Author's Note: Our last chapter stopped with Gibbs meeting with President Owens, discussing Suzanne's future with the White House once finishing maternity leave. In his diplomatic way, the President convinced Gibbs to discuss possibilities with his new wife.

The following is a continuing chapter regarding changes, choices, consequences and compromise. The first section centers around Suzanne and Jethro Gibbs' home life. The second is Suzanne's goodbye to the White House for maternity leave.

Jethro Gibbs was naturally overprotective, which Suzanne understood to a degree. The second chance of having a family seemed out of reach, impossible. His promise: never again, not on his watch would his wife, his child (or children) face dangerous situations. Her actions were to reassure and not submissive.

Jethro was very amenable to proactive stress-relieving measures, such as her self-initiative move to the Domestic Desk position at the White House until maternity leave, scheduled for three weeks. The result was a lower blood pressure than previous doctor's visits. Still, the obstetrician commented it was higher than normal for a physically fit young woman. Suzanne remained on weekly doctor's visits for the blood pressure and the nature of her pregnancies. It was procedure to monitor double births.

The two also selected a family friendly car, one that she liked and also safe for children. When it came to the restored Karmann Ghia, Jethro established it also had a special place in the family. Suzanne could keep her classic car but needed to sell her jeep. Instead, the family jeep, Myrtle, would become a loaner car to her oldest college bound nephew, Solomon. He was accepted to William and Mary, like his aunt, and decided to live with his grandmother off campus. The solution was to transport the car back to her mother's home in Williamsburg.

Suzanne's appetite changed for the better since the second trimester. Since the fourth month, the eating habits have picked up. She indulged in more fruits, vegetables, and sometimes, some ice cream and apple pie. Suzanne did have one cup of coffee but consistently drank water on a daily basis. Slowly, she gained another 8 lbs, making her official pregnancy gain to about 15 lbs. The obstetrician was pleased and encouraged her to keep on the diet, including more grain and fiber. It was the one characteristic of Suzanne's life Jethro did not interfere.

Of course, the hormonal changes she experienced did not help at all. Her moods changed dramatically. Suzanne felt suffocated! It was a conversation—another aggravating conversation—that just picked her last shred of patience. It was the second time in a week, when things seemed agreeable, Jethro reaffirmed his position the merits of a stay-at-home mother during pillow talk.

"Jethro…" Suzanne yawned, stroking her fingers in his hair. "Baby, it's 7 on a Saturday morning. I rather stay cuddled and enjoy you…"

"Well, I've been thinking about what happens once you have the babies…"

"Really?!"

She left the matrimonial bedroom in a huff with quilt and pillow, decided to sleep downstairs on the couch!

"Susie, wait…" Jethro whispered.

"Damn it, Jethro! You can't leave well enough alone!" she thought.

Motherhood changed the scope of marriage, not to mention career responsibilities and career ambition. Suzanne felt it was unfair to ask such questions, to even suggest to choose between full time motherhood and a career. Was it selfish to want both?

'I just graduated from Georgetown, top of the school and working for the White House! Everything I've worked for…' Suzanne realized that she and Susan McNamara shared something in common. Though it relieved many years of estrangement between the two, the thought alarmed, infuriated her on many levels. How dare my husband ask me to give up my career, and I'm just 30 years old? On the flip side…how could a mother choose work over children?

"Damned if you do…damned if you don't…"

Suzanne sat in the dark, simply cried out of frustration.

A fan of classic television, she watched the most famous redhead and Latino ever on the small screen. Fred the dog kept company, as Suzanne stroked his silky blonde coat, spoke to him in a soft voice. The large box of Kleenex tissue sat on the coffee table, alongside with her water. "This is my favorite episode: 'Lucy is Enceinte.'" She whispered.

'Do the Baby Song!'

Jethro overheard as he quietly climbed downstairs. The commotion from the episode, that pure unexpected news, triggered both giggles and tears from his wife. He smiled at the sight. Suzanne was six months pregnant, beginning the final trimester. The athletic figure altered by a growing, drooping God-given gift: the gift of growing life. The difficulties of standing, swelling and zapped energy appeared in daily activities, once enjoyable for Suzanne.

The music began: 'We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me.' Suzanne quietly hummed, smiled at the screen and dabbing her eyes slightly at the tissue.

We're having a baby, my baby and me
You'll read it in Winchell's
That we're adding a limb to our family tree…

Jethro joined Suzanne on the couch, wrapping his arms in an embrace, looking deeply in her eyes and singing along to the song.

We're pushing our carriage
How proud I will be
There's nothing like marriage
Ask your mother and father and they'll agree

He'll have toys, baby clothes
He'll know he's come to the right house
By and by, when he grows
Maybe he'll live in the White House

"You know, his mama works there…" Jethro smiled.

Our future gets brighter
But definitely
We're having a baby

"We're expecting twins, Jethro." Suzanne whispered.

"It's a blessing." He briefly kissed her on the lips.

We're having a baby

"Two daughters?" She chuckled.

"Long as they're healthy…"

We're having a baby
My baby and me

"I'm tired of fighting, Jethro." Suzanne sighed heavily, clicking off the television.

"Guess this hasn't been easy for you."

"For you either." She responded. Jethro insisted Suzanne to relax as he fixed breakfast and hot coffee. Moments passed in quietness. She watched Jethro in the kitchen, preparing the eggs and coffee.

"Baby, we need to talk." Suzanne suggested in a soft voice.

"I keep forgetting you're a modern woman." Jethro revealed with a smirk. "Nothing wrong with that…I'm just…working on it."

"Doesn't mean I'm not a traditionalist." Suzanne answered. "I get what you're suggesting. I'm not good at ultimatums."

"It's not one." Jethro brought the food into the living instead, placed the tray onto the coffee table. "Just thinking forward…after the maternity leave. I don't want you to quit a career."

"No…just the one I really like." She sipped on her coffee.

"I can take care of our family, Suzanne."

"I want to contribute to society, Jethro." After the statement, she heard a growl of frustration. Quickly, Suzanne shared a proposal that could end their disagreement once and for all.

"Just another year." Jethro stopped and allowed her to finish. "I've been working at the White House for just a year; I just want to finish another year. I'll stay on Domestic Desk and try for flexible hours."

"No overseas travel?"

Suzanne nodded. "I'll give it up." She did mention that CONTUS travel would be a possibility but ensured that she'd only ask for day trips.

"We'll evaluate for the next two years?" Suzanne asked. "That's all Owens have left in his administration."

"What if the VEEP appoint you?"

"I'll decline." Suzanne answered. "Besides, Claudia, Stephanie and I will be ready to open a law practice."

"You've thought about it." Jethro replied. "If you can rearrange your work schedule to where it is feasible to stay at home with children…I'm willing to try."

Wednesday was the general appointment with the doctor, and for the third time, her blood pressure results were elevated. The obstetrician said that 7 ½ months is generally a good time for twins and suggested maternity leave by week's end. Quietly that afternoon, the paperwork was submitted and approved to her delight, leaving no time for fanfare or well-wishes. The office staff learned of their colleague's leave after landing to their destination.

Suzanne's last day was quiet in the office. The team left for the Southeast Asia conference leaving her alone to handle the 6 AM to 5 PM call center. It was perfectly fine; it was an opportunity to play Chopin while alone. She sat at her desk, headphones affixed and answering system enabled to reroute the incoming calls to the microphone. Steadily, she worked on everything, from a draft itinerary for the President's trip to Oceania to rereading and recalculating budget requisitions.

"Good Morning, Mama."

The President appeared on her monitor screen; Suzanne was snacking on celery sticks and peanut butter. Suzanne glanced at the clock, indicating 8:15 local time.

"Mr. President." Suzanne covered her mouth, chewing slowly and finally clear enough to enunciate her words. "I forgot we had a meeting." She furiously flipped through the binder agenda while glancing at the computer screen.

"We didn't. Connie said you were upstairs eating a snack." In his sight was the evidence: a jar of creamy peanut butter. Neatly beside the canister were sliced apples, carrots, and celery sticks.

"I'm sure Roy and Hans would be happy to fix you a snack…"

"I'm fine, Mr. President." She chuckled. "Protein in peanut butter…fruits, vegetables are healthy snacking foods."

"It's really your last day…" Softly he acknowledged with genuine sadness but understanding in his voice. The desk was cleared. Her belongings were gone, the desk completely cleared.

"I'll be back after maternity leave." The two were silent. Suzanne bravely held her emotions together, clearing her throat. "The doctor said I'm due any time now."

"Nervous?"

"I'm sending the Oceania draft and itinerary, along with the line item budget." Suzanne electronically submitted. "It will also include strategic points of interest where Secret Service can coordinate staffing and some key initiatives we share with Oceanic organizations."

"Q?" The President repeated.

"Linda and Daisy have additional geo-political information pertaining to Oceania, since it is not my area of expertise." Suzanne continued. "If I look from a historical perspective involving European colonization…."

"You heard the question." He interrupted. The body language, her demeanor onscreen in video conference confirmed his initial speculation.

"I'm scared, okay?" Suzanne nodded, being completely honest with the President on a personal level. "All in a year, I graduated from law school, got married, my first professional career, and now, I'm about to become a mother." She sighed. "Listen, you're supposed to be at dinner. We can talk about this later."

"No. I had to see how my right hand's doing. That's why I am delaying the first course by 15 minutes." The President began. "In case I haven't told you enough…"

"Please, don't make me cry…"

"I appreciate you, Suzanne." Again, the President addressed her by first name and not 'Q.' "I miss having you on the trip. I miss the small things you do, from having the Hershey kisses in your carry-on to you buying magnets and postcards, documenting everything for the Presidential Library."

Suzanne smiled, accepted the compliments. The one addition to his thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

"You'll make a fantastic mother, because you'll give your children the same love and passion, if not more."

"Please go eat your dinner, Mr. President." Suzanne sniffled, smiled bashfully.

"I love you, Little Sister."

"I love you too."