A/N I want to thank all who have reviewed or read or favorited this story so far...Now as you know I have greatly curtailed my use of authors notes recently however for this chapter I need one. Those who know me, know that this year I will be celebrating my second ever Christmas...and as such have the same dilemma that Callen is having in this story. However this means that when I write about the family christmas...or how they should be I may be a bit wrong. I thank all those who have messaged me with help on this little fact and I really hope I get it right, if not please feel free to let me know because I am still trying to learn as Callen is how to make a perfect family christmas. oh but if anyone is wondering, Callen's recollection of christmas is not too far fetched as it is my own.

Disclaimer I own nothing except an awesome marine.

Chapter 2

They were awoken by a knock at the door, "G…?" Nell yawned as Callen got up.

"Stay there," Callen said he opened the door to see Hetty standing there.

"So I take it by the fact you are holding your weapon, I either woke you both up or you haven't told your team yet." She said smiling as she walked in.

"Both," Callen said as he took her coat from her.

"Dinner smells nice." Hetty said as Nell stood up to go and check on it.

"Thank you." Nell said.

Hetty followed her into the kitchen, "Nicolai, you're house is looking so much more like a home now, are you all prepared for the arrival of the little one?" she asked.

Callen grinned, not the kind of smirk that was so often seen around the bullpen but a genuine happy smile. "We are, the nursery is all ready."

"And have you changed your mind on wanting to know what you are having?" Hetty asked,

Nell shook her head, "We want to be surprised." She said placing her hand on Callen's arm as he walked past.

Hetty sat at the table as Nell handed her a cup of tea. "So when are your family getting here?" Hetty asked Callen.

"Grandpa arrives in a few days, and Vance has let the MCRT off rotation this Christmas so Dad's getting a flight out on the 21st and he's using three weeks of leave."

Hetty smiled, "Yes I believe Director Vance has asked that we make sure he uses all of his leave time. He's quite pleased that Gibbs is taking it this year."

Callen sighed, "I hope he takes this well." He said.

"I don't understand; why did you and Miss Jones choose to tell me but no one else?" Hetty asked.

"Dad's got active cases right now and he didn't need to be bothered with this and if I told grandpa first Dad would get mad. I just didn't know how to tell them except for wait until they were both here, Grandpa was supposed to fly up with Dad. Not early."

"And that was the cause of your dilemma in the bullpen this morning?" she asked.

"No."

Nell stood up as Callen sank into the chair next to Hetty looking all forlorn, she handed him a drink.

"Thanks," He said, "It's silly really, I just don't know how to do a family Christmas I mean I've had Christmas before but with a family, this is my first one Hetty and I want to make it perfect." He admitted.

Nell stood behind him and kissed the top of his head, "With us all here it will be perfect." She said as she turned to deal with the food.

"I know that, but …."

"What is it your afraid of?" Hetty asked.

Callen sighed, "Making a mistake. Christmases, haven't ever been my favorite time of year, and I hate to admit it but I am excited…I just feel that by admitting it I am setting myself up for an even bigger fall."

"I used to love Christmas as a girl," Hetty said, "It seemed to snow every year, the Alps were beautiful and I enjoyed skiing down the piste with my father. We would ski to church on Christmas morning, my mother and brothers were in a sleigh following behind." She told them.

Callen smiled, the images were nice, although knowing Hetty he wasn't sure how much of that was true. "Nice." He said.

"My family used to get up early, listen to Carols as we had breakfast and then we would all gather in the living room to open presents." Nell said remembering the good time.

"See…" Callen looked confused again, "That…that's what I'm missing."

"What, Nicolai?" Hetty asked.

"The memories, mine aren't like that, I have standing in line in the cafeteria as we got a Christmas dinner on a tray, sitting with loads of other kids those with relatives were allowed to visit with them and have presents. I…I didn't have anyone I was sent to the dorm room with a second hand library book to read quietly. " Callen's eyes misted over as he remembered, "I used to sneak down to the family room and watch through the window as the other kids got presents and hugs and…." He got up and walked to the trash to throw his bottle away.

"Nic." Nell said

"It's not that I want sympathy, it's just that I want that…I want the love I see in other families and the warmth and the 'family-ness' of it all." He sighed "I just don't know how to make it right."

Hetty smiled, "There is no way to make it right, every family makes their own Christmas, and you will make your own this year with Ms Jones, your father and grandfather and next year your own child."

Nell rubbed her stomach as Hetty was talking, her Braxton Hicks contractions had started a week ago and was niggling her on and off.

Callen held Nell's chair out as she sat and he dished up the meal for them all, As they were serving the dessert Callen turned to Hetty, "There was a reason we asked you for Dinner tonight." Callen said.

"I assumed as much Mr. Gibbs," Hetty smiled.

"I…we wanted to ask you…" Callen started, "As I do not have much family, and no female relatives. We were wondering…would you be our child's grandmother on my side, you are the nearest thing I have ever had to a mother…if you don't want to…." Callen petered off seeing the look on Hetty's face.

"I had a daughter once." Hetty said so quietly they might have missed it. "She died…recently, I thought my chance to be a grandmother died with her." Hetty said.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked….I…" Callen looked panicked at Nell, had he ruined everything.

"Then I forgot about my son." Hetty smiled "The boy I took into my heart and have loved like my own and who is about to make me a grandmother." she said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Callen said forlornly.

Hetty smiled again, "Nicolai Callen Gibbs, you are the son I am talking about, every since I met you, you have been the son of my heart." she said

"So you will?" Callen asked as Nell clasped his hand.

"I would be honored to be your child's grandmother." Hetty said.

They talked and laughed late into the evening. until they were interrupted by another knock at the door.

"I'll get it." Nell said as she left Hetty and Callen talking over a cup of tea.

Nell opened the door to see an old man standing holding a bag.

"I'm sorry miss, I seem to have the wrong address?" he said looking at a slip of paper in his hand. "I was looking for the Gibbs residence? Does he live near here?" he asked.

Nell turned and in the light coming from inside the house Jackson Gibbs could see that the woman was heavily pregnant. "Nico?" she called.

Jackson smiled. "Oh are you a friend of his?" He asked.

Callen walked out from the kitchen, "Grandpa?!" he stood stunned, "Grandpa!" he ran the last few steps across the room and hugged the old man, "Come on in," Callen smiled, Nell and Hetty looked at each other with a smile, they could see the excited child in the man.

"Nell, Hetty this is my Grandpa, Jackson Gibbs."

"Ma'am." Jackson said shaking hands with the two women,

"Would you like something to drink Mr. Gibbs," Nell asked.

Jackson looked at his grandson. "Do you often get your guests to offer drinks to your guests?"

Callen looked confused, "No Grandpa. Nell is my girlfriend she lives here with me."

"So that's yours?" Jackson said gesturing to the obvious child Nell was carrying. "Does your father know?"

"I...no Sir," Callen sighed, he had made a mistake and he knew his grandpa was mad with him.

"I think we need to make a phone call don't you?" Jackson said.

"Mr. Gibbs, Maybe as your son will be here in a few days, instead of worrying him, you could hold off on calling him and get to know Miss Jones instead." Hetty offered.

Jackson looked at the older woman he knew she wasn't the sort of person who would budge and he decided to listen to what she had to say.

"Please Mr. Gibbs, won't you join me for a cup of tea." Hetty offered and guided the man into the kitchen.

Callen held Nell as he watched the older pair go off, his grandpa flirting with his boss.