A/n: Hey guys! So here's the new chapter! Hope you like it :) Sorry it's a tad short, but everything that was in my head is in here lol.
Jenny bagged a bundle of broccoli, setting them in her basket beside the peaches and mangoes. She headed down the soup aisle in search the cream of mushroom soup. She smiled, spotting a familiar head of dark hair. "Hey neighbor," she greeted coyly, sidling up to him.
He looked up, startled for a moment before seeing who it was, and he smirked. "Hey Jen."
She peeked at the contents of his basket, and laughed. "Every time I see you in here you're buying pasta mix," she teased, "I bet you can't even cook."
"I can cook," he insisted, and she grinned.
"Yeah like what?" she challenged.
"Pasta."
She eyed him skeptically. "What kind of pasta?"
"Pasta mix."
She laughed, an all out gut busting laugh, and he had to laugh with her. He liked her laugh. She had one of those laughs, where when she started laughing, you couldn't help but do it too. "Well, come by tonight around seven and I'll make you a decent meal," she laughed. Before he could protest, she held up a hand. "Don't protest. Bring Kelly if you want, and don't dress up," she said, a teasing smile on her face, "It's not a date, I'm just taking pity on you."
He laughed, nodding.
Around seven Jethro walked up Jenny's steps, his daughter in his hand, sitting in her carrier. He reached out, hitting the doorbell and heard the chimes throughout her house. Moments later, her feet pounded on the stairs, and she swung the door open a smile on her face, dressed in a strapless, teal jumpsuit. "Hey!" she greeted, reaching down to tickle the baby.
"Hey. I couldn't get a hold of her babysitter," he explained, his expression somewhat peeved.
"That's okay, " she assured him with a teasing smile, grabbing the little girl out of her carrier, "I was hoping you would. I like her better anyway."
He shook his head, shutting the door behind him.
He walked into the kitchen behind her, setting Kelly's carrier on the counter. "Does Chicken Alfredo sound okay?" she asked, and his gaze drifted to the steaming dish on the table.
"Sounds great," he said, and she smiled, only to break into laughter as Kelly stuck her hands in the red head's mouth.
"What are you doing?" she cooed, tickling the dark haired baby, sending her into a fit of giggles.
As Jenny cleared the table an hour later, Jethro sat back in his chair looking altogether quite satisfied. "That was great," he praised, "Man I haven't had a home cooked meal since-" he faltered, his unspoken words hanging in the air. Since Shannon.
"I'm glad Jethro," she whispered, smiling softly.
Six months later, Jenny and Jethro stood in her kitchen, a pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove. She turned the sauce off, turning to the man in her kitchen. "Jethro could you-?" she stopped, bringing her hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle a laugh. A splotch of sauce had flicked from the spoon across his left cheek. "I'm sorry," she giggled. She shrieked when he caught her by surprise, tossing her over her shoulder. "Jethro!" put me down!" she demanded. He continued into the living room, even as she smacked at his back. "Jethro!" she laughed, "Jethro put me down!"
He stopped as Kelly giggled in her playpen, clapping her hands together. "You think this is funny too huh?" Jenny laughed at the little girl, and swatted Jethro's back. "Put me down you airhead," she giggled. He swatted at her butt, and she gasped. "Jethro!"
He chuckled, loosening his grip so that she could slide down. "Bite me," she hissed, turning to walk away from him, though the glint of amusement in her eyes made it clear that she was not really upset.
Thirty minutes later the three of them sat around the table, Kelly in Jenny's lap. It had become a tradition of sorts for the three of them to have dinner at Jenny's house every Friday. It had started with her inviting him over every so often, and after some time, she had come to expect him. Along with that came a closer bond between not just Jenny Jethro, but Jenny and Kelly as well. She had become the child's companion of choice, and was her caretaker when her father was deployed.
"Food's good Jen," Jethro praised around a mouthful of food, and she smiled.
"I'm glad," she laughed, looking up at him before allowing her gaze to drift back to the baby in her arms. "She seems to like it too," she murmured in amusement as the baby opened her mouth wide again.
After they had eaten, and Jenny had cleaned up the kitchen, she stepped out into the living room, smiling at the sight before her. Jethro sat with his daughter on his lap, speaking to her softly.
Kelly noted the presence of the red head, her eyes lighting up, "Mama!" she shrieked, and Jenny gasped, the glass of bourbon she held in her hand shattering to the floor, her face full of shock and fear. Her eyes darted to meet Jethro's, but his held the same expression of utter shock and astonishment as hers.
A/n: So good? *crosses fingers* :)Happy Thanksgiving!
