"What were they like?" Ducky asked quietly.
"They were quiet. Shannon was really sincere. She was sensitive. She was funny. She made me laugh, at least. Kelly was so energetic. She was cuddly too. She loved…hugs," His voice cracked. He put his hand over his mouth and shut his eyes tight.
"You still miss them everyday don't you?" McGee asked, though it was more of a statement.
"Yeah. I…I have this tape in my basement. It's Kelly playing the piano. She got second place at the talent show. I missed it… She was good. She was only 8. They sent it to me. They talked at the end of it. I still listen to it a lot. It's nice to hear them laughing," He smiled slightly.
"What's your favorite memory?" Ziva asked, her eyes were watery.
"We were horse riding at the beach. Kelly wanted to run on her horse. Shannon said no. I told her yes, and away she went. The wind blowing through her hair and she was laughing and smiling. Shannon yelled at me but then she started smiling," Gibbs was in almost a full smile now.
"Where did you meet Shannon?" She asked.
"I met her on a bench, outside of the train station in the town where we lived. I was a freshly made marine. 1976."
"When did you marry her?" Ziva again questioned.
"1982. Kelly was born two years later in 1984. They died in 1991. Kelly was so small when she was born, but she had a set of lungs on her, I'll tell you…!" He laughed.
He stared quietly down at their headstones. Abby moved up behind him.
"Say Shannon. Say her name."
"Why?"
"I want to see the look in your eyes when you say her name," She whispered softly.
Gibbs turned to face her and looked her straight in the eyes and whispered "Shannon."
"You still love her," Abby whispered back.
"It's not like we broke up-- "
"I know, Jethro, I know that's not what I was implying,"
Jethro cut her off, "No! Let me finish. Look me in the eyes when I say your name."
Abby gazed up into his eyes and in the same tone he whispered, "Abigail."
Tears formed in her eyes, "Don't ever think for a second that I don't love you, Abby. I do. You never truly stop loving someone. When you fall for someone, no matter if it's romantically or not, that piece of your heart is always theirs. Okay? I love you, Abby," His hands were placed on her shoulders, by the nape of her neck.
She nodded, "And…our baby?" She looked back into his eyes and saw the fear cloud his blue eyes.
He turned away and crouched down next to Kelly's grave. His fingers traced her name gently and affectionately. He was completely silent.