Apologies mental heath break
Gibbs had his doughnut finished by the time they made it back to the formal living room, they were going to open their presents to one another before the others arrived. She knew hers was one of the two in the corner covered by a sheet. "The blue one." Gibbs said pointing to the taller of the two, pulling the sheet off Kate gave a happy gasp, turning she pushed up on her toes kissing him. He'd made her a drafting table "If you look at the back it can turn and lock in place and be an easel for whe..." he didn't get the rest of the sentence out but he didn't care, his hands rested on her hips as she kissed him again and not a quick excited peck like the first one.
Kate wasn't sure what to get Gibbs so she cheated, he had a list written on his table of things he was going to buy, she took a photo of the list and went to the store he always went to, they were more than happy to help her and lie to Gibbs about them being out of stock. He still had her in his arms as he walked back to the living room where he'd left her box. Getting settled on the couch Gibbs pulled the box on his lap, Kate kept the wrapping simple after growing up with the ribbons and bows and chaos of wrapping it was a simple solid red paper, all of her wrapping papers were solid colors and not a ribbon or bow in sight.
Tearing the paper and opening the box Gibbs moved the tissue paper aside grinning at the sight below it, various blades for his various planes and a few new wooden hand clamps in different sizes as well. "Thank you." putting the box on the table he pulled Kate to his lap for a kiss.
Kate loved their relaxed morning, opening their gifts from one another, giving Toni her new toys and treats, making the rolls and pies just as they had on Thanksgiving and all before her siblings arrived. Her phone pinging Kate read the message, the team had been texting each other Christmas and Hanukkah wishes all morning "Tony's bringing It's A Wonderful Life he says it's DiNozzo family tradition."
"We have popcorn."
"I'll let him know." Kate nodded quickly texting her ex partner back.
Until Kate moved in Gibbs only had a small box tv, now there was a modern television and DVD player, Kate knew that was why Tony wanted to bring his movie. This was their first Christmas together as a family, they'd done Thanksgiving the year before but not Christmas, Kate was sure Ducky suggested Christmas because the year had obviously been a rough one with multiple close calls.
"Good morning, Merry Christmas." Kate hugged her brother and then sister after they'd unburdened themselves with the presents, their ingredients were already in the kitchen and like Thanksgiving they would take over the oven when Kate finished.
"Merry Christmas Katie, Merry Christmas Gibbs." Rachel smiled hanging up her coat before hugging her sister.
"Merry Christmas." Danny brought over the presents. "Where are we putting the Secret Santa and Hanukkah presents?"
"Table with the stockings." Gibbs answered accepting a hug from Rachel.
"Rolls in the fire place again?" she teased.
"Why mess with success." he chuckled.
Just like Kate her sister and brother grabbed a doughnut and their stocking, all the stockings had been filled exactly as Kate had said which made her siblings laugh. After a few minutes of going through their stockings and eating some of the candy they went over to the tree.
"That's yours." Gibbs pointed Danny to the green sheet before handing Rachel a wrapped present.
With the sheet at his feet Danny couldn't help but say "Wow!" before asking "Is this because Katie took the one from her place?" The hand crafted shelf would fit all of his books with space for more, Gibbs chuckled. "Thanks Gibbs."
"This is gorgeous, where did you find it." Rachel softly gasped studying the chess board in her lap.
"He didn't." Kate replied just as soft.
"You made this?" Rachel looked up at Gibbs in awe, she'd seen him working on the shelf during one of her visits and she'd heard about his boats and other projects but obviously didn't think Gibbs would make her a chess set.
"Good with my hands." Gibbs shrugged.
The others arrived bringing their gifts and food, Tony instantly went to the kitchen after placing his gifts with the stockings, Christmas on one side Hanukkah on the other to keep it organized. "Do we want to do the movie before or after dinner?"
"We can do it after," Kate said directing where the food was going, "we'll eat then open Hanukkah presents, then relax with the movie." while everything was getting warmed up they were going to open stockings and Secret Santa presents.
Handing out stockings Kate explained "Todd tradition, stockings before presents."
The boys all had cars like Gibbs and Danny while the girls had the jacks and jump rope that Kate and Rachel had, Tony quickly juggled multiple oranges before they moved to the Secret Santa presents.
The Santa presents were almost all a giveaway as to who their Secret Santa's were as only Tony would give movies and Abby's though perfect for the person always had a Goth touch, in the end they all had things on their lists. Abby was thrilled with her gift card from Jordan as it was to her favorite store, "You have to come with me so you can see what you bought me," Abby invited the other M.E. along shopping "after the new year though, it'll be crazy now."
Gibbs of course was happy with his bourbon, Kate had gotten art supplies and Ziva had gotten a small knife, everyone looked at Gibbs who shook his head, Kate grinned when Ziva said "Thank you Kate."
"Not Gibbs." Kate lisped "Thank you Jimmy." he blushed.
Ducky chuckled at the glove and scarf set that had little skulls on it, not all over but just one simple one at the wrists of the gloves and one on one end of the scarf "Thank you Abigail."
Jordan held up her movie giving Tony a smile, she knew that meant her Hanukkah gifts were probably more of the same.
Holding up a small hand carved wooden jewelry box Rachel nodded to Gibbs who nodded back. The Israeli recipe book for Danny meant it had to be Ziva "I thought you might enjoy trying new recipes."
"Yes, thank you." Danny smiled.
"Nice." Tony held up the small collection of tie clips. His suggestions had included tie clips and other random clothing items.
Palmer smiled at the small hand held recorder like Ducky's. "Thanks." he didn't know who he was thanking yet but he wanted them to know he appreciated it.
Head tilted McGee looked at the file box he'd unwrapped, lifting the lid he was surprised by the vintage records in the box "I think this went over price." he knew how much certain records sold for.
"Nonsense." Ducky shook his head giving himself away "I got a good deal." Jordan had helped him find them at a yard sale in her neighborhood.
Making sure pictures were taken of everyone opening there gifts, himself included Ducky was helping Kate give everyone the Christmas they all needed.
Abby took care of the dinner selfie as it were, everyone gathered around the table she stood at the end making sure everyone was in the photo. "I'll send everyone a copy." she promised before sitting down next to Ducky.
Dinner was peaceful with many stories of good times, they were purposely avoiding all the bad that had happened. After dinner they made plates to take home before getting everything put away so they could move on to the rest of the night's activities.
They settled in the living room after the lighting of the Menorah with the tv and Hanukkah presents, Ziva showed them the dreidel and explained how she would play it with her mother and sister. They had all listened when Ziva said the first gift was usually the 'big' gift the others would just be small gifts. Opening them after they played with the dreidel, Ziva had said, 'thoughtful and come from the heart'.
"Very nice Abigail." it was an elegant black beanie to go with the glove and scarf set, a single small skull was on the rim of the beanie.
Ziva opened a thick scarf and glove set unlike Ducky's hers was solid black, Ziva couldn't help but chuckle as all of the first Hanukkah gifts were forms of beanies, scarves and gloves, the only real difference being color and design. Winters were cold so it just made sense and Ziva thought it was really nice and amusing that the team had picked out nearly identical gifts, herself included. Abby's were a deep red, scarf and mitten set Ducky had helped Jordan pick them out. Kate, Rachel and Jordan all received gloves and scarves of tan, chestnut and grey, the boys all got different styles of black. Everyone held up their presents for pictures as was Todd tradition.
"Get comfortable I'm going to get the popcorn and hot mulled cider going." Tony said standing up.
"We'll help." Abby volunteered herself and McGee, they knew it would take multiple hands to carry everything.
Fifteen minutes later and Tony, Abby and McGee were bringing out the hot mulled cider for everyone and then personal popcorn buckets. Kate smiled taking the plastic mini popcorn bucket he'd gotten cups and small popcorn buckets for everyone, she knew it would become a tradition for the group just like the stockings. "And here we go." Tony pushed play on the DVD player. "The greatest Christmas movie of all time, 'It's a Wonderful Life', classic."
They were a damaged little family, each of them had something they were either running away from or some issue with their own family, some had both, but they had found somewhere they belonged. From the outside their little group didn't look like it should work let alone be friends but then outsiders didn't know the things that had them able to bond.
Glancing around while they watched the movie Kate smiled, despite not dating either of them Abby was on the floor snuggled between Tony and McGee, Jimmie was with them. Ducky and Jordan were sharing the couch with her and Gibbs, Rachel had the chair while Danny was on the floor with Ziva, they had been discussing recipes while Tony and the others had been getting the snacks ready.
Movie over, gifts and left overs gathered they were headed home "What time Ziva?"
"After work, 7." she said pulling on her trench coat. "Thank you for the evening." she wasn't a hugger so Kate didn't push for a hug.
"Do you need me to bring anything?" Kate asked.
"No, just yourselves." Ziva promised.