“Just breathe.”
Jen’s words echoed in my head, seconds after she had uttered them.
“Thank-you.”
I delved further into the suite as Jen took her seat in the front row that sat across from the three television screens that showed three of my predecessor on them. I walked over to my seat, clearing my throat as I went to signal the others that it was time to start. Vance took the seat next to Jen that was closest to the buffet table. It was clear that he was avoiding me like the plague. My seat was next to Jen’s in the center of the room. By lunch we had taken a break to eat. By now everyone that was in attendance knew that I was pregnant thanks to the article.
All I was able to stomach at this point was water. So I had poured myself a cup of water. As I was drinking Jen came over, she seemed a bit on edge. Like she had something to tell me but she was a bit hesitant in telling me.
“If you have something to tell me then tell me and stop worrying on how I’m going handle whatever news you have for me.”
“There’s no easy way to say this, but I’m not my normal self.” Jen said to me.
“Don’t tell me; your illness came back and you are sick again. I knew this would happen. I’m moving in.”
“Relax Jay, my illness didn’t comeback and even if it did you aren’t moving in when you have a family of your own to take care of as well as a life to live.”
“Okay then if you aren’t sick, then what the hell is going on with you?”
“Let’s just say you aren’t the only one in the family that is expecting.”
“Kelly’s pregnant again? It hasn’t been that long since she had Liza.”
“Kelly isn’t pregnant, Jay. I’m the one that is pregnant.”
At that moment I had to throw up; so I rushed out of the suite to the ladies’ room down the hall, leaving Jen in the suite and completely disregarding my protection detail.
“Well that’s not the response I was hoping for.” Jen said to herself.
A few seconds later Jen was in the stall next to me just as nauseous as I was.
“Looks like the Shepards do things together.” Former Director Whitney Sharp commented as Jen darted out of the suite.
Jen’s morning sickness wasn’t as bad as mine was but she was still nausea. I waited for Jen after I had finished puking my guts out. In my mind it was hard for me to fathom the idea that my sister who was twenty years older than me and had gone through menopause was pregnant with Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ baby. In the back of my mind I had hoped that she was having a boy this way Jayla would be the only girl being born, which would be a luxury she would have over JD for their entire lives. I also hoped that they were having a boy so that Kelly would still be Jethro’s Princess.
“Sorry I rushed out on ya. The baby is kind of running me ragged at the moment. I am so happy for you and for Jethro.” I had said as Jen washed up.
“Thank-you, we’re pretty happy about it. We weren’t actually planning on a baby; let alone trying to have baby of our own considering Jethro and I are both in our sixties.”
“Give it a rest, Jen. Age doesn’t mean anything. Besides you and Jethro were always a unique couple that did things on your own terms.”
“That we do.” Jen responded as she remembered their night in Marseilles twenty-nine years ago as well as the nights Jen had stayed at Jethro’s side when he was in his second coma twenty-two years ago.
“Yeah I know, besides you and I both know if age was a fact then I wouldn’t be pregnant right now with my fourth child.”
We then headed back to the suite to wrap up the conference. Unlike Vance, I wasn’t extending the conference for another two days. Eli had arrived shortly after Jen and I returned to the suite. Amsterdam was top priority much to Vance’s dismay. At the moment I just wanted to get home.
Little did I know, I was going to have bit of a surprise waiting for me when I got home from this dreaded conference.
Jayden and Jocelyn were over at their friends’ house while Nick was still at work. JD was home by herself or at least that is what Nick and I believed she was. What we didn’t know is that she had company. JD had been seeing a guy by the name of Dave for awhile now just as Hannah and Leah had been seeing their respective boyfriends for awhile. Hannah and Leah’s boyfriends had already met Tony and Ziva. They had also met Jethro and the others. Just as always Jethro was quite protective of the girls, so it was a bit nerve racking for them to send their boyfriends to the lion’s den.
Now it was Dave’s turn, he had requested to meet Nick and me despite what JD had said to him. He said he’d be able to handle whatever we threw at him. I could see it now, Dave would want to bolt out of the room he was in with Jethro when they finally met. Little did JD know but when Dave met Nick, myself and Jethro; he’d also be meeting Jen. JD was the first girl to be born after my mother had me forty-four years ago, then there was the fact that she was the daughter of the Director of NCIS; which meant she along with her sisters were a bit more protected than the other kids were.
“Meeting my parents, my aunt and uncle isn’t something to take lightly. They will put out all the stops to make sure you’re good enough for me, my uncle will go all out.” JD said to Dave.
“It will be okay, I’ll be able to handle whatever they throw at me.”
“I am serious, Dave; you’re not dating just another girl. You’re dating the daughter of the Director of NCIS. I’m protected.”
Dave nodded.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Now What?
Davenport remained distant for the rest of the Academy Ball. I had enjoyed myself for the most part after the incident with SECNAV, but there was one slight snag in the evening. The pregnancy symptoms started to set in after I had come back from going out with Jen and Ziva. I was beginning to become sensitive to all smells around me and the morning sickness began to plague me.
Trying to fight back the urge to throw up while attempting to look like I was glad to be at the party wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be. Nick knew that I didn’t want to stay at the party long enough. The fact that I didn’t want to stay for the entire party set Davenport off.
By 11:30 that night, Nick and I were leaving the party. As we were leaving I was torn off of Nick’s arm by one of the Navy Commanders that were in attendance. Once Nick realized that I was no longer with him, he instantly went in protection detail mode. That night before we had left Jethro had insisted that I have two agents with us my protection detail at the party.
“I do not need two agents to be my protection detail when Nick will be with me, Nick will be my protection detail if I need him to keep me safe, Jethro. But you and I both know that I can take care of myself, it's in my blood after all.”
“I know that, but it’s not just you that needs the protection. You have to dial back your fearless, reckless nature for the sake of your baby’s safety.”
I had flashed back to reality; my arm was still in the firm grip of the Navy Commander who had torn me away from Nick seconds before. Nick rushed over with his sig drawn at my captor.
“NCIS; let her go!!!” Nick shouted.
“Your father was a good for nothing, two –timer who screwed me over and a man who didn’t accomplish anything in his life. You’ll fall to same fate, that he did; Madam Director.”
“NCIS; LET HER GO!!!!!!” Nick repeated.
“Nick, I’ve got this.”
Nick backed off a bit, but kept his sig aimed at my captor.
“My father was a great man who did what he had to, obviously you have no idea how much he accomplished. I will not meet the same fate he did.” I said as I pulled myself away from the Navy Commander and punched him square in the jaw.
I then rejoined Nick.
“Let’s go home, that is more than enough excitement for you and the baby for one day.” Nick said as he placed his hand on the small of my back to escort me out of the party.
The next would be a bit less nerve-racking but still nerve-racking none the less. It was that time of the year to review old NCIS cases with previous NCIS Directors in attendance. This time there would be an additional person in attendance just as there was when Vance had to do this. Of course I knew who the additional person was and I knew that neither Vance nor Ziva. Let alone Jen would be very happy with. Hell none of us were going to be happy when Eli came into town. I knew one thing for certain; we would do everything in our power to make sure that Ziva would be kept far away from Eli when he came to DC.
Jethro was a bit concerned with what would happen when Jen and Eli were in the same room. The last time Eli was in town, he had blamed Jen for bringing Ziva to NCIS and for bringing her into Jethro’s life. Jethro was completely unsure at how volatile Eli David was going to be. On the other hand, everyone was worried about me as well. They had thought this wasn’t the best time to have this conference due to my current condition while at the same time they weren’t sure if Eli was going to be volatile with due to my connection with Jen. Either way everyone was completely guarded of the three of us.
Before I knew it morning had come and I was being brought to NCIS so that I was able to grab some case files for the conference. After I had gathered the files I needed the agents that had escorted me to the office brought me to the office took me to the Freemont Inn where the conference was being held. Before heading up to the suite I had reserved for the conference I had stopped by the ladies’ room. The nausea from my pregnancy was starting to get on my nerves. Once I had taken care of that minor detail I made sure that I looked okay. After I had became Director, I started to dress more like Jen did when she was at the helm instead of dressing like I did in my early days as an agent. In fact my outfit had screamed Jen at the top of its lungs. The outfit I had on was similar to the one that Jen wore when James Dempsey kidnapped her a few years back but without the jacket and my shoes were a bit cuter than the ones that Jen wore that day.
On a subconscious level I was not ready go into a room with filled with all of predecessors, especially when one of them pretty much hated my guts as much as he hated my sister’s.
“Director, it time.” Agent Piper Michaels said as she peeked in.
“Okay.”
Agent Michaels and her partner escorted me to the suite.
Jen had been waiting for me by the door while the others were either talking with one another or they were at the mini buffet. Vance was glaring at me from across the room, one look from Jen told me not to worry about Leon Vance and that this little conference was nothing fret about.
“Just breathe.” Jen said.
Trying to fight back the urge to throw up while attempting to look like I was glad to be at the party wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be. Nick knew that I didn’t want to stay at the party long enough. The fact that I didn’t want to stay for the entire party set Davenport off.
By 11:30 that night, Nick and I were leaving the party. As we were leaving I was torn off of Nick’s arm by one of the Navy Commanders that were in attendance. Once Nick realized that I was no longer with him, he instantly went in protection detail mode. That night before we had left Jethro had insisted that I have two agents with us my protection detail at the party.
“I do not need two agents to be my protection detail when Nick will be with me, Nick will be my protection detail if I need him to keep me safe, Jethro. But you and I both know that I can take care of myself, it's in my blood after all.”
“I know that, but it’s not just you that needs the protection. You have to dial back your fearless, reckless nature for the sake of your baby’s safety.”
I had flashed back to reality; my arm was still in the firm grip of the Navy Commander who had torn me away from Nick seconds before. Nick rushed over with his sig drawn at my captor.
“NCIS; let her go!!!” Nick shouted.
“Your father was a good for nothing, two –timer who screwed me over and a man who didn’t accomplish anything in his life. You’ll fall to same fate, that he did; Madam Director.”
“NCIS; LET HER GO!!!!!!” Nick repeated.
“Nick, I’ve got this.”
Nick backed off a bit, but kept his sig aimed at my captor.
“My father was a great man who did what he had to, obviously you have no idea how much he accomplished. I will not meet the same fate he did.” I said as I pulled myself away from the Navy Commander and punched him square in the jaw.
I then rejoined Nick.
“Let’s go home, that is more than enough excitement for you and the baby for one day.” Nick said as he placed his hand on the small of my back to escort me out of the party.
The next would be a bit less nerve-racking but still nerve-racking none the less. It was that time of the year to review old NCIS cases with previous NCIS Directors in attendance. This time there would be an additional person in attendance just as there was when Vance had to do this. Of course I knew who the additional person was and I knew that neither Vance nor Ziva. Let alone Jen would be very happy with. Hell none of us were going to be happy when Eli came into town. I knew one thing for certain; we would do everything in our power to make sure that Ziva would be kept far away from Eli when he came to DC.
Jethro was a bit concerned with what would happen when Jen and Eli were in the same room. The last time Eli was in town, he had blamed Jen for bringing Ziva to NCIS and for bringing her into Jethro’s life. Jethro was completely unsure at how volatile Eli David was going to be. On the other hand, everyone was worried about me as well. They had thought this wasn’t the best time to have this conference due to my current condition while at the same time they weren’t sure if Eli was going to be volatile with due to my connection with Jen. Either way everyone was completely guarded of the three of us.
Before I knew it morning had come and I was being brought to NCIS so that I was able to grab some case files for the conference. After I had gathered the files I needed the agents that had escorted me to the office brought me to the office took me to the Freemont Inn where the conference was being held. Before heading up to the suite I had reserved for the conference I had stopped by the ladies’ room. The nausea from my pregnancy was starting to get on my nerves. Once I had taken care of that minor detail I made sure that I looked okay. After I had became Director, I started to dress more like Jen did when she was at the helm instead of dressing like I did in my early days as an agent. In fact my outfit had screamed Jen at the top of its lungs. The outfit I had on was similar to the one that Jen wore when James Dempsey kidnapped her a few years back but without the jacket and my shoes were a bit cuter than the ones that Jen wore that day.
On a subconscious level I was not ready go into a room with filled with all of predecessors, especially when one of them pretty much hated my guts as much as he hated my sister’s.
“Director, it time.” Agent Piper Michaels said as she peeked in.
“Okay.”
Agent Michaels and her partner escorted me to the suite.
Jen had been waiting for me by the door while the others were either talking with one another or they were at the mini buffet. Vance was glaring at me from across the room, one look from Jen told me not to worry about Leon Vance and that this little conference was nothing fret about.
“Just breathe.” Jen said.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Case Solved
The next day at work agents were congratulating me on the pregnancy as Nick was getting his back patted. Abby had begun planning a baby shower for me the second she found out. I was happy that it would be a while before I started to show which meant I could still fit into my clothes and I could wait to pull out my maternity clothes. But I had a gut feeling that the maternity clothes I wore when I was pregnant with Jayden and Jocelyn were a bit outdated. While I contemplated when I was going to replace all of my maternity clothes, Jethro helped out with the case and Ducky aided Palmer in Autopsy. Jen on the other hand kept bouncing from the squad room to my office every twenty minutes.
This time around I had a lot more responsibilities then before and I had to learn how to handle being pregnant while being the head of a federal agency and being a mom. At this point it seemed like an impossible feat, one that made me wish my mom was still around. The icing on my stressed out cake was that JD had decided to live on campus at Georgetown even though the campus was a mere six miles away from our home. It was going to be quite an adjustment to go from house with five people in it to a house with four people in it until Jayla came in. I needed something to distract me from everything going on in my mind.
Jen was still antsy and I knew that right about now Tony was likely getting on Ziva’s last nerve. Kate would be tolerating Tony while busting him with McGee. Abby as usual was content in her lab working on evidence with the occasional visit from McGee and Gibbs while she worked on the plans for the baby shower. So with that I decided to get away from the office with the two women that had been my sisters for my entire life. In one of Jen’s ventures up I had told her about my idea and she had full heartedly agreed to go. So with Jen on board I had sent a quick text message to Ziva telling her to duck away and that we’d meet her at the elevator. Of course there had been a slight snag in our plan. Jethro had noticed Ziva duck away by the time the elevator had brought Jen and me down to the floor below my office.
“You’re not going out unless it’s to chase a lead, Ziva.” Jethro said firmly.
“Gibbs, I have to; Director’s orders.”
“No you don’t not when there is a case to be solved.”
“Jethro.” Jen said.
“Jen, drop the Director act. You’re retired.”
“Leroy Jethro Gibbs!!!!! How dare you talk to her like that. Ziva is going out with us, there’s nothing you can do about that. You do not need four agents to work this case. You can get by with Tony, Kate and McGee. You have before.” I said firmly as I nudged Ziva to join Jen and me.
“You have no right to determine how many agents are needed to solve this case.” Jethro said.
“Actually Jethro, I do have the right to determine how many agents are needed to solve this case seeing how I am the Director.”
Jethro was about to say something in rebuttal, but Jen stepped in before this conversation between Jethro and I could escalate into something more.
“Calm down both of you. Jethro, you know better than to argue with a Shepard woman. Also why are you insisting on acting like a petulant child who is trying to work her up when you know she is pregnant with our niece.”
Ziva had noticed the concerned look on Nick’s face as she saw him look over to the squad – room. With one lift of her arms to pull her hair back briefly showed that she still had her sig holstered to her jeans. At that point Nick started to relax a bit, it wasn’t until he saw that Jen had her sig attached to her and I had mine with me. Nick knew that I was just as good with my gun as Jen and Ziva were with theirs.
With that Jen, Ziva and I were back on the elevator on our way out for a mini girls' afternoon. This year of Academy graduates were graduating this afternoon, which unfortunately meant that as the Director; I was required to attend to the after party that was being held tonight. I had to get a dress and shoes for the Academy Ball. This Ball was my first formal event as Director that I had to attend; it’d still be a few months before I had to attend my first Marine Corps Birthday Ball. By the time November 10th rolled around I would be at the end of my second trimester with huge stomach and all the other joys that came with being almost seven months pregnant which meant I would have to buy yet another dress and shoes for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Once we got to the National Mall and stepped into the building the stress started to melt away. I had to keep my stress levels down for the sake of my daughter. I looked over to Jen who was on my right and then looked over to Ziva who was on the other side of me.
“This is nice, spending time with the two of you outside of the office.” I had said as we made a beeline for H&M.
Jen smiled as we got closer to the store.
“We love you too, Jay.” Ziva said.
We basically struck out in finding a dress and shoes for me in H&M so we took another stab with Forever 21. Thankfully we had better luck at Forever 21 and I was able to get what I needed for tonight. So in the game plan of not returning to the office too soon especially following my argument with Jethro, I decided to treat Jen and Ziva to lunch out before we returned to NCIS at Olive Garden.
Meanwhile the others were dealing with a pissed off Jethro while trying to solve the case. I knew that they would have the case solved by the time Nick and I left for the Academy Ball. For some reason or another I was looking forward to the Academy Ball. At this point I really didn’t care whether or not the case was solved. I just wanted to spend a night out all dressed up with my husband.
By 7pm it was time for the Academy Ball. The graduates had their graduation ceremony a few hours earlier. I had my hair done and I changed up in my office as Nick changed into his tuxedo in the men’s room. Thankfully by the time Jen, Ziva and I returned to NCIS, Gibbs and the others solved the case. So at 7:40pm I was descending the stairs to the squad room where Nick waited for me with the others. I pretty much had the same reaction that Jen got when she descended the same stairs the night that Ducky escorted her to that years' Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Nick was completely awestruck and I was able to see it in his eyes.
Minutes later we were walking into the Academy Ball. I knew and half expected to see SECNAV at some point during the night. Davenport didn’t seem like he was never going to retire no matter how many times his wife pleaded with him. When Nick and I walked in everyone looked up. The men were astonished by how young I was. They couldn’t get over the fact that I was the youngest Director of NCIS to date. The women on the other hand found it a bit upsetting that I looked so good in my black bodice dress and matching stiletto heels for someone who was four days pregnant.
Within minutes of arriving Davenport found me.
“Did your team solve the case, Director Shepard - Balboa?” Davenport asked.
“Phillip.” Davenport’s wife reprimanded.
“Claire, this is business.”
“I know it is but Director Shepard - Balboa and Agent Balboa just got here. Besides the last thing Director Shepard - Balboa wants is to talk about work when she has other things is to think about.”
“Thank-you Ma’am and yes the case is solved, sir.”
“I heard that you called in your sister, Gibbs and Dr. Mallard to assist you and your team with the case.”
“I did sir, we needed the help. I did nothing wrong, everything was by the books. Just two former NCIS agents and the former medical examiner helping with a case.”
“Really Director Shepard - Balboa, I saw it as you, Agent DiNozzo and Mr. Palmer not being able to cut the apron strings.”
Both Nick and Mrs. Davenport saw where this was leading to. Nick knew I had a temper when I was pissed and he could see by the look in my eyes that I was about ready to snap Davenport’s neck.
“With all due respect sir, despite what you may believe there were no personal aspect to calling my sister, brother-in-law and Dr. Mallard to help us.” I said trying to keep an even temper as best as I could.
Before Davenport could say anything, his wife stepped in.
“Phillip, give it a rest. Director Shepard - Balboa did as instructed, had Agent DiNozzo and his team solved the case. Now I believe it would be wise of you to not stress Director Shepard – Balboa out for her well-being as well as her unborn child’s being and let her enjoy her evening out with her husband like you are suppose to be doing with me.”
Davenport nodded as Nick and I continued to delve further into party.
“Thank-you.” I whispered to Mrs. Davenport as we walked by her.
This time around I had a lot more responsibilities then before and I had to learn how to handle being pregnant while being the head of a federal agency and being a mom. At this point it seemed like an impossible feat, one that made me wish my mom was still around. The icing on my stressed out cake was that JD had decided to live on campus at Georgetown even though the campus was a mere six miles away from our home. It was going to be quite an adjustment to go from house with five people in it to a house with four people in it until Jayla came in. I needed something to distract me from everything going on in my mind.
Jen was still antsy and I knew that right about now Tony was likely getting on Ziva’s last nerve. Kate would be tolerating Tony while busting him with McGee. Abby as usual was content in her lab working on evidence with the occasional visit from McGee and Gibbs while she worked on the plans for the baby shower. So with that I decided to get away from the office with the two women that had been my sisters for my entire life. In one of Jen’s ventures up I had told her about my idea and she had full heartedly agreed to go. So with Jen on board I had sent a quick text message to Ziva telling her to duck away and that we’d meet her at the elevator. Of course there had been a slight snag in our plan. Jethro had noticed Ziva duck away by the time the elevator had brought Jen and me down to the floor below my office.
“You’re not going out unless it’s to chase a lead, Ziva.” Jethro said firmly.
“Gibbs, I have to; Director’s orders.”
“No you don’t not when there is a case to be solved.”
“Jethro.” Jen said.
“Jen, drop the Director act. You’re retired.”
“Leroy Jethro Gibbs!!!!! How dare you talk to her like that. Ziva is going out with us, there’s nothing you can do about that. You do not need four agents to work this case. You can get by with Tony, Kate and McGee. You have before.” I said firmly as I nudged Ziva to join Jen and me.
“You have no right to determine how many agents are needed to solve this case.” Jethro said.
“Actually Jethro, I do have the right to determine how many agents are needed to solve this case seeing how I am the Director.”
Jethro was about to say something in rebuttal, but Jen stepped in before this conversation between Jethro and I could escalate into something more.
“Calm down both of you. Jethro, you know better than to argue with a Shepard woman. Also why are you insisting on acting like a petulant child who is trying to work her up when you know she is pregnant with our niece.”
Ziva had noticed the concerned look on Nick’s face as she saw him look over to the squad – room. With one lift of her arms to pull her hair back briefly showed that she still had her sig holstered to her jeans. At that point Nick started to relax a bit, it wasn’t until he saw that Jen had her sig attached to her and I had mine with me. Nick knew that I was just as good with my gun as Jen and Ziva were with theirs.
With that Jen, Ziva and I were back on the elevator on our way out for a mini girls' afternoon. This year of Academy graduates were graduating this afternoon, which unfortunately meant that as the Director; I was required to attend to the after party that was being held tonight. I had to get a dress and shoes for the Academy Ball. This Ball was my first formal event as Director that I had to attend; it’d still be a few months before I had to attend my first Marine Corps Birthday Ball. By the time November 10th rolled around I would be at the end of my second trimester with huge stomach and all the other joys that came with being almost seven months pregnant which meant I would have to buy yet another dress and shoes for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Once we got to the National Mall and stepped into the building the stress started to melt away. I had to keep my stress levels down for the sake of my daughter. I looked over to Jen who was on my right and then looked over to Ziva who was on the other side of me.
“This is nice, spending time with the two of you outside of the office.” I had said as we made a beeline for H&M.
Jen smiled as we got closer to the store.
“We love you too, Jay.” Ziva said.
We basically struck out in finding a dress and shoes for me in H&M so we took another stab with Forever 21. Thankfully we had better luck at Forever 21 and I was able to get what I needed for tonight. So in the game plan of not returning to the office too soon especially following my argument with Jethro, I decided to treat Jen and Ziva to lunch out before we returned to NCIS at Olive Garden.
Meanwhile the others were dealing with a pissed off Jethro while trying to solve the case. I knew that they would have the case solved by the time Nick and I left for the Academy Ball. For some reason or another I was looking forward to the Academy Ball. At this point I really didn’t care whether or not the case was solved. I just wanted to spend a night out all dressed up with my husband.
By 7pm it was time for the Academy Ball. The graduates had their graduation ceremony a few hours earlier. I had my hair done and I changed up in my office as Nick changed into his tuxedo in the men’s room. Thankfully by the time Jen, Ziva and I returned to NCIS, Gibbs and the others solved the case. So at 7:40pm I was descending the stairs to the squad room where Nick waited for me with the others. I pretty much had the same reaction that Jen got when she descended the same stairs the night that Ducky escorted her to that years' Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Nick was completely awestruck and I was able to see it in his eyes.
Minutes later we were walking into the Academy Ball. I knew and half expected to see SECNAV at some point during the night. Davenport didn’t seem like he was never going to retire no matter how many times his wife pleaded with him. When Nick and I walked in everyone looked up. The men were astonished by how young I was. They couldn’t get over the fact that I was the youngest Director of NCIS to date. The women on the other hand found it a bit upsetting that I looked so good in my black bodice dress and matching stiletto heels for someone who was four days pregnant.
Within minutes of arriving Davenport found me.
“Did your team solve the case, Director Shepard - Balboa?” Davenport asked.
“Phillip.” Davenport’s wife reprimanded.
“Claire, this is business.”
“I know it is but Director Shepard - Balboa and Agent Balboa just got here. Besides the last thing Director Shepard - Balboa wants is to talk about work when she has other things is to think about.”
“Thank-you Ma’am and yes the case is solved, sir.”
“I heard that you called in your sister, Gibbs and Dr. Mallard to assist you and your team with the case.”
“I did sir, we needed the help. I did nothing wrong, everything was by the books. Just two former NCIS agents and the former medical examiner helping with a case.”
“Really Director Shepard - Balboa, I saw it as you, Agent DiNozzo and Mr. Palmer not being able to cut the apron strings.”
Both Nick and Mrs. Davenport saw where this was leading to. Nick knew I had a temper when I was pissed and he could see by the look in my eyes that I was about ready to snap Davenport’s neck.
“With all due respect sir, despite what you may believe there were no personal aspect to calling my sister, brother-in-law and Dr. Mallard to help us.” I said trying to keep an even temper as best as I could.
Before Davenport could say anything, his wife stepped in.
“Phillip, give it a rest. Director Shepard - Balboa did as instructed, had Agent DiNozzo and his team solved the case. Now I believe it would be wise of you to not stress Director Shepard – Balboa out for her well-being as well as her unborn child’s being and let her enjoy her evening out with her husband like you are suppose to be doing with me.”
Davenport nodded as Nick and I continued to delve further into party.
“Thank-you.” I whispered to Mrs. Davenport as we walked by her.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Just like the good ol' days
The following morning I was not the happiest person in the room. Jen and Jethro were overly perky. In my entire life Jen had never been a morning person so her acting this way completely threw me.
“You know it’s not a good thing to throw a pregnant lady off of what has been normal for her for her entire life.” I said.
By this point I was about three days pregnant and I was definitely not the same way I was the last two times.
“Don’t be cranky; it’s not good for my niece.” Jen said.
“Play nice girls.”
My rings were sitting on the kitchen counter next to the coffee pot.
“Are you gonna put those back on?”
“Maybe.”
I was beginning to realize that it was beyond stupid to let my emotions get the best of me. I knew that Nick loved me and was more than happy to be a dad again. At this point all I wanted was a heartfelt gesture from Nick to further show me how sorry he was. The men knew that it was better and in their best interest to keep their respective wife happy at all possible costs. Jethro and Nick knew that was especially true when it came to Jen and me.
A few minutes later the doorbell rang and Nick came into the kitchen with a bouquet of orange and pink hibiscus flower for me as an apology.
“I am so sorry, Jay. I didn’t mean to react the way that I did. I can’t wait to see our baby and I promise that I will never react that way again.”
After Nick had handed me the flowers and apologized he noticed that I wasn’t wearing the rings he had given me eighteen years ago. I had picked up my rings after setting my bouquet down on the counter and handed my rings to Nick.
“I want you to put them back on my hand, just like the first time.”
Nick got down on one knee and slid my engagement ring on my finger. He then stood up and slid my wedding band on. As Nick slid my rings on my hand, Jethro took Jen’s hand that he had placed her rings on in his and squeezed it. Everything was back to normal.
When Nick had come into the kitchen to apologize I felt as if we were in the scene of Father of the Bride: Part II where George Newbern’s character went to his in-laws’ house to apologize to Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s character for being such an inconsiderate lout.
After all the insanity had subsided and my emotions were back in check, I had thanked Jen and Jethro for their hospitality before going home with Nick. The girls were waiting at the door when Nick and I had arrived home. They were anxious to see me. JD was the most concerned when I had walked in the front door.
“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” JD asked.
“I’m fine, Jen; I have done the whole pregnancy thing before. And your sister is fine.”
“So have you and dad picked out her names yet?” Jocelyn asked.
“Her name is Jayla Athena.”
“Great another “J” name.” Jayden said.
“How did you guys choose those names?” Jocelyn asked.
“Your Aunt Jen came up with her name. Jayla’s first name is a variation on my name like yours and Jayden’s is. Aunt Jen and I both like the name Athena since it comes from the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War. Your aunt and I also had an op a few years ago in Athens, so your sister’s middle name is a throwback to that.”
“Just do me a favor and take it easy, mom; I don’t want you to go into premature labor or lose my baby sister while I’m at college.”
“I will be fine, JD. I have been pregnant twice before.”
Shortly after our little family discussion Nick and I went up to our room while the girls made dinner. I had desperately wanted to change into something a bit more comfortable then the work clothes I had been in for the past twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours away from me and Nick was following me like a faithful Saint Bernard. When Nick looked over to me I was standing beside our bed on my side in a pair of skinny jeans and my white bra that had black lace with a bit of black ribbon lining to it.
“I almost forgot how hot you are.” Nick said.
“Seriously, I’m three days pregnant with our fourth daughter and you’re getting aroused by your half-dressed pregnant wife, you must have really missed me.”
“I did.” Nick said as he pulled me down to the bed by one of the belt loops.
We were like two teenagers in the moment. A bit later we were called down to dinner by the girls and my mind began to wander to what I was going to tell the reporters who would begin inquiring about my pregnancy now that I was the head of an armed federal agency. I was beginning miss the days when I was pregnant with JD and the twins when I wasn’t in spotlight as much as I was now. The good ol’ days were something that I wanted back so badly. I knew that I couldn’t put off any longer.
By 5pm I had an emailed copy of an article the local paper was going to run in their next edition.
Stars and Stripes News Page G3
NCIS DIRECTOR JAYLYN SHEPARD – BALBOA ANNOUNCES THAT SHE’S EXPECTING BABY #4.
Written by: Grace Tomas
Yesterday in a press conference at NCIS headquarters, the newly appointed Director Jaylyn Shepard – Balboa announced that she and her husband of eighteen years are expecting their fourth child some time in February. Maybe they’ll have a Valentine’s Day baby. Or maybe mother and baby will share a birthday.
The main question everyone has is; will Director Shepard – Balboa call – up an agent from the agency to be acting Director while she’s on maternity leave? Or will she call in a favor from her sister; former NCIS Director Jennifer Shepard – Gibbs, thus pulling her sister away from a comfortable retirement?
We’ll have to wait until February to see what the Director’s next move is.
The write up past my standards and I had sent back my approval to the paper. Things got a bit more interesting when we all turned in for the night. Like before Nick could not stop staring at me. His were literally glued to me as I changed into my pajamas and we had a repeat performance of what went down between us before dinner. It seemed to me like the sex was better when I was pregnant for some reason or another; one thing was for certain, Nick had no complaints. Especially after being away from me for a day.
“You know it’s not a good thing to throw a pregnant lady off of what has been normal for her for her entire life.” I said.
By this point I was about three days pregnant and I was definitely not the same way I was the last two times.
“Don’t be cranky; it’s not good for my niece.” Jen said.
“Play nice girls.”
My rings were sitting on the kitchen counter next to the coffee pot.
“Are you gonna put those back on?”
“Maybe.”
I was beginning to realize that it was beyond stupid to let my emotions get the best of me. I knew that Nick loved me and was more than happy to be a dad again. At this point all I wanted was a heartfelt gesture from Nick to further show me how sorry he was. The men knew that it was better and in their best interest to keep their respective wife happy at all possible costs. Jethro and Nick knew that was especially true when it came to Jen and me.
A few minutes later the doorbell rang and Nick came into the kitchen with a bouquet of orange and pink hibiscus flower for me as an apology.
“I am so sorry, Jay. I didn’t mean to react the way that I did. I can’t wait to see our baby and I promise that I will never react that way again.”
After Nick had handed me the flowers and apologized he noticed that I wasn’t wearing the rings he had given me eighteen years ago. I had picked up my rings after setting my bouquet down on the counter and handed my rings to Nick.
“I want you to put them back on my hand, just like the first time.”
Nick got down on one knee and slid my engagement ring on my finger. He then stood up and slid my wedding band on. As Nick slid my rings on my hand, Jethro took Jen’s hand that he had placed her rings on in his and squeezed it. Everything was back to normal.
When Nick had come into the kitchen to apologize I felt as if we were in the scene of Father of the Bride: Part II where George Newbern’s character went to his in-laws’ house to apologize to Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s character for being such an inconsiderate lout.
After all the insanity had subsided and my emotions were back in check, I had thanked Jen and Jethro for their hospitality before going home with Nick. The girls were waiting at the door when Nick and I had arrived home. They were anxious to see me. JD was the most concerned when I had walked in the front door.
“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” JD asked.
“I’m fine, Jen; I have done the whole pregnancy thing before. And your sister is fine.”
“So have you and dad picked out her names yet?” Jocelyn asked.
“Her name is Jayla Athena.”
“Great another “J” name.” Jayden said.
“How did you guys choose those names?” Jocelyn asked.
“Your Aunt Jen came up with her name. Jayla’s first name is a variation on my name like yours and Jayden’s is. Aunt Jen and I both like the name Athena since it comes from the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War. Your aunt and I also had an op a few years ago in Athens, so your sister’s middle name is a throwback to that.”
“Just do me a favor and take it easy, mom; I don’t want you to go into premature labor or lose my baby sister while I’m at college.”
“I will be fine, JD. I have been pregnant twice before.”
Shortly after our little family discussion Nick and I went up to our room while the girls made dinner. I had desperately wanted to change into something a bit more comfortable then the work clothes I had been in for the past twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours away from me and Nick was following me like a faithful Saint Bernard. When Nick looked over to me I was standing beside our bed on my side in a pair of skinny jeans and my white bra that had black lace with a bit of black ribbon lining to it.
“I almost forgot how hot you are.” Nick said.
“Seriously, I’m three days pregnant with our fourth daughter and you’re getting aroused by your half-dressed pregnant wife, you must have really missed me.”
“I did.” Nick said as he pulled me down to the bed by one of the belt loops.
We were like two teenagers in the moment. A bit later we were called down to dinner by the girls and my mind began to wander to what I was going to tell the reporters who would begin inquiring about my pregnancy now that I was the head of an armed federal agency. I was beginning miss the days when I was pregnant with JD and the twins when I wasn’t in spotlight as much as I was now. The good ol’ days were something that I wanted back so badly. I knew that I couldn’t put off any longer.
By 5pm I had an emailed copy of an article the local paper was going to run in their next edition.
Stars and Stripes News Page G3
NCIS DIRECTOR JAYLYN SHEPARD – BALBOA ANNOUNCES THAT SHE’S EXPECTING BABY #4.
Written by: Grace Tomas
Yesterday in a press conference at NCIS headquarters, the newly appointed Director Jaylyn Shepard – Balboa announced that she and her husband of eighteen years are expecting their fourth child some time in February. Maybe they’ll have a Valentine’s Day baby. Or maybe mother and baby will share a birthday.
The main question everyone has is; will Director Shepard – Balboa call – up an agent from the agency to be acting Director while she’s on maternity leave? Or will she call in a favor from her sister; former NCIS Director Jennifer Shepard – Gibbs, thus pulling her sister away from a comfortable retirement?
We’ll have to wait until February to see what the Director’s next move is.
The write up past my standards and I had sent back my approval to the paper. Things got a bit more interesting when we all turned in for the night. Like before Nick could not stop staring at me. His were literally glued to me as I changed into my pajamas and we had a repeat performance of what went down between us before dinner. It seemed to me like the sex was better when I was pregnant for some reason or another; one thing was for certain, Nick had no complaints. Especially after being away from me for a day.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Veterans are back
Jen and I were picked up by two agents at her house. We had put the partition up so that we had a bit of privacy. At this point Jen and I were the only ones that knew that I was pregnant for the third time. The last thing I wanted was for the entire agency to know before I even told Nick and the girls.
“How do I tell Nick that I'm pregnant again? We were suppose to be done having kids after Jayden and Jocelyn were born." I said to Jen.
“Just tell him; he's your husband and the father of your girls, all four of them. He will be more than understanding when you tell him.”
“Are you telling me that I gonna have another girl when I'm only a few days along?”
“Pretty much, so you better start looking for another “J” name for my niece.”
“I know, Jen; I just have a lot on my plate now and the baby can wait for her name.”
“Don't worry baby girl, your mommy will have your name picked out in no time. She's just a bit frazzled between work and your big sister going off to college in the fall.” Jen said to my stomach.
“I hate it when you do that.”
“Get over it, Jay. I talked to JD and the twins when you were pregnant with them. I'm not leaving Jayla Athena out of a tradition I did with her sisters.”
“There we go, she has a name.”
“She'll love it.”
I looked down to my stomach.
“I love you, Jayla; and I can't wait to see you in nine months.”
It was nice that I was the only one pregnant this time around, not that I didn't like having someone pregnant with me like I had the previous two times. This time it would be about me and Jayla.
“So are you disappointed that you’re the only one pregnant this time?”
“Not really. It was nice being pregnant at the same time as Ziva and then again being pregnant at the same time as Kate. But I am glad that I am flying solo this time. You know how I hate to share the spotlight with others.”
Before I knew it we were back at the agency it was time to tell Nick that he was going to be a Dad again. Nick was in his cubicle when we had reached our floor.
“Nick; we need to talk now.”
Nick came over to me as soon as I had asked him to.
“What’s wrong, love?” Nick asked.
I pulled Nick aside by the windows across from the squad – room before I told him.
“Do you remember the night I was so upset and overwhelmed with everything moving too fast?”
“Of course I do, you were up for anything that night.”
“I know, anyway all of that fun we had that night and the following morning kind of resulted in something……” I said trailing off at the end.
“What did it result in, Jaylyn?”
It was weird hearing Nick say my first name in its entirety instead of shortening it like he always did, like everyone did.
“I’m pregnant again; you’re going to be a dad again.”
At first Nick didn’t say a word; he just stood in front of me as if he were a statue. It already looked like this wasn’t going the way I had hoped it would.
“You can’t be pregnant, you’re not pregnant. You’re just overcompensating for JD going to college in a few months and we took precautions. There is no baby.”
I couldn’t find the words that would encompass how much I hated Nick at the moment. All I could do was slap Nick across his face for his jackass reaction and head to my office with tears streaming down my face.
Jen had told the others that I was pregnant again while I had told Nick. Everyone watched from the squad room. When I had left everyone behind for the seclusion of my office things got a bit interesting. Nick remained where I had left him, still a bit stunned that I had smacked him.
“Could you have been any more of an ass?” Jen asked as she past Nick and followed me.
“That was real nice; Nick, call your wife and the mother of your daughters a liar to her face when she is pregnant with your child. Jackass.” Ziva said as she quickly came up on Jen’s six.
Kate and Abby didn’t say a word to Nick as they walked by him; all they did was glare at him as they quickly caught up to Jen. Jethro then told Nick to wait for him in the elevator.
When I had got to my office I had a few minutes to myself before the brigade came in. The tears were sliding down my face and there was no sign of it stopping. I could hardly believe let alone process what had just happened. My husband of eighteen years had just called me a liar to my face.
“I am so sorry that you had to hear your daddy say that Jayla. He loves you, I promise. It’s just gonna take him awhile to come around; last time we had a baby in the house was fourteen years ago when your big sisters Jayden and Jocelyn were born. I love you, my baby girl.”
I lay on my office couch with my hand resting on my stomach and the tears still streaming down my face. Right before Jen, Kate, Abby and Ziva came in; I took my rings off my hand and tossed them out of sight. The last thing I wanted was a reminder of Nick right now.
Jen and the others came in.
“Before you guys say anything, the girls and I are staying with you and Jethro. I don’t want to be anywhere near Nick and I definitely don’t want the girls to be near him.”
“Where are your rings?” Abby asked.
“Over there somewhere on the floor, I’m guessing.”
“Congrats on the baby.” Kate said trying to get me to smile.
“That little one inside of you is gonna have the best mom and aunts to show her how to be a fighter. And she’ll have sisters that will do just about anything to protect her.”
“Thanks guys.” I said as we hugged.
Jethro had his talk with Nick as Jen and the others comforted me. Abby grabbed my rings and gave them to me. Nick had apologized to me and the baby, but I still didn’t want to be in the same house with him later. I had changed my mind and let the girls stay home. I would obviously have one of my four girls with me when I stayed over at Jen and Jethro’s; and that was all that matter to me at the moment. That night I went home with my sister and brother – in – law. It was gonna take awhile before I could fully forgive Nick, put my rings back on and go home; thankfully my sister’s door was still open to me as it had been for my entire life. I was debating when I was going to tell JD, Jayden and Jocelyn that they were going to have a sister as well as if Nick was going to tell them with me or not. Nick did have a right to tell the girls with me, but at the moment the fact that he was half of their genes really didn’t matter to me.
As I debated what I should do, Jen came downstairs already for bed and from the looks of it her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I knew what that meant. The floor board were gonna be shaking into the wee hours of the morning tonight.
“You got to be kidding me; you two are going fool around when you have your pregnant sister sleeping just down the hall.”
“Just because you’re pregnant and staying with us doesn’t mean that the honeymoon phase has to end for us.”
“Okay moving on before I am completely scarred for the rest of my adult life, if you were in my situation and you still had to tell your teenage daughters that they were going to have a new baby sister in nine months time would you tell them by yourself or wait until you reconciled with Jethro to tell them?”
“I’d wait to tell them with Jethro, but that just me.”
“Or it’s just your hormones talking.” I said.
“I’m not the only one in this room that is running on a hormone high, Jay.”
Jen went back up to Jethro and I got on their kitchen video phone to call the girls. Nick had answered and as cordial as I could I asked him to put the girls on.
“Hey mom, what’s going on?” Jayden asked.
“Why are you staying with Aunt Jen and Uncle Jethro?” Jocelyn asked.
“Mom, what’s going on between you and Dad? Why are you video calling us? JD asked.
“Dad and I are just not seeing eye to eye on something; we had a minor argument earlier.”
“Why are you calling?” JD asked again.
“You guys are gonna have a baby sister in a few months, I’m pregnant.”
The girls were a bit more excited about the news of the baby then Nick had been a huge relief for me. With that I went up to bed after I had said good night to my girls, I hadn’t missed one good night with them yet and I wasn’t about to let my fight with Nick get in the way of that. Jen and Jethro let me stay in Kelly’s old room which they had turned into the guest bedroom after she had moved in with Jason. Once I was under the covers and the bedside lamp was off, I had placed a hand on my stomach.
“Good night Jayla, my little angel.”
Within minutes of saying good night to the baby I had fallen asleep and just as I had previously predicted, the floor board were beginning to shake.
“This is gonna be a long night.” I said to myself.
“How do I tell Nick that I'm pregnant again? We were suppose to be done having kids after Jayden and Jocelyn were born." I said to Jen.
“Just tell him; he's your husband and the father of your girls, all four of them. He will be more than understanding when you tell him.”
“Are you telling me that I gonna have another girl when I'm only a few days along?”
“Pretty much, so you better start looking for another “J” name for my niece.”
“I know, Jen; I just have a lot on my plate now and the baby can wait for her name.”
“Don't worry baby girl, your mommy will have your name picked out in no time. She's just a bit frazzled between work and your big sister going off to college in the fall.” Jen said to my stomach.
“I hate it when you do that.”
“Get over it, Jay. I talked to JD and the twins when you were pregnant with them. I'm not leaving Jayla Athena out of a tradition I did with her sisters.”
“There we go, she has a name.”
“She'll love it.”
I looked down to my stomach.
“I love you, Jayla; and I can't wait to see you in nine months.”
It was nice that I was the only one pregnant this time around, not that I didn't like having someone pregnant with me like I had the previous two times. This time it would be about me and Jayla.
“So are you disappointed that you’re the only one pregnant this time?”
“Not really. It was nice being pregnant at the same time as Ziva and then again being pregnant at the same time as Kate. But I am glad that I am flying solo this time. You know how I hate to share the spotlight with others.”
Before I knew it we were back at the agency it was time to tell Nick that he was going to be a Dad again. Nick was in his cubicle when we had reached our floor.
“Nick; we need to talk now.”
Nick came over to me as soon as I had asked him to.
“What’s wrong, love?” Nick asked.
I pulled Nick aside by the windows across from the squad – room before I told him.
“Do you remember the night I was so upset and overwhelmed with everything moving too fast?”
“Of course I do, you were up for anything that night.”
“I know, anyway all of that fun we had that night and the following morning kind of resulted in something……” I said trailing off at the end.
“What did it result in, Jaylyn?”
It was weird hearing Nick say my first name in its entirety instead of shortening it like he always did, like everyone did.
“I’m pregnant again; you’re going to be a dad again.”
At first Nick didn’t say a word; he just stood in front of me as if he were a statue. It already looked like this wasn’t going the way I had hoped it would.
“You can’t be pregnant, you’re not pregnant. You’re just overcompensating for JD going to college in a few months and we took precautions. There is no baby.”
I couldn’t find the words that would encompass how much I hated Nick at the moment. All I could do was slap Nick across his face for his jackass reaction and head to my office with tears streaming down my face.
Jen had told the others that I was pregnant again while I had told Nick. Everyone watched from the squad room. When I had left everyone behind for the seclusion of my office things got a bit interesting. Nick remained where I had left him, still a bit stunned that I had smacked him.
“Could you have been any more of an ass?” Jen asked as she past Nick and followed me.
“That was real nice; Nick, call your wife and the mother of your daughters a liar to her face when she is pregnant with your child. Jackass.” Ziva said as she quickly came up on Jen’s six.
Kate and Abby didn’t say a word to Nick as they walked by him; all they did was glare at him as they quickly caught up to Jen. Jethro then told Nick to wait for him in the elevator.
When I had got to my office I had a few minutes to myself before the brigade came in. The tears were sliding down my face and there was no sign of it stopping. I could hardly believe let alone process what had just happened. My husband of eighteen years had just called me a liar to my face.
“I am so sorry that you had to hear your daddy say that Jayla. He loves you, I promise. It’s just gonna take him awhile to come around; last time we had a baby in the house was fourteen years ago when your big sisters Jayden and Jocelyn were born. I love you, my baby girl.”
I lay on my office couch with my hand resting on my stomach and the tears still streaming down my face. Right before Jen, Kate, Abby and Ziva came in; I took my rings off my hand and tossed them out of sight. The last thing I wanted was a reminder of Nick right now.
Jen and the others came in.
“Before you guys say anything, the girls and I are staying with you and Jethro. I don’t want to be anywhere near Nick and I definitely don’t want the girls to be near him.”
“Where are your rings?” Abby asked.
“Over there somewhere on the floor, I’m guessing.”
“Congrats on the baby.” Kate said trying to get me to smile.
“That little one inside of you is gonna have the best mom and aunts to show her how to be a fighter. And she’ll have sisters that will do just about anything to protect her.”
“Thanks guys.” I said as we hugged.
Jethro had his talk with Nick as Jen and the others comforted me. Abby grabbed my rings and gave them to me. Nick had apologized to me and the baby, but I still didn’t want to be in the same house with him later. I had changed my mind and let the girls stay home. I would obviously have one of my four girls with me when I stayed over at Jen and Jethro’s; and that was all that matter to me at the moment. That night I went home with my sister and brother – in – law. It was gonna take awhile before I could fully forgive Nick, put my rings back on and go home; thankfully my sister’s door was still open to me as it had been for my entire life. I was debating when I was going to tell JD, Jayden and Jocelyn that they were going to have a sister as well as if Nick was going to tell them with me or not. Nick did have a right to tell the girls with me, but at the moment the fact that he was half of their genes really didn’t matter to me.
As I debated what I should do, Jen came downstairs already for bed and from the looks of it her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I knew what that meant. The floor board were gonna be shaking into the wee hours of the morning tonight.
“You got to be kidding me; you two are going fool around when you have your pregnant sister sleeping just down the hall.”
“Just because you’re pregnant and staying with us doesn’t mean that the honeymoon phase has to end for us.”
“Okay moving on before I am completely scarred for the rest of my adult life, if you were in my situation and you still had to tell your teenage daughters that they were going to have a new baby sister in nine months time would you tell them by yourself or wait until you reconciled with Jethro to tell them?”
“I’d wait to tell them with Jethro, but that just me.”
“Or it’s just your hormones talking.” I said.
“I’m not the only one in this room that is running on a hormone high, Jay.”
Jen went back up to Jethro and I got on their kitchen video phone to call the girls. Nick had answered and as cordial as I could I asked him to put the girls on.
“Hey mom, what’s going on?” Jayden asked.
“Why are you staying with Aunt Jen and Uncle Jethro?” Jocelyn asked.
“Mom, what’s going on between you and Dad? Why are you video calling us? JD asked.
“Dad and I are just not seeing eye to eye on something; we had a minor argument earlier.”
“Why are you calling?” JD asked again.
“You guys are gonna have a baby sister in a few months, I’m pregnant.”
The girls were a bit more excited about the news of the baby then Nick had been a huge relief for me. With that I went up to bed after I had said good night to my girls, I hadn’t missed one good night with them yet and I wasn’t about to let my fight with Nick get in the way of that. Jen and Jethro let me stay in Kelly’s old room which they had turned into the guest bedroom after she had moved in with Jason. Once I was under the covers and the bedside lamp was off, I had placed a hand on my stomach.
“Good night Jayla, my little angel.”
Within minutes of saying good night to the baby I had fallen asleep and just as I had previously predicted, the floor board were beginning to shake.
“This is gonna be a long night.” I said to myself.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
We Need Help
Even after I called Jethro and Jen, I felt a bit guilty for disturbing them. Then the feeling of being an epic failure at being the Director started to set in. It was only a matter of minutes before the cavalry arrived and the panic subsided for a bit. Jen and I still had our lunch plans intact and I wasn’t about to let SECNAV’s demand or the case itself interfere with me spending time with my sister.
Once Jen got to the agency, she and I had left for lunch. We had gone to a restaurant that was quite similar to Applebee’s. We had both ordered drinks and sodas just to be on the safe side before the waitress had returned to take our order. The waitress had seemed to be quite the social butterfly when she had returned. She had noticed my rings just as she had noticed Jen’s. Apparently our waitress was just recently proposed to by her boyfriend of five years.
“Those are nice rings you two have.” the waitress said.
“Thank-you.” Jen and I replied.
The waitress then asked if Jen and I were related since we looked alike to her. I had told her that we were sisters and that Jen was the older sister before she could ask who was the oldest.
“So how long have you two been married to your husbands?” the waitress had asked.
“Eighteen years.” I answered.
“One month.” Jen replied.
The waitress had a look of confusion on her face. Apparently she didn’t see how I had been married longer then Jen had been.
“Do you guys have any kids or grandkids?”
The thought of the waitress thinking let alone assuming I was a grandmother at my age completely floored me.
“My husband and I have an eighteen year old daughter and twin fourteen year old daughters. No grandkids though.”
I then wonder how Jen would explain her family. Some people in DC didn’t quite approve of the family situation Jen and Jethro had. I had heard some gossip from politicians and other government players sharing their opinions on how wrong it was for Jen to be Kelly’s stepmother while being Liza’s grandmother. So we didn’t know how this was going to go.
“I have stepdaughter, a stepson – in – law and their 1 ½ month old daughter.”
“Oh okay. I’ll be right back with your appetizer.” the waitress said as she quickly departed to the kitchen.
“Don’t you just love how people react to you having a stepdaughter the same age as your younger sister?” I asked.
“I absolutely love it.” Jen responded.
Jen and I moved on to the next topic. We danced around the subject of the case until we got back to the agency. Since I had last seen Jen, I had gone to the hair salon in town. I had my hair cut to shoulder length with a side bang.
“I like your new haircut, Jay.”
“Figured it was time for me to start looking like a mom instead of trying to look like I am still living in my twenties.”
“Well either way it looks good on ya.”
“Thanks sis.”
“Now what’s going on with you Jay, why did you call Jethro and me?”
“I called because we need help with the case we have.”
“Jay.”
“Will you stop with the I know you’re lying, so tell me what the real reason is look. I’m not a child anymore.”
“Tell me.”
“I couldn’t handle being Director. I needed my big sis.”
Within minutes our entrees had arrived and we continued to talk while we ate. It was comforting to have Jen around. We talked for what seemed like hours. We talked about practically everything. We mainly talked our families and our respective husbands.
“If you had asked me twenty years ago if I thought I’d be sitting in a restaurant talking to my sister about children, work and marriage; I would have laughed.” I said.
“I know. I never thought that I would get married either. Let alone be Jethro’s fifth wife.” Jen said.
“None of us thought that you’d be Jethro’s fifth wife. If anything we thought Hollis would have been number five.”
After I had realized what I had said, I could hardly believe how much of a bitch I had just been to the one woman who had been a constant in my life since our mother died.
“I’m sorry, that was bitchy of me. I should have never said that.”
“Its okay, Jay; I know it’s just the stress of the case and stress of being the Director causing you act that way. I was the Director once too.”
There was a bit of silence between us before Jen spoke again.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I think that I’m pregnant again.” I answered my sister.
“What makes you think that you’re pregnant again?” Jen asked.
“I’m late.”
“The stress of the case and being the head of a federal agency could be the reason why you’re late, Jay. Its happened to me.”
“And all those instances where you thought you were pregnant were with Jethro, I know the stories. Hell; Ziva and I could write a tell all book just from all the stories you’ve shared with us over the years. There is another reason besides me being late for me carrying baby number four.”
“And that is what?”
“Nick and I kind of had a few physical encounters between you, Jethro and Ducky saying your final good-byes and the girls’ graduation the other day.”
“You should take a pregnancy test or go to your doctor to make sure.”
“No shit, Jen. I was planning on taking a test.” I said.
Jen could hear the hesitancy in my voice by the time I stopped talking.
“If you want, I’ll take you to a convenience store and buy a test for you.”
We did just as Jen had suggested. Instead of going to my house or back to the agency with the pregnancy test, we went to Jen and Jethro’s empty house. Jen waited outside the master bath as I took the test. Five minutes later I walked out of the bathroom with the pregnancy test in hand.
“Well what’s the verdict?” Jen asked.
“I’m pregnant; I’m gonna be mom again.” I said completely shocked at what the test had said and what had just come out of my mouth.
Once Jen got to the agency, she and I had left for lunch. We had gone to a restaurant that was quite similar to Applebee’s. We had both ordered drinks and sodas just to be on the safe side before the waitress had returned to take our order. The waitress had seemed to be quite the social butterfly when she had returned. She had noticed my rings just as she had noticed Jen’s. Apparently our waitress was just recently proposed to by her boyfriend of five years.
“Those are nice rings you two have.” the waitress said.
“Thank-you.” Jen and I replied.
The waitress then asked if Jen and I were related since we looked alike to her. I had told her that we were sisters and that Jen was the older sister before she could ask who was the oldest.
“So how long have you two been married to your husbands?” the waitress had asked.
“Eighteen years.” I answered.
“One month.” Jen replied.
The waitress had a look of confusion on her face. Apparently she didn’t see how I had been married longer then Jen had been.
“Do you guys have any kids or grandkids?”
The thought of the waitress thinking let alone assuming I was a grandmother at my age completely floored me.
“My husband and I have an eighteen year old daughter and twin fourteen year old daughters. No grandkids though.”
I then wonder how Jen would explain her family. Some people in DC didn’t quite approve of the family situation Jen and Jethro had. I had heard some gossip from politicians and other government players sharing their opinions on how wrong it was for Jen to be Kelly’s stepmother while being Liza’s grandmother. So we didn’t know how this was going to go.
“I have stepdaughter, a stepson – in – law and their 1 ½ month old daughter.”
“Oh okay. I’ll be right back with your appetizer.” the waitress said as she quickly departed to the kitchen.
“Don’t you just love how people react to you having a stepdaughter the same age as your younger sister?” I asked.
“I absolutely love it.” Jen responded.
Jen and I moved on to the next topic. We danced around the subject of the case until we got back to the agency. Since I had last seen Jen, I had gone to the hair salon in town. I had my hair cut to shoulder length with a side bang.
“I like your new haircut, Jay.”
“Figured it was time for me to start looking like a mom instead of trying to look like I am still living in my twenties.”
“Well either way it looks good on ya.”
“Thanks sis.”
“Now what’s going on with you Jay, why did you call Jethro and me?”
“I called because we need help with the case we have.”
“Jay.”
“Will you stop with the I know you’re lying, so tell me what the real reason is look. I’m not a child anymore.”
“Tell me.”
“I couldn’t handle being Director. I needed my big sis.”
Within minutes our entrees had arrived and we continued to talk while we ate. It was comforting to have Jen around. We talked for what seemed like hours. We talked about practically everything. We mainly talked our families and our respective husbands.
“If you had asked me twenty years ago if I thought I’d be sitting in a restaurant talking to my sister about children, work and marriage; I would have laughed.” I said.
“I know. I never thought that I would get married either. Let alone be Jethro’s fifth wife.” Jen said.
“None of us thought that you’d be Jethro’s fifth wife. If anything we thought Hollis would have been number five.”
After I had realized what I had said, I could hardly believe how much of a bitch I had just been to the one woman who had been a constant in my life since our mother died.
“I’m sorry, that was bitchy of me. I should have never said that.”
“Its okay, Jay; I know it’s just the stress of the case and stress of being the Director causing you act that way. I was the Director once too.”
There was a bit of silence between us before Jen spoke again.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I think that I’m pregnant again.” I answered my sister.
“What makes you think that you’re pregnant again?” Jen asked.
“I’m late.”
“The stress of the case and being the head of a federal agency could be the reason why you’re late, Jay. Its happened to me.”
“And all those instances where you thought you were pregnant were with Jethro, I know the stories. Hell; Ziva and I could write a tell all book just from all the stories you’ve shared with us over the years. There is another reason besides me being late for me carrying baby number four.”
“And that is what?”
“Nick and I kind of had a few physical encounters between you, Jethro and Ducky saying your final good-byes and the girls’ graduation the other day.”
“You should take a pregnancy test or go to your doctor to make sure.”
“No shit, Jen. I was planning on taking a test.” I said.
Jen could hear the hesitancy in my voice by the time I stopped talking.
“If you want, I’ll take you to a convenience store and buy a test for you.”
We did just as Jen had suggested. Instead of going to my house or back to the agency with the pregnancy test, we went to Jen and Jethro’s empty house. Jen waited outside the master bath as I took the test. Five minutes later I walked out of the bathroom with the pregnancy test in hand.
“Well what’s the verdict?” Jen asked.
“I’m pregnant; I’m gonna be mom again.” I said completely shocked at what the test had said and what had just come out of my mouth.
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