Saturday morning - Stillwater
Michael POV
"Welcome home Darling!" I wrap my arms around my youngest child tightly. I miss her so much. Holding her at arms length and look her up and down. "My, oh my. Don't you look beautiful Katherine. Tell me, how are those beautiful grand babies doing?" I can't believe how happy she looks.
"They're not babies anymore Dad. They're seven. Zoe is into sports and plays soccer and netball. She is starting little athletics over the summer. Lucy is into reading and swimming. Even though they both do swimming lessons, Lucy has just taken up competition. Lucy is a well advanced reader, reading at 5th grade level. They're very good. But I'm biased."
"You're allowed to be Katherine. You're their mother. And where might they be this weekend?" I smile at her.
"With L-J Dad, Charlie said Derek will be here and we thought it was best if he took the girls." Seeing Katherine visibly shudder at the thought of spending the weekend with her cousin Derek always chills me. Now I understand why she never brings the kids when he is around. The man can't keep his hands to himself.
"Ah, do they see much if L-J?" I enquired, very curious.
"Whenever he gets a chance. He's a great father and never misses a game or swim meet."
We always knew L-J and Katherine were on good terms. The pregnancy was a surprise to everyone in town. Especially to the parents. Chickadee (I didn't even know if that's her real name, it's the only name I knew her as) and Jackson Gibbs were over the moon. My late wife Eve and I not so much. I eventually saw the light, Eve never made peace with Katherine. She was killed 3 months later in a car accident. To this day, the kids are still divided. Nicole, Nathan, Eric and Daniel against Katherine and Charlie. Naturally, Charlie would side with Katherine. They're twins. Of course, Charlie used all of the commotion with Katherine to announce that he is batting for the same team. And met and fallen rather quickly in love with Sam.
To all our knowledge Katherine and Jethro had never been a couple. Just great friends. The Gibbs family lived next door to us, and owned the general store, which was across the street from my hardware store.
My beautiful twin granddaughters are seven and still to this day, Jackson and I are completely baffled at how Katherine and Leroy Jethro Gibbs have children together.