The night before while the drama unfolded at Jen and Jethro’s, Ducky and Jordan were having a better night than Jen and I were. Ducky decided that he was going to take Jordan to the Smithsonian museum for a date. Jordan and Ducky discussed the date at breakfast before they headed into work the following morning. Needless to say Ducky was gonna have a busy day in front of him and not just with the body he and Palmer had in Autopsy. The last thing Ducky expected to deal with today was to be a therapist to two very stubborn and opinionated crimson haired women he deeply cared for.
Jen paced the length of her office between her desk and the conference table she had in there. I was pacing in the middle of the squad room in the space between Tony and McGee’s desks and Ziva and Jethro’s. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Kate watching Ziva at her desk like she had been the past few weeks.
“My God, Kate will you stop acting like a petulant child. Its Ziva’s desk now.” I said.
“I’m not being a petulant child, Jay; excuse me for wanting my desk back. It was mine first.” Kate responded.
“Actually it was Jen’s before it was yours.” I replied as I continued to pace.
Kate was a bit confused.
“Do I have to spell it out for you, Kate?”
“Director Shepard was Gibbs’ partner?”
“Ah yeah, don’t tell me you thought Tony was his first partner after Franks?”
“Kinda.”
“Well he wasn’t; where did you think all that chemistry between Jen and Jethro came from?”
“Okay well excuse me for not knowing everything like you, Jay; I wasn’t around for five years.” Kate said defending herself.
“Just remember that these desks belonged to Gibbs, Mike Franks, Jenny and other agents before they belonged to us.”
While Kate and I talked with the others looking on, Jen went down to Autopsy to talk to Ducky.
“Ah Director, it’s nice to see you my dear.” Ducky said as he put on a pair of gloves.
Jen looked over to Palmer giving him a look that we all knew too well.
“Mr. Palmer, do you mind giving us a moment?” Ducky asked sensing that his boss and friend needed to talk.
“No I don’t mind, I have to get these up to Abby before I check on AJ.” Palmer said as he held up three evidence jars that all contained a slug.
“So what’s on your mind, my dear?” Ducky asked.
“Jaylyn.”
“Let me guess, she isn’t taking the news of your impending retirement with Jethro and I as well as you thought she would.” Ducky said as he poured tea for Jen and himself.
“That’s it Ducky, she literally stormed out of the house the other night.” Jen said.
“My dear Jennifer, you must see why Jaylyn is upset. Your sister is your polar opposite in almost every sense. While you enjoy being the Director, your sister loves being a field agent. So from her eyes sees you completely abandoning her and forcing her to be something she absolutely abhors.”
“But if she doesn’t step up, that means Leon takes over again and I won’t subject the team to his way of running the agency agent let alone subject my own sister to working under Leon just because she doesn’t want to takeover.”
“Just give her some time and she’ll come around.” Ducky advised.
As Jen and Ducky finished their tea Ziva could tell that there was something going on with her husband. Tony hadn’t been acting like himself since Ziva had told him the news of Jen choosing me over him as her successor. Ziva knew it was a swift kick in Tony’s ego. Tony had gotten up from his desk to go to the bathroom. Ziva’s heart ached as she watched him sulk off to the men’s room like wounded dog. Shortly after Tony was out of sight Ziva got up and followed him.
“Where is Ziva going?” Kate asked.
“Don’t ask.” I answered.
Jethro nodded in agreement as McGee continued to look at his computer. While Ziva made her way to the men’s room, I headed towards the rear elevator.
“I see we’re having one of our men’s room conversations again.” Tony said from where he stood as Ziva locked the door behind her.
“Well this is the only place I can get you to talk, the only place I can get you to open up.”
Tony stared at Ziva in attempts to replicate Jethro’s stare.
“And how many times do I have to tell you that Gibbs does that better. Now tell me what the hell is going on with you.”
“Its nothing, babe. Don’t worry your pretty little head over me.” Tony answered as he zipped up and buttoned his pants before he flushed the urinal he used.
“Damn it Tony, remember what these mean?” Ziva asked as she held up her left hand where her engagement ring and wedding band had sat for the past seventeen years.
“Of course I know what they mean; it means that you are my wife and the mother of our daughters just as I am your husband as well as the father of our daughters.”
“It also means that you have someone to talk to when something is bothering you. Now please tell me what is bothering you, before we both get annoyed with each other and the girls start to wonder what is going on between us.”
“What’s bothering me is that Jenny chose her own sister as her successor instead of choosing me. I have a lot more experience then Jaylyn does for God’s sake. I’m the team’s senior field agent and Jay is a probie just like McGee and Kate. Jenny is playing favorites.”
“Will you relax, Jenny isn’t playing favorites. She chose her sister as her successor because she knows that Gibbs will do the same thing he did after his coma.”
As Tony and Ziva wrapped things up, I was about five steps away from Autopsy, five steps from being able to talk to Ducky. Just as I got to the sliding doors of Autopsy, Jen and I bumped into each other. Neither one of us said anything to the other, the only exchange between us was a pissed off look and Ducky noticed it.
“I knew I’d be seeing you soon. You and your sister are so much alike.” Ducky said.
“Please Ducky, don’t compare me to her; not now. Not with what just happened between us and what she is asking me to do.”
While Ducky and I talked, Palmer found AJ at her desk.
“We have to tell everyone before you start to show.” Palmer said after he kissed his glowing wife.
“I know we do. But now really isn’t a good time with everything that is going on with the Director and Jaylyn and with Tony envying Jaylyn while being pissed at the Director.”
“I know all of that, AJ; my love. But we have to tell them or at the very least tell Dr. Mallard so he can keep tabs on the pregnancy.”
“Jimmy, please let’s just give it a few days and let the air clear before we spring this pregnancy on everyone.”
So with that plea, Palmer did as his wife wished and things still remained tense at NCIS.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Gibbs Family
For the most part the following morning had started out like any other morning in the Gibbs household. Kelly had woken up early so that she was able to fit in a run at Rock Creek Park before she had to go into work to deal with today’s onslaught of sick animals and their sometimes overly concerned owners. Jen had woken up shortly after Kelly left for her run. Jen had decided that it would be best to save the coffee boost until after her shower. So with that Jen carefully got out of bed so she wouldn’t disturb Jethro. Jen knew that she ran the chance of waking Jethro up with the shower, but she knew that if anything; the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was more likely to wake him up than the sound of running water.
Jen had figured that since it was only her and Jethro at home it would be okay for her to leave the door of their master bath open. There was also the fact that their bedroom door had been closed since they had gone to bed the night before. Just as Jen had started the shower and was about to wrap a towel around her recently de-clothed body, Jethro had woken up to the sight that he loved seeing whenever he got the chance. As he watched the stunning redhead before him two thoughts came to him.
“How did I manage to live without her after Paris?”
Jethro already knew the answer to that question. He knew he barely went full day without Jen after their op in Paris twenty-nine years ago. His third marriage to his ex-wife, Stephanie was proof of how he tried to forget Jen after she broke-up with him. Hell the mysterious redhead everyone but Ducky, Palmer and I had seen Jethro with was proof of how much he had tried to forget Jen. And we definitely couldn’t leave Hollis, Holly and M. Allison Hart out the brood of women Jethro was with during those intervening years. Of course Jethro’s ex-wife Diane and the ex-wife of his that was in-between Shannon and Diane were his distractions from the pain of losing Shannon; but with all certainty Stephanie, Hollis, Holly and M. Allison Hart were his distraction from losing Jen. Before long the next thought came to Jethro’s mind as he continued to gaze at what he considered to be one perfectly sculpted body to ever grace the planet he lived on.
“Damn she looks just as fine a she did in Europe. That body of hers hasn’t change.”
Now Jen knew Jethro had been watching her. Once she had gotten into the shower Jen knew that she had to invite Jethro to join her.
“You if you want to join me, that you are more than welcomed to. I’m not gonna stop you, Jethro.” Jen said as she peeked out to the bedroom from behind the shower curtain with a come hither look in her eyes.
Jethro nearly melted as he was completely taken by Jen’s always seductive emerald green eyes. So with Jen’s invitation to join her in the shower, Jethro wasted no time in getting over to her. Once in the shower together it had only taken Jen and Jethro a matter of second to remember how perfect they were for each other, how well their bodies fitted each other as the shower water coursed down them.
A few minutes later Jen and Jethro heard footsteps in the house. They now realized that it wasn’t just the two of them the house anymore. Jethro had started to get out of the shower to see who the third inhabitant was. Jen wasn’t too happy about Jethro leaving her so with one movement of her arm Jen kept Jethro with her. Of course Jethro attempted give her his glare.
“Relax Jethro, its probably just Kelly coming back from her run.”
Jen was wrong and the two of them found that out the hard way shortly after Jen spoke. The third inhabitant wasn’t Kelly; it was Jethro’s father, Jackson. It only took a matter of minutes for Jackson to find Jen and Jethro in the shower together. As Jen hid behind Jethro, Jackson looked away as he handed his son the two towels that were lying on the bathroom sink waiting to be used. Jen quickly got out of the shower and the bathroom to get ready for work. Jethro could tell that Jen was completely and utterly embarrassed by what had just occurred. Jackson then went down to the living to let his son and his son’s girlfriend could get dressed. As Jackson sat in the living room, Kelly went up to her bedroom via the kitchen stairs.
Jethro knew the minute he saw his daughter walk by his and Jen’s room that he had to explain to his father that Kelly was alive.
“This isn’t gonna be easy to tell Dad.” Jethro thought to himself.
Meanwhile downstairs Jackson heard Jen talking to Kelly in the kitchen. Jackson had wondered who Jen was telling about what had happened a few minutes ago. So with that Jackson’s curiosity got the better of him as he made his way to the kitchen. When Jackson saw his granddaughter standing in the kitchen casually talking to Jen like she use to talk to Shannon when she was a child, he was completely stunned by what he saw. Minutes after Jackson arrived in the threshold of the kitchen, Jethro came downstairs and was instantly caught up on what he had missed.
“Sorry Dad, I meant to tell you the last time we talked that Kelly is alive.”
Jen had figured that since it was only her and Jethro at home it would be okay for her to leave the door of their master bath open. There was also the fact that their bedroom door had been closed since they had gone to bed the night before. Just as Jen had started the shower and was about to wrap a towel around her recently de-clothed body, Jethro had woken up to the sight that he loved seeing whenever he got the chance. As he watched the stunning redhead before him two thoughts came to him.
“How did I manage to live without her after Paris?”
Jethro already knew the answer to that question. He knew he barely went full day without Jen after their op in Paris twenty-nine years ago. His third marriage to his ex-wife, Stephanie was proof of how he tried to forget Jen after she broke-up with him. Hell the mysterious redhead everyone but Ducky, Palmer and I had seen Jethro with was proof of how much he had tried to forget Jen. And we definitely couldn’t leave Hollis, Holly and M. Allison Hart out the brood of women Jethro was with during those intervening years. Of course Jethro’s ex-wife Diane and the ex-wife of his that was in-between Shannon and Diane were his distractions from the pain of losing Shannon; but with all certainty Stephanie, Hollis, Holly and M. Allison Hart were his distraction from losing Jen. Before long the next thought came to Jethro’s mind as he continued to gaze at what he considered to be one perfectly sculpted body to ever grace the planet he lived on.
“Damn she looks just as fine a she did in Europe. That body of hers hasn’t change.”
Now Jen knew Jethro had been watching her. Once she had gotten into the shower Jen knew that she had to invite Jethro to join her.
“You if you want to join me, that you are more than welcomed to. I’m not gonna stop you, Jethro.” Jen said as she peeked out to the bedroom from behind the shower curtain with a come hither look in her eyes.
Jethro nearly melted as he was completely taken by Jen’s always seductive emerald green eyes. So with Jen’s invitation to join her in the shower, Jethro wasted no time in getting over to her. Once in the shower together it had only taken Jen and Jethro a matter of second to remember how perfect they were for each other, how well their bodies fitted each other as the shower water coursed down them.
A few minutes later Jen and Jethro heard footsteps in the house. They now realized that it wasn’t just the two of them the house anymore. Jethro had started to get out of the shower to see who the third inhabitant was. Jen wasn’t too happy about Jethro leaving her so with one movement of her arm Jen kept Jethro with her. Of course Jethro attempted give her his glare.
“Relax Jethro, its probably just Kelly coming back from her run.”
Jen was wrong and the two of them found that out the hard way shortly after Jen spoke. The third inhabitant wasn’t Kelly; it was Jethro’s father, Jackson. It only took a matter of minutes for Jackson to find Jen and Jethro in the shower together. As Jen hid behind Jethro, Jackson looked away as he handed his son the two towels that were lying on the bathroom sink waiting to be used. Jen quickly got out of the shower and the bathroom to get ready for work. Jethro could tell that Jen was completely and utterly embarrassed by what had just occurred. Jackson then went down to the living to let his son and his son’s girlfriend could get dressed. As Jackson sat in the living room, Kelly went up to her bedroom via the kitchen stairs.
Jethro knew the minute he saw his daughter walk by his and Jen’s room that he had to explain to his father that Kelly was alive.
“This isn’t gonna be easy to tell Dad.” Jethro thought to himself.
Meanwhile downstairs Jackson heard Jen talking to Kelly in the kitchen. Jackson had wondered who Jen was telling about what had happened a few minutes ago. So with that Jackson’s curiosity got the better of him as he made his way to the kitchen. When Jackson saw his granddaughter standing in the kitchen casually talking to Jen like she use to talk to Shannon when she was a child, he was completely stunned by what he saw. Minutes after Jackson arrived in the threshold of the kitchen, Jethro came downstairs and was instantly caught up on what he had missed.
“Sorry Dad, I meant to tell you the last time we talked that Kelly is alive.”
The McGee Family
When Abby had gotten home from the girls night in, she had found McGee asleep on the couch with Addison asleep in one arm and Jacob asleep in the other. Abby couldn’t help but pull her cell phone out and take a quick picture of the sight in front of her. After the photo opportunity was over, Abby picked the twins up and brought them into the nursery before waking McGee up to go to bed with her. Addison and Jacob fussed some but that was to be expected, they were only ten months old.
After being in bed for five minutes, McGee heard the shower in their master bathroom and woke up just as Abby got out of the shower. Now Abby obviously knew he was watching her as she wrapped a towel around her.
“See something ya like, McGee?” Abby asked as she quoted herself from the bathroom threshold.
McGee’s mind flashback to when Abby first asked him the same question twenty- three years earlier when she caught him watching her change in her ballistics lab.
“I believe Addie and Jake are living proof of me liking you, Abs.”
“Aww, Timmy.”
“So how was the girls’ night in at Director Shepard and Gibbs’ house?” McGee asked as Abby changed into her pajamas.
“It was fine for the most part. Ziva brought Hannah and Leah with her and Jay brought JD along.”
“What made it go sour?”
“Jenny told us that she is going to retire when Ducky and Gibbs retire.”
“And how did you take the news?” McGee asked.
“Better than Jaylyn did.”
“What do you mean, better than Jaylyn did it? I thought you would be as upset about Gibbs retiring as you were when he went on his Mexican sabbatical.”
“Of course I’m upset about Gibbs retiring, I don’t want him to retire just like I didn’t want him to retire twenty-two years ago; but I’m not as upset as Jay is. She stormed out and Jenny went after her.”
“You do know why she is upset about Director Shepard retiring, right?” McGee asked.
“Yes I do. Jay likes being a field agent unlike her sister who likes being the Director, but its either take over for Jenny or work under Tony like the rest of us.”
McGee knew that once Jen, Jethro and Ducky retired that there would be a new reign. We all knew that once Jen, Jethro and Ducky retired, whenever that maybe; it meant that I had to take over for Jen or relinquish the role of Director to Leon and I wasn’t about to let that happen. At least not again. It also meant that Tony would be team leader just as he was when Jethro retired all those years ago and that Palmer was going to take Ducky’s place.
None of us were quite ready for this change, but we all knew that we all had to keep the role of Director within the family so that no outsiders got it like before.
“Either way, the next few days aren’t going to be a walk in the park for any of us at work.” McGee said.
“So what is the game plan for tomorrow?” Abby asked as she settled into bed next to McGee between the bedding.
“As far as I know, we’re were going to bring the twins with us to work since they have a check up with their pediatrician and Sarah was planning on stopping by tomorrow night so she can see her niece and nephew.”
“Wait Sarah is coming over tomorrow? My parents are coming over to see their grandkids for the first time.” Abby said as she tried to figure out how she was gonna handle having her sister-in-law and her deaf parents around while taking care of the twins.
McGee could tell that Abby was worried.
“Don’t worry, Abs; everything will be fine. I promise.”
A mere eight hours later Abby and McGee were up with the twins when there was a knock at their front door.
On the other side of the door was Abby’s parents and McGee’s sister, Sarah. Shortly after their arrival McGee and Abby left for another day of work leaving their kids with their Aunt and Grandparents.
“Hopefully Sarah will be able to talk to my parents. If not this maybe interesting.” Abby said as she got into the car.
After being in bed for five minutes, McGee heard the shower in their master bathroom and woke up just as Abby got out of the shower. Now Abby obviously knew he was watching her as she wrapped a towel around her.
“See something ya like, McGee?” Abby asked as she quoted herself from the bathroom threshold.
McGee’s mind flashback to when Abby first asked him the same question twenty- three years earlier when she caught him watching her change in her ballistics lab.
“I believe Addie and Jake are living proof of me liking you, Abs.”
“Aww, Timmy.”
“So how was the girls’ night in at Director Shepard and Gibbs’ house?” McGee asked as Abby changed into her pajamas.
“It was fine for the most part. Ziva brought Hannah and Leah with her and Jay brought JD along.”
“What made it go sour?”
“Jenny told us that she is going to retire when Ducky and Gibbs retire.”
“And how did you take the news?” McGee asked.
“Better than Jaylyn did.”
“What do you mean, better than Jaylyn did it? I thought you would be as upset about Gibbs retiring as you were when he went on his Mexican sabbatical.”
“Of course I’m upset about Gibbs retiring, I don’t want him to retire just like I didn’t want him to retire twenty-two years ago; but I’m not as upset as Jay is. She stormed out and Jenny went after her.”
“You do know why she is upset about Director Shepard retiring, right?” McGee asked.
“Yes I do. Jay likes being a field agent unlike her sister who likes being the Director, but its either take over for Jenny or work under Tony like the rest of us.”
McGee knew that once Jen, Jethro and Ducky retired that there would be a new reign. We all knew that once Jen, Jethro and Ducky retired, whenever that maybe; it meant that I had to take over for Jen or relinquish the role of Director to Leon and I wasn’t about to let that happen. At least not again. It also meant that Tony would be team leader just as he was when Jethro retired all those years ago and that Palmer was going to take Ducky’s place.
None of us were quite ready for this change, but we all knew that we all had to keep the role of Director within the family so that no outsiders got it like before.
“Either way, the next few days aren’t going to be a walk in the park for any of us at work.” McGee said.
“So what is the game plan for tomorrow?” Abby asked as she settled into bed next to McGee between the bedding.
“As far as I know, we’re were going to bring the twins with us to work since they have a check up with their pediatrician and Sarah was planning on stopping by tomorrow night so she can see her niece and nephew.”
“Wait Sarah is coming over tomorrow? My parents are coming over to see their grandkids for the first time.” Abby said as she tried to figure out how she was gonna handle having her sister-in-law and her deaf parents around while taking care of the twins.
McGee could tell that Abby was worried.
“Don’t worry, Abs; everything will be fine. I promise.”
A mere eight hours later Abby and McGee were up with the twins when there was a knock at their front door.
On the other side of the door was Abby’s parents and McGee’s sister, Sarah. Shortly after their arrival McGee and Abby left for another day of work leaving their kids with their Aunt and Grandparents.
“Hopefully Sarah will be able to talk to my parents. If not this maybe interesting.” Abby said as she got into the car.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Mackensie Family
The atmosphere at Kate's house was a lot less awkward than it had been at my house and at Ziva's house. Kate's children weren't as full of questions about their family as mine and Ziva’s were, because they had the fortune of knowing all of their relatives. All the things my kids knew about my mother came from stories that Jen and I had told them. But if I thought I had it bad; I was wrong because Ziva had it worst. Ziva was afraid to tell her girls about their Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents. Luckily, Kate was spared from having to deal with these burdens that Ziva and I had to. That night; Kate, Drew, and all five of their kids were enjoying a fun filed family night at home. A night that consisted of board games and movies.
At the moment they were taking a break from the board games and were watching the movie they had chosen. Both Kate and Drew were more than happy that they were watching The Wizard of Oz. They had played over five rounds of Monopoly and each time one of the kids had won.
“Tony would be thrilled if he knew we were watching a classic movie like this. He would so be proud of Benji, Ali, Noah, Ash and Jr watching The Wizard of Oz.” Kate thought as Judy Garland skipped down the yellow brick road as Dorothy with the Tin Man while singing We’re off to see the Wizard.
Midway through the movie Kate had fallen asleep on Drew’s lap as he massaged her back. Kate had only been asleep for about fifteen minutes before she woke up to the sound of her and Drew’s four youngest children jumping for joy every time they saw Toto on the TV screen.
“Well good morning sleeping beauty.” Drew said when he noticed that Kate had woke up as he slowly ran his fingers through her dirty blonde hair.
Kate’s hair had gradually gotten lighter over the years much like Jen’s hair had. And of course Tony and McGee had both noticed that Kate’s hair was lighter that in the hotel room that day nearly nineteen years ago. The last time they had seen her was when she was supposedly gunned down by Ari, her hair was completely brown. So when they had seen her in the hotel room y, they had been completely taken aback when they saw her for the first time in five years; eighteen years ago.
“You look like that girl, Sasha Alexander that plays that Medical Examiner on Rizzoli and Isles.” Kate had remembered Tony saying that to her a mere ten minutes of her arrival.
Before long Kate was brought back from her trip down memory lane by the kids.
“Mommy, Daddy; can we get a dog like Toto?” Ashleann asked.
Kate and Drew looked at each other like all parents of kids who wanted a dog do. Before Kate could say anything, the house cordless rang and Kate grabbed the phone. Drew knew that his wife would want him to answer their daughter’s question while she took the call. Ashleann had then decided that since she was her parents’ baby girl and one of their only two girls that it would be okay for her to sandwich herself between her parents on the couch. Before Ashleann settled herself against Kate she leaned over to Drew.
“Well Daddy, can we have a dog; please?”
Drew nodded yes and Ashleann snuggled into Kate.
“Hello.” Kate said when she answered the phone.
“Kate its Jenny, I was just calling to ask you something. I hope that I’m not interrupting anything.”
Ashleann heard Jen’s voice over the phone and knew it was Jen before Jen even said her name.
“Its fine, Jen; you’re not interrupting anything. What did you want to ask?”
“I was just wondering if you would like to come over here for a girls’ night in. Jethro is out with Kelly for some father-daughter bonding, so I have the house to myself.”
“Sure, I’m game. I’ll be over after the movie we’re watching ends. Who else is coming to this girls' night in?”
“Abby, AJ, Ziva and her girls, Jay and JD.” Jenny answered.
“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“See you then.”
“Bye Jenny, and thanks for the invite.”
A little while later after the movie was over and the kids were in bed, Kate left for Jethro and Jen’s. For the most part the nine of were just sitting in the living room watching re-runs of the Golden Girls. On a commercial break, Jen had asked the girls to go into the kitchen to get a soda or something to drink so that she could have a few minutes to tell us something she had to tell us. Hannah, Leah and JD did as Jen instructed.
“There’s something I have to tell you guys.” Jen said once the girls were out of the room.
“Well don’t leave us waiting, Jen; tell us what you have to tell us.”
“I will be stepping down as Director of NCIS when Ducky and Jethro retire.”
“Who will be replacing you, ma’am.” AJ asked.
Jen’s mind had gone back to the moment she heard Jethro ask Morrow that exact same question twenty-three years ago.
“Me.” I answered AJ.
With that my answer some things had occurred. Abby was a bit upset that Jen was leaving the agency.
“We’re losing our mom.” Abby said.
After Abby spoke, I grabbed my jacket which happened to be my NCIS jacket and walked out of the house. Shortly afterwards Jen got up just as the girls returned to the living room and grabbed her NCIS jacket. In a matter of minutes after Hannah and Leah asked what they had missed JD walked over to the living room window. Looking out the window JD saw two emotionally charged crimson haired women she deeply cared for walking down the driveway in black stilettos with the back of our NCIS jackets, showing what was sewn in on the back in white letters; NCIS Federal Agent on the back.
At the moment they were taking a break from the board games and were watching the movie they had chosen. Both Kate and Drew were more than happy that they were watching The Wizard of Oz. They had played over five rounds of Monopoly and each time one of the kids had won.
“Tony would be thrilled if he knew we were watching a classic movie like this. He would so be proud of Benji, Ali, Noah, Ash and Jr watching The Wizard of Oz.” Kate thought as Judy Garland skipped down the yellow brick road as Dorothy with the Tin Man while singing We’re off to see the Wizard.
Midway through the movie Kate had fallen asleep on Drew’s lap as he massaged her back. Kate had only been asleep for about fifteen minutes before she woke up to the sound of her and Drew’s four youngest children jumping for joy every time they saw Toto on the TV screen.
“Well good morning sleeping beauty.” Drew said when he noticed that Kate had woke up as he slowly ran his fingers through her dirty blonde hair.
Kate’s hair had gradually gotten lighter over the years much like Jen’s hair had. And of course Tony and McGee had both noticed that Kate’s hair was lighter that in the hotel room that day nearly nineteen years ago. The last time they had seen her was when she was supposedly gunned down by Ari, her hair was completely brown. So when they had seen her in the hotel room y, they had been completely taken aback when they saw her for the first time in five years; eighteen years ago.
“You look like that girl, Sasha Alexander that plays that Medical Examiner on Rizzoli and Isles.” Kate had remembered Tony saying that to her a mere ten minutes of her arrival.
Before long Kate was brought back from her trip down memory lane by the kids.
“Mommy, Daddy; can we get a dog like Toto?” Ashleann asked.
Kate and Drew looked at each other like all parents of kids who wanted a dog do. Before Kate could say anything, the house cordless rang and Kate grabbed the phone. Drew knew that his wife would want him to answer their daughter’s question while she took the call. Ashleann had then decided that since she was her parents’ baby girl and one of their only two girls that it would be okay for her to sandwich herself between her parents on the couch. Before Ashleann settled herself against Kate she leaned over to Drew.
“Well Daddy, can we have a dog; please?”
Drew nodded yes and Ashleann snuggled into Kate.
“Hello.” Kate said when she answered the phone.
“Kate its Jenny, I was just calling to ask you something. I hope that I’m not interrupting anything.”
Ashleann heard Jen’s voice over the phone and knew it was Jen before Jen even said her name.
“Its fine, Jen; you’re not interrupting anything. What did you want to ask?”
“I was just wondering if you would like to come over here for a girls’ night in. Jethro is out with Kelly for some father-daughter bonding, so I have the house to myself.”
“Sure, I’m game. I’ll be over after the movie we’re watching ends. Who else is coming to this girls' night in?”
“Abby, AJ, Ziva and her girls, Jay and JD.” Jenny answered.
“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“See you then.”
“Bye Jenny, and thanks for the invite.”
A little while later after the movie was over and the kids were in bed, Kate left for Jethro and Jen’s. For the most part the nine of were just sitting in the living room watching re-runs of the Golden Girls. On a commercial break, Jen had asked the girls to go into the kitchen to get a soda or something to drink so that she could have a few minutes to tell us something she had to tell us. Hannah, Leah and JD did as Jen instructed.
“There’s something I have to tell you guys.” Jen said once the girls were out of the room.
“Well don’t leave us waiting, Jen; tell us what you have to tell us.”
“I will be stepping down as Director of NCIS when Ducky and Jethro retire.”
“Who will be replacing you, ma’am.” AJ asked.
Jen’s mind had gone back to the moment she heard Jethro ask Morrow that exact same question twenty-three years ago.
“Me.” I answered AJ.
With that my answer some things had occurred. Abby was a bit upset that Jen was leaving the agency.
“We’re losing our mom.” Abby said.
After Abby spoke, I grabbed my jacket which happened to be my NCIS jacket and walked out of the house. Shortly afterwards Jen got up just as the girls returned to the living room and grabbed her NCIS jacket. In a matter of minutes after Hannah and Leah asked what they had missed JD walked over to the living room window. Looking out the window JD saw two emotionally charged crimson haired women she deeply cared for walking down the driveway in black stilettos with the back of our NCIS jackets, showing what was sewn in on the back in white letters; NCIS Federal Agent on the back.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The DiNozzo Family
“What was the first movie we saw together when we were first together?” Ziva asked.
“Before the girls and before we got married?” Tony asked from the kitchen.
“Ah yeah.”
“I believe it was one of the Duke’s movies.” Tony said as he came into the living room with two wine glasses with a bit of champagne poured for both him and Ziva.
“What’s this for?” Ziva asked.
“For us having some time to ourselves before Hannah and Leah come home from the movies.”
“Its like we’re in that hotel room again.” Ziva said as she took a sip of the champagne while Tony put a DVD in for them to watch.
“Except we’re not undercover pretending to be married assassins, McProbie isn’t pretending to be waiter and we have twin seventeen year old daughters.”
“Well yeah there’s that Tony and then there’s the fact that you aren’t flashing Jenny like did back then.” Ziva said as Tony sat down on the couch and she settled into him.
“Seventeen years and we’re still a good fit.” Tony said.
“Thank God, Gibbs created rule fifty-one.” Ziva said as she kissed Tony.
“When did you tell the girls they had to be back by?”
“I told them to be back by 11pm.”
The previews ended and the movie began to play. Tony had put in one of the Duke’s movies, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Ziva knew that he had put in the movie they had first watched together before the opening credits played.
An hour or so later the front door of the DiNozzo household opened and the twins came in. Tony stopped the movie so they could talk with the girls.
“Hey mom; I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what was Bubbie David and Aunt Tali like?” What is Grandpa Eli like?” Leah asked.
“Well your Grandma and Aunt were….” Ziva began to tear up.
Ziva still missed her mother and sister, even after all these years. Within minutes of Leah’s question, Ziva ran to her and Tony’s room completely distraught.
“Don’t worry girls, its not you. She just misses them.” Tony said as he went to his wife.
“You had to ask mom about her family?” Hannah said reprimanding her twin once their father was out of the room.
“Sorry, I was curious.”
“I know, but you should know by now that Grandpa Eli is dead to mom just like the rest of her immediate family.”
While Tony comforted Ziva, Ziva’s cell phone rang. It was Eli calling to tell her that he was going to be in Washington for little while and wanted to see everyone. After awhile Tony was able to get Ziva out of their bedroom. Ziva managed to tell Hannah and Leah about their Grandmother and Aunt. She even told them that they would get to spend some time with Eli when he came to visit.
“Before the girls and before we got married?” Tony asked from the kitchen.
“Ah yeah.”
“I believe it was one of the Duke’s movies.” Tony said as he came into the living room with two wine glasses with a bit of champagne poured for both him and Ziva.
“What’s this for?” Ziva asked.
“For us having some time to ourselves before Hannah and Leah come home from the movies.”
“Its like we’re in that hotel room again.” Ziva said as she took a sip of the champagne while Tony put a DVD in for them to watch.
“Except we’re not undercover pretending to be married assassins, McProbie isn’t pretending to be waiter and we have twin seventeen year old daughters.”
“Well yeah there’s that Tony and then there’s the fact that you aren’t flashing Jenny like did back then.” Ziva said as Tony sat down on the couch and she settled into him.
“Seventeen years and we’re still a good fit.” Tony said.
“Thank God, Gibbs created rule fifty-one.” Ziva said as she kissed Tony.
“When did you tell the girls they had to be back by?”
“I told them to be back by 11pm.”
The previews ended and the movie began to play. Tony had put in one of the Duke’s movies, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Ziva knew that he had put in the movie they had first watched together before the opening credits played.
An hour or so later the front door of the DiNozzo household opened and the twins came in. Tony stopped the movie so they could talk with the girls.
“Hey mom; I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what was Bubbie David and Aunt Tali like?” What is Grandpa Eli like?” Leah asked.
“Well your Grandma and Aunt were….” Ziva began to tear up.
Ziva still missed her mother and sister, even after all these years. Within minutes of Leah’s question, Ziva ran to her and Tony’s room completely distraught.
“Don’t worry girls, its not you. She just misses them.” Tony said as he went to his wife.
“You had to ask mom about her family?” Hannah said reprimanding her twin once their father was out of the room.
“Sorry, I was curious.”
“I know, but you should know by now that Grandpa Eli is dead to mom just like the rest of her immediate family.”
While Tony comforted Ziva, Ziva’s cell phone rang. It was Eli calling to tell her that he was going to be in Washington for little while and wanted to see everyone. After awhile Tony was able to get Ziva out of their bedroom. Ziva managed to tell Hannah and Leah about their Grandmother and Aunt. She even told them that they would get to spend some time with Eli when he came to visit.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Balboa Family
It was the end of the work day. Ziva and I were wrapping things up as the rest of the team was already in the parking lot. Jen was gathering files to bring home with her as Ziva and I shut our desk lights off.
“Ainsi pour lequel avez-vous planifié ce soir?” Ziva asked.
“Pas beaucoup, un portrait de famille et des devoirs. Fondamentalement le lundi soir typique à notre maison. En ce qui concerne vous?” I answered.
As Ziva and I chatted away, Jen came down the stairs and noticed we were talking in French. I could tell that she really wanted to join in.
“Qu'est-ce qui continue Jen?” Ziva asked.
“Je passe un soir silencieux agréable avec Jethro.”
“Les dépenses du temps ensemble à l'extérieur de la chambre à coucher, qui ne ressemble pas ainsi à deux d'entre vous.” I said as the three of us stepped into the elevator.
Once it was just me and Nick in the car, I had quickly reverted back to English. Nick wasn’t that fluent in French as I was.
“It still surprises me that after seventeen years of marriage that you are multi-lingual and that our girls are multi-lingual too.
“Well you can thank Jen the next time you see her cause she taught me.”
“Ciao mamma, papà Ciao. Come è stato lavorare?” JD asked.
“E 'stato bene, giorno lento. Nessun caso.” I answered.
“Ok, io sono quasi pronto a partire.”
“Мы - прямо здесь, мама.” Jayden said.
“Et nous sommes prêts à aller.” Jocelyn said.
Nick was completely amazed at how well the four of us spoke in Italian, Russian and French.
“Okay now you guys are just showing off.”
“Papa Désolé.” Jocelyn said.
“Жаль Папа.” Jayden said as she followed her twin’s lead.
“Ci dispiace papà.” JD said.
“Le brave ragazze, andiamo, abbiamo appuntamento da raggiungere. Andiamo, è tempo di palo in macchina.” I said.
Nick just looked at me.
“Mi dispiace, non posso farne a meno, la sua natura solo secondo. Ti amo, amore mio.” I said as we piled into the car again.
“Translation please.”
“I'm sorry; I can't help it, its just second nature. Love you, my love.” I said as we pulled out of our driveway and made our way to DC Photo Studios where I had made our appointment.
When we got there we barely had to wait. The receptionist quickly ushered us into the curtained off room where we would be and told us that our photographer would be with us shortly.
“Hello, I’m Max Berra and I’ll be taking your pictures today.”
“Nice to meet you Max; I am Jaylyn and this my husband Nick, and our daughters Jennifer, Jayden and Jocelyn.”
“Nice to meet you all. What pictures would you like done?”
“Well I would like some of our daughters together and some of them individually. I’d like a family portrait as well as a few pictures of just Nick and myself.
“Okay, how long have you two been married?” Max asked.
“Seventeen years.” I said as Nick and I shared a look.
“Congratulations, now girls how old are you?”
“I’m seventeen.” JD answered.
“And we’re thirteen.” Jayden and Jocelyn answered in unison.
It was obvious that our photographer was one of those people that looked down on children being conceived during their parents’ honeymoon. So I just rolled my eyes as Max set things up.
A few hours later and a dozen or so pictures later, we had finished up at DC Photo Studios. Things got a bit interesting on the drive home. Apparently Jocelyn’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Hey mom, can I ask you something?” Jocelyn asked from the backseat.
“Sure, go ahead; baby girl.” I said kind of knowing where this may go.
Recently I had found both Jayden and Jocelyn looking at the pictures from my childhood and the album that Jen had made up of the few pictures of me with my mother before she died.
“What happened to Grandma Emma? What was she like?”
“Joce.” JD reprimanded her younger sister as we pulled into our driveway.
Nick could see the sadness in my eyes as I tried to answer our daughter. He knew that I missed my mother. He also knew that this wasn’t the best time to be asking about my mother, especially since it hadn’t been that long since my father’s death.
“Jocelyn, you should call your Aunt Jen about Grandma Emma when you get inside.” Nick said.
Once we were all inside Jocelyn called Jen, JD and Jayden got started on their homework. As for me I went straight to mine and Nick’s room; and slammed the door shut behind as I buried my head in my pillows. A few seconds later Nick came into console me.
“C'est pas mal, mon amour. Elle est dans un meilleur endroit, comme votre papa. Je sais qu'elle serait tout à fait fière de comment sa fille de bébé se termine et comment sa fille élève ses petite-filles.” Nick said.
“Merci; je vous aime.” I said as I kissed him.
Once we had separated from the kissed, Nick wiped away the tears with his fingers.
“Ainsi pour lequel avez-vous planifié ce soir?” Ziva asked.
“Pas beaucoup, un portrait de famille et des devoirs. Fondamentalement le lundi soir typique à notre maison. En ce qui concerne vous?” I answered.
As Ziva and I chatted away, Jen came down the stairs and noticed we were talking in French. I could tell that she really wanted to join in.
“Qu'est-ce qui continue Jen?” Ziva asked.
“Je passe un soir silencieux agréable avec Jethro.”
“Les dépenses du temps ensemble à l'extérieur de la chambre à coucher, qui ne ressemble pas ainsi à deux d'entre vous.” I said as the three of us stepped into the elevator.
Once it was just me and Nick in the car, I had quickly reverted back to English. Nick wasn’t that fluent in French as I was.
“It still surprises me that after seventeen years of marriage that you are multi-lingual and that our girls are multi-lingual too.
“Well you can thank Jen the next time you see her cause she taught me.”
“Ciao mamma, papà Ciao. Come è stato lavorare?” JD asked.
“E 'stato bene, giorno lento. Nessun caso.” I answered.
“Ok, io sono quasi pronto a partire.”
“Мы - прямо здесь, мама.” Jayden said.
“Et nous sommes prêts à aller.” Jocelyn said.
Nick was completely amazed at how well the four of us spoke in Italian, Russian and French.
“Okay now you guys are just showing off.”
“Papa Désolé.” Jocelyn said.
“Жаль Папа.” Jayden said as she followed her twin’s lead.
“Ci dispiace papà.” JD said.
“Le brave ragazze, andiamo, abbiamo appuntamento da raggiungere. Andiamo, è tempo di palo in macchina.” I said.
Nick just looked at me.
“Mi dispiace, non posso farne a meno, la sua natura solo secondo. Ti amo, amore mio.” I said as we piled into the car again.
“Translation please.”
“I'm sorry; I can't help it, its just second nature. Love you, my love.” I said as we pulled out of our driveway and made our way to DC Photo Studios where I had made our appointment.
When we got there we barely had to wait. The receptionist quickly ushered us into the curtained off room where we would be and told us that our photographer would be with us shortly.
“Hello, I’m Max Berra and I’ll be taking your pictures today.”
“Nice to meet you Max; I am Jaylyn and this my husband Nick, and our daughters Jennifer, Jayden and Jocelyn.”
“Nice to meet you all. What pictures would you like done?”
“Well I would like some of our daughters together and some of them individually. I’d like a family portrait as well as a few pictures of just Nick and myself.
“Okay, how long have you two been married?” Max asked.
“Seventeen years.” I said as Nick and I shared a look.
“Congratulations, now girls how old are you?”
“I’m seventeen.” JD answered.
“And we’re thirteen.” Jayden and Jocelyn answered in unison.
It was obvious that our photographer was one of those people that looked down on children being conceived during their parents’ honeymoon. So I just rolled my eyes as Max set things up.
A few hours later and a dozen or so pictures later, we had finished up at DC Photo Studios. Things got a bit interesting on the drive home. Apparently Jocelyn’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Hey mom, can I ask you something?” Jocelyn asked from the backseat.
“Sure, go ahead; baby girl.” I said kind of knowing where this may go.
Recently I had found both Jayden and Jocelyn looking at the pictures from my childhood and the album that Jen had made up of the few pictures of me with my mother before she died.
“What happened to Grandma Emma? What was she like?”
“Joce.” JD reprimanded her younger sister as we pulled into our driveway.
Nick could see the sadness in my eyes as I tried to answer our daughter. He knew that I missed my mother. He also knew that this wasn’t the best time to be asking about my mother, especially since it hadn’t been that long since my father’s death.
“Jocelyn, you should call your Aunt Jen about Grandma Emma when you get inside.” Nick said.
Once we were all inside Jocelyn called Jen, JD and Jayden got started on their homework. As for me I went straight to mine and Nick’s room; and slammed the door shut behind as I buried my head in my pillows. A few seconds later Nick came into console me.
“C'est pas mal, mon amour. Elle est dans un meilleur endroit, comme votre papa. Je sais qu'elle serait tout à fait fière de comment sa fille de bébé se termine et comment sa fille élève ses petite-filles.” Nick said.
“Merci; je vous aime.” I said as I kissed him.
Once we had separated from the kissed, Nick wiped away the tears with his fingers.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Getting to know Kelly
The next morning I had awoken to see the entire group sound asleep in the living room of my sister, Jethro and Kelly’s house. Before Abby and McGee put Addie and Jake down for the night Jethro pulled out Kelly’s old crib. Surprisingly Addie and Jake only woke up once during the night. What surprised me more was that they only woke their parents up. I guess that those of us that were seasoned parents weren’t as worried as Abby and McGee were as long as it wasn’t our kids crying at the top of their lungs.
When I got up, my instincts took over as I carefully made my way to the kitchen to get breakfast for my girls and make coffee for me and Nick. I knew that the aroma of coffee was bound to wake Jethro up so I decided to save that for last. Before long I was joined by one of the others.
“I’m surprised at how well you know where things are in here.” Kelly said as she made herself tea.
“Well I practically grew up in this house.”
“Practically grew up in this house?”
“Kel, my sister and your father have been a couple for longer than you think.”
Kelly had that look of bewilderment and curiosity on her face.
“Don’t worry; Jethro was completely faithful to your mother when she was alive. Jen and Jethro weren’t an item until 1999.”
“What happened between ’99 and now?” Kelly asked.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Kelly’s question.
“What happened between ’99 and now?” Kelly asked again.
“Three cheating redheaded ex-wives, a mystery redhead, a blonde Army CID Lieutenant Colonel, a redhead former DC Madam and a brunette lawyer.” I answered.
Kelly was completely stunned.
“Don’t tell you thought he was celibate after your mom died.”
“Kind of did.” Kelly said as drank her tea.
“Ha, he was anything but celibate. I’m just glad that he ended up with the right woman.”
Kelly suddenly got that pissed look on her face.
“Besides Shannon, of course.”
After I quickly recovered from my slight faux pas, Kelly and I were joined by Abby, Ziva and Kate. Jethro had some Caf-Pows stashed in the refrigerator for Abby.
“Jay, did you start making the coffee?” Kate asked.
“And run the chance of waking Jethro up after he’s been up all night working on that his boat; ah no.”
“We were all up late, Jay. Not just Gibbs.”
“Fine, I’m not gonna argue with you; Kate. I’ll make some coffee; just don’t blame me if Jethro drinks all.”
Once I got the coffee going, I went to wake the girls and Nick up. I knew that it would only take a mere two seconds before I had Nick fully awake. So when I got over to Nick, I knew how I would wake him. Within a matter of seconds my lips locked with his as I kissed him like I did the night we conceived JD seventeen years ago and then again that night thirteen years ago when we had the house to ourselves when we brought our twins into existence.
Just as I had predicted Nick woke up within seconds of the kiss.
“Wow, you haven’t kissed me like that since….” Nick whispered.
“Since we conceived Jay and Joce. I know.” I answered mischievously.
Meanwhile as Nick and I got our daughters up for breakfast, Abby and Kate had gone out to sit on the porch before they followed my lead. So Ziva and Kelly stayed in the kitchen. At first there was an awkward silence between the two of them.
“Ziva, I hope you don’t mind me saying this; but it seems like you see my father as more than just your boss.”
Ziva knew where this was going. The rest of us knew and understood why Ziva was so close to Jethro.
“It’s a long story.”
“Well we have time, Ziva; so you might as well start sharing.”
“I’d love to but I have to get Tony and the twins up.”
With that Ziva stepped out of the kitchen and left Kelly to wonder why she was being so evasive. Just as I had predicted the aroma of freshly brewed coffee had woke Jethro up. In a matter of minutes Jethro had joined his daughter in the kitchen as he got himself and Jen some coffee.
“Hey dad, you got a second?” Kelly asked.
“What’s up, Kels?”
“It maybe nothing, but I’ve been getting this vibe since I came back that Ziva sees you as more than just her boss. Like she sees you as her father.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Come on dad, tell me. You owe me that much.”
“Ziva killed her half-brother twenty-three years ago to keep him from killing me.”
“Okay, but that still doesn’t explain why she acts like you are her father instead of acting like her own father is her father.” Kelly said.
“Kels, Eli David wasn’t and still isn’t the best father to her. He has put her through hell and expected her to be a soulless killer. Eli wanted Ziva to be just like her half-brother, Ari. If Jen hadn’t approved Ziva’s liaison position between NCIS and Mossad after everything that had happened twenty-three years ago then Ziva would still be in harms’ way instead of being with us and her family.”
With that Jethro left the kitchen and his daughter with both coffees in hand. Just as Jethro had left, Ziva had return to the kitchen to refill her coffee cup and to get some for Tony.
“Hey, Ziva.” Kelly said.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for saving my dad; I know it must have been hard for you.”
“Your welcome.”
Shortly after Kelly thanked Ziva, Addison and Jacob woke up. This time when Addison and Jacob woke up, they woke up everyone else who was still sleeping. Now the day had begun. By 8am we had all the kids off at school. Soon after the kids left for school Jordan left for work as the fourteen of us headed back for yet another day at the office. Kelly had no appointments today at the Veterinarian hospital she worked at so she had volunteered to baby-sit Addison and Jacob for Abby and McGee. Ziva, Kate and I found it quite amusing that Kelly thought it was going to be a piece of cake taking care of newborn twins.
“This should be interesting.” I said to Ziva and Kate once we were at our cars.
“I know.” Ziva said as she got into the passenger seat.
It still amazed me that Tony still insisted that he drive instead of Ziva driving after all these years.
“If we were able to take care of our twins when they were Addie and Jake’s age then Kelly is more than capable to watch them for a few hours.” Kate said as she got into the driver’s side of her and Drew’s car.
“Look who’s the eternal optimist at forty-nine. It’s about time.” I said I got into my car.
I knew Kate would let me slide with that comment until we got to the squad room so I reveled in my wit as Nick and I drove to work.
When I got up, my instincts took over as I carefully made my way to the kitchen to get breakfast for my girls and make coffee for me and Nick. I knew that the aroma of coffee was bound to wake Jethro up so I decided to save that for last. Before long I was joined by one of the others.
“I’m surprised at how well you know where things are in here.” Kelly said as she made herself tea.
“Well I practically grew up in this house.”
“Practically grew up in this house?”
“Kel, my sister and your father have been a couple for longer than you think.”
Kelly had that look of bewilderment and curiosity on her face.
“Don’t worry; Jethro was completely faithful to your mother when she was alive. Jen and Jethro weren’t an item until 1999.”
“What happened between ’99 and now?” Kelly asked.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Kelly’s question.
“What happened between ’99 and now?” Kelly asked again.
“Three cheating redheaded ex-wives, a mystery redhead, a blonde Army CID Lieutenant Colonel, a redhead former DC Madam and a brunette lawyer.” I answered.
Kelly was completely stunned.
“Don’t tell you thought he was celibate after your mom died.”
“Kind of did.” Kelly said as drank her tea.
“Ha, he was anything but celibate. I’m just glad that he ended up with the right woman.”
Kelly suddenly got that pissed look on her face.
“Besides Shannon, of course.”
After I quickly recovered from my slight faux pas, Kelly and I were joined by Abby, Ziva and Kate. Jethro had some Caf-Pows stashed in the refrigerator for Abby.
“Jay, did you start making the coffee?” Kate asked.
“And run the chance of waking Jethro up after he’s been up all night working on that his boat; ah no.”
“We were all up late, Jay. Not just Gibbs.”
“Fine, I’m not gonna argue with you; Kate. I’ll make some coffee; just don’t blame me if Jethro drinks all.”
Once I got the coffee going, I went to wake the girls and Nick up. I knew that it would only take a mere two seconds before I had Nick fully awake. So when I got over to Nick, I knew how I would wake him. Within a matter of seconds my lips locked with his as I kissed him like I did the night we conceived JD seventeen years ago and then again that night thirteen years ago when we had the house to ourselves when we brought our twins into existence.
Just as I had predicted Nick woke up within seconds of the kiss.
“Wow, you haven’t kissed me like that since….” Nick whispered.
“Since we conceived Jay and Joce. I know.” I answered mischievously.
Meanwhile as Nick and I got our daughters up for breakfast, Abby and Kate had gone out to sit on the porch before they followed my lead. So Ziva and Kelly stayed in the kitchen. At first there was an awkward silence between the two of them.
“Ziva, I hope you don’t mind me saying this; but it seems like you see my father as more than just your boss.”
Ziva knew where this was going. The rest of us knew and understood why Ziva was so close to Jethro.
“It’s a long story.”
“Well we have time, Ziva; so you might as well start sharing.”
“I’d love to but I have to get Tony and the twins up.”
With that Ziva stepped out of the kitchen and left Kelly to wonder why she was being so evasive. Just as I had predicted the aroma of freshly brewed coffee had woke Jethro up. In a matter of minutes Jethro had joined his daughter in the kitchen as he got himself and Jen some coffee.
“Hey dad, you got a second?” Kelly asked.
“What’s up, Kels?”
“It maybe nothing, but I’ve been getting this vibe since I came back that Ziva sees you as more than just her boss. Like she sees you as her father.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Come on dad, tell me. You owe me that much.”
“Ziva killed her half-brother twenty-three years ago to keep him from killing me.”
“Okay, but that still doesn’t explain why she acts like you are her father instead of acting like her own father is her father.” Kelly said.
“Kels, Eli David wasn’t and still isn’t the best father to her. He has put her through hell and expected her to be a soulless killer. Eli wanted Ziva to be just like her half-brother, Ari. If Jen hadn’t approved Ziva’s liaison position between NCIS and Mossad after everything that had happened twenty-three years ago then Ziva would still be in harms’ way instead of being with us and her family.”
With that Jethro left the kitchen and his daughter with both coffees in hand. Just as Jethro had left, Ziva had return to the kitchen to refill her coffee cup and to get some for Tony.
“Hey, Ziva.” Kelly said.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for saving my dad; I know it must have been hard for you.”
“Your welcome.”
Shortly after Kelly thanked Ziva, Addison and Jacob woke up. This time when Addison and Jacob woke up, they woke up everyone else who was still sleeping. Now the day had begun. By 8am we had all the kids off at school. Soon after the kids left for school Jordan left for work as the fourteen of us headed back for yet another day at the office. Kelly had no appointments today at the Veterinarian hospital she worked at so she had volunteered to baby-sit Addison and Jacob for Abby and McGee. Ziva, Kate and I found it quite amusing that Kelly thought it was going to be a piece of cake taking care of newborn twins.
“This should be interesting.” I said to Ziva and Kate once we were at our cars.
“I know.” Ziva said as she got into the passenger seat.
It still amazed me that Tony still insisted that he drive instead of Ziva driving after all these years.
“If we were able to take care of our twins when they were Addie and Jake’s age then Kelly is more than capable to watch them for a few hours.” Kate said as she got into the driver’s side of her and Drew’s car.
“Look who’s the eternal optimist at forty-nine. It’s about time.” I said I got into my car.
I knew Kate would let me slide with that comment until we got to the squad room so I reveled in my wit as Nick and I drove to work.
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