Before Jethro knew it, Christmas Eve was finally upon them. Work was keeping them all rather busy because with all the holiday parties going on people were drinking more and doing some beyond stupid stuff, fighting over the pettiest things.

Tobias's team hadn't been able to get any charges to stick to either Paloma Reynosa or her brother Alejandro yet but the pair hadn't tried anything again yet either. The FBI's intel also said that both siblings were currently in Mexico and, with any luck, they'd be able to keep them there. In the meantime, it was doubtful they had anything pressing to be concerned with.

He had to work until 1600 on Christmas Eve, but with nothing of any real importance keeping them, his team got together for their annual screening of It's a Wonderful Life and some of DiNozzo's punch. Shannon had inquired as to how that particular tradition had gotten started, but thought that it was sweet and was more than happy to get in on their little Christmas celebration.

Kelly went to a different Christmas party that evening so didn't come along which left Jethro's father who ended up visiting with Joann.

They ended up having to send Jimmy Palmer home in a cab. Not for the first time. He was a really good kid, but the young man really didn't know how to handle his liqueur. All in all, though, it had been a really nice evening.

The following morning, he and Shannon decided to get a bit of a later start, as it were, and to take advantage of the opportunity to steal a few moments in private in a house that was going to be filled with people all day long.

Having family over was all well and good, but there was something to be said about having a moment or two to themselves.

Jethro smiled at the gorgeous but tousled woman in his bed, he and his wife having just managed to wish each other an exquisitely merry Christmas, uninterrupted until now. Knowing they had been pushing their luck, though, the pair snuggled resignedly for a long moment, neither wanting to get out of bed just yet.

They chuckled as they heard knuckles rapping against the bedroom door. "Mom. Dad. Time to get up!" Kelly demanded loudly. "Grandpa made breakfast."

"We'll be right there!" Shannon called out, a look of what could only be described as fond exasperation on her face. "Hold your reindeer."

He raised an eyebrow. Reindeer. Really?

"Well," she replied, "it is Christmas."

Jethro just shook his head in amusement. His wife had a strange sense of humour, but he found it really endearing in an odd way. "Well," he said, "before we get up -"

He and Shannon shared a quick kiss before the pair finally got up and made their way downstairs to join the rather overzealous duo that was waiting for them.

"You made us breakfast?" his wife asked as if they hadn't already smelled bacon.

His father dipped his head slightly. "I hope those eggs aren't overcooked."

"It smells wonderful," Shannon said gratefully. "Thank you, Jack."

Kelly put several cups of hot chocolate down on the table while Jethro's father finished up dishing out food for everyone.

Jethro gave his father an appreciative yet also slightly stunned look. "You didn't have to make us all breakfast, Dad, but thank you." He did appreciate it, he just didn't want his father to feel obligated to do it or anything like that.

His father responded rather nonchalantly. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Gets your batteries charged."

He gave his father a wistful look. "Mom used to say that."

The Gibbs patriarch nodded his head, giving Jethro a wistful smile of his own.

"Can you tell me a bit about her?" Kelly inquired.

"Sure, kid." His father was clearly trying to compose himself. It was subtle but Jethro had been there and knew the loss still hurt the older man. "I think I can come up with a story or two to share about your Grandma Ann."

And, surprisingly, the older man did. His father actually talked. Jethro also heard a few new tidbits about his mother that he hadn't heard before or had forgotten because it had been so long.

Once they'd all eaten their fill, the four of them made their way to the living room and exchanged Christmas presents and then cleaned up all the paper, ribbon and discarded boxes once all the gifts were opened.

Jethro then made a call to Mexico, wishing Mike, Leyla, and Amira a merry Christmas and making sure that his gifts had arrived in time as well as thanking Mike and Leyla for the gifts that they'd sent down from Baja.

Leyla was planning to come down for a visit with Amira in the Spring, which he hoped came to fruition. it had been too long since he'd seen either Leyla or his goddaughter. Or his mentor, for that matter.

Everyone settled in once again, Jethro's father put a disk into the DVD player pressed play. After Rudolph began the man proceeded to take a seat in the recliner. As Jethro glanced around the living room, his wife and daughter laughing at something, he could help but smile. It was definitely shaping out to be a pretty good day.

And to Jethro's relief, it stayed that way once his in-laws arrived. Joann was polite and amicable the entire time, his mother-in-law clearly making a genuine effort which he greatly appreciated. The bickering between them was ridiculous.

Mike, of course, joined them. As for his team, Ducky and everyone else besides Palmer and McGee had stopped in for Christmas dinner. The younger agent had gone home to celebrate with his own family. Despite McGee's strained relationship with the Admiral, the young man had a sister, a mother, and grandparents who deeply cared. As for the Assistant Medical Examiner, he'd gone home to visit his mother.

Families. They were certainly complicated.

With that thought, he pulled his wife in close. He then kissed his wife, who had cozily and contentedly snuggled up to him, her head resting on his chest. "I love you."

The lovely redhead glanced up, a soft smile on her lips. "I love you too, Jethro."