The following morning we called all the kids out of school so that they could meet baby Shannon and baby Ryan. Jen and Jethro said that they would meet us at Kelly, Jason and Shannon’s apartment. They said that there was something that they wanted to share with everyone.
Shortly after Jen and Jethro arrived, it was time to play the guessing game. It was a bit annoying as we tried to figure out why both Jen and Jethro were hiding their left hands from us. When I had noticed this, there were only ten of us at the apartment; Jen and Jethro, Nick, myself and our girls then of course Kelly, Jason and the baby. It was obvious that my sister and Jethro were trying to buy time for themselves as we waited for the rest of the team to arrive.
I already kind of knew what Jen and Jethro were hiding. Part of me was more than thrilled that after all this time they had finally done what they were trying to hide. But then again I wasn’t at all happy that they did this without me. By ten after nine that morning, the rest of the team finally joined us at Kelly and Jason’s. The kids were off in the family room with baby Shannon, baby Ryan, Addie and Jake while the adults stayed in the kitchen. Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira were with us as well.
“There is something; Jethro and I would like to share with all of you.” Jen said.
“Jen and I are married. We eloped early this morning.”
Jen and Jethro were instantly congratulated by everyone, but there was a slight bit of hesitancy coming from me and Kelly; of course Jackson picked up on our hesitancy.
“Kelly, your father is happy; Jenny makes him happy. We both know he hasn’t been this happy since your mother.” Jackson said imparting some wisdom to his granddaughter.
Kelly nodded.
“And you, Jay; you should be thrilled that your sister has finally gotten one of the things she has always wanted.”
“Jack, I am thrilled for them. It just kills me that they didn’t want me there.”
“Jay, you know that isn’t true.” Jackson said.
After Jackson spoke I turned to Kelly.
“Looks like you and I are family now.” I said.
“Sure does, Aunt Jay.” Kelly said with a smile on her face.
It was kind of weird to be called Aunt Jay, by Kelly since we were the same age. But like all other things that preceded it and were likely to succeed it, I would become accustom to being Aunt Jay, to my brother-in-law’s forty-five year old daughter from his first marriage. At this point I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my sister was wife #5 and was hoping against hope that she would have more luck at being Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs than Jethro’s three ex-wives in between her and Shannon had. Hell, Jen had made it further than Hollis, Holly and M. Allison had; which was a feat in of itself.
After our little get together, we went to work. AJ and Kelly were on maternity leave. Addie and Jake were taken to Abby’s brother’s for the day while the older kids went back to their respective homes. Once at work; Jethro, Ducky and Jen made sure Palmer, Tony and I were settled into our new positions. Admittedly it was kind of nerve racking being the new Director. Jen saw my nervousness and went into big sis mode instanteously.
“You’ll be fine, Jay. I am more than sure that you’ll have a better first year as Director than I did.”
“I know, at least I won’t have to fend off Jethro like you did.”
Jen smiled a bit and let out a slight chuckle before she responded.
“You’ll just have to fend off Nick while you guys are on the job.”
“I know, and I can’t use your “no off the job” line with Nick.”
Jen and I chatted for a while before I found a file on the desk that Jen had purposely left behind. It was a case that required two agents to go under cover as a married couple in secluded mountain retreat. Jen instantly volunteered herself and Jethro for the op. It was obvious that she partially saw this op as their last hoorah as agents and as their honeymoon. There was just something about sending my sister and brother-in-law on an op when they were about to retire. It even bugged me that sending them undercover on what could be a dangerous assignment was my first act as Director.
While I stalled for time before giving Jen the go ahead for the op, both our cell phones went off. Kelly had sent us a picture of baby Shannon in her crib about to fall asleep.
There was a caption underneath both pictures.
Baby Liza just wanted to say good night to her favorite Great – Aunt.
Baby Liza wanted to say good night Grandma Jenny.
Later I would learn that Jethro got the same picture message that had the same caption as Jen’s, but had Grandpa Jethro instead.
“I guess we’re calling the baby Liza now.” I said.
“Just so that none of us get confused.”
“Okay well whatever their reasoning maybe at least they are giving a nod to Liza Minnelli.”
By that evening it was time to send Jen and Jethro off on their op. Everyone said good-bye to Jen and Jethro. I was the last to say good-bye. I knew this wasn’t the official good-bye. That was still pending and those of us that were staying could wait for the official good. Jen and Jethro were standing before me. The others had stepped away to let Jen, Jethro and I have a moment to ourselves. This had to be one of the hardest things I had to do. In my mind I chalked this up as being as hard as it was for Abby when Jethro’s retired years ago but on the level that Jethro’s retirement had hit Jen that night.
I felt like that worried fifteen year old, I was when Jen and Jethro were sent to Marseilles by Morrow. Jen and Jethro could see the fear as well as the uncertainty.
“Promise me that you two will do everything in your power to stay safe. Promise me that you will check in no matter what’s going on. And please whatever you do keep each other safe. I don’t want to lose either one of you.” I said.
“We will, Jay; we will come home safe.” Jen replied as she hugged me good-bye.
I t was obvious she could see that I wasn’t too thrilled about this op, then again Jen was always able to read me.
“We will be fine, Madame Director.” Jethro subtly slid in.
I loved how he thought he could get away with calling me Madame Director when he knew that in respect I was just like Jen.
With my goodbyes done Jen and Jethro left for their op. The worry officially set in once they had stepped into the elevators.
Ducky saw the worry in my eyes and placed a comforting arm around my shoulder.
“They are veterans, Director. They know what they are doing and they will be safe.”
I smiled at Ducky as we all returned to the busy work we had.
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