A/N: Thanks so much to everyone that reviewed! I somehow managed to switch off all of my alerts (I'm an idiot), so, um, I didn't get a chance to reply to half the people that reviewed. Thank you to everyone that did; I'm sorry I missed you!
Anyway, I know that some people are disappointed that this story is starting to draw to a close, but it is, sadly. There's this chapter, another one after this, and then an epilogue. I hope you enjoy this chapter; the team is there for some comic relief! :)
(And, I know it's been like, two months. But I did update 'A Past Reminder'. Just because I feel terrible that it's taken so long!)

She was going to be a mother.

She, Jennifer Sheppard, now had the chance to be a mother.

It was surreal. Seeing that plus sign on that pregnancy stick was like seeing it in a dream. That little blue plus sign had forever changed her life.

She could hear Jethro banging on the door, but she couldn't bring herself to open it. Not yet.

She needed…she needed time. Time to adjust to this, this shift.

Yes, she'd known that she was pregnant before she'd seen the plus sign but, well, this cemented it. This was final. This was the truth.

She was happy. She was so, incredibly happy.

She'd thought she'd never get this chance. She'd always had the urge to be a mother, what woman didn't at some point? And to be having Jethro's…that was a miracle within itself.

"Jen, c'mon!" she heard Jethro yell, and she sighed, pushing herself off of the cold tile floor. She grasped the metal door handle, turning it and pushing the door open. As she entered the room, she could feel Jethro's gaze on her. She held the stick in her hand, and he spoke again, his voice gentle.

"Jen…"

"Congratulations Dad." she said quietly, interrupting him as she held the stick up a little so that he could see the blue plus sign. His eyes widened, shifting between the stick and her face. She bit her lip, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"Jen…Jen, this is amazing." Gibbs said, reaching her side and touching her cheek, brushing back the hair falling into her face. She smiled, turning into his hand.

"I know. Jethro, we're going to have a baby." Jen whispered, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. He smiled, brushing away a tear from her eyes with his thumb.

"Our own little miracle."

Later that evening, they lay on the couch, half watching the show they had on. They'd chosen some news show, but neither had really paid much attention to it. They were both too busy with their own thoughts.

Gibbs was wrapped with thoughts of Kelly, and her birth, and her innocence. He thought about her smile, her laugh, the light in her eyes when she asked him to read her a story. The memories didn't hold the bitter edge they normally did; it was more of a bittersweet feeling. Because he knew that, soon enough, he'd have the chance to grasp the happiness he'd felt with her again, with this new child.

Jenny was filled with thoughts of a baby; a baby with Jethro's big blue eyes and her red hair. Their baby. She knew that it would be months before she'd meet their child, but she couldn't stop thinking about it. What they'd look like. How they'd act. Her eyes trailed to her still flat stomach, and she melted on the inside. She was carrying a child, and not any child, but Jethro's child.

"Jen." Gibbs said, shifting slightly so that he could see Jen's face more clearly. She tilted her head back, her hair cascading down her back as she turned her gaze to him.

"Yes Jethro?" she asked, blinking her eyes tiredly as they focused on his face.

"I was thinkin' about what you wanted to say to the team." he asked, and she turned slightly, curling her body more towards his. She took a deep breath, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

"Well, we did tell Abby we'd have everyone over. How about we tell them then?" Jen asked, and Gibbs' eyes widened slightly, showing his surprise. "What, is that a bad idea?"

"No, no not at all. I'm just…surprised you want to tell them so soon."

"Would you rather wait?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"No, Jen, I want to tell them, I do. I just wanna make sure you're comfortable with, ya know…them knowin'. Everything." Gibbs said, and then Jen understood.

"Jethro, I already told you that I want people to know that we're in a relationship. I'm not ashamed. So, I'm not married and I'm pregnant. I could care less. Because Jethro? I'm pregnant with your child. That's a miracle that I thought would never come true." Jen said, sitting up and steadily meeting his gaze, seeing the emotion there. "This makes me so incredibly happy. So, so incredibly happy. You make me so incredibly happy, Jethro."

"You make me happy too, Jen." Gibbs said, and Jen cupped his cheek in her palm, a smile stretching across her face. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth. "And Jen, I know you aren't ashamed. I just…I don't think I'm good enough for you."

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs, bite your tongue." Jen said, furrowing her eyebrows. "Do not question if you are good enough for me, because it never needs to be questioned. You're all I could ever ask for in a man, and please don't doubt that. I love you, and nothing can change that."

The silence that followed was charged; Gibbs couldn't believe his ears, and Jenny couldn't believe what she'd let slip out.

Sure, they'd said it before. It wasn't like they hadn't said that they'd loved each other before; it just hadn't been in so many words. They preferred to show their feelings through actions instead of words.

But she'd said them, clear as day.

She loved him.

Jen was nervous. She hadn't meant for those words to come out just yet. But, then again, it wasn't necessarily bad. She did truly love him, and they were pregnant, making a family…so maybe having the words out there wasn't such a terrible thing. She studied her lover's face, touching his cheek gently with her fingertips.

"Jethro…"

"I love you too Jen." he said, interrupting her, and Jen didn't stop the smile that slid across her face. He leaned down, kissing her with just a tad more force, and she responded easily, opening her mouth to him. They kissed easily for a few moments, just enjoying each other, and the fact that they could do that.

They enjoyed the fact that, for the moment, things were simple.

When Tony pulled up to the address that Gibbs had given him over the phone, he couldn't stop the grin that crossed his face. He'd won the bet, that he knew.

He stepped out of his car, shutting the door and slipping the keys into his pocket. He straightened his dark blue button down over his white t-shirt, fixing the shirt over his jeans. He was a tad nervous; this was the Director's house. Was he supposed to act like he did at work, seeing her as the boss? Or was he allowed to relax, just see her as…a friend? He'd only known her as his Director for a few months. He liked her, that he knew, and not only that, but she was incredibly attractive, everyone could see it. If she wasn't his boss…

Tony shook his head, dispersing the thoughts. Not what he needed right now. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves. He knocked on the large wooden door, case of beer in hand. He waited a few moments, then the door was opened by Jen, who smiled when she saw him, opening the door further.

"Hey Tony, come on in. Jethro is in the kitchen, if you want to take the beer into him." Jen said, allowing him to walk inside.

"Alright Director. Thanks for the invite." Tony said, casting his gaze around the room, nodding in approval.

"Please Tony, call me Jenny. I haven't been Director in three weeks. And I'm glad you could come." Jen said, shutting the door behind him. She'd dressed casually, in slim khaki pants and a simple black sweater, her long crimson curls in a ponytail that cascaded over her right shoulder. She had simple drop peridot earrings in and a silver necklace she and Jethro had bought when they were in Europe. It was a simple silver heart with their names engraved on the back, and the date. October 19, 1999. Jethro had told her she looked beautiful, but she was doubtful. He'd been making comments about her all day, and she was almost positive he was just trying to placate her.

"Alright Jenny." Tony said, his discomfort dissolving fractionally. "I'll go put these in the kitchen."

"Right through the living room Tony." Jen said, and he nodded, turning to go. There was another knock, and Jen opened the door again, revealing a nervous looking Tim and a calm, collected Ziva with him. "Hello Tim, Ziva. I'm so glad you two could come."

"It's nice to see you Director." Tim said sincerely, and Jen smiled. The young man was such a gentleman.

"Please Tim, call me Jenny." she said, taking his coat to hang on the rack. "There are drinks in the kitchen, and Jethro's in there as well."

"Thank you, Jenny." Tim said, sending her a smile. Ziva stepped forward, giving her a hug.

"Shalom Jenny. How have you been?" she asked, stepping back as if to assess her. Jen laughed quietly, looking forward to seeing the look on the Israeli's face when she discovered Jen was pregnant.

"I have been very well, Ziva. You were right. It just took a little time." Jen said, and Ziva's face broke out into a grin.

"Jenny, I am so happy for you." Ziva said, hugging her again and kissing both of her cheeks. Jenny laughed again, returning her friend's embrace.

"Thank you, Ziva. Now, is something going on between you and Tim?" Jen asked, watching as the younger woman's face flushed slightly, her chocolate brown eyes widening fractionally. "Z?"

"He is just a very good friend at the moment, Jenny." Ziva said, but Jen could hear the tone of delight in her voice.

"Well, Ziva, he's a very good choice." Jen said, bestowing a wink on the Israeli. "Drinks are in the kitchen with Jethro, and Tony is already here."

"Thank Jenny. Will you be coming as well?"

"As soon as Abby and Ducky arrive." Jen answered, and Ziva nodded, slipping off in the direction of the kitchen. Jen sighed, content with the knowledge that her friend was adjusting to life here in the States, and had found someone who she liked spending time with. Her thought process was interrupted by another knock, and she stepped forward to reveal Ducky, looking quite handsome with his polka dotted bowtie and his black fedora-style hat.

"Jennifer, you look lovely my dear." Ducky said, that knowing twinkle in his eyes. She blushed under the gaze, enveloping the older man in an embrace.

"Thank you Ducky." she whispered in his ear, emotion suddenly coming to the surface. "Thank you for keeping him safe for all those years. Thank you."

"My dear, you know it was my duty to keep him safe- most importantly from himself. I knew that somehow, you'd be back." he whispered back, kissing her gently on the cheek. She stepped back after a few moments, wiping at a stray tear.

"I'll be making this announcement to everyone but…I'd like you to know first. Ducky…I'm pregnant." she said, keeping her voice quiet, but letting her excitement leak into her voice. "About three weeks."

"Oh my dear, congratulations!" Ducky said, taking her hands and squeezing. "Although I should reprimand you for straining his injury. Jennifer, you two are going to be so blessed."

"I know, it wasn't exactly planned but…Ducky, this is a miracle. I never thought this would happen, not to us. And now…and now, we have everything." Jen said, taking a deep breath. "We're going to tell the team tonight. I just…I wanted to tell you separately."

"Well I'm honored my dear. I am so happy for the two of you. You deserve this." Ducky said, squeezing her hands again. "Where is Jethro?"

"He's in the kitchen with Tony, Tim, and Ziva. We're waiting on Abby, and then I'll be there as well." Jen said, taking Ducky's coat.

"Well, I'll see that they aren't all killing each other in your kitchen, my dear."

"Our kitchen, Ducky." Jen said, letting another smile creep onto her face. "He's moving in."

"My dear, you are one lucky woman." Ducky said, grinning at her. "He's going to make an excellent father. I'm surprised he has not been before."

Jen froze, panic filling her. It hadn't even crossed her mind that the team and Ducky might not know about Shannon and Kelly. But that comment solidified it. Only she knew…how was she going to keep this to herself when it was so vitally important?

"Jennifer?" she was pulled into the present by Ducky's concerned voice, and she shook her head slightly, refocusing. "Are you alright my dear?"

"Yes, of course. Just something I remembered." Jen said, offering him a sad excuse for a smile. Ducky looked as though he was going to protest when there was another knock. Saved by the knock, Jen thought. "Go on ahead Ducky. I'll get Abby, then we'll meet you in the kitchen."

Ducky nodded before turning and walking towards the kitchen, and Jen turned to the door, opening it to reveal a very excited Abby bouncing on the front step.

"Hi Director! How are you? I've missed you, and Gibbs too! Where is he? Is he in the living room?" Jen smiled as Abby babbled on, guiding her into the house and shutting the door behind the young Goth. She was wrapped in an Abby hug, and she relaxed, letting the younger woman hug her.

"I've missed you as well Abby." Jen said, taking a deep breath after she was released, taking Abby's coat. "Jethro is in the kitchen with everyone else."

"Yay! I've missed you guys so much. Work isn't the same without Mommy and Daddy!" Abby said, taking Jen's arm and practically dragging her into the kitchen.

"Abby, why do you call us Mommy and Daddy?" Jen asked, following Abby into the kitchen.

"Well, you two are like the parents, and we're kinda like the kids. You two kind of, I don't know…fit together. You're good parents." Abby said, and Jen felt her heart flutter slightly. She exchanged a glance with Gibbs, who very clearly said with his eyes 'I told you so'. She rolled her eyes, sighing.

"Well, I sure hope we're good parents." Jen said, looking around at everyone. "I guess now is as good a time as ever to let you know. In a few months, Jethro and I are going to be parents. To a baby, that is."

There was a moment of shocked silence before Abby gleefully exclaimed, "I knew it!"

She hugged Jen tightly, squealing. Then, she turned to Gibbs, attacking him in a bear hug. "Congratulations you two!"

"Yes, Jenny, congratulations." Ziva said, stepping forward and kissing her on both cheeks before enveloping her in a hug. "I am so happy for you."

"Thank you Ziva." Jen said, smiling. Tim came up and kissed her on the cheek, his face red as he said his congratulations. Tony looked slightly stunned, but came over and gave her a hug, letting out a laugh.

"Congrats Jenny and bossman."

"Thank you, everyone. We just wanted to let you know before the media finds out." Jen said, and Gibbs nodded.

"Family should always know first."

Later that night, after the team had left and they'd cleaned up, they were getting ready for bed. Jen was exhausted, and ready to sleep. It had been fun with the team, but it had also been a long day. She was curled in bed, waiting for Gibbs to come to bed.

He stepped out of the bathroom, flicking off the light and climbing into bed, pulling Jen into his embrace and drawing the covers up over their bodies. She curled against him, already half asleep. He rubbed her back gently, listening to her breathing slow and even out, and knew she was asleep.

"You're going to be a great mom Jen. Never doubt that. I love you."

He knew she was asleep. But he wanted to say it, because he meant it.

He couldn't wait to see it come true.