Chapter 64

AN: I want to thank everyone who has read or is reading my story. WOW 201 reviews. I never imagined that over a year ago when I started this story it would grow to this extent. I have totally enjoyed writing it. We are not done yet. This story has a couple more big events and some really mushy stuff to come. I have so many things planned for the upcoming chapters. Again thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

A special thanks to Ladyaloysius for all her lovely reviews and another guest who made my day.

Disclaimer: Just realized I have not said this in awhile. I do not own NCIS or any of its characters.

NCIS

Gibbs and Samantha walked up to their house which was aglow with light. As they neared the door, they could hear the laughter of their "family" coming from the living room. The team was on their second movie of the evening. After Gremlins, Tony convinced the group that they needed another comedy. Samantha had finally gotten her extensive movie collection unpacked. Tony had looked through some of the comedies and decided with Kelly around that "The Great Race" would be fun. Jackson was the only other member of the group who had seen it.

Sitting on the porch outside of the door Gibbs and Samantha enjoyed listening to them enjoying their movie. They also continued to steal several kisses, long loving looks and some good old fashion hand holding. "You know that we need to be getting inside." Samantha laid her head on Gibbs' shoulder.

"I know but the evening is so wonderful with the full moon shinning in your hair. You are so beautiful. I just can seem to take my eyes off you." Gibbs whispered into her ear.

She turned and kissed him. "Being out here with you is not a hardship for me either. You're not bad to look at yourself. My knees go totally weak seeing your handsome face in this light." She reached up and put her hand on his chin turning his piercing blue eyes to connect with her own. "But they are getting to my favorite part of this movie."

"Let me guess. Will somebody give me some fighting room?" he laughed.

"Really, you know the "Great Race"."

"One of Shannon's favorites."

Samantha looked at him tears filling her eyes. "We don't have to go in then," Samantha paused. "…. if it bothers you." She placed her hand on his arm. "I'd like to watch it but if it ….."

Gibbs looked into her eyes. She really did love him. She would put his desires above his own. At that moment Gibbs knew that this marriage would be more like his with Shannon. He had always known he loved her and wanted to be with her but it was his Aha moment. She truly loved him. He knew then that any worries he had about her ever turning into an ex-wife were totally unfounded. "No, she would love that you like that silly movie. I can share it with you and her too."

"You sure." Gibbs cupped her chin gently lifting her face to look at him. He smiled a small grin and then leaned in to kiss her.

"I'm sure." He pulled her closer and kissed her again. He then reached for her hand and led her in the door. As they entered Jack was dozing in the large lounge chair, Abby and Tim were sitting on the floor cuddling, Kelly was sitting on the couch holding her favorite stuffed animal, and Tony and Ziva were on the other end of the couch holding hands. Gibbs smiled and walked over to the couch picking up Kelly and putting her on his lap. Samantha snuggled in next to Gibbs.

Samantha smiled at the group. They had come in and nobody except Kelly even noticed them. They seemed lost in each other. "You enjoying this sweetheart."

She nodded. "Did you notice Mama he never gets dirty even in that white suit?" Samantha laughed and kissed her.

"That he does baby."

NCIS

At the end of the movie, Gibbs surveyed the room. His father had fallen fast asleep in the recliner and was snoring. Tim and Abby were now wrapped in each other's arms asleep, and Ziva had managed to lay her head on Tony's shoulder. She was also snoring loudly. Tony's head had fallen back against the wall behind the couch and he was drooling. Kelly had long since stretched out across his and Samantha's laps and had joined the others in dreamland. Samantha looked up at him with a small smile. "Our family" she signed.

"They are an interesting looking lot but they are all ours," he signed back. "Think I will take this little girl to bed," he whispered. She moved away from him so he could get up and carry her upstairs to the bed room.

Samantha got up and went into the kitchen. She was thirsty and wanted something sweet. She got herself a diet coke and some of the thumbprint cookies she had left from the wedding shower the teachers, Abby and Ziva had managed to surprise her with at school. It had been such a special day. Her friends had been so generous giving her a money tree to use as she needed since between the two of them she and Gibbs had enough stuff to set up three households. She planned to get something special with the money to remind her of these special friends.

She sat down at the table and was lost in thought when Gibbs came back down the stairs looking for her. "Wondered where you went. Somebody get a sugar attack." He reached around her and grabbed a cookie. "Love these. Can't each just one."

"I know that is why I hide them. Tony calls them "Sugar Crack"" He sat down at the table next to her. "You seemed lost in thought. Something bothering you."

"Oh no. Just thinking how lucky I am. I have a wonderful man, the most wonderful daughter in the world and a family that truly is a blessing."She took another cookie and popped it into her mouth.

"Well should we wake them?"

"I think so. Tony's back will be killing him if we let him sleep like that. Also I know that Tim and Abby won't be very comfortable on that floor." Samantha replied.

"You got that right and tomorrow's party surely won't be any fun if DiNozzo's complains all day." He got up from the table and kissed her forehead. "Let's wake them and send them home."

They walked into the living room and started waking up the group. "Time to wake up sleepy heads." Tony stretched noticing Ziva was still asleep on his shoulder.

He started kissing her sweetly. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings. "Hey Ziva, sweetheart. We fell asleep during the movie."

"Not now Tony, just so tired." Just then Tony remembered where they were and blushed slightly. He had never been this intimate with Ziva in front of Gibbs or Samantha.

Gibbs just shook his head. He knew that his team had paired up and he did not care. Rule 12 be damned. The heart wants what the heart wants. He was not going to stand in the way of that. "Why don't all of you go home and get some sleep? Been a rough couple of weeks and I'm sure if I know Kelly we have a long day tomorrow."

Abby got up off the floor and stretched and looked at Gibbs nodding her head. "Yes we do. Kelly is so excited," she replied rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"C'mon Abby let us in on the secret. Where are we going tomorrow?" Tony pleaded. He stretched his back as he noticed Ziva had woken up and was gently rubbing his back.

"Nope! Can't. Was sworn to secrecy. We meet here tomorrow at noon."

"I've tried Tony and she won't even tell me." Tim smiled.

"Well it seems my granddaughter has got you all wrapped around her finger." Jack added getting up from the chair. "Well I'm headed down to my bed in the basement." Jack got up and walked over to Samantha. He kissed her cheek. "I don't mind sleeping down there. It is really quiet down there." He whispered to her knowing that she felt guilty about exiling him to the basement because of their current sleeping arrangements. "I mean it."

"Thanks, Jack." She kissed him back and smiled.

"Good night all. See you tomorrow."

"Good night Jack," the team said in unison.

Gibbs walked over to his dad and wrapped him in a hug. "Sleep well Dad." Jackson looked at his son with pride and love in his eyes. He patted his son on the back and headed into the kitchen and the stairs to the basement.

The rest of the team said their goodnights and headed out the door. Sam and Gibbs stood at the door wrapped in each other's arms waving at them as they left. "You know Jethro. They aren't going to their separate homes tonight. I wouldn't be surprised that we will have two more weddings soon. As soon and Tony and Tim get their …."
"Heads out of their ass and realize how good it is to have someone special in their lives." Gibbs finished her sentence.

"Does that bother you? I mean Abby once told me about something called Rule 12."

"That was shattered a long time ago. I can cover that with Rule 51. "Sometimes you're wrong"" he told her. Samantha smiled.

"You're such a romantic Jethro." He grinned at her. Almost as if by second nature the couple began to unfold the sofa bed. Samantha looked over at Jethro Gibbs. She had another look of guilt in her eyes.

"What's wrong now?"

"Got a case of the guilts tonight. I guess. Here we are just days from our wedding. Your dad is sleeping on a roll away in the basement. You are sleeping on a sofa bed that can't be very comfortable, alone. All this with a perfectly good, new mattress upstairs in your bedroom with nobody sleeping on it."

Gibbs turned to her and took her in his arms. "Is anybody complaining?"

"You have every right to." She leaned her forehead on his chest. "You have to want….." Gibbs stopped her rambling with a kiss.

"We've covered this Sam. I respect your need to wait. I understand your reasons and I am willing to wait. I love you." He said pulling away from their kiss. "I'm not saying I wouldn't love to take upstairs to OUR bedroom and make passionate love to you all night. But I'm willing to wait. We only have 7 days"

"13 hours." Samantha added.

"And 30 minutes until you will be my wife. Besides it would spoil all my plans."

She smiled. Gibbs took her hand and started toward the stairs. "Time I walked you home beautiful lady. You still live in a rough neighborhood."

"No worries. Seems I have a handsome Marine turned NCIS agent who is willing to walk me home." She giggled and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they walked up the stairs to the guest room door. He kissed her goodnight and then headed toward the master bathroom to change for the night. Another cold shower tonight.

"Won't be long" he thought. "Samantha is right about that sofa bed. It's hell on my back but she's worth it." He smiled to himself as he turned on the shower making the water much colder than the muscles in his back would like.

NCIS

Kelly was up with the sun the next morning. She had lots of things to do. She listened at her mother's door and knew she was up and exercising because she could hear the music. She slipped downstairs to see Gibbs still laying on the sofa bed snoring. She then crept back up to her room and came back out with two beautifully wrapped packages with notes hand written by her on each one. Abby had bought the presents right after Gibbs had been hurt by her biological father. Kelly was so excited to see Gibbs and Samantha wearing them to her party today. She placed Samantha's package in her bathroom knowing that she would be in there after she finished her exercise routine.

Then she went into the master bath and left Gibbs' package on the double sink vanity. She knew as soon as he woke up and after getting a large cup of coffee he would be heading in there to get dressed.

After placing the presents for her parents, Kelly then hurried and got dressed in the new outfit Abby had got her just for the party. She bounced down the stairs dressed in bright pink Capri pants and matching shirt with a roller-skater on the front. She also had a pair of matching tennis shoes and she had put her hair into a pony tail with a long matching bow. She snuck past a sleeping Gibbs into the kitchen. Seeing her grandpa sitting at the table she ran up and gave him a hug. He let out a wolf whistle. "Wow who it this beautiful princess? What did you do with my granddaughter?"

"It is me, Grandpa Jack." Kelly hugged him again. "You like my new outfit."

"It is beautiful." Jack got up and poured himself a cup of coffee. "You hungry baby."

"I can get me some cereal. That is what I want." Kelly told him. Jack smiled as she got her cereal and juice. Jackson then reached above the refrigerator and handed her a couple of cookies from Samantha's cookie stash.

"Don't tell your mother I gave these to you." Jack whispered.

Just then Samantha and Gibbs walked in hand in hand. Gibbs hair was uncombed and Samantha was sweaty from her workout. "Don't tell me what, Jack."

Kelly slipped the cookies under the edge of her bowl. "Looks like my dad is spoiling a little girl." Gibbs reported pointed to the cookies hidden under the bowl. He then leaned down kissing Kelly on the cheek and giving her a wink.

"I wasn't going to eat them."

"Why not Kel? They're the best. Eat your cereal and drink your juice then you can eat the cookies." Samantha told her. She looked at Jack and winked. "Nice going Grandpa."

Jackson just gave her a grin and a shrug of his shoulders. "He used to try that with your sister but Shannon always caught him."

"Guess I have to keep a closer eye on you Jack." Samantha smiled and then kissed him on the cheek. She then looked at Jethro to make sure that he was ok. Knowing she was checking up on him he smiled and winked at her.

"I'm fine," he signed. "Stop worrying." He walked over and kissed her on the forehead. "Heading up for a shower," he whispered in her ear.

"Ok, don't use up all the hot water." Samantha teased.

"Haven't been using much of that lately," he smirked. Samantha blushed and turned away from him. He walked up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her on her neck and then left to head up the stairs.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and went to the refrigerator to get a drink. Jack walked up and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "He was just joking, you know."

"I know Jack. I really know that." Samantha told him. "I just don't want him unhappy with me. Ever." Jack looked at her with a look of surprise. He had never heard her talk like that.

Kelly had finished her breakfast and was eating her cookies listening to her mother. "Baby girl can you run into the living room and watch TV? I want to talk to your mama."

"Sure Grandpa." She hugged her mother and ran into the living room.

"Sit down Samantha. What's wrong?" Jack said taking her hand. "I have never seen you like this."

"Nothing Jack really. I just have a case of the guilts. I totally love your son and I am so ready to be with him if you get my point but I have this deal with myself. I respect myself enough to wait until our wedding night."

"Really sweetheart, I respect that and so does my son. He loves you so much." Jack told her. "Let me tell you a secret about my son. He waited for over a year for Shannon. She refused to sleep with him until the wedding night. He does not know I know but she told me."

Samantha looked at him. "Really he waited for Shannon."

"Yes he did." He put his arm around her shoulder. "He respects you and I see in his eyes that he loves you. Besides why does it bother you now? He's here and you have only have a short time left."

"I know Jack. I am just tired I guess. Thanks for your support."

NCIS

Jethro Gibbs entered the bathroom with a pressed pair of jeans and a polo shirt hung over his arm. He saw the beautiful package sitting on the vanity. "Well, what do we have here?" He said thinking it was from Samantha. Picking it up he saw it was from Kelly and Abby.

He began to read the special note his daughter had written for him. "Deer Dad, I no this is not your kinde of shurt. Pleese wear it for me. Luv Kelly." He smiled at the inventive spelling but he got her point. Upon opening the package he smiled and shook his head. "Really Kelly," he smiled. "Of course I will."

He finished his shower, shaved and dressed in Kelly's shirt. He straightened up the bathroom. He then headed down stairs.

Both Jack and Samantha looked up when he came in. Jack almost did a spit take seeing his son in his shirt. It was black with white writing. On the front it said "I'm just the Groom" and on the back was another saying "I just do what I'm told."

"Love your shirt son." Jack replied. Kelly ran up and hugged it.

"You have it on and it looks great." Kelly smiled. He lifted her up into his arms and kissing her cheek.

Samantha read the back of the shirt and started smiling. "I love the sentiment" she giggled. "Let me guess Abby's idea." Kelly nodded.

"Bet you have one too. I found mine in the bathroom." Gibbs kissed her smiling into the kiss.

"Guess I need to go up and see what mine looks like and get a shower." She left Kelly and her two admirers as she went upstairs.

She got her jeans out of her room and entered the bathroom knowing she had a package too. She saw Kelly's handwritten note. "Deer Mama, Abby got this for you. She sed you would like it. I luv you. Kelly" Samantha smiled and mentally noted how much her writing had improved. She opened the package and got out her shirt. It was black with white writing. "I'm the Bride, that's why." She giggled and turned on the shower.

While she was in the shower she thought about what Jack said. "He really waited for Shannon. That makes me feel really special," she said.

NCIS

When she came down the stairs she was dressed in her shirt, her good skinny jeans and tennis shoes. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail with a black scarf tied around it and it was hanging down. Gibbs noticed that the shirt was tighter that Samantha normally wore and it hugged her figure nicely. He met her at the bottom of the stairs lifting her off the bottom step and twirled her around. "Love your shirt."

"Sure like you read it," she whispered.

Just then Abby, Tim, Tony and Ziva came into the living room. Abby immediately ran over to Gibbs excited that he is wearing the shirt. "Oh Gibbs it looks so good. Thank you for wearing."

He hugged her back kissing her on the top of the head. "Only for you and Kelly Abbs."

Immediately upon seeing their shirts Tony was about to burst out laughing. "Love your shirt there Boss." Gibbs turned around and glared in Tony's direction. "Shutting up Boss." Ziva and Abby could not help but giggle.

"Shall we tell them where we are going Kelly?" Abby asked.

"Yes. Well we are going Roller Skating, then eating at Dad's favorite steak house and then going to the movies to see "The Croods"" she told them excitedly.

"Roller Skating?" Tony questioned a little nervously. The look on his face told the whole group that he could not skate. "Can you skate, Kelly?"

"Sure Tony. Mama taught me last year on the perfect attendance field trip." Tony glared at Sam. She just smiled and looked at the ceiling.

Gibbs smiled. It had been a while since he had been skating but he was up for any excuse to have Samantha in his arms. "Sounds great baby," he said.

"Gibbs will you go into the basement and get my skates?" Samantha asked him. He smiled at her and left the room headed toward the basement.

"Ok, she has her own skates." Tony looked at Kelly who was laughing at him.

"Of course." Kelly told him. "She could teach you too, Tony." Ziva was laughing at him.

"I'm sure you are a champion roller skater Ziva." Tony joked with her.

"Well I used to skate in Israel, Tony."

Gibbs came up from the basement with a pair of white roller skated hanging over his shoulder and a pair of men's brown skates over his other shoulder. "Really Boss, you can skate."

"Of course DiNozzo. Used to be pretty good at one time." Gibbs almost laughed at him.

"Ok, guys does everybody here know how to skate?"Tony finally asked exasperated.

"Well my boy, I used to but with my leg just won't let me. But I would love to watch."Jackson Gibbs added.

Tony just threw up his hands. "Well I guess Sam; you will have to teach me."

"No problem Tony." Samantha giggled.

Kelly grabbed Tony's hand and started toward the door. "It will be ok Tony. We are only going to have fun." She hugged him. "And Grandpa Ducky is meeting us there so you will have somebody to talk to."

Jack smiled and blew her a kiss. "Thanks baby girl."

The family went outside and loaded the cars. Tony was still not sure about the skating thing but if he spent most of the time on his butt he would at least have his arms around Ziva. That would make it all worth it.

Gibbs and Samantha got into his truck. Kelly had decided to ride with Abby and Tim so they were alone. "Promise to skate with me through the slow songs." Samantha asked as she moved over close to him.

"Only with you forever and always." He turned and kissed her before starting the truck. He could not help but smile as he backed the truck out. Less than a year ago he would have spent a day like this in his basement