Author's Note: To everyone that has reviewed, I just want to say thank you all very much. You've all been awesome, and you've all made me smile very brightly. You've definitely helped in the making of this story, and I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it. I had almost as much fun writing it as you did reading it! After this chapter there's going to be one more chapter and then an epilogue and this story will be sadly done. I will honestly be really upset to end this, but it feels like the natural ending.
Disclaimer: I own Sadie and Jovie!
Jenny lay in bed, listening for Jovie's cries. They'd brought her home a few days ago, and soon discovered that their youngest did not sleep through the night. Over the past four nights, Jenny had gotten collectively about 30 hours of sleep. She was used to running on small amounts of sleep, but adding in a fussy infant and an energized four year old to the exhaustion had Jenny running on empty. She turned in bed, resting her head on Jethro's warm chest and snuggled into the circle of his arms. He rested his head on top of hers, brushing a kiss to her curls as he sleepily cuddled her body to his.
She'd been working right up until her due date so that she could take time after off, like she had with Sadie. She'd requested the first six weeks off, and she had more if she needed it. SecNav had already assured her that he was willing to work with her so that he didn't lose 'his best director yet'.
Jethro had been back to work though, and the lack of sleep was starting to kill him. He was just drifting off when soft cries could be heard over the monitor, and both parents groaned softly. Jenny slid out of Jethro's arms, stretching as she stood.
"I've got her. You need sleep; you're the one that has to go to work in a few hours anyway."
Jethro just nodded tiredly before rolling over and curling up into the pillow. Jenny walked out of the room and into the nursery, going over to the shrieking baby. She picked Jovie up and cradled the little girl to her chest, patting her back. She soothed her daughter, rubbing calming circles into her back. As the baby quieted, Jenny sat in the rocking chair, relaxing against the wood. As Jovie ate, Jenny watched her daughter, stroking her auburn hair. She burped the baby, and rocked her, watching her fall asleep. Jenny rested her head on the chair, and slowly drifted off.
She was woken up a few hours later when Jethro was taking Jovie from her arms. He smiled at her before going over to the changing table. Jenny stood and stretched her stiff neck before walking over to Jethro. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her nose into his back, wrinkling her forehead at the stiffness of his work jacket.
He changed Jovie and placed her in her crib before turning to Jenny. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and looked into her eyes.
"Go get some sleep. I'm dropping Sadie off at the daycare, and Jovie should sleep for at least three hours. I'll try and come home as early as I can."
"Good plan." Jenny mumbled through exhausted lips, stifling a yawn. Jethro smirked and pressed another kiss to her forehead before guiding Jenny back into bed. Once she was settled under the covers he headed back downstairs where Sadie was eating breakfast. As soon as she was done he had her coat and boots on and he picked her up, heading outside. He dropped her off at the daycare where she ran off to play with her friends and then headed to headquarters.
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Four hours later, Jenny woke up to peaceful silence. She got up and checked on Jovie, who was sleeping quietly for once, before heading downstairs to grab something to eat. She was able to eat in peace, and went upstairs to shower.
The warm water felt like heaven on her sore body. As it caressed the muscles, Jenny felt her body start to relax. She stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a towel. She listened for Jovie's cries, gratefully when she heard only silence. She dried off, sliding into comfortable yoga pants and a casual button down. She put her hair up in a messy bun and walked into the nursery, where she found Jovie staring up at her mobile happily. Jenny reached in and picked up the baby, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Hey baby. You were very good for me, thank you. You even let Mommy take a shower. Are you hungry?"
Jenny sat in the rocking chair and fed Jovie, talking happily to the baby. She placed the baby on her shoulder, burping her. She re-buttoned her shirt and stood, carrying Jovie over to her dresser, where she grabbed a pink onsie, a pair of terrycloth sweat pants and a pair of socks. She carried Jovie into the bathroom and set up the baby bath station, filling it with warm water. She washed Jovie with the sponge, making the baby giggle with silly faces. After she'd dried her and dressed Jovie, she brought her downstairs and set her in her carrier on the kitchen floor.
She walked around the kitchen, setting things out for dinner. As much as Jethro teased her, she did know how to cook, and she finally had a chance to show off her skills, considering she was home instead of at work. As soon as she had gathered the supplies for her pasta, she picked Jovie back up and walked back upstairs. She walked into the nursery and changed Jovie before placing the drowsy baby in her crib, turning on her mobile. She pressed a kiss to Jovie's forehead before heading back into her bedroom.
She was so behind with the laundry, she couldn't stand in. Naomi was on vacation for the next two weeks, so she couldn't help with the flood. Jenny grabbed an empty laundry basket and went around the room, scooping up dirty t-shirts and pants. When she was finished, she could actually see the carpeting of the bedroom floor.
After she had the clothes going in the wash she quickly checked on Jovie before going back into the bedroom and lying down for a quick nap.
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Jethro was actually able to get home from work before dinner, and was surprised when he opened the door to the smell of food. He set Sadie down and she ran into the kitchen, looking for Jenny. He followed more slowly, taking off his work jacket and throwing it over the banister of the stairs. He walked into the kitchen, where Jenny was leaning over the stove, stirring something in a pot. Sadie ran to Jenny, hugging her legs happily. Jovie was in her swing, and Jethro went over to her and picked her up, cradling her to his chest.
"Hey honey. Did you and Mommy have a fun day together?" he kissed her forehead as he walked over to Jenny, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She met his gaze happily, smiling up at him.
"Hey. How was work?"
"Boring. We didn't catch any cases, so we were stuck in the building all day. How was Jovie?"
"She was excellent. She even let me take a shower with crying. I gave her a bath and she ate, then she took a nap, and so did I. I caught up a little with sleep."
"Good. You look less exhausted. And Jovie looks very happy." He tickled the baby's belly, causing her to flash them a gummy smile. Jethro met Jenny's thrilled gaze and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Jenny leaned into his embrace playfully before pushing him away gently.
"I'm going to finish dinner. Go change, you look like you could use some comfortable clothes."
Jethro rolled his eyes at Jenny before replacing Jovie in her swing. He swung Sadie up into his arms, causing her to giggle. He pressed another kiss to her forehead before placing her back on the ground. He headed upstairs, grabbing his jacket off the banister. He went into the bedroom, trading his work clothes for jeans and a t-shirt. Before he headed back downstairs though, he walked into the nursery. He placed the box he held in his hand on the changing table, smiling to himself. He went back downstairs to see Jenny straining pasts over the sink, and Sadie sitting in front of Jovie's swing, chattering happily to the baby.
He helped Sadie set the table and then Jenny served the pasta. Sadie managed to get sauce all over her white t-shirt, earning a groan from Jenny and a snicker from Jethro. Jenny glared at Jethro before turning to Jovie, who had started crying. Sighing, she picked up Jovie and turned to Jethro.
"Can you get Sadie in the shower and pajamas? I'll take care of Jovie."
Jethro nodded, going over to Sadie and picking her up. He brought her upstairs, following Jenny. He walked into Sadie's room, grabbing her Little Mermaid pajamas before heading into the bathroom, starting the water. He got Sadie in, helping her with her hair. After she was clean and dried he helped into her pajamas, bringing her back into her bedroom. He tucked her into bed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He promised that Jenny would be in soon and walked out, heading into the bedroom.
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Jenny rubbed soothing circles onto Jovie's back as she brought her into the nursery. Jovie's cries were still loud, and Jenny's head was starting to pound. She almost wished she had given Jovie to Jethro, but decided that after she changed Jovie she's be able to go to sleep. She was distracted when she walked over to the changing table and almost didn't notice the small box on the pad.
She was setting Jovie down when she saw it, and stopped short. She gripped the edge of the box, opening it slowly. She gasped when it was fully opened, and couldn't believe her eyes.
Nestled in the velvet interior of the box was a diamond engagement ring.