After finalising some of the details with Father Thomas Jenny and Gibbs began to walk back to the cabin. Jenny was so excited about getting married in just under a week's time that she could barely contain herself. Gibbs felt exactly the same, which surprised them both since he'd already been married four times.

'I cannot believe that any of that just happened.' She said in stunned disbelief.

'Are you sure you're OK with it just being the two of us and the team?' Gibbs asked, knowing that Jenny had wanted all her friends and family to be at her wedding, and was worried that she was settling for second best.

'I'm more than happy Jethro. I know I wanted my mom and sister to be with me, and the rest of my friends and family, but this is more than perfect. At the end of the day, all that matters is that I'm marrying you and that I'll be surrounded by my closest friends.' She said as she turned to face him, the happiest smile firmly in place, and a magical glow in her eyes. 'They're going to freak when they hear this.' She added.

Although they both could have quite happily told the team there and then, they agreed to wait until after Christmas to give them the news. Jenny's cheeks and nose were rosy red from the cold; her hands were freezing and her fingers were numb, even though she'd been holding Gibbs's hand all the way home. She was grateful to feel the warmth of the roaring fire as they entered the living room of the cabin, and found Abby, Penny and McGee playing on their Nintendo DS's. Ducky was asleep in the armchair next to the fire, whilst dinner was roasting in the oven.

Tony and Ziva were sat together on the sofa, watching yet another one of his movies. Ziva was curled up beside him, her head on his chest.

'Wow you're all certainly quiet in here.' Jenny said as she took off her scarf and coat.

They all smiled in response to her, until the silence was broken by Ducky who had woken with a start and made a loud snorting sound, resulting in a laugh from everyone else.

'Where's Jimmy?' Jenny asked when she realised that he was the only one not present.

'He's in his bedroom on his cell to his girlfriend; has been for the last couple of hours.' Tony explained.

A couple of hours after their return to the cabin, dinner was finally ready. Jenny and Ziva helped Ducky dish it out, with Jenny taking charge of the vegetarian option for Penny and Abby. Ziva called everyone to dinner, and it wasn't too long before the sound of snapping was heard from the crackers that littered the table. Penny poured wine into everyone's glasses, with Jenny having the non-alcoholic version, which she found to be surprisingly pleasant.

As they all finished their starters, Tony excused himself from the table to go to the bathroom, leaving the others to continue their discussion.

'What's your first Christmas memory Ducky?' Penny asked.

'Well I think mine comes from when I was aged about four. Mother came home from visiting an elderly neighbour on Christmas morning, and my father had started cooking the dinner, but hadn't noticed that the gas system hadn't lit properly, so the oven filled with gas. When Mother opened the oven door and went to light it again it blew up in her face.' Ducky explained with a laugh, resulting in a laugh from the table.

'Was she alright?' Ziva asked with concern.

'Oh yes she was fine my dear, a little stunned perhaps but otherwise perfectly fine. The same can't be said for her singed eyebrows, hair and lovely mink coat; or for my father for that matter.' He added with great fondness.

'What about your fave Christmas song Pen?' Abby asked with enthusiasm, resulting in a small smile from her friend.

'If anyone dares say "whilst shepherds watched their flocks at night" I will Gibbs slap you into next week.' She said as she waggled her finger playfully at the group around her, just as Tony arrived back.

'So what are we talking about now?' He asked as he took his place next to Ziva, giving her knee an affectionate squeeze.

'Penny was just going to tell us what her favourite Christmas song is.' Abby explained, before giving Penny her undivided attention, but before Penny could reply Tony piped up.

'Wouldn't happen to be "whilst shepherds watched their flocks by night" would it?' He said with a laugh, resulting in Penny's hand immediately colliding with the back of his head. 'OW! What was that for?' He said quickly as he rubbed his head.

Everyone laughed at him whilst Penny sat and glared, before he gave up in even trying to make sense of his wrong doing.

After dinner they all retired to the living room, and Jenny grabbed Penny and took her up to her bedroom to share her good news with her daughter, unable to contain her excitement.

'Is everything alright Mom?' Penny asked with concern.

'Yes everything is fine. Am I not allowed to want to spend some time with my daughter without something being wrong?' Jenny replied with a smile.

'My bad, it was just the way you said you wanted to see me on my own that's all.' Penny replied as she laid down on Jenny's bed, as Jenny settled herself down beside her. 'Actually I am glad that I've got you to myself for a little while, as I have another present to give to you. It's just that I wanted to give it to you when we had a moment together, rather than in front of everyone else.' She added as she took out a carefully wrapped present from the pocket of her hoodie top.

'Aw you didn't have to get me anything else; the photo album was more than enough.' Jenny replied as she slowly sat up and began to unwrap the paper.

'Yeah I know, but...well it's just that...when I was looking through our photographs and stuff I realised that this is our first Christmas with you as my mom, and I wanted to give you something really special.' Penny explained as Jenny excitedly opened the box to reveal a stunning small heart shaped pendent.

'Penny this is absolutely stunning!' She said as she took it out of the case.

Engraved on the pendent were the words, "To Mom Love P x", and she was touched by their simple sentimental meaning.

'This will go perfect with my dress next week.' She said with joy as she held it against her.

'Why what's happening next week?' Penny asked as she sat up to look at her mom.

'Well that's what I wanted to speak to you about.' She replied with a smile. 'Whilst Jethro and I were out, we came across a little church in the middle of nowhere; it's perfect! So we've arranged to get married there, next week, just before midnight.' She explained, resulting in an excited squeal from her daughter.

Penny hugged her mom tightly, and they both looked at each other with excitement.

'Well you're sorted out for your dress, but what are we going to do about mine?' Penny asked.

'The bridal store is open again as of the 27th, so I'll take you, Abby and Ziva shopping and we'll get the bridesmaids dresses, and I'll collect my dress then as well.' Jenny explained, showing that she'd clearly given it some thought.

'Oh I can't wait; they're going to be so excited!' Penny exclaimed giddily.

'But you can't say anything to them yet.' Jenny replied with a look of warning to her daughter, but with a smile.

Penny agreed dutifully, before they began discussing what kind of dresses they were going to choose.