Nearly a year later
"I think it's about time you meet my family," Aleah mentioned to Ducky. "You did just propose after all."
"I'll be happy to. I believe you said they live in Minnesota," Ducky said.
"I did," Aleah agreed. "They've been looking forward to meeting you, as I may have mentioned you once or twice. Your name might have been mentioned every time I talk to them actually."
"You haven't really said much about your family other than you have three brothers and a sister who all live in different cities," Ducky said. "I know that both your parents work for a living. I also know about your cousin Avril who runs a bakery on the other side of the city, but really, not much more than that."
Aleah had been bringing treats for Ducky and the Gibbses on a regular basis saying that her cousin never charged her for them and that all she had to do was go pick out what she wanted and pick them up.
It turned out that Kelly especially loved chocolate and so gobbled down whatever treats Aleah decided to bring. Jethro was grateful for Aleah's genuine caring nature and thanked her for all the treats she had been bringing. Kelly had so little to be happy about thanks to not only being stuck in a wheelchair but the cancer that was spreading through her body, so if a little chocolate made her happy he was grateful.
What Aleah didn't tell them was that the desserts had magic baked into them and would hopefully, make them believe her explanation about immortality and magic when the time came. For Donald Mallard it was a certainty that he was going to be told about her family, but as for the Gibbses that was still to be determined.
Kelly's cancer was responding to the treatments that she had started undergoing, but there was no guarantees that she would stay in remission if she reached that stage.
Aleah knew that she could heal Kelly to where she could walk again, but if she did that she would have to tell both father and daughter about her ability, which by extension meant that she would have to tell them about her magic. As for the cancer, she was slowly helping Kelly by strengthening her body, so she was able to fight off the disease more strongly, but she had to be subtle about it.
She felt deeply sorry for Kelly because she was a bright, intelligent girl that was handling everything with amazing strength of character. She didn't whine or complain or demand things like a lot of people would who were in such a state, especially a child. Kelly was determined to be positive and upbeat and Aleah respected that attitude a lot. Kelly deserved a bright future where she could walk and run and do anything she wanted to do with her life.
There was a surgery that could possibly help Kelly walk again but she'd have to go through a lot of physical therapy to accomplish her goal of walking around unaided without the use of even a cane. That was only if the surgery worked, as there were some injuries that just couldn't be fixed no matter how advanced medical technology had become in this century.
It was a chance though, but such a surgery was super expensive and Jethro's insurance just wouldn't cover it. Aleah knew that Jethro would give his last dollar to see his little girl well to where she was walking normally. The money for Kelly's cancer treatment would likely wipe out Jethro though.
Aleah however, figured that the cancer needed to be dealt with first before they dealt with Kelly being unable to walk, as the cancer could kill her, while being unable to walk while bad wasn't as dire. She could live, even if she was wheelchair-bound, but the cancer was a different story.
"My family is fairly large," Aleah begin. "I'm not just talking about my immediate family, but numerous cousins. I have more cousins and I can count. There are the Hotchners and technically, we're not related to them, but we consider them our cousins nonetheless."
"So your families must be really close than," Ducky said.
"That's right on the nose," Aleah told him admiringly. "Many people don't understand that, until it's explained why we consider them our cousins when they're not related by blood."
"I do understand the concept, as I consider Kelly a dear niece, who I love very much and I hate that she's going through so much pain and uncertainty about her future. Jethro is a dear friend and really like a older brother to me, as he's a few years older."
"Well, that's good, because that means and that way we are very similar," Aleah said smiling.
"Which is one reason we get along so well, as we understand concepts that many people do not unless they have experience with them. Like if they have a close friend that's like a brother or sister or even just a niece or nephew," Ducky said.
"Or an aunt and uncle," Aleah agreed. "My mother is good friends with the woman I consider my aunt, Shonda Hotchner. Her husband Aaron, I consider an uncle. My mother and my Aunt Shonda have been friends ever since the cradle, which is one reason they're so close. My aunt was an only child, so my mother is basically a sister to her."
"I don't think I've ever heard it phrased, as since the cradle before," Ducky said.
"It's a southern phrase," Aleah explained calmly. "Southerns have a lot of weird expressions that have stuck around for centuries. Both mom and my Aunt Shonda were born in a small town known as Moonlight Gorge, which is in the south as it happens. They grew up there and when they married they moved to a bigger city."
"I see," Ducky said seeming to understand what Aleah was getting at.
"In any case, that's why I consider the Hotchners my aunt and uncle and their children as my cousins. As it happens, they're also my godparents and my siblings godparents and reverse is also true," Aleah explained.
"I'd love to meet them," Ducky said.
"You will at the same time you meet my parents," Aleah said. "We always have dinner whenever I'm up that way and it'll be more elaborate than usual when I introduce you as my fiancé. You're in for a treat, as my mother, as I explained months ago, owns a bakery that's really popular and both her and my father are great cooks."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ducky promised kissing Aleah on the cheek. "Perhaps we can go up on the weekend, when I don't work at the hospital."
"Sounds good, as I have another doctor that can look after my patients for a few days," Aleah agreed.
"By the way, before I forget, I want to thank you for everything you've done for Kelly," Ducky said. "She's a lot happier ever since she met you, as you have a way to get her to see the more positive side of things. Also, all those treats you have been giving to the family haven't hurt at all."
"It was my pleasure I promise," Aleah said smiling. "I like Kelly a lot, as she's a bright little girl and could do a lot with her life, if only she can get past this hurdle. As for her father, he might appear quite gruff, but it's clear, he loves Kelly a whole lot and that puts him in my good books."
"He does," Ducky agreed. "I don't know what Jethro will do if Kelly dies."
"Hopefully, that won't happen," Aleah said. "I know he's probably still grieving for the death of his wife and that Kelly is the only bright spot that makes his life worthwhile. If there's one thing I know is we all grieve in different ways."
"That's very wise," Ducky said, even as he kissed Aleah on the lips, which she returned wholeheartedly.
~~~Aleah and Ducky~~~
"Welcome, welcome," Dave greeted his daughter and her intended.
"Welcome to our home Dr. Mallard."
"Thank you for your warm welcome," Ducky said shaking Aleah's father's hand. "You can call me Ducky."
Aleah's father was a handsome man dark of hair and eye. Dave's black hair was threaded through with gray as was his beard.
"Of course, we're always happy when one of our children settles down," Dave said leading the way further into the house.
They came to the family room and Aleah led Ducky over to the loveseat that was just big enough for both of them.
"Everyone you know Aleah and this is Donald Mallard, Aleah's fiancé," Dave announced. "Ducky this is a Aleah's mother Jazz and these are our good friends and Aleah's godparents Aaron and Shonda Hotchner."
"It's nice to meet you," Jazz said rising and shaking Ducky's hand.
"We were happy to hear that Aleah was finally settling down."
"That's true, as none of Aleah's siblings have settled down yet," Dave said, as he passed around drinks to everyone and then asked Ducky what he wanted.
What Dave didn't say is that there was a good reason that none of Aleah's siblings, those she had grown up with, had settled down yet.
"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes folks," Jazz said.
"So what's for dinner tonight mom?" Aleah asked.
"Chicken alfredo, since I know it's one of your favorites," Jazz told her daughter.
"Yum," Aleah said. She was now really looking forward to dinner. "You're in for treat Ducky, as my mom does the best chicken fettuccine alfredo that I've ever had and I've had it a lot in restaurants over the years."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ducky said.
"We have a strawberry chiffon cake for dessert, so make sure you save room," Jazz said.
"That sounds delicious," Ducky said obviously looking forward to dessert.
It had turned out that while Ducky liked sweets things he didn't really have a favorite dessert as he'd eat about anything dessert wise.
They all chatted for a few minutes everyone getting to know Ducky a little before Jazz, who had gone to check on dinner returned and said supper was ready.
"Come on everyone, let's not allow it to get cold," Jazz said.
Everyone rose heading into the dining room immediately as they were all hungry.
~~~Aleah and Ducky~~~
"Just serve yourself," Aleah told Ducky quietly, as they entered the dining room to find the table already set and the food on the sideboard.
Ducky served himself a large plateful of the alfredo as well as some green beans and a bread roll as well before he sat back down.
"So Aleah was telling us about your friend Jethro Gibbs. She said your friends daughter is very sick," Dave asked once he had taken several large mouthfuls and swallowed.
"She is, but Kelly's a brave little girl," Ducky said. "She has had so much tragedy in her life with losing her mother so young, as well as losing her ability to walk and now the cancer that has overtaken her body, but she has survived and persevered."
"She's determined to fight this disease that has taken so much from her," Aleah added. "I've gotten to know her a little anyway and Ducky's right, she's a brave girl. Ducky, of course, has known her ever since the day she was born so knows her much better than I do."
"That is so tragic," Shonda commented looking sympathetic.
"It is," Ducky agreed. "Thanks to the treatment program Aleah recommended her cancer as well on its way into remission."
"That's excellent," Aaron said, as he enjoyed his dinner.
"Yes, it is," Aleah agreed. "However, that doesn't mean that it can't come back in a few months or a year so she still has a lot of doctors appointments in her future, a lot of tests. Cancer is just one of those diseases that can go into remission multiple times and a lot of times come roaring back stronger than before. We'll just have to see what will happen. Still, she's doing a lot better and that is definitely something to celebrate."
"She still has quite the battle ahead of her and she's only 11," Ducky said. "Still, I'm very proud of how hard she is fighting this."
"You should be, as she could just give up and lose the will to live," Jazz commented. "We're just lucky that cancer doesn't run in either of our families, though I'm well aware, that that doesn't mean one of our family can't get it in the future, it just isn't likely."
Jazz didn't mention how they couldn't get something as serious as cancer at all, because all those present, except for Ducky were immortal.
"If she stays in remission for five years, then she has a much smaller chance of it coming back once she reaches that milestone," Aleah said.
"That would seem like an eternity for an 11 year old," Aaron said. "I'm sure she'll worry about it in the back of her mind, even if she doesn't say anything to her father or you."
"That's probably very true," Ducky said. "She's not just going quit worrying about it cold turkey after battling it for nearly a year now."
"She might not think of it every minute of every day, except when she's sleeping, but likely in quiet moments, it will come to mind that she isn't out of the woods yet," Aleah said. "Ducky and I are doing all we can, as Ducky is close to the family and I've become quite fond of both Jethro and Kelly. Jethro might be a bit gruff, but it's clear he loves his daughter very much, which puts him in my good books. He will do anything he can for her, as she is the last thing he has to remind him of his wife Shannon."
"Well, it sounds like the father is devoted to his daughter and that is not a bad thing at all," Shonda said smiling.
"No it isn't," Ducky who had been silent agreed. "I fear what Jethro will do if Kelly were to die though."
"Ducky fears that his friend will go back into the military and get assigned overseas where he'll be killed," Aleah said.
"That's exactly what I fear, as he was a sniper at one point in his career and he was very good at it. While he's still technically works for the military, he's now based in Chicago, so he can be home every night to look after Kelly," Ducky said.
"Let's hope that Kelly will be OK then, as I would hate for your friend, as well as his daughter to die and one of them basically by his own hand," Dave said.
"I'm certainly praying for that outcome, because Jethro is only hanging on after the death of his wife due to his daughter, as he loved her very much," Ducky said. "He's been grieving for Shannon's death nearly three years ago when Kelly was eight. I suspect in some part of his psyche he'll always grieve for Shannon. Unlike so many men, I don't see him ever getting married again or if he does of it lasting for the rest of his life as he deeply loved, Shannon"
"That's the way it should be when you have somebody you love deeply," Shonda commented smiling.
"He did, as I was there when he married her and was best man at his wedding. I knew Shannon when she lived and while I miss her, I know Jethro misses her more than I do. She was a great woman and we were friends. When Kelly was born, I loved her from the minute Shannon gave birth to her. She was just the cutest little baby with this fluff of brown hair on her head like her father who is mostly gray now," Ducky remembered.
Everybody continued chatting and dinner conversation was lively as all of them ate. Ducky enjoyed the company and conversation, as well as the food very much.
Soon dinner was over and Ducky and Aleah were ordered into the family room along with the other two men, while Jazz and Shonda went into the kitchen to get the dessert.
~~~Aleah and Ducky~~~
"You let us know what happens to Kelly and her father," Dave told his daughter and her fiancé. "Nothing so tragic has ever happened to our children and I am beyond grateful for that and Jazz would tell you the same if you were to ask her."
"That's true for a lot of people though," Ducky said, "and Kelly is just one of the unlucky ones. We can cure many diseases now including many forms of cancer as well, but there is still a lot that medical science can't accomplish, even in this advanced time. Still, Kelly's cancer is well on its way into remission, so she'll be back to normal, except she'll still be stuck in a wheelchair."
"She's lucky she survived that car crash other than losing the use of her legs," Aaron commented.
"That's true," Ducky said. "Except the car crash was in an accident it was deliberate."
"Why do you say that?" Dave is curiously.
"Because Shannon saw a dangerous drug deal going down and a US marshal was taking her and Kelly into witness protection. The marshal was shot in the head from a long range laser rifle causing the car to go out-of-control, which is what caused Shannon's death and Kelly being stuck in a wheelchair. Yes, Kelly is indeed lucky, that she lived at all and I know Jethro is grateful that she did, even if Shannon didn't make it. Jethro was going to be joining them, but he was overseas on assignment at the time it happened and he blames himself for not being there."
"It doesn't sound like it was his fault at all," Aaron said his tone extremely sympathetic as the Gibbs family had been through so much. "However, I know very well that people often blame themselves for things that have nothing to do with them."
"And we all know that criminals like drug dealers can be very dangerous and killing someone even a child is often just part of doing business," Dave added. "That Kelly lived has nothing to do with whoever killed that marshal and Kelly's mother. They probably don't even care that they ended two lives and in fact, likely consider missing Kelly as a job only partially successful."
"Why not continue to come after Kelly and her father until they're dead is something I don't understand, as Dave's right in what he said," Aaron said. "I mean why leave the job half finished?"
"Maybe they thought the fact that Kelly was only eight at the time and that she's not the one that saw a drug deal going down, so didn't bother using up resources to kill of a child who didn't see anything," Ducky said.
"I suppose that's possible," Dave sounded doubtful and nobody in the room could blame him.
Jazz and Shonda finally arrived with the dessert, as well as plates, cutlery and napkins.
"Eat up folks, enjoy," Jazz told her family as well as Ducky once the slices were distributed on to the plates.
"It was a great day when I married Jazz and discovered she was a baker," Dave said, as he enjoyed his slice.
"I can say the same, since Shonda and Jazz have been best friends all their lives," Aaron said, even as he took another bite of his slice of chiffon cake.
The conversation was light until the dessert was gone. All that was left was the pie plate it had been in as the chiffon cake had been totally consumed until all that was left was a few crumbs on the bottom of the plate.
"Well, it doesn't look like there's going be any leftovers folks," Jazz said looking at the aluminum pie plate that was just going to be thrown away since it was disposable.
"Did you really expect any?" Shonda asked her friend with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, really, you know how much this family loves your desserts and they'd probably eat the aluminum plate as well if they could."
"Sometimes there's at least a piece or two left not this time though," Jazz told her friend.
"You shouldn't be such an excellent baker if you didn't want it to be consumed," Aaron told Jazz with a smile.
"That's a point," Jazz said with a smile of her own.
Ducky watched the interaction between the family members in something akin to fascination, even as he finished his slice of chiffon cake which had been spectacular and that wasn't a word he would usually use to describe a dessert with, but in this case it applied. Aleah's mother was apparently a really excellent baker as he'd never had better. It was really too bad that Aleah's parents didn't live in Chicago so that he could patronize Jazz's bakery on a regular basis. He was also sure that Aleah would love to see her parents more frequently.