Chapter 20
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon
That is what happened with this chapter. Just could not get to the computer to write this. Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing my story. It amazes me how close I watch my email box for reviews.
Here is Chapter 20
Gibbs woke up with the sun streaming through his windows on Thanksgiving morning. He had sat with Samantha that night until she fell asleep in the guestroom. He could not sleep another night sitting up next to her his back would not allow it so he had gone to his room. Sitting up he smelled coffee coming up from the kitchen. Smiling he stumbled down the stairs into the kitchen.
In the kitchen was the most beautiful woman in his life dancing and singing country music dressed in sweat pants and one of his large NCIS shirts. Coffee was brewing and she was making rolls. He quietly walked up and started to put his arms around her waist. "Good Morning Jethro," she said not even turning around to look at him. He continued and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"Busted again," he whispered.
"Yep. Don't you know teachers have eyes in the back of their heads?" She teased and turned around to look up at him. After all she was only 5 foot 2 inches so most of the time he towered over her. Stepping up on tiptoe she kissed him and then turned back to her work. "There is coffee and I have hot cinnamon rolls waiting."
"Wow, you have been busy. How long have you been up?"
"Couple of hours. Pies are cooking and the dough is rising for the rolls. I have not decided if I need to bake them here or take them to Ducky's and cook them there so they will be hot. Mama always served them hot. They were the best but heating them in the microwave is just as good."
"Well you will be watching the game so they might burn if the game gets good."
"True, guess I bake them here and we can reheat them." She watched as Gibbs poured his coffee and then he grabbed a cinnamon roll.
" A guy could put on weight with you around. I have not eaten this well in years. Come sit a minute and rest," he said pointing to the chair next to him.
"Just a minute. I need to turn down the temperature on the pies soon."
" Aren't having one of these?" he asked pointing to the roll.
"Nope, I have already had two." She giggled and then she kissed him. Just then there was a knock at the door. "Bet I can guess who that is. I have food cooking."
"DiNozzo?"
"Hey Boss. Just came by to wish you two Happy Thanksgiving. Do I smell cinnamon rolls?"
"Yes, fresh and hot. Help yourself. I made plenty" Samantha grinned. "Sort of had a hunch you would show up to eat."
" I did not come here to just eat but since you offered." Tony DiNozzo helped himself to a cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee. He sat down at the table opposite them. "What's up this morning, Boss?"
"Just woke up," he said finishing off his roll. "Think I am up for a shower. Don't eat all the rolls. Bet you could take Ziva one."
"No need" Samantha replied, "She and Abby are on their way over here. I called them yesterday. I need some help with a couple of things. So go get your shower and then you two can find something to do while we have some girl time."
"Looks like we are being thrown out," Tony replied grabbing another roll. "Sam these are great. I love homemade rolls. "
Gibbs just looked at him with his mouth full. His "son" was always in the mood to eat. He walked over to Samantha and kissed her on the cheek. "Don't let him eat to much."
"This is his last one I promise. Ducky has worked to hard on dinner that he would be heart broken if Tony does not eat his usual fill"
"You two do realize that I am in the room."
"Yep," Gibbs smirked and kissed Sam on the lips this time. "But it is my kitchen"
Gibbs left the kitchen and went upstairs with a smile on his face. "Really going to be a great family day," he thought, "Glad Samantha is here to be a part of it."
Gibbs took his shower and dressed in a pair of jeans and an old NIS shirt. He came downstairs and found Tony sitting on his couch watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on television. He heard giggling coming from the kitchen. He started toward the kitchen. "I wouldn't go in there, Boss. It might not be safe. Abby and the Ninja arrived a few minutes ago and it has been nonstop giggling since. Not sure it is not about us."
"I'll take my chances. I need another cup of coffee," he let a small grin escape surprising his top field agent. "After all I am a Marine."
Tony shook his head and replied. "Just remember I warned you."
Gibbs stepped into the kitchen. "Morning Ladies."
Abby jumped up and hugged him. "Morning Gibbs."
"What's going on in here? Sounded more like a group of teenaged girls than a scientist, a teacher and our own ninja assassin." Gibbs chuckled and poured himself another cup of coffee. "What's up for this morning? "
"Nothing that concerns you … yet" Samantha giggled. "Now that you are armed with a large cup of coffee, don't you have an appointment in the basement."
" I get it. I am a man and you want me out." All three women looked at each other and laughed.
"Yes that would be nice. Not that I don't love your company." Samantha smiled and batted her eyelashes.
"I get it. DiNozzo warned me about you three. Guess I need to retreat to the basement then."
Gibbs left the kitchen and headed to the basement followed by his senior field agent. A few minutes later there was a knock at the front door. McGee walked carefully into the living room. "Anybody home. Boss Abby called and said to come over."
Abby came out of the kitchen still giggling from the latest joke. "Morning McGee. The boys are in the basement."
"What is all this about Abbs? I thought dinner was tonight at Ducky's."
"It is. We were all here and I did not want you left out." She came up and kissed him on the cheek. "Now we have things to do. Why don't you go check on Gibbs and Tony?"
"Can I get a cup of coffee first and do I smell cinnamon rolls?"
Abby turned around and headed into the kitchen. She brought him a cup of coffee and a fresh cinnamon roll. "Now, go we have girl stuff to attend to."
The rest of the morning and into the afternoon were spend with the boys in the basement talking and working on the boat and the girls working in the kitchen and then they went upstairs. Around 2 o'clock Abby announced that they were done and that everyone should leave to go get ready for the game and then dinner.
After the team had left Gibbs left the basement and went upstairs to find Samantha. She was in the guest room watching a movie on her computer. He knocked quietly on the doorframe. "Can the owner of this house come in?"
She stood up and smiled. "Yes I guess since it is your house you are welcome."
Gibbs looked at her. She was even more beautiful than he had ever seen her. "Wow" he whispered.
"I take it you like my make over." She smiled and walked over to where he was standing. She was dressed in a black pants outfit with a sleeveless blue shell allowed her arm to be free with the cast on it. She was wearing a sweater around her shoulders and it was covering her right arm. Her hair was done just the way he liked it, curly and it hung down long.
"So this was my surprise." She nodded.
" I did not know how I was going to look nice for Ducky's party without the girls' help. Kind of hard to do your hair when you have a busted wing. After all the last two weeks I would bet I looked pretty grungy. "
"Absolutely not. You have looked fantastic."
"Liar, but thanks for the complement." She kissed him carefully on the lips. After they broke for air he smiled at her.
"Guess I need another shower and some fixing up if you are going to want to be seen with me."
"Well you do have that strange order of sawdust but I like that." She grinned and kissed him again. "Now go fix yourself up. After all you can look quite handsome in that old NIS shirt but I don't think it is quite appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner.
After a shower he dressed in a suit and even put on a tie for her, they grabbed the food and headed over to Ducky's.
Ducky greeted them at the door. His hair was mussed and he looked exhausted from cooking. "Afternoon, my Samantha don't you look lovely."
"Thank you Ducky," she said smiling. " You look tired. Is there something I can do to help? Gibbs is bringing in the rolls, pies and whipped cream."
"Afternoon Duck" Gibbs said carrying a box with the food in it. "Where do I put these?"
"Take them into the kitchen, Jethro." Samantha and Ducky followed Gibbs into the kitchen. Looking around Samantha smiled everything was cooking nicely but the kitchen was a complete mess.
"Looks like you could use a hand Ducky. Since I only have one working one I can lend it to you."
"No my dear, you are my guest."
"Well I will keep an eye on things while you change and rest a little."
" That would be nice of you," he sighed and headed upstairs to take a nap and then change for dinner. Samantha smiled at Gibbs. "This dinner maybe to much for him."
"Maybe you get started here. I will go get your computer from the car." Just as Gibbs was stepping out the door a car drove up carrying Abby and Tim. Abby got out carrying another box of food. "Samantha's in the kitchen Abbs. Ducky was sent up to take a short nap and get cleaned up."
"Sounds like Samantha." Abby replied heading into the house.
"Need any help Boss."
"Yes, here's Sam's computer. Could you set it up in the living room so we can watch the game? It starts at 4 o'clock."
"On it Boss." McGee chuckled and grabbed the computer and went into the house.
Abby joined Samantha in the kitchen who had a towel wrapped around her waist and was busy cleaning up the best she could. " That is usually my job. Ducky is a great cook but a little messy."
"Hey Abbs. The make over achieved its objective. I take it." Samantha smiled.
"Great" Abby grabbed an apron and joined her friend in cleaning the kitchen. A few minutes later, Ziva joined them and the silliness continued from the morning.
Just as they finished the kitchen, McGee came in and said it was game time. "Great. I am ready for a break myself."
"Go enjoy the game Sam. We will bring in drinks and join you." Abby said.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
The group enjoyed the first half. Gibbs sat next to Samantha during the game but new to duck then the team made a bad play or got a penalty. She was definitely a true fan. During halftime the girls checked on Ducky and the food. Ducky was still napping in his room. Gibbs was sent to wake him up since the turkey was almost done.
Ducky came down in the middle of the fourth quarter. Abby, Ziva and McGee left to help him get dinner ready to serve. Just as the game ended Abby announced that it was about time to eat. Samantha went in and heated up the rolls and the feast was set on the table.
"This looks great Duck. You out did yourself this year." Gibbs took his place at the opposite end of the table from Ducky.
"Thank you Jethro. But I had a great deal of help this year," he smiled looking at Samantha, Ziva and Abby.
"That was our pleasure, Ducky." All three women said together. "Is that not what family is for? Yes." Ziva added.
"Shall I propose a toast?" Ducky said raising his glass. Everyone joined him.
" Thanksgiving is a time for us all to unite
To remember what blesses us each day and night
To hold dear to our hearts our family and friends
That we are lucky to have until the end"
All the family members took a drink and sat down. "Any one else have something to say."
"Yes, I do. " Samantha said standing up. "I want to be thankful today for all you." She grabbed Jethro's hand. "I feel like for the first time since my grandfather died I have a true family. I want to thank you for accepting me into your little group. " There were tears in her eyes. She really meant what she was saying. Gibbs stood up and put arm around her waist being careful not to hurt her. "Well I am thankful you are here." He kissed her cheek.
"Well we are so thankful you found us my dear." Ducky and the whole team raised their glasses and toasted Samantha.
Samantha smiled and sat down wiping the tears from her eyes. "Now let's eat and have some fun. Is that not what Thanksgiving is really about? Family."
"Sure is. Now I have a toast." Tony laughed. "Over the lips and past the gums look out stomach here it comes."
The whole group laughed even Gibbs. He was looking into Samantha's eyes. "Tony. " Ziva scolded, "You really need to get a new toast."
"Does he need a head slap, Ziver?"
"Shutting up Boss." Tony instinctively added. Gibbs got up to carve the turkey and the whole "family" settled down to a great meal and a happy time.