The Red Haired Woman
Chapter 15
Three months later, the happily unemployed couple was running back up the aisle having just been married officially. The General had insisted on the politically correct wedding instead of the quiet service Chanel and Gibbs wanted. They finally caved in to his preferences. They were somewhat non compliant by having a 'man of honor' in Tony, Abby as bridesmaid, Ducky as best man, Tobias and Tim as groomsmen, and spreading all of her special ops team across both sides of the aisle. If they were going to have a large wedding, then they would have a large wedding party. It was particularly difficult asking Lt. Col. Gifford. They finally settled on Chanel talking with him first to help ease the situation, and then Gibbs would invite Gifford to dinner one evening where they could talk.
Over time, the two men found a good friend in each other who shared similar hobbies and interests. Gifford, or Tommy as he was more commonly called, stayed close to the family, even buying a home nearby. As both men respected each other and honored the feelings the other had for Chanel, there was no conflict and everyone was happy with the situation.
Right on time, Chanel delivered a very healthy baby boy, named Thomas Michael. It turned out that making and having babies were yet other skills Chanel could add to her repertoire. She had three more boys and a girl squeezed in between before she called it quits. She bemoaned how her body would never be the same, but Gibbs could never see much different. Sure, she was a little softer than before, but he preferred her rounded shape anyway.
Abby and Tim finally got around to getting married, and Tony finally married the cute nurse who took care of him after the plague. All four of them, but especially Tony were very involved in the growing Gibbs' household.
The children grew up surrounded by love and family, extended as it was. The General retired after his second grandchild was born, saying he wanted to spend more time with his ever growing family and less time fighting the nation's battles. He died shortly after his last grandchild was born and was buried in the family cemetery on the property.
Gibbs and Gifford started racing in the America's Cup, with others from the Special Ops team and Tony was of course involved. They enjoyed the camaraderie and discipline the sport required and that they found they missed from active service. Gifford was the youngest officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but was also one of the most respected. Even so, the daily grind at the Pentagon and White House did not provide the thrill from his earlier adventures.
Two days short of their 20th anniversary and shortly after his 70th birthday, Jethro died from a heart attack while working on his boat. He was buried in the family cemetery on the hill. Most of his children were still at home in high school but the ones who were already off in college came home to share their mother's undeniable grief. She had lost her best friend, her husband, and the father of her children. She was strong for everyone, but she was inconsolable in private. And her life became excruciatingly private. While she carried on for her children still at home, she grieved deeply and turned inward. Tommy came over every day, even days she would not speak to anyone. He would just sit with her quietly offering comfort by just being there.
Every month on the anniversary of his death, Chanel would walk up to the cemetery and sit at his grave and tell him about the kids, their classes, their great and lesser loves, their strengths and weaknesses. She told him about their friends and loved ones and how they fared. And after a while she talked to Gibbs about Tommy as well, and soon felt like she knew what he would want for her. She loved Gibbs greatly and had wished to never be parted from him. She hoped that they would be rejoined in the next journey they would have.
The kids heard their mother's laugh for the first time in 9 months one day while she and Tommy walked around the property. One year and a few days after Gibbs' death, Tommy joined her in her bedroom and stayed for the next 30 years. While they never married, they were in their hearts and Tommy helped raise Gibbs' children and provide the guidance and honor they would need to go out into the world.