Kelly and Abby didn't know that Gibbs was staying the night. He'd taken Tony to their bedroom after the sun set, but they figured he would leave after that. Kelly had gotten up in the middle of the night and wanted to check on her Daddy, so she cracked the door open.
Gibbs heard the little girl slip into the room. He wasn't sleeping, just holding his mate. His Mom's idea was sound and good, but Tony felt alone and he was having separation anxiety, and he should. Gibbs was the first person who'd let Tony be Tony and not make him do anything. Tony didn't feel safe without him. That was the problem when he'd called and canceled on going to class on Friday. In the morning Tony, Gibbs and Momma would sit down and talk about how the courting would change but still be courting like a gentleman should.
Gibbs raised his head to the little girl sneaking across the room. It was dark; he could see her but she hadn't seen him yet.
"Angel, over here," Gibbs whispered.
She stopped and stood up and let her eyes adjust to the blackness. "Poppy," she said softly.
"Yes, Angel, over on this side. Don't wake Tony, please."
Kelly walked around, minding where Capp was, and she was now standing next to her father.
"Poppy, you're not allowed to be here."
"Shhh. Grams said it was okay. Now, what can we do for you?"
"I was worried about Daddy and..."
"Okay, honey. It's okay, you're not in trouble. If anything I'm proud of you for wanting to look after Tony."
"Can I sleep in here?"
"Angel, the bed is barely big enough for Tony and me."
"Please, Poppy, I'm small."
Gibbs couldn't say NO to his girls and they knew it. He raised his hand and Kelly climbed over him and lay between him and Tony. He wasn't happy about the distance but Tony moved in his sleep to fit the little girl. Gibbs minded not to smother her between them. He was almost off of the bed anyway; he was on the very edge of it. The moment that Kelly's head hit the pillow she was out. Gibbs just lay there stroking both his charges.
Sometime later in the night Gibbs was awakened by the door opening and he could make out another body sneaking into the room.
"Abby, what are you doing?" Gibbs asked softly.
"Daddy, what…?"
"Shh, go back to bed."
"Is Tony okay?"
"Yes, for now. Kelly's here, too."
"Can I join?"
"Abby this bed-"
"Please," Abby was begging now.
"Where are you going to fit?"
"Don't worry about that."
Abby climbed in at the end of the bed and curled up next to Tony; he moved and now had his arm draped over her. He still didn't awaken. He was safe; he was with Gibbs. Abby was all but off the bed like her father but like her sister she was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Gibbs just smiled: one big happy family.
Gibbs, long passed out, didn't awaken when the door was opened yet again. Momma was looking at the family sleeping in the small double bed. She smiled at the sight and love that was in the bed. She also found it funny that Gibbs and Abby were all but falling out of the bed and Tony and Kelly took up a great deal of room for two people not that large.
"Capp, come on." She patted her side. It was morning and she was going to go let Capp out and start some biscuits and gravy. The dog didn't move. She hadn't been given the right command, plus Capp wasn't allowed to go with anyone but Tony and at times Gibbs was able to get her to go and do things. Momma just watched the dog wanting to come with her but her master was still in the bed. Momma gave up soon after trying, knowing the dog was loyal and wasn't about to leave her charge. She shut the door and headed down and started making them all breakfast.
Okay, who will this change? Her son did know what he had but had just let work get in the way. She hadn't known that Tony was as fragile as he was. His mental state wasn't all that good and he needed Gibbs more than she'd known. She wanted this courting to work, but she also knew that Tony wouldn't let Gibbs out of his arms. She would figure it out, be damned. She also had to take Kelly to the school today. She was going to let her father do that since he was around and not at the motel.
Momma looked up to see her youngest granddaughter in her little Tinkerbell nightgown, looking up all sleepy-eyed.
"Hey there, honey, how's my little angel?"
"Good. Do I have to go to school?"
"Later, honey. Your father will take you to get enrolled if y'all are staying."
"Why would we not stay?"
"Never you mind about that. Go in and watch some cartoons, okay?"
"Yes, Grams." The little girl walked over, gave her a hug and walked back into the living room.
The next to wake was Gibbs, but he didn't leave the bed. Kelly had woken him up. Abby crawled out of bed long enough to go down, kiss her grandmother and get a cup of coffee. Then she joined her sister in watching cartoons but fell asleep in the chair.
"Lee?"
"Yes, Tony."
"What's going to happen now? I fucked everything up."
"Shhh." Gibbs started petting and stroking Tony's arm.
Tony rolled over and was now facing Gibbs. Not that eye contact mattered, but Tony wanted to feel Gibbs breath and heat on his face.
"I fuck-"
"Hush. You did nothing, Tony. You were only expressing your feelings. Never feel you need to say sorry for that. It's okay. We'll think of something. If nothing else we have a few days and we just walk around in the back orchard. The trees are just budding, so it will be nice and quiet out back there."
"What kind of trees?"
"Apples and peaches. Momma makes a great apple and peach pie. You'll get to try it someday."
"I like it here, Jethro."
"Tony, I thought we talked about that."
"Sorry, Lee. See? I'm such a fuck-up."
Tony broke from the embrace and was now sitting. He tapped his side and Capp stood. Tony was trying to put her harness on her but it wasn't where he left it the night before.
"Fuck! See? I can't even-"
"Tony, please lay back down. I want to talk."
"No. Why? You're just going to leave me."
"Damn it, no I'm not. I'm not going any damn place. I mean that, Tony. Please come back to bed."
"Lee, please let me walk away."
"No, damn it, you're worth a lot to me." Gibbs had gotten out of bed and was now standing in front of Tony. "Time to go play," Gibbs ordered Capp.
She looked at her master and then at Gibbs, then ran out of the room. She knew the older gray-haired man would make sure that her master wasn't hurt. Gibbs put out his hand and helped Tony out of the bed.
"Lee, really."
"Yes, really. I'm in love and damn it I'm not letting you out of my life, even if we never leave this damn house you're staying at my side. I will right now call my lawyer and let him know that you're the person who will take care of our girls and the house and the money and whatever you want. Tony, what will it take to show you that I love you that much?"
"Oh, God."
Tony got weak in the knees at Gibbs' declaration, and Gibbs, paying attention, was able to guide him back to sit on the bed. He sat next to him.
"Yes, Tony, I mean it. I also want to court you like I should, like a good Southern boy that Momma raised. You're worth that as well."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why am I worth it?"
"One day I laid eyes on this blind man standing in front of my desk. At that moment I loved you; I can't tell you why. I tried pushing you away, thinking I wouldn't get hurt if I did. I wasn't about to open up my heart to anyone again. I didn't feel I would be good for you. I would treat you like shit and let the job get in the way. Then you got hurt and I had to find you. I had to tell you that I did love you and I wanted to take care of you. I want you to have your independence, Tony, I do, but I want you to be with me and I want to wait on you hand and foot if need be."
"I love you, Lee. The moment I heard you talk to Abby in her lab one day. It was sweet and tender, even if it had your Marine gruffness to it. Then you turned and snapped at Cait but still there was tenderness in your voice. YOU might not even notice you do it with McGee as well, but with him it's more gruffness but there is a soft side to your words as well."
"I don't know what to say."
"Just say you're never leaving me." Tony laid his head on Gibbs' chest and moved up to his chin.
"I'm never leaving you, Tony, never. I will be in your bed wherever that is, be it here or if you really want we can go back to the warehouse and live on the streets. I don't care."
"Thank you, Lee."
Gibbs moved and Tony moved with him so the he was now lying on top of Gibbs. Gibbs had moved to the center of the bed and Tony's head was on Gibbs' belly. Gibbs was smiling and running his hand through his now-official lover's hair. Tony was purring.
"Poppy, Poppy."
Gibbs could hear the little girl running up the stairs, being followed by the big clomping feet of Capp, who was barking at her. Gibbs held Tony, who tried to move.
"Stay," Gibbs said softly.
Tony didn't move after the word from his lover.
"Poppy, are you awake?" Kelly saw the door open and walked in, seeing her fathers both lying on the bed in their boxers. "Daddy, are you okay?" Kelly climbed on the bed and lay next to Tony.
"Yes, honey, I'm fine."
"You look sad. Are you sad?"
"Not anymore, honey. Lee made me feel better."
"Good. I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, too, honey." Tony hugged the little girl.
"Grams told me to come up and see if you're awake and I was to be nice and quiet."
"Well you did, Angel. Tell Grams Tony and I will be right down."
"She made biscuits and gravy. Poppy, do I really have to go to school?"
"Yes, Angel, you have to go to school."
"Why?"
"Honey, you want to grow up and not be able to out think your sister?"
"Abby's super smart."
"Yes, she is, Angel, and it's because she went to school."
"Okay, then I'm going to school, and I can get a job and play in a lab like she does."
"There you go, Angel. Now run on downstairs and let Tony and me get dressed."
"Okay, Poppy." And the little girl did just that, Capp following the little girl since she had not been given a new command. She still knew the older gray-haired man would watch after her charge.
"Okay, let's get dressed and talk to Momma."
"Okay."
Tony sat up and Gibbs got all his clothing out for him. Gibbs just put on his old stuff from the night before.
"Lee, how did you get the sawdust smell?"
"My secret, Tony."
"Bastard."
"Yup. The second B means something." Gibbs waited and watched how Tony got dressed and marveled at the sight of him.
"What?" Tony said, able to feel the intense scrutiny.
"Nothing. I'm just watching at the care you give your clothing and just thinking about something."
"We can always tell them we're not feeling good and just hump like rabbits."
Tony walked closer to where the sound was coming from till he felt the hand and went to the body, then met with Gibbs' lips. Tony pulled Gibbs closer to him. Gibbs was almost tripping over himself. Tony's hand behind Gibbs' head was pushing him into the kiss, Gibbs' hand resting on Tony's ass and his back. They didn't break the kiss till they heard Capp barking from downstairs and they both just smiled.
"No how I want to ‘hump' you for hours. I would rather make love to you for hours. But not right now because we have a family to get to and we need to talk about how I will finish courting you."
Tony started having a panic attack at the last of Gibbs' words. Gibbs held him tight and rubbed his back.
"I told you I'm not going anyplace; you will be with me every night and I meant that, Tony. I don't care what Momma says this time."
Tony started feeling better and got his breathing back.
"Okay, let's go eat, I'm starved," Tony said, taking Gibbs' hand and walking out of the room, counting the steps he took.
Gibbs let the man lead but was paying attention to him the whole time to make sure he wasn't hurt. At the bottom stairs he almost lost his footing but he regained it. Gibbs was now holding him tight. Tony melted into the hold and they stood there for a moment. Abby came walking out and was about to yell up when she saw her dad and Tony. Well both were her dads now really.
"Can I watch when it gets really good?"
"Gross, Abby, I'm your father."
"Well, if you want to split hairs, so is Tony." Abby stuck her tongue out at them and walked back into the kitchen.
Tony could hear Abby mumbling something to someone. Tony broke the embrace and kept leading Gibbs around. They pushed into the kitchen and Gibbs had remembered to grab Capp's harness from the dresser and handed it to Tony, who tapped his side and Capp, being the good service dog, assumed the position. Then after that the dog led him to the table and he took a seat. He could hear Momma working around the kitchen. Gibbs walked over to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
"Lee, can I have a word with you in the other room?"
"No, Momma, you can talk in front of them."
"Jethro, please, not in front of the girls."
"Momma, I think it will be okay." Gibbs turned to his daughters who were sitting at the table, both with a glass of milk in front of them and Abby also with a cup of coffee. "Girls you want to help Tony, right?"
"YES!" they both said in unison and with energy behind it.
"Okay, Momma, go sit, let me get this ready and you can talk."
"But-"
"Now sit and let me do this." Gibbs pointed to the seat.
He'd never talked to his mother that way, but Momma didn't seem to mind; she kissed his cheek and walked over and sat next to Tony. Gibbs got the last of the food and placed it on the table. He made Kelly a plate of food, then made one for Tony, then Momma and Abby, then himself.
"Okay, Momma, what did you want?"
"I'm so sorry, Tony, I never meant you to be hurt like that."
"Like what, Momma? I'm fine."
"Hush. Stop putting on a front for these angels."
"He's not, Momma. We had a talk. Now, how do we keep the courting happening but we break the one big rule?"
"Well, I will not ask you to stay at the motel, but I'm not happy with you sharing a bed."
"Then it's a deal breaker and we leave within the hour for our home."
"Okay, I'm sorry. How about you may share a room but Kelly sleeps with you?"
"I'm sorry, again a deal breaker. It was fun all of us in the bed tonight, but well I almost fell out like five times with just Kelly me and Tony. Plan three."
"Well, how about you sleep with the door open. This way-"
"Deal." Gibbs didn't even let her go on.
"Also at all times Kelly or Abby is to be with you. And you are to still dote on him and give him a gift a day."
"Deal." Gibbs stopped, took Tony's hand and kissed the back of it. "This okay with you, Tony?"
"Yes, I think that sounds lovely." Tony took the fork and started eating, Gibbs not letting go of his hand.
"Okay, none of that now. Do not make me come over there and make you two sit on opposite ends of the table."
"Not happening, part of the deal, sorry." Gibbs smiled. "Kelly, after you and Abby clean up from breakfast, you, me and Tony will head over to the motel and pack up my stuff and then we will stop at the local school and get you enrolled for the last few weeks."
"Why, Poppy?"
"We talked about this already."
"Dad, I could home school her for the last few weeks."
Gibbs glared at his older daughter and her request.
"I'm calling Morrow and telling him I'm not coming back any time soon if at all. I like it here, I always did, and I missed it."
"Balderdash, you're going back to work, missy," Momma said.
"But-"
"Don't but your Grams, young lady. Clear? You can home school Kelly. Call her teacher from her school today and ask about what she is doing and then we will call the lawyer and have him knowing that we took her out of state. Also Tony and I will call the center about not being there for awhile. He is mostly done with the training with Capp, so he won't not be missing much, and we can set up courses out back in one of the fields for practice. Today after we get back we're taking a walk in the orchard. Okay with y'all?"
"Rock on. I love it out there. Kelly I'll show you this great tree to climb."
"Cool. Poppy can I climb the tree?"
"Sure, why not."
"Will you and Tony climb with us?"
"We'll see, honey," Tony said. He knew he wouldn't be able to climb a tree but he didn't want to disappoint the little girl.
They all finished their food, and like Gibbs said, the girls were cleaning up the mess.
"Tony, really, I'm so sorry."
"Momma, you didn't know my history. It's okay. I'm not mad now that we have a new plan. Much like life this will happen; I'm happy for it."
"Good boy." She got up and kissed his forehead and Tony smiled; he'd never really had a mother and now he had a whole family.
Abby made calls to Morrow and the school and got all the stuff she needed and a few web sites for home schooling to get materials. Kelly went with her fathers and packed up the motel room and brought it all back. Gibbs put a few things in a secret spot in the house where he would hide stuff. All the gifts for Tony went there. Gibbs got out the gift he was going to give Tony that day and like a little kid Tony was following him and begging to know what it would be. After he got it wrapped Gibbs sneaked out the backdoor, making sure he was dressed up a little in his polo and slacks again. He went back out to the barn and got more sawdust and rubbed it into him.
Gibbs rang the doorbell. Tony went and answered the door, not knowing who was there.
"Hello?"
"Yes, I'm here to court Tony for the day."
"Please, come in. I'm happy to see you today," Tony said with a smile.
Kelly had come out and now was at Tony's side, holding his hand and with the other on Capp's harness. "Please have a seat in the parlor." Tony and Gibbs walked in, Kelly sitting between them.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you," Gibbs said. "I'd like to know if you would like to accompany me on a walk?"
"I will have to ask my Momma, but I'm sure that will be okay. Can my daughter come?" Tony placed a hand on Kelly's lap.
"I would not have it any other way."
Momma came out with a tray of iced tea. "Jethro."
Gibbs stood the moment she entered the room and took the tray and placed it on the table in front of them. "Momma, how are you today?"
"Good and yourself?"
"I'm great. May your son accompany me on a walk in the orchards?"
"Oh, how lovely, yes. Kelly will be attending with you."
"Yes, Momma, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"May I come as well?" Abby was walking in late.
"Sure, the more the better."
"Good, I'm happy."
"Momma I have a gift for your son. May I be permitted to present it?"
"Oh, by all means."
Gibbs got up and handed Tony the small bag he had with him. "I also have a gift for the hostess. Please forgive me for not having one last night."
"Oh, dear, you shouldn't have."
Momma opened the small box and saw that her son had gotten her a charm. Gibbs had started a tradition with his mother the day he left for the Marines. He'd bought her a charm bracelet and only he would buy charms for it. He would send a charm from all over the world. This time it was a small heart that he'd picked up at the mall when he went shopping for Tony.
"Oh, it's lovely. Thank you very much."
"What did you get, Grams?"
"A charm for my bracelet from my son." And she winked at him.
"Well, I think we should start our walk before the sun goes down. Momma will you permit me to guide Tony without the use of Cappuccino?"
"Yes, I think I can permit that. Kelly you hold your daddy's other hand, okay?"
"Yes, Grams."
With that they took Capp out of her harness and let her walk with them behind or in front; she was just running around. Gibbs had a small bag he'd brought to carry bottles of water. It was warm out but not hot. He also had a blanket in it and a dish for water for Capp to drink from. Gibbs also had a small snack for them all packed before they left and he'd left it on the front porch while he'd been inside.
Tony took Gibbs' arm and Gibbs held him close but with enough room to make Momma happy. It was not overtly invading. Tony took Kelly's other hand and they started out on the walk. Capp was just running in front and having a grand old time. When they got to the orchard – it had taken about 45 minuets to get out there - Gibbs found a spot to place the blanket on the ground. He helped Tony to sit down and he got out the water and the snacks and had everyone a small plate filled with the cookies that he'd brought.
"Abby where's that tree you wanted to show me?"
"Over here, honey, let's go." Both of them forgot they needed to sit with Gibbs and Tony.
"Lee?"
"Yes, Tony."
"Tell me about this place. Describe it to me."
"Okay, well it's full of trees all in rows."
"What's on the trees?"
"Small buds; a few are opening and a few green leaves are there. Then on the ground around the trees is some rotten fruit that somehow survived from last season."
"What color is the sky?"
Tony put out his hand on the blanket and moved it closer to Gibbs' spot. Gibbs saw it and took the hand. Tony, then finding where he was, lay down using his lap as his pillow.
"It's clear and blue as my eyes."
"Hmmm, that blue."
"Yup, and there are some clouds, but only a few."
Capp came over and drank from the bowl that Gibbs had set up for her. Then she walked over and started kissing her master. Gibbs smiled and Tony patted the ground and she lay down, placing her head on his belly. Gibbs was running his hand through Tony's hair and Tony was petting the dog. Gibbs continued to talk about the spot and started going into detail about one tree that was not around this area that had his fort in it. It was about the only time that he'd had a happy memory of his father. He and his father had built it together. Tony just smiled and listened to the story. Tony knew that Gibbs and his father weren't the best of anything. He also knew that Gibbs' father was dead.
"I like it here."
"Yeah, I forgot how peaceful it can be."
"Poppy, Daddy, you're not supposed to be sitting like that," Kelly said when she came back with Abby chasing her.
"We just don't tell your Grams and we all will be okay."
"Dad, come on, you know the rules."
"Okay, you both don't need to gang up on us." Tony sat up with Gibbs' help, Capp moving out of the way.
"You both have fun?" Gibbs patted his lap and Kelly climbed on.
"Yes, Poppy. Abby showed me a fort; it was very cool."
"Yes, it is. You know I helped build that, right?"
"Yup, Abby told me."
"Did she now? So what do you want for dinner?"
"Can we go out to dinner?"
"I think that's a great idea. We can take Grams out. Where would you like to go?"
"Lee, can I get a steak?"
"Sure. I think there's a Lone Star or Outback in the next county over."
"That far?"
"Not that far, Tony. It's about 45 minutes from here, so let's head back so we can go out for dinner."
Gibbs stood and helped Tony up. Then Gibbs proceeded to pack up the blanket and all the trash and the water bowl. Then he took Tony's arm and they walked back. Kelly was riding on Abby's shoulders. After they got home Kelly ran in and started telling Momma EVERYTHING. When Gibbs and Tony got in the house she looked at them sternly.
"Busted," Tony said; he could just tell.
"You bet your hiney you're busted."
"It was innocent, Momma."
"Don't you ‘Momma' me." She popped Gibbs in the back of the head.
Tony smiled, then Momma popped him one and Gibbs smiled.
"Momma, we're taking you out to dinner."
"Oh, no, I'm not dressed. My hair is a mess."
"You look lovely, Momma."
"You have to say that, you're my son."
"You look good, Grams," Abby chimed in.
"But this old frock."
"Then head upstairs and get a new dress on. Hurry now. Tony can eat a horse and I hear his stomach yelling at me."
Gibbs smiled at his mother who walked out of the room and went up and got changed. About 20 minuets later she came down.
"Lee, can I wear the shirt you got me today?"
"Yes, Tony you can. I'll get it for you."
"Thanks, Lee."
Gibbs left Tony in the kitchen and got the shirt from the parlor and he walked back and handed it to Tony. He removed himself from the room and went into another room with Capp's help. When they'd gotten home Tony had put the harness on her again. Then Tony returned and sat at the kitchen table waiting for Momma to come down. When she did they all piled into Momma's Mini Van. Gibbs drove and they went to the Outback.
When they got to the restaurant they asked for a table that was slightly out of the way. The manager sat them herself since the hostess was not sure about the dog. The manager came over and gave them a table that was not in a walkway and only asked them to try and have the dog not be in the walkway. Gibbs smiled and thanked the lady and Capp was almost under the table. Kelly slipped a piece of her chicken to Capp but she got caught and was scolded. She wasn't allowed to do that and she knew that when Capp was working she was not a normal dog.
After dinner Gibbs took them all for ice cream at the local Friendly's. They had a table in the back. Tony and Gibbs shared a large Jim Dandy with Momma's permission and Gibbs fed them both. Momma smiled at the care that Gibbs took with Tony. This was the gentle side of her son. They drove home and put Kelly to bed as her punishment for feeding Capp under the table.
"Well, I'm off to bed as well. I'm tired tonight."
"Leave the door open you two," Momma warned.
"Yes, Momma," they both said to her.
Gibbs walked Tony up with Capp on the other side. The door was left open.
"Lee, thank you."
"For what, Tony?"
"Just for everything."
Tony was getting undressed, making sure to fold each piece of clothing, then Gibbs took it and put it in the laundry basket.
"Tony." Gibbs walked loudly over to him. Tony listened to his love's heavier footsteps, opened his arms for Gibbs to walk right up and hug his lover. "There is no need to thank me. It's I who should thank you."
"Why?"
"For opening my heart to the fact that I'm allowed to love again. Before you, Tony, I had been bound to only have flings, no attachment, just sex. Then you came into my life and well, now I have you and Kelly and Abby and my mother. I have a family."
"I love you, Lee."
And Tony moved for Gibbs' mouth, the older man meeting him halfway. Connected, they stood there kissing till they heard the coughing from the hallway. Abby was more laughing than coughing. They both smiled and Gibbs went to shut the door.
"You can't do that."
"Sue me." Gibbs smirked at his daughter. He shut the door and locked it.
"No, Jethro, open it. That's the rule."
"Tony, you're sure?"
"Yes, I want our first time to be special, and I'm kind of weirded out by making out in your old room with Momma and our daughters only a few feet away."
"Okay, Tony."
Gibbs unlocked the door and opened it up. Momma's door was now closed and the reading light was the soft light under the door. Gibbs got into bed and watched Tony feel his way into bed. Gibbs lay on his back and Tony laid his head on Gibbs' chest and fell asleep listening to Gibbs' breath and his heartbeat.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Will Gibbs give into his mother