A/N: Alright, so I am aware that there is another story that is based on Family Man, and that there was a similar scene last chapter. My story, however, has its own plot, and its own ideas. If you don't want to read the story, then don't. Now, onto happier things. Those of you that like this story, I hope that you like this chapter too! And did anybody pick up of Liam's initials?
Jenny cuddled the two children closer, sighing quietly as they both snuggled deeper into her arms. She stroked Allison's curls, the soft red strands running through her fingers. She heard the sounds of the shower turning on, and she knew that Jethro would be getting under the spray…she stopped her thoughts there. Did she really have any right to think like this? According to that woman, she was married to Jethro, and these were her children. But did she really have the right to call them that? Why did this have to happen now, to her?
Looking at Allison and Liam, Jenny's face softened when she discovered that they were both sound asleep. Shifting slightly, she scooped Allison up first, settling the sleeping four-year old on her hip, letting her head rest on her shoulder. Walking carefully, she walked through the open doorway into a hallway. She soon spotted her daughter's room; her door had her name written on it in pink, curlicue letters, and Jenny couldn't help smiling. Opening the door, she was surprised to see a jungle-themed bedroom. Animals were painted everywhere, and there was a background of trees. It was the kind of bedroom Jenny would have loved as a child. She tucked Allison into the bed, smoothing the Tinkerbell comforter over Allison's sleeping form. She pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before walking back into her bedroom and picking up Liam.
The fifteen-month old nestled against her as soon as she picked him up; his hand going to her hair and his face burrowing in his neck. She rubbed his back gently as she walked into the hallway once again, going over to the door with 'Liam' painted in blue block letters on it. Opening the door, she smiled at the walls painted with trains and clouds. Placing Liam in his crib, she smoothed back his hair when he stirred, hushing him softly.
Content that he wouldn't cry, she walked back into the bedroom-her bedroom, she corrected. Looking around the room, she couldn't help but think that this was exactly what she had pictured her life to be like if she had stayed with Jethro when she'd sat alone in her study in her empty house. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at the picture on the wall that she had seen when she woke up.
The picture couldn't have been taken long after Paris; Jenny's hair was still past her shoulder blades and she looked younger. There weren't any rings on her fingers, so they weren't married yet. She looked so happy; it was odd to see herself like that. The happiest she had ever been had been with Jethro; even in her, well, her other life, she felt better whenever she saw or spoke to him. It didn't matter that they weren't together; he still somehow knew just what to say to make her feel better.
Her thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind her. Turning, she blushed slightly when she caught sight of Jethro standing in the doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist. He looked at her, a smirk on his face.
"Where are the kids?"
"I put them back in their rooms; they're both sound asleep." Jenny said, standing and stretching her back. She felt Jethro's eyes on her, and she couldn't stop the thrill of pleasure that shot through her. Looking at him through her lashes, she saw him swallow hard as he shifted in place, and she stifled a laugh. "Do you plan on getting dressed anytime soon, Jethro?"
"I haven't decided yet." Jethro said, his voice slightly hoarse. He came closer to her, letting his hands fall to her waist and tugging her against him. He pressed a kiss to her exposed neck before letting his breath wash over her ear. "You sure the kids are asleep?"
"Jethro." Jenny admonished when she realized what he was getting at, her arms winding around his waist on their own accord.
"Never had a problem before." Jethro taunted, his voice sending shivers down her spine.
"Why am I still clothed then?" Jenny teased back, her teeth grazing his earlobe. She didn't know where this sudden flirtatious side of her was coming from; all she knew was that she was lucky enough to have been given this chance, and she damn well wasn't going to let it pass her by.
A low growl emitted from Jethro's throat as he kissed her again, his hands taking the hem of the shirt she was wearing and starting to pull upwards. Jenny couldn't help the giggle that escaped at his impatience, and Jethro retaliated by nipping her bottom lip, soothing it by sucking gently. Jethro disposed of Jenny's shirt, lowering her gently onto the bed as he laid himself on top of her.
Jenny's breathing hitched when his fingers slipped under the waistband of her shorts, helping him slide them off her legs so she lay in front of him in only her panties. Jethro's eyes raked over her, their blue hardening even more with arousal. Jenny pushed the towel off his hips, throwing it away carelessly. Jethro's hands were at her underwear in seconds, practically ripping them off of her. He wasted no time in slipping into her, and Jenny bit back the soft cry he elicited. It had been so long since she had done this; as much as she had wanted him to believe she had moved on, she never had. She hadn't been with anyone since him, and so this was the first time in a long time.
It was just as good as she remembered, and the same, desperate feeling rose in her stomach as he moved. He swallowed her cries, drawing her to the edge and over, following her quickly. He collapsed next to her, drawing her in closer as his fingers traced patterns into the sensitive skin on her lower back.
"DiNozzo will want to thank you. I'm really not in the mood to head slap him anymore." Jethro murmured into her hair, eliciting a giggle from Jenny. Rolling, she leaned on her forearms, the sheets resting on her lower back, exposing her pale back to him.
"Did you catch a case yet, or is it paperwork to look forward to?" Jenny asked, dropping a kiss to his chest, directly over his heart.
"So far, it's paperwork. If it stays that way, then I'll be able to meet you and Liam for lunch. We can even pick up Allie's birthday gift." Jethro said, his hand stroking up and down her back.
"Hm, only…two more days." Jenny said, double checking her math. Jethro nodded, and so Jenny knew that it was September 4, 2005 here, just like her other life. She kissed him once more before slipping out of the bed, heading towards the bathroom.
"You may want to get dressed, Jethro. You're running late, and you'll never hear the end of it from Tony." Jenny said over her shoulder, throwing him a wink. Jethro smirked before climbing out of bed himself, and Jenny allowed herself to run her eyes over his form once more before closing the bathroom door. Leaning against it, she closed her eyes, letting the relaxed feeling flood her body.
Sighing, she pushed herself off the wood, turning the water on and letting the small room fill with steam. She caught sight of herself in the mirror, and a long horizontal scar on her lower abdomen shocked her. It sat an inch or two above her hips, and it was mostly faded. It was white, paler than even her skin. A finger traced it, and Jenny concluded from its location, it was most likely a Caesarian-section scar. Going back over the memories, Liam's birth slammed into her. It would explain the difference in the atmosphere. She wished she knew what had happened. It was so frustrated, being in this life and not knowing anything except what she had been shown.
Shaking the thoughts off, she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water run over her skin. Quickly, she cleaned her hair and body, enjoying the freshness in the air as she shut the water off. She gripped the towel higher, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear. Opening the door, she stepped back into the bedroom, a little relieved that Jethro wasn't in the room.
She walked over to the closet, opening it and finding that this Jenny wasn't nearly as high-end as her. Being a mom of two might have something to do with that, so Jenny brushed it off, grabbing a pair of black pants and a white blouse. Dressing quickly, she smiled to herself when she noticed the heels on the bottom of the closet. At least some things hadn't changed.
She slid into a plain black pair before walking into the hallway, opening Liam's door first, a smile on her face when she encountered the toddler standing up in his crib, holding onto the railing. His face broke out into a huge grin when he saw her, and he bounced happily.
"Momma!"
"Hey buddy. I see you just can't wait to get up, hm? Someone eager to see me?" Jenny said, picking up the little boy and kissing his nose. He giggled happily, and Jenny's smile grew. Going over to the dresser, Jenny quickly found a pair of pants and a shirt, and brought Liam over to the changing table. It didn't take quite as long as she thought, and she felt rather proud of herself when she hoisted the now-dressed toddler up and placed him on her hip. He latched onto her, one hand curled around her hair, the other on her chest, fisting into her blouse.
She peeked in on Allison, a little surprised to see her awake and dressed. It was barely seven o'clock and yet everyone was awake and ready. She smiled at Allison, who smiled back before turning back towards the mirror, a look of concentration on her face as she brought the brush up to her hair. After a moment, she turned back to Jenny.
"Can you do a braid? I can't reach behind my head."
"Sure sweetie. One second." Jenny said, walking over to her. She set Liam down by Allison's feet, where he promptly tried to stand up. Jenny took the brush from her daughter's hand and ran it softly through the curls. Grabbing a hair tie, she braided Allison's hair quickly, securing it. The four-year old examined it, and, obviously pleased, grinned.
"You pass."
"Well thanks. I'm glad you like it." Jenny said, laughing as she picked Liam back up. Following Allison down the stairs, she was pleased to see that the house had a cozy feel to it.
The living room had a small couch and a recliner chair, with a small television in the center. Toys littered the carpeted ground, and Jenny noticed the small toy chest in the corner. The smell of coffee hit her next, and she hadn't realized how much she needed it until that moment.
Allison bounded into kitchen, and Jenny was once again hit by how good Jethro was with kids. He rubbed Allison's back as she hugged his leg, and Jenny's heart softened. He looked up to meet her gaze, and Jenny wasn't entirely prepared for the look of love in his eyes. She bit her lip against the flood of emotions in her, and returned her gaze to the drowsy toddler in her arms. His big blue-green eyes looked up at her, and he smiled tiredly at her, burying his face in her neck.
Looking around, Jenny found a mug of steaming coffee on the counter, and she took it gratefully. Taking a large sip, she smiled at the taste of the black liquid. Shifting Liam into a more comfortable position, she leaned against the counter, watching Allison talk excitedly to Jethro about her birthday.
"Hannah said that she's going to bring me my present in school, but I told her she should wait until my party and that I would open her present first and then Stacey said that she wanted me to open her present first and then Andrew…" Allison stopped, taking a deep breath. "And then Andrew said that I should open his first because his would be the best."
"You're spending too much time around Abby." Jethro said, kissing her forehead. "You need to learn to breath."
"But I love Abby, Daddy." Allison protested, crossing her arms and glaring at her father.
"Hey, hey, don't you look at me like that. She'd get mad at me if I stopped bringing you to see her." Jethro said, tickling her sides gently. Allison broke down into giggles, and Jenny smiled at them. Liam lifted his head up, blinking his eyes as his family laughed.
"Daddy, Daddy, stop it!" Allison giggled, struggling to get away from Jethro's tickling fingers.
"Is that your surrender?" Jethro asked, whispering in her ear.
"Yes…yes Daddy!" Allison said, breathless from her laughter. Jethro stopped tickling her, letting her go. Allison scurried away, hiding behind Jenny's leg.
"Hey, don't you hide behind me. I don't want your father tickling me." Jenny warned, glancing at Jethro with a look in her eyes. He came closer, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"What are you saying Jen? You don't want me to tickle you?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
"I'm saying it wouldn't be in your best interest, Jethro." Jenny said, one of her eyebrows rising as he moved closer.
"Really?" Jethro said, his face close to hers.
"Really." Jenny said, finality in her tone.
"Whatever you say, Jen." Jethro said, leaning forward and pecking her lips. Jenny melted a little into his kiss, but remembered that she had Liam in her arms, and Allison was holding onto her leg, watching them with a smile on her face. Jenny patted her head, smiling down at her.
"Hungry, Allison?" Jenny asked, shifting Liam. Jethro noticed, and carefully took the sleepy little boy from her arms, rubbing his back. Jenny shot him a grateful look before turning back towards her daughter.
"Can I have cereal, Mommy?" Allison asked, and Jenny couldn't help but notice her heart skip a beat at hearing herself called Mommy. Jenny merely nodded, unable to speak. Turning towards the cabinets, she easily found the cereal and a bowl, placing both in front of Allison before going over to the refrigerator and pulling out the milk carton. After fixing Allison her breakfast, she walked back to the counter, grabbing her coffee mug and taking another sip. Jethro walked over to her, and she took Liam, settling him against her. Jethro leaned close, kissing her cheek.
"I'm off. DiNozzo'll never let me hear the end of it if I'm late. I'll meet you at headquarters at noon?"
"Call me if you catch a case and can't make it." Jenny said, smiling at him as he kissed Liam's forehead. He kissed the top of Allison's head before turning back.
"You got it. Have a good day at school Al."
"Bye Daddy! I love you!" Allison said, her face lit up.
"Love you too honey." Jethro said, a smile on his face.
Jenny watched the exchange between the two, and she couldn't help the well of emotion that hit her. This was a whole different side of Jethro that she rarely saw; the case with Zach had been the closest she'd come to encountering him like this. But even then, there had been a part of him that had been sad, darkened. He'd been different in the days following, and he hadn't returned to his old, gruff self until almost two weeks later.
Sighing, she cuddled the little boy in her arms closer, breathing in his calming scent. She still couldn't believe this was all hers. A silly nursery rhyme, and she had gotten her dream life. She didn't want to think about what the catch was…