The next morning Jenny woke early, curled up in the arms of her husband. She smiled and ran her hand over Flump, as she felt her unborn baby move.
Over the last couple of weeks the fluttering in her stomach of her baby's subtle movements had become a regular thing, especially first thing in the morning.
On feeling Jenny move beside him, Gibbs wrapped his arms tight around her waist.
'Good morning.' He whispered into the nape of her neck as he ran a few kisses down.
'Morning Jethro.' She sighed happily, drinking in the remaining scent of his aftershave.
'You both OK?' He asked as he ran his hand over small bump, eventually placing his hand over hers.
'Mmm…we're just fine thanks.'
'Good. So what happened last night with your mom?'
Jenny turned to look at him at his question as she remembered the events of the previous night and remembered how relieving it was.
'She overheard Penny and I talking about the situation and asked us what was going on, so we told her everything; turns out she'd expected me to tell Penny the truth when she moved in with me ten years ago.' She replied with frustration. 'Why didn't she tell me that's what she expected me to do Jethro?'
Gibbs stayed silent for a few seconds, mulling over all the information in his mind, but Jenny continued before he could reply.
'If she'd told me I could tell Penny then I could have saved us all a lot of heart ache. Why does she insist on punishing me like this?'
He felt his wife's pain and wished he could help her, but he hoped that now everything was out in the open she could start to move on.
'Have you ever considered that it might not be your mother that's been punishing you all these years?' He daringly asked.
'How do you mean?' She replied a little incensed.
'Jenny for as long as I've known you you've been a strong willed career woman, with no indication that you wanted children or a family life. When we were partners I often wondered why a stunning woman like you wouldn't want any of that.' He explained before she interrupted him.
'Err Jethro, I'm married to you and pregnant with your baby.'
'Yeah now Jenny, but six years ago you were adamant that you didn't want any of that; but all that changed a year ago when Penny found out the truth about you. You even admitted it yourself that after she was born you didn't feel you had the right to want more children. I have no doubt that your mother was hard on you, but I think you found her tougher to deal with because you've been punishing yourself for almost twenty-three years.' He said bluntly, an approach she didn't take too kindly to.
Punishing myself?' She said as she leapt out of bed. 'For your information Jethro I don't punish myself for what happened. Sure getting pregnant at seventeen wasn't smart, but I allowed my parents to raise her instead of me; therefore I think that was punishment enough, with no need to punish myself further.'
She stormed out of the bedroom as she placed her arms into her bath robe, all but running down the hallway towards the stairs. Gibbs went after her, feeling bad for upsetting her, but knowing that she needed to confront her feelings and that her reaction was because she knew he was right.
'Jen…Jen…wait up!' He said as he finally caught up to her. 'I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just…' He began until she cut him off.
'Just what Jethro? Don't you think I know that I did a stupid thing twenty-three years ago? Don't you think that I regret letting the pressure of being a straight A student get to me? Don't you think my heart broke when I saw the look on Penny's face when she realised I'd lied to her? And don't you think if I could change everything I would?' She said, her voice becoming calmer and quieter as her rant came to an end.
Gibbs could see Jenny's resolve weakening but she also wasn't completely ready to give up without a fight.
'I get all that Jen. I understand that it must have been hard for you to miss out on birthdays, school plays, the trips to the park and just being able to be with your daughter…but you have to let this go now. Both Penny and your mom know the truth and you're working towards repairing your relationship…' He said forcefully, although not angrily; but before Jenny could reply, Penny appeared at the entrance to her bedroom.
'Oh how I've missed this sound.' She said as she watched them both.
'What sound's that?' Sarah asked as she appeared behind her.
'These two arguing; they used to do it all the time before they got back together.'
'Penny we did not argue all the time.' Jenny said indignantly.
'Yes you did. It was a daily occurrence to hear your office door being slammed shut and to see Gibbs storming out, or you storming into MTAC. That's when we didn't hear an argument erupt in the corridors, elevator or Abby's lab.' Penny explained with a small smile. 'Anyway, you shouldn't be arguing; the stress isn't good for Flump.' She added as she approached her mom, Knelt down and placed a kiss and her hand on Jenny's stomach. 'Isn't that right Flump?'
Jenny couldn't help but smile at her daughter as she watched her try and talk to the baby, especially when she got frustrated.
'Aw come on Flump, please be nice to your big sister and kick or move or something!' She said, but looked dismayed when she still felt nothing.
'I told you Pen, you won't feel anything for another couple of weeks; but if it makes you feel any better, I felt the baby move even if you didn't.' Jenny explained.
Penny looked a little happier and a bit more excited before her mom's explanation, but then she remembered that she and Sarah had interrupted Gibbs and Jenny's argument, something she hoped wouldn't resume, but would be now sorted and forgotten about.
'Hey mom l say we should go make some tea and maybe start on breakfast.' She said as she led her mother downstairs.
Gibbs and Jenny stared at each other awkwardly before either of them spoke, but eventually it was Jenny who broke the silence.
'I'm sorry Jethro…' She began to say before he cut her off.
'Don't make me start head-slapping you again Jen.' He said with a small smile, knowing how she hated it when he used his rules against her.
'Jethro! I was bitchy, will you at least let me apologise just this once?' She replied.
'Jen you're pregnant, you're allowed to be bitchy when you're pregnant, and I was possibly out of line.' He said, the closest thing she'd get to an apology.
She knew he was probably right, but she wasn't willing to admit it. Instead she decided to put the incident her and hugged Gibbs tightly. Gibbs held her as if his life depended on it. He loved her with all his heart and didn't like hurting her, but he could tell that her resolve had changed, maybe now she could start to look forward instead of looking back all the time.
They went downstairs together and joined Penny and Sarah, who had already started on breakfast. It wasn't too long before the smell wafted seductively throughout the house. It wasn't too long, once he smelt the food, before Jackson joined them.
'Now there's a first; I'm never the last down.' He said with a smile.
'Well you obviously needed the rest Jack.' Sarah said as she placed a couple of eggs onto his plate in front of him.
Both Jenny and Penny noticed a look that passed between their mother and Gibbs's father and in turn they passed each other a look of knowing between them. Something new was possibly on the cards for them.
Everyone sat together at the table and tucked into the hearty breakfast quietly, without the air of tension that had been present the previous night.
'So Penelepops what have you got planned for today?' Jenny asked her daughter.
McGee and I are going to go for a walk or something. Anyone fancy joining us?' She replied.
'I'd love to go with you. I think it's about time I spent more time with this young man of yours.' Sarah said.
They all agreed that going for a walk together sounded like a nice way to spend their last day together, as Jackson and Sarah were heading home the next day. So with that decision made, they all went to get ready after they'd eaten.
Jenny was glad that she'd cleared the air with her mother, meaning that their relationship could be fully repaired. Like her daughter Sarah felt exactly the same, glad that there were no more secrets between them, but she still felt that there was one last thing she had to do before she felt truly satisfied.
She went in search of her daughter and found her brushing and styling her short, spikey hair. She stood and watched her for a few moments, remembering her as a small child doing the same thing.
'Everything alright Mom?' Jenny asked with concern as she saw the look of melancholy on her mom's face.
'Yeas everything is fine, I just wanted a quick word with you.'
'Of course, have a seat.' Jenny replied as she shifted her hairdryer and brushes to allow her mother to sit.
'Twenty-three years ago I made a terrible mistake and I caused you a great deal of pain; for which I am truly sorry. I have feared for a long time that I had destroyed our relationship beyond repair, but I want to try and make it up to you and this baby.' Sarah explained as she handed Jenny a present wrapped in white tissue paper.
Jenny took the present and unwrapped it slowly, revealing two hand knitted baby blankets, one yellow and one white.
'You're going to make a fantastic mother Jenny, as you have to Penny, despite my intervention.' Sarah said as she held her daughter tightly.
Jenny wasn't sure what to say. She had waited for this moment and feeling of approval for such a long time that she wasn't sure how to react, but she could feel the tears stinging at her eyes as she hugged her mom. It was a sweet moment that they'd both wanted for such a long time, putting to bed twenty-three years of ill feeling.
So finally everyone knows and the future is looking bright again. So what's next for our favourite NCIS guys? Well you'll just have to wait and see LOL. Thanks to all those who reviewed this story, sorry it was just a wee short one LOL. Next one is on its way though.