Gibbs grinned. The sounds, the smells, the smiles. He was a Marine, a quiet man who liked the peace of silence. However, a few times a year, he lived by the rule of 'the more the merrier'. It was Thanksgiving and every year he insisted that everyone had dinner at his. It was, after all, a time for family to be together!

He was checking on the food, consulting his schedule. Almost time to start the vegetables. The kitchen was filled with the aromas of the huge Thanksgiving feast they had spent all morning preparing, and the sounds of laughter, music, singing, and the occasional shouts from children floating through the walls. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he realised how lucky he was.

He did one last count in his head of his five kids plus families: Tony and Julie plus three, Caitlin and Jack plus two, Ziva and Shay plus two, Tim and Zoe plus two, and Abby and Tom plus four! A full house today! Ducky and Jimmy had been invited, and Gibbs expected them to arrive in the next few hours. His father had declined this year, not feeling up to making the long journey.

Glancing at the clock, he started cooking the veg and took note of when he had to check in next. He headed back out to join the party, not getting very far before a toddler ran straight into his legs. He laughed, lifting the boy into his arms while watching the bustling room. He spotted three little faces light up at the sight of him and in moments they were also racing towards him. He led them to the corner to sit and play with them for five minutes.

Tony was immersed in conversation with his brother and brother-in laws, but spotted his dad crouching in the corner with some of the kids and caught his eye with a grin. He knew how much his dad loved the mayhem of big family get-togethers. Continuing his glance around the room he spotted his daughter attempting to teach some of the younger kids the words of 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', his older son pretending to wrestle his cousin and the two dogs, and his beautiful wife with one hand on her swollen belly. His smile got a fraction wider at this glance as he returned to his conversation.

Gibbs carried the last dish in, passing it up to be squeezed onto the other end of the table somewhere. As he sat, the conversations trailed off and children were hushed.

"So, it's Thanksgiving once again. I know I say the same things every year, but every year I have a bit more to be thankful for. I'm more thankful than I can say to have my family. For everyone here, and those who aren't with us today. We know Jack couldn't make it this year, but we know he's having a wonderful dinner with lots of his neighbours. And we'll phone him later so you can all speak to him." He saw the excited grins of some of the children at the idea.

"I'm also thankful for those no longer with us. Those of us who had the opportunity to know Kelly and your mom, Shannon, know how great they were and are grateful I'm sure for the time we had with them. And for those who never got to meet them, I know you've been told how wonderful they were." He saw the nods of agreement from his kids, and smiled at Tony as he nodded to tell him to continue.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm very thankful for the delicious food that your Grandpa has made for us!" They all laughed as some of the kids nodded emphatically. "Also, for everyone here, especially my beautiful wife for putting up with me for yet another year."

They continued around the table, some of the kids joining in with how thankful they were for their new puppy, a new baby brother or sister, or for not having tonsillitis this year! Soon, they tucked into the food and the conversations built and built until there was a constant chatter and background hum of noise again. They all helped to clear the table after dinner before moving back into the living room. Over the noise of singing and games in the living room, Gibbs heard the doorbell. He went to answer it, nodding to Tony who also stood to get it.

He ushered kids and dogs alike out of his way to get to the door, and wedged himself in the gap as he opened it to stop any of them running out.

Stooping to lift a toddler in a baby pink dress and smiling at the boys chasing the dog's tail, he asked the two women at the door distractedly, "Hi, can I help you?"

As the boys got rowdy and tried to push past him to go outside, he called over his shoulder, "Tony!"

"Jethro?" the older of the two women asked quietly.

At the tone of her voice, he looked up at them. She looked very familiar… At the feeling that this was more than just someone selling something, his investigative instincts kicked in. The older woman's hair was red and turning grey-white. The younger of the two had a messy brown ponytail and a slim, pretty face, but looked too thin as if she had been unwell. She was holding her arms protectively across her chest under a baggy coat and standing very close behind the older woman as if hiding. Looking back at the older of the two, she smiled slightly as she met his eyes. Her eyes… Bright green, so strikingly familiar, the same ones he saw every day in some of his children and grandchildren. His confused expression morphed to one of shock as the puzzle pieces came together.

"Who…how…? Wait here." He stuttered before backing into the house.

"Jethro?" she questioned pleadingly.

"Just…just wait." He repeated, closing the door.

He scooped up one of the rowdy boys at his feet in his free arm and carried the kids into the busy living room, setting them next to respective parents or other children. He discretely took Tony aside for a moment.

"I need to speak to some people. I'm taking them into the dining room. In ten minutes, if I'm not here, excuse yourself and come join us." At his concerned expression, he reassured, "Don't worry."

Gibbs ushered the dogs into the living room and closed the door gently behind him as he left. He rushed to the front door, praying that they hadn't left. He breathed a sigh of relief at the same time as his insides knotted at realising that they had indeed waited. He led them in to the empty dining room and motioned them to sit.

AN: This is just the start. I'd love to know what anyone thinks so far of the idea. I can't promise prompt updates unfortunately, but I do want to try to continue this.