Saturday mornings were always his favorite. He would wake up with her sleeping beside him. She was almost eight but she still climbed in bed with her. Rachel said she did not even do that with her anymore. He was glad Rachel had been fair about custody. They had broken up before Rachel even realized she was pregnant. As soon as the pregnancy was confirmed Rachel had agreed to joint custody. She had Dylan during the week and Jethro had her on weekends and the holidays NCIS agents were given off. Jethro's current girlfriend Jana woke not long after he did and ran her hand through Dylan's curly red hair. Jethro loved that Jana was so accepting of Dylan. Especially given the circumstances. Rachel had been to the doctor earlier that week and the news was not good. Dylan had not been told yet. Rachel wanted them to tell her together. They had agreed to break the news when Rachel came to collect Dylan on Saturday. Dylan was still asleep, when Jethro and Jana were drinking their coffee.
"She never sleeps this late. Of course we didn't get in until after eight last night." Jana commented.
"Did she have fun?" Jethro asked.
"She loved it." Jana replied.
"I'm glad and thanks for filling in for Rachel." Jethro replied.
"No problem. I cannot imagine how this must be for her." Jana replied.
"We've kept her sheltered where we could but now..." Jethro explained.
"I take it Rachel got bad news?" Jana asked.
"The cancer has spread to her spine and brain. They are doing radiation to ease the symptoms but at this point there is no cure." Jethro explained.
"Does Dylan know?" Jana asked.
"Not yet, we are going to tell her tomorrow." Jethro replied.
"Do you want me to be gone?" Jana asked.
"No I think it would be better if you were here. Dylan loves you so much." Jethro replied.
"OK" Jana agreed.
According to the screen on Jethro's phone, McGee was calling. Jethro excused himself from the family room and stepped onto the back porch. He was very much involved in Dylan's life but she was kept secret from the team. That was the one thing Rachel had asked. She worried that Dylan being known around the agency would put her at risk. He made up reasons why they were now off most weekends. He claimed the swing-set was for Amira Franks and his twin grandsons.
"Hey Boss"
"Everything OK, McGee?"
"It's fine. I just wanted to ask if it was OK if Delilah and I did our gender reveal at your Fourth of July party. We were going to have a big party but only Delilah's friends could make it. So we are going to do two."
"I don't think the party is going to happen this year."
"Why not?"
"Look we'll talk later."
"Boss are you OK?"
"It's fine but Jordan is calling me."
"Say no more."
Marrying the half-sister of his former step-mother was hands down the worst decision Jordan Gibbs ever made. It wasn't totally creepy given that he did not know that Stephanie was Diane's sister. Until after they were married. Apparently their mother was just the same and that made Jordan grateful his children were boys. Boys who were nothing like the Sterling side of the family. Boys who were mercifully on a field trip that day.
"I am done!" Stephanie screamed.
"You've been saying that for six months now!" Jordan shot back.
"Well now I am done!" Stephanie retorted.
"Prove it!" Jordan snapped.
"YOU GET OUT!" Stephanie screamed.
"Why should I get out?!" Jordan demanded.
"Because my father paid for this house! You have until sundown to get out! You have until next weekend to get a moving truck over here! Anything of yours or the boys left after that is gone! I will fucking burn it!" Stephanie screamed.
"Shouldn't the boys keep things here? I mean for when they are over." Jordan asked.
"I don't want those boys!" Stephanie hissed.
The phone rang again and Jethro again prepared to leave the room. The team would find out about Dylan eventually but he wanted to honor Rachel's wishes. His heart skipped a beat when he saw that it was Rachel calling. Again he excused himself and stepped onto the back porch.
"Jethro"
"What's going on? You sound terrible?"
"Jethro it's me Amanda."
"Amanda? Is Rachel OK?"
"No... No she's not. She had a really big seizure this morning. They ran tests and Jethro she is dying."
"She told me the other day."
"No Jethro. She is actively dying."
"I'll bring Dylan to the hospital. We have to talk to her first. Rachel wanted me to wait."
Jethro called Jana upstairs and spoke to her. This news about Rachel had thrown him through a loop. He knew this was coming but he did not think it would happen this quickly. He hadn't wanted it to happen this quickly. How was he supposed to explain to a four almost five year old that her mother was going to die?
"Dylan turn off the TV. We need to talk." Jethro told his daughter.
"What's going on?" Dylan asked.
"Remember how your mom went to the doctor earlier this week?" Jethro asked.
"Yeah" Dylan replied.
"Well the cancer has spread. It's in her brain and on her spine now." Jethro replied.
"So what she won't be able to walk?" Dylan asked.
"No the cancer is too big for them to keep treating. She is not going to get better this time." Jethro explained.
"What does that mean?" Dylan asked.
"She is going to go to heaven." Jana replied.
"No!" Dylan cried.
"Dylan" Jethro whispered.
"We'll take care of you." Jana promised.
Jethro and Jana were getting ready to take Dylan to the hospital. When there was a knock on the door. He headed back downstairs and swung the front door open. He opened the door to find his only son standing on the front porch. His two nephews were standing behind him. All three were holding suitcases. Jethro was confused. Jordan only lived three hours away but he still always called before a visit.
"You aren't one for surprise visits." Jethro commented.
"Stephanie threw us out dad." Jordan sniffed.
"I have to take Dylan to see Rachel at the hospital but I will get the guest room set up for you when we get home." Jethro explained.
A/N: I wasn't happy with "After All", maybe I will revisit it down the road but it is done for now. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.
