Chapter Twenty Six
Sam twirled her fingers through the hair on Gibbs' chest as they laid in their bed. The two had decided to go to bed earlier than normal not so much to sleep as to just enjoy a little privacy. With the exception of Tony all the others were already in bed, including Jack.
"I hate to bring this up," Sam said, "but we haven't picked a wedding date yet."
"Why would you hate to bring that up?" Gibbs asked trailing his fingers down her spine.
Sam shrugged. "Things have been so hectic with the move, the inspection, Jaycee's graduation, your dad visiting... I could go on."
"Ah, that's just life happening," Gibbs said, his smile evident in his voice. "When would you like to get married?"
"Soon," Sam answered. "I don't want a big wedding, Jethro. I don't want it to be a big deal. In fact, I wouldn't be opposed to getting married at the courthouse."
"I wouldn't feel right doing it at the courthouse," Gibbs said. "I would feel like I'm cheating you out of something special. You're special, Sam, and you deserve the wedding of your dreams whether it's a tiny gathering somewhere or some huge thing that half of DC is invited to."
The moonlight illuminated the smile on Sam's face as she rested her hand against Gibbs' cheek. She tried to figure out the perfect thing to say but her brain was no longer functioning properly so she put all her passion into a kiss.
"I love you so much," she said when they pulled apart.
"I love you," Gibbs said. "No one's made me this happy in a long, long time." He leaned over and kissed her then held her tightly to his side.
"I'd like to have the wedding before Jaycee leaves," Sam said. "Maybe we could just do it in our backyard?"
Gibbs thought over the idea. The backyard was big enough and it could be decorated nicely. "I like that idea," he said, "and I agree. I want Jaycee here."
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Sam asked quietly. "I don't want you to feel pressured or feel like it's something we have to do."
Gibbs chuckled softly. "If you've been pressuring me I haven't noticed," he said turning to her with an amused smirk.
She playfully cuffed him on the top of the head and he leaned in to kiss her.
"Sam, I wouldn't have asked you to marry me if I didn't want to marry you," Gibbs said getting serious again. "I don't have any doubts. I love you. It's as simple as that."
"Doubting is just a natural part of my personality," Sam said with a sigh.
"I know," Gibbs said. "You're not the only one who can read people, you know."
Sam laughed. "Alright, try me."
Gibbs propped himself up on one elbow so he could look into her eyes. "You feel unlovable, undeserving, unworthy. You think that good things can't happen to you, they only happen to the others around you. You think that no one could possibly understand the pain and the hurt that you keep hidden away so carefully and that if they ever found out your secrets they'd run away. You know what else?"
"Hmm?"
"You're wrong," Gibbs said. "You are so, so wrong." He smiled as he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss.
Sam rested her hands against his cheeks, holding him to her as she deepened the kiss. Gibbs rolled over on top of her, knowing exactly where things were heading.
Sam smiled as they broke apart. "Show me how much you love me," she said softly.
"I'm not sure if that's possible," Gibbs said, "but I'll start now and spend the rest of my life trying."
Jack smiled as his son whistled a happy tune while making the morning coffee. It had been ages since he'd seen him that happy, laughing and smiling, joking and teasing… loving. His boy had a reason to get up in the morning again. His purpose in life went beyond helping people in their times of greatest need. He had a family; a fiancée and children, baby children and grown children who needed him and loved him back.
The truth was his team had always loved him and always needed him but they were grown; they were on their own and Gibbs had a hard time fully comprehending just how much they depended on him, just how much they needed his love and approval. Gibbs was a man who'd experienced horrific loss but he was also a man who was loved deeply; who was needed greatly and accepted unconditionally.
Milo shuffled his feet as he wandered over to his grandpa into the kitchen. He pulled himself up into Jack's lap and cuddled in as Grandpa kissed him good morning and hugged him tightly.
"Mornin' partner," Jack said running his hand over the three year olds head.
"Hi," Milo mumbled.
Gibbs put a cup of coffee in front of his dad then rubbed his hand roughly over Milo's head. "Mornin' buddy," he said before dropping a kiss on his soon to be son's head. Milo was already his son but it'd be official soon.
"'m sleepy," Milo yawned.
"Ya didn't have to get up, Kiddo," Gibbs said. "Coulda stayed in bed."
"Lucas waked me up," Milo said. "His monster truck ranned me over."
"Ouch," Gibbs said. "Sounds like I'm gonna have to have a talk with him."
"Talk with who?" Sam asked walking into the kitchen carrying Brady.
"Lucas ran Milo over with his monster truck this morning," Gibbs answered.
"Ouch," Sam said. "Is that true?" she asked when she saw Lucas peeking around the corner.
Lucas shrugged even though they couldn't see his shoulders.
"Don't you lie to us, Mister," Gibbs warned gently.
"Um, I think that I maybe could've," Lucas confessed as he stepped into the room.
"I think that you maybe owe your brother an apology," Sam said.
"Nu-uh," Lucas said. "Pologies are for weakness signs."
Sam shot Gibbs a glare as he tried to hide his smirk. "Not between friends and family, Little Man," he said as he scooped the little boy into his arms. He'd have to explain that rule to the kids when they were older and could understand it a little better. "You wouldn't like it very much if Milo ran you over, would you?"
"No," Lucas said drawing out the word. He knew where this was heading. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me," Gibbs said as he tapped his nose. "Milo's over there with Grandpa."
"I'm sorry, Milo," Lucas said. "I won't run you over no more."
"That's okay," Milo said, still sleepy and enjoying his time with his grandpa.
"No more back talking Momma either," Gibbs said. "If she asks you to do something, you need to do it."
"Sorry," Lucas said.
"We still love you, Baby," Sam said kissing his head as Gibbs kissed his cheek.
Lucas smiled brightly at them, happy he wasn't in too much trouble.
"My boys are starting to lose their curls," Sam said combing her fingers through Lucas' hair.
"Where they're going?" Lucas asked.
"They're falling out," Sam said, "sometimes it happens when you grow up although if Daddy takes you to get a haircut today they might come back a little bit."
"They are needin' a haircut, aren't they?" Gibbs asked.
"You wanna do that while I do the grocery shopping?" Sam asked.
"Sure," Gibbs said. "Dad, you need a haircut?"
"Probably wouldn't hurt," Jack said tugging at his hair to judge the length. "Maybe a shave too. Does your barber do that?"
"Yep," Gibbs said, "even uses a straight razor."
"Perfect," Jack said.
The adults worked on breakfast while the little ones played. Kylee and Gracie came downstairs when they started smelling coffee, bacon and eggs. The girls watched Saturday morning cartoons while the boys raced their cars around on the living room floor and furniture.
By the time they all gathered around the table to eat, Jaycee was still nowhere to be found. Sam disappeared upstairs to check on her while Gibbs and Jack ate with the little ones. Gibbs was a couple bites into his breakfast when Sam returned, alone.
"Your daughter needs you," she said. "She says she sick but when I asked she couldn't tell me what didn't feel good."
Gibbs narrowed his eyes in confusion. That wasn't like Jaycee. "Alright, I'll go see what I can get out of her."
He headed up the stairs and rant into Tony in the hall. "Got some breakfast going downstairs if you're hungry," Gibbs told him.
Tony laughed. "Asking a DiNozzo if they're hungry is like asking a Gibbs if they need coffee to survive," he joked.
"Well if you hurry you might get some," Gibbs said smiling as Tony raced off. There was plenty of food but he enjoyed teasing Tony. He continued down the hall to Jaycee's room. Sam had left her door open and he could see she was still in bed. He knocked lightly on the door then entered.
"Sam sent you, huh?" Jaycee asked.
"Just came to check on ya," Gibbs said sitting on the edge of her bed. "You sick?"
Jaycee nodded. "I have a headache—a migraine."
"A migraine, huh?" Gibbs asked. "You're not a very good liar." Jaycee gave Gibbs a confused look and he just smiled. "The sun's shining practically right in your eyes and we're both talking in a normal tone. If you had a migraine a whisper would be too loud and the sun would be unbearable."
"Oh," Jaycee said chewing on her lower lip.
"What's going on, Babe? Why are you feigning illness on a Saturday?" Gibbs brushed his fingers gently through her hair pushing it away from her eyes and off her forehead.
"Feigning?"
"Faking," Gibbs explained.
"Well, the migraine was a lie," Jaycee admitted, "but I really don't feel good. Not sick like sick, sick, just, um, sick."
"I don't follow, Kiddo," Gibbs said. "What hurts?"
Jaycee thought for a moment. "My emotions?" It was more of a question than a statement. She didn't know how to describe what she was feeling.
"Are you nervous about something?" Gibbs asked.
"Kinda… Maybe… I guess," Jaycee answered.
"Whatcha nervous about?"
"I don't want you to be mad," Jaycee said.
"I'm not mad," Gibbs said, "and I promise I won't get mad. Well, unless you tell me ya hid a dead body in my trunk."
Jaycee smiled. Gibbs could always make her smile. "I don't wanna go to college," she said.
"How come?" Gibbs asked.
"I just don't," Jaycee said with a shrug.
"It wasn't too long ago that you were filling out every scholarship application you get your hands on," Gibbs said. "That's all you've been talking about since you were accepted. What happened?"
"Sometimes people just change their minds," Jaycee answered vaguely.
"But they almost always have a reason," Gibbs said.
The two stared at each other, both waiting for the other to crack. Jaycee was the first to start fidgeting. She knew she was no match for Gibbs but she wouldn't let him win easily. She sat up in the bed and Gibbs turned his body so he was sitting next to her.
"I know I'm being greedy and selfish but for the first time in… well… ever I finally have a dad and a mom, like a real one," Jaycee said. "I'll call you dad."
"Jaycee, Sweetheart, I don't want you to call me dad to try to get me to do something for you," Gibbs said. "I don't want you to do it out of obligation or manipulation. I love you and I think of you as a daughter. I always will, no matter what you call me."
"I don't wanna leave," Jaycee whispered. She didn't want to give up the comforts and securities of finally having a stable home with loving parents. She wasn't ready. She was jealous of her siblings. They'd have Gibbs and Sam for most of their lives but she'd only gotten them for such a short period. "I love you."
Gibbs smiled and pulled her tightly to him. "I love you, Baby," he whispered into her hair. "I always will and you'll always have a home here—always but you know what I think?"
"I still have to leave?" Jaycee asked.
"I think you should give college a shot," Gibbs said. "Get out on your own without the responsibilities of five siblings. Enjoy your youth and your freedom. Enjoy the beach and learning all about cooking. I want you to try it for one semester. Do it for me and if you don't like it we'll find a school closer to DC so you can live at home again. Deal?"
"How long is a semester?" Jaycee asked.
"Usually from the middle of August to the middle of December," Gibbs answered.
"What do I do when I'm not in school?"
"All kinds of stuff," Gibbs answered. "There will be ball games you can go to, clubs you can join, you can get another job, hang out with Ty, study, just relax and watch TV. You can do whatever you want."
"It'll be weird being all alone," Jaycee said.
"It'll be weird not having your brothers and sisters around but you won't be all alone," Gibbs said. "Ty will be there with you and you're gonna make all kinds of friends."
"If I don't like it after a semester I can come back here?"
"Yes," Gibbs said. "You can come home."
"And I can still call you guys on the phone?"
"Day or night."
Jaycee let out a long, deep breath. "Okay, I'll try it but I'm still kinda nervous."
"That's my girl," Gibbs said. "I'm gonna tell you something that'll hopefully help you feel a little more secure."
"What?"
"Sam and I have already talked to D'Arcy and filled out all the paperwork to get the ball rolling on adopting you and your brothers and your sisters."
"Really?" Jaycee asked. She hadn't been expecting that. "But then you won't get money from the state for them anymore."
"We don't need the money," Gibbs said. "We'd rather have the peace of mind of knowing no one can take you guys from us and giving each of you the peace of mind of knowing that no matter where you go or what happens you'll always have a home and a family right here with us."
"That does help," Jaycee said cuddling into Gibbs more, "more than you could know."
"Cannonball!" Tony screamed seconds before disappearing under the water.
"Ugh!" Ziva huffed as Tony surfaced. "Tony, you got my book wet!"
"Good," Tony said. "Pool parties are for swimming, not for reading."
"Cannonballs!" Milo said, mimicking Tony as he jumped into the pool. His floaties kept his head above the surface of the water but that didn't take away the fun for the three year old.
"It's cannonball, goofy, not cannonballs," Tony teased as he reached out and grabbed Milo. "And next time, jump in a little closer to Ziva that way you can splash her."
"I heard that!" Ziva snapped.
Abby came out of the house wearing her bathing suit and immediately headed for the pool. "Cannonball!" she yelled jumping into the pool with the others.
Ziva closed her book and tossed it behind her as she rolled her eyes.
"Not a lot of reading gets accomplished in this house anymore, Ziver," Gibbs said picking up her book and handing it to her.
"I noticed," Ziva said with a smile. "Since I am already wet I guess I might as well get in the pool. Are you coming in?"
"Maybe after a bit," Gibbs said. "I need to get the steaks going."
"I'll cook," Jack said. "You go have fun."
"You sure?"
Jack nodded. "Go on. Have fun. Jaycee's going to teach me how to make corn on the cob on the grill anyways."
"She makes good corn on the grill," Gibbs said. "It's buttery and spicy and bursting with all kinds of flavor." He paused, thinking about how lucky he was to be surrounded with such an amazing family. "Thanks Dad."
Gibbs headed inside and helped Sam get Gracie and Kylee into their bathing suits then changed into his. While Ducky, Jack, Sam and Jaycee worked on dinner, Gibbs, the kids, Ty, Tony, Ziva, Tim, Abby and Jimmy played in the water. There were beach balls flying and pool noodles flopping around. People were jumping in and being thrown through the air. The water was still a little chilly but their bodies adjusted quickly and they were having too much to really notice anyways.
Dinner was served in the backyard and the group feasted until there was hardly anything left. All the swimming had made them hungry. By the time they were done eating the sun was quickly disappearing and it was too cold to return to the water.
Abby took Gracie, Kylee and the twins upstairs to continue their pool party in Daddy and Mommy's extra large bathtub while Gibbs bathed Brady and the others got dinner cleaned up and popcorn popped for their movie night. It was the first weekend in the new house and they couldn't think of a better way to commemorate it than relaxing together and enjoying family time.