The moment that Jenny said Kelly, Gibbs was on his feet though he was still shocked. He was positive that it just had to be someone who looked like Kelly. It took him maybe thirty seconds to reach the door. A smile lit up his face and just seemed to grow wider and wider until the watching crowd became fearful it would split it two. Slipping gently by Jenny, he enveloped the young woman on the doorstep.
"I last see you when you're eight and now you're twenty-four? Oh, Kel, what happened?" Gibbs asked after he released her from his bone-crushing hug.
"Well, you know that Mom saw the murder and we were being protected. And you know about the car crash. The thing is though, I didn't die but they were afraid that I'd be next so they put me in WITSEC where I've been living for the past sixteen years. I was sick and tired of the program and then suddenly as if magic they confirmed the Mexican drug dealer was dead and I was released. I took my chances coming here and prayed to God you'd still be here, Daddy." Kelly grinned and squeezed her dad's arm lightly.
"Is that all, Kel?" He asked softly.
She shook her head and bit her lip, gesturing behind her.
"I was married to a soldier named James Schwartz." Kelly said softly.
"Was? Did you divorce him?"
"No, Daddy, I don't follow in, what Maddie tells, me your footsteps are. I only just saw Maddie while we were on the road and made her promise not to call. Anyway, James was overseas when he was killed in action three years ago. This," She reached behind her and pulled to the front a four year old with blonde hair and those famous blue eyes of the Gibbs family. "Is our four year old daughter Madelyn. "
Gibbs gasped and looked down at the little girl who was the spitting image of the Kelly except for the blonde curls.
"Momma! I'm hungrrrry!" Madelyn whined crossly. She seemed to notice that there were other people though and looked at them curiously. "Who's the red haired lady, Momma?" Madelyn practically demanded of Kelly.
"I don't know." Kelly admitted honestly. "Daddy?"
"This, Kel, is Director Jenny Shepard of N.C.I.S. She's the first female Director of a Federal Agency and my boss but more importantly, she's the only woman I loved after your mother." Gibbs introduced Jenny, stepping back to slip his arms around her waist and pull her close to him.
"I'm Kelly Schw—Gibbs." Kelly smiled at Jenny. "But I'm sure you know that. My Daddy has a big mouth sometimes." Kelly rolled her eyes at Jethro. "I'm glad he has you. I have a feeling I'll like you a lot when I get to know you." Kelly shook hands with Jenny before Gibbs led her and Madelyn into the house, a smile on his face.
Abby squealed and launched herself on Kelly as soon as she was introduced and then explained a lot to Kelly about who she was and stuff like that.
"Kel, you're staying with us." Gibbs announced after all the introductions were made.
"But, Daddy, I don't want to impose." Kelly shook her head. "You and Jenny probably like being alone."
"No, Kelly, really it would mean a lot to both of us if you and Madelyn stayed with us." Jenny interrupted.
"Momma, I wanna stay!" Madelyn screeched.
"I surrender." Kelly retorted with a smile.
"You never had a chance." Four people had said it unison; Tony, Abby, McGee, and, Ziva.
The laughter was irrepressible, the mood even more bright and cheery from before.
Kelly eyed Jenny, critically, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Jesus, Daddy, the one you aren't married to?" Kelly raised an eyebrow.
Gibbs looked utterly baffled. "What are you talking about?"
"You knocked her up. You never had kids with your exes or that would have been the first thing that came out of your mouth."
Gibbs looked slightly shocked that Kelly would choose to phrase her first sentence quite that way but let it slide anyway. "No, I didn't, you're right, Kel. I didn't want kids after what I thought happened to you. It was the last thing I wanted." Jenny felt like she'd been slapped across the face. What had happened to the man spinning her across the room a few minutes ago? "But then again none of my ex-wives were Jenny. Had they been then hell yeah, I would have wanted kids. I love Jenny more than anything and to have a baby with her is the best thing that's ever going to have happened to me." As he spoke, Gibbs pulled Jenny closer to him, having noticed her hurt look after the beginning part of his statement.
"You really do have to let me finish, Jenny." Gibbs grinned, kissing the top of her head.
"You know what?" Abby questioned the group.
"What?" Ziva answered.
"I think this calls for a celebration." The Goth announced.
"PARTY!" Tony yelled at the top of his lungs, McGee simply rolling his eyes.
***Author's Note***
Happy Fourth of July! I know they might not ever see this but; Thank you to the soldiers who fight for our country. I know it's hard being away from your family; My Daddy left for boot camp this morning. I won't see him for 49 weeks. Sorry, if I don't write anytime soon.