Jenny and Gibbs followed Abby's car to the little diner that always came after Sunday service. They entered the restaurant single file and smiled at Cathy, their usual waitress, as they headed for the small booth they sat at every week. Abby sat first with Jenny across the table. Gibbs started to join his forensic scientist.
"I"ll sit beside you Abs," he volunteered.
"No, no, no," Abby protested with a smile, "sit with the director Gibbs. I wouldn't want her to feel lonely sitting over there all by herself."
Jenny and Gibbs exchanged a fleeting glance and tried to keep from smiling. Subtle Abby was not. Jenny slid over. Gibbs sat down and ordered a coffee when Cathy came over. Jenny went with tea and Abby surprised them by ordering chocolate milk instead of her usual Caf-Pow!
"You can blow bubbles in chocolate milk," Abby explained nonchalantly.
They opened their menus. "What looks good Abby?" Gibbs asked.
"Gibbs," Abby sounded indignant, "how can you even ask that? Breakfast of course!"
"Of course Abby," Jenny smiled.
Abby scanned the menu quickly out of habit and snapped it closed. "Omelette," she smiled, satisfied.
Jenny looked over the choices. "I don't know..." she said uncertainly.
"Ooh, Director," Abby lit up, "you should totally get the M&M pancakes. They are divine. McGee and I shared them last time we came." She closed her eyes at the memory.
Gibbs glared at her. "You and McGee?"
Abby opened her eyes quickly. "It's not what you think Gibbs, honest."
"And what am I thinking Abby?"
"That we're breaking Rule 12." Her eyes were wide, her hands flying to keep up with her explanation. "But we're not, I swear. He just...came to church with me. That's all. And then we had to go out for lunch afterwards. It's tradition."
"Gonna have a talk with McGee tomorrow," Gibbs muttered darkly. Jenny just shook her head at him. Overprotective father/anal boss, she thought with a small smile.
Just then the waitress arrived with their drinks and the subject was dropped. Gibbs decided now was a good time to let Abby in on their secret, before she had a chance to choke on her chocolate milk. He reached for his coffee with his left hand and Jenny picked up her spoon in the same hand to stir her tea. Abby took a long draw from her straw with her eyes closed to savour the moment. When she looked at them, they were smiling like they knew something she didn't.
"What?" she frowned and reached up. "Are my ponytail buns crooked?" Then she saw Gibbs' ring and her eyes immediately flickered to Jenny's hand where the stones on her engagement ring sparkled in the light. "What?" she asked. Then a huge smile split her face and she wriggled with happiness and slanted her eyes at Gibbs. "Is this a good time to use my second question?"
He laughed and reached for Jenny's hand, which she held, smiling.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Abby shrieked. "I can't believe it. When? How? Oh, I am so happy for you!"
She jumped out of her seat to tackle Gibbs with a hug that he'd anticipated and stood for. Jenny slid over too and received a crushing Abby hug. Abby fell back into her seat laughing.
"This is so great! Mommy and Daddy are finally together! Wait until I tell the others!"
"Abby," Gibbs warned, "they get to find out tomorrow."
"But Gibbs," Abby looked crestfallen, "I can't tell anyone?"
"We'd prefer if you kept it between us for now Abby," Jenny put in gently.
Abby sighed heavily. "Alright. But you're ruining all my fun, just so you know." In an instant though, her smile was back. "So...how many questions do I get?"
Gibbs shook his head at her. "Three Abby, then we'll need to order. Cathy isn't sure what to do with us right now." He nodded his head towards their waitress who was standing off to the side, unsure if she should interrupt.
"Okay." Abby closed her eyes for a moment, counting on her fingers. "When?"
Jenny and Gibbs looked at each other, feeling like newlyweds again with all the excitement.
"Seven months," Gibbs confirmed.
Abby's mouth fell open. "Seven months? And you didn't tell us? Wow, way to show the love. Then again," she considered the answer, "I guess we fail in the observation department. Why not tell?"
Jenny smiled knowingly. "Rule 18. The best way to keep a secret, keep it to yourself."
Abby crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, you would use the rules, something I can't even argue with."
"Last question Abs?" Gibbs asked, knowing she probably had a hundred. Slowly her smile returned and the couple wondered if they should be worried. No telling what was going on in that cute black head of hers.
"So," she wiggled her eyebrows at them meaningfully, "how's married life?"
Both Jenny and Gibbs started laughing. "Married life is great. Always nice to know we can come home to each other."
"And I bet the perks aren't bad either," she said under her breath.
Cathy chose that moment to show up at their table. "All ready to order folks?" She wasn't sure why they laughed.
"Sure," Gibbs said.
"I'd like an omelette with mushrooms, hot peppers, cheese and spinach," Abby began. "With an order of bacon and toast on the side."
Jenny decided to go with an earlier suggestion. "M&M pancakes, I guess," she shrugged.
"Belgian waffles with bacon and toast as well, thank you Cathy," Gibbs finished, handing over their menus.
The waitress looked back and forth between them. "Abby," she said, for she recognized the girl after seeing her each week, "I've often seen you in here with your father," they all tried not to smile, "but I don't believe I've ever met your mother."
"Close enough," Gibbs muttered as Jenny gave up trying to explain and offered her hand.
"Jenny."
"Pleased to meet you," the waitress smiled. "It's always so nice to see such a happy family out together."
When she was a safe distance away, their table erupted into laughter.
"Does that make it official?" Abby gasped when she could breathe.
Gibbs sighed. "I don't know if I want to claim the rest of them."
Jenny put her hand on his cheek. "Too late Jethro. They're family. I guess we're all stuck with each other."
"Yay!" Abby exclaimed, attracting a couple looks from nearby tables. Then she put on her best innocent look and smiled at Gibbs. "So, what does this revelation do to Rule 12?"
Gibbs face went slack a moment before he pulled himself together, glared at his wife who was trying not to laugh and said gruffly, "Rule still stands."
"Just not quite as enforceable," Abby giggled, blowing a couple inches of bubbles into her chocolate milk. Suddenly a thought hit her and she fell back against the bench. "Oh guys," she whispered, "what about what happened to the director? Does being married make it easier or harder? I'm sorry," she shook her head, feeling insensitive. "For a moment I almost forgot."
Jenny leaned forward and put her hand over the girl's. "It's alright Abby. Life still goes on. But in answer to your question..." she glanced at her husband.
"A little bit of both," he finished for her. "And that was four questions."
Their breakfast arrived then and there was no more talk about what happened. Abby bounced back quick enough and kept up a steady stream of chatter for the rest of their meal. At the end Gibbs left some money on the table and escorted both of his ladies outside. It was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, the temperature decent and everywhere people were out enjoying it.
At her car, Abby asked one more time. "Are you sure I can't tell anyone? Like, no one? Not even Jethro?" she offered, referring to McGee's dog.
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "If you told Jethro wouldn't that technically be like telling McGee?"
Abby studied the ground at her feet. "Only if you get really picky about the details."
"Try to hold it in Abs," Gibbs said, realizing that was pretty much like asking the sun not to shine.
Abby looked resigned. "Fine." Then she smiled again. "Group hug?"
The couple wrapped their arms around their "daughter" and said goodbye. "Behave Abby," Gibbs said, pointing his finger at her as she got in the car. She just smiled at him and he wasn't convinced.
"Oh, tomorrow is going to be awesome!" Abby smiled to herself. "I'd kill for a video camera when Tony finds out. All of his bets and he never saw that one coming. I bet Ducky knew, Gibbs can't keep a secret from him. Hmm..." she drove home trying to figure out who she could tell without breaking the rules.