Chapter 51
Thanks for the lovely reviews and story alerts. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The wedding is coming I promise. Sorry I took so long to update. School started up again and we had to work last Saturday.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of the characters associated with the show. I wish I did.
NCIS
When Kelly woke up the next morning, she seemed to be doing better. Gibbs was still asleep when Samantha got up to fix Kelly her breakfast before school. "You seem happier this morning. "
"I had a really good dream. You are Gibbs were there and you were wearing an old white dress. We were in Ducky's backyard. It was wonderful. You two were getting married." Kelly smiled and hugged Samantha.
"That won't be too long now. We have a lot of things to plan before that happens." Samantha set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. "Don't let Debbie upset you today. Jethro and I love you. We want you with us. You are such a special little girl who would not want you."
Kelly smiled as she put a piece of bacon in her mouth. Just then Tony entered the living room. "Morning ladies," he said. "I let myself in." He was holding up the extra key Gibbs had hidden outside the door. "Where's the Boss?"
"Still asleep. I made him take a pain pill last night." Samantha smirked.
"He took it willingly. Wow, he must love you." Tony joked grabbing a piece of bacon.
"Do you want some breakfast, Tony?"
"No thank you. I ate at Ziva's."
"Well if you are not here to sponge food from us, why are you here?" she said laughing as she checked his head for a fever. "You are not hungry, you must be sick."
Tony looked at Kelly and a grin came over his face. "I was wondering if my best little girl could use a ride to school."
Kelly's eyes lit up and she tried to smile but her mouth was full of eggs. She shook her head yes. "Looks like I have a winner." Tony smiled.
Kelly quickly finished her breakfast and raced upstairs to her backpack. Tony was standing at the door smiling when she ran up to him and gave him a hug. "Thank you for the ride, Tony."
"Your carriage awaits my princess."
Tony looked at Samantha and winked. She had called him after she and Jethro had talked to Kelly last night. He was going to feel her out and make sure she was really ok. Kelly gave Samantha a big hug and after grabbing Tony's hand the two almost skipped to the car. "Tell Gibbs I'll see him afterschool" Kelly yelled back over her shoulder as Tony opened the car door for her.
Samantha smiled to herself and stepped back into the house.
NCIS
Tony pulled out of the driveway and started driving toward school. As they drove down the street Tony started questioning Kelly about what happened at school the day before. "You doing ok over there kiddo."
"I know Samantha called you last night."
Tony raised his eyebrows and looked at her. "Really she did. " He smirked. "You know that we all want you. Your mother did not dump you on anybody. She chose Samantha and the Boss because she wanted you to be loved and happy."
"I never thought of it that way. You mean Mommy choosed them for me." Kelly questioned.
"Of course. I read the letter she left for them. She was afraid that your father might try to hurt her. She wanted you to be with special people. People who would give you a wonderful life and she knew that we all love you. "Tony told her.
Kelly looked at Tony. He would not lie to her. He meant what he said. "Mommy really wanted me to be with them if I could not be with her."
"Yep." Tony let what he said sink in as they drove into the parking lot of the school. When he stopped the car he turned and looked at Kelly. "You believe me don't you?" Kelly nodded her head. "Now go have a good day and remember we all love you." He kissed her on the cheek.
The two got out of the car and walked toward the front door. Mrs. Hernandez was out front as they walked up. "Good morning, Mrs. Hernandez. " Kelly said smiling her biggest grin ever. She was holding Tony's hand. "This is my friend Special Agent Tony DiNozzo. He works with my new Dad."
"Please to meet you Agent DiNozzo." Mrs. Hernandez replied. "Samantha speaks highly of you and your whole team."
"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for looking after my best girl." He shook Mrs. Hernandez's hand. "Kelly girl, I need to get to the Navy yard. You know my boss. He is real pain and gets mad if I am late."
Kelly giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "You think. At least he is not there to give you a head slap."
Kelly waved at him and ran up to the cafeteria door waving at him again.
Tony turned to walk back to his car. "She seems a whole lot better today. " Mrs. Hernandez told him.
"Just keep us posted on her." Tony looked back at Elena. She nodded as she helped Debbie French out of her car.
"Morning Mrs. Hernandez, who was that?" Debbie asked her.
"That is a friend of Kelly's. He drove her to school."
Debbie just turned and walked toward the cafeteria door. When she walked into the cafeteria she headed straight for Kelly who was talking with some of her other friends. "Why didn't Miss Waverly drive you to school today?"
"Tony came by and wanted to bring me. He is my friend." Kelly told her.
"I think it was because Miss Waverly did not want to bring you. She is already pushing you off on others." Debbie said with hatred in her voice.
"Shut up Debbie. My new family loves me. My mommy wanted me to live with them if I could not live with her." Kelly was angry when Mrs. Brown came up behind her.
"Mrs. Brown, Kelly told me to shut up." Debbie cried.
"Mrs. Brown, Debbie is just being mean. She is telling me lies about Miss Waverly and Gibbs. I just don't want to listen to her anymore." Kelly told her.
"Debbie, Kelly came in here first. Why don't you go sit somewhere else?" Mrs. Brown told her.
"But Mrs. Brown."
"Debbie either you go over to another table or you can wait in my office." Mrs. Brown replied pointing toward a nearby table. Debbie walked off in a huff. Mrs. Brown bent down and put her arm around Kelly's shoulder. "I heard the whole thing. You are right. She is telling you lies. You handled that well. Don't let what she says bother you."
Kelly smiled up at her. "Thank you"
NCIS
The rest of the week went smoothly. Kelly seemed happier and happier each day. She was enjoying having her new family. Each night someone from the team came by to visit Gibbs and give him an update on what was going on at NCIS. Each day Gibbs got stronger and stronger. Friday night Samantha even allowed Gibbs to take them out for dinner. But she insisted on driving.
Saturday the girls went out to shop for bridesmaids' dresses and a special dress for Kelly for the wedding. While the girls were out Tim, Tony, Palmer and Ducky had come over to help Gibbs with a little surprise for Kelly. He had called Home Depot and ordered some wooden playground equipment and it was due to be delivered that morning.
Gibbs had wanted to build it himself out of his love for the little girl but since he had been shot and he was really busy on Samantha's wedding present, he decided to get something started for her with the team's help then add some special things later when he was able.
NCIS
The girls of the Gibbs' extended family had a wonderful day planned. Brenna had not been able to join the ladies because she was out of town at a convention. First they were getting dresses, then a grown up lunch as Kelly called it and then a movie at the mall. As they drove away from the house Kelly was talking a mile a minute about what had happened at school that week with Debbie.
"Well sounds like you put her in her place, yes" Ziva said when the little girl came up for air.
"Yes, Mrs. Brown told me sometimes I need to stand up for myself. I know you all want me. Debbie just doesn't understand our family."
Abby leaned over and hugged her close. "We all love you baby girl." Kelly hugged Abby back and then the subject changed to dresses as Samantha pulled up to the first dress shop. The girls got out and walked into the shop.
"Good day ladies, how can I help you?" They were greeted by sales clerk.
"Well we are looking for brides maid's dresses." Kelly told her. "They need to be blue just like Gibbs' eyes."
The sales lady giggled. "So young lady are you the bride?"
Kelly leaned into Samantha and smiled up at her. "No." Kelly smiled sheepishly. "Samantha is the bride and Gibbs is the groom. My friends Ziva and Abby are the bride's maids."
"Blue?" she looked at Samantha.
"Well we are really just looking for dresses that will work for my friends here. They don't have to be a certain color. I want my friends here to have a dress they can use again."
Ziva and Abby looked at each other. They had not discussed the dresses with Samantha but they knew she was practical like Gibbs. She would not want to waste money.
"Well ladies, why don't you just look around?"
"Thanks," Abby replied. They started looking around the shop. Samantha was looking at the little girl's dresses when Abby came up to her. "Samantha, shouldn't you be looking at wedding dresses also?"
"No need, Abby. My dress is already picked out and at the alterations lady as we speak."
"Really. Where did you buy it?" Ziva asked as she joined the group. She had picked out a couple of dresses she wanted Sam to see and then try on.
"It is very old. It belonged to my dad's mother. She got married in 1920," Samantha smiled. "I found it after David died and decided that if I ever got married I would want to wear that dress. That way my parents and my grandparents will be with me."
"Oh that sounds just beautiful. "Abby replied jumping up and down. "I know just how to do your hair."
"Abby calm down you have not even seen the dress yet."
"I know but I know it should be in a style of the 20's. I can research it on line."
"Ok Abby, now find your dress. " Samantha looked at the dresses that Ziva was holding. "They look wonderful. Let's see how they look on you." Ziva went into the dressing room. Kelly was still looking at the little girls' dresses. Samantha was watching as she touched a little blue dress. It was covered in lace and looked to be about mid-calf length. Kelly's face lit up like a sparkler on the fourth of July. "Looks like a little girl had found her dress."
Abby found a simple black dress that fit her personality as well as her body very well. Samantha and Ziva both teased her that McGee would love to see her in that dress. When Ziva walked out of the dressing room dressed in her gorgeous green dress. It was a strapless gown that hugged her figure and stopped just above her knees. Samantha let out a wolf whistle. "Tony's eyeballs will pop out and his chin will hit the floor when he sees you."
"Are you sure it is right? This is your wedding."
"Again, I want you two to be able to wear these dresses again. I love both your dresses. They are perfect." Samantha smiled.
Just then Kelly came out of the dressing room and began to twirl around the room. Her skirt was spinning with her. "This is the most beautiful dress I have even seen. It makes me feel like princess."
"Then that is the dress for you." Samantha smiled. She pulled out her credit card. Both Abby and Ziva started to protest. "Jethro and I decided we wanted to do this for you. He said you would protest but he said to glare at you."
Both ladies smiled and looked at each other. "We both know better than to argue with both of you." The two said together.
Samantha smiled paid for the dresses and then hugged them both. Next stop was lunch and then the movie.
NCIS
Home Depot delivered the playground supplies and plans just after the ladies left. Gibbs was studying the plans when Tony, Tim, Palmer and Ducky arrived. Samantha had food ready and coffee in the pot ready for the men. She had left him with orders not to lift a finger. He was to supervise only.
"Now Boss you tell us what we need to do. I don't want the wrath of Samantha to fall down on me if I let you do anything." Tony replied pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"I have my marching orders, DiNozzo. No manual labor I am only the supervisor." Gibbs smirked. "Ducky, Samantha fixed you some tea and you have your orders too. Nothing to strenuous." Ducky smiled and pour himself a cup of tea and helped himself to one of Samantha's delicious cinnamon rolls. Tony was already on his second when the others helped themselves.
After breakfast the group headed out to the backyard. Samantha had picked out the place for the playground. So they started. Gibbs had picked a simple design because he knew that he was not doing the building.
Despite a couple of hurt fingers, a bumped head and a few scrapes that Ducky quickly attended to with the first aid kit the playground was up and ready for the princess to enjoy by 1300. The group decided they would order take out and enjoy some time relaxing before the ladies returned.
While they were eating Gibbs looked around and noticed that the "boys" in his family. He thought of all the hurts and losses he had in his life and how lucky he was. He had a beautiful lady in his life who understood him and his past. He had a second chance to be a daddy to a special little girl. He also had a "family " of good friends that he loved with all his heart. How a gruff marine could could have gotten so lucky.
An argument between McGee and DiNozzo over which movie to watch brought him back to reality causing him to chuckle to himself, "Do I need to get up and hand out a couple of head slaps?"
"No Boss," they said together quickly finding a movie everyone could agree on. Jethro Gibbs just smiled and shook his head.
NCIS
Samantha called Gibbs when they left the movie theater to give him the heads up. The guys hurried up and got the big red bow for the slide and were standing in the backyard when the ladies brought a blindfolded Kelly out the back door. "Surprise!" they all screamed when Samantha removed the blindfold. Kelly's eyes were wide open in surprise. She squealed and ran straight for Gibbs' arms. He bent down and almost fell over from the force of Kelly's Abbylike hug.
"Is this really for me? Did you build this for me?"
"Who else would we do this for?" Gibbs smiled giving her a tight hug and a kiss.
Kelly turned around and looked at Samantha tears filling her eyes. "You knew about this." Samantha smiled and nodded her head.
"Well kiddo, others did the manual labor on this." Tony smirked. "Now I have been waiting all day to push you on the swing. Come on princess." Kelly kissed Gibbs and then ran off toward Tony.
After letting Tony push her on the swing, she ran to Tim and he got a huge bear hug. "Thank you Tim. This is the most wonderful surprise ever." Then she went to Palmer and Ducky giving each man a hug. She then raced over to the slide.
Gibbs walked up to the ladies. "Did you find what you wanted on the shopping trip?"
"Yes Gibb and thank you. You did not have to pay for our dresses." Ziva said.
"Yes we did. You are family Ziva." Gibbs walked up and kissed her on the forehead.
Abby wiped a tear of happiness from her eye before she engulfed Gibbs in one of her huge Abby bear hugs. "Thank you boss man. I totally love my dress. You should see Kelly's it is totally her. Her eyes were almost as big as diamonds when she saw it." Gibbs smirked at her. He knew that he would probably get a fashion show when exhaustion took Kelly away from the playground.
The rest of the team found places to sit so that they could watch the little girl totally enjoying her play set. Each member of the team spend time playing with her except Gibbs. He was under both Kelly's and Samantha's orders to take it easy. Kelly promised to play with him when he was healthy.
NCIS
Eventually Kelly tired of playing, Samantha could see she was almost falling asleep when Tony was pushing her on the swing for the tenth time. "Kell, the swings will be there tomorrow. I think you have had a busy day. Maybe we should go inside. It is getting a little chilly."
Kelly started to grumble but she saw the modified glare from Gibbs so she raced over to him and took his hand. He then led her into the house by the hand followed by the rest of the team. "How does he do that?" Samantha smiled.
"He's Gibbs." Abby replied.
After they got into the house Tony started complaining about the bump on his head hurting as well as the muscle strain from lifting the beams on the play set. Ziva walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Poor baby." She smiled. "Let's get you home and see if we can take care of you." The two said their good-byes and started toward the door. Kelly ran up and gave each one of them a hug good-bye. "Thank you both. I love you both." Kelly whispered.
"We love you munchkin." Tony replied hugging her back. He and Ziva waved as they went out the door.
Ducky and Palmer said their good-byes next because Ducky was falling asleep in Samantha's recliner. Then Abby and McGee hugged each member of the Gibbs' family and left them alone to enjoy their evening.
"We are so very lucky." Samantha sighed sitting down on the couch.
"Don't I know it?" Gibbs said as she sat down next to her putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Can we watch a movie?" Kelly asked eagerly.
"Sounds good sweetheart. What do you want?" Samantha smiled.
"Could we watch one of those old funny movies you keep telling me about?"
Samantha winked at Gibbs. "She means the Disney movies of the sixties. I think I have one that will have us all laughing." She got up and grabbed a DVD off the shelf. "How about The Ugly Dachshund?"
"That is a funny movie." Gibbs added " You two settle down and start the movie. I will order pizza and be right back."
Kelly and Samantha at him and found their places on the couch. They totally enjoyed the movie, pizza and the family time. Samantha curled up next to Gibbs on the couch enjoying the closeness of her little family. When the movie ended Samantha looked at her watch and reminded a very tired Kelly it was time for bed. "You head on up and Jethro and I will be up there in a minute to tuck you in."
"Ok Samantha." Kelly got out of Gibbs' lap and gave them both a kiss and skipped toward the stairs.
"She seems happy." Gibbs smiled.
"Well she gets the world's most beautiful dress and a play ground in her own backyard all in one day." Samantha smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "And I am one lucky lady as well. We both have the greatest guy in the world."
Gibbs lifted her chin and after staring her in the eyes for a few minutes he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. She slowly began to kiss him back putting her arms around his neck. Upon breaking the kiss only for air, they both looked at each other and smiled. The two could hold a whole conversation with their eyes. The look of love in their eyes was clear to both of them. Just as they started to make out on the couch Kelly's voice brought them back to reality. Gibbs shook his head and grabbed Samantha's hand they walked arm in arm up the stairs to tuck their daughter into bed.
Next chapter on NCIS: Gibbs visits Kelly's school and Samantha's first grade team meets Abby. Thanks in advance for all reviews. I look forward to each and every one.