A/N: I'm hoping to get another chapter in before 2014 so hold tight! Also leave a review I love feedback especially with all the ideas you guys are giving me :)
Chapter 29
Gibbs drove Jenny and Lauren back to Jenny's house and the whole time Lauren was pointing out the window to things she saw while they were driving. "Hey mommy, look, remember we were there!" She exclaimed pointing to something they were driving past and Jenny would smile, nod and say:
"I know sweetheart I remember!" And Gibbs would smile every time she did. When they finally arrived at Jenny's house and they had gotten everything inside Lauren took off to her room leaving Jenny and Gibbs in the entry way. "She was very excited to be going home today. It was practically all she talked about." Jenny said trying to contain a smile. Gibbs smirked and shifted his weight from one foot to the other just as Lauren came running down the stairs with her eyes wide with surprise.
"Mommy, mommy the window's fixed!" She announced pointing up the stairs frantically and Jenny furrowed her brow then opened her mouth slightly in surprise first to Lauren then turning to Gibbs with a questioning look in her eyes. He shrugged and she smiled modestly.
"Jethro you didn't have to…" He cut her off.
"It's the least I could do. I know you've had a stressful few weeks." He said nonchalantly and Jenny shook her head.
"I don't know what to say! Thank you." She said with a smile and then looked to Lauren briefly who was standing on the stairs and then back to Gibbs. "Why don't you stay for dinner?" She asked and Jenny could tell even though she was facing Gibbs that Lauren's face had lit up. He looked from Jenny to Lauren then back at Jenny.
"I couldn't. I don't want to impose…" He said shaking his head and trailing off.
"No really I insist it's the least I can do…we can do." She said looking at Lauren who grinned brightly making Jenny smile as she turned back to Jethro who pondered it for a moment then nodded.
"Alright, what are we having?" He asked jokingly as his eyebrows rose questioningly. Jenny shrugged then turned back to Lauren who was bouncing up and down on the stairs.
"We should have noodles!" Lauren exclaimed and Jenny chuckled as she turned back to Gibbs.
"Is pasta okay?" she asked and Gibbs nodded.
"Perfect."
. . .
By the time the three of them had gotten back from the store it was only 1230 so they couldn't exactly start dinner yet. While Jenny and Jethro put away groceries Lauren mysteriously disappeared upstairs. The two of them shared a look but ignored it. "So just one question." Gibbs said as Jenny handed him a jug of milk.
"Hmm?" She hummed digging something out of the paper bag.
"What were you doing in the car?" He asked and she looked up at him suddenly. She didn't move for a moment, just looked at him, before slowly handing him a loaf of sourdough bread. Gibbs noticed that she didn't really look at him anymore after that.
"I was talking to my sister…about the custody papers I wanted her to transfer." She said quietly as she continued to hand him various foods. He raised an eyebrow.
"When were you going to tell me?" He asked trying to find her gaze. She shrugged.
"I guess when it was finalized. I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up." She said and Jethro knew that she was talking more to herself and Lauren then to the rest of the team and him. He sighed and put the Alfredo sauce he was holding down and walked up next to her. She looked up at him as he put his hands on her shoulders.
"It's gonna happen Jen." He assured and she smiled halfheartedly and nodded.
"It's going to take a while Jethro and it's not going to be easy. I'm really going to have to fight for her. These people are ruthless I've dealt with them before remember?" She asked and Jethro nodded.
"I know." He said but he didn't let her go just yet. "But this time you won't have to do it alone." He said and she furrowed her brow.
"Jethro…" She started but he shook his head.
"No buts Jen. I care about Lauren and I know that she wants to be here with you." He said and she smiled. "And I wouldn't mind seeing you more often either." He shrugged and she chuckled but he could see the blush creeping up her neck.
"Thank you." She whispered and as Jenny found herself moving closer to him they were interrupted by Lauren's feet pounding through the house. Jenny jumped and Jethro took his hands off of her shoulders.
"So what are we going to do now?" She asked sweetly as she ran into the kitchen and Jenny opened her mouth to speak but Gibbs intervened.
"Well I should probably get back to work." He sighed and Jenny cursed under her breath. Of course, how could she forget? It was a weekday, not the weekend. She took a breath and turned to Gibbs as she heard Lauren whine.
"Okay just give me a call when you leave work." Jenny said nodding and Jethro did too as he headed for the door. Jenny followed him with Lauren trailing close behind.
"Bye Gibbs!" She exclaimed waving to him happily. "See you later!" He smiled and ruffled her hair.
"See you later kiddo." Jethro said before looking up to Jenny without saying anything but she understood and gave him a small smile.
. . .
There was a knock at the door just as Jenny had finished setting the table. "I'll get it!" Lauren shouted jumping off of the counter where she was watching the noodles to make sure they weren't overcooked. Jenny flinched as she heard the loud thud of her hitting the ground but relaxed when she went sprinting past her and to the door. Ever since Jenny made the mistake of getting distracted while driving she had been more protective over Lauren. But Jenny was too distracted by the boiling noodles she had to take off of the stove and the chicken she had to make sure was done that she didn't notice Lauren directing Jethro to the kitchen. "See Gibbs I told you my mommy makes good noodles." She said seriously motioning to Jenny scrambling through the kitchen. At the sound of Lauren's voice Jenny's head whipped up first to Lauren then settling on Gibbs who was smirking at her draining the noodles. She was a little too embarrassed at her scrambling through the kitchen to say anything however Gibbs seemed to find the right words.
"Well you were right it does smell really good." He said and Jenny rolled her eyes and Lauren giggled. "What?" Jethro asked looking at her.
"Mommy burnt the chicken the first time." She giggled and Jenny glared at Lauren. "Then she said a bad word." Lauren admitted and Gibbs chuckled.
"Well I'm sure it's delicious." He said looking at Lauren happily. Jenny sighed.
"Honey, why don't you wash up for dinner?" Jenny suggested with her hands on her hips and Lauren nodded before turning and walking down the hall. Gibbs raised an eyebrow as he walked up to her with his hands in his pockets.
"What?" She asked defensively and he smirked but didn't say anything as he took a hand out of his pocket and gently brought it up to her face. She furrowed her brow but didn't move as he took his thumb and brushed it across her cheek. When he pulled away she noticed the glob of marinara sauce on his thumb and rolled her eyes. "Of course." Jenny muttered exasperatedly but Jethro just smirked and shrugged but didn't move away. She took this as her opportunity to bring up the paternity test. "Jethro, can we talk after dinner?" She asked and he looked at her curiously for a moment before nodding as he responded with a simple
"Sure." As Lauren walked back in and Jenny backed away from him.
"Can you take the marinara into the dining room honey?" Jenny asked and Lauren nodded, grabbing the small bowl and walking out again. Jenny looked to Gibbs almost hesitantly. "Mind grabbing the Alfredo?" She asked.
"No problem." He responded as Jenny grabbed the pasta.
. . .
Once dinner was over and the table was cleared Jenny set Lauren up with a cartoon before leading Jethro into her study to talk. She walked to the bourbon as Jethro aimlessly wandered around the room. He had only been in here a handful of times and never really got a chance to look around. "So what d'ya wanna talk about?" He asked turning to her as she offered him a tumbler of bourbon which he gladly accepted. She took a slow sip before conjuring up all of her courage to answer.
"I want to take a paternity test." She stated boldly and immediately Jethro's eyebrows shot up and Jenny began to ramble, something she did when she was nervous. "It's just absolutely killing me not to know Jethro! But hell I don't know if you're ready to be a father again…if Lauren's yours that is, which is another thing I'm worried about. What if…" Jethro cut her off with a wave of his hand before shaking his head and dropping his hand.
"If this is what you want Jenny I'll have your six." He said softly and she smiled hesitantly but it soon faded.
"This isn't all about me Jethro! What if Lauren is yours? Are you prepared to be a father again?" She asked with wide eyes trying to search his vibrant blue's to see if she could decipher what he was feeling because he rarely showed his true feelings to anybody let alone her. He too searched her eyes and after a few tense moments of silence he slowly nodded.
"I love Lauren like my own Jen." He admitted with a sigh and she smiled genuinely.
"We have to talk to Lauren about this." Jenny said after a moment and Jethro nodded.
"What are you gonna say to her?" He asked and Jenny scoffed.
"What am I going to say to her? What are we going to say to her?" She said sternly and he couldn't help but smirk.
