Chapter Fourteen: Little Angel
Jack and Jenny were enjoying some peace and quiet at the house on Wednesday morning. Gibbs was at work and the twins were at daycare. Instead of going full days they now attended the preschool program which only kept them there through lunch. It helped prepare them for Kindergarten and gave them an opportunity to socialize with other children then they got to spend the rest of the day with Mommy and Grandpa and Daddy when he got home from work.
Gibbs was using his lunch breaks to pick them up from daycare and take them home. It also gave him an opportunity to check on his wife. With her being so far along in her pregnancy and her belly being so large, he was trying to reduce her time behind the wheel for her safety and the baby's. With all the discomfort she was experiencing, Jenny didn't mind.
Jack was busy working a crossword puzzle while Jenny read her book, or attempted to read. Her Braxton Hicks contractions had been getting more and more intense over the past several days and it was hard to focus on anything when she was experiencing one. The baby had shifted enough to make it a little easier for her to breathe but it now seemed to be sitting on her bladder. With as many trips as she was making to the bathroom she was beginning to wonder if it'd be easier to just stay in there.
Her doctor appointment at the beginning of the week had shown everything was ready whenever she went into labor. At thirty eight weeks it could happen at any time. The baby was in the correct position, fully developed and a healthy size and weight. Jenny's vitals were all within normal ranges and she was healthy and ready. Now it was just a waiting game and both she and Gibbs were more than ready to meet their baby.
She grumbled as she lowered herself into the rocking chair for the thirty second time that morning. Yes, she was keeping count. It gave her something to do.
"You okay, Sweetheart?" Jack asked smiling in her direction.
"As okay as I'm going to be right now," Jenny groaned.
"Let me refill your water for you," Jack said. "Can I get you anything to eat?"
Jenny rested her head against the rocker and closed her eyes. "Maybe some dry toast," she said. "Thank you so much, Jack. You really don't have to wait on me hand and foot."
Jack shrugged it off as he grabbed her empty cup and headed into the kitchen. "It's my pleasure," he called back. "Besides, I need something to keep busy with. I've never been one to just sit around, so in a way you're helping me out too."
Jenny smiled gratefully. Jack was just as thoughtful and gracious as Gibbs was. Like father, like son.
Minutes later, when Jack returned with a refilled cup of water and a piece of dry toast, he found Jenny trying to get up again. He put the food and drink on the table beside her chair and helped her to her feet. "Got to go again already?" he asked with a chuckle.
"I know," Jenny moaned. "I might as well just move in there." She walked two steps and froze. She looked towards Jack with a terrified look on her face. "I think my water just broke." Her voice was quiet, shaky and filled with as much fear as her eyes held.
Jack was still for a moment and his eyes grew wide as Jenny's words made it from his ears and were processed in his brain. Jenny nearly lost her footing when a contraction hit. After helping her sit back down, Jack fumbled with the telephone, pushing the wrong buttons four times before he finally managed to dial his son's number.
"There's no answer," Jack said. The color had drained from his face and although he knew he needed to stay calm for Jenny's sake, he was struggling. "Why isn't he answering?" he asked angrily as he dropped the phone back onto the end table.
"Because I was in the driveway getting the twins out of the car," Gibbs answered as he walked through the front door. "What's wrong?" He took one look at his father and wife and knew. "Is it time?" he asked cryptically in front of the twins.
Jenny nodded frantically as she moaned through her contraction.
"What's wrong with Mommy?" Josie asked as she watched the adults. Bailey was sound asleep on Gibbs' shoulder and missing all the excitement.
"Mommy's okay," Gibbs said. "The baby's making her a little uncomfortable."
"I'll take them," Jack said taking Bailey from Gibbs. "You two go and don't forget to call."
"Grandpa's going to put you down for your nap, Sweet Pea," Gibbs said kneeling to Josie's level. "Mommy and I are going to go see the doctor. Okay?"
"Is the baby coming?" Josie asked.
"Soon," Gibbs answered. It was the same answer they'd been giving the twins for the past couple days. It seemed to satisfy them every time. "Let's give Mommy and the baby a kiss then Grandpa's gonna tell you a story before your nap."
Gibbs picked Josie up so she could give Jenny a kiss then let her kiss Jenny's belly before giving her a kiss and sending her off to follow Jack upstairs. He grabbed the bag Jenny had packed the previous week then helped her out to the car.
"My water broke just before you got home," Jenny said as Gibbs backed out of the driveway and took off towards the interstate.
"I can't believe it's actually time," Gibbs said.
"Jethro, please," Jenny said tapping on his forearm, "you have to slow down or I'm never gonna make it. Every bump is like a hundred times more intense."
"Right," Gibbs said tapping the brakes. He reached over and rubbed Jenny's belly before wrapping his hand around the back of her neck and rubbing her cheek with his thumb. "I love you."
"I love you," Jenny said taking his hand and holding it over their baby as she had another contraction. She tried to remember the statistics and norms they'd learned in their classes but all the numbers blurred together. At the rate she was going, she didn't think it would be long before she got to hold her child.
"How far apart are the contractions?" Gibbs asked.
"I think these last two were about 15 minutes apart," Jenny said.
Gibbs pulled up in front of the hospital and left Jenny in the car while he hurried inside to retrieve a wheelchair. A nurse took Jenny up to Labor and Delivery while Gibbs parked the car. She changed into a hospital gown, an IV was put in her arm and she was hooked up to several machines to monitor her and the baby. One last ultrasound was done to make sure the baby was still head down then the nurse left the room to schedule her epidural, leaving Gibbs and Jenny alone.
"Oh my gosh, Jethro," Jenny said, "I can't believe this is happening now."
"It won't be long," Gibbs said with a smile.
"What if something's wrong?" Jenny asked. She couldn't help but worry. "What if something happens? What if I didn't take enough vitamins or eat enough or—"
Gibbs shushed her with a finger to her lips as he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Everything's gonna be fine. That kid's got our blood running through its veins. He or she is strong."
Jenny took a few deep, calming breaths before grabbing Gibbs' hand in a panic once again. "Did you call Abby?"
"I'll do it right now," he said. Since he was delivering the baby, Abby was going to act as a midwife of sorts. She'd be there to support and encourage Jenny so Gibbs could focus all his attention on his task.
Gibbs put a quick call into Abby and hung up just in time to help Jenny through another contraction. He reminded her to breathe and did the breathing exercises with her as he held her hand.
"I hope they hurry with the epidural," Jenny moaned once the contraction had passed.
Gibbs smiled sympathetically at her as he wiped her face with a cool, damp cloth. He was doing his best to keep her calm and make her comfortable but he was feeling a little inadequate and completely out of his element. He didn't know what to do or if he was helping at all.
"I heard it was time," Dr. Brandt said as she entered. "Are you guys excited?"
"Very," Jenny confirmed, "maybe a little scared as well."
"Perfectly normal," Dr. Brandt assured her as she put rubber gloves on. "Let's check and see how far along you are and anesthesia should be here any minute to do your epidural."
Jenny held tightly to Gibbs' hand and prepared herself for more discomfort.
"You're dilated to four centimeters," Dr. Brandt said.
"I don't know whether to be happy I'm that far along already or upset because I'm not even halfway there yet," Jenny said.
"You're doing great, Honey," Dr. Brandt said patting her leg. "I'll be back in a bit to check on you again."
"Thank you, Doctor," Jenny said.
Anesthesia came in just after Dr. Brandt left and did Jenny's epidural. After they were finished, Tony, Ziva, Tim and Abby were allowed to visit. Tony, Tim and Ziva were on the tail end of their lunch break when Gibbs had called and all of them had hurried to the hospital with Abby.
Abby was surprisingly calm when she entered. Her fingers, arms and neck were devoid of all jewelry, making her look quite different but the braided pigtails sticking out of the hand-decorated surgical cap was totally her. She was honored to take part in the baby's birth and took her role very seriously.
"Thanks for coming, Abs," Gibbs said pulling her to his side so he could kiss her head.
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Abby said.
"You're gonna be a dad again, Boss," Tony said with a smile as he offered his hand to Gibbs to shake.
Gibbs smiled back at Tony as he shook the young man's hand. "You're in charge now," he said. He had a month off for paternity leave and was looking forward to every second of it.
"I won't let you down, Boss," Tony said.
Gibbs patted Tim's back before leaning in and kissing Ziva's cheek. He knew they couldn't stay long because they were working a case but he was happy they'd cut their lunch break short so they could stop by.
The epidural was working wonders on Jenny and she enjoyed visiting with the group for a little while. She got a kiss from each of them before they headed back to work.
After the agents left a nurse came in and checked Jenny again. She was dilated to five and a half centimeters, a little over halfway there. Once she left things calmed down again. Gibbs and Abby sat down on either side of her bed.
"Do you want to try to get some rest?" Gibbs offered. He remembered from one of their classes that sometimes women rested after getting an epidural. Jenny hadn't been in labor for very long but he wasn't sure what to do. He felt helpless and out of control.
"I'm okay," Jenny said. "That epidural really took the edge off the pain but I'm too excited to sleep."
"Do you want to get up and walk around?" Gibbs asked. He knew that could help speed up the process.
Jenny smiled lovingly at him as she reached over and held his hand. "Jethro, Babe, I just had an epidural. I don't think I'll be walking anywhere before the baby is born."
"Right," Gibbs said slightly embarrassed. "I knew that."
"Why don't you go call your dad and get yourself some coffee," Jenny said. "Abby and I will be okay until you get back." She knew a coffee run would give him something to do and the brew always seemed to help him function better.
"Are you sure?" Gibbs asked. Jenny smiled and nodded. "I'll be right back. I have my phone on if anything happens." He gave Jenny a quick kiss then headed down the hall in search of coffee.
"He's trying so hard," Jenny told Abby after Gibbs had gone. "He's so composed on the outside but I know he's a mess of nerves on the inside."
"He's our rock," Abby said holding Jenny's hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Nervous, excited, scared, happy, all of the above," Jenny said with a slight laugh. There were no words to adequately explain how she was feeling.
"Any chance you'll let me in on the name now?" Abby asked hopefully.
"You'll have to ask Jethro," Jenny said. "I don't want to make that decision without him."
"You can tell her," Gibbs said coming in the room. "I don't mind."
"If it's a boy he's going to be named Leroy Jackson after his daddy and his grandpa and we're going to call him Jack," Jenny said.
"I love it!" Abby said. "Plus he'll have his dad's initials. It's perfect. What if it's a girl?"
Jenny looked over at Gibbs and smiled. "Elizabeth Ann, after Jen and my mom," Gibbs said, "and she's going to be my little Lizzy."
"Beautiful," Abby said clasping her hands together. "Hey, maybe you'll have twins! One of each!"
"We're not having twins, Abs," Jenny said. "The doctor would've known by now."
"Sometimes they don't know," Abby said. "You go into labor and poof, another one just pops right out."
"Did Jethro put you up to this?" Jenny asked suspiciously.
"No, why?" Abby asked.
"I was teasing her about that when we were picking names out," Gibbs said.
"It could happen," Abby said still holding out hope. In her mind the more kids the better.
Nearly two hours passed before Jenny was fully dilated and it was time to push. She knew it took much longer for some women but she felt like she'd been in labor forever. The epidural had taken care of most of her pain but she was more than ready for their little one to meet the world.
The nurse got Gibbs ready to receive the baby while the doctor went over what he needed to do one last time. Abby and another nurse took hold of Jenny's legs as Gibbs situated himself on the stool between her legs.
The room quickly filled with doctors and nurses counting and giving Jenny all kinds of instructions as they touched, poked, pushed and pulled on various parts of her body. With Gibbs in position, Jenny focused all her attention on breathing and pushing. Dr. Brandt was at the foot of the bed with Gibbs. He was thrilled when the baby's head started poking out. A couple pushes after that and he was able to pull the baby out.
"It's a girl," he said laying her on Jenny's chest.
Happy tears streamed down Jenny's cheeks as the nurse rubbed a cloth over the infant to clean her and stimulate her breathing while another nurse suctioned her nose and mouth. Happy cries filled the room seconds later and Abby caught everything on camera.
Gibbs cut the umbilical cord then a nurse whisked the infant away to check her out. Abby continued snapping pictures as Gibbs stared at his daughter in awe. He didn't think it was possible to love someone so much and he hated himself even more for missing Kelly's birth. He'd sacrificed a lot as a Marine and though he wouldn't trade his career choice for anything he certainly wished he could've done some things differently but it wasn't time to beat himself up over the past. Now was the time to welcome a new life into the world.
The nurse wrapped the infant in a blanket and handed her off to the proud father. Gibbs carried her over and handed her to Jenny then knelt right next to her. Both of them stared at their baby girl in awe.
"She's got your hair," Gibbs said happily as he brushed his fingers over the soft red fuzz covering his baby's scalp.
"She has your nose and mouth," Jenny said. "Look at that little smirk."
"She's so beautiful," Abby said kneeling on the other side of the bed, "and so small."
"Elizabeth Ann Gibbs," the nurse said showing a certificate with the baby's footprints on it, "born September 12 at 3:24 in the afternoon, 6 pounds, 7 ounces, 18.75 inches long. Congratulations."
Gibbs put one of his fingers in her palm and smiled when she latched on. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He took the baby from Jenny while they nurse finished getting her cleaned up. He held her close and cooed at her as he studied every detail from her fuzzy, red hair to her green eyes to her tiny nose and lips.
Her hands reached out towards him and he pulled her closer so she could touch his face. The sound of his voice seemed to captivate her. Gibbs didn't even realize Abby was snapping pictures of the interaction, everything from the kisses to the loving expression as he stared at his child to Lizzy's tiny hand wrapped around her daddy's long finger.
"My little angel," Gibbs whispered. He wiped away the spit bubbles from Lizzy's mouth then moved back over next to his wife. It was time to give her back. The nurse was ready to show Jenny how to breastfeed. Gibbs kissed her once more before handing her back to Jenny and leaning down to kiss her as well.
He disappeared to make a few phone calls while the nurse worked with Jenny and Abby continued taking pictures. She knew better than to ask to hold her yet. She could see that even Mom and Dad were having a difficult time taking turns but she also knew taking pictures was an important job. She wished the rest of the family could be there but she knew it wouldn't be long before they all showed up.
After a stressful but successful first feeding, Jenny was exhausted. She fought hard but her body needed rest and was no longer taking no for an answer. While his wife slept Gibbs held his sleeping baby, unable to peel his eyes away from her. Eventually he gave Abby a turn while he snapped a couple pictures of Lizzy with her aunt. He laughed to himself when he saw she'd nearly filled up the memory card in the camera. He'd never even come close to taking that many pictures but he was grateful Abby had thought to do it.
Abby handed Lizzy back to Gibbs when she woke and started getting fussy. He bounced her gently as he walked around the room with her. "What's the matter, Lizzy?" he asked. "Are you hungry? Do you have a messy diaper? Does Aunt Abby need to change you?" He winked over at Abby knowing the Goth would gladly change her diaper but there was no way he was going to allow that. There would plenty of messy diapers for everyone down the road but he was doing the first diaper change.
Gibbs retrieved a diaper and the wet wipes the nurse had left then went about unwrapping his little girl from the blanket. He struggled with the too big diaper before finally getting it on only to pick Lizzy up and have it fall right off. The little girl stared at her daddy with a smirk before her tongue popped out of her mouth.
"You think that's funny, huh?" Gibbs asked with a smile. Jenny woke to Gibbs' baby talk and listened as a smile crossed her face. On his second try, Gibbs managed to get the diaper on without it falling off again. He was proud of the small success. It would take some practice but he was learning. He was determined to be the best father ever.
"It looks like Mommy's awake," Gibbs told his daughter. "Are you hungry? Do you want to go see Mommy?"
"I need to try to pee first, Jethro," Jenny said.
"You gotta go?" Gibbs asked.
Jenny shook her head as she slowly sat up with Abby's help. "I don't know. I can't feel much down there but the nurse said I need to go or they're going to put a catheter in and I do not want that."
"Don't blame you," Gibbs said.
He handed Lizzy to Abby then helped Jenny out of bed and into the bathroom. Both were happy when she was able to go. Once Jenny was settled in bed again, Abby handed Lizzy back and Jenny worked on feeding her again. Breastfeeding was a lot harder than she thought it would be but she knew she was doing the best thing for her baby. Gibbs stroked his hand over Lizzy's head while she ate. He didn't want to distract her but he couldn't not touch her.
While Lizzy was eating the nurse poked her head in. "There's a pretty big group out in the waiting room, begging to see you guys."
"I'll be out in a second," Gibbs told her. "Thanks."
He made sure Jenny was up for company then leaned down and kissed her and Lizzy again before heading out to the waiting room. Tony, Tim and Ziva had stopped and picked up Jack, Josie and Bailey and they were all anxious to meet the newest member of their family.
"Is the baby here, Daddy?" Josie asked.
"She sure is," Gibbs answered kneeling in front of the kids and wrapping an arm around each of them. They were another reminder about how precious and fragile life was. They could've easily died at the hand of their birth father.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Bailey asked.
"It's a girl," Gibbs answered. "You guys have a new little sister."
"Yay!" Josie cheered. "I always wanted a sister!"
"Aw man," Bailey said. "I wanted a brother." Gibbs smiled and kissed his cheek. "I will not let nothing happen to her, Daddy," he assured him. "If anybody be's mean then they will have to come through me first." He puffed up his chest and stood as tall as he could.
"Lizzy and Josie are both very lucky to have you for a brother," Gibbs told him. He assumed Bailey had suffered the brunt of the abuse from their biological father because he was trying to stick up for his sister. Even at his young age, he was very protective.
"Can we see my sister now?" Josie asked anxiously. She'd waited months and months for this moment and Daddy was taking too long. She wanted to see Baby Lizzy.
"I'm gonna take Dad and the twins back first then I'll come back for the rest of you," Gibbs said. He didn't want too many people back there at once. "Are you guys ready to go see Mommy and Lizzy?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes! Yes!" Josie said practically jumping up and down in front of her dad.
Bailey grabbed onto Gibbs' hand tightly as they headed down the hall. He felt a huge sense of responsibility with another sister. The pressure on his small shoulders was almost overwhelming.
Jenny was finished breastfeeding when they entered. They walked in just in time to hear Lizzy burp making the twins giggle. Abby sat Josie on the bed next to Jenny and Lizzy and Gibbs sat Bailey on the opposite side of the bed. Jack stood next to the bed and looked down at his newest grandchild in awe. She was beautiful and perfect in every way.
"Hi Baby," Josie said in a loud whisper. "I'm glad you are here now and that you are my sister." She looked up at Jenny and smiled. "Can I pet her?"
"Be very gentle," Jenny said watching with pride. Abby was busy with the camera again as Josie reached a finger out and touched her sister. When Lizzy looked over at her she quickly pulled her hand back. Bailey sat back watching the exchange.
"Are you okay, Little Man?" Gibbs asked rubbing Bailey's back.
Bailey nodded his head as he continued watching his sisters. "She's tiny," he said.
"She sure is," Jenny said, "but she'll grow."
"I'm not gonna let nothing bad happen to her," Bailey said his face set in stone. "When the bad guys come I will—I will, uh, I will do something and I won't let them hurt her. I promise." The sincerity in the little boy's voice was moving.
"Hey," Gibbs said quietly as he turned Bailey around and picked him up, "come here, Man. What's going on? What's the matter?" He wondered why Bailey was suddenly talking about bad guys.
"I don't want nothing to happen to her, Daddy," Bailey said. His brave front weakened as he looked into Gibbs' eyes. "Bad stuff happened to Josie and I tried to help her but I couldn't. She got hurted but I will do better this time. I will be a better brother and I will keep Josie and Lizzy safe from all the bad guys in the world."
"My brave boy," Gibbs said hugging Bailey tight. "What happened to you and Josie wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't mess up. You were very brave." He wiped a stray tear from Bailey's cheek and replaced it with a kiss. "This time you have help, me and Mommy and Grandpa, Tony, Abby, Ziva and Tim are all going to help you protect Lizzy, okay? And do you remember what I told you a long time ago?" Bailey shook his head. "I told you that no bad guys are allowed in our house and I meant that. We're all safe. Okay?"
"Okay," Bailey said.
Jenny wiped the tears from her eyes before reaching out for Gibbs to give Bailey to her. Jack was holding Lizzy and she was cuddling with Josie but she wanted Bailey too. Gibbs sat the four year old next to her in bed and she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you, Baby," she said kissing his head.
"I love you, Mommy," Bailey said, "but I'm not the baby anymore. Lizzy is the baby."
"You'll always be my baby," Jenny said, "you and Josie both."
Bailey smiled as he relaxed into Jenny. "When can we go home? This place smells funny."
"It does smell kind of funny here, doesn't it," Jenny said with a laugh, "but Lizzy and I have to stay here for a couple days so the doctors can make sure everything is okay. You know what though, your daddy's going to take you home tonight and he's going to give you a bath and tuck you into bed and rub your tummy just like you like until you fall asleep. How does that sound?"
"But then you and Lizzy will be all alone," Bailey said concerned.
"After you and Josie fall asleep, Daddy's going to come back here so we won't be alone," Jenny said, "and Grandpa's going to stay with you."
"I wish that you and Lizzy can come home with us," Josie said.
"Me too, Sweetie," Jenny said, "but we'll be home before you know it."
"She's beautiful, you two," Jack said handing Lizzy back to Gibbs. "I'm a proud grandpa for the second time in a year."
"Thanks Dad," Gibbs said. He let Bailey and Josie kiss Lizzy then Jack and Abby took the twins down to the cafeteria to get some dinner while Tony, Ziva and Tim came in to visit.
They all ooh-ed and ahh-ed over her and took turns holding her, commenting on her size and what features she'd gotten from each of her parents. It was love at first sight for each of them. Once Lizzy starting getting fussy again Gibbs changed her diaper then handed her back to Jenny. It was time to feed her again. The nurse came in to check on Jenny and Lizzy so Gibbs took his team down to the cafeteria to eat with the others.
When they were done eating, they headed back up to the Jenny's room and visited for awhile longer before it was time to go. The team had to work the following day and Gibbs wanted to get the twins home and settled so he could return to the hospital. He didn't like his family being in two different places but it'd have to do for a couple nights.