Author's Note: This is the last chapter but I am planning on doing a sequel. Any loose ends will be tied up then. Thank you all for your support!

Chapter Seventeen: Another New Normal

Lindsay Garner hugged her husband's arm, literally jumping up and down with excitement as she watched everything that was going on around them on the North Texas ranch. There were children picking fruits and vegetables in the gardens, teenagers riding horses in a fenced in field and preteens milking cows and collecting chicken eggs. A group from a local daycare was climbing into a wagon to go on a hayride and a class of culinary students from a nearby college was using the freshest of ingredients to prepare a meal. The place was buzzing with activity.

"Isn't this exciting, Blake?" Lindsay squealed. Originally they'd just come to pick blueberries but they'd learned that was just part of what happened at the ranch. The money from the berries helped fund programs that provided a fun and educational experience for local children. "This is what I wanna do when we retire. It's so perfect! Don't you think?"

"It would be fun," Blake said with a chuckle. He loved how excited his wife got about practically everything. It didn't take much to please her and her happiness was definitely contagious.

"Fun? Blake, this would be perfect!" Lindsay said. "We could reach out to at risk children, foster children, military kids whose parents are deployed, children from single family homes, children from loving two parent homes… we could reach out to everybody! The kids would learn responsibility, healthy, active lifestyle habits. How are you not excited?"

Blake laughed as his wife all but danced around him. He was the luckiest guy in the world.

"It would be great for our own children too," Lindsay said with a twinkle in her eye, "all eight of them."

"Eight?" Blake asked. "I thought you wanted six."

"That was last week," Lindsay said. "I want eight and they are going to be eight of the most loved children in the world."

"I can't argue with you there, Momma," Blake said, kissing his wife.

"I'm glad I doubled my class load," Lindsay said. "The sooner I get my degree, the sooner we can get started. I don't wanna wait any longer than we have to."

"I can't think of a better time to start trying than our one year anniversary," Blake said. "It'll be the perfect way to cap off the surprise I have in store for you."

"Give me a hint," Lindsay begged.

"No," Blake replied with a smile.

"An itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny one?" Lindsay asked hopefully.

Blake leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "Picture the most romantic thing you could ever think of."

"Okay."

"I guarantee you it'll be a million times better than that," Blake said. He watched as her mind flooded with possibilities about what he might have in store for her but she'd have to wait two weeks to find out. "So, what should we call our ranch?"

"That's the only hint I get?" Lindsay pretended to be upset but Blake knew better.

"Yes."

Her glare turned into a giggle when she couldn't hold it any longer. "I love you."

"I love you."

"Do you remember that trail we hiked on our honeymoon?" Lindsay asked.

"Hidden Trails," Blake replied. "We were the only ones there. You said you wanted to explore my hidden trails. We made love in the meadow."

"That's what I wanna call our ranch," Lindsay said, "Hidden Trails."

"It's perfect," Blake said.

"I'm ready to retire and get started right now." Lindsay wrapped an arm around her husband and leaned against him as they walked.

"Patience," Blake said. "We have our whole lives ahead of us."

"Blake, you okay?" Gibbs asked. "Blake?"

Blake's eyes met Gibbs' and he nodded. "Yeah, just thinkin'. Remembering."

"Ah," Gibbs said knowingly. A lot had happened over the past couple days and Gibbs knew it was stirring up memories for Blake. Blake had told him and Jack of his desire to buy some land nearby and fulfill his wife's dream. He didn't want to go back to lonely Oklahoma. He wanted to watch LJ grow and get to know his siblings. He wanted to spend more time with the people who had accepted him so easily. He wanted to be nearby when Lisa was released so if she tried to go after the kids again he could help protect them. He wanted a better life than what he was living on his lonely, secluded ranch.

"Wanna talk about it?" Gibbs asked.

Blake took a sip of his coffee and went back to his memories. He rarely spoke of his late wife but things were different with Gibbs. Gibbs knew what to say and what not to say. Gibbs knew how he felt. Blake had never talked to anyone who truly understood what he'd gone through but Gibbs was like his carbon copy.

"When Lindsay died, at first I thought I wanted to keep everything of hers. I don't know if I thought that if I kept the house the same it would be like she wasn't really gone or if it was my desperate attempt to hang onto her or what."

"Then you moved to the 'wanna get rid of everything' stage," Gibbs guessed, "because no memories might lessen the pain, might make it seem like she was never there so there'd be nothing to miss. You were angry at her for leaving you behind."

Blake nodded with an easy smile on his face. "I decided to keep a few things, special things, important things."

"That's what I did as well," Gibbs said. "Notes, pictures, my t-shirt she used to wear to bed…"

"This'll be different," Blake said. "This ranch is Lindsay's baby. She came up with the idea two weeks before she died and for a long time I didn't think I wanted to do it without her. I bought the ranch in Oklahoma, trying to live part of her dream I guess, but for Lindsay it wasn't about the land or the animals or the crops. It was about the kids and LJ being there, being my little shadow, he reminded me of that. I knew he was hurting but that hurt seemed to go away when we were feeding animals or milking cows or collecting eggs or riding the horse through the fields. That was what Lindsay wanted."

"I hate that month that I spent without him but I'm glad he was able to bless your life."

"That kid's like my little guardian angel," Blake said. "I'd like the triplets to be a part of Lindsay's ranch. I'm gonna dedicate a special place on the ranch to LJ for teaching me how to really live again."

"I'd be all for that," Gibbs said. "I think you'll have more than enough help."

"If the land north of Manassas turns out, it won't be that far away," Blake said. "I'll take all the help I can get. I want this to be perfect but, if I'm honest, I'm a little worried it's gonna overwhelm me emotionally. Things got pretty ugly after Lindsay died. I don't want to get stuck there again."

"What's important is the here and now. We can't change the past and dwelling on it doesn't help. Surround yourself with people who care about you, people you can care about. It'll help. I promise."

"I can see how it's helped you."

"I still get stuck sometimes."

A noise in the entryway drew their attention. They turned to see Sadie standing in the doorway of the living room. Gibbs narrowed his eyes in confusion as he walked over to her. The baby gates were still in place at the top and bottom of the stairs.

"How'd you get down here, sweet pea?" he asked as he scooped her up.

"Da stairs," Sadie said.

"You must've figure out how to work the baby gate. You're too smart for your own good." He smiled and winked at her. The baby gates had little doors that opened rather than having to remove them or step over them. It was probably time for him to let the kids start walking up and down the stairs anyways. They were steady on their feet and getting old enough to be able to handle it.

"Did you have a nice nap?" Blake asked when Gibbs sat down next to him with Sadie.

"Yesh," Sadie answered.

"Did you sleep?" Gibbs asked.

"No," Sadie said with a giggle.

"Sneaky," Gibbs said as he kissed her cheek.

"What're you gonna do with them when you go back to work?" Blake asked as he tickled Sadie's foot.

"My dad just put an offer in on a house a couple streets over. He's gonna watch 'em. We'll see how that works out."

"It's nice that they get to spend so much time with their grandpa. I did when I was little and I still have fond memories."

"I didn't have a lot of family around when I was growing up," Gibbs said. "I want my kids to have a lot of family and really feel loved. That includes you too. You're welcome here any time."

"I appreciate that."

The triplets giggled uncontrollably as they listened to Tony's silly commentary while tossing the pizza dough. He and Abby had come over after work to hang out with the kids while Gibbs and Jack went with Blake to check out the property Blake was interested in buying for his late wife's ranch.

"I can't find the pepperoni or sausage, Tony," Abby said. "We musta left a bag in the car."

"Want me to go get it?" Tony offered.

"Nah, I will. You're covered flour."

"My keys are in my pocket," he said jutting his hip out towards her and smiling.

Abby dug the car keys out then left Tony to continue the show he was putting on for the kids. It was the first time he'd seen them in a couple days and she knew how much he was missing them which was why she was thrilled when Gibbs had called and asked them to babysit.

"Pretty soon I'm gonna have to triple the amount of pizza I make for you guys," Tony said. "I bet it won't be long before you're eating your Dad out of house and home."

"We not eat Daddy's home," Mason giggled.

"Not yet," Tony replied with a wink. "Who's gonna help me put the toppings on these?"

Three 'mes' rang out as the kids jumped up and down in front of Tony, competing for his attention.

"Do you want kids?" Tony asked as he leaned against Abby on the couch with his hand resting on her thigh and hers on his. The kids had eaten, played hard, gone swimming in the bathtub with Tony and were now sound asleep in their beds.

"I don't know," Abby said thoughtfully. "I used to think no way, especially with the kind of guys I used to date."

"But now?"

"Now I think that maybe someday I will. What about you?"

"Yes. There is no doubt in my mind that I want kids and I want to be a part of everything—diaper changes, baby throw up, sick kids, dance class, little league, science fair, homecoming, prom. I wanna play Santa and the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy. I wanna teach 'em how to ride bikes and drive cars. I wanna intimidate the crap outta my daughter's boyfriends. I wanna do it all, Abby."

"You're gonna be such a good dad," Abby said.

"Who's gonna be a good dad?" Jack asked.

"Tony," Abby answered.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he will be," Gibbs said, locking eyes with Tony.

"What took you guys so long?" Abby asked. "Not that we minded. We had lots of fun."

"You know how the property was for sale by owner?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah."

"The woman was there."

"Sweet little old lady," Jack added. "We got to talking about what Blake wants to do with the land and—"

"She was excited," Blake cut in. "She thinks it's a good idea and wants to help. She offered me the land at a rock bottom price, less than what it's really worth. She said she can't take the money to her grave and her ungrateful stepdaughter doesn't deserve it so she wanted to give me the deal of a lifetime to help as many kids as I can."

"That's awesome!" Abby squealed.

"Was the property nice?" Tony asked. "Did you take the deal?"

"The property's beautiful," Blake said. "I took the deal. I've got some paperwork to do tomorrow but we shook on it and she's the kind of lady who wouldn't go back on a handshake."

"Happy for you, man," Tony said. "Congrats. Welcome to the northeast."

"You no go," LJ said. He reached out and rested his hand on Blake's cheek.

"I have to go for a little while, big guy," Blake said. "I have to go home and get some things taken care of and get Diesel and Thunder. Do you remember Thunder?"

"He a howse."

"Yep, he's the horse. We can't leave him all alone," Blake said. "I'll be back in a couple months and then I won't have to leave again."

"I will miss you," LJ said.

"I'll miss you too but you're home with your daddy now so you're gonna be just fine."

"'kay."

"Okay," Blake said. He playfully tapped the tip of LJ's nose before kissing it. "See ya later, alligator."

"Afer while cuckadile."

The cowboy handed Blake back to Gibbs and shook the man's hand. "Thanks for everything."

"Any time," Gibbs replied. "See ya soon."

"Bye, kiddos," Blake said, kneeling in front of Mason and Sadie.

"Bye-bye," Mason and Sadie said.

"Jack, thank you."

"I'm looking forward to your return, Blake," Jack said as they shook hands.

After one last wave goodbye, Blake stepped up to the check in counter at Dulles. He'd come so he could have some peace of mind about LJ's wellbeing and he was leaving with peace and hope, a new family and a new future.

Gibbs sat nervously in front of the prosecutor's large desk while the man flipped through a pile of folders. He'd been worried ever since their last meeting and he knew he'd continue to worry after the meeting. The welfare of his children was the most important thing in the world to him. He couldn't control Lisa and she'd already proved herself to be unpredictable and willing to go to any means necessary to get what she wanted and that scared him.

"Here we go," Ulrich said, opening one of the folders. "Lisa accepted the plea deal. She'll be transferred this evening and spend the next six years undergoing extensive therapy. You'll be notified if anything changes and when she's released."

"Will she come out of this "rehabilitated"?" Gibbs asked adding air quotes for effect.

"That's the goal," the prosecutor said. "She won't be released if the doctors feel she's a danger to herself or others."

Gibbs was guessing that was supposed to be comforting but it wasn't. He also knew there was nothing he or anybody else could do about it. He just had to be prepared to protect his kids. He pushed his failure with Shannon and Kelly out of the way and let confidence replace doubts. A lot had changed since his wife and daughter's murder. He wouldn't lose anyone else he loved to senselessness.

He put on his best face and extended his arm to the prosecutor. "Thank you. I appreciate you keeping me informed through this process."

"Anything I can do to make this easier on you and your family," Ulrich said.

Gibbs straightened his jacket as he stepped out of the office. He smiled as his dad stood and they held the kids' hands and made their way down the hall. With Lisa taken care of and his family all in one place he could begin to adjust to another new normal for his life.

The End