Chapter 23
A/N - Here is the next chapter of the Palmer family adventures. An interlude before the Harpers arrive with their case. Thank you for reading and please drop me a review to let me know what you think. I don't own NCIS.
Saturday morning Jess woke up in her favorite position snuggled up with her husband. She heard a noise coming from the kitchen and lifted her head. Jimmy was sound asleep holding her tight keeping her nice and warm and very comfortable. Jess heard more sounds and looked at the clock. It was 9am.
Victoria was looking through the cupboards for a cookbook. She wanted to make breakfast for Austin before their study session. His mom and her mom talked on the phone earlier to set up the study date….that's right, it's not a "date." Jimmy listened in on the call and approved. Finally finding what she was looking for, she put it on the counter and started looking for a pancake recipe.
Jess decided she better get up to see what their daughter was up to in the kitchen. Jimmy and Jess loved to sleep in on Saturdays and snuggle in bed, which almost always led to a wonderful round of lovemaking before they got up. Vic learned very quickly to not disturb her parents on Saturday mornings so they could "sleep in." She was all for it. Jess kissed Jimmy's ear and whispered that she would be right back. She had to check on Victoria. Jimmy mumbled something in response and went back to sleep. Jess smiled and extracted herself from Jimmy's arms. She got out of bed and grabbed her robe putting it on her naked body as she walked to the bathroom. She made sure Jimmy was covered up before she left the room.
Jess returned from the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bed next to Jimmy. He had woken up without his favorite blanket keeping him warm and very comfortable. Jess leaned down and gave him a kiss. "Vic is up to something in the kitchen. I better check on her before she burns the apartment down."
Jimmy chuckled, nodded and kissed her back while sliding his hand down to her bottom. Jess grinned at him. "Later, my love." Jimmy grinned back. Jess stood up and dropped her robe so Jimmy could enjoy the view that was only for him. She pulled on some panties and put on Jimmy's pajama top before leaving the bedroom. Jimmy admired his wife's form as she walked to the kitchen before getting up.
Vic looked up from the cookbook when she noticed her mom enter the kitchen. "Did I wake you?" Vic asked.
Jess nodded. "You were making quite a bit of noise."
"Sorry about that. I want to make breakfast for Austin."
Jess looked at her and smiled. "You want some help?"
Vic nodded. "Yes please."
Jimmy walked into the kitchen wearing his pajama bottoms and a Bermuda T-shirt. "What are you up to Victoria?"
"I'm making breakfast."
Jess came over to Jimmy and whispered "For Austin."
Jimmy smiled and nodded. After talking to Austin's mom, he was a lot more comfortable with him being around his daughter.
"We're happy to help." Jimmy said. "We want you to make a good impression on Austin."
Vic did a double take then gave her dad a hug. "Thanks dad."
The Palmer family worked together to get everything ready to cook before Austin arrived. Pancakes and eggs were not something to cook early. Victoria went to her room with Jess who helped her pick out an outfit to wear. Jess then went into her room and discovered Jimmy in the shower. She quickly shed the pajama top and her panties before stepping into the shower with her husband. Jimmy smiled at her and greeted her with a kiss. Jess took the shampoo from Jimmy and began to wash his hair. Jimmy took back the shampoo and began to wash Jess hair. Of course this led to a very clean husband and wife coming together enjoying the oneness only they shared.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The door bell rung and precisely 10 am. Jess walked with Vic to the door and looked through the peep hole. It was Austin and his mother. Jess opened the door and invited them in.
"Good morning Victoria …. Mrs. Palmer." Austin said as he looked back and forth between the two.
Victoria smiled and returned the greeting. "Good morning to you too, Austin…..Mrs. Marsden."
The two mothers looked at each other and smiled. "I'm Jess" She reached out to shake her hand. "Beth."They shook each other's hands.
Jess led them into the kitchen where Jimmy was sitting at the table drinking his latte. Jess' latte was next to his. He stood. Jess introduced Beth to Jimmy and Vic introduced Austin to her father. "Pleased to meet you Dr. Palmer." Austin said. "Nice to meet you too Austin." Jimmy reached out and shook his hand.
"I hope you're hungry," Vic said to Austin.
Austin gave Vic a big smile. "Starving."
Beth laughed and looked at Jimmy and Jess. "I do feed my son."
Jimmy and Jess laughed with her. "We're glad he's hungry. Victoria has been getting everything ready for a feast."
Beth smiled. "Austin has a soccer game at 3. I'll be back to pick him up at 2."
She said goodbye to her son, Victoria and the Palmers. Jess walked her to the door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jess helped Victoria cook breakfast. Vic was put in charge of making the pancakes and Jess cooked the scramble eggs and bacon. Jimmy talked to Austin while sipping his coffee.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Jimmy asked.
Austin smiled as Victoria glowered at her father.
"I want to be a used car salesman." Austin said with a grin.
Jimmy laughed. "I deserved that."
Austin laughed with him. "I haven't decided yet. I enjoy computer programming and math. I think I'll do something in the technical fields."
"Sounds great. I should introduce you to Agent McGee at our office. He's a wiz with computers."
"I would like that very much. Thank you."
"What does you dad do?" Jess asked.
"He's a forensic accountant for one of the large CPA firms. He looks for fraud and how to help companies prevent it."
"It almost sounds like law enforcement." Jess added.
"A little. He tries to prevent it most of all."
Breakfast was ready and Victoria served Austin with a smile and sat across from him at the table. Austin thanked Victoria for the food. Jess brought a stack of pancakes to the table and gave Jimmy some bacon and eggs. Jess sat across from Jimmy with her own plate of food.
"What is your science test on?" Jimmy asked.
"The periodic table and compounds. We need to practice balancing the equations."
"Ah…chemistry. Interesting stuff." Jimmy added.
"It is. I'm sure you work with this all the time."
Jimmy nodded. "Especially when we are looking for the cause of death."
Jess nudged Jimmy with her foot causing him to look up at her.
Jimmy apologized. "Sorry. I don't want to be morbid at the table."
Austin nodded. "That's alright. I like hearing about how what we are learning in school applies to real life."
Jimmy liked Austin more and more as they talked.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After breakfast and clearing off the dishes, Vic and Austin took out their science books and notes to study at the table. At the beginning, they sat across from each other until they discovered it was better if they sat next to each other to share their notes. Jimmy and Jess went to the living room and sat on the couch where they could observe activities from afar. Jimmy had his arm around Jess while he read a book on his iPad and Jess watched YouTube videos on hers.
Before they knew it, their doorbell rang as it was time for Austin to be picked up. Jimmy went to open the door and was surprised that both Austin's parents came to pick him up.
"Welcome, I'm Jimmy," he said to the dad.
"Henry." The two shook hands. "I'm the soccer coach for Austin's team."
Jimmy smiled and invited them in. He introduced Jess to him as they entered the kitchen.
"Did you get a lot of studying in?" He asked his son as he ruffled his hair.
"Yes, dad." He responded.
"They were at it for a good two to three hours. Hopefully it helps them on their test." Jess added.
Austin thanked Victoria and the Palmers before heading out the door. Beth said "Next time can be at our place."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A little while later Jess' phone rang. "Hello" she answered.
"Sis" Robin Knight said into the phone. "How are you?"
"Great. What do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"I'm in town for the weekend. Do you have time to get together?"
"We'd love to see you Robin. Are you doing anything tonight?"
"Nothing planned. How about getting dinner?"
"Sounds like a great idea. Let me check with Jimmy."
Jimmy looked up from his book. "Dinner with Robin tonight?" Jess asked.
Jimmy nodded. "Yes. Why don't you come to our place and we'll go from here."
"See you in about an hour." Robin responded.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The doorbell rang and Victoria answered the door. "Aunt Robin!" Robin picked up her niece and spun her around. Jess and Jimmy entered the room. Hugs and kisses were exchanged.
"What do you feel like eating? Jimmy asked.
"Tacos. Lots of Tacos." Robin responded.
Jess laughed. "We found a new Mexican restaurant to go to. Great tacos and other items."
Robin laughed. "What's the name of it?"
"Alejandros Taqueria."
"Let's go."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The four of them were shown to a table underneath a large mural depicting a Mexican countryside. The were each handed a menu along with a large basket of tortilla chips and bowl of salsa. Jimmy also ordered cerveza for the adults and a coke for Victoria.
"What's new?" Robin asked.
"Our friends from Dublin are coming to DC to work on a case with us." Jess responded.
"The ones you met on your honeymoon?"
"Yes."
"How long are they going to be here?"
"At least two weeks. Would you like to meet them?"
Robin nodded. "Do they have any brothers?"
Jimmy and Jess laughed. "Don't know."
Robin shrugged and smiled.
A little while later the waitress brought a large platter of tacos, some Spanish rice and refried beans to the table. Victoria wanted some enchiladas too so a plate of those was also brought to the table. Everyone dug in.
"What's new with you Aunt Robin?" Victoria asked.
"I'm thinking about taking a new job."
"Really?" Doing what?"
"Event planner and organizer for the Marriott hotel in Time Square."
Jess looked at her sister in surprise. "You would be an employee?"
Robin nodded. "Being self-employed isn't as wonderful as I thought it was going to be."
"When would you start?"
"Beginning of the month. They're going to let me stay at the hotel for the first month while I find a place to live."
"That sure is nice and helpful."
"It sure is. I'm hoping to move to one of their DC area hotels later."
"It would be great to have you nearby. When do you have to decide?"
"Tomorrow."
"Are you going to tell them you'll take it?" Jess asked.
Robin looked at her sister and nodded. "I am."
"Let's celebrate." Jimmy raised his beer in a toast. Everyone joined in.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After dinner, they returned to the Palmer apartment and played some games and talked until it was time for Vic to go to bed. Jimmy opened a bottle of sparkling wine while the ladies said good night to Victoria and brought the bottle and flutes to the living room. He went to kiss Vic good night and then settled on the couch next to Jess putting his arm around her shoulders.
"I'm going to see mom for a few days before I head up to New York."
Have you talked to her about this new job?"
"I did before I applied. She's all for it."
"Good. Enjoy your time with her."
They continued to talk for an hour or two until Robin left to go back to her hotel. Hugs and kisses were exchanged all around.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jess sat at the kitchen table looking at the paperwork for Victoria' participation in the school play. The permission slip needed to be signed by her parent or legal guardian. That got her to think. What am I to Victoria? What if something serious happens to her? Can I give permission?
Jimmy sat next to his wife and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "What are you thinking about sweetheart?"
Jess kissed him back. "I was wondering about something. What legal authority do I have regarding Victoria? Can I approve medical procedures for her if something serious happens and you're not available?"
Jimmy looked at her in surprise and admiration. "Wow. I married the smartest and most caring woman in the world. Not to mention the most beautiful."
Jess smiled at him and kissed him. "We are a family."
Jimmy wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. "Would you like to adopt her?"
Jess looked at him and grinned. "Would that be ok with you and Victoria?"
"I would love that and I think Victoria would too. We just need to talk to her about it."
Just then, Victoria walked in the room and took a drink out of the refrigerator. Looking at her parents she asked "What's up Mom and Dad?"
"Have a seat. We want to discuss something with you." Jimmy said.
Vic sat down at the opposite side of the table. "Ok. What is it?"
Jess spoke up. "While I was signing your permission slip, I was wondering if I had the authority to make important decisions and grant permission regarding your health and other matters in the event your dad wasn't available."
Victoria nodded. "Why is that an issue? You are my mom."
Jess smiled and said. "Yes and I'm very glad to be your mom. I was concerned about that in the eyes of the law."
Jimmy spoke up. "There is no question legally for me but it's not quite the same since your biological mother died. We can resolve this issue if you would like to."
"How is that?" Vic asked.
"I could adopt you." Jess replied.
Victoria's eyes opened wide in surprise. This was followed with a big grin. She got out of her chair and sat on Jess' lap, giving her a big hug. "I would love that Mom."
Jimmy leaned over and wrapped his arms around both the ladies in his life. "I would love that too."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jimmy and Jess dropped of Victoria at school on Monday morning. They arrived just after Austin was dropped off and was starting to walk into the school grounds. Victoria smiled when he saw him and jumped out of the car. Austin turned and spotted Vic and waited for her with a smile on his face. Together they walked into the school campus. Jess looked at Jimmy wondering if he was going to say anything. Jimmy looked at her and smiled. "I'm ok now with Vic and her first crush. I hope her memory of him as she gets older is the same as yours with dimples."
Jess laughed. "Elliott Spencer did have the cutest dimples."
Jimmy chuckled in response.
It was a quiet day at NCIS. Parker was visiting with the FBI and didn't bring in any pastries to jinx it. Jess decided to go to the leather store at lunchtime since Jimmy had a meeting to go to with Duckie. The store was a fifteen minute walk from NCIS and wasn't very crowded. She asked the clerk where she could find what she was looking for and was shown to the display. There was quite a selection to choose from. As Jess stared at the display rack the clerk smiled and asked "Are you looking for the Mrs. Peel outfit?"
Jess tried to hide her blush and nodded.
"It's the most popular style for women. The Catwoman look is more popular with the younger crowd. Size 4?"
Jess nodded amazed that she knew her size. The clerk pulled a black cat suit along with a brown one and dark red one. "The dressing room is over there." She pointed in the right direction.
Jess tried on each one and they fit perfectly. She just had to decide what color. She thought back to a TV show she watched a few years ago called Legend of the Seeker. She remembered the Mord'Sith wore different color leather depending on what they were doing. I'm not going to torture anyone like the Mord'Sith, but it would be fun to have different colors. Jess decided to buy all three as the clerk gave her a nice discount if she did. Jess stopped at their car to put her purchases in the back. She wanted to surprise Jimmy with what she bought.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Parker returned from the FBI with a box of pastries for a mid-afternoon snack. Torres, McGee and Jess hoped they wouldn't be working late from an ill-advised Parker comment.
Jimmy entered the squad room after his meeting with Duckie. It was something to do with helping a friend of his with a case. He walked over to Jess' desk and gave her a kiss.
Parker said "Welcome back, Doc."
"Thanks." He looked at the box of pastries. "I skipped lunch. Have any left?"
Parker nodded. "Help yourself. I bought plenty."
He opened the box that was sitting on Parker's desk and took a cannoli. "Thanks."
He sat on the edge of Jess' desk as he nibbled on the pastry. "I'm going to have to do an extra 50 crunches tonight by eating this."
Jess chuckled and winked at him. "I'll provide an extra incentive for you while you do them." She whispered. Jimmy turned pink.
Fortunately the rest of the agents were busy concentrating on what they were working on.
Jimmy stood to head back to autopsy when their phones chirped with a Bandium alert. Everyone groaned and looked at their phone. "A body in Alexandria." Parker said. "Move out."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx