After dinner everyone sat in the living room and caught up with Kate and shared any news that they had.
'Wow Abs the tree looks amazing.' Kate said as she watched Penny and Abby putting the finishing touches to their tree.
The tree was ladened with nearly one hundred brightly coloured baubles, four hundred white lights, tinsel and a gold and silver angel. They had also added more decorations throughout the house, and had soft Christmas music filtering throughout.
'I know isn't it fantastic? We barely have any tree left, and we still have to add the candy canes.' Abby said as she added yet another bauble.
Jenny and Gibbs watched everyone in silence, waiting for the right moment when they could share their news. They weren't sure when the right time was going to be; until Ducky decided that he was going to call it a night.
'Right everyone I think it's time that I bid you all a goodnight.' He said as he got out of his arm chair by the fire and began heading passed them.
'Actually Ducky, just before you leave, Jethro and I have some news that we'd like to share with you all.' Jenny said as she and Gibbs stood up to properly face their friends.
Ducky returned to the group and sat on the arm of the chair. Jenny looked at the anticipation on everyone's faces, and despite her earlier fears, she was genuinely excited about telling them and no longer felt that same fear consume her.
'OK…well…Jethro and I found out yesterday that we are having a baby.' Jenny explained as she stammered at first, but then found that the words came to her easily.
It was in that moment, as her friends and colleagues gathered round them to offer their words of congratulations, that Jenny realised that all of her previous fears were unfounded. Everything would be OK. For the first time in days she genuinely felt that she could enjoy being pregnant.
The whole team were ecstatic about the news. Once Tony had offered his words of congratulations to them both, he disappeared into the kitchen and returned with several glasses and a bottle of champagne.
'I think this news calls for a proper celebration.' He said as he poured the golden liquid into a glass for everyone.
Penny briefly disappeared before returning with a carton of orange juice, pouring it into one of the glasses and handing it to Jenny.
'Thank you Penny.' She said gratefully as everyone wished them all the best.
'Aw Pen's going to be a big sister.' Abby said with excitement.
'I know isn't it great? Now I get to be the bossy one.' Penny replied with a smirk.
'What's that supposed to mean? I was never bossy.' Jenny replied indignantly.
'No you weren't, but Heather always was. Still is for that matter; drives me round the bend.' Penny said with a smile.
'Oh yeah, I forgot you two were sisters before…well after…never mind.' Tony began to say before he caught Gibbs giving him the Gibbs stare.
Kate looked with confusion at Tony, who subtly shook his head at her.
After a few minutes Jenny downed the rest of her orange juice and placed the empty glass on the coffee table.
'If you don't mind everyone, I'm going to head to bed.' She said as she approached Penny and kissed her on the forehead before mounting the stairs.
'Yes I think it's about time I headed up as well.' Ducky said as he stood up from his position on the armchair.
'Ah wait a minute, we haven't figured out where Kate's going to sleep.' Penny stated.
'Oh yeah well that does pose a bit of a problem.' Tony said.
'Well why don't I take Abby's room, and Abby and Kate can take mine. That is if you guys don't mind sharing?' Jimmy offered politely.
'No I'm fine with that, if you are Kate?' Abby asked with excitement.
'That sounds good to me.' Kate replied with a yawn.
With that the team all made their way to their respective rooms, all exhausted after their day. Penny and McGee went into their room, and Penny closed the bedroom door. McGee was already laid in bed, as he sat and watched her nervously as she walked around the room, taking off her clothes in the bathroom before returning to the bedroom. She could see he was chewing something over in his mind.
'What's bothering you Tim?' She asked as she lifted the quilt cover and gingerly climbed in beside him, resting on her elbow.
McGee stammered as he tried to find the words to say to her, knowing what he wanted to say to her but not sure how to say it.
'Well…I…um…I've been wanting to talk to you about something…' He began to explain, resulting in a concerned and worried look from Penny.
'You're not about to dump me are you?' She asked quietly with a nervous laugh.
McGee sat bolt upright in the bad shocked that he'd given her that impression. Ending their relationship was far from the truth about what was on his mind.
'No…no…no, no that's definitely not what I'm trying to tell you. I'm trying to tell you…well…I love you.' He said finally as the words kind of stumbled out.
Penny was speechless. She had felt the same way for him for a matter of weeks, but had been unable to bring herself to tell him for fear he didn't feel the same. She smiled at him broadly and struggled to find her own words. After a few moments she placed her hands on his face, and pulled him towards her in a passionate embrace.
'I love you too.' She whispered as McGee held her tightly.
Upstairs Jenny and Gibbs undressed for bed. Jenny was still smiling happily as she stood in front of the full length mirror, half dressed and admiring her reflection. She placed her hand over her stomach and studied herself intently, puffing out her stomach as much as she could. Gibbs smirked at her as he watched her.
'What you smiling at?' She asked him without taking her eyes off the mirror.
'You. It's nice to see you happy though.' Gibbs said as he approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist, looking at her through the mirror.
Jenny sighed happily and placed her left hand behind her, caressing his face. He buried his face in the nook of her neck.
'Come on, let's get to bed.' He said as he stifled a yawn.
Jenny finished getting changed before climbing under the warmth of the cool sheets. Gibbs shuffled over onto his side and allowed Jenny to mould her body into his. As he wrapped his arms around her, they both drifted off to sleep in great anticipation of their future events.
