Chapter Nine: A Cause for Celebration
Abby sat on her chair in the lab studying the picture from Jenny's latest ultrasound. At nineteen weeks old she knew it was possible to tell the baby's gender. Gibbs and Jenny may have wanted to be surprised but she couldn't wait another five months. She'd manipulated the picture every way she knew how. She'd lightened it and darkened it, enlarged it, even taken a magnifying glass to it and put it under the microscope but the only thing she'd learned was the baby had the beginnings of a very cute little butt. She wrinkled her nose as she tucked her copy of the photograph away in a desk drawer.
Gibbs stood in the doorway of the lab watching, unbeknownst to Abby. He smiled as she sighed in defeat. She'd taken the news of being surprised about the baby's gender better than he'd thought she would and now he realized why—she didn't think she needed the doctor to tell her, she thought she could figure it out on her own.
"Problems, Abs?" he asked stepping up behind her and rubbing her shoulders.
"You know very well what problem I'm having," Abby said shooting him her best glare.
Gibbs smiled despite her strict tone. "I do?" he asked.
"Gibbs, please," Abby whined. "Isn't there some way I could find out if I'm having a brother or a sister. You're making it impossible to shop for the baby. I don't know what color clothes or accessories, does she need hair ties or does he need bow ties, what toys, books, stuffed animals. Please. I promise I won't tell anybody."
Gibbs sat on the corner of her desk and went from rubbing her shoulders to rubbing her neck. "Abby, it's going to be a baby. There are plenty of things you can get that aren't gender specific. Stop stressing yourself out over it. You're too tense."
"I can't help it," Abby said, the whiny tone still hiding in her voice. "I just want everything to be perfect."
"And it will be," Gibbs said. "Don't over think things."
Abby got a sly look on her face as an idea came to her. Gibbs had no idea what was going to come out of her mouth next, with her it could be anything. "I know," she said. "I'll just buy stuff for boys and girls then you'll be all set no matter what and," she continued dramatically, "when you have your next baby, maybe you'll have one of the opposite sex!"
Gibbs shook his head as Abby's excitement continued to grow. "I'm gonna spank your butt," he teased.
"You wouldn't," Abby said with a smirk.
Gibbs pulled her to his chest and kissed the top of her head as he hugged her. "Just don't let Jen hear you talking about baby number two."
After dinner had been cleaned up on Friday night, Jenny and Josie curled up together in the recliner in the living room. Jenny had adjusted to discomfort associated with pregnancy and found herself able to relax a little better than she had been. Except for occasional lightheadedness that slowed her down from time to time, she was able to carry on with her normal activities. She knew that compared to others she was having an easy pregnancy. Part of her couldn't help but worry if everything was okay while the other part enjoyed not having to race to the bathroom to throw up or deal with constant nausea and all the other 'fun' things could sometimes accompany pregnancy.
"What movie would you like to watch, Sweetheart?" Jenny asked. "Daddy and Bailey are going to go down to the basement so you can pick any one you want."
Josie smiled at the thought of that. The boys didn't like to watch princess movies but she knew Mommy loved watching them with her. She didn't know which one to choose. "I think Snow White!" she said with a big grin.
"Snow White it is," Jenny said. Luckily Gibbs was just coming down the stairs with Bailey after changing into their work clothes. "Jethro, do you mind putting Snow White in before you go downstairs?" Jenny asked.
"Sure," Gibbs said. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his wife and daughter. "Would you ladies like me to make you some popcorn before Bailey and I leave?"
"I don't know about Josie but I'm still full from dinner," Jenny said.
"Me too," Josie said, "but I might get hungry again later."
"Well if you do I want you to come get me and I'll make you some popcorn so you and Momma can relax, okay?" Gibbs said.
Josie smiled and nodded. Gibbs found Snow White and got the movie started then handed Jenny the remote, kissed both of his girls and headed down to the basement with his little boy.
Bailey had been helping his daddy make the furniture for the nursery. He was very excited about having such an important job and absolutely loved spending time with Gibbs no matter what they were doing. So far the two had completed the changing table and the cradle and were making good progress on the crib. The only thing left was the dresser. Bailey spent more time playing and goofing around but he loved putting on his little tool belt and mimicking Gibbs' motions with his toy tools. Gibbs also helped him hammer nails, measure and saw and let him help with the sanding.
He'd chosen oak to make the furniture out of. The wood would be a little more expensive but it was better quality. It had a good density and was both strong and hard. A light stain and simple but unique design would provide beautiful, durable furniture that would last through however many children they decided to have and could then be passed down to be used for their grandchildren. By doing it himself he could save a little money and have a finished product that would be around longer than he was.
"You excited about your birthday party?" Gibbs asked as he worked on assembling the crib.
Bailey shrugged his shoulders as he pounded on a piece of wood with his plastic hammer.
"What's the matter, Bud?" Gibbs asked.
"Nothing," Bailey said unconvincingly. "I am ready for the party."
"Hmm, it sounds to me like something's bothering you," Gibbs said.
"When Josie and me used to have birthdays, Mommy used to stay home from work and do stuff with us," Bailey said.
"Do you miss your mommy?" Gibbs asked reading between the lines.
Bailey looked up at Gibbs and shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Sometimes."
Gibbs paused what he was doing and took the hammer Bailey was pounding away with. He sat down and pulled Bailey into his lap. "It's okay to miss your mom, Buddy."
"I wish she could come back to me," Bailey said cuddling in close to Gibbs.
"I know," Gibbs said quietly. "It's not fair that she can't be here with you but she'll always live right here in your heart," he said tapping Bailey's chest, "and you can talk to her whenever you want."
Bailey narrowed his eyes in confusion. "How?"
"Well, think of her as your guardian angel," Gibbs said. "You can't see her or hear her but you can feel her. She's always there watching over you."
"Like a ghost?" Bailey asked.
"Kind of," Gibbs said, "but more like an angel."
"A angel. Mommy is a beautiful angel." Bailey wrapped his arms around Gibbs and sank further into him. "Daddy, I think that I am a lucky boy."
"Yeah?" Gibbs said before kissing Bailey's head. "And why are you a lucky boy?"
"Because I have two beautiful mommies who love me and 'cause when Daddy was mean to me and hurt me then you came and rescued me."
Gibbs kissed Bailey's head again as he held him close. "You know what I think? I think I'm a lucky dad. I have the two best kids in the world."
"When the baby comes out of Mommy you will have three," Bailey said happily.
"Yep, then I'll have the three best kids in the world," Gibbs said. "You know what? We better get busy or the baby's going to come before we finish."
"Then the baby won't have nowhere to sleep," Bailey said.
"That's right," Gibbs said standing Bailey on the floor and ruffling his hair. "Can you help me put this together?"
"Yeah, but I gotta put my hammer back on my belt."
The twin's fourth birthday party had turned into a big deal. Originally it started out as a simple party with a few guests and a piñata but now just about every single child they attended daycare with was coming to the party and they were having a carnival of sorts in the backyard. Thankfully the team had sacrificed their Saturday to help. Jenny's belly was getting in the way of many activities and she couldn't be on her feet very long without back and foot pains. Jack was also in town to celebrate his grandkids' birthday and help out in any way he could.
The birthday party was the afternoon of May 6th. The twin's real birthday was on the 5th but that was a Friday and they'd had to go to school while Daddy and Mommy worked. Tony and Tim arrived early to help grill the hamburgers and hotdogs. Ziva and Abby were right behind them with cakes and Ducky and Jimmy showed up shortly after that. The twins would each have their own cake with their own candles to blow out. Bailey's was a white cake made to look like SpongeBob and Josie had a chocolate Stitch cake. They were twins and shared just about everything but they were also individuals and very special in their own unique ways.
There was a party tent set up in the backyard although the day had turned out perfectly. The temperature was in the low 60s and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The drinks were already chilling in the cooler and the condiments had been set out on the serving table along the potato chips. It would be a simple and easy meal for the preschoolers. Streamers and balloons decorated the tent and tables along with SpongeBob and Stitch confetti spread out on the tablecloths.
The goody bags for their young guests had been filled. The piñata was nearly bursting at the seams with candy. Pin the tail on the donkey—the donkey being Eeyore—was set up, there was a bean bag toss, a mock bowling alley, a tower of cans and a few other simple carnival games set up in the yard for the kids to enjoy and win candy. There was also a bouncy house which was sure to be the favorite. Bailey and Josie had been in there ever since it had arrived that morning. It was the first place Tony had gone as well.
The children started arriving at 3:00 as the invitations had instructed. The backyard was soon filled with loud, happy little ones playing in the bouncy house and trying their hands at the different carnival games to win candy. Tony, Tim, Ziva, Abby and Jimmy had all chosen a game to run. Jenny and Jack floated around the mob of munchkins, making sure everybody was getting a turn at the games and all were having fun and Ducky helped Gibbs get dinner in order. While Gibbs grilled, Ducky opened bags of chips and filled the SpongeBob and Stitch cups with punch so they were easily accessible to the little ones. He set out the matching plates and napkins then Gibbs got everyone's attention and put the party games on hold while they ate.
The adults helped the kids fill their plates and get to the table without spilling. So far the party had gone off without a hitch. There had been no arguments or injuries, just a group of happy children, playing together and having fun. Gibbs and Jenny knew the key was to keep the little ones from getting bored. As long as they were occupied and having fun, the kids would stay out of trouble.
After dinner, before the cake and ice cream was served it was time for the piñata. Ducky held the rope while Gibbs blindfolded the kids and spun them around before letting them loose. The birthday boy and girl got to go first and second then they filtered through all the waiting children. Once they made it back to Bailey, Gibbs let him go at it without making him dizzy or blindfolding him. With a couple firm whacks the piñata exploded open and candy rained down on the happy children.
While the kids added their candy to their goody bags, Jenny and Jack got the cakes ready. Four candles were put on each cake and lit as the kids gathered around. Josie stood with Mom by her cake and Bailey stood in front of Dad by his cake while everyone sang happy birthday to them. The candles were extinguished with one strong blow from each child and all the adults clapped and cheered.
Cake and ice cream was passed out to Bailey and Josie first then the others. Tony tried to con the kids into revealing their wishes but they both refused. They knew their wishes wouldn't come true if they told. Parents started arriving as Bailey and Josie sat down to open presents. Superhero action figures and dolls, books and puzzles, DVDs and dress up accessories, the gifts seemed endless.
From Mommy and Daddy came a playground set for the backyard, designed and built by Gibbs. A short ladder led up to a lookout tower with a steering wheel that spun in all directions attached to the side. A wooden bridge led over to a fireman's pole, a step down platform and a balance beam. Off to one side was a swing set and the other was a slide.
Jenny kept track of who gave what so they could send out thank you cards. Jack gathered the trash as the wrapping paper was ripped away so the mess didn't get too out of hand. Abby snapped pictures of the special day while the rest of the team kept the kids corralled. The party guests were sent home with sugar highs and the adults were exhausted. It had been a long day but full of fun and laughter for the children. Bailey and Josie assured everybody it was their best birthday party ever and that made all the effort worth it.
The team stayed and helped get the backyard cleaned up. Gibbs and Jenny couldn't thank them enough for all their help and hard work. Once everything was in order again, they said their goodbyes then headed home. Jack and Jenny were sitting in the living room visiting while the twins played. Josie was prancing around in some of her dress up clothes while Bailey flew his new Superman action figure all over the downstairs. Gibbs smiled as he dodged Bailey who was running by and watched Josie model her new look.
"Slow down, Son," he cautioned.
"Ok, Daddy," Bailey called back, slowing just slightly.
Gibbs realized his life was perfect as he joined his wife and dad in the living room. He had two wonderful kids and although he hadn't had any part in creating them, they were his own and he couldn't imagine life without them. He looked over at his pregnant wife and smiled. Despite her discomfort she was glowing. The twins quickly found their way into Gibbs and Jenny's laps. They were having a blast playing with their new toys but nothing beat cuddling with Mom and Dad while Grandpa told them one of his fun stories.
It was nearly midnight by the time Gibbs and Jenny headed up to their bedroom. They'd let the twins stay up a little later than normal to visit with their grandpa then they'd stayed up chatting with Jack after the little ones were in bed. Jenny changed into her nightgown, brushed her teeth and washed her face then sat down in bed with her back propped up against the headboard. Gibbs pulled his shirt over his head then laid down in bed next to Jenny. She moved closer to him and put his head in her lap.
"You're tired, aren't you?" she asked. Gibbs rarely admitted being tired. Just fill him up with coffee and he could go all night but looking down at him in her lap, there was no denying his exhaustion. "You worked hard today."
"So did you," Gibbs said as Jenny combed her fingers through his hair, "but I think the kids had fun."
"They had a blast," Jenny assured him. "The party was a big hit—even if you didn't let me get a petting zoo."
Gibbs opened one eye and looked up at her. She'd been teasing him about the petting zoo ever since they'd started planning the party. He knew she didn't want it anymore than he did. Thankfully the twins hadn't overheard them or they would've begged and then it would've only been a matter of who would've caved first because making the kids happy was Gibbs and Jenny's number one priority.
Gibbs closed his eyes and relaxed as Jenny continued massaging his scalp. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Actually, I'm a little hungry," Jenny said.
"And what are you hungry for?" Gibbs asked stifling a yawn.
"Safeway was advertising watermelon in the ad that came in the mail yesterday," Jenny said. "It looked really good."
"Would you like me to go to the store and get you a watermelon?" Gibbs asked.
"Well—" Jenny hesitated. She knew he was exhausted and really didn't want him to have to go out but she was also really craving watermelon.
"I'll go get you some watermelon," Gibbs said with a smile. He really didn't mind. He loved Jenny and would do anything for her, whether she was pregnant or not.
"Thank you, Honey," Jenny said truly grateful for his willingness to make a midnight run to the grocery store despite his exhaustion.
Gibbs gave Jenny a kiss then grabbed his shirt from the floor and pulled it over his head as he headed downstairs. He grabbed his car keys from the table in the entryway and headed out in search of a watermelon for his pregnant wife.
When Gibbs got to the Safeway in Alexandria, he found out they didn't have any watermelon left. It was the same thing at the Safeways in Annandale, Fairfax, McLean and Falls Church. They had either not received their shipments or were out of stock. Gibbs stopped at a gas station for a cup of mediocre coffee then continued on. He was determined to find a watermelon. He started going into every grocery store he passed. Many had closed for the night and the few that were still open didn't have a watermelon in sight.
He finally found a store in Falls Church that had some in stock. They were more expensive than the ones advertised in Safeway's ad but at that point Gibbs would have paid ten times what it was worth. He made his purchase then headed for home, completely exhausted.
Jenny heard Gibbs return and headed down to the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he cut some of the watermelon for her. "You were gone a long time," she said. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," Gibbs said around a yawn, "I have to go across five counties to find a store that was still open and had watermelon in stock." He handed her a bowl then covered the rest of it and put it in the fridge.
"I'm sorry," Jenny said. "I didn't realize I was sending you on a wild goose chase. Where'd you finally find one?"
"The Harris Teeter over in Falls Church," Gibbs said.
"Thank you. I really appreciate it, Jethro," she said taking a bite of the fruit Gibbs had spent half the night searching for.
"I know," Gibbs said with a smile, "and I'd do it all over again for you if you asked."
Jenny patted his chest and smiled at him. There was no denying her love for him. After one bite of the watermelon she decided she was finished. She put her bowl in the fridge and headed back upstairs, assuming Gibbs was right behind her.
Gibbs watched in shock as she only ate one piece of the watermelon he'd spent the last two and a half hours searching for. She'd already disappeared and he was still standing in the kitchen with his mouth hanging open. He reminded himself Jenny's body was going through all kinds of changes and decided he was too tired and he loved her too much to get upset over something so trivial. He stripped out of his shirt on his way up the stairs, dropped his jeans right next to his bed, laid down and went right to sleep.
Author's Note: I'd like to send a huge thank you to Prettycrazy for helping me with the pregnancy stuff!