It became their routine, every weekend, when he wasn't working, Gibbs would stay at Jenny's with her and Lizzie. Neither would admit it, but both Jenny and Gibbs slept better than they had in months when they were together, and were happier than they'd been in a long time when they were as a family. Jenny had never seen Gibbs smile as much as he did when he was with Lizzie. Gibbs had never seen Jenny so relaxed since she became director, he hadn't seem her smile that way since Paris.

But the summer was drawing to a close. Next weekend they would be saying goodbye to Lizzie at the airport and she would be flying back to England and to school. It would be October before they saw her again, and by that time she would have a brother or sister. Gibbs didn't want her to go when he'd just met her. Besides when she left, it would mean an end to spending weekends with Jen. Jenny didn't want her to go because each goodbye was getting harder and harder. She missed being able to see her little girl grow up.

"Jethro," Jenny said on Saturday evening after Lizzie had gone to bed. They were sitting in the lounge. Gibbs had his arm around her shoulder, and Jenny was leaning against his shoulder. Everything seemed so simple in moments like this. "I want to run something by you."
"Okay."
"What do you think about Lizzie staying here and going to school here? Before she went to boarding school so I wasn't moving her every few years. But now I won't be moving any time soon. And I'll be on maternity leave so I'll be able to spend time with her."
"I think it's a good idea," Gibbs replied. He thought it was more than a good idea, it was exactly what he wanted. He didn't want to loose Lizzie.
"We can ask her tomorrow," Jenny smiled, knowing what her daughter would say.

XOXOXOX

'Yes, yes yes! I want to! I really, really want to!" Lizzie cried, jumping up and down. She threw her arms around her mom's neck and kissed her. "Thank you!" Then she ran over to her dad and did the same. "Thank you so much!" She danced around excitedly. "I'll be here when my brother or sister's born! And I'll be able to see you every day!"

Jenny smiled at Gibbs. "I think she likes the idea."

XOXOXOX

Lizzie was disappointed that her dad wasn't going to be living with them, but he spent more and more time with them when she started school. When the case he was working on was quiet, Gibbs would go over to Jenny's in the evenings. On Lizzie's first day of school she insisted both her parents dropped her off. She refused to go unless they were both there.

When Gibbs arrived that morning Lizzie was bouncing about in her usual fashion. He couldn't help but wonder how she managed to sit still for the length of a flight to London.
"Dad!" she cried happily, running over to give him a hug.
"Nervous?" he asked.
"Nope," she replied. Jenny appeared, looking harrassed and nervous.
"Lizzie are you sure you've got everything?" she asked.
"Yes mom," Lizzie replied, rolling her eyes. 'You've asked me that like nine times!"
Gibbs smiled.
"C'mon Jen," he said. "Let's go." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they walked to the car.

"Now, if you need anything, you've got our numbers," Jenny said, turning in her seat to look at Lizzie. "Okay?"
"Mom, I'm fine!" Lizzie said. "Dad! Tell her to stop worrying."
"Relax Jen," Gibbs said. He knew he couldn't tell her to stop worrying, Lizzie was always going to be her baby, even if she ended up being six foot tall.
"Okay, sorry Lizzie," Jenny said, trying to calm down. "Have a good day." She thought for a minute. "I like saying that."
"I like hearing it," Lizzie grinned. She leant forward and gave her mom a kiss.
"Bye mom."
"Bye honey."
Lizzie turned to her dad, and gave him a kiss too.
"Bye daddy."
"Bye Lizzie. Be good."

She jumped out the car and ran towards the school door, pausing to turn and wave. Her parents waved back. Once Lizzie had disappeared inside, Jenny exhaled as though she'd been holding her breath.
"I'm always more nervous than her," she said.
"Moms worry," Gibbs replied. "So do dads."
Jenny smiled. "Thanks for coming."
"Wouldn't have missed it," he smiled.

XOXOXOX

Jenny stared at the TV, not really paying attention. She was too busy thinking. Lizzie was staying at Ziva's, having a movie night with her and Tony so Jethro hadn't come over. He had no excuse to. Both of them were looking for the smallest excuse for him to come over. Neither had the courage to say what they were both feeling.

Jenny winced. Her contractions had started earlier in the day but hadn't felt serious enough to go to the hospital. With Lizzie she'd had practise contractions before she was born. She'd thought these were just practise contractions, but now she wasn't so sure. They were definitely getting closer together, and now they were starting to hurt like her real contractions had. Pushing her uncertainty aside, she picked up the phone.
"Gibbs."
"Fall asleep on your boat again?" she teased.
"No Jen, I didn't... Well maybe I did. What is it?"
"Can you come over and give me a ride to the hospital? I think my contractions have started."
"On my way."
"Oh and Jethro? Don't drive like a maniac. I want you to get here in one piece."
"Sure Jen." She could hear the smile behind his words.

"You broke the limit," she commented when he arrived.
"Did not."
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "I know how long it takes from your house to mine. You broke the limit."
"Maybe a little," he smiled.

"This way Ms Shepard," the nurse said. Gibbs hesitated. Jenny turned to face him.
"Stay," she said. "I want you to be here." He took her hand.
"Not going anywhere Jen."

XOXOXOX

"Hello gorgeous," Jenny whispered when the midwife placed their baby girl in her arms. The little girl was three weeks early, but she was perfect in every way as far as both Jenny and Gibbs were concerned.
"Lizzie'll be happy," he said quietly. 'Getting a sister."
"Actually I think she was hoping for a brother to boss around," Jenny replied. Gibbs laughed softly. "Here," she said. 'Say hi to daddy." She handed her to him. The little girl grizzled slightly at being moved.
"Hey, shhh," he whispered, jiggling her gently in his arms. She settled down again. Jenny watched over Gibbs' shoulder, smiling. "Hey," he said again. "Have you thought of a name for her?"
"Yes," Jenny replied. "Ava. Ava Gibbs." Their eyes met. "If you agree, she can have your name."
"Of course I agree," Gibbs said. "Hi Ava." Ava squirmed, and blinked, her eyes opening for a moment. She stared up at her parents with blue eyes identical to her father's. Gibbs kissed her head gently, then handed her back to Jenny. Then he bent and kissed Jenny on the lips.

"Thank you Jethro," she said when they broke apart.
"For what?"
"For giving me two beautiful girls," she replied. He put his arms around her, and held her as they watched Ava sleep.
"I could say the same thing to you Jen."