What The Heart Wants
- Chapter 11 -
Jenny looked around the room smiling; it was finally finished, she ran her fingers through her fringe and straightened a pillow for the third time. Today was the day, the day it would all become official. It had been two months since her first interview with social services; she was amazed at how quickly she had been accepted. She started pacing up and down, Gibbs had been due back with the boys over two hours ago. She heard her front door open and hurried from the room tucking her hair behind her ears.
Gibbs pushed open the door and Aaron dashed into the entrance hall; he carried Anthony on his hip and the huge changing bag on his shoulder. He spotted a blur of red and blue from the corner of his eye as he turned to close the door, as he turned around the blur nearly bumped into him. 'Slow down,' he muttered, Jenny reached up to tickle Anthony, 'I was worried,' Gibbs rolled his eyes, 'we're only,' he checked his watch, '2hrs and 2 minutes late,' Jenny frowned at him and turned to grab Aaron around the middle, he giggled and squirmed in her grip.
'Why are you so late,' she asked Gibbs, 'Were you a good boy for Jethro?' she asked Aaron, he nodded pulling his face into the innocent grin that meant he hadn't, Gibbs coughed behind her, 'nooooo,' 'what did you do?' Jenny asked him, he stared at her with puppy dog eyes and made his bottom lip tremble, 'we're having none of that young man, do I have to ask Jethro what you did?' Aaron looked at the floor and glared at it; he pressed the toe of his sneakers onto the wooden floor and moved it around in circular motions, 'stop that, you'll mark my floor.'
Jenny turned around and looked at Gibbs, 'what did he do?' 'Pushed a little girl over in the sand box, threw a ball at another kid, kicked a smaller boy, and then thought it would be a good idea to hit an older boy.' Jenny turned back to Aaron, she stared at him, he kicked the floor again and ran his shoe across the wood leaving a mark, Jenny grabbed his arm, 'I said don't do that, why did you fight with the other kids at the creche?'
Aaron shrugged his shoulders, 'Aaron why did you do it?' 'don't know,' she frowned at him, 'sit on the stairs,' he stuck his tongue out and stayed in the same place. 'Move now,' she told him pointing at the stairs, he glared at her and shook his head, 'get that butt on that step before I put you there myself,' he stomped over to the stairs kicked the wall before sitting down.
'What has gotten into him lately,' Jenny hissed quietly at Gibbs, Gibbs shook his head and sighed, 'I haven't the faintest idea, you want me to stick around until social services get here?' Jenny took Anthony in her arms and balanced him on her hip, 'you're getting heavy, would you?' Gibbs nodded and smiled, 'course, what time will they be here?' Jenny checked her watch, 'they said half past but any time now really.'
Gibbs saw the emotions flicker across her face, 'you scared?' Jenny nodded, 'you should be,' he added, she nodded again, 'it's such a big responsibility, becoming their legal guardian,' Gibbs placed his hand on her shoulder, 'you'll be fine.' Jenny nodded, not wanting to move away from his touch, they hadn't spoken about their passionate kiss since it happened, both scared of the others feelings, neither wanting to expose themselves to the danger of getting hurt.
Gibbs gently nudged her towards the living room; she carried Anthony over to his walker and strapped him in. He immediately began bouncing up and down as he started to move it around the room, they watched him for a few moments before a sound in the hall made them turn around. 'What are you doing out there young man?' Gibbs called, Aaron made an indistinct noise, 'did you move,' 'no,' 'are you sure?' 'uh huh,' Gibbs raised his eyebrow, 'Then why can't I see your butt on that step,' stamping of feet ensued followed by a bang and more stamping. 'Now stay there,' Jenny called to him, he made another huffy noise.
At that moment the doorbell rang, Jenny pulled a face before hurrying to answer it, she smiled nervously at the man and woman and shook their hands as she showed them inside, 'this is my good friend Jethro Gibbs, he's been helping me with the boys,' she said in reply to the inquiring looks. Gibbs nodded shortly and turned his attention back to Aaron, 'excuse me,' he muttered before heading to the stairs and coaxing Aaron up to his room.
He sat on Aaron's new bed and lifted the toddler up beside him, 'you gonna tell me what's up?' Aaron looked at him warily for a few moments, he bit his lip before shaking his head, 'we can't help if you don't tell us.' Aaron looked up and shuffled up to Gibbs, 'don't know,' he looked so innocent Gibbs could only nod. 'You don't have to be scared, Jenny is gonna be your mom, she loves you, she'll take care of you,' Aaron put his arms around Gibbs arm, 'need a daddy too,' Gibbs looked down at the picture of innocence beside him, 'very subtle Aaron, subtle as a brick,' Aaron frowned, 'don't worry, I know, I'll make sure you have a good daddy, I won't let Jenny pick an arse ho... a bad daddy, i won't let her pick a bad daddy.'
'You be good daddy,' Aaron piped up hopefully, 'you think?' Aaron nodded smiling, 'don't let Jenny hear that,' Aaron frowned at him, 'why?' he whined, drawing the y out for six syllables, 'because she'll start getting ideas and before we know it she'll be decorating a room for me,' he told Aaron seriously, Aaron nodded opened mouthed. Gibbs pulled him into a hug, 'now, are you gonna behave for Jenny?' Aaron nodded looking a bit sheepish, 'I think we should do something special for Jenny,' Aaron's eyes widened, 'pwesent?' 'I have an idea what we can get her,' Gibbs smiled and set Aaron on the floor, 'lets get Anthony.'
Gibbs and Aaron poked their heads around the living room door, 'Hi, sorry to interrupt, can I borrow Anthony for a little while?' Jenny frowned at him then looked at Aaron's coat, 'what are you planning?' Gibbs shook his head, 'Surprise isn't it Aaron,' 'yup,' he nodded grinning widely, 'okay,' Jenny smiled lifting Anthony from his walker, she carried him over to Gibbs and placed him in his arms, 'I want them back before six, otherwise Anthony won't eat when he's supposed to and then he won't sleep, and if he won't sleep I won't sleep, and then I'll make sure you don't sleep.'
Gibbs grinned at the looks on the two women's faces, 'not like that Jethro, get your mind out of the gutter.' She kissed Anthony on the cheek and then bent down to kiss Aaron, 'behave,' she warned him before hugging him gently, 'I'll see you later.' Aaron stood on tiptoe and kissed Jenny on the cheek, he wrapped his arms around her neck and then let go, he took Gibbs hand as he led him into the doorway, 'bye-bye Jenny,' he waved as he hurried after Gibbs. Jenny turned back to the women from social services and saw the small smiles on their faces; she sat back down opposite them, 'just one more signature Miss Shepard.'