Summary: A young teenager meets a handsome young man one night and the two promise to love each other forever.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the NCIS characters, only the new characters that'll be added to the story. :)
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19-year-old Caitlin Todd was walking home from the local cafe after meeting her best friend - and former neighbor - Jennifer for a lunch date. Jennifer had just finished her second year of college and she came to Indiana to visit her best friend, Kate.
Kate was standing near the cross-walk, watching the light signal for her to continue walking when someone bumped into her making her stumble forward when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and picked her up before she could hit the ground.
"Woah. You okay, Miss?" Kate heard a husky voice say from behind her as she processed what just happened.
Kate nodded her head, "Yeah. Yes, sorry. I'm-I'm fine. Thank...you." She replied as she looked up to see a pair of stunning, bright blue eyes looking down at her.
The man flashed her a smile which made her stomach flutter.
"Welcome." He replied as he set her down.
"People here are idiots, I swear." The man said making Kate giggle.
"I get used to it." She shrugged.
"Well, I'll see you around." The handsome man said as he flashed Kate one last smile before walking away. Kate smiled and waved at him before walking in the other direction. As she was walking, Kate realized she hadn't gotten the chance to ask for his name.
"God damn it." She mumbled to herself as she walked up to her street, passing a couple of houses before entering her driveway. She unlocked the door and was greeted by the dog barking and yelling coming from her brother's bedroom. Kate sighed as she closed the door and took off her shoes.
Katrina, Kate's mom, walked out of the kitchen and smiled at her second oldest daughter.
"Hi, babe. How was your meeting with Jen?" Katrina asked as Kate smiled and flopped onto the living room couch.
"Great! I miss Jen so much! She mentioned she wanted to live somewhere in Washington once she finished college." Kate exclaimed as her mother joined her on the couch and chuckled.
"That's great, honey! Now, you and Jen can be closer than ever since you also wanted to live in Washington."
Kate grinned at the thought of being able to live near her best friend again.
"Hey, momma." Kate called out as Katrina stood up to check on the food in the oven.
"Yeah, hun?"
"How did you know that...Daddy was the one for you?" Kate asked shyly making Katrina's eyes widen before sitting next to her daughter again.
"Why? Did you meet a guy today, Katie?"
Kate giggled and bit her lip, "Yeah…"
"Oh, Katie! What's his name?"
"That's the thing...I didn't get the chance to get his name. He left before I could ask, plus it...kinda slipped my mind." Kate said quietly as Katrina sighed and put her arm over her daughter's shoulder and pulled her into her side.
"Oh, it's okay, babe. Maybe you'll meet him another time."
"But, Momma, it felt so right." Kate said as she wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
"I know, honey. And guess what? If it felt so right, you'll have more chances of meeting him again."
"Like fate?"
"Yes! Exactly like fate!" Katrina exclaimed making both mother and daughter giggle.
"Thanks, momma."
"Oh, you're welcome, babe." Kate's mother replied, placing a kiss in Kate's hair. Kate sighed before getting up and smiling at her mother.
"I'll be in my room."
Katrina nodded before saying, "Okay."
Kate walked up the stairs, passing her older brothers room - the occupants in the room were still yelling at each other - and over to her bedroom, closing the door behind her and flopping onto her fluffy bed, hoping that one day, she'll meet that handsome blue-eyed man who caught her today.
2 WEEKS LATER
It was a gloomy, cloudy Saturday afternoon. Everyone had their umbrellas out, ready for the rain to start pouring. Kate grumbled as she walked down the street towards her favorite cafe. Today had been her worst day. Early in the morning, her dog, Hunter, had run away from the house from a door left open by her older brother. Then, right after breakfast, she found out that the test she had stayed up all night studying for, had been thrown away by accident by her teacher and she had to retake the test on Monday. Then, after that, her second older brother had stolen her car, only to bring it back with a big dent on its side. Kate was furious by the time she left her house.
Opening the door, the smell of sweet coffee and freshly baked goods hit her in the face like a slap making a small smile appear on her face, and all the horrible things that had started to go wrong, fade away from her memory. Standing in line, Kate started fiddling around with the bracelet on her right hand. She hadn't seen the handsome blue-eyed man in forever, which was only two weeks. Kate was starting to think that she'd never meet the guy again.
Moving up to the counter, Kate ordered herself a hot coffee with cream and sugar before ordering herself a fresh chocolate chip cookie. She then moved to the side and after a couple of minutes, grabbed her coffee and cookie and turned around, not knowing that fate was once again going to bump into her, literally.
Hot liquid started seeping into her shirt and onto her skin as she ran into a hard wall, which actually had abs, and grunted as she bumped into it. Looking up, she realized she had bumped into the handsome blue-eyed man.
"I am so sorry." He said, his voice still as husky as the first time she heard it. Next thing she knew, he was dabbing paper napkins onto her shirt, right above her breast.
"I wasn't looking where I was going." She said as she discarded the now empty coffee cup. The man shook his head.
"No, it was my fault. I should've moved out of your way." He replied as he threw away the wet napkin. Kate looked up, meeting the blue eyes of the handsome man.
A lightbulb must have lit up in his head because his eyes lit up when he saw her.
"I remember you." He said, excitement in his voice. Kate let out a small giggle.
"Yep. We met at the cross-walk."
"Yeah! Someone had bumped into you and I caught you before you fell." He replied as Kate nodded and smiled at him.
"Mm-hmm. And here we are now. But this time, I bumped into you."
The man chuckled, "It would seem that way."
He put out his hand, "I'm Jethro."
Kate smiled and shook his hand, "Kate."
"Kate? Pretty name." Jethro said, a smirk appearing on his lips. Kate giggled.
"It's short for Caitlin. But, everyone calls me Kate."
"Well, Katie, I think I owe you a coffee."
Kate shook her head, "Oh, no! Don't worry about it."
"No, please. It was my fault."
"It's okay. I swear. Plus...I need to go back home, I kinda walked out without telling anyone where I was going." Kate said, running her fingers through her long brown hair.
Jethro raised an eyebrow, "Bad day?"
"Oh." Kate scoffed, "Horrible day."
Jethro smirked and looked down, "And I made it worse, huh?"
"Actually, you made it kinda better." Kate shrugged making Jethro frown at her.
"Really? How?"
Kate laughed, "I've been looking...for you. I-I mean, I just...I don't know. Wanted...to know your name."
Jethro chuckled, "Well...Now you know."
Kate let out a small giggle, "I guess I do."
Before anything could come out of Jethro's mouth, Kate's phone started to ring. She took her phone out of her pocket and looked at the screen before groaning and looking back up at Jethro.
"I'm sorry, it's my mother."
"No, it's okay. I need to be somewhere anyway." Jethro said making Kate nod her head.
"I guess I'll see you around?"
"You bet." Jethro replied as Kate giggled.
"Bye, Jethro."
Jethro waved as he started to walk away before turning and flashing Kate a smile, "Goodbye, Katie."
Kate's cheeks flushed a bright pink as she bit her lip and watched her handsome blue-eyed mystery man walk out onto the street, with a smile on his face.
4 MONTHS LATER
Katrina smiled as she saw the handsome blue-eyed man her daughter, Kate, was always talking about, get out of his car and walk up to the front door.
"Caitlin!"
"Yes, Momma?" Kate asked, her head popping in from the doorway, a smile graced on her face.
"Your knight in shining armor is here." Kate's younger sister, Melissa said in a teasing voice. Kate slapped her shoulder before practically running to the door. She opened it and gasped before jumping into his arms making him laugh and wrap his arms around her waist.
"Hi, beautiful." Jethro whispered into her ear. Kate giggled as her arms tightened around his neck.
"Hi, handsome." Kate replied before pulling Jethro's head towards hers and kissing him passionately.
"Hey! Kate! Don't eat his whole face off!" Melissa said from the doorway. Jethro put Kate down with a laugh while Kate turned around and glared at her younger sister. Melissa giggled and came down.
"Hiya, Jethro!"
"Hi, Lisa." Jethro said, kissing Melissa's cheek before hugging her. Melissa stuck out her tongue to Kate who was standing behind Jethro making Kate glare back at her before sticking her tongue out as well.
"Caitlin Alesha Elizabeth Todd! Put that tongue back in your mouth!" Katrina's voice was heard from inside the house. Jethro, Kate, and Melissa looked at each other before looking at the house to see Katrina glaring at Kate from the kitchen window.
"But, Momma!"
"Don't "but, momma" me!"
"Yes, ma'am." Kate grumbled as Melissa giggled while Jethro chuckled and put his arm around her waist as they made their way into the house. The three entered the kitchen to see Katrina wiping her hands on a dishtowel before turning and smiling at Jethro.
"Hi, Jethro!"
"Afternoon, Katrina." Jethro smiled as he hugged his girlfriend's mother.
"Matt and the boys should be down any second, the boys were helping him put up the new nightstand in our room." Katrina explained as she moved over to the oven to check on the food. Jethro nodded his head.
"Well! We'll be in the living room!" Melissa called out as she grabbed Kate and Jethro's hands and took them out of the kitchen.
"Mel!" Kate scolded as Melissa shrugged.
"You know what Mom's gonna do, she'll be asking him question after question and I don't want him to leave just yet."
Jethro frowned as he sat down on the couch next to Kate, pulling her legs onto his lap. "And why's that?"
"Because!" Melissa exclaimed as she flopped down next to them, leaning onto Jethro's shoulder. "You're going to be my brother-in-law soon and Katie-girl is going to move out soon to move in with you!"
"Woah! Woah. We aren't getting married yet." Kate said as she gave her sister a look.
"But, Kate. C'mon. We all know you two are going to get married someday. And I just wanna spend time with you guys! Especially, Jethro cause, Lord knows what the hell you two are going to do once Kate moves out."
"Melissa! Language!" Katrina yelled from the kitchen making Melissa wince.
"Sorry, Momma!" Melissa shouted before rolling her eyes at Kate and Jethro making the two chuckle.
"As if she doesn't swear." She whispered making the three of them laugh. Melissa grabbed the remote to the television and put on a show as Jethro started rubbing Kate's legs.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Jethro and Kate were in Kate's bedroom laying on the bed while they were staring at the ceiling.
"Do you think Melissa's right?" Kate asked, thinking about what Melissa had said earlier that day.
"About what?" Jethro asked as he turned around and propped himself up on one elbow while his other hand started tracing circles on Kate's taut stomach.
"About us. Getting married one day." Kate said, turning her head to look at her handsome blue-eyed boyfriend.
"Well, what do you think? Do you want to get married to an old man like me?" Jethro said with a smirk on his face making Kate giggle and run her fingers through his hair.
"You're not old, babe. You're only nine years older than me." She said as her hand trailed down to his jawline and then back up to his ear. Jethro smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her towards him making Kate giggle.
"I love you. Forever." Jethro whispered making a grin show on Kate's face.
"I love you. Forever." Kate said before Jethro's lips covered hers.
20 YEARS LATER
"Momma! Jake keeps taking my stuff!"
"Laya. Why would I want your shit? I'm a boy for God's sake." Jake said as he sat down on the stool at the kitchen island.
"I don't fricking know!" Layla, Kate and Gibbs' firstborn daughter said before Kelly, their second oldest daughter, sighed.
"Layla, I think Lizzie took whatever you're looking for."
Layla groaned, "Elizabeth!"
Kate rolled her eyes as she flipped a pancake on the stove before feeling a strong arm wrap around her waist and a kiss was pressed against the side of her neck.
"Morning, beautiful." Jethro whispered intimately into her ear.
Kate smiled, "Morning, handsome." She turned her head to meet his as Jethro leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
It's been 19 years since Kate and Gibbs got married. The two got married after Kate gave birth to their sons, Jake and Jaiden, who are both 19 years old now. A year later, Kate gave birth to their first daughter, Leilani, who goes by Layla and is 18 years old. Then came their second daughter, Kelly, then James a year later, then Elizabeth 9 years later, then Jackson, Charlotte, and Jacob. Jacob is their youngest at 3 years old.
Jacob waddled into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Jethro's leg making him look down and smile.
"Hi, little man." He said as he bent down and picked his youngest son. Jacob gave a toothy smile and kissed Jethro's cheek.
"Daddy!" He screamed making the husband and wife laugh.
James walked into the kitchen and sighed, "Hey, Mom, Dad?"
"Yeah?" The couple answered, looking at their son.
"Can I go with Uncle Tony to the football game? Please?" James begged as Jethro and Kate looked at each other before nodding to their son.
"When is it though?" Kate asked as she placed the freshly made pancakes on the table making all the kids run to the kitchen and sit at the table.
"Where's the whipped cream?"
"I want butter!"
"Can you make hot cocoa please?"
"I thought Aunt Jenny was coming over?!"
"Mommy!"
"Dad!"
Jethro and Kate groaned, they always hated when something like this happened. But then, the door opened and their dear best friend came to their rescue.
"Fear not! Aunt Jenny is here to save the day!" The red-headed woman said, walking into the house after closing the door behind her. Jenny smiled at all her nieces and nephews.
"Stop giving your parents so much trouble. I'm here. You can bug me now." Jenny said making the husband and wife chuckle. Jethro sat Jacob down on his highchair as Jake grabbed a pancake and put it on a plate for his youngest brother.
"I can feed him for ya, Dad."
Jethro frowned, "You sure?"
"Yeah! Don't worry 'bout it." Jake said, waving his father off. Jethro looked at his wife who frowned at their son before they shrugged at each other. Kate walked over to Charlotte and was about to feed her when Layla came into view.
"Oh, don't worry, Momma. I'll feed Lola." Layla said, taking the plate of food from Kate's grasp.
Kate was shocked, since when did her children want to help her?
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yeah, momma! You and Dad go rest. We can handle the kids." Layla said, giving a pancake to a very hungry Charlotte. All of the older children - Jake, Jaiden, Layla, Kelly, and James - looked at their parents and smiled.
"Go on. We've got it from here." Jaiden said, smiling sweetly at his parents. Jethro and Kate raised an eyebrow as they slowly made their way out of the kitchen, meeting Jenny in the living room where she was putting her stuff down.
"You sure you can handle them?" Kate asked as Jenny smiled at her best friend and husband.
She waved them off, "Of course I can! Don't worry about it. You and Jet can relax...In the bedroom though. We need to keep it PG in front of the kids." Jenny whispered making Jethro laugh while Kate slapped Jenny's shoulder.
Jenny laughed before putting on a serious face, "I'm serious though. You two need some time to yourself! Lisa and Abby should be here in an hour. Lisa is finishing a meeting and Abby is finishing something in the lab so...We'll be fine."
Jethro nodded and put his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Thanks, Jen."
"Anytime, Jethro." Jenny smiled before walking into the kitchen while the couple made their way upstairs to their bedroom. Jethro and Kate flopped onto the bed and sighed.
"You remember when we first met?" Kate asked making her husband chuckle.
"How could I forget? Some idiot ran into you and I'm glad I caught you before you could face-plant."
Kate scoffed and slapped Jethro's shoulder before giggling, "You know...From that day...I always knew something was going to happen between us. My Mom said it was fate. That it was destined to happen."
Jethro turned on his side and raised his eyebrows, "Really?"
Kate smiled, "Uh-huh."
Jethro smiled and kissed his wife on the lips.
"You know...Technically we wouldn't have met if that guy didn't bump into you." Kate mumbled against his lips. Jethro chuckled and pulled his wife on top of him.
"I guess we should be thanking him."
Kate giggled, "I guess we should."
"Damn. If only we knew his name."
Kate laughed, "If only, Jet. If only."
Jethro smiled up at his wife as he pushed her bangs out of her beautiful face and behind her ear.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Kate said with a smile on her lips.
"Forever."
"Forever." Kate whispered before leaning down and kissing Jethro's lips.