Chapter 3: News Travels Fast
Jenny ignored the strange looks and inquiring eyes as she passed through the halls of NCIS. Sure, two days prior she had been rushed out of there in an ambulance but she was back now and perfectly capable of doing her job. They didn't need to know all the details. She knew they would believe whatever they wanted to anyways. For an agency that dealt in facts in order to get their jobs done effectively, there was always plenty of juicy gossip going around. That would never change.
Tony, Ziva, Tim, Abby, Ducky and Jimmy were scheduled to come over for dinner that evening. Jenny was making chicken marsala with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. She was a bit nervous about breaking the news to them but she was excited at the same time. She was finding it difficult to keep the news and her excitement to herself. She'd given in and told Cynthia already but she knew her assistant would keep her secret. She felt she owed it to the woman after Cynthia had found her unconscious on the floor two days prior. Gibbs had given her the go ahead so she'd told her assistant the previous day when she'd returned to work.
Jenny walked into her office and jumped in surprise when she saw Gibbs standing there waiting for her. She wasn't sure why that surprised her since he never asked permission to enter her office but she'd been a little on edge all day.
"You ready to go?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah," Jenny answered dropping a stack of folders onto her desk. "We need to run by the store either before or after we get the kids. I want to get some ice cream to go with the chocolate cake tonight."
"Alright," Gibbs said holding her coat out so she could get her arms in the sleeves. Once she had her coat on, Gibbs turned her around to face him. "Everything okay? You sound stressed."
"I'm fine," she huffed, grabbing her purse and briefcase. When Gibbs didn't move to follow her out the door she stopped and turned back towards him. She realized he wasn't going to budge until she told him what was bothering her. That was actually one of the reasons she loved him. He knew when something was bothering her and he wouldn't let her get away with sweeping it under the rug. "I'm just tired of all the gossip about why I was in the hospital," she said.
Gibbs wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. "What are they saying?" he asked before pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Well, let's see," Jenny said, "there's the one about the job being too stressful and me overdosing on drugs to try to deal with the pressure. Someone apparently thinks I picked up a rare, contagious disease during one of my trips overseas and that everyone should steer clear of me so they don't catch it. Then there's my personal favorite, I came to work completely smashed and passed out from alcohol poisoning. I'm not sure why I came to work too drunk to function but I'm sure there's some speculation on that too."
"Worse than high school," Gibbs grumbled.
Whether it was Abby having dinner with a head hunter, Tim showing up to work with lipstick on his collar or Jimmy disappearing for an extended amount of time and returning with a hickey on his neck; any suspicious activity was met with speculation that quickly grew out of hand and spread all throughout the agency. It wasn't just with Gibbs' team either, no one in the agency was off limits, not even the director it seemed but like it or not, there was nothing Gibbs or Jenny could do to stop the vicious rumors. The news of Jenny passing out in her office would soon become old news and people would move on to the next big happening. They just had to wait it out.
Gibbs rested his hand over Jenny's womb and couldn't help but smile. Jenny put her hand on top of his and cuddled into him. "You can't feel anything yet," she said quietly.
"I know," Gibbs said, "but still, I know what's happening in there." He rubbed his hand over her gently as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Jenny breathed a happy sigh as she buried her face in his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. Not only were her hormones messing with her emotions, she also found herself getting aroused more easily. It seemed all Gibbs had to do was smile at her and she was ready to drag him to the bedroom. "If you keep doing that, I'm going to have to strip you down and make love to you right here on my desk," she whispered.
Surprised at that remark, Gibbs slid his hand even lower until Jenny grabbed onto it and stopped him.
"Jethro," she warned, "I have to be able to conduct serious business in this office."
"Yeah," Gibbs agreed as he left a trail of kisses down her neck.
"Yeah, so if we do this here, that's all I'm going to be able to think about," Jenny said around a groan of pleasure.
Gibbs slipped his hand under her shirt around to her back and pulled her body against his. "If you want to wait, we can wait," he whispered into her ear before placing a kiss there as he rocked his body into hers.
Jenny melted into him, trying to organize her thoughts enough to make a decision. She wanted nothing more than to give herself over to him right then and there but with Cynthia right on the other side of the door, the team coming over for dinner shortly and the twins still needing to be picked up from daycare, she decided she could wait, if for no other reason than to prove to herself that she had more control than a horny teenager.
"Tonight," she whispered before kissing his cheek.
Gibbs kissed her once more before he removed his hands from her shirt and backed away slightly. "Okay," he said, "I can wait."
"Let's pick the twins up before we run by the grocery story," Jenny said straightening out her shirt. "I really want to see them."
"Sounds like a plan," Gibbs said. He wanted to see them too. He was overjoyed to have a family to go home to each night. Not only did he have a beautiful, smart and sexy fiancé, he also had two wonderful children to hug and kiss and enjoy. His house was once again filled with love. It wasn't the same as having Shannon and Kelly there but Gibbs knew his love for Jenny and the twins didn't replace his love for them. There was enough room in his heart for all of them and they each had a special place in his life that no one could ever replace.
The children were all gathered around the TV watching a movie when Gibbs and Jenny arrived at the daycare to pick the twins up. While Gibbs signed them out, Jenny walked over and patted them both on the head so they knew it was time to go. Both kids exchanged hugs and kisses with Mommy before racing over to Daddy. Gibbs swept them both into his arms and covered them with kisses. Gibbs and Jenny helped them get their shoes and coats on, collected their art projects and lesson papers to add to the already covered refrigerator, and then headed for the store.
Bailey and Josie glossed over the topic of how their day was and skipped right to talking about the fun evening ahead of them. They couldn't wait to see their aunts and uncles and were excited to talk about the baby growing in their mommy's tummy. After a quick trip through the frozen food section at the store to grab some ice cream, the group headed home.
Thirty minutes after making it home, their first guests were at the door. Jenny was in the kitchen preparing dinner while Gibbs was entertaining the twins in the living room. The instant the doorbell rang both kids raced to answer it. Gibbs looked out the front window and when he saw Abby, Ducky and Jimmy he gave the twins permission to open the door.
After the kids exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone, Ducky disappeared into the kitchen to help Jenny and Jimmy sat down on the floor to play with the twins. Bailey had his train set out and Josie was having a tea party with her stuffed animals. She gladly set a place for Jimmy. Abby plopped down on the couch next to Gibbs hoping to get a hint out of him about why they'd all been invited over for dinner.
"So, Gibbs," Abby said gazing at him with wondering eyes.
Gibbs looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smirked over at Abby. "So, Abs," he mimicked. She may have been the favorite but he wasn't going to let anything slip until everyone was there and it was time.
"Pleeeeeease," Abby whined, knowing Gibbs knew what she was talking about. "Just a hint, a little one. Come on, Gibbs. "
"A hint about what?" Gibbs asked playing dumb.
Abby's mouth fell open at his mock ignorance. She knew that he knew exactly what she was talking about. "Gibbs, I'm your favorite, remember?" She gave him her best sad puppy face but the only thing she got out of him was a kiss on the cheek. The arrival of Tony, Ziva and Tim put an end to her questioning.
"We brought presents!" Tony announced happily. The twins raced over to their goofy uncle and tackled him to the ground while he was bent over untying his shoes. Tony kicked his shoes into the corner, tucked one kid under each arm and carried them into the living room. A glare from Gibbs reminded him of the no wrestling in the house rule. Instead he laid them on the floor and started tickling them. The fun was interrupted when Bailey had to hurry off to the bathroom before wetting his pants.
"You guys spoil them," Gibbs said when Ziva put a package wrapped in brightly colored paper on the coffee table.
"We wouldn't be suitable aunts and uncles if we didn't, Boss," Tony said moving over to the arm of the chair where Ziva was sitting.
"Can I open it?" Josie asked excitedly.
"Wait for your brother, Sweet Pea," Gibbs said.
Bailey came racing back into the living room and the two tore the wrapping paper off their newest gift. Inside was a giant, colorful, round floor puzzle with a picture of the earth in the center and surrounding it were children from all different cultures holding hands.
"Can we make it right now?" Bailey asked excitedly.
"Sure," Gibbs said, happy with the gift. He didn't mind when his team brought them new toys but he liked educational gifts as well. The twins were finally managing to catch up with the other kids their age at preschool. They knew a lot of their colors, they could sing the alphabet song and count to ten perfectly and were making progress in learning how to write their names.
Abby contented herself with waiting to find out the reason for the impromptu dinner party and moved down to the floor to help the twins with their puzzle. Gibbs went to work setting the table while Tony, Ziva and Tim entertained themselves in the living room. He stole a kiss from Jenny while Ducky was busy mashing the potatoes and rambling about the versatility of the vegetable then sent everyone to get washed up. After a short argument over who was going to sit where, dinner was served.
"Alright," Tony said around a mouth full of chicken marsala, "I know you guys invited us over for a reason. What's going on?"
Abby dropped her fork to her plate and gasped dramatically, drawing everyone's attention. "You're retiring again?" she guessed, horrified at the thought. "You can't leave us, Gibbs! We need you too! You're our fearless leader, our silver haired fox, you are the glue that holds this team together!"
"Relax, Abs," Gibbs said with a smirk, "I'm not going anywhere."
"Then what's going on?" Abby asked suspiciously.
"There's a baby growing in Mommy's tummy!" Josie announced excitedly.
"It will be our brother or sister but we still can live here with Daddy and Mommy," Bailey added.
The team looked at the twins in shock then looked up at Gibbs and Jenny for conformation. "For real?" Abby squeaked out, overly excited about the news.
"Mommy and Daddy cuddled and then the baby came to live in Mommy's tummy and then the doctor will get it out and it will live with us," Josie said.
Jenny's face turned a bright shade of red and Gibbs smirked. He had to admit he was impressed with the three year old's understanding and ability to articulate what they'd explained a couple nights earlier. "Jen's pregnant," he confirmed.
"That's why you passed out on Monday," Abby concluded, putting the pieces together in her head. "We're going to have more Gibblets to spoil!"
Everyone offered their congratulations and talked about all the fun things they could do with the new little one. Abby couldn't wait to babysit, Ducky and Jimmy both offered their medical expertise and Tony, Ziva and Tim offered to stay with Bailey and Josie when the baby was born. Dinner quickly took second place as the excitement of the evening escalated.
"When are you due, my dear?" Ducky asked.
"September 24th," Jenny answered. "Just under seven months."
"It's going to be a busy year for you guys," Ducky concluded knowing their wedding was only weeks away and they were still adjusting to life together with the twins.
"Are we going to know if it is a boy or girl or do you want it to be a surprise?" Ziva asked.
Gibbs and Jenny looked at each other. They hadn't discussed that yet. They'd been thrilled to hear the baby's heartbeat and had talked about everything from where to put the nursery to how the twins were going to react but the news had been such a surprise they were still trying to get their bearings. "We haven't decided yet," Gibbs answered.
"I think you should be surprised," Abby said. "No, wait, then I won't know what to get the baby." The Goth sat and thought it over for a moment. "Okay, have your doctor write it on a piece of paper and bring it to me in a sealed envelope, then we'll know what to get the little one and you guys can be surprised."
Both Gibbs and Jenny laughed at how much thought Abby put into the matter. "If we're going to be surprised then you guys are going to be surprised with us, Abs," Gibbs said as he reached over and rubbed Jenny's shoulder.
The group talked excitedly throughout the rest of their dinner. They made sure to include Bailey and Josie in the conversation so they didn't feel left out. Bailey announced he wanted a little brother and Josie, of course, wanted a little sister. Each member of the team had their own thoughts on the baby's gender. Gibbs and Jenny weren't too concerned about the sex of the baby; they just wanted it to be healthy. Everyone offered their input on themes and colors for the nursery, came up with several baby names and even went so far as to start choosing colleges and possible future careers. Gibbs and Jenny listened with smiles on their faces, enjoying the excitement of the younger agents.
When they were done eating, the twins started getting tired of all the adult conversation so Gibbs and Jenny let them go play in the living room. The conversation in the dining room went from baby talk to wedding talk. The girls were going for the final fittings of their bridesmaids dresses the following week. Jenny nudged Gibbs and reminded him the men needed to get their tuxedos taken care of. With the wedding less than a month away she was starting to get stressed out over it even though Gibbs assured her there was still plenty of time. His idea of plenty of time was her idea of last minute.
Cake and ice cream was enjoyed in the living room with everyone focusing all their attention on the twins. After in-depth conversations about what they were learning in school, the new friends they'd made, the preschool bully and Bailey's time out for refusing to clean up when it was lesson time, the men headed into the kitchen to clean up, Abby took Josie upstairs to give her a bath and Bailey continued playing with his trains while Jenny and Ziva sat on the couch and talked.
After an exciting evening filled with family, fun and laughter as well as cake and ice cream, both kids had trouble settling down for bed. Baths were had, pajamas were on and stories were read but neither of the twins seemed ready or willing to give in to sleep. Josie was putting on a concert in her room while she wiggled her fingers and toes in the air and across the hall Bailey was telling his stuffed animals jokes and stories while he bounced around in his bed.
"Which one do you want?" Gibbs asked quietly as they stood in the hall listening to the kids.
Jenny thought for a moment before answering. "I'll take Bailey tonight."
They nodded sleepily at each other then went into their respective rooms. Gibbs got Josie out of bed and sat down with her in the rocking chair that was kept in her room. During the first week the twins stayed at his house, Jenny had taught Josie to lay her head on Gibbs' chest and listen to his heartbeat and ever since that seemed to have a calming effect on the three year old.
Gibbs rocked his little girl patiently while she sang quietly and traced her fingers across his chest. Once her finger slowed and her singing started getting interrupted by her yawns, Gibbs held her hand against his chest and quietly shushed her. Before long her eyelids started drooping closed and Gibbs could feel the tension leaving her body.
Across the hall Jenny was lying down with Bailey rubbing the little boy's belly like he liked. He was usually the better sleeper but the new parents had figured out he wouldn't fall asleep if something was on his mind and Jenny sensed it wasn't just the cake and ice cream keeping him awake at the late hour. She knew if she waited the toddler out he'd talk to her when he was ready. The little boy was a thinker and never spoke without considering his words. She didn't have to wait long before he spoke.
"Mommy," he whispered.
"What Sweetheart?"
"Do you still love me?"
"I still love you more than anything in the world," Jenny whispered as she continued rubbing his belly.
"What about when they baby comes out of you?" Bailey asked. "Will you still love me then too?"
"Even if a hundred babies come out of my tummy, I'll still love you the same," Jenny whispered before kissing his temple.
Bailey cuddled into her side and let himself relax as he yawned. That was all he needed to hear. "I will still love you the same too, Mommy," he said sleepily.
Jenny smiled into the dark. Bailey may not have had her blood running through his veins but he was her child and she couldn't imagine life without him or his sister. The twins had come into their lives three short months prior and immediately stolen a piece of her heart. They made her life complete in a way she wasn't even sure was possible. After walking away from Gibbs in Europe she'd often wondered if she'd given up her only chance of starting a family. She'd dated others along the way but the more she dated, the more she found that Gibbs was her one true love. Now that she was getting more and more settled into a life with Gibbs and the children her only regret was choosing her job over family, knowing she could've been enjoying the family life for several years prior.