Author's Note: Sorry about the lapse in updates- life threw a few curveballs my way. I'm hoping that this chapter will make up for it. As always, leave a review, you know how much I like them :]
Author's Note 2: And for anyone that's curious, I know Jenny and Jethro aren't acting like they do in the show, but I factored having a daughter and each other into the equation, so they won't entirely be as they appear on the show. Just to clarify for anyone that's curious :] and Sadie is almost four I decided, because I want her to be a little older.
Disclaimer: I own my favorite cutie, Sadie!
Kate's funeral had been hard. Tony had had a difficult time, and had applied for a two week leave. He had needed to clear his head, so he had taken a couple of weeks off. McGee hadn't said much during the service, or in the days following. Abby was still smiling, but was slightly quieter, and sometimes, she would sit in her lab, no music, looking at a caricature Kate had drawn of her. It seemed that Jethro was the only normal one.
Or rather, what had become his normal. With Sadie and Jenny in his life, he felt lighter, and happy. Sure he still got angry when things didn't go his way, and he still had his edge, but he was quicker to smile or laugh.
The agency had grown used to their new director. Her red hair was seen throughout the building, her heels often heard on the catwalk. A certain Special Agent seemed to spend an awful lot of time in her office, but everyone just turned a blind eye on it.
About three weeks after Kate's death, Jethro decided to introduce Sadie to his team. He hadn't brought her to the agency sooner because he wanted his team to grieve for Kate, and to let them return to a state of semi-normality before they met her. Ziva David being added to the team had added some stress, but in the past few days Jethro had gotten used to the Israeli, and was learning how to work with her.
In just three weeks, his life had taken on a routine. He and Jenny got up in the morning, showered and dressed, ate, then woke Sadie up. They dropped her off at the daycare center before going to work, and then after work, they picked Sadie up and returned home. Most nights were spent together as a family, either reading, playing board games, or watching television. After Sadie was put to bed, he and Jenny generally cuddled, but some nights, they talked. They talked about Paris, reliving memories, but they also talked about hard topics. They had talked about Jenny leaving him, which had been difficult for both of them. They had already established that they would be open with each other, and so they had talked long and hard about where this relationship was headed. They both decided that they would take it a day at a time, but they also knew that they had a future this time. Sadie got a happy look on her face whenever she saw the two of them being romantic, and she giggled whenever they kissed. Of course, that would make them laugh, and then cover her in kisses as well, making her giggle even harder.
That morning he and Jenny got up, showered together, and after they were dressed, went in to wake up Sadie. They decided to tickle her awake, ensuing giggling from her. When her big blue eyes opened, they got that shine in them when she saw that her dad was still there.
The three sat at the kitchen table, Sadie eating cereal, Jenny and Jethro drinking coffee. When Sadie was done, Jethro sat forward, looking at her.
"Honey, what do you think about meeting the people Daddy work with, and seeing you Mommy's office?"
Sadie's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Really Daddy? I can see where you guys work?" her tiny voice was filled with excitement.
"Of course you can. You can sit in my chair too." Jenny said, smiling at her daughter.
Sadie's eyes grew impossibly wider, and her smile stretched from ear to ear.
"I get to sit in your chair Mommy?"
Jenny nodded, and Sadie started bouncing up and down in her chair in excitement, her two red pigtails swinging.
"But if you're going to come with us you have to be on your best behavior Sad. And you have to go get your shoes and coat on." Jethro said, tugging gently on one of her pigtails. Sadie nodded quickly before jumping off her chair and running off to pull on her shoes. Jenny intertwined her fingers with Jethro's, smiling widely at him.
"She's so excited."
"I know. I just hope everyone can handle it. I know Tony has been having a rough time, and McGee still isn't himself. Hopefully Sadie softens the two up a little. They're getting hard to work with." Jethro said, kissing Jenny's knuckles. Jen glared at him lightly before standing, pulling him up with her. She pressed a quick kiss to his lips before turning and striding towards Sadie, scooping her up and pressing kisses to her forehead, causing her to giggle.
Jethro watched the two, smiling to himself. Jenny and Sadie were perfect with each other, and he knew that it was from the few years Jenny had raised Sadie by herself. He still felt a twinge of sadness when he thought of how he should have been there for her. He shook himself, reminding himself that he couldn't change the past. He had promised himself he would be there for Sadie for the rest of her life, and that was a promise he would never break.
He watched Jenny put Sadie down and help her with her coat before sliding into her own. He pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning on, walking over to where his coat was. He had moved some of his stuff to Jenny's house, and was currently in the process of going through the rest of his things. There was a sort of unspoken agreement that he would be staying with Jenny, in her house. He didn't know if he would keep his house or not. There were some nights where he just liked knowing that his boat was still in his basement if he needed it. He hadn't felt the temptation to sand in a while; because while the talks with Jenny had been hard, and opening up about Shannon and Kelly had saddened him, he had Jenny there to comfort him, to help him.
He slipped his coat on, reaching down to help Sadie with her buttons. She smiled at him, holding her arms out to him. He easily picked her up, kissing her cheek. She returned the kiss before looping her arms around her neck and pressing her face into his shoulder, suppressing a small yawn.
Jethro grabbed the keys, beating Jen, and smirked at her. She rolled her green eyes, sticking her tongue out at him.
"I'll get you back for that Jethro." Jen said, narrowing her eyes seductively.
"Sure, you can try Jen." Jethro said, raising a white eyebrow at her.
"Oh Jethro, I will succeed, believe me. I have a few tricks up my sleeve…" she let her provocative statement dangle in the air before winking at him slyly and heading towards the car. Jethro followed, enjoying the view it provided. She seemed to sense him watching her, and turned her head, meeting his gaze.
"See something you like?"
"Oh, I think I do." Jethro said matter-of-factly.
Jen smirked before continuing to the car, sliding easily into the passenger seat. Jethro quickly got Sadie into her seat and got into the driver's seat, putting the key into the ignition. He drove to work slower than usual, because Sadie was in the car and he didn't want to scare her with his normal driving.
They pulled into the NCIS parking lot, and Jethro pulled Sadie into his arms, walking towards the elevators, Jenny close behind. As the elevators closed, Jenny took the hand Jethro didn't have around Sadie and squeezed gently before kissing his cheek quickly. The elevators opened and the three walked in the direction of the bullpen. Tony was sitting at his desk, looking tired, while McGee typed away at who knows what and Ziva read a book. They all looked up when they heard the elevators, and when Tony saw Sadie in Jethro's arms, he didn't look quite so tired anymore. Ziva looked at Jenny quickly, a smile on her face as she met her gaze before looking at the little girl. Sadie pulled her head off of her father's shoulder, taking in her surroundings.
It was so big! The ceilings were high, and there were stairs! She saw three people sitting at their desks with one empty one close by, and she realized that that was her Daddy's desk when they started walking towards it. Her Daddy nodded to the other people before going to the other side of the desk. He sat down, turning her so she was on his lap. She stared wide-eyed at the three adults who were staring at her silently. Her Mommy sat on the edge of her Daddy's desk, looking at Sadie with a smile.
"Sad, this is my team." her Daddy said in her ear. He pointed to the man at the desk across from his. He smiled at her, waving with one hand. "That's McGee. Next to him is Tony, and that's Ziva." Tony and Ziva both smiled and waved at her.
"Guys, this is Sadie, my daughter."
Ziva looked at Jenny quizzically for a moment before addressing Sadie.
"Do you remember me at all Sadie? I met you when I knew you mom."
Sadie thought back. She kind of remembered, but it was fuzzy.
"I think a little. When we were in that hot place, with all the sand." Sadie said, wrinkling her nose slightly. Jenny laughed at that, a finger going up to trace Sadie's cheek.
"That was Egypt, honey. Cairo. Ziva stayed with us for a few weeks. You were almost three."
"Egytp." Sadie tried the word, stumbling a little. Jethro chuckled lightly, pressing a kiss to her hair.
The rest of the team joined in, and Sadie giggled lightly.
Tony's phone started ringing, and he lifted his cell to his ear.
"DiNozzo."
As Tony was talking, Jethro carefully stood, balancing Sadie on his hip.
"I have someone else I want you to meet. She's really been looking forward to meeting you." Jethro whispered in Sadie's ear, his breath tickling her ear. Sadie looked at him, eyes bright with excitement. Jethro looked at Jenny, asking her silently if she wanted to come. She nodded, and led the way to the elevators.
As they walked into forensics, Jethro was relived to hear Abby's loud death metal music coming in through the speakers. Jenny walked in first, getting the Goth's attention. Abby turned the music down.
"What can I do for you Director?" Abby asked happily.
"Well, Jethro and I have someone we want you to meet." Jenny said, smiling at the younger girl. Abby's eyes lit up with excitement, and Jethro walked further into the lab. As soon as Abby saw Sadie, her mouth dropped open.
"Oh she's gorgeous! Hi, I'm Abby! Are you Sadie?" she said, practically jumping up and down with joy.
"Yes. I really like your necklace. And our hair matches!" Sadie said, smiling at Abby. Jethro groaned lightly when he saw the necklace in question. It was a metal chain with a dented cross on the end. At least it wasn't a dog collar.
"We do match. I love pigtails. I never don't wear pigtails! You're very pretty Sadie. You look a lot like your parents, you know. I've been looking forward to meeting you for a while. I'm glad your parents finally got their acts together." Abby said, looking up at Jenny and Jethro and smirking slightly.
Jethro rolled his eyes at her and Jenny laughed. Jethro put Sadie down, stretching his back. Sadie went over to a computer, mesmerized by the bright colors. Abby noticed, and smiled at the little girl.
"I have more pictures." she said, and Sadie turned to her, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Abby laughed before turning to Jenny and Jethro. "Mind if I keep her? I'll send her up if I get a case."
"Well, I thought Ducky might want to meet her…" Jethro said, uncertain because his daughter looked like she was really enjoying herself.
"Ducky has court today. He won't be in until noon." Jenny piped up.
Jethro let out a relieved breath, turning back to Abby.
"Well, I don't see a problem. Just don't corrupt her, okay Abs? No heavy death metal or whatever it is you listen to." Jethro said, shaking his head. He scooped Sadie up again.
"Do you want to stay down here honey?"
"Yes Daddy! I want to stay with Abby!" Sadie said, her voice filled with excitement.
"Alright. I'll come get you later, because I have someone else I want you to meet. He's an old friend of your mom and I."
"Okay Daddy. I love you!"
"I love you too Sad." he kissed her forehead before putting her down, where she turned to Jenny. Jenny swiftly picked her up, hugging her tightly. She pressed a kiss to her hair before looking into her eyes.
"After you meet Ducky you can come up and see my office, okay? You can sit in my chair."
"Okay Mommy. I love you!"
"I love you too baby."
Jenny pressed one more kiss to her hair before setting her down, where Sadie raced back over to the computers, already engrossed in the pictures. Jenny and Jethro exited the lab, stepping into the elevator. Jenny reached for Jethro's hand, squeezing it. He recognized the need, and stopped the elevator, pulling her into him. He held her, rubbing her back gently. He placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
"Jen, she's going to be right here. You can visit her all day. Everybody loves her. Abby absolutely adores her."
"I know. Just, having her here… I just never would have placed her here in my mind. Well, that may have been because you were here and I had no idea what I was doing for the first couple of months. But now, seeing her here… it's amazing. These past few weeks have been amazing. And you're the reason behind it. Thanks you Jethro." Jenny said, looking into his clear blue eyes.
"Jen, I've never been this happy before. You and Sadie have changed my life, and I have to thank you for that. I never thought I'd here a little girl call me Daddy again. Yet here's Sadie, saying it. I can't even express how that makes me feel." Jethro said, kissing her lightly. She responded with a butterfly kiss, knowing they couldn't get into anything in the lift.
"Early bedtime for Sadie tonight?"
"My thoughts exactly."