Kate & Kassidy, Age 13

November 19^th, 2031; The years had flown by quickly much to what Jenny and Jethro had hoped for. Kelly was forty-two and still happily married. Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison thirty-two and still dating. Delilah, Emiliana and Arabella were seeing different guys. Madison was still with Parker, much to everyone’s surprise. As usual when it came to birthdays; Kelly and Charlie were always in attendance as were the quads. At this time Kelly was working for one of Stillwater’s  major news outlets and had spent most of the work week trying to get her boss to let her have time off so that she was able to attend the stream of birthdays back home. Her stubborn, pigheaded boss; Mr. Jackowitz could see why it was absolutely necessary that he had to give his ace politics writer more time off when he had given her September 15^th off for Aliyah, Juliet and Zoey’s fourteenth birthday.

            “With all due respect, Kelly; giving you more time off to go back home for your sisters and cousins’ birthdays when I gave you a day off last month to go back for your cousins’ birthday after giving you the day in August you asked for.”

            “Mr. Jackowitz, birthdays are a big deal in my family; I have to be in D.C. for them.”

            “I understand, Mrs. Gibbs-Grant; but as you stated on your first day, your family is complicated.”

            “Kate and Kassidy may just be my half sisters like other sisters are just my half sisters; Mr. Jackowitz, but they are still my sisters. Just as Aliyah, Juliet, Zoey and their brothers; Jordan and Dylan are my half-cousins, they are still my cousins. Albeit Tali, Monique and Kyle Luca aren’t blood cousins; they are still family. Now if you don’t mind I am taking the rest of the day off along with the time I asked for.” Kelly said as she left Mr. Jackowitz’s office and the paper.

            Once Kelly was outside she called her husband.

            “I’ll be over to pick you up after I pick up my grandfather.”

            “Sounds good, I guess your boss gave you time off after all.”

            “Not really I took it since he was being a pain in the ass about letting have the time off.”

            “So in another words your Gibbs side took over instead of the reserved Fielding side.”

            “It did and I’ve told you before, that my dad isn’t the only one with a temper. My mom’s temper rivals my dad’s any day.”

            “See you in a bit babe.” Charlie said.

            Kelly and Charlie hung up as Kelly got to her car. Within minutes Kelly was at Jack’s house.

            “You drive like your father.” Jack commented.

            “Yeah well, I am his daughter after all so kind of was inevitable.”

            Before long they had picked Charlie up and were on their way down to D.C. for Kate and Kassidy’s family party. Obviously as the kids grew up birthdays had changed to better suit the kids. Kate and Kassidy were having their family party on their birthday so that later on in the week they could have their sleepover with their friends from school and from their gymnastic squad.

            The quads as usual had gotten to their parents’ house before Kelly, Charlie and Jack had. But that was partially due to the fact they still lived close to home unlike Kelly and Charlie. Delilah was and had been residing in Alexandria with her current beau. Emiliana was now in Belle Haven with her beau. Arabella was now living in Brentwood with her on again off again beau. Madison and Parker had moved to Potomac.

            At the house, Jenny and Jethro were talking over coffee while the twins got ready for their family party.

            “How much primping do those girls have to do, we’re just going out to Olive Garden with everyone.” Jethro complained.

            “Come on Jethro, they are thirteen year old girls and it’s their birthday; they want to look nice even if it’s just going out to Olive Garden. Besides the “primping” shouldn’t be anything new for you, Mr. father of seven girls.” Jenny said.

            “First off, I didn’t have to go through this with Kelly…”

            “Cause you thought she was dead and not in witness protection with Shannon.” Jenny said.

            “And the quads weren’t this bad when they were Kate and Kassidy’s age.”

            “Stop complaining Jethro. You were spoiled when it came to the quads since they were more like Ziva and the twins are more like Kate. You just aren’t use to it. You need to adapt a little bit better, Gunny; not all of your girls can be tomboys like Ziva. Some of them have to be a bit girly like Kate was to balance things out. Suck it up, Gunny.”

            “Cute Jen.”

            After that the doorbell rang and Noemi answered the door as usual. On the other side was Jaylyn and Kasey along their kids; fourteen year olds Aliyah, Juliet and Zoey as well as seven year olds Jordan and Dylan. Shortly after the arrival of their Aunt, Uncle and cousins; Kate and Kassidy had finished their primping and were heading downstairs. Once Jaylyn and her family were inside, the septet parted ways. Aliyah, Juliet and Zoey planted themselves in the living and glued themselves to their phones. Jordan and Dylan had gone out back to play catch with each other and their dad while their mother joined their aunt and uncle in the kitchen. Kate and Kassidy came downstairs just after their aunt had gotten to the kitchen. The twins joined their teenage cousins in the living room and started up a conversation with them.  On her way to the kitchen, Jaylyn heard her sister putting her brother-in-law in his place.

            “What is he complaining about now, Jen?” Jaylyn asked as she came into the kitchen and poured herself some coffee.

            “He’s complaining about the twins getting ready for Olive Garden. Jethro wishes they were tomboys like their sisters and Ziva instead being girly like Kate was.”

            “Oh poor Jethro.” Jaylyn teased.

            Jethro was a bit fed up that he was getting picked on by his wife and sister-in-law.

            “I’ll be out back with Kasey and the boys.” Jethro gruffed.

            “Awe the big, tough Marine can’t handle being picked on.” Jaylyn said further baiting Jethro.

            “Don’t make me head slap you like I do DiNozzo.”

            “Which DiNozzo, Jethro; there’s two now.” Jenny taunted.

            Jethro didn’t respond instead he left the room and went out back like he had said. A little bit later once the quads, Kelly, Charlie and Jack had arrived at the house and Jethro had cooled down; everyone headed over to Olive Garden for Kate and Kassidy’s birthday.