A/N: I'm terribly sorry for the delay, I just never got around to write what I had originally intended for this chapter. The idea for this chapter, as it is now, I had first though would be the epilogue, but decided it'd do well as a chapter instead. I have another idea for an epilogue, which I will try to write as soon as I can. I hope you'll enjoy this!! This chapter has some Tabby and McGiva as well!

Chapter 11

Six years later

Jethro Gibbs sat on the steps to the porch of his house, under the ice blue autumn sky and among the sunbeams that filtered through the brightly colored leaves decorating the trees at the outskirts of the garden. The gentle wind brushed them off their branches, having them tumbling to the ground, catching in the grass and in the bushes. He warmed his hands around the coffee mug as he thought about how quickly time moved. Another autumn had come, another one of Jen's birthdays was just around the corner, man it had felt like barely months since her last one, that year he'd given her a trip to Paris – the look of surprise on her face had been enough to tell him she liked the gift, a lot. Then the thank-you-kiss had him completely and utterly convinced this was going to be a weekend he wouldn't forget anytime soon. He sat contemplating what to get her this year – as it was getting harder and harder to surprise her. Still, he would never be able to top the gift she gave him for his birthday five years ago.

He smiled fondly as two small redheads swooshed by, like two whirlwinds that threw around the fallen leaves at each other. He took another sip of his coffee – letting the hot liquid warm him up as the cold started to creep up on him.

"Daddy, daddy!" the redheaded girl yelled, his head instantly shot up at the sound, sighing internally and wondered what her brother had done now.

"What, sweetie?"

She pointed accusingly at her brother, where she was sitting on the ground next to the pile of fallen brightly colored leaves they had gathered up together.

"He pushed me." She pouted. The boy with the unruly red curls grinned.

"Tommy, don't push your sister." Gibbs reprimanded his son, whose grin faltered slightly, but wasn't late to come up with an excuse.

"But it's not like she got hurt." He tried and glanced sideways at his sister who was now lying on her back on the ground, eyes closed and face turned upwards toward the icy blue sky, with a still smile on her lips, seemingly having forgotten the incident.

Gibbs couldn't help but to smile. He gave his son a brief nod.

"She might next time." He reminded, waving his hand a little to tell he'd let it go this once. Tommy smirked down at his sister's still form, and then took a dive into the leaves, causing her to shriek out in surprise. Next second they were involved in a playful wrestling match among the leaves.

Gibbs shook his head, still smiling. Kids. He thought. Bless them. The wind tore at his hair as he watched the twins play. The best birthday present he'd ever gotten was his twins. They had been born two days after his birthday, and even though five years had passed, he could still imagine hearing Jen's voice whispering "Happy belated birthday, Jethro" when he'd carried Tommy to place him in her arms, and he was holding Kayla safely against his chest. The wave of pride that had welled up inside him at the sight of his two miracles faded in comparison to the enormous amount of happiness he felt as he heard her words. He tore his eyes away from the equally blue ones Kayla had cracked to beam at his wife in the hospital bed. She didn't look at him; she was too preoccupied with Tommy. Gibbs didn't even bother to wipe away the single tear running down his cheek.

He was roused from his trip down memory lane by the soft sound of the door opening behind him. He didn't turn, already knowing who it could only be, and didn't flinch when a delicate hand placed on his shoulder. He glanced at the hand, seeing the golden wedding band glittering in the pale autumn sunlight. He thanked whoever was listening every day that they had been given a second chance, and perhaps a third too, because he remembered all too clear how close they had come to going their separate ways when they had lost their first child. He didn't want to go down that path, ever again.

"Hey honey." Jen greeted him, slipping her arm around his neck and bending forward to leave a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Hi there." He said back and turned his head slightly, so that he was looking straight into the stunningly green eyes of Jenny Gibbs. After the shooting, they had talked and reached an agreement that she was stepping down as Director. As painful as it was to leave the agency that had given her so much more that she ever would have hoped for, she'd made her decision to step down official the next day. He'd seen the pain in her eyes, and that same night he'd assured her it wasn't too late to change her mind. She'd shaken her head with a small smile and told him that despite that she'd truly miss her work; she longed even more for a family. Her career had already required enough sacrifices on her part; she wanted to settle down with the man she loved and have the family they'd for so long desired. He'd understood her logic, gladly accepted it, because he knew he wanted it as much as she did. It had been then she'd taken the final step, and changed her last name to Gibbs. Though he'd never admit it, he was proud. Now when the twins were older, she'd slowly started to make her way back into politics, as she'd all too soon realized she was going crazy having nothing to do during the days when her husband was working and the twins were at kindergarten – though she was careful to not get too involved with her work.

He'd never forget the day she told him she was pregnant, though the doctors had told her there was a chance she could still get pregnant, he'd constantly been worried they were going to fail – again. She'd nearly killed him when she had casually given him the news that she was pregnant one evening at the dinner table. Choking on Chinese take-out, he'd stared at her almost as though he thought she was joking. But the wide grin and happy glittering in her eyes had him at least half-convinced, as he couldn't quite grasp what she was telling him. She'd repeated her statement with an even wider smile as he slowly processed the information, before pulling her into a passionate kiss. Determined to not face a repeat of their earlier tragedy, he made sure to be constantly by her side, despite the numerous threats he received, he refused to leave her alone. He banned her from walking the basement stair, much to both their annoyances, as he had in mind of building a cradle for their child, but she was going crazy being alone upstairs. He'd joked about her threatening to castrate him when he was constantly around her, but when he wasn't there; she all of a sudden missed him. She'd just glared at him and told him she'd go to bed.

"What are you thinking about?" Jen's voice brought him back from his thoughts. He blinked as she looked at him curiously, the corners of her mouth pulled slightly upwards in a knowing smile. She had moved to sit down beside him on the steps; her hand resting on his thigh, a coffee mug clasped in her other hand. She surveyed him thoroughly.

Gibbs didn't answer. He moved his gaze back to the kids playing in the far end of the garden and at the same time sneaking an arm around Jen's waist, effectively pulling her closer.

Jen watched him with a small smile on her lips. The wind tore at her long red hair and she quickly gave up the struggle to keep it out of her face. She rested her cheek against his shoulder.

He nodded his head slightly in the increasing wind.

"I'm thinking about how far we've come." He suddenly answered, turning his head to meet her gaze. His blue eyes sparkled. His hand covered hers still on his thigh.

"Yes." She said, letting her gaze drift fleetingly to her kids, then back at him. "We did it." She entwined her fingers with his. She remembered the day she'd visited the gynecologist who had suddenly given her the news she was expecting twins. She remembered she hadn't been sure whether to laugh or not, because she had never seen Gibbs' jaw so literally drop before. She remembered thinking, that being blessed with twins this time, almost felt like compensation for the child they had lost. Almost, because another child would not quite make up for the loss of another. She didn't say that out loud to her husband, but one night when they laid in bed together, he revealed to her he'd been thinking the same thought.

"You ok?" She looked up at the sound of his voice. His hand shot out to touch her cheek, and she was surprised when he brushed a single tear off her cheek. "You're crying." He sounded worried, his blue eyes tingling with concern. But she just smiled.

"Happy tears, Jethro. Happy tears." She assured him.

"Good." He said with a smile. She wasn't prepared as he suddenly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his lap, causing her to shriek out before the sound turned into cheerful laughing. He joined in her laughter, one of the things he cherished the most in the entire world, hearing her laugh, seeing her smile, and same for the twins – seeing them smile every morning was definitely worth getting out of bed for.

She wound her arms around his neck – unbelievably enough with her coffee cup still in her hand, without having spilled a drop. She captured his lips firmly with hers. Much as he wanted to kiss her breathless, he pulled away all too soon, because having cast a glance over her shoulder told him Kayla and Tommy had abandoned their games and approached their parents, as always quarreling with each other.

Gibbs nodded his head their direction and Jen turned her head, her hair flowing around her shoulders, catching in the last wandering sunrays, the red glowing almost golden. Gibbs smiled, even after all these years having passed, she was still stunningly beautiful. Her eyes were tinged with gold as she smiled at her children, her arms still around his neck.

"Mommy!" Kayla grinned, throwing herself at her mother, who luckily had Gibbs' arms still around her waist; otherwise she would probably have been knocked down. She disentangled one arm from around him and pulled her daughter into a one-armed hug.

"Are you having fun?" Jen asked softly, tucking a strand of Kayla's red hair behind her ear. The girl beamed.

"We have played in the garden!" She told her.

Jen smiled, nodded shortly and reached out a hand to pick some leaves and grass out of Tommy's red locks.

"Aw, Thomas, I think you need to take a bath before dinner." Jen pointed out and smiled at Tommy's obvious disapproval.

"No arguments." Jen added when he opened his mouth to argue. Kayla giggled as Tommy shot her a glare. Gibbs smirked, pleased to note that his son would get down the Gibbs-glare pretty good, if he just had some practice.

The first raindrops scattered against the dry leaves.

"Okay, you kids get inside, and Tommy, I wanna see you in the bathroom in five minutes, ok? And Kayla, go change your clothes before dinner. Abby, Tony, Tim and Ziva are joining us." Jen instructed, not sounding stern, but her tone of voice left no room for arguments.

"Will Penny and Robin come too?" Kayla asked, referring to Tony and Abby's daughter and Ziva and Tim's son, because apparently after Jen and Gibbs' secret marriage was revealed, they realized rule twelve was pretty much meant to be broken. Though Tim and Tony had earned themselves a headslap each, Gibbs had later announced it had merely been because they shouldn't have waited for his permission to give into love. He had clutched Jen's hand in his and wished he hadn't stalled for so long until finally accepting the fact that they both desired the other.

"Yes, Penny and Robin will be coming too." Gibbs confirmed and Kayla squealed, as Penny was the same age as her and her best friend. Robin was a year younger, but Tommy liked to play with him anyway.

The rain started to fall harder.

"Now get inside and get ready. We'll be with you in a minute." Jen nodded her head toward the door, and the twins were quick to obey, bickering all the way to the door, and both Jen and Gibbs bet they continued up the stairs as well. Jen sighed and leaned against her husband as the rain began to pour, scattering loudly against the roof above them.

Gibbs' hand rubbed up and down her back in soothing circles. Jen nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. She angled her head a little, so that her mouth was toward his neck and her breath teasing his skin. He suppressed the shiver threatening to surface. She slowly dragged her mouth up to his ear.

"I love you." She whispered into his ear.

He drew back a little, smiling and tucking a strand of the red hair behind her ear, his hand cupping her cheek.

"I love you too, Jen." He said, his affection for her sparkling in his eyes, bringing her face to his and soon enough having covered her lips with his. She shifted in his lap to get closer to him and at the same time worked a hand around his back.

The rainfall increased again, but neither of them took notice to that, too wrapped up in each other to care.

It wasn't until they heard someone clear their throat behind Jen that they realized they weren't alone. Gibbs glanced up to meet the grinning face of Tony DiNozzo.

"Ehm, hi boss, Jenny." He greeted them, nodding his head in acknowledgement first at Gibbs and then at Jen. Jen rose from her husband's lap, holding out her hand to him to help him get up. When back on his feet, Gibbs didn't let go of her hand.

"Hi Tony." Jen said with a warm smile and pulled him into a friendly hug. Gibbs nodded at him. Tony's hair had gotten slightly greyer over the years, face slightly more lined, but otherwise he was looking pretty much the same, in his Emengildo Zegna suit, Armani tie, Dolce and Gabbana shirt, and his Gucci shoes.

Gibbs was just about to ask where he had his wife and daughter, when he heard the slamming of a car door followed by the sound of scurrying feet on the gravel. A wide smile set upon his face when he saw Abby running towards them. Though she was still a Goth girl, she'd over the years traded out her Spice Goth style for a slightly more sophisticated one, just as black, but more mature. Though that didn't necessarily mean she was any less hyperactive.

Gibbs' breath was momentarily knocked from his chest as Abby threw herself at him, followed closely by five-year-old Penny.

Jen and Tony shared an amused look as Gibbs was struggling to stay on his feet.

Gibbs lifted up Penny and spun around with her a couple of times. With her black hair in pigtails, she was the very image of her mother. She was almost like how Gibbs had always pictured Abby being as a kid, just as hyperactive and always so happy. And not to mention talkative. She immediately started telling Gibbs about something he didn't quite understand what she was talking about, but pretended to anyway.

Abby stepped back, with a huge grin on her face, and instead pulled Jen into a bone crushing hug, which Jen hadn't quite gotten used to even after so many years.

"Hi Abby." She said, slightly breathless, as the woman had obviously tried to squeeze the very breath out of her body.

"Jen, you look great!" Abby exclaimed, taking in Jen's green skirt and black blouse.

"Thank you. You too, Abby." She said and smiled. Abby suddenly looked around the porch.

"Where are the twins?" She asked.

"Well, hopefully Tommy's in the bathroom getting ready for a bath, though I highly doubt it. And Kayla's getting changed." Jen explained, turning her gaze to her husband who had finally put Penny down. The girl strolled over to her mother and tugged at her skirt.

"Yes, sweetie?" Abby said softly and bent down so she was level with her daughter.

"Can I go up to Kayla's room?"

Abby glanced at Jen, who nodded in agreement, and Penny bounced off through the door, the pigtails bumping on her head. Tony snuck up behind his wife and slipped an arm around her waist.

"How about we go inside, it's freezing out here." He shivered, but suddenly remembered the bag in his hand. "Oh, sorry boss, this is for you." He said, holding out the bag to Gibbs, who raised an eyebrow before pulling a bottle of bourbon out of the bag.

"Thanks DiNozzo." He said and smiled appreciatively. Jen took his hand.

"Let's get inside, shall we?" She suggested and Gibbs agreed.

Just as they were about to step in through the front door, the sound of screeching tires caught their attention and all four looked up just as a car swerved violently up on their driveway. Tony winced as it pulled to a halt only inches from his beloved '66 Mustang. He heaved a sigh of relief.

"And here comes the McGee's! With Mrs. McGee at the wheel." Tony announced. Abby snickered, but suggested they'd all wait for Ziva, Tim and Robin. Gibbs wrapped his arm around Jen's waist, pulling her slightly closer in the harsh wind as the McGee family ran as fast as they could through the pouring rain.

"Hi guys!" Jen greeted them warmly and kissed Ziva's cheek.

Ziva was beaming as she began talking to Jen and Abby, who responded enthusiastically. Robin was tugging at Gibbs' pants and he wasn't late to pick up the little fellow. And McGee was looking slightly green in the face, which Tony wasn't late to comment on.

When Robin suddenly sneezed, they all decided it would be best to step inside before they all caught a cold. Gibbs handed Robin back to Ziva, who went inside along with her husband, Abby and Tony. Just as Jen attempted to follow, Gibbs grabbed her wrist and pulled her flat against his chest, pushing the door closed, leaving them alone on the porch.

Jen raised her eyebrows at her husband. He didn't speak, just smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her closer. He leaned slightly closer and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. She brought her hands up to his face and cupped his cheeks as she responded to the kiss. He pulled away, leaving her just slightly breathless.

"What?" She asked when seeing his blue eyes glittering.

He pushed her hair behind her ear.

"I'm happy, Jen." He said in a low voice. She smiled.

"Me too, Jethro. Me too." She kissed him again, softly on the lips.

They walked inside, hand in hand.