Title: Baby Girl
Summary: AU. 20 years after the death of Shannon and Kelly, Jethro finds out – from Hollis Mann – he has a 9 month old daughter. She has no name and the bluest eyes he'd ever seen; he can be 'Daddy' again…but can he find that man? Or did he leave with Kelly and Shannon?
Second Summary: Kelly Gibbs had always wanted a little brother or sister. Sadly she died before her parents could provide her with that. Alone and lonely, her father tries to replace what he lost all those years ago. Diane, Rebecca, Stephanie, Hollis – but no one really compared. However, when Hollis Mann turns up at his door one day, 18 months after their last time together, and thrusts a 9 month old baby girl into his arms, his life is about to drastically change. Can Jethro reclaim 'Daddy' or was he lost when Kelly and Shannon died?
Disclaimer: I only own Charlotte, nothing else.
A/N: I know that Charli is usually adopted, but I've made her biologically Gibbs' in this one. Also this is marked as AU for two reasons. Gibbs has a daughter and had a successful sexual relationship with Hollis (successful because of Charli).
Wednesday, November 21st 2007
The heat in the room was making them sweat, but it wasn't just the heat in the room to fight the encroaching cold. It was also the moans and groans, his fingers in her long blonde hair and her nails scratching his back. They were both too old for this, but she had said it was his birthday present.
Turning 53 and she had just retired from the CID, Jethro Gibbs and Hollis Mann made an unlikely pair, but there was always passion and sexual attraction. But Jethro had told Hollis early on that he couldn't love her like he thought she deserved. Only because he knew she deserved better and he still loved Shannon desperately. But this moment, right here while he could watch her come to completion beneath him and he fought to hold out a little longer, was where he could forget that he didn't love Hollis as much as he knew he should, he could forget that even if he was 53 she was only 4 years younger than him and still able to bear children, forget that she might be fertile and her body ready to procreate – or what might come of it after he left her apartment at 0300 the next morning…
Saturday, May 16th 2009
0830hrs
Alexandria, Virginia
The knock at his front door startled Jethro Gibbs from his Saturday newspaper. Even his team knew not to turn up before 10am on a Saturday. Getting to his feet he was shocked to find Hollis Mann standing at his door. What surprised him more was the baby carrier at her feet.
"Hollis?" He said opening the door, "what are you doing here?"
"Giving you what is yours. This is yours, Jethro." She nudged the baby carrier with her foot, causing it give a squawk of surprise. Jethro picked it up and carefully moved the blankets away from the tiny creature that looked up at him from the carrier.
"She's mine?" He asked.
"Yeah. From our last night together. Like I said, she's nine months old. I haven't named her yet, and I only held onto her to see what colour her eyes were going to be. They didn't change except in shade. She has your eyes, Jethro. I can't have her in my life if she reminds me of you every time I look at her." Hollis said.
"That's a stupid reason, Hollis. A lot of children are with their mother despite looking a lot like their father, or – in DiNozzo's case – with their father and look a lot like their mother." Jethro told her, as he stepped back to let Hollis inside, she didn't move from the threshold but she did drop two bags inside his front door, along with a car seat.
"I don't care, Jethro. And I'm not like most people. Something you are well aware of Jethro." She said, coldly.
"Hollis, this is an innocent little girl! And you are handing her off to me, just because you couldn't raise our daughter – simply because she shares my eye colour?" Jethro snapped.
"That's just it! She's your daughter too, Jethro, and I can't raise her when all I see when I look at her all I can think of is you! And you made it perfectly clear when I went to Hawaii that you and I were over and it was never going to work out. So this is your penance. Raising a little girl. All. By. Yourself." Hollis said.
"Well I still think that's a stupid reason, but…whatever you say, Hollis. And her name…is Charlotte." Jethro said sharply. If Hollis hadn't named her, then he would. If he and Shannon had another child they would have been Charles Jackson or Charlotte Joan. This little girl would now be Charlotte Joan Gibbs.
Jethro woke to crying. He used to wake most nights when he was state side to Kelly's crying. So Charlotte's was nothing new, the only thing was – she shouldn't be waking in the night, well it really depends on the child – but at nine months she really should sleep 8-9 hours at night. He stumbled towards her room – the guest room – and lifted her off the bed. She may only be 9 months old but Kelly's room hadn't been cleared out yet. Once it was – and he'd ask for help with that – then she'd have her own room. He supposed Tim and Tony would help – maybe he'd even get Palmer and Ducky to help. Jethro carefully lifted her up into his arms and she immediately quietened, but didn't stop crying completely.
"So what's up little one huh?" He asked, pulling her close to him. She continued to whimper, but didn't seem to need anything except comfort, "bad dream? Is that why you're so upset?" Jethro really didn't expect an answer but then the child had been uprooted and moved from the home she knew for 9 months of her life to an unfamiliar house, unfamiliar smells, sounds, sights and a man she didn't know. A few more months and she may start talking but right now…he had to deal with the way she seemed to feel somewhat safe with him as she would rest her head on his chest.
"Let's get you back to sleep ok?" Jethro said as he went to his room and laid down with her on his chest, she fell asleep very quickly, he followed not long after.
ONE WEEK LATER
Jethro was not ready for this. Charlotte was still having nightmares but she settled quicker whenever he held her. He sat her up on the bed as he slipped her shoes onto her feet. She was already dressed in a midnight blue dress. He'd found it in her the duffel Hollis had left him with. He smiled down at her as she grinned up at him and lifted her arms asking to be picked up. He scooped her up into his arms and blew a raspberry into her cheek, making her laugh.
"Ok, Little Miss – let's go to work." Jethro knew it was going to be full-on Abby once she saw the 'Tiny Gibbs' but Jethro was willing to withstand it and he'd explain it to her. Why they had only now been told and why he had hidden it. But then he knew the others would understand. At least he hoped so. He knew the roles she'd assign to them – or maybe they would.
Abby would either refer to herself as 'Aunty Abby' and that would remain, but he figured Charlotte would more than likely think of Abby as a 'big sister'.
Tim and Tony would be her 'big brothers' always there to chase away the bullies.
Ellie would settle for Auntie Ellie, but she might become a 'big sister' as well.
Ducky – no doubt – would become a Grandfather to the tiny infant and Jimmy – well he could fit anywhere in Charlotte's little family. They'd just have to wait and see.
"Let's go, Little Monkey." Jethro carried Charlotte out to his car. Along with the duffel and diaper bag, Hollis had given him the baby carrier and car seat. Charlotte wasn't quite old enough for the car seat just yet. Not until she was 12 months old. But he fastened it in the truck anyway.
"We are going to the Navy Yard." He had no idea how much she actually understood but he still figured that he should at least talk to her, "You are going to love Abby. She'll just adore you. She can be your big sister. Tony and Tim…they'll love you too, as brothers. I don't think 'Uncle' really suits them. But big brother does." Jethro said. He wasn't sure what else to say and they were there anyway so he pulled into the carpark and after getting out and pulling his pack over his shoulder he grabbed the diaper bag and a bag he'd packed with some books and toys and then lifted Charlotte out of her car seat. She could easily stand on her own, she'd proven that when he dressed her that morning.
"Ok, here we are." He said when the elevator doors opened to the bull pen. Charlotte looked around with interest, her head on a swivel.
"Morning Gibbs." Ellie said without looking up.
"Morning Boss." McGee echoed before glancing up, he froze at the sight of the child in Gibbs' arms.
"Morning…Boss." Tony had looked up and spotted the child.
"Ellie, Tim, DiNozzo. Good Morning." Jethro said calmly.
"And what is your name, Adorable?" Tony asked when Charlotte gave him a toothy smile.
"This is Charlotte Joan Gibbs…my daughter." He said.
"YOUR WHAT?!" Three heads swivelled to him and jaws dropped open.
The silence he was met with when he got down to Abby's lab was a little unsettling. But he also knew that one of his team had called down to the Goth to let her know who was coming and why.
"Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!" Abby was nearly vibrating with excitement, Abby had always been good with kids, but Charlotte was still very young, so she didn't take quite so well to Abby's exuberance.
"Abby. This is Charlotte. Charli, this is Abby." The two girls took in each other for a minute before – after seeing her father do it – Charlotte stuck out her hand as if to shake Abby's.
"Oh my God, she is so cute." Abby said shaking the little girl's hand, "who's her mother?"
"Hollis Mann. But she doesn't want, Charli, so it's just me and her now." Jethro said.
"Daddy Daughter time! I love it! When's her birthday?" Abby asked.
"September 3rd. But I have no idea how to plan a one year birthday party. It's been a long time." Gibbs said, tiredly. Abby clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Don't worry about anything, Gibbs! Leave everything to me!" Abby said.
"Why do I think I'm going to regret this?" Jethro moaned.
"Does she like Pink?" Abby asked.
"Uh…I've never asked – she's only 9 months old Abby, she can't tell me yet." Jethro pointed out.
"Not with words. With an expression!" Abby very quickly determined that Charlotte liked pink but didn't love pink, she preferred purple or blue.
"Brilliant! Now I know that I don't have to go all out in pink. Perfect! Like I said, Gibbs, don't worry about the party, you leave it all to me." Abby said.
"Don't make me regret it, Abs." Gibbs called back before taking his little girl down to meet Ducky and Jimmy. Both men were suitably surprised but when Ducky got to hold the little girl and she gripped his nose, like his little brother used to, Ducky fell immediately into the role of 'Grandfather', and Jimmy was taken in by Gibbs as Charlotte's 'older brother'.
3 MONTHS LATER
September 3rd, 2009
The preparation for Charlotte's first birthday/welcome to our family party was in full swing. Abby had convinced Jethro to take Charlotte out for a walk and a play in the park for about an hour, so the one-year-old could be away from all the goings on at the house. Jethro was seriously considering calling Abby and telling her to forget it. But then he'd have to call Tony, Tim and Ducky just so they could persuade her to leave Gibbs house. It really was not worth it. So he spent an hour with his daughter at the park, he put her at the top of the slide again and then let her go, grabbing her at the bottom, this was always accompanied by her wild and carefree giggles.
"You ready to go home, Charli?" The little girl grinned and nodded as she let her father set her before sliding down the slide and into her father's arms. She hadn't started to talk or walk yet but that was alright. Jethro reminded himself that Kelly hadn't started to talk until she was 16 months old. And his father had told him that Jethro himself, hadn't started to talk until he was 18 months old. Kelly's Paediatrician had told Jethro and Shannon that children tended to start anywhere from 12 to 18 months old – so if it took them til they were nearly 18 months old, not to worry. If it took any longer than maybe they'd have to look into what her hearing was like. But right now he wasn't concerned – she was only just 1 year old, she still had time.
"We're on our way home Abs." Gibbs said.
"What? No! We're not ready yet!" The Goth cried.
"How long does it take to set up a birthday party for a one-year-old?" Gibbs asked, strapping Charlotte into her car seat.
"Just another hour, Gibbs! Please!" Abby pleaded.
"Abby…I'm hanging up now. We're coming home. Right now." Gibbs said, amid Abby's protests.
Jethro pulled up into his driveway and from where he sat he could see streamers and balloons in the house. Sighing, he got out and went around to Charlotte's door, as he opened it his front door opened and Tim stepped out, going quickly over to him.
"Abby has asked me to stall you for another few minutes." Tim said.
"Alright. Talk McGee, about anything." Gibbs said.
"Uh, ok Boss. How…how was the park?" Tim asked.
"Busy and noisy. But Missy, here enjoyed herself." Charlotte giggled as Tim reached over and tickled her tummy.
"Good. She's always such a happy child isn't she?" Tim remarked.
"Yep. And I intend to keep her that way." Jethro said.
"I've never seen you like this Boss. It's nice. I mean I know you've been a father before and you treat Abby like a daughter, and Ziva – Tony and I are kind of like surrogate sons. But to see you with Charlotte…it's a different affection. You know?" Tim said.
"Yeah, I do. And Tim…you and Tony are my sons. Nothing surrogate about it. I consider you all my kids. I love and protect you all like my own, if one of you is hurt or in trouble I will do all I can to make it right." Jethro told him.
"I know and we all appreciate that, and I know that Charlotte will as well. I can see how enamoured with you she is and how much you are with her. It's a true father's love. You're truly a Dad." Tim smiled.
"The difference?" Jethro asked.
"Any idiot can father a child, Boss. But it takes someone really special to be a Dad. The guy that sticks around and takes care of the child. You are a Dad, not just a father." Tim said.
"Thanks Tim, means a lot." Jethro said, patting the younger man's shoulder.
"You're welcome, Boss." Tim said.
"Do you think it's been long enough yet?" Jethro asked with a smirk.
"One way to find out." Tim said, he waited while Jethro lifted Charlotte out of the car and then proceeded to carry her inside.
The party was a hit. Charlotte really enjoyed herself. She loved being able to tear open her presents (with Daddy's help) and she loved all of the gifts. She was swamped in gifts. Spoiled rotten he had said when he saw the gifts.
Abby's had been clothes with the trademark skulls on a couple of the dresses, but Gibbs was happy to see that there were more colours then just black. Reds and purples, greens and blues.
Tony had been able to procure some child friendly books. Ones that Gibbs could read to Charlotte, and that she could start to read as she grew.
Ziva had brought a porcelain doll that Gibbs had said would go up on one of Charlotte's high shelves so that she couldn't break it.
McGee, well he'd brought games and toys. Educational ones, of course, but also age friendly ones. And ones that Gibbs could plat with Charlotte.
Ducky and Jimmy had also provided some games, but when Tony handed over one last gift it surprised Gibbs. He had mentioned off handedly that Charlotte didn't have any soft toys to cuddle and she hadn't yet spoken a word. Tony held out towards the little girl a stuffed dog. Charlotte grabbed hold of it and hugged it her chest. She wriggled out of her father's grasp to get to Tony. She pulled herself up to standing. Tony moved and scooped her up into his arms.
"Hey, Charli. Were you coming to say thank-you?" He said, she wrapped her arms – still holding the dog – around Tony's neck tightly.
"Oh Tony! You look so cute together!" Abby cheered. She had point, Charlotte wrapped up in Tony's arms tight to his chest, his head rested against the side of hers, pointing over to Gibbs.
"Who's got you, Charli?" Tim crowed as he snapped a photo of the pair. She gave Tim a large toothy grin and Tim snapped another photo of the pair of troublemakers together. Showing Tony to be the best big brother in the world.
Bedtime was a new hell that Jethro had gone through many times. But the fact was that Tony wasn't allowed to leave. Charlotte had hold of the younger man she wasn't about to let him go. So it was up to Tony to put Charlotte to bed and it came to a surprise that Charlotte was willing. She did everything Tony told her to do.
"DiNozzo?" Gibbs said, after his SFA sat down beside him on the couch.
"Yeah, Boss?" Tony replied, taking a sip of his beer.
"Tell me your secret, she never goes so easily." Gibbs said.
"It's a gift, it cannot be taught." Tony grinned.
"Oh well…perhaps you're the best person for the job then." Gibbs mused.
"Huh?" Tony frowned.
"Charli's Godfather. I would have asked Ducky or Fornell – but Ducky isn't right and Fornell is a little freaked that I have a daughter." Gibbs said.
"I'd be honoured. Can I keep calling her Munchkin?" Tony asked.
"Sure you can, you can even give her an Italian nickname if you want to." Gibbs said.
"Piccolo, and piccolo fiore. Little one, and little flower." Tony gave him a smile.
"Cute…she'll love that." Gibbs replied.
When she finally said her first word. Her father, Tony and Tim had all coached her on saying 'Dad' that had to be her first word.
"Come on, Charli. D-a-d. Dad." Tony coaxed.
"Da." She replied.
"You can do it. Dad." He tried again.
"Da." She said.
"Ok, how about Dada? Can you do that? Da-da." Tony decided to try two syllables. So how was he going to teach her Tim's name? 'Timothy' would be too much so maybe break 'Tim' into sounds?
"Dada!" She proclaimed. Tony clapped.
"YES! Well done! Hey Gibbs! Come here." Tony called out to his boss.
"What's up?" Gibbs asked, a curious expression on his face as he gazed down at his SFA and daughter on the floor.
"Say it Charli, come on." Tony coaxed.
"Dada!" Gibbs immediately scooped up his little girl and hugged her to his chest.
"Oh, wow. I'm so proud of you! Now…can you say Tony?" The man in question stayed on the floor, Charlotte looked down at him and frowned.
"We'll work on that. What about…Tim?" Gibbs asked.
"Ti!" She said.
"Come on Charli, Tim." The man in question watched from the doorway, having heard Charli saying 'dada' he stayed where he was and let Tony coach her in her words.
"Ti!" She repeated.
"Yeah, Ti-m." Tony coached slowly and carefully. Charli watched her godfather/big brother's mouth as he spoke. To mimic the sounded he made.
"Ti-m." She said.
"So good, Charli! Well done!" Tony clapped, joined this time by Tim.
"It's your turn now, Tony." Gibbs said.
"Ok, Charli. To-ny." The man said slowly and carefully hoping to get it first time.
"To…To-ny." She said.
"Yes! First time! Oh I'm so proud of you Munchkin!" Tony scooped her up and hugged her close to his chest. She giggled all the time.
"Ok, Charli," Tony paused and turned to Gibbs, "who is that?"
"Dada!" She said with a grin, Tony cheered.
"Ok and this." He turned to Tim.
"Tim!" She said.
"Well done, Munchkin. So who am I?" Tony pointed to himself.
"Tony!" She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck.
"I love your daughter, Boss." Tony said.
Charlotte had been pulling herself up to standing for a long while now, ever since she was 8 months old. So she could standing, but the walking, she was slowly going while holding onto something but otherwise she couldn't balance herself properly. It happened when Tony and Gibbs were sitting with her in the lounge room. Tony was playing a patty-cake game with her, when he got up to get a drink.
"TONY!" she shouted.
"I'm coming, Munchkin! I'm thirsty." He said poking his head out of the kitchen. Gibbs pulled her into his lap and peppered her face with kisses, making her squeal with laughter. Suddenly as Tony put his glass down in the sink, his Boss' voice drew him from the kitchen.
"DiNozzo!" Tony stepped out of the kitchen expecting Charlotte to be sick or something. But she was standing up and we at the end of the couch, Tony took a step and knelt down on the floor.
"Come on, Munchkin. You can do it." He coaxed, she carefully let go of the couch and took a tentatively step, "Come on, come on." Tony said, holding his arms out as if to give her a big hug, Charlotte took another step, and another and another.
"That's it! Come on Munchkin!" Tony coaxed as she stumbled and then she managed to get up on her feet again and took three steps, she paused and looked at the distance between herself and Tony.
"Go on, Charli. Go to Tony." Her father's voice said, he was holding Tony's phone and had managed to get it film this.
"Come on…just a few more steps." Tony said, Charlotte took one, two, three, four more steps before Tony scooped her up into his arms.
"Tony!" she cried as he cuddled her to his chest.
"YES! You did it Munchkin! Oh I'm so proud of you! Look at Daddy! He's so proud of you, you walked! You are learning to fast!" He cheered as he held her.
"We're teaching her all the names. I think Ducky will be the hardest." Tony said to Abby as they stood in her lab, Charlotte sitting on Tony's knee.
"Yeah possibly. But she can say, Dada, Tim and Tony?" Abby asked.
"Yep. OK, let's do it." Gibbs said.
"OK, Charli…Munchkin – I want you to watch me carefully ok?" The toddler nodded, "This is Ab-by. Can you say that? Ab-By." Tony coaxed.
"Ab…By…Abby?" The child was mimicking him and trying the sound on her tongue before she said.
"That's it! She's got it! First try! Well done Munchkin!" Tony said clapping his hands.
"Can anyone else call her 'Munchkin'?" Abby asked.
"No, I tried, she'd told me 'no'. I didn't even know she could say 'no'." Gibbs said.
"Let's review, shall we? Who's that?" Tony asked pointing to Gibbs.
"Dada!" Charlotte cheered.
"And me?" He asked.
"Tony!" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And who's that?" He asked pointing to Abby.
"Abby!" The child said.
"Well done Munchkin! We're so proud of you!" He said pulling her into a hug.
Monday, September 2nd, 2013
Charlotte's first day of school was a sad affair for the little girl, it was made even more difficult because her father and big brother was there. The teacher thought they were Charlotte's 'Daddies' until Charlotte used Tony's name.
"I'm Charlotte's big brother. And her Godfather." The Teacher raised an eyebrow but nodded.
"He's not her real brother. Not biologically at least, but she loves him like one." Gibbs explained.
"Oh, I see. Well, Charlotte…it's time to say goodbye to Daddy and to Tony." The teacher – Miss White – said, reaching for Charlotte's hand.
"No! I don't wanna go to school, Daddy! I want to stay home!" The child begged.
"Wait til she's a teen, she'll pretend she's sick to get out of school. But Munchkin…it's only until 3 o'clock ok? So at three you'll have, me, Dad, Tim or Abby here to get you ok?" Tony said kneeling down to be level with the child, who clung to him tightly.
"Promise?" She whispered pulling back from him.
"I promise. And I never break my promises do I?" Charlotte shook her head, "Right. And if you're really good, I'll put in a movie for us tonight. I might even sit through Tangled for the umpteenth time." He said.
"You promise?" She asked.
"I promise." He nodded, her father even nodded indicating that he too would sit through the animated movie. Charlotte placated for now, took her teacher's hand and waved goodbye to her father and Tony before not even noticing them leaving the room with the other parents.
It was a Monday in February and Tony and Tim had volunteered to go and pick up Charlotte from school. While they waited for her a few of the High School Senior girls came over to talk to them and flirt a little.
"Tony! Timmy!" Charli ran towards her brothers when she saw them waiting for her.
"Hey there, Munchkin!" Tony called.
"Hey Mini-Gibbs!" Charlotte was only 5 and she launched herself at her 6'1" tall big brother who hoisted her up into his arms and embraced her.
"How was your day, Piccolo?" Tony asked.
She shrugged, "it was ok I guess. I got lots of homework,"
"Homework, huh? That sucks. Hey maybe Timmy and I can help you with it." Tony said.
"Yeah! Over milk and cookies?" Charlotte asked.
"I think that can be arranged. What do you reckon Tim? Milk, cookies and math problems?" Tony laughed.
"Sounds like a plan, Tony. Let's do it." Tim agreed.
"Home we go, piccolo fiore." Tony said putting her down but taking her hand as they walked away towards Tony's 1966 Mustang with child seat installed.
Wednesday, March 25th 2015
Alexandria, Virginia
The footsteps told Jethro that Hollis had arrived. He paused in his sanding on the drawers he was doing for Charlotte's (or Palmer's baby's) vanity. If Charlotte didn't want it, and Palmer's baby was a girl, maybe she'd like it.
"Riley's in stable condition, and McGee's standing by at the hospital." Hollis informed him.
"Yeah. Already knew that." Jethro said.
"Heard you were back building boats. What are you going to name this one?" She paused, "I'm not leaving, Jethro. Not until you talk to me."
"Talk about what?" Jethro asked.
"You. Your least favourite topic." Hollis said.
"No. I'm-I'm doing fine." Jethro laughed.
"Don't tell me you're fine. I know you're not." Hollis said.
"Hollis, it's late. Go home." Jethro said, tiredly.
"It's your fault Diane's dead. That's what you're thinking." Hollis said.
"I'm not wrong." Jethro said.
"You didn't pull the trigger." Hollis said, sternly.
"I put her in the crosshairs!" He threw his sanding block at the wall, a picture there of Mishlev, "He wanted to make it personal! Still does. I'm figuring it out. But you being around me, makes you a target." Jethro said.
"So that's why you're shutting me out? To protect me?" Hollis snapped.
"I don't need you missed up in this. I don't need you missed up in me!" Jethro yelled.
"It's not your call. I'll take my chances. I can handle myself. Hmm?" Hollis said.
"Copy that." Jethro said.
"Daddy?" Charlotte appeared on the stairs, her stuffed dog (a gift from Tony) held tightly in her hand. Jethro could see the change in Hollis.
"Charli…baby go back to bed. I'll be up in second to tuck you in." Jethro said.
"I heard yelling." Charlotte said, quietly.
"Yeah, Daddy and Ms Mann were having a conversation. It got a little out of hand. Can you say good night to Ms Mann, Charlotte?" Jethro said.
"Goodnight, Ms Mann." Charlotte mumbled, as she turned her bright blue gaze to the darker blue of her mother's eyes.
"Goodnight…Charlotte." Charlotte went back upstairs before Hollis spoke again, "was that our daughter?"
"No. That's my daughter. You gave her up. She's not your's, Hollis. She never was." Jethro snapped, "Go home, Hollis. Charlotte is not yours. You said so yourself, she looks too much like me to be around you. She is my daughter now." He left her in the basement as he went upstairs to tuck his baby girl into bed and with her sweet dreams.
A group of 8 stood around the hospital room as Jimmy nursed his newborn baby girl and faces watched as the child settled in her father's arms.
"She's pretty." Charli whispered, aware of being quiet so as not to disturb the baby.
"I think she is too, Charli." Jimmy whispered, conspiratorially, making the 6-year-old giggle.
"Oh, she's perfect." Abby gushed.
"A chip off the old block. How's that new baby smell?" Tony said.
"And what is this fair beauty's name?" Ducky asked, everyone wanted to know.
"She sort of named after you Doctor." Breena Said.
"I beg your pardon?" Ducky blinked.
"Say hello to Victoria Elizabeth Palmer." Jimmy said softly.
"Mother…would be thrilled. As I am." Ducky chuckled, it was a honour to think that they thought that much of him to name their child – their first child after a woman she would never even meet.
"Well, we were at first going to name her Charlotte, but once that name went to another beautiful little girl," Jimmy smiled down at the 6-year-old, "we thought about how much of an impact you've had on my life and how much of a mentor and friend you've been to me. It seemed the best way to honour that." He said.
"Hey, what happened to your hand, Jimmy?" Tim asked, noticing the Jimmy's fingers were strapped.
"Oh, uh, funny story, did you know that epidurals don't work on five percent of patients? I sure didn't." Jimmy laughed.
"I kind had to improvise with my pain management." Breena said.
"You broke his finger?" Tim said.
"She sure did, two actually. It was worth it." Jimmy said, softly.
"Spoken like a true parent." Ducky said.
"Jimmy?" Chari pulled lightly at his sleeve.
"Yeah, Charli?" He asked.
"Can I hold her?" He nodded and Tim lifted the 6-year-old up onto Breena's hospital bed and the child sifted back to be comfortable and completely on it. Jimmy carefully help her hold Victoria. The child screwed up her face slightly and gave a little whimper, then as if she knew she was safe, she turned her face towards Charlotte and settled down again content with the warmth coming off the body that held her.
"She likes me!" The 6-year-old said quietly, a hand came down on her shoulder and she looked up into the eyes of her father.
"She's beautiful. Just like her mother." Jethro said, Breena smiled.
"Yeah, but she's got Jimmy's nose." Breena said with a wink at her husband.
"She'll be a beauty there's no doubt." Jethro said, very carefully lifting the newborn out of his daughter's arms. It was a rare sight for the MCRT, to see their tough-as-nails, stoic, functional mute boss look down at a child with such softness. He'd only had that look on his face a few times. For Kelly, for Charlotte and, he thought, perhaps for Tim or Tony, Abby or Ellie. His kids deserved his fatherly tough-love.
Sunday, September 3rd 2028
Charlotte 20-years-old
"I'm joining NCIS or the Marines. I'm leaving it up to you, Dad. I'm not smart enough to go to college for my degree, so many it'll be the Marines first then I might be able to join NCIS. I mean I want to help people. And in reality I could be a Metro Cop and still get killed on the job." She said.
"In reality? Tony was a cop before NCIS – and he knew the risks too. Didn't mean he was ready for them." He said.
"But I am. I have lived through you getting shot, nearly blown up, Tony getting beaten up, you and Tim being captured in Paraguay. I lived with Torres during that time. Ellie was too busy to take care of me and Quinn wasn't set up for a house mate, so I stayed with Nick. I was 10 years old! I should have stayed with Delilah, in Tony's old apartment. But she and I were too caught up in our grief for you and Tim that we would've brought each other down, and she was pregnant with Morgan and Johnny – she might have miscarried with me there." Charlotte argued.
"She was at least 4 to 5 months in, it's highly unlikely she would miscarry." Her father said.
"So? The Marines or NCIS?" She asked.
"The Marines are tough. Tough, hard-headed and they don't take shit from anyone, least of all some little girl trying to step out of Daddy's shadow. NCIS demands a degree now. You could get the right one at Community College." Jethro said.
"Criminology?" She asked.
"Yep." He nodded.
"Fine. NCIS it is. You think Timmy will like me working under him?" Charlotte asked.
"I think he'd prefer Tali – getting to say 'back to work DiNozzo' would give him a thrill, but I think he'll like saying 'Gibbs' just as much." Jethro laughed as he pulled his now grown up daughter into a hug. Charlotte pressed a kiss to her father's cheek. Jethro was pleased with how he raised her with help from Tim and Charlotte's Godparents, Tony and Abby. And he realised that even after Kelly and Shannon had died, he hadn't lost 'Daddy'. He had always been there, just hidden.
A/N: Just so you all know, I do not have children – do not have much if any experience with children. So if the vocab is too advanced – forgive me.
Also, I had to research the 'average' age of a child's development. They sleep 5-8 hours a night from 3 months. They start teething around the same time and it can take up to a year for all their teeth to come through. They are walking and talking by 12 months but talking can start anywhere from 12-18 months. All my information came from the internet.
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