say "Forever and For Always." JD said taking a slight pauses
"So tonight I will be able to utter those words to my husband just as my mom has uttered them to my dad for nineteen years. Now that I am done with that rant, if you all don't mind. I have one more thing I have to do. Back when my parents as well as my aunts and uncles got married, they didn't get to have the perfect first dance as husband and wife like Dave and I. So first off in the order that they got married, Dave and I would like to invite my Uncle Tony and my Aunt Ziva up to the dance floor to have their perfect first dance as husband and wife."
As JD handed the microphone back to the dj, Tony and Ziva made their way to the dance floor. It was clear that this was JD's gift to the eight of us. Once on the dance floor, Tony shook Dave's hand in gratitude as Ziva hugged JD.
"Thank-you, baby girl." Ziva whispered to JD as she hugged her.
Just as they had danced to nineteen years ago, Tony and Ziva danced to Brad Paisley's She's Everything. Tony took Ziva in his arms just as Brad's voice came over the speakers. We all could tell that JD was doing this as a gift for all of us; had meant a lot to Ziva due to her history. As Tony and Ziva's wedding song wrapped up, JD returned for the microphone. Once Tony and Ziva had taken their seats with the rest of us after thanking JD again, JD spoke again.
"Next I'd like to invite the two people responsible for my existence; my parents, Jaylyn and Nick."
Nick and I walked up to the dance floor. I mouthed a thank-you to my daughter as she returned to her seat next to her husband. Just as he had nineteen years ago at our reception, Nick had me circle him at arm's length before pulling me into him.
"They look so perfect together up there." Jayden whispered to Jocelyn and JD from where she was sitting with Jayla on her lap.
"They do." JD and Jocelyn responded in unison.
"That's how they looked at their reception." Jen told her nieces.
As Etta James' At Last ended, Nick pulled me a bit closer and we shared a kiss. After Nick and I danced Jen and Jethro danced as did Delaney and Will. Following the dancing we all ate, JD and Dave cut their wedding cake; JD tossed her bouquet as Nick tossed the garter. In between all of that I was able to give a toast just before the cake had been cut.
Later on that night everyone returned to their respective homes. JD and Dave left from the reception for their honeymoon in Hawaii. All the kids had gone to bed and were sound asleep. With that the rest of turned in for the night.
"Forever and For Always." JD said to Dave as she fell asleep.
"Forever and For Always." Tony and Ziva said to one another.
"Forever and For Always." I said to Nick.
"Forever and For Always." Jen and Jethro said to each other.
"Forever and For Always." McGee said to Abby.
"Forever and For Always." Kate said to Drew.
"Forever and For Always." AJ said to Palmer.
"Forever and For Always." Ducky and Jordan said to each other.
"Forever and For Always." Kelly said to Jason.
"Forever and For Always." Delaney said to Will.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Here Comes the Bride
The following day was JD and Dave's wedding. And as all wedding go it was a joyous yet sad time, at least for me it was. Everyone was getting ready in their respective places. The guests were arriving and taking their seats. Those of us in what I referred to as "the bridal suite" even though it was just Jen and Jethro's bedroom, that we were in; the bridal part took part in JD finding out what her Something borrowed, Something blue, Something old and Something new were. JD was completely surprised to see that she got my mother's pearl necklace as her something old, my diamond earrings and bracelet as her something borrowed. She loved her new garter that was white with black lace lining and her new lingerie as her something new. But she was absolutely loved being the only one who had a baby blue ribbon aroiund her bouquet.
At one point I had looked out to the scene below from one of the bedroom windows to see Dave's grandparents take their seats. Shortly after both sets of Dave's grandparents were seated I saw my mother and father -in-law hobble to their seats. Upon seeing Nick's parents waiting below made me wish that my parents were there to see their granddaughter walk down the aisle.
"They'd be proud of her and you." Jen said as she came up behind me.
"I know they would. Besides it's not just that Jen. Still can't believe she's getting married, seems like just yesterday Nick and I were bringing her home from the hospital."
"JD is just getting married, it's not like she's joining the Corps and being deployed." Jen said.
"Ha, you'll be singing a different tune when Jethro is walking Bella down the aisle."
"If he can still walk by then."
With that sisterly banter put aside we began the wedding. Everything had gone as we had rehearsed the day before. Now I had assumed that JD wanted Nick to walk her down the aisle as all fathers did with their daughters. JD also knew that I was not as fortunate to have my father walk me down the aisle at my as she was, she even knew that Jen wasn't as lucky. But either way knowing everything, JD decided to walk herself down the aisle.
Now the wedding was absolutely perfect and was just as we had planned it. Dave had Tony, McGee, Palmer, Jethro, Nick and Drew as his groomsmen.
"We are gathered here today, in the sight of God; to join this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Who gives this woman to this man?" the Reverend asked.
"We all do." We all said.
There was a slight chuckle from Dave's family behind us. The wedding progressed and the vows were said. As JD and Dave exchanged their vows, those of us that were married all looked at our significant others after looking at our own wedding rings remembering the day we had been in JD and Dave's shoes.
"If there is anyone who has just cause as to why Jennifer and Dave should no be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." The Reverend spoke.
Just as predicted Jethro then looked to everyone seated behind us giving them his stare.
No one said anything and the Reverend wrapped up the ceremony.
"You may kiss your bride."
JD and Dave kissed.
"It is my great honor and privelege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Dave Anders." The Reverend said as JD and Dave began to walk back down the aisle this time as husband and wife.
Just as Nick and I made it midway down the aisle I leaned slightly over to Nick to give him a quick peck on the cheek as a thank-you for being my rock through all of the wedding preparations.
"One down, three to go." Nick whispered to me as we drew closer to the house.
"Don't rush it." I said in response.
With that, after the rest of the bridal party had gathered in the house it was time for everyone to make their way to the reception which was being held at the banquet hall at the Addams House Hotel.
At one point I had looked out to the scene below from one of the bedroom windows to see Dave's grandparents take their seats. Shortly after both sets of Dave's grandparents were seated I saw my mother and father -in-law hobble to their seats. Upon seeing Nick's parents waiting below made me wish that my parents were there to see their granddaughter walk down the aisle.
"They'd be proud of her and you." Jen said as she came up behind me.
"I know they would. Besides it's not just that Jen. Still can't believe she's getting married, seems like just yesterday Nick and I were bringing her home from the hospital."
"JD is just getting married, it's not like she's joining the Corps and being deployed." Jen said.
"Ha, you'll be singing a different tune when Jethro is walking Bella down the aisle."
"If he can still walk by then."
With that sisterly banter put aside we began the wedding. Everything had gone as we had rehearsed the day before. Now I had assumed that JD wanted Nick to walk her down the aisle as all fathers did with their daughters. JD also knew that I was not as fortunate to have my father walk me down the aisle at my as she was, she even knew that Jen wasn't as lucky. But either way knowing everything, JD decided to walk herself down the aisle.
Now the wedding was absolutely perfect and was just as we had planned it. Dave had Tony, McGee, Palmer, Jethro, Nick and Drew as his groomsmen.
"We are gathered here today, in the sight of God; to join this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Who gives this woman to this man?" the Reverend asked.
"We all do." We all said.
There was a slight chuckle from Dave's family behind us. The wedding progressed and the vows were said. As JD and Dave exchanged their vows, those of us that were married all looked at our significant others after looking at our own wedding rings remembering the day we had been in JD and Dave's shoes.
"If there is anyone who has just cause as to why Jennifer and Dave should no be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." The Reverend spoke.
Just as predicted Jethro then looked to everyone seated behind us giving them his stare.
No one said anything and the Reverend wrapped up the ceremony.
"You may kiss your bride."
JD and Dave kissed.
"It is my great honor and privelege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Dave Anders." The Reverend said as JD and Dave began to walk back down the aisle this time as husband and wife.
Just as Nick and I made it midway down the aisle I leaned slightly over to Nick to give him a quick peck on the cheek as a thank-you for being my rock through all of the wedding preparations.
"One down, three to go." Nick whispered to me as we drew closer to the house.
"Don't rush it." I said in response.
With that, after the rest of the bridal party had gathered in the house it was time for everyone to make their way to the reception which was being held at the banquet hall at the Addams House Hotel.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Rehearsal Dinner
Before I had known it was the day before JD and Dave's wedding. That night was the rehearsal followed by the rehearsal dinner. But first, it was time for Dave to meet the rest of the family before the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was clear that JD was nervous as hell. It was one of those things where you had a gut feeling that bringing your fiance home to meet your overprotective parents who just so happened to be federal agents and to meet your three younger sisters was nerve-racking, but having your fiance meet your extended family; who were for the most part in the same profession as your parents was ten times worse.
JD knew that if there was anything that Dave should fear more than meeting his future mother-in-law and father-in-law, it was meeting her uncle; the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs along with her Aunt and partial namesake. JD even due to the fact that her godfather had been a cop as well as a federal agent for years along with the minor detail that her godmother was a trained assassin prior to her current position was anything but comforting. It was instances like these that JD truly detested the fact that she was protected, let alone that we chose a former Mossad assassin and a cop to be her godparents almost two decades prior. She just didn't see that Nick and I had wanted her to always be protected if anything should ever happen to us, it was the same thing we wanted for the twins and Jayla; t was what we wanted for all our girls.
"Everything will be fine. If I was able to get through a meeting with your parents and your sisters; then I can get through a brunch with your Aunt, Uncle and Godparents." Dave said as he and JD drove to the restaurant they were meeting Jethro, Jen, Tony and Ziva for brunch.
"Ha sure you are. Just remember Jethro is a marine; Tony, Ziva and Jen all trained under Jethro. They eve worked under him. Jen was Jethro's Probie way back when. Tony was a Baltimore cop prior to joining NCIS." JD said.
"You left out Ziva."
JD smiled upon hearing her godmother's name.
"Ziva is well, she's the female version of Jethro in every sense. Just whatever you do, don't mention anything about Shannon, Mossad or Eli David. And whatever you do, Leon Vance is still off limits as he was the last time."
"I got it babe."
"And one more thing, remember my Uncle Jethro is quite protective of the women in his life."
JD and Dave had walked into the restaurant to see Jen and Jethro with the triplets in their respective car seats, Tony and Ziva were waiting.
"Dave; this is my Uncle Jethro."
"It's nice to meet a former Marine Gunnery Sergeant, sir. My father was a Commander with the Navy during the Gulf War."
Jethro smirked.
"There's no such thing as a former Marine." Jen, Tony, Ziva and I said in unison.
Once again Jethro smirked; we could see how pleased he was with us quoting him.
"And this is my Aunt Jen, my mom's sister and half of my namesake."
"Nice to meet you ma'am."
"Nice to meet you too, Dave."
"And who are these adorable little ones?"
"They are my cousins, Bella, Carson and Jasper. My Uncle Jethro and Aunt Jen's kids."
"You have three beautiful children, ma'am."
"This is my Uncle and Godfather, Tony."
"Ah, it's nice to finally meet the famous movie aficianado, JD has told me so much about."
"And this is my Aunt and Godmother Ziva."
"Nice to meet you ma'.........." Dave trailed off after JD elbowed him in the side.
"Don't call her ma'am, she doesn't like it." JD whispered.
"Don't worry about it, JD is just being dramatic." Ziva said .
"Factious, babe." Tony corrected.
"Okay before this gets anymore dysfunctional, let's eat." JD said as she helped Jen and Jethro carry the triplets to the table.
The triplets had been quiet content in their car seats. Bella cooed ever once in awhile just to get Jen and Jethro's attention while Carson and Jasper sucked on their pacifiers.
"She's her mother's daughter." Jethro said to Jen.
"Ha, play nice Jethro."
Brunch had gone better than what JD had expected it to go. Before long we all had met up for the rehearsal. JD wanted to have her wedding in Jen and Jethro's backyard just as Ziva and I had nineteen years ago.
We had run through the entire wedding. Dave's parents'; Grace and Chris walked down the aisle to their seats as Dave took his place in front of the Reverend. After that the wedding processional started down the aisle with Liza, Addie and Jayla being walked down the aisle by Kelly, Jaliyah and Ashleann. Jake and RJ were carried down the aisle by Ducky and Jason. Following the kids' venture down the aisle it was the bridesmaids' turn to walk down the aisle. Hannah was escorted down the aisle by Vince followed by Leah and Andy who were linked arm in arm just as Hannah and Vince were. The DiNozzo twins were then followed by Jayden and Jocelyn who had their new boyfriends Eric and Clay Smithson. Then it was time for the matrons of honor to make their way down the aisle with their escorts. Now I had the honor of not only being the mother of the bride but also being one of the matrons of honor. So Abby was escorted down to the alter by McGee, AJ and Palmer followed, then Kate and Drew walked down, Ziva and Tony followed afterwards, myself and Nick followed as did Jen and Jethro.
Later that night Nick and I had found out about the twins' boyfriends who also happened to be twins themselves. I had also later heard my daughter's soon to be mother-in-law refer to Hannah and Leah as the DiNozzo twins as she referred to mine and Nick's twins as the Balboa twins. I had to remind Grace that the girls all had names and that it would probably be best not to always refer to the four girls as the twins. Shortly after the rehearsal we went to the rehearsal dinner before calling it a night.
JD knew that if there was anything that Dave should fear more than meeting his future mother-in-law and father-in-law, it was meeting her uncle; the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs along with her Aunt and partial namesake. JD even due to the fact that her godfather had been a cop as well as a federal agent for years along with the minor detail that her godmother was a trained assassin prior to her current position was anything but comforting. It was instances like these that JD truly detested the fact that she was protected, let alone that we chose a former Mossad assassin and a cop to be her godparents almost two decades prior. She just didn't see that Nick and I had wanted her to always be protected if anything should ever happen to us, it was the same thing we wanted for the twins and Jayla; t was what we wanted for all our girls.
"Everything will be fine. If I was able to get through a meeting with your parents and your sisters; then I can get through a brunch with your Aunt, Uncle and Godparents." Dave said as he and JD drove to the restaurant they were meeting Jethro, Jen, Tony and Ziva for brunch.
"Ha sure you are. Just remember Jethro is a marine; Tony, Ziva and Jen all trained under Jethro. They eve worked under him. Jen was Jethro's Probie way back when. Tony was a Baltimore cop prior to joining NCIS." JD said.
"You left out Ziva."
JD smiled upon hearing her godmother's name.
"Ziva is well, she's the female version of Jethro in every sense. Just whatever you do, don't mention anything about Shannon, Mossad or Eli David. And whatever you do, Leon Vance is still off limits as he was the last time."
"I got it babe."
"And one more thing, remember my Uncle Jethro is quite protective of the women in his life."
JD and Dave had walked into the restaurant to see Jen and Jethro with the triplets in their respective car seats, Tony and Ziva were waiting.
"Dave; this is my Uncle Jethro."
"It's nice to meet a former Marine Gunnery Sergeant, sir. My father was a Commander with the Navy during the Gulf War."
Jethro smirked.
"There's no such thing as a former Marine." Jen, Tony, Ziva and I said in unison.
Once again Jethro smirked; we could see how pleased he was with us quoting him.
"And this is my Aunt Jen, my mom's sister and half of my namesake."
"Nice to meet you ma'am."
"Nice to meet you too, Dave."
"And who are these adorable little ones?"
"They are my cousins, Bella, Carson and Jasper. My Uncle Jethro and Aunt Jen's kids."
"You have three beautiful children, ma'am."
"This is my Uncle and Godfather, Tony."
"Ah, it's nice to finally meet the famous movie aficianado, JD has told me so much about."
"And this is my Aunt and Godmother Ziva."
"Nice to meet you ma'.........." Dave trailed off after JD elbowed him in the side.
"Don't call her ma'am, she doesn't like it." JD whispered.
"Don't worry about it, JD is just being dramatic." Ziva said .
"Factious, babe." Tony corrected.
"Okay before this gets anymore dysfunctional, let's eat." JD said as she helped Jen and Jethro carry the triplets to the table.
The triplets had been quiet content in their car seats. Bella cooed ever once in awhile just to get Jen and Jethro's attention while Carson and Jasper sucked on their pacifiers.
"She's her mother's daughter." Jethro said to Jen.
"Ha, play nice Jethro."
Brunch had gone better than what JD had expected it to go. Before long we all had met up for the rehearsal. JD wanted to have her wedding in Jen and Jethro's backyard just as Ziva and I had nineteen years ago.
We had run through the entire wedding. Dave's parents'; Grace and Chris walked down the aisle to their seats as Dave took his place in front of the Reverend. After that the wedding processional started down the aisle with Liza, Addie and Jayla being walked down the aisle by Kelly, Jaliyah and Ashleann. Jake and RJ were carried down the aisle by Ducky and Jason. Following the kids' venture down the aisle it was the bridesmaids' turn to walk down the aisle. Hannah was escorted down the aisle by Vince followed by Leah and Andy who were linked arm in arm just as Hannah and Vince were. The DiNozzo twins were then followed by Jayden and Jocelyn who had their new boyfriends Eric and Clay Smithson. Then it was time for the matrons of honor to make their way down the aisle with their escorts. Now I had the honor of not only being the mother of the bride but also being one of the matrons of honor. So Abby was escorted down to the alter by McGee, AJ and Palmer followed, then Kate and Drew walked down, Ziva and Tony followed afterwards, myself and Nick followed as did Jen and Jethro.
Later that night Nick and I had found out about the twins' boyfriends who also happened to be twins themselves. I had also later heard my daughter's soon to be mother-in-law refer to Hannah and Leah as the DiNozzo twins as she referred to mine and Nick's twins as the Balboa twins. I had to remind Grace that the girls all had names and that it would probably be best not to always refer to the four girls as the twins. Shortly after the rehearsal we went to the rehearsal dinner before calling it a night.
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