Much to Jenny’s dismay the following morning was her birthday. She knew this day was coming eventually, but she didn’t expect it to be here this soon. That morning despite the connotation the day held in her mind, Jenny woke up to the sound of Jethro humming Happy Birthday as he brought her breakfast in bed along with his card and the cards from the girls. And she knew once she got into work she’d be hit by well wishes by everyone in the building. Her gut told her to half expect it along with the expected phone calls from the people she got along with on the hill, the President and his family, Jack, Franks, Leyla and nine year old Amira. Jenny knew that Amira loved talking on the phone with her and Jethro. So how could she possibly tell her nine year old niece otherwise? Saying no to Amira was like saying no to her own daughters, which was the one thing that Jenny hated more than the birthday fuss and Jethro's childish antics.
Meanwhile as Jethro got the girls going as far as school went, it began to sink in that he was completely surrounded by women both at home and at work. Thankfully going down to Autopsy provided some relief for Jethro. Jethro then noticed his phone ringing. The caller id said it was Mike.
“Hola Probie, where’s the birthday girl at? She has very an impatient niece waiting for her.”
“Good to hear from you too, Mike. Jen just woke up and is eating the breakfast I brought up to her. Or at least she should be.”
Jenny was actually trying to figure out what she was going to wear to work that today.
“Dammit Probie, put that girl of yours on.” Franks said as he coughed heavily.
It was clear that Franks’ lung cancer was starting to get the better of him. And Jethro knew that if Franks were to lose his battle that he and Jenny would have to take Leyla and Amira in. He had no choice; one of Mike’s unspoken rules made sure of that.
“C’mon Probie, your goddaughter is getting antsy.”
“I’m going.”
Jethro headed back upstairs, he knew that Jenny was probably done with the breakfast he brought up to her and she was likely rummaging through her semi spacious walk in closet to find something to wear. He knew she’d be looking for that outfit that said authority figure while saying it from an agent perspective. Needless to say when Jethro opened their bedroom door and found Jenny barely dressed, in only her lavender colored negligee; he was more than pleased.
“I take the silence as a hint that you are with her and she got you mesmerized by wearing barely anything, Probie.” Mike said as he hacked a nasty sounding cough again.
“Hello Mike. Jethro has you on speaker.”
“Sorry boss.”
“Head slap him for me, Director.” Mike said.
“Mike, you know full well the Director isn’t here."
“Head slap him for me, Jenny.”
“My pleasure.” Jenny said with a mischievous look.
“By the way, Happy 25th.” Mike said knowing how Jenny didn’t like being reminded how old she was.
“Thanks.”
“Amira wants to say hi.”
“Say happy birthday, Amira.” Leyla prompted her daughter.
“Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny.”
“Thank – you, Amira. I loved the card and the picture you sent up for me.”
“You’re welcome.” Amira said kind of quickly before she handed the phone to her mother.
“Happy Birthday, Jenny. Hope Jethro and the girls spoil you today.”
“I’m sure they will. And thank-you, Leyla.”
` “You’re welcome.”
“Leyla, I just wanted to ask you something before I give the phone back to Jethro.”
“Sure go ahead.”
“Jethro and I are renewing our vows in a few weeks and I’d love to have Amira as the flower girl since my girls are in the bridal party with Abby, Ziva and my sister. I’d also like you to be a part of the bridal party as well.”
“It would be an honor for both of us, Jenny.”
“Thank-you.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you something too.” Leyla said.
“I’m listening.”
“I’d like it if you would be Amira’s Godmother since Jethro is her Godfather and she loves you to death.”
“It would be an honor to be her Godmother, Leyla. Put Mike back on; Jethro has to ask him to be one of his best men for the renewal.”
Leyla handed the phone to Mike as Jenny handed Jethro their house phone.
“Tell him about the renewal. And you have to tell your dad too. Preferably before we go into the office.” Jenny said before she returned to her search from before.
“Sounds like the little woman has you wrapped around her finger, Probie.”
“They all do, Mike.” Jethro said as he left Jenny and headed downstairs just in time to see his daughters getting into their car to go to school.
“Jenny has you wrapped around her finger differently than my goddaughters do.”
“I know; there’s something that I have to tell you and something I’d like to ask you. Just keep in mind that at this moment you can’t say no, cause Jen already got to Leyla.”
“I swear those two are always up to something.”
“Anyway, Jen and I are renewing our vows in a few weeks. I take it Leyla has already said yes to being a bridesmaid and for Amira being the flower girl.”
“Get to the point.” Franks said with another cough.
“Would you be one of my best men at the renewal?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thanks boss.”
Jethro and Mike hung up. Jethro then called Jack to tell him about the renewal.
“Hey son, was just about to call and with that wife of yours a happy birthday.”
“We figured you would.” Jethro said.
“So why did you call?”
“Well I, we wanted to tell you that we’re renewing our vows in a few weeks and we’d love to have you here for it.”
“There’s nothing in the world that would keep me from missing your renewal son.”
“Thanks Dad.”
By this point Jenny had come down and was having her second cup of coffee.
“Jenny up yet son or did you let her sleep in”
“She’s right here.”
Jethro handed Jenny the phone.
“Its Dad, he’s coming for the renewal.”
“Hello Jack.”
“Happy Birthday Jenny. Hope you’re having a good day so far.”
“So far it has.”
“Have that son of mine treat you out to dinner tonight for your birthday.”
“I will and thank-you. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
Jenny hung up with her father-in-law and turned to her husband.
“Happy Birthday.” Jethro finally got to say to her.
“Thank-you.” Jenny said as she kissed him.
With that they left for work. During the drive in they decided that they were waiting till after work that night to tell their daughters. They also agreed that they would tell Ziva, Ducky, Abby, Jaylyn and Palmer once they got in, then they’d tell McGee and Tony via MTAC feed.
Once at the office Jenny was instantly wished a happy birthday by everyone followed by a hug from Abby.
“Happy Birthday Director.” Abby said as she let go of Jenny.
“Thank-you, Abby.”
“Happy Birthday, Jenny” Ziva said in her native tongue.
“Thank-you.” Jenny replied in Hebrew.
“Happy Birthday, sis.” Jaylyn said as she hugged Jenny.
“Thanks J.”
At this point Palmer and Ducky had joined the group. Both men wished her a Happy Birthday. Jenny and Jethro then told their friends about the renewal. Jenny asked Abby and Ziva if they’d be bridesmaids alongside Leyla and Jaylyn. Both said yes.
Ducky and Palmer returned to Autopsy while Jenny and Jethro went up to MTAC. Tony and McGee wished Jenny a happy birthday after Tony teased McGee for a moment or two. Jenny and Jethro spilled the beans about the renewal one more time then Jethro asked if Tony and McGee would be a part of the bridal party. Like Ziva, Abby and Leyla; Tony and McGee said yes.
Jenny and Jethro returned to the squad room and Jethro began his three day stint of being the only man on the immediate team. The one thing Jethro couldn’t avoid admitting to was that he did enjoy having three of the eight most important women in his life within eye sight while that the fourth was safe a floor below; that the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth were safe at school. As Jethro looked around the squad room, he was pleased to have his wife across from him, his sister-in-law on his left hand side while one his work “Gibblets” was on his right. The women in his life were safe and that was all that mattered to him. He also knew that Jenny at the moment even though she was looking over case files, that she was mentally trying to figure out who should walk her down the aisle; Jack or Ducky.
No comments:
Post a Comment