Father of the Bride: Round One of Seven

            A few weeks later after Tony and Ziva had gotten back from their honeymoon it was time for Kelly to get married.  Before Tony and Ziva had their wedding, before Ziva took Tony’s name; they changed Madalyn and Asher’s last name. So when Ziva had officially said I do in front of their children, their respective fathers, her aunt and their NCIS family at their Twilight/Edward and Bella-esque wedding; everyone within the DiNozzo clan were all DiNozzos.

            Now today was Kelly’s turn. She had decided that she wanted her six younger sisters to be a part of the ceremony. So she had decided that Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison be her maids of honor/bridesmaids while Kate and Kassidy were the flower girls. Kelly’s impending wedding was less vampire and more traditional. Kelly’s wedding wasn’t in her father and step-mother’s backyard like Tony and Ziva’s had been weeks prior, the actual ceremony was taking place in a church. For all intent and purpose, this was the normal, hopefully drama free wedding out of the two for everyone involved or attending. At least that’s what Kelly was hoping for. Her in-laws to be would be meeting her family for the first time today and even at the age of twenty-nine; Kelly was still on guard when it came to letting new people see her insane family. Now the groom, Charlie Grant was the youngest of three in his family; he had an older brother by the name of Dierks and an older sister by the name of LeAnn. Now unlike her own parents; Kelly’s soon to be mother and father in law; Laurel and Bentley had been happily married thirty plus years without one thought of divorce or anything along those line ever.

            So the thought of introducing her parents, step mother and her six younger half sisters to people she had only met for the first time months prior to this day was a bit overwhelming for her. Kelly was constantly replaying the whole situation in her mind as she stood in front of her family as her fiancé walked towards her with his family in tow.

            Hello Mr. and Mrs. Grant, Dierks, LeAnn; I’d like you to meet my family. My parents Shannon and Jethro, my step-mother Jenny. And my sisters; Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella, Madison, Kate and Kassidy.

            Half sisters I presume.  Kelly imagined Laurel saying in a disapproving tone.

            Yes, they are my half sisters; Laurel. My parents divorced when I was a kid. My mother never remarried but my dad did and when he remarried they had my sisters. Now Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella, Madison, Kate and Kassidy may just be my half-sisters but I consider them to be my sisters even if we only share the same father; they are still my sisters.

            Kelly hoped that wasn’t how everything was going to play out. She would have to wait and see.

            “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Grant, Dierks, LeAnn; I’d like you all to meet my family. My parents, Shannon and Jethro. This is my step-mother, Jenny. Then these six are my sisters; Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella, Madison, Kate and Kassidy.”

            Charlie’s parents and siblings said hello after the introductions had been made. After that the two families parted ways. Kelly was pleased that the meeting had gone well. As Kelly was walking back into the house with her family she caught Charlie sneaking a peek at Kelly as she walked away.

            Before long it was time to proceed with the wedding. Charlie had taken his place at the altar with his groomsmen and the pastor. Charlie’s family had all taken their seats on the groom’s side of the church. All three of grandparents along with her father’s team and everyone else sat on the bride’s side of the church. 

            The wedding march began which lead Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison walked down the aisle to their places at the altar. After they got to their spots, their younger sisters were carried down the aisle by Jenny and Jaylyn.

            When the ceremony ended as the guests waited for the bride and groom; Jaylyn handed over her niece to Jethro before she took two of her daughters from Jack and Ann as Joann handed over the Shepard girl she had to Kasey. The bride and groom came out and had rice thrown at them as they walked to the car that was taking them to their reception.

            Before the reception began the photographer insisted on taking the pictures he wanted to get before he lost the sun. So right off the bat; Kelly posed for a picture with her parents. Then she took a picture with her father and Jenny before she transitioned to taking a picture that was just her and her sisters. Once that was done Kelly waited while Charlie took pictures with his parents, siblings and groomsmen. 

            After that was said and done the newlyweds took a collective group picture with the entire bridal party followed by a picture where the bride’s family and the groom’s were in the shot with them.

            Kelly and Charlie waited outside of the hall for their announcement by the dj.

            “Well it’s about time we’ve get some time to ourselves, Mrs. Grant.” Charlie said to his new wife.

            “Not Mrs. Grant, that’s your mom. Its Mrs. Gibbs- Grant; Mr. Grant.” Kelly said correcting her husband as she kissed him.

            “It gives me great honor to present for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Grant.”

            The reception hall erupted in applause as the newlyweds walked in.

Wedding Day

            The day had finally arrived. It had taken thirteen years and the births of their four kids for Ziva David to get Anthony DiNozzo Jr. to finally hang up his playboy ways. Everyone knew that Ziva would be the one to tame Tony, albeit her predecessor would have been able to tame Tony if she wasn’t murdered; but Kate was murdered by Ari and Ziva had killed Ari to avenge Kate and to protect Gibbs, there was no way around that. Of course Kate had set the ground work for taming Tony, which Ziva was completely thankful for.  Ziva had spent the intervening time from the day that Tali and Monique had made their debut and today with Jenny and Jethro. Since Tali and Monique were only a few days old, Ziva kept them with her as Tony took care of Madalyn and Asher. Jethro had been running on his usual brew of coffee which was nothing new to anyone but since he was being the doting father with his own twins alongside of Jenny, he was also helping Ziva with her twins.

            The day of her wedding day, Ziva had woken up earlier than what she normally did due to her nerves running on overdrive. She fed Tali and Monique before she changed them into their dresses for the wedding. Ziva waited awhile before she called her eldest daughter to see how things were going over at the house. So while she waited Ziva wandered down to the kitchen with Tali and Monique in tow. Ziva had found her friend in the kitchen with her own daughters who were eating their breakfast. Kate and Kassidy were only a week or so older than Tali and Monique. The add bonus of staying with Jenny and Jethro in Ziva’s opinion was that she didn’t have to worry about running out baby supplies or even when the time came, the use of high chairs since Jenny and Jethro saved the high chairs they used for their quads.

            “Good morning, Ziva.” Jenny said as she set Kate down in the basinet and picked up Kassidy to feed.

            “Morning Jenny.” Ziva replied as she set her daughters down.

            “I have to say that this the first time in the years that I’ve known you that you are nervous about something.”

            “Well today is a big day of course I am gonna be nervous.”

            “I’ve been where you are Ziva, remember? But I was pregnant at mine which you are not.”

            Ziva had started feeding Monique as Jenny burped Kassidy.

            “Touché, Jenny, touché.”

            As Jenny balanced Kassidy against one of her shoulders, she had gone over to the Keurig and made some coffee for the nervous bride just to relax her a bit.

            “Thank-you.” Ziva said as she took the coffee from her friend.

            Of course the aroma of coffee had stirred the slumbering Leroy Jethro Gibbs which was nothing new to Jenny or Ziva. Jenny knew that if Jethro was going to be at all bearable today that she had to get some sort of coffee in him. Kelly was coming over in a while with Charlie. Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison driven down a few days ago with their respective boyfriends; Miles, Craig, Gabriel and Parker.

            Ziva was still nervous but not as much as before. Nerves were still nerves.  The one thing that was getting to her now was that she and Tony had invited her Aunt Nettie, Ziva’s mentor and their youngest daughter’s namesake; Monique Lisson, this wasn’t what was stressing Ziva out at the moment. What was stressing her out was that they invited their fathers to the wedding. Senior knew about Madalyn and Asher.  Eli had no idea that he a twelve year old granddaughter and a seven year old grandson. Neither Senior nor Eli knew that they now had twin five day old granddaughters.

            Once again Senior was in between marriages himself. Eli had never remarried after Ziva’s mother died.  Ziva’s Aunt Nettie also had a bit of a discord going on with Eli like Ziva had. Just like Ziva’s mother; Rivka had with Eli when Ziva was a kid and Ari did when he was alive. Weddings were suppose to be happy occasions but with her family alone any special occasion was never happy.

            After breakfast things for the wedding were being set up in the backyard of Jenny and Jethro’s home. Tony, Madalyn and Asher arrived soon afterwards; Noemi ushered Tony and Asher down to the basement while Jenny took Madalyn up to her sisters and mother. Jethro helped set things up in the backyard. Once it was done, Jenny had Ziva look out of the bedroom window to see what the backyard looked like. The ceremony was taking place under a massive canopy of flowers that covered the alter and the chairs. As Ziva took in the sight down below she saw the guests taking their seats. Ziva smiled when she saw her Aunt walking to the seat. Ducky followed afterwards.

            Shortly after Ziva’s aunt and Ducky were seated, Rachel and her date sat down on the left side of the aisle where Ducky and Nettie were. After that Senior came into view followed by Eli. When Ziva saw her father she was completely stunned that he came since he hadn’t left Israeli soil since the previous Directors and Jenny held a summit to delve into Vance’s past. It had been nine years since his last visit. Senior and Eli sat down on the empty side of seats. Before long the rest of the team seated. Abby had hers and McGee’s son in her arms. Jenny was sitting next to her daughters and step daughter. Jenny had Kate in her lap while Kelly held Kassidy in her lap. Delilah and Arabella watched Tali and Monique for Ziva.  Before the ceremony started, just after Monique arrived; Ziva introduced her daughter to her namesake just as Jenny and Jethro introduced Kate to Rachel when she and her sister were born. Breena and Palmer took the open seats next to Ducky.

            A lot had to be said that Eli and Senior sitting by themselves. After everyone had settled down, the ceremony began. No one had known who was walking Ziva down the aisle until the moment came. Tony was out of the loop. They only two that knew were Ziva and the man she had chosen to escort her down the aisle to Tony. The wedding march began which cued Madalyn and Asher to walk down the aisle. Ziva and Tony had decided that they wanted their eldest daughter to be the flower girl and their son to be the ring bearer.  Here comes the bride then started to play after Asher took his place next to his father seconds after Madalyn took her position. Everyone in attendance stood up and turned to the back to see Ziva in her white, strapless wedding gown as well as the man she had chosen to escort her down the aisle.

            Jenny smiled a wide smile when she saw that Ziva had chosen Jethro to escort her down the aisle. The added bonus for Jenny was when she saw the vein in Eli forehead throb with absolute anger at the sight of his daughter being escorted down the aisle by the man that he considered to be the one that stole his daughter from him.

           

Waiting

            Twelve weeks had passed by quickly. The waiting room in Bethesda’s labor and delivery wing was beyond its recommended holding capacity. When one of the hospital staff or one of the Doctors walked by they saw pure organized chaos. Kids ranging in age from ten months old to the young age of twelve playing on the floor while their respective parents waited in the chairs in the room with other adults. But in all actuality the chaos that the hospital staff and doctors saw was the welcoming party for two very special girls to make their debut. Their sisters and brother-in-law to be patiently waited alongside of their aunt, uncle, cousins and grandparents. The girls who were keeping their family and extended family waiting were midway through torturing their parents who were anxious as everyone else was to finally meet them after months of waiting for them.

            Kate Jayden Gibbs and her twin Kassidy Jacey Gibbs had definitely inherited parents’ stubbornness like their nineteen year old sisters had, but also seem to have the same stubbornness that their namesakes had when they were alive.  They were putting their mother through absolute pain and agony.  Which by extension put their father through the same pain and agony that their mother was in. Little did the two new additions know but they were also making one of their extended family members worry about them and Mommy. 

            “Abby relax, the twins and the Director are fine.” Ducky assured.

            “If that were the case, Ducky; then Gibbs would be out here telling us that Kate and Kassidy are here.”

            “Abby, Ducky is right; Jen and the twins are fine.” Jaylyn assured her friend as she walked around to pick up one of her daughters who had started crying.

            Apparently Zoey had decided to take the toy that her older sister Aliyah had been playing with from her.

            “Zoey Jolie Shepard, that wasn’t very nice to do your sister.”

            “From what I have heard, Jaylyn; you were the same way as Zoey is with her sisters when your sister when you two were kids.” Jack said.

            “Remind me to castrate; your father.” Jaylyn said to her nieces.

            “And there’s the Shepard temper.” Arabella said to her and her sisters’ grandmother.

            Jaylyn glared at her niece’s cheekiness.

            “That’s not going to work Aunt J; I’ve known you for too long for that to work.”

                The group continued to wait. Kasey and Ann helped Jaylyn feed the triplets while Tony had gone to the hospital café to get lunch for his kids while Ziva got them situated. While Tony retrieved food for his kids and the triplets were being fed by their parents and their Uncle’s mother; Rachel joined the group.  Rachel knew that she had to be there due to the fact that one of the twins was named after her late sister, she was there for herself and for Kate. Hours had gone by and saying that everyone was restless was a complete understatement. But no one was as tired as Jenny was. Jenny had been up since 2am and she was entering the thirteenth hour of being in labor. To say that Jenny’s temper was at its best as she directed it towards Jethro was a complete understatement.

            “This is all your fault.”

            Jethro didn’t say a word. Jenny then contended with a contraction to which she channeled all of her frustration through squeezing the crap out of Jethro’s now red hand. Jenny’s doctor came into the delivery suite to check on her. The doctor told her that it was time to expand the Gibbs family by two. Minutes later after the doctor said it was time; Jenny had successfully delivered the two newest additions to her family. After the nurses had the twins cleaned and swaddled they handed the twins over to Jenny who had rested her two new daughters on her thighs while Jethro went to the waiting room to tell everyone that the twins had finally made their debut.

            “They’re here.” Jethro announced as he stepped into the waiting room.

            Jethro’s parents congratulated him as Abby smothered him with a hug. The rest of the group congratulated Jethro as little Asher and Madalyn hugged Jethro.

            “Well what’s the scoop on the Gibbs twins?” Abby inquired.

            “Kate was born first at 1455 and she was 7lbs 15oz. Kassidy followed at 1500 and was 7lbs 20oz.”

            “Can we see them?”

            “Jen is getting acclimated with them at the moment and the doctor said just immediate family for now.”

            “Oh okay.” Abby said slightly disappointed.

            Jethro walked back to Jenny’s suite with his daughters in tow. Once the six of them came back into the room Jenny showed her daughters and step-daughter their new sisters. The girls completely adored their new sisters. Kate had her father’s and namesake’s brunette hair with blue eyes that were a few shades lighter than her dad’s and three of her five older sisters. Kassidy was the eighth redhead in the family with green eyes that were a shade or two lighter than her mother and two sisters. Like the quads, Kate and Kassidy were completely different. People tended to think Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison were identical when they first met them.

            “Are they identical or fraternal?” Kelly asked.

            “They’re fraternal like the quads.” Jenny answered.

            “Okay seriously after nineteen years you guys are still referring to us as the quads.” Delilah said.

            “It is getting a bit old.” Madison stated.

            “Okay, we’ll stop referring to you guys as the quads.” Jethro said.

            One of the attending nurses came into the suite and Kelly had requested the nurse take a quick picture of the whole family, all nine of them. Sometime later the rest of the group got to meet the twins. The moment that Jethro had placed baby Kate in Rachel’s arms, Rachel lost all of her composure as the tears streamed down her face. Jethro took a picture of Rachel and baby Kate.

            “Hi Kate, I’m Aunt Rachel; you’re named after my kid sister. My kid sister worked with your dad, Tony, McGee, Abby and Ducky for almost two years before she died. She’d love you as much as I do.” Rachel said while she held baby Kate.

            As Jenny and Jethro watched Rachel with baby Kate as Tony held baby Kassidy, both Jethro and Rachel felt the presence of Kate in the room as Tony felt Paula’s presence.

            “Looks like you finally got one Cassidy/Kassidy in your arms, DiNozzo.” McGee joked.

            “Very funny, Probie.”

            She’s beautiful, Gibbs. Rachel was right, it is an honor to have one of your girls named after me.

            That was a good one, McGee. She’s beautiful as is her sister; Gibbs.

            “Kate...” Jethro and Rachel said in unison.

            “Paula…” Tony said.

            Abby perked up some as she had the feeling that the others had.

            Don’t worry Abby you’re not hallucinating, we’re both here with everyone and we always watching over you guys. You’ll be a great mom, Abby.

Kate said as she placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder. When Abby felt Kate’s hand on her shoulder a smile played across Abby’s face.

            Jenny’s doctor came in and ushered everyone out of the room as the nurses took the twins to the nursery so that Jenny could get some rest. Before he left the suite, Jethro went over to Jenny’s bed and kissed her on her head.

            “Thank-you for giving me beautiful daughters again, Jen.”

            “Your welcome, Jethro. Thank you for making me a mom again.” Jenny said as Jethro left her bedside and turned off the lights in the room.

            “Night Jen.” Jethro said as he left the suite.

Empty Nest No More

            Before long the entire team and the rest of the agency knew of Jenny’s pregnancy. Jarvis knew as well. Jenny was fighting tooth and nail with Jarvis about her taking maternity leave. It was a rare occasion that Jenny did any sort of field work so she didn’t see the point in her taking any sort of leave. It wasn’t like she couldn’t bring Kate and Kassidy into the office if she needed to during the weeks that will follow their impending arrival in twelve weeks’ time. Ducky had voiced his concern about the bourbon he had noticed the other day when he had visited her in her office when she was talking Director David. Jenny had assured her colleague and friend that none of the bourbon had gone down her throat. Jenny had pulled a “Gibbs sip” as Tony had termed a few years into her run as Director. Of course Ducky wanted to be sure that the twins were medically okay. So to appease Ducky, Jenny went down to Autopsy with him.

            Ducky was checking Jenny’s blood pressure. Jenny could tell that the good Doctor had a question for her.

            “Since you clearly have something to ask, so just ask.” Jenny said.

            “When did you and Jethro conceive the twins?”

            “You asking in a professional capacity, Doctor Mallard.” Jenny said joking with Ducky.

            “Very funny, my dear.”

            “Kate and Kassidy were conceived six months ago one night after Jethro and I had a few too many glasses of wine after he took me out to a romantic candle lit dinner.” Jenny answered as she fondly recalled the night.

            “So like Ziva and Abby, you already have names picked out.”

            “Yes I do; Kate Jayden and Kassidy Jacey.”

            Ducky continued fussing over Jenny.

            “Okay Ducky, I think that’s enough tests; the girls and I are fine. This isn’t my first pregnancy.” Jenny said as she got up from the Autopsy table she was sitting on and left Autopsy.

            “You’re even more stubborn when you’re pregnant, my dear.”

            Jenny wasn’t alone in the elevator when she had stepped into it. Apparently Jethro had wondered where she had gone to and had decided to search the agency for her. The sexual tension was building up between the duo.  Jenny flipped the switch on the panel, stopping the elevator dead in its tracks. Throughout the course of their escapade Jenny was quite happy that she had disapproved of the idea from Jarvis that cameras should be installed in the elevators. A few moments later Jethro was tucking his polo shirt into his pants while Jenny tried to fix her hair.

            Once the elevator started moving again, Jenny looked at Jethro.

            “We’ve had some good times in these elevators over the years.” Jenny commented.

            “That’s for damn sure.”

            They weren’t going up to the squad room. They were going to see Abby.

            Abby had been talking for the most part while she moved around. Both Ziva and Abby had started to have their own respective baby bumps like Jenny had hers. Jenny could tell that Abby had something on her mind and that what Abby had on her mind had nothing to do with what she was talking to them about. Jethro had left to go back up to the squad room while Jenny stuck around for a bit.

            “Ask what you want to ask me, Abs; it’s okay.”

            “I just can’t seem to figure out despite all of my training and everything on how you can possibly be pregnant now when you said you had your tubes tied after you had the girls.”

            “After ten years, Abby; having your tubes tied isn’t as effective as it was when it was originally done. That’s what happened to me along with a lot of wine and the allure Jethro had dispelled on me the night we conceived Kate and Kassidy.”

            Abby hadn’t known what Jenny was planning on naming her two newest daughters so when she heard their names she couldn’t help herself.

            “That is so sweet that you and Gibbs are naming the babies after Kate and Cassidy.” Abby said in between tears while she hugged Jenny.

            “I knew you would like the names. Dr. Cranston liked them too.”

            The day continued on. Everyone had worked on what they needed to work on. Jenny and Jethro had gone home.  Both were quite happy with where their life was going. Their eldest; Kelly was happily engaged and was living with her fiancé. Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison were doing well in school and in their relationships. Now Jenny and Jethro would be welcoming two new babies into the family soon. Seven daughters, what more could they ask for.

            Life was good in every possible way. And neither one of them want to change that or have something happen to that in anyway.

Shower

            Jenny and Jethro lay in bed the following morning enjoying each others’ presence. Jenny was content listening to Jethro’s heartbeat as her head rested on his bare chest. The duo was keeping another secret from the team. They told their daughters, Jaylyn, Jack, Ann, Leyla and Amira the news they had.  The news that they had sworn Jaylyn to absolute secrecy. They didn’t, especially Jenny; didn’t want to deter the attention from Ziva and Abby. So instead of wearing her usual tight and form fitting clothing Jenny was now wearing clothes that were a bit more loose in the fitting to hide the secrets.

            “Are Kate and Kassidy hungry?”Jethro asked his wife as he ran his fingers through Jenny’s crimson locks.

            “What do you think?”

            With that they slipped into their lounge wear and headed downstairs. It was only when Jenny was at home or when she was around the people they had told that she didn’t have to hide the secrets. The doorbell rang and Jenny answered the door as Jethro continued onto the kitchen. On the other side was Jaylyn and the girls, Kasey had gone to work.

            “Here let me take one of them.” Jenny said as she took one of her nieces.

            “Thanks Jen.”

            “Jethro, come help us with the girls.”

            Within seconds Jethro came into the room and picked up one of his nieces as Jaylyn held on to her daughter that hadn’t left her side.

            “Someone’s rocking the bump as much as she can.”

            “Damn straight I am. I’ve already gone through this all before that’s why I’m not letting the spotlight come to me when it has to be on Ziva and Abby.”

            “Well Ziva’s doing the same thing you are, she’s letting Abby have the spotlight since its Abby’s first.”

            “That’s good.” Jethro commented as they put the triplets in high chairs.

            “So the baby shower for Ziva and Abby is here at two?”

            “Yeah; it’s us, Ziva, Abby, Breena, Madalyn, Kelly, the girls, Shannon, Ann and Dr. Cranston. Leyla and Amira too”

            “Are you going to tell Dr. Cranston about Kate?”

            “I will when the right moment presents itself.”

            “She’s going to be honored when she finds out. It’s sweet that they are named after two strong and independent women.”

            “Kate and Agent Cassidy were good agents, J.” Jethro said.

            “I know, they meant a lot to all of us. That’s why it’s so sweet that they are kind of living on through Kate and Kassidy when they finally make their appearances.”

            The group ate breakfast together. Jethro then left afterwards to do something with Ducky, Tony, Asher, Palmer, Jack and McGee while the women had their baby shower.

            Throughout the course of the shower Jenny was attempting to keep her secret; Jaylyn, Leyla and Ann saw how hard it was for her to keep the secret. Jenny did get the opportunity to tell Rachel what Jaylyn had said earlier.

            “Thank-you, Director. Thank you for honoring my sister like this. Kate would be honored if she were here.”

            “Please call me Jen or Jenny when we’re away from the agency. We don’t have to be formal with each other all the time, Rachel.”

            The shower progressed on and Jenny kept the secret. Hours later it was just her and Jethro back in their bedroom.

            “So how did it go?” Jethro asked.

            “It went fine, J kept her mouth shut; Rachel knows and she’s happy with our decision. She said Kate would be as well.”

            Jethro smiled his crooked smile that he had perfected long before Edward Cullen had in the Twilight saga.

            “She would. Cassidy would be too.” Jethro commented.

            Jenny then gave in to her tiredness as she fell asleep in Jethro’s arms while Jethro watched the highlights of the Phillies vs. Pirates game that he had missed when he had gone to hang out with the boys that afternoon. Jethro knew Jenny was exhausted and that her sleeping was a good thing. She needed to get her rest while she could.  Much like Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison had when they were newborns; Kate and Kassidy would follow their older sisters’ lead as well as their older half sister’s lead by keeping Jenny and Jethro up all night after they arrived. It was a Gibbs trait after all.

            In the middle of the night, around 3am Jenny had woken up to her phone going off.

            Congrats on the new additions; Kate and Kassidy are the luckiest girls ever. They have the best parents, protective sisters and extended family that two girls could ever ask for.

            Jenny knew who the text was from. She could never get anything pass Ziva no matter what it was.

            Thank-you. Same goes for Tali and Monique as well as Maddy and Asher.

            Seconds after Jenny had sent her text in response to Ziva’s text she had received another text. This time it was from Abby.

            Congrats Mommy, Kate and Kassidy are truly blessed like their sisters and the rest of us to have such wonderful parents. Congratulate Daddy for me when he wakes up.

            Thanks, Abs. Kyle Luca is just as blessed to have you and McGee as his parents.

            After that last text Jenny turned her phone off and quickly fell back asleep in Jethro’s arms.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Lunch with the Girls

            Up in her office, Jenny was on the phone with her Israeli counterpart; Mossad Director Eli David.  Jenny hated having to talk to Eli on a daily basis, unlike her Assistant Director who resided on the other side of the country and oversaw the OSP division of NCIS with Hetty Lange; Jenny wasn’t on the best of terms with Eli David. Unlike Leon Vance, Jenny could not and refused to look past Eli’s track record on the professional and personal level like Vance did. So Jenny sat at her desk on the phone listening to Eli drone on and on about how poorly the American federal agencies were doing as far as it came to intelligence work in their own backyard as well as abroad. Preemptively Jenny had poured herself some bourbon from the wet bar in her office before she called Eli. While Eli talked Jenny sipped her bourbon desperately hoping that the phone call would be over soon.

            Thankfully the end finally came as she heard Eli say goodbye and waited for a response from her.

            “Shalom Eli.” Jenny said quickly as she hung up.

            “I can’t stand that bastard.” Jenny said under her breath as she gathered her gun and badge from her desk drawer.

            “I hope you weren’t talking about Jethro, my dear.” Ducky said as he made his presence known.

            “No not at all, Ducky. Jethro is a bearable pain in the ass. Eli David on the other hand is not.”

            “Ah your weekly phone call with Director David; that explains everything.”

            “What do you need, Doctor Mallard?” Jenny asked.

            “Nothing that can’t wait until you get back, my dear.”

            “Okay.” Jenny said as she left Ducky in her office.

            As Jenny was going down the stairs in front of MTAC she saw her sister and Ziva gather their things as Abby joined them. She also saw Sam’s look of inquiry come into play. Seconds later as Jenny, Ziva and Abby were saying good bye to their significant others; Jaylyn turned to Rachel.

            “You should come with us, Doc.”

            “You sure, I don’t want to impose.” Rachel said.

            “I’m sure, Doc; you’re family, remember.”

            Rachel grabbed her purse and coat right when Jenny pulled away from Jethro.

            “Enjoy yourself.” Jethro said to Jenny while they were inches apart from each other.

            “Oh I will.” Jenny purred.

            With that as the quintet left the guys and Sam behind as they left for lunch.

            “Why does she get to go?”

            “Cause the Doc is family, Doc.” Tony answered abruptly.

            “Drop it DiNozzo.” Jethro said.

            “Yeah it’s getting old, DiNozzo.”

            “Five years later and you’re still holding onto the game show host personality comment Elliot made. That’s pathetic.”

            Tony left the squad room to left off some steam elsewhere in the agency. Sam, Jethro and McGee continued working.

            Meanwhile the quintet had been seated at their table and were waiting on their drinks. As they waited for the drinks to come they talked for a bit.

            “Your pregnancies seem to be treating you both well.” Rachel said to Ziva and Abby.

            “I didn’t think it would be this easy. Director Gibbs said that there was a possibility that it would be this easy but I didn’t think she would be right.” Abby said.

            “The first baby is always the easiest, Abby. It’s the ones that follow the first that are the hardest.” Ziva quipped.

            “Try having three at once, that’s not easy.”

            “But you managed.” Rachel said.

            “That she did. But none of you can hold a candle to what I did eighteen years ago.”

            “That’s true, four at once was pretty damn amazing; Jen. But for all of us that were there that day, we all knew that you were the only one that could do what you did.” Jaylyn said.

            The drinks came and the women placed their entrée orders. As time progressed the women continued to converse and have a genuine good time with each other before they headed back to the grindstone at the agency.

            Before long the quintet was back at the agency. While Jaylyn, Ziva and Rachel were being updated by the rest of the group, Abby headed back to her lab; Jethro pulled Jenny aside to the window she had pinned him to when Ares was being sold. Jethro figured it was his turn to return the favor from a decade ago.

            “So did you enjoy yourself at lunch with the girls?” Jethro asked when they were inches apart from each other.

            “Yes, we had a good time.”

            “Next time it will be you and me going to lunch while the kids stay with their cousin and aunt.” Jethro said.

            “We’ll see.” Jenny said as she kissed and left her husband completely stunned as she returned to her office.

            “You’ll pay for that later, Jen.” Jethro said as he watched Jenny take the stairs up to her office.

            Sure I will, Jethro. Jenny text Jethro as she disappeared from sight.