"What do you think big guy? You want to make one too?" Jack looked at the snow and then back up at his mommy and big sister, covered in the white stuff.
Tony didn't wait for an answer. He put Jack down in a supine position and repeated what Ziva had done with Karina. He held him up high so he could see own angel.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Tony tickled Jack. "Now it's my turn." He carefully positioned himself in the snow, letting Jack sit on this stomach. "Weee…" He said to Jack as he moved his legs back and forth. Getting up cautiously, he brushed himself off.
Together, the family looked at the snow covered ground. Tony took out his phone and took a picture of the four perfect snow angels all in a row.
Disclaimer: I only own my own characters, who are too numerous to name. Unfortunately, I own nothing else.
Chapter Seven: "Cares and Concerns"
Gibbs was standing out on the curb in front of his home when Lily and Sean drove up. He held his arms out as Lily began handing him gifts. "Did you buy out the store?" He quipped. "You know we said it could wait until tomorrow. Your Mom isn't thrilled you two decided to drive over here with the snow and ice on the roads. And frankly, neither am I."
Lily just rolled her eyes. "As if I couldn't be bothered to spend Christmas day with my parents! You know Sean has a four-wheeled drive, so we were perfectly fine getting here. Sheesh!" Gibbs looked up and nodded at Sean, who was struggling with his own packages.
Gibbs followed Lily up the sidewalk, where Mimi and Drew were waiting for them at the front door.
"There's that cutie!" Lily exclaimed when she saw Drew. He blew bubbles at his sister and bobbed his head back and forth. "What a big boy you are!"
Mimi followed Lily silently into the living room, handing her the baby once she had unloaded her arms. Mimi watched her daughter interact with Drew, smiling softly at the scene. She looked at Gibbs, who was busy putting the gifts under the tree.
"What is all of this, Lily?" Mimi asked, surprised at the haul. Lily just shook her head.
"Sean, you can just put that on the table, thank you." Lily directed her boyfriend to put the large container he was holding down. "I brought some chili that I made. It was pretty yummy, so I thought you might like some." She cooed at Drew.
"Yeah, well I don't think he's getting any, but I'm sure he's thrilled just the same." Gibbs answered drily.
Lily giggled. She handed the baby off to Sean and then finally hugged her mother. "Merry Christmas, Mom." She kissed her cheek. "How did Drew take it all in?"
Mimi chuckled. "Well, it was just any other day to him, albeit a bit messier with all the wrapping paper and picture taking. He liked the lights on the tree." Mimi stroked her daughter's hair.
She turned toward Sean. "Are you staying? You two never really filled us in on what your plans were."
Sean grimaced. "Thanks Mrs. G. but my parents are chomping at the bit for me to come over, so I'll be heading over there when I leave here. But thanks for letting Lily spend the day with me. I know you wanted her here and it really meant a lot to me; to both of us."
Gibbs looked at Mimi, catching her eyes. As hard as it was for Mimi, she knew the day would come when Lily would make her own plans. Mimi handled it well, even though she had originally wanted Lily to spend the night. Lily gently but firmly explained to her parents that she and Sean would share their own Christmas together, and alone.
Mimi sighed softly but still smiled at Gibbs, knowing what he was thinking. He nodded slightly, sending her his own signal that he understood. Sean held Drew out away from him. "Hate to run, but I want to get to my parent's home before it gets too late." Gibbs took his son, and stepped aside as Lily took Sean's hand and walked him out to the car.
Drew started rooting, making Gibbs chuckled. "Sorry, kid. I don't have anything for you. Here's your Mom. There you go." He transferred his hungry son to Mimi's waiting arms.
"Are you hungry already? All you do is eat, you little piggy. I better make sure I have plenty of bottles for Ziva." She looked up at Gibbs as she settled in the easy chair.
"Oh, I'm sure Tony will want to get into the act, too. He'd never admit it, but he's become a pushover for any cute baby. By the way, Tim and Abby are watching Bailey. I figured it would be easier that way; we can leave the gate open and he can run around both yards." Mimi nodded in agreement. Bailey went up to Gibbs and sat, looking up at him with adoring eyes.
"What, you heard your name and thought I needed you for something?" Gibbs looked down at the Sheltie. Bailey opened his mouth and grinned in agreement. "He seems to be handling Drew very well. I thought at first he might get jealous."
Mimi looked surprised. "Why would you think that? Bailey is fine with all of the babies."
Gibbs cocked his head and looked down at the dog again, who by now had gotten tired and was lying down. "That's true, but they all leave. This one lives here." Gibbs looked up as Lily came back in. "Did Sean get off ok, then?"
Lily nodded her head and headed into the kitchen. She came back out with an iced tea and plopped herself down on the sofa. "I'm tired." She complained. She dramatically tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder.
Mimi started to question her comment but stopped when she saw the flash of light. "Did Sean give you those earrings?" She blurted out.
Lily beamed, turning her head back and forth so they could appreciate fully her gift. "Aren't they gorgeous? I was so surprised!" Gibbs took a good look at the diamond stud earrings, taking in the size. He looked at Mimi, cocking an eyebrow.
"That's a pretty serious gift, Lily." Gibbs commented quietly, sitting down next to her.
Lily looked at her father, amused. "Well, he did ask me to marry him a couple of months ago, so I guess he's still interested in the long haul."
"What about you, Sweetie? I know how committed you are to this program you are starting. Are you being fair to Sean to keep him waiting?" Mimi looked concerned. Lily looked shocked at the suggestion. She turned to Gibbs.
"Is that what you-all think, that I am just stringing him along so I can have a boyfriend?" She didn't know how to feel about that idea.
Gibbs shrugged. "I can only look at it from Sean's point of view, Lily. As long as you continue to see him, and accept expensive gifts like that…" He pointed to the earrings. "I think he's going to expect that you will eventually marry him. That's fine, if that is what you really want to do. As long as you are both happy, well that's all that matters."
Lily frowned and studied her glass of tea. "I do love Sean, and I can't imagine being with anyone else. But I'm not ready to get married just yet." She turned to her Mom. "Am I wrong to keep seeing him?" She looked distressed.
Mimi looked at Gibbs; suddenly sorry they brought this up, on Christmas of all days. "Lily, don't worry about a thing. Everything will turn out the way it should. Come on, let's enjoy the holiday. We're going to watch "The Polar Express" later."
Gibbs rolled his eyes. "Drew and I will be working in the basement." He retorted.
Jimmy and Breena's Home
"Here my dear, I have that." Ducky whispered as he helped her pull the turkey from the oven. They worked in strained silence for a few minutes. Ducky finally straightened up and looked closely at his "adopted son's" wife.
"Breena, you suffer needlessly. You do not need to go through this alone. Please let Jimmy help you." Breena stiffened as Ducky spoke.
"You don't understand. No one understands." She her voice was flat and without emotion.
Ducky sighed. "I agree that I cannot empathize but Jimmy has suffered a loss as well, and you are not allowing him the luxury to grieve with you. And there are others you have suffered a loss as yourself. There are support groups, Breena. You do not need to do this alone, and you certainly should not do this without Jimmy. I don't like to interfere, but Jimmy…and Jamie…are suffering."
Breena's head jerked up at that. "Jamie? He's a baby. He doesn't know what's going on." She looked shocked that Ducky would suggest such a thing.
"Jamie is suffering the effects of an absent mother and a distracted, worried father. Oh, I don't mean 'absent' as in physically gone. But mentally and emotionally you have abandoned your child. These are harsh words, I know. But they need to be said." Ducky pulled Breena to him and hugged her. She burst into tears at the sudden and unexpected contact.
"Shhh…this is a joyous day. I know we are celebrating the birth of one child and you are perhaps cursing God for not allowing you to give birth to your child. It isn't fair, and I know that doesn't begin to help you heal. Try to look at today as a new start, of being saved. If you can't do that, then enjoy the day through your son's eyes." Ducky patted her back as he spoke softly, hoping his words would sink in and this distraught young woman would begin to see the many gifts in her life, instead of focusing on the one thing she didn't have.
Breena pulled back and brushed away her tears. "I am so sorry, Ducky. I have ruined Christmas for everyone."
"Nonsense, you have done no such thing. The day is young; there are many more happy memories to make. Go spend time with your husband and son." He pushed her through the doorway.
Jimmy looked up as Breena hesitantly approached. He watched her with worried eyes as she walked up to him and Jamie, who was playing with his Legos.
Without a word, Breena flung her arms around her husband, burying her head in his shoulder. Jimmy felt tears spring to his eyes as he returned her hug, hoping his embrace would impart to her how much he loved her. His eyes drifted toward the kitchen, where Ducky was standing. He silently mouthed "Thank you" to his mentor and his father-figure for facilitating this movement forward.
Jamie stood up and tugged at his mother's leg. She burst out laughing, changing to tears of laughter as she scooped up her son and twirled him about. Jamie giggled and hugged his mother tightly, finally laying his head on her shoulder. Breena looked at Jimmy with sorrow in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Jimmy."
Jimmy comforted his wife, encircling his arms around his little family. He reached out and Ducky came forward and joined in the loving circle. Jimmy's eyes looked upward and he spoke a silent prayer. They would be ok now. Not good maybe, for a while. But they would be ok.
December 26, 2014: Tony and Ziva's Home
"Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday dear Karina…Happy Birthday to you!" Everyone sang to the little two-year old as she sat at the dining room table in front of a huge cake with candles on it.
Karina held out her hands, her eyes wide in wonder and a cherubic smile on her face. "For me?" She asked in astonishment. Everyone laughed at that, her surprised expression was adorable.
"Yes, this is all for you, my beautiful two-year old." Ziva smothered her in kisses, making her giggle. Tony kissed her head and whispered in her ear, his eyes bright with emotion.
"Make a wish Punkin and blow out the candles." Tony instructed her. Karina looked at him, not understanding what "wish" meant. He caressed her curls, noting the tiny widow's peak that was becoming more prominent.
"Is there something you want, Karina; a present or a prize? Wish for that and it will come true." Ziva looked sharply at Tony.
"Be careful, Tony. What if she wishes for something impossible, like…oh I do not know; her own car or something?" She was concerned about breaking Karina's heart but Tony waved his hand.
"Well, she will have her own car…someday. There's no rule that says the wish has to come true in the next ten minutes or days for that matter." Ziva looked skeptical but accepted what Tony said.
Karina looked at her parents, not sure what was expected of her. Her Daddy said to ask for something she wanted. Well, she knew what she wanted…
"A pony!" She burst out, clapping her hands. "A baby!" She added, giggling.
Tony and Ziva looked at each other with startled expressions. Was it possible that Karina had overheard them talking of having another baby? Mimi caught their exchanged look and wondered if what she was thinking was accurate. She shrugged, as it was none of her business if Tony and Ziva were ready to add another child to their family. She was just surprise, that's all.
Everyone laughed again at Karina's "wishes" and Tony and Ziva were grateful that no one seemed to question the "baby" wish. They both leaned down next to her and counted. "One, two, three…blow Karina! Blow out the candles!" Karina watched her parents. She took a deep breath, mimicking what they were doing and blew. One of the candles went out immediately, while the second candle flickered a few moments, and then went dark as well.
Karina clapped happily as everyone cheered her success. Gibbs was holding Jack, explaining to him that he would have his own cake and candle in two months.
Jack didn't seem to care the day wasn't about him. His "people" were there, and was enjoying himself.
"So…which will it be; the pony or the baby?" Gibbs quipped, his eyebrow raised.
Tony looked a little pale, hoping no one would ask. "Well, I think a pony is out of the question, although she could have one back in England. As far as a 'baby' goes…I'm sure Ziva and I can accommodate that request; someday."
Gibbs looked surprised. "What makes you think she was asking for a baby sister or brother? She could have been asking for a baby doll."
Tony and Ziva both jerked at that and looked at their daughter, who was happily cramming birthday cake into her mouth. Sometimes, there was a simple explanation.
"I love your 'Ice Angels'! How did you do that?" Abby marveled at the standing ice sculptures posed in their back yard; all colored brightly.
Tony grinned. "Oh, it was easy. We each made a snow angel, and then we poured colored water into the depressions. After a night in below freezing weather…voilà! Ice Angels!" Tim eyed their handiwork.
"How did you get Bridget to make one?" He eyed the dog shaped form of ice standing with the family.
Tony chuckled. "Oh, that wasn't easy and I'm not sure she has forgiven me yet. I laid her on the ground and held her until we got a good shape of her. Believe me; I've been groveling ever since!" Bridget wagged her tail and sat at Tony's feet, looking up expectantly.
"Ok, I know the drill." Tony went to the pantry and pulled out the dog treats. Jethro and Bailey joined Bridget, their mouths open and drooling in anticipation. Tony did a double-take when he saw the three dogs.
He looked at Gibbs and Tim to make sure it was ok, and then gave them their treats. The dogs all politely took the biscuit and then ran in different direction so the other dog wouldn't take the treat from them. They all eyed each other warily as they crunched, and then ran back to each other, best friends again.
"Dogs are so weird sometimes." Stan commented. "Isn't that right Lizzie?" Lizzie nodded her head up and down in agreement.
"Doggies funny." She added and then toddled over to where Jamie was checking out Karina's tricycle. Stan and Melinda watched their daughter and looked at each other.
"Next birthday…" They both chuckled to themselves. Stan turned to Ziva. "Where are you going to hang that picture? It's gorgeous by the way." Stan pointed to the large, framed family portrait.
A large package had arrived from England two days before Christmas, with a note saying "Open Me on the 25th". They waited as they were told, and were stunned to find one of the family pictures taken at the Ball in August beautifully framed.
"I really think you should dress that way at work." Ducky mused, directing his comment to Ziva. She blushed, touching her head as she remembered wearing the stunning tiara.
"That is one gorgeous gown, Ziva. And that tiara! I remember when Mimi and I got your text photo…we weren't sure what the scoop was but it looks amazing!" Abby's eyes were wide with wonder.
Tony put his arm around Ziva. "Ziva was quite surprised when I pulled that tiara out. She didn't know I had it, so I enjoyed the little secret. From what Cris tells us, someone has painted this same picture and it now hangs in the estate." Tony shrugged, not sure if he was pleased or embarrassed by the whole thing.
"Besides, I guess it needs to be there since Jack will be the next Baron of Paddington." The room went completely silent. Tony looked up in alarm, not sure what had just happened.
Gibbs held Jack out in front of him. "Was there something you wanted to tell us, Jack?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sorry this is shorter than normal, but didn't have much time to write this week. My nephew, who is Mimi's nephew "Kieran", and his girlfriend came up from Florida to visit so we've been doing the tourist thang. I literally just got in the door in fact. I didn't forget Lily, for those of you who were concerned. A speaking of concerns, it looks like Lily has some thinking to do. And Tony let the cat out of the bag regarding Jack….I have made maybe one snow angel in my life, so I have no idea if it is even possible to do what I suggested in this story, but I thought it sounded cool. Thanks as always for the tremendous reviews and welcome to the many "Guest" reviewers and new reviewers: you are definitely making my day!
