Chapter 49

Typing this before any new reviews for Chapter 48. Hope you enjoyed it. Not my favorite but had to get Gibbs home from the hospital and get things going toward the wedding.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS. Just borrowing the characters for a little fun.

Another disclaimer: I do not have an experience with losing a parent at Kelly's age but I have lost a grandparent at that age so that is the experience I am writing about. Please excuse any errors in emotions.

The sun rose on Saturday morning. It was a beautiful spring morning and if this had been a normal Saturday Sam, Gibbs and Kelly might be planning a picnic in the park or a trip to the zoo but today was totally different. First Gibbs was still recovering from his gunshot wounds and today was the day of Julie Williams' funeral. The team decided since it was just the "family" they planned just a grave side service. Everyone wanted to make it just as easy on Kelly as possible. After the service they planned to take Kelly out to lunch and then maybe to the park for some just plain fun.

Kelly Williams was up with the sun and was downstairs watching television before Samantha came down to start Gibbs' coffee. She heard the television and went in and sat down next to Kelly on the couch. "You doing ok baby girl."

"Just thinking about Mommy. I miss her Samantha," she said. "I know we are just saying goodbye to her body today and that she is in heaven. But …"

"But she is not here. Remember she did not want to leave. "

"I know. I get scared that you and Gibbs will leave me too. He almost died too." She looked up at Samantha with a worried look on her face.

"I know he has a dangerous job but he is not he is not going anywhere." Samantha hugged her tightly. "I promise we are going to be here for you."

"But Mommy was supposed to be here for me Sam." Kelly started crying and Samantha pulled her closer.

"Baby I know she was. Your father happened. Gibbs took care of him so you have us. We will not leave you."

"You promise." She looked up at Samantha with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"I give you my word on that." The two ladies heard Gibbs say from the top of the stairs. He made his way down the stairs holding onto the walls. He easily walked over to the couch and sat down next to them. "Don't worry I am not going anywhere. " He kissed her on top of the head and took her hand.

"Kelly, I have an idea. My great grandmother lived till she was 104 years old that is 50 years older than me or Gibbs. We promise you 50 years with you ok." Samantha smiled.

Gibbs looked at her with a horrified look in his eye. "50 years," he signed.

"50 years is our goal. I want my golden wedding anniversary," she signed back. He shook his head and smiled at her. "Ok. I'll try," he signed back.

"I will settle for 40. You two are pretty old now." Kelly giggled. "Samantha, can I wear Mommy's favorite dress today? She will be watching us from heaven I want her to see me pretty."

"Your party dress. Kel I'm not sure it is appropriate for a funeral." Samantha started but Gibbs put two fingers on her lips and shook his head.

"I think that would be adorable sweetie." He kissed her cheek. Kelly kissed and hugged them both. Then she raced up the stairs to get her dress. Samantha gave his a questioning look. "It will be ok, Sam. Who cares what others think. This day is for her. After all it is just us and the team going to be there."

Samantha leaned into him and he put his arm around her shoulders. "You have good instincts Dad."

"Taught him well did I" Jack replied coming down the stairs. "Coffee ready."

"Sorry Jack got sidetracked. Kelly was a little upset when I came downstairs."

"What about?" he asked.

"Fraid we were going to leave her too." Gibbs added as Samantha went into the kitchen to start the coffee.

"Poor baby."

"Samantha promised her we would be with her for 50 years but Kelly settled for 40." Gibbs chuckled.

Jackson Gibbs looked at his son surprised. "Glad she settled for 40 son," he chuckled.

NCIS

The graveside service was scheduled for 1100 hours at a nearby cemetery. Abby and Tim arrived at Gibbs' house first. Abby was dressed in a black dress carrying her black parasol. Tim was dressed in his black suit as was carrying a small wrapped package. Kelly bounced up to them giving each of them hugs. She was dressed in her pretty pink party dress.

Tim handed her the package and Kelly quickly opened it. "Oh Tim. I love it." Kelly raced into the kitchen where Jethro, Jackson and Samantha were sitting at the table talking. "Look what Tim brought me." Samantha took it from her. It was a framed picture of her mother smiling at their last family get together.

Samantha looked up at him and smiled. She then got up and gave him a hug. "That was so special Tim. She will remember it forever."

"I am going to put it in my room next to my bed. Then she can watch me as I sleep." Kelly replied taking the picture and racing up the stairs.

Gibbs stood up and shook Timothy McGee's hand. "Thank you Tim. She is missing her Mom today." Abby walked up and hugged them both. Timothy McGee smiled at his boss. It was not often that he got a thank you from him.

Tony and Ziva arrived next and once again Kelly met them at the door with a hug and a smile. "Tony, you need to see what Tim brought me." She grabbed Tony's hand and led him upstairs to her room. Ziva smiled to herself and followed the voices to the kitchen.

Everyone was either standing or sitting around talking. Some drinking coffee and Samantha had a can of diet coke. "Where's Tony?" Abby asked giving Ziva a hug.

"Kelly drug him upstairs to show him something." Ziva smiled. "I really think she has a crash on Tony, no"

"It's crush Ziva and I certainly hope not. Someone might be in need of a head slap. I am not ready for "Boys" yet," Gibbs grumbled. Everyone in the kitchen despite the seriousness of the day had to laugh at Papa Gibbs getting a little over protective.

"Oh I pity the first real boyfriend she has." Samantha giggled. Just then Kelly came in the kitchen holding Tony's hand. Gibbs glared so hard at DiNozzo that he quickly dropped Kelly's hand and moved next to Ziva looking rather sheepish.

"What's going on?" he whispered.

"I will explain later."

The team looked at the clock and realized it was time to go. Nobody was looking forward to what was about to happen but it was necessary if Kelly was going to move on with her new family.

NCIS

It took two cars to get the "family" to the cemetery following the hearse. Ducky, Gibbs, Samantha and Kelly were in one car and Tony, Ziva, Tim and Abby came in another. Palmer rode in the hearse with Brenna and her father. Ed Slater had given them a break on the funeral arrangements since they had chipped in on the expenses.

When the hearse stopped at the burial site Tim, Tony, Jimmy, Ducky and Ed carried the casket to the frame that was positioned over the grave. Gibbs had called a chaplain friend to come do the service and he was standing at the grave waiting for them. Gibbs, Samantha, Kelly and Ducky sat down in the chairs provided for them. Ziva and Abby were in the second row and the other men stood quietly behind them.

"I understand Miss Kelly and her family want this to be a celebration of Julie's life. Does anyone have something to say?"

Each member of the team who had a special memory of Julie stepped up and told a short story about Julie. Some were funny and some were touching. After they had finished Kelly whispered to Samantha. "I want to talk. Is it ok?"

"Sure is sweetheart."

Kelly stood up and carried her small bag up to the front of the casket. She started talking to the casket not really talking to the group. "Mommy, first I want to say I love you. I will always love you. I wore my party dress because you always said I looked like a fairy princess in it. Samantha says you are watching me from heaven so you can see me. "She looked up into the sky and waved. "Hi Mommy. I know you can't talk to me but I want you to know Gibbs and Samantha promised to take care of me. So don't worry." Then she reached into her bag and got a stuffed bunny. It was worn and was missing an eye. She hugged it and gave it a kiss. "Here is Mr. Bunny. You said you got him when you found out you were going to have me. He is my best friend. I want you to have him. He can keep you company in heaven." She laid it on the casket and then reached into her bag again. This time she pulled out a picture she had drawn. "Mommy here is a picture I drew yesterday to remind you everyday how much I love you." She laid the picture on the casket with her bunny.

She then reached into her bag and pulled out a book. Samantha knew the book immediately. Tears started to fill her eyes, no one sitting next to her knew why but Gibbs grabbed her hand squeezing it tightly. Kelly looked over at Sam and motioned for her to come to her. When Samantha got up and moved close to Samantha Kelly whispered in her ear. "If I read the words will you hum the song?"

Tears filled her eyes again. "I'll try Kel. You know this book always breaks me up on a good day and today is not a good day."

Kelly smiled and hugged her. "I know you can do it." She whispered opening the book to the last page. The book was "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsch and Sheilla McGraw. Samantha started humming a tune and Kelly started reading. "I love you forever; I'll like you for always as long as I'm living your baby I'll be." Kelly read changing my mommy to your baby in the last line. Kelly looked up from the book to see tears streaming down Samantha's and Abby's faces. The men's eyes were watery and she even thought she saw Ziva wipe away a tear. Then she looked up at the sky and blew her mommy a kiss. "Bye Mommy, watch over me." Then she left Samantha standing there as she walked back and sat down next to Gibbs who hugged her next to him as he wiped a stray tear that dared fall from his eye.

Before Samantha could say anything Tim left his spot and walked up to her with an envelope in his hand. He put his arm around Samantha's shoulder and handed her the envelope. "The lawyer found this in Julie's file. It is addressed to you and she wanted it read at the end of her funeral," he whispered.

Tim went back to his spot. Samantha carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. She quietly read it. She looked into Gibbs' blue eyes mouthing "Help, I can't do this alone." Gibbs stood up and made his way to where he was standing next to her. He put his arm around her shoulder.

"You can do this," he whispered. She nodded.

"Julie wanted this read at her funeral. This is the hardest thing I have ever done but for Kelly and Julie I will try." She wiped tears from her eyes. She did not have to read it however. It was a quote she knew by heart. She had first heard it on an episode of Little House on the Prairie. "This was written by Michael Landon in an episode of Little House. I understand it was an old Irish poem." She grabbed Gibbs' hand holding it tightly. "I hope Kelly and all of us will take it to heart. Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that's how I'll remember you. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."

Samantha looked up at her "family" and each member had tears in their eyes. Chaplain McCoy stepped up to Gibbs and Samantha putting his hand on Gibbs' shoulder. "That was lovely," he said. He immediately said a small prayer and dismissed the service.

As the group was walking away from the graveside Kelly moved between Gibbs and Samantha taking their hands in hers. "I'm ready for lunch and then you two promised the park. I want to laugh and have fun like Mommy wanted."

All the adults looked at her in shock and surprise. Then after wiping away a few more tears they all started laughing. "Sounds like a plan." Gibbs managed to say.

The group headed off to the restaurant for a happy lunch. Then after a change of clothes the whole group took Kelly to the park. Tim even managed to pick up Jethro the dog to join in the fun.

I want to give credit to the writers of the book Love you Forever as well as Michael Landon's quote on remembrance.