I apologize I injured my thumb, I didn't realize how much it would slow me down
He wasn't surprised to hear Christmas music, or Kate singing along with it, he peaked into the formal living room to see her counting the different colored stockings as she picked them up off the card table, he figured it would remain up for wrapping because all of the supplies for wrapping were on the floor in a box. "Need a hand?"
"Dinner's in the oven." Kate said stacking the stockings, she had checked the fabric paint to make sure it was dry before actually moving the stockings.
"So no?" he chuckled.
"No," she shook her head "I know you didn't eat while you were working, so go shower and I'll be right there." Kate promised, she'd had her late lunch and had been snacking on small things while she gathered all the things they needed opening all the boxes.
Gibbs stared at the small not quite bowls that held a crust covered meal. "Chicken pot pies, I got the recipe from Danny, I also borrowed his ramekins, the bowls." Kate explained when Gibbs looked confused. Taking the pot holders Kate nodded Gibbs to the table but he headed for the silverware, he didn't want to leave her with everything.
"How was the rest of your day?" Gibbs asked grabbing napkins too.
"We had fun decorated both Danny and Rachel's places, I put the tree up and wrote names on stockings." Kate said gesturing to the formal living room. "A peaceful day."
"When was the last time you were home for any holiday?" Gibbs asked.
"It was my first year of Secret Service, I wasn't on the detail so going home for Thanksgiving wasn't a big deal." she placed first one and then the next ramekin down before sitting at the table with him.
"But it was." he said softly.
Kate nodded, quietly exhaling she explained "Dad wasn't happy when I changed direction, if I wasn't going the house wife routine like Mom he expected me to be a lawyer, he still wasn't happy that Rachel went the route she did."sipping the tea she had previously poured for herself Kate continued "At least Danny and Rachel were happy to see me." Sipping again she explained "It was typical, Rach and I with our sister-in-laws helped in the kitchen while the guys all watched the pararde with the kids and then football, mom made her usual comments about wanting me to look for a guy and settle down, maybe return to law school. When we sat down to eat it didn't immediately continue but after targeting Rachel for her job choice and Danny for not having a serious girlfriend, then it was my turn again." Gibbs waited "Dad told me my ex was working at his firm, told me I should try to win him back."
"He cheated and your dad wanted you to go back to him?" Gibbs said trying to not sound as disgusted as he was.
"Yes," Kate said simply "apparently it was my fault for not paying proper attention to him, but also because I slept with him and God was punishing me." Gibbs rolled his eyes, Kate finally took a bite, chewing and swallowing she finished her story "While we were playing football Jack, he's just older than me, wouldn't let up he kept saying that I didn't have what it took to be a lawyer so the best I could do was be a lawyer's wife and I was just a quota hire at Secret Service, I'd be nothing more than eye candy. I accidently broke his nose and haven't been back."
"Elbow?" Gibbs asked.
"Of course." Kate smirked.
"That's my girl." Gibbs grinned getting a chuckle from Kate.
"I started volunteering to work after that so if they asked I wasn't lying when I said I had to work." she admitted.
"Just tell them your boyfriend wants you with him this year." Gibbs gave her a soft smile, one only reserved for her.
"I kind of already did." she admitted with a slightly guilty look in her eye.
"Kind of?"
"They called while we were at Rachel's decorating, first Rachel, who declined she didn't give a reason and then myself, when I ask if they had called Danny, they lied and said they did and that he declined. So with that obvious lie I told them the truth," Kate was tired of the treatment of her siblings "I told them that Danny, who I knew they did not call, would be spending Christmas with me and my boyfriend at our house and that Rachel would be welcomed too. Danny decided to yell out 'Thank you Katie' and so did Rachel."
Gibbs chuckled "I bet that didn't go over well."
"They hung up."
"And how are you doing?"
"Better than I thought I would." Kate admitted. "We finished decorating, Danny decided to hang out with her and watch movies and I came home to finish the little things, they volunteered to help with the outside decorations tomorrow."
Gibbs just nodded, Kate waited to see what else he would say, he was a private person who liked his alone time, which she had to admit they really hadn't had any since her siblings showed up. "You should make your beef stew, I can get those bread bowls you like."
"You sure it's okay, I know it's a lot."
"I like 'em Kate," he promised. "and family's important, they keep you grounded, sane." Kate nodded.