Author's Note:
Thank you for the reviews and PM's. We are fast approaching the end of this lovely story.
Enjoy the next chapter ….
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The next day, Gibbs stepped out of the elevator into the bullpen, a soft smile on his lips, his staple cup of coffee in his hand.
He and Jenny had spent the entire night in each other's arms. It had been amazing and she had repeatedly reassured him that she was fine… no pain… no discomfort… Making love to her had been unbelievable...
And she had said she loved him.
Tony, Ziva and McGee, simultaneously greeted him. He didn't reply lost in his thoughts as he was.
Tony looked at Ziva and wiggled his eyebrows. She raised an eyebrow back at him. McGee focused on his computer not wanting to get in the middle of his colleagues open speculation.
Gibbs took a long swallow of his coffee and his eyes moved to the upper floor balcony.
There you are… he smirked as he watched Jenny standing there talking to an analyst.
Hell you are the most beautiful and not to mention sexy pregnant woman I have ever see...
An God how I love you!
As if sensing his eyes on her, Jenny turned to look at him. He nodded his head imperceptibly and smiled a genuine to die for smile. She blushed to the roots of her hairline before turning away from him and leading the analyst into her office.
Tony and Ziva grinned reading between the lines.
Tony's eyes communicated, finally… no wonder the boss is in such a chirper mood.
Ziva blinked and rolled her eyes up to Jenny's office communicating, And Jenny's positively glowing…
"DiNozzo, David!" Gibbs' sharp retort startled them bring them to their feet and up and in front on his desk. McGee stopped what he was doing and watched them.
"I can't force you two to follow rule No.12 considering I broke that one myself."
"Boss?" Tony said in a strangled voice.
"Gibbs we're n…" Ziva stopped mid-sentence when Gibbs' gaze bored into her.
Oh boy... Gibbs knows!
Well of course he knows.
His Gibbs... McGee acknowledged.
Gibbs looked from Tony to Ziva and back and continued, "But I warn you, if this thing between you starts to affect your ability to function within my team, one of you will have to leave."
"Got it Boss." Tony said quickly.
"Understood." Ziva said.
"And you don't have to worry, Boss." Tony continued.
"Because we won't let this get in the way of our work." Ziva continued.
"We guarantee it." Tony finished.
"Good." Gibbs said. "Now get back to work."
"Of course." Ziva said and headed back to her desk.
"Boss." Tony said, still standing in front of Gibbs' desk. "Thank you."
Gibbs looked up at him and said very softly only for Tony's ears, "Be happy and don't you dare hurt her."
"I won't." Tony promised just as Abby came bounding into the bullpen.
"Good, you're here." She said as she moved in to stand very close to him. "So?"
"So… what Abs?"
"Oh Gibbs don't pretend. Is it a girl and a boy… or two girls… or two boys? We need to know. We have so much to do before the baby shower. So you have to tell us."
"I don't know."
"You don't know! Oh no!"
"Jenny wants it to be a surprise… and so do I."
"Okay… okay… okay… let me think." Abby lamented as she paced. McGee, Tony and Ziva watched her.
"Okay, it doesn't matter if the doctor didn't tell you. What does your gut say?"
"My gut?"
"Yes, your gut!"
"My gut says that my two precious babies are safe and healthy and that's all I need to know." That said, Gibbs stood up and headed to the elevator saying something about needing more coffee.
"Oh this is bad. How am I supposed to plan this thing now?"
"Relax Abby." McGee said.
"You'll figure something out." Tony said.
"Usually when the sex of an unborn child in unknown, it is best to go with neutral colours that would work for a boy or a girl." Ziva said just as Ducky entered the bullpen.
"That is exactly the way I suggest we plan." He said.
"Neutral colours… like whites, creams, greens and yellows…" Abby suddenly smiled. "Thank you everyone. Meet in my lab in 30 and I'll tell you all what we're going to do."
That said she raced out of the bullpen.
Tony and Ziva headed to the lunch room.
"He gave us his blessings." Tony smiled as he leaned into Ziva.
"Yes, but if he catches us messing around at the office one of us will have to leave the team."
"No messing around." Tony said still leaning closer. "But we deserve one celebratory kiss."
"Only … one." Ziva concurred as Tony's lips touched hers.
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A few weeks later the baby shower took place with lots of fun and laughter. Abby had decorated Gibbs' living room in pastel shades of green and yellow and the place was filled with evergreen shrubs and beautiful yellow roses and sunflowers. There were boxes and boxes of baby things... gifts from all NCIS departments as well as the FBI and Home Land.
Although they knew that the team had been planning the shower, the actual event brought Jenny to tears. Gibbs was also visibly moved and thanked everyone for their generosity and love. Holding baby clothes and toys in his hands he realized just how real this all was. And he also realized how small, innocent and helpless his precious babies would be. He watched Jenny and an image of her cradling his babies in her arms filled his mind. In the image she glowed with love and joy as she kissed each of his babies foreheads.
God Jen, you will be an amazing mother...
You proved me wrong...
You carried my... no... our babies safely thus far and you are really loving every moment of this pregnancy...
And I love you so much now...
As everyone continued to eat and chat, Gibbs made his way up to his bedroom and closed the door behind him. He opened his cupboard and withdrew a small box. Sitting on the edge of the bed he opened it and smiled. Inside the box lay a stunning yellow gold ring with a deep blue oval sapphire in the center. On either end of the sapphire lay a drizzle of tiny diamonds and sapphires. The ring had a matching gold band decorated with the similar drizzle of sapphires and diamonds.
Gibbs took a deep breathe.
I want you to be my wife Jenny…
And I want it before our babies are born…
I hope it's what you want too… my love…
Because I can't imagine my life without you...
Closing the box he slipped it into his pocket as he headed back downstairs. Now he just had to find the right time to ask her…
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Later that night, Gibbs retired to the garage and Jenny went up to their room to have a shower and get into bed. Her lower back had been aching most of the day and she was tired.
Jenny turned in her sleep and shuddered awake.
"Mmm…" she wondered what had awoken her. She looked over to the other side of the bed and was surprised that Gibbs wasn't there.
It's almost 2 am… she thought as she rolled onto her side. That was when she felt a sharp pain slice across her body.
"Argh!" She gasped, one hand on her belly and the other pressing against her lower back.
She lay still for a few moments to make sure the pain had subsided, before getting to her feet.
What's happening?
I need Jethro…
It's too soon for me to be going into labour…
Oh God…
She headed down to the garage and was glad when she didn't feel any further pain. She entered the garage quietly and stopped.
Gibbs stood in front of two beautifully carved baby cots. They were fully assembled and even had mobiles attached to them. He was busy varnishing one of the panels and seemed totally engrossed in what he was doing. And he was softly humming…. a lullaby!
Jenny watched in amazement… tears glistened in her eyes.
You are going to be such an amazing dad….
God… I love you so much Jethro…
Just then an intensely sharp pain sliced through her body, making her gasp aloud.
Gibbs spun around in time to see her clasp her belly as she steadied herself against the garage wall.
"Jen?" He demanded as he dropped the varnish brush and rushed towards her. "What's wrong?"
"Oh God Jethro… I think my water just broke!" Jenny moaned out. "This can't be happening… it's too soon!"
Fear gripped Jethro as he reached Jenny. The pajama pants and the floor surrounding her feet was wet and there was no doubt that her water had broken.
But you're only in your 34th week!
My babies…. They have to be safe!
You… Jenny… You have to be safe!
Damn it Jethro… Get it together…
Jenny was in his arms, tears streaming down her face.
"It's okay, Jenny. Everything's going to be okay." He said trying to mask his rising panic. "Let's get you upstairs and changed and then we're heading to the hospital."
Jenny nodded her head unable to speak.
Oh God… Oh God… Oh God…
I hope Jethro's right…
Dr Malone did say that anything could happen …
But I was doing so well…
I was taking care of myself…
Everything was going so well…
How can this be happening?
Jenny continued to sob as Gibbs helped her out of her soaked pajama and into the shower. While in there another sharp pain sliced through her body and she almost doubled over in pain.
"Just breathe through it, Jen." Gibbs supported her and rhythmically ran his hand over her lower back.
When it passed, Gibbs helped Jen dress and led her to the car. He told Milenka to get Jenny's bag packed and to meet them at the hospital. As he drove, he called Dr. Malone and she told them she would meet them at the ER. Then he called Ducky who also promised he'd be at the hospital as soon as possible.
During the drive, Jenny felt the sharp pain slice through her body twice more.
"When did the pain start?" Gibbs asked.
"My back's been aching since early yesterday morning and I had a few cramps at the office and also at the baby shower but didn't think anything of it."
"You didn't think anything of it!"
"Yes, I mean, I knew it's too early so I expected it to subside."
"Jenny! Why didn't you tell me?"
"Jethro, don't overreact."
"Overreact!" Gibbs shouted. "You're in labour and it's too soon! My babies … and you … could be in danger!"
"Please Gibbs… don't do this… Not know… Not when I need you. And they our babies! not just your babies."
Gibbs growled in frustration as he turned his focus to the road.
Damn it! My babies better be okay or so help me God…
I don't know what I'll do!
I promised I would keep them safe…
God… please help me keep my promise this time…
Jenny gasped again just as Gibbs pulled up outside the ER door.
"Easy Jenny… Everything's going to be okay… I'm not going to leave your side…" Gibbs promised, but fear continued to race through his veins.
Everything has to be okay…
But what if it isn't…
No… It just has to be…
I can't lose them…
Not now…
I won't lose them…
But what if I do!
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Author's Note:
That's it for this chapter…
There might be 1 or 2 more chapters to go…
Let me know your thoughts… Thanks,