Tim woke up to the feeling of a familiar hand carding through his hair. “Hmm…S’nice.” He murmured sleepily and nuzzled into the touch. “Morning.”
“Morning to you too. Hey Timmy, what do you say about going to see Dad today?” Tim opened his eyes at Jethro’s suggestion and noticed the dusky dawn that was barely breaking through the gap in the curtains.
“What time is it?” He asked with a frown and groaned as he rolled off his full body pillow onto his back. “Still dark.”
Jethro chuckled. “Nah, the suns just coming up. Thought I’d surprise you.” He reached down to help Tim sit up before bending down and kissing Tim’s vast pregnancy bump. “Hey, you. You gotta be good for your Daddy today, Okay?” He was rewarded by a ripple in the skin as his son kicked out; the very action eliciting a small ‘oof’ from his lover.
“J, you know you’ve got work tomorrow, right? I mean, as much as I’d love to go see Jac…Dad, I don’t know whether I’d be up for sitting in a car for that long, twice in one day.”
Jethro smiled at Tim warmly and claimed his lips chastely. “I know. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry about it. I sent Vance a text message telling him I won’t be in tomorrow.” Jethro shook his head at Tim’s frown and helped pull him up so that he was sitting and caressed his face. “How’re you doing?”
“Um..okay I think. Wait, you sent a text message.”
“Yep. I did.”
Tim thought back to the night before and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Please tell me you didn’t say anything stupid.”
“I didn’t. Told him I was taking tomorrow and that DiNozzo can work cold cases or help Abby. I might have mentioned wanting to talk to him first thing….”
“J! I told you to leave it!” Tim swung his legs round and tried to stand up. “Little help here.”
Jethro reached down and grasped Tim’s arms to pull him up. “I’m just going to ask him about it. I promise not to do anything stupid, okay?”
“Just make sure you don’t. We can’t afford for your job to be hanging by a damn thread as well.” Tim replied vehemently and winched when the baby moved and settled right on top of his bladder. “Shit, I really need to go to the head.”
“You gotta go that badly?” Jethro asked with a bemused smirk as he watched Tim waddle quickly across the room rubbing at his back as he went.
“You have no idea! He’s laying on my damn bladder! I’m sure it’s his favorite spot!” Tim’s griping got quieter as he entered the bathroom and Jethro couldn’t help but cringe at the sound of Tim’s never ending stream hitting the pan.
“Jesus. You really did have to go.”
“Told you!” Tim sniped and the sound of running water could be heard as he washed his hands. “Ok, fine, we’ll go. Does Dad know we’re coming?”
“He will. As soon as I tell him.”
“What if he’s not there. Come on J, we can’t just…” Tim tried to protest but was halted by Jethro’s finger on his lips.
“He’s there. I spoke to him yesterday and he said he’s painting the store today. I can give him a hand while you relax.” Jethro frowned when Tim yawned and moved to help him sit down on the bed. “Hey, if you don’t wanna go, we’ll stay here.”
“It’s not that. I’d love to see Dad before it’s too late and I can’t travel, it’s just…” Tim sighed and shook his head. “You know what? I’m tired and being and ass. Grab the bags and I’ll sort out what we’re going to need.”
With a grin, Jethro cupped Tim’s face and rubbed at his cheek with his thumb. “Already taken care of. Even put your pillows in the car so you’ll be comfortable.”
“You…Huh, Should’ve known. Alright then, I’m going to shower and get ready.” Tim let his lover help him stand and leaned forward to wrap his arms around Jethro. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Want me to join you?”
“No…well yeah, but it’ll be quicker if you don’t.” Tim pulled back and grinned wickedly. “You can go and make me a cup of raspberry leaf tea though.”
“You got it. Go on, it’ll be ready by the time you get out. I thought we’d stop and grab some breakfast from somewhere on the way. It’ll give you the chance to stretch your legs.”
“Sounds good. Now go! Otherwise I won’t be able to resist your offer of a shower.” Tim’s eyebrows furrowed as he pouted and Jethro couldn’t help but giggle at the motion. With a shake of his head, he was making his way downstairs, hoping he’d dodged the bullet with the Vance situation so that they could enjoy the time they had together.
***NCIS***
Tim bit back a groan as his back and hips twinged painfully. They had been on the road for an hour and a half and the pain had been gradually building.
“Hey, you alright?” Jethro asked softly and reached over to grasp Tim’s hand. He frowned when Tim’s grip tightened and his lover shook his head.
“No, not really, J. I need to stop.”
“Damn it! Why didn’t you say something!”
“It’s not that bad. I just need to stretch my legs for a minute.” Tim tried to downplay his pain, knowing how much his lover hated him being in pain.
“You need to tell me, Tim. I don’t want you uncomfortable…Jesus, we should have stayed home.”
Tim sighed heavily and shook his head. “No! We shouldn’t J. Don’t do this okay? just find somewhere to pull over so I can work the kinks out of my back and hips.”
An errant thought crossed Jethro’s mind, making his breath hitch in his throat. “You’re not…Tim please tell me this isn’t…” He couldn’t find the words and was grateful for his other half’s sharp mind.
“I’m not in labor. This is just the normal aches and pains that knock me on my ass when I sit still for too long. Trust me, you’ll be the second to know when he’s ready for the world.”
“Second? Who’s the first?”
“I think I might get a head start on you there, J.” Tim said wryly and sighed with relief when Jethro pulled into a roadside diner. “Hey, you think we can get some breakfast as well?”
“That’s the plan. You need to hit the head?”
“Hell yeah.” Jethro snorted out a laugh and got out of the car so he could go round and help Tim get out. He moved to the passenger side and opened the door just as Tim unbuckled his seatbelt.
“Take it slow.”
“No other way to…ow!” Tim slowly stood up and stretched out his back. “You pack those muscle relaxants?”
“Yeah. That bad.” Jethro replied with a worried look on his face.
“Yeah, pretty much. I think my muscles have seized up a bit. Can you bring them with you? I don’t want to take them on an empty stomach.”
“I’ve got them here.” Tim watched as his partner pulled the tablets out of his pocket and smirked.
“Uh huh. You had this all planned out didn’t ya.”
“Yup.”
Tim chuckled and let Jethro support him into the diner and once he’d hit the bathroom and relieved himself, he was soon settled down at the table looking over the menu hungrily. “You know what I really fancy right now?”
“What? Something weird and wonderful?”
“Over easy eggs and bacon on toast and a chocolate milkshake made with ice cream.”
Jethro smiled warmly and shook his head. “You sure the milkshake is a good idea after Morgan’s chocolate cake last night? Don’t want your sugar levels going screwy.”
“My sugar is fine. I checked when I got out of the shower this morning. Anyway, one’s not going to hurt.” The waitress arrived at that point in the conversation and they both placed their orders. Jethro decided to have the same as Tim to eat, but decided against the milkshake and order a large coffee instead.
“Hey, Timmy. I’m gonna hit the head before the food comes.”
“Okay. I promise not to drive off and leave you in the middle of nowhere.”
“Like you can fit behind a wheel now anyway.” Jethro joked and reached over to squeeze Tim’s hand before standing up. “Won’t be long.”
Tim nodded and smiled when the waitress bought over his milkshake. “Here you go, honey. I know what it’s like to be as far gone as you and need that sugar fix. How long have you got left?”
“Too long.” Tim laughed and shook his head. “Little over a month now, I just wish it was sooner.”
The waitress grinned and shook her head. “Make the most of it. It won’t be long before you’re wishing for the peace and quiet. You know what it is?”
“Yeah, it’s a boy and I can’t wait until he’s here.” The waitress chuckled heartily making Tim grin. “How many have you got?”
“Me? Oh honey, too many. I foster as well.” She put down the tray she was carrying and pulled a small photograph wallet out of her apron. “I carry these with me all the time. I lost my husband a couple of years ago and it made me realize that I wanted them with at all times.” She turned and looked at the guy behind the counter. “Hey, Jed. I’m taking my break.”
“Go ahead, momma. That’s fine with me.” She turned and handed the wallet to Tim before sitting down at the table.
“Go ahead honey, take a look through. I promise you now, there’s nothing incriminating in there.”
Tim couldn’t help but laugh warmly and looked at her. “I’m Tim…” He glanced around the restaurant and frowned when he didn’t see Jethro. “And my wayward other half is Jethro.”
“That him?” She asked and pointed out of the window. Tim nodded when he Saw his Lover on the phone.
“Yeah, that’s him. He’s probably talking to his dad. That’s where were heading.”
She nodded and turned back to Tim. “Well Tim, My name is Sue, but most people call me Momma because of what I do.”
“What do you prefer?” Tim asked through a laugh and opened the photo wallet.
“Honestly? Momma. It makes me feel loved.” She replied warmly. “I’ve got 4 of my own, 3 adopted and 3 foster kids who stayed with me. There were reasons why I couldn’t adopt them, but when they moved them on, they always found their way back to me. Never could get rid of them….not that I’d ever want too.” Tim could feel the pride and love rolling off this warm, gentle woman and relaxed further.
“Wow! 10, that must be hard.”
“Sometimes. To be honest, I wouldn’t change it for the world. The fosters…well, they’ve been mine for years…are all grown up and have gone to the local college. They’re all bright as buttons but were hindered by their problems early on. It’s been a rough ride at times, but we get there and all my kids turned out good. Megan…” she took the wallet and flicked through until she found a picture of a pretty young woman with flaming red hair. “That’s my Meg, she was abused by her father and when she came to me she didn’t say a word to anyone. We pulled her out of her shell though and now she’s an intern at the local hospital. She’s still affected by it, but she’s gotten her confidence back.”
“What about the others?” Tim found talking to this woman so easy, that he felt comfortable with asking her.
“Joe…that’s him there. Oh he was the rebel and ran away from the state home to get back to us all. He’s doing computer programming at the college and wants to join the Navy when he graduates. He lost his parent’s in a car accident when he was young.” Tim shook his head.
“So much for a kid to deal with. I’m a bit of a computer geek myself and work for NCIS.”
“NCIS huh? Wow, now how’s that for co-incidence.” She beamed at him and turned the sleeve over. “This one…bless him, that’s Alex. He’s had so much to put up with.” Tim noticed the scars that mottled the right side of the young mans face and frowned. “oh honey, do not feel sorry for him. He leads a full life and can shrug off any comments without being too hurt. He was burnt when he was younger. His parent’s left him alone to go out drinking and someone set the house on fire. They were alcoholics that didn’t want kids in the first place and the poor kid suffered for it.”
Tim felt the breath rush out of his lungs. “I’m sorry…Jesus how can they do that to their kids?”
“The world isn’t all roses, Tim. But there are some diamonds in it that shine. He’s currently running counseling sessions for kids who need it. A lot of them look up to him and admire what he does so they open up to him easily. Him and Joe both run a gym in town to teach the kids boxing, I have to say, it helps keep them out of trouble.”
“Who the kids?” Tim asked as he looked through the album.
“Uh huh…and my two boys. They both share a love of boxing and when they were younger it helped focus their anger and turn it into something fair. Saved them fighting on the streets anyhow.”
Tim nodded and made a mental note to come back one day to see what he could do to help. “The others?”
Momma beamed with pride. “The ones I carried myself are still in high school and are doing really well…” she turned the page again. “That’s them there, Faith, Eve and Naomi. All girls, which is why I’m thankful for my boys. The 3 adopted all have handicaps of some kind. Dana’s a downs baby but has got the biggest heart you’ll ever see. Frank…well, he’s ADHD and is a handful, but he’s young still. He’s in high school, and doing well. And then we have the baby, that’s Carlos. He’s got the mental age of a 5 year old even though he’s 12 and can’t talk. Doesn’t let that hold him back though, his school is for special children like him and he gets one to ones with a teacher that has taught him basic sign language. Now he just signs what he wants rather than get frustrated.”
“I admire you, Momma.” Tim said with awe and flicked through the rest of the photo’s. when he hit one with the whole family, he felt a gentle hand on his arm.
“There’s my better half. That ugly looking man there is my Colin.” She chuckled to herself. “That was our standing joke; he’d always say he’d never be beautiful but to me, he was in every way. I loved that cranky old Bastard and he taught those kids well. They miss him dearly and we make a point of going down to the cemetery every other week to put flowers down for him. I tell ya, it’s a sight to behold. 11 of us going down carrying flowers.”
“You all take a bunch down?” Tim asked gently.
“Oh honey, the plot isn’t big enough for that. No, the kids all take a white rose down each and I take lilies.”
Tim nodded his understanding and looked up at the strong woman sitting opposite him. “Unity.”
“Sorry?” She cocked her head slightly with curiosity and watched as he looked back down at the photo.
“Unity. White roses mean unity Momma. It’s fitting.” Tim looked up from the family photo that his eyes had been drawn back too and could see the love and adoration shining brightly in her eyes. “can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure honey.”
“How do you do it? I mean, how do you find the time and money to do what you do?”
“It’s hard, but we get by the best we can. The oldest kids who work help pay towards the house and the colleges around here granted them all scholarships, which helped us out. I never wanted money to hold back their dreams. Oh, and we have a little bit saved up and Colin had insurance that helped no end. When he was here, he worked like a dog trying to provide for us all and refused to let me get a job…” She looked down at the table and sighed sadly. “Guess that’s what killed the old coot in the end. His big ole heart couldn’t take the strain and gave up on him.”
“I’m sorry.” Tim reached over and grasped her hand. “I didn’t mean to dredge up old memories.”
Momma chuckled and shook her head before grinning at him. “It’s the memories that keep me sane, honey. Don’t ever let go of them because ultimately, they’re what keep you going.”
“Momma, I need help over here. We’ve got a possey of bikers just pulled up.” Jed called from the counter where he was working furiously taking orders from the leather clad crew that had just rolled in.
“I’m a coming, I’m a coming…Well, guess that’s my break done with. Tim, it has been a pleasure.” She stood up and reached down to the bump to give it a gentle rub. “You make sure you bring that boy in to see me, you hear!”
“I promise.” With a warm smile, she set off to help Jed behind the counter. Tim picked up his milkshake and groaned happily at the taste.
“You enjoying that?” Jethro sat down opposite him and reached over to grasp Tim’s hand.
“More than you will ever know.” Tim replied happily. “You know, I’m starving. I could eat a horse.”
“Not in my diner, Tim. We only serve the best.” Momma placed their order in front of them and walked back to the counter to get the coffee pot for Jethro. When she returned, she filled up his mug. “And you must be Daddy number 2. I’ve been having a nice chat with your partner here.”
“Yeah? What about?” Jethro nodded his thanks and looked up into the warm face of the woman in serving him.
“Just family. He’s a good boy; you make sure you keep hold of him.”
“I plan to.” Jethro answered happily and offered Tim a warm smile. “I’ve got too much to lose to do otherwise.”
Momma nodded and walked away to go about her day. “So, Timmy. You been making friends.” Tim nodded and filled Jethro in on what they’d been talking about. It wasn’t long before Jethro was sitting there, stunned at what he’d been told. Tim glanced his way and smiled.
"Who were you on the phone to?"
"Dad. He said he's looking forward the visit and to tell you to take it easy." Jethro answered between bites.
"Like I have a choice." Tim said knowingly. "You were out there all that time talking to Dad?"
"Nope." Jethro sighed heavily. "Vance called right after I got off the phone. Said tomorrow is okay, but he wants the paper work on his desk first thing Tuesday morning."
Tim put his fork down and paled at the news. "What....J, Please tell me you didn't say anything stu...."
"I didn't mention it at all. Just said 'Yes sir' and left it at that." he reached over and grabbed Tim's hand and started to rub circles on his palm. "Stop worrying, okay? It’s not good for you two."
"I know. I can't help it, J."
Jethro shook his head. "don't I know it." Tim relaxed at that and picked up his fork to finish his breakfast. The tight knot of worry didn't leave him though, but he did manage to push it back. By the time they were ready to leave, Momma dropped what she was doing and rushed over to them to give them both a hug.
“Don’t forget to stop in with that baby when he’s here. Where are you boys heading anyway?”
“Stillwater. Dad lives there.”
“Well then, you’ll be needing this.” She handed Jethro a flask of coffee and Tim a flask of milkshake with a wink “Just don’t tell Jed.”
Jethro winked at her and smiled. “It’ll be our secret. We’ll stop by on the way home and drop the flasks back into you.”
“You do that. I’ll have the coffee waiting.”
With a grin and a quick hug for the woman, they both made their way back to the car wondering how some random stranger could be so warm and friendly. It was a rarity, but if anything, it taught them both that the world isn’t as harsh as what it seems, and that no matter what, friends and family are the things that truly matter.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.