The boys were now ten and seventeen. Both were thriving even if Joey did still thrive differently than his brother. The family spent most weekends and holidays at the house in Stillwater. Many things had changed in the seven years since Jethro adopted the boys. For starters they were now a family of six. Instead of a family of three. Jethro had met a woman named Christina. She was the home nurse for one of Joey's classmates. They dated for eleven months before getting married on her forty sixth birthday. Christina had a son Colin's age named Bobby. Four months into Jethro and Christina's marriage they were surprised to learn that they were expecting. Eight months after that Christina gave birth to a healthy baby girl, named Hope Lucile Gibbs.
After Joey stabilized Jethro expanded his woodworking business. Christina was his secretary. She had retired from nursing. At least until Hope was in school full time. Joey was the companies mascot. He would greet customers and roll them back to the office. Colin was beginning to help with the projects that did not involve power tools. Even Hope would help where she could.
At age ten Colin was an honor student. Having made honor roll every quarter since the first grade. He had been in boy scouts for years and was already planning his eagle scout project. Even though that would not happen until high school. He was a strong Christian and star athlete, but his top priority was his family. Especially his older brother. He was always helping with Joey's care. He even changed diapers. Though he denied that in front of his friends. To be fair he was the same way with Baby Hope.
Christina worked as Jethro's secretary but more than anything she was a mom. She did not have that luxury when Bobby was small. Her husband had battled brain cancer for five years and by the end had the mentality of a toddler. She was four months along with Bobby, when Robert took the turn. Bobby was barely a month old when his father died. She had not worked the entire pregnancy to care for Robert and then to be with him at the hospice facility. She had to return to work almost immediately after giving birth. Thankfully her half sister helped get her hired on by a home nursing agency and for the most part she could bring Bobby along.
Bobby was a good kid. He was not as academically inclined as his step brother and preferred the Tech Club to Scouting. He was athletic but would rather skateboard and bike than play ball. He also cared very deeply about Joey but was not as eager to help with his care.
Joey had improved to the point where he could carry short conversations. He could eat certain foods by mouth but was still primarily tube fed. He could stand and walk short distances with the aide of crutches. His mental state was around five but sometimes he seemed to be better off. Seizures were the main concern but for the most part his health was stable.
Tony and Emma had three children not including Tali. They had Bradley, Jackson, and the newest DiNozzo Maryanne. McGee and Delilah had John and two years later they adopted Penelope. Jimmy and Breena only had Victoria but she was enough for them. Jason and Jane had Rose, Anderson and Daniel.
It was summer time and the family was spending a few weeks at the house in Stillwater. Jethro returned to DC for the day to complete a project. The rest of the family was taking the day to just relax and enjoy the holiday. Joey was sitting in his chair watching cartoons with Hope. The toddler was the only one who did not notice her brother's disability but everybody knew that would soon change. Christina was sewing at the table. Between managing Jethro's business and caring for four children. She did not get much time to sew anymore. So she jumped on every opportunity. Colin and Bobby were weaving in and out of the house. Every so often they would rush in change into swim clothes, eat, change back, watch TV for a bit, and then rush back to meet the neighborhood kids.
"Don't tell her we were playing in the mine!" Bobby called, he was not the best at keeping secrets.
"Bobby!" Colin hissed.
"That's it! Both of you upstairs for a shower. You are inside the rest of the day and I am telling your father what you did." Christinea snapped.
"Way to go BlabberMouth Bobby!" Colin snapped, hitting his brother on the back of the head.
"It's raining anyway." Bobby reminded.
After the mine incident both boys were grounded for the night. Out of boredom Bobby fiddled with the settings on his camera. With any luck Jethro would bring his new skateboarding magazine. While Colin picked up the boy scout's guide. Both boys blamed the other for getting in trouble and it was going to be a long night of room sharing.
Later that night Colin had enough of the argument with Bobby. He headed downstairs to Joey's area. He climbed onto the hospital bed and looked into his other brother's eyes. Joey stirred and propped himself up on the pillow. Colin grabbed the remote and adjusted the bed so that Joey was sitting. He slid to the other end of the bed.
"Why Colin in trouble?" Joey asked.
"I did something stupid with some older kids. Bobby went too." Colin explained.
"Stupid bad. Could have been hurt." Joey reminded.
"I know that. I just wanted to be cool. I know it's stupid but back home I am such a nerd. It was nice to be fun for a minute. Bobby, Hope, and you fit in so easy, but it's hard for me." Colin explained.
"Lot people like you." Joey reminded.
"I know but they are all your friends or the kids of dad's friends. Well Tali and Rose are our cousins or whatever." Colin explained.
"They like you for you." Joey insisted.
"Sometimes I wish I were like you." Colin commented.
"Why? I'm disabled." Joey reminded.
"I know but you are always happy and positive. That is why everybody is drawn to you." Colin explained.
"You are why I am here." Joey reminded, before falling back asleep.
A/N: Finally a happy family. Next chapter will be the last and should be up Monday. Thanks for reading and please review.