"Spend the day with us." Gibbs' face was beaming as he stared endearingly into Jenny's shining eyes. He was laying on his back on the kitchen floor, Jenny leaning on his chest, smiling back. There were small mounds of spilled flour around them.

"Hmmm. I may be able to rearrange my schedule. I wanted to write out some bills, take out the garbage and clean out my garage but that can all wait."

"I'm glad we rate higher than all that."

"You are lucky I have already fed Ernie."
"Ernie? Who'e Ernie?" Jenny held back a laugh at the perplexed look on Gibbs' face.
"Oh, he's my roommate. He's short and fat; gray hair and never clips his nails. Oh, and he never flushes." Jenny's expression showed her disgust.

"I'd be jealous but he sounds ...gross."
"Don't worry. He's my cat, Jethro."
"Oh. I have to admit, I am a bit relieved. Thought I was going to have to fight a creepy, little, hairy guy for your love."
"Don't get too excited, you still might. Remember how I said he never clips his nails." Jenny made angry cat noises, as she 'Meerowed' and hissed, her hand positioned in a fighting cat pose. They giggled then kissed.

"Kitty, Junny." Tim overheard Jenny's cat imitation, distracting him from holding the dustpan in place while Tony swept the flour into it.

"My impersonation of a cat can't be too bad... Tim got it." Jenny sat up then kneeled next to Gibbs.

Tim positioned himself on the floor next to them. Jenny did a double take looking at Tim and the flour all over his face and in his hair. He had gotten into the chocolate chips they had planned to put into the pancake mix leaving his face covered with chocolate smears.

"Oh honey! Look at you, you're a mess. Jethro I think it's bath time."

"Well... I was thinking of heading to the beach so taking a bath right now would probably just be a waste of time." Gibbs looked at Jenny, waiting to see what her reaction would be to the idea.

"Oh, the beach, huh?"

"Did you say the beach dad, because that would be way fun, dad! I'm getting ready now!" Tony dropped his broom, running off to his room, to look for his bathing suit and goggles.

"Da peach? Gibbs?" Tim leaned on Gibbs studying his face looking for answers.

"It's like a huge sandbox, Timmy. With a big pool."

Tim slowly stood then hopped in place. Gibbs loved the smile it created on the small boy's face. "Oh! Build castles with Dony, Gibbs?"

"You got it kiddo!" Gibbs stood helping up Jenny as Tim took off, running through the kitchen to find Tony and update him.

"Dony! We're gonna...dig!"

Gibbs looked at Jenny smiling. "I love the way he calls it, 'the peach.'"

"I bet he's never been." Jenny said quietly to Gibbs.

"Bet he'll like it."

"You don't think it's too cold?"

"Nah. We have lots of sweatshirts and blankets. It will be the last hoorah before he begins daycare tomorrow."

"Are you worried about him starting?"

Gibbs could not hide his worry, his frown strong.

"Oh, Jethro, it's okay. I don't blame you." Jenny held onto Gibbs' arm.

"Tony cried the first day I dropped him off. Broke my heart."

"I'm sorry."

"He was okay after that. After everything Tim's been through I don't know if I can bare the thought of him crying when I leave him."

"You really don't have a choice do you?"
"Not unless I want to quit my job and let you be my young, sugar mama."

Jenny gave him a look of sincere disapproval.

"Didn't think so, but thought it was worth a try. Do you want to stop off at your place to pick up your suit?"
"Oh, I'll probably just roll up my pants and go in up to my knees. It's too cold for me this time of year to go swimming."

Gibbs frowned looking over her body. Jenny playfully slapped him. "Okay." he responded reluctantly. I suppose that will have to do. But expect to get wet with these little guys around."

"That's fine."

xxxxxx

They arrived, parking in a vacant lot, nearby. Gibbs was thrilled they would not have to deal with the summer crowds being that it was early autumn. Gibbs took Tim out of his car seat, his legs kicking and fists pumping with unbridled enthusiasm that Tony helped generate, describing how much fun the beach was, during the whole trip there. Jenny helped Tony out of the car then they joined up at the trunk to unload their belongings. Gibbs carried a small cooler in one hand and Tim in the other. Jenny carried a beach blanket and beach bag full of sunblock, sweatshirts and towels. Tony carried a beach bucket filled with sand toys.

They walked over the ridge overlooking the beach. Tim's eyes were large as he watched and listened to the waves crash on the sands, silently in awe. Gibbs had learned that Tim was usually very quiet when taking in something new to him. His life had changed drastically over the last month; it had to be overwhelming experiencing so many new people and places in such a short amount of time for such a little guy. Gibbs considered Tim an old soul, undergoing much more in his short lifetime than others would ever experience through theirs'. Gibbs and Jenny grinned at each other looking at the innocence in Tim's quiet smile.

There was just a handful of people on the beach with their dogs and kids. It was breezy but the sun was strong. It was warm enough that they would be able to run around in just their swimming trunks. Tim had on a special 'swimmie' diaper under his bathing suit that was able to get wet without bulging and exploding from the absorption of the sea water.

They trudged through the thick mounds of sand getting closer to the water as Tony began to run. Tim made no effort to leave Gibbs' arms.

"Birds." Tim pointed at a seagull as it flew over their heads.

"Yes, Tim, a seagull."
"Shegull?"

Gibbs nodded. He walked to the shoreline as they both became mesmerized with the calming affects of the waves rolling in and out and the soothing sounds of the the water crashing over Gibbs' feet. Jenny laid out the blanket close to the water's edge then situated herself, admiring Gibbs and Tim, smiling to herself. Tony danced in the waves, running towards them then letting them chase him. He laughed and kicked water at his father. Gibbs just chuckled as Tim snuggled closer to the man, laying his head on his shoulder.

She took her camera out of her purse snapping a few shots of the three. She knew this was a day she would hold dear in her heart and wanted to capture as many of the sweet moments as she could. She felt her body and mind relax as she enjoyed watching her boys while also watching the ocean's beauty around them.

Tony ran over and grabbed her hand. "Come on, Jenny."
"Okay. I'm coming."

"It's not really, really, really cold, Jenny! Just a little cold." She giggled as she rose then ran to stand near Gibbs and Tim. Tony splashed a bit at her, gaining a stern look from his father.

"Uh, sorry. I couldn't help myself."

Jenny ran after Tony then grabbed him from behind wrapping her arms around him. "I bet you couldn't." Jenny scoffed.

Tim was growing sleepy so Gibbs placed him on the edge of the water hoping to revitalize him. He was slow moving as the water reached his toes and he squealed with delight. He tried to run away from the quick moving wave but he tripped over his feet. The cold water made his eyes widen and took his breath away. He gasped, repeatedly trying to get his breath back. Gibbs ruefully lifted him checking Tim's expression to see if he was okay. Tim took in a deep breath then sighed. Gibbs walked away from the water to set him in the dry sand. Tim looked happy as he dug his hands deep into the warm sand, enjoying the sensation. He threw the sand over his head laughing. Gibbs pulled Jenny close as they watched him. He looked into Jenny's eyes, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"I don't know, to think I could be cleaning my garage at this time, I don't-"

Gibbs started dragging her to the water. "Jethro! Don't you dare. I'll sick Ernie on you!"
Gibbs pulled her into a hug kissing her cheek. "Don't worry. I was just kidding. I'd never..."

"Yeah, right."

Jenny looked over at Tim and Tony nestled in the sand making castles. "You know...this is the best."

"It is, isn't it?"

xxxxx

They made castles for the next hour then buried each other in the sand, except for Jenny. She did not have her suit on and adamantly refused the offer. Tim was the last to be buried, apprehensive and not sure what he was agreeing to. They covered him with a thin layer of sand as he was too squirmy to lay still for too long. He stood after a few moments, shaking his hips to try to release the sand that stuck in his suit. Gibbs carried Tim down to the water and dunked him quickly, hoping to rinse away some of the sand that covered his body.

Tony followed his father dunking himself to clean off, also. He ended up falling in, screaming from the shock of the cold water.

They hiked back to the blanket. "How about we eat? I brought left over pizza." Gibbs asked Jenny.

"Oh good. I'm hungry." Jenny began taking the contents out of the cooler and passed out a slice for everyone. Tim had advanced in his pizza-eating skills and was now able to hold a cold slice and eat it on his own. They were quiet as their mouths were full, chewing contently.

Tim noticed some seagulls flying overhead, getting closer, attracted to their food. "Shegulls!" Tim pointed just as a seagull swooped in and grabbed his pizza slice.

Tim didn't move, in shock, looking at Gibbs. "Shegulls hungwy!"

Jenny and Tony laughed, astounded, as Gibbs stood and waved his hands towards the birds.

"Unbelievable."

Tony crouched down trying to protect his piece as he ate it quickly.

"Tim, I think it would be in your best interest to sit closer to us." Jenny handed him another piece as he scooted over to her, leaning on her lap.

Gibbs sat back down, his face serious until he looked at Jenny's smiling one, cracking a grin. "Darn... birds. Taking Tim's lunch. Tim are you okay?"

"Yus." Tim took a bite on his new piece.
"Good thing we have more pizza." Piped in Tony.

"We have fruit and other snacks too, kid." Gibbs ruffled Tony's hair.

Jenny stroked Tim's back, "He's pretty much healed Jethro. That's so good to see." She looked him over with warm sympathy.
"Yeah it is. Now, all he has are scrapes on his knees from falling down from playing. That's how it should be."

"Junny. I like the peach. It's fun."
"Even if the birds eat your lunch." Asked Tony.
"It's okay. He's... hungrwy."