Well now that DCE is done, I'm starting a new story. Yes, I know, I still have to finish Healing is a Process, and I will. But I wanted to get a chapter or two of this one.
I've decided to put Motherhood on Hiatus, I just have no inspiration left for that one and I would hate to give you something that I put no effort into. But, as a makeup for Motherhood, I'm giving you another Tiva baby fic. Its a lot different than Motherhood and will (hopefully) be a little more in character.
As a little teaser, I'm labeling this 'eventual tiva'
And theres McAbby in it too. But its a weird McAbby, complicated and will all be explained.
Okay, without further delay, the first chapter of my story.
Abby lets out a soft sigh as she looks at her reflection in the full length mirror that stands before her. Combing her black-nailed fingers through her low pigtails, she tilts her head to the right, staring unsurely at the image that lies before her.
Yes, Abigail Sciuto is in a wedding dress.
Its her mother's, with an extra, longer skirt added because of her height difference. Its a simple, pure white dress, covered in soft fabric that holds a tight fit around her breasts and flows the rest of the way down to her ankles. The material around her chest forms a crisscross pattern that makes its way up and over her shoulders; the sleeves cover both her shoulders entirely. And her pigtails are held in place by two curled ribbons each; one black, one white.
She is tempted to pinch herself again, but as she looks down to her ivory toned wrist she sees a small red mark and remembers she pinched it too hard last time.
She fixes her bangs and moves her hand slowly down to the silver spider pedant in the front of the thick black ribbon Ziva suggested she use as a choker. The metal is cold against the touch of her finger, but the slight shiver relaxes her.
She turns around just in time to hear a soft knock at the door and she's praying its Ziva; she could really use a hug right now.
But at this moment, its even better.
"Well if McGee gets cold feet, I might just have to marry you."
"Tony!" she squeals, rushing towards him, latching her arms around his neck. He's caught off balance momentarily and they begin to sway side to side, but as soon as he has them steady he returns the hug, digging his head into her neck and kissing her shoulder softly. "I missed you so much." she makes out as best she can, seeing as half her lips are pressed against the bottom of his ear.
She releases him from her loving death grip but still has his hands clasped in hers. Her entire face is lit up with glee as she speaks and Tony feels kinda like Santa right now. "I thought you wouldn't make it! I can't believe I doubted you. I promise, it will never happen again." she speaks faster than usual and she hardly finishes her sentence before she engulfs him in another tight embrace.
"I could never miss a golden opportunity to embarrass McGee when I give my best man speech." he smiles. "Didja get my post cards?"
"Only every single one of them! I can't wait to come visit you. Rota looks amazing."
"Maybe when I get a little more settled in, I've only been gone 4 months." She notices his subtle glances towards the back room. The light it bright and he can see her shadow moving against the wall.
"She's changing." Abby makes it clear she's caught on. He meets her eyes, giving her a smile, covering up his embarrassment. "She hasn't called you about anything, has she?" she asks with curious eyes.
"We email...sometimes. I saw her in MTAC last month." he hides his sadness.
"She misses you. I know she won't say it, but she does." Abby assures him, rubbing her hand up and down his shoulder comfortingly.
He twitches a smile. "You really do look beautiful Abs." he says softly, causing a smile to form from her lips.
"You know...its not an exclusive marriage..." she teases, her index and middle finger walking up his arm in mock seduction.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything." her voice makes his pupils dilate.
He turns his head towards the door frame to the back dressing room, finding her slim frame leaning against it, that gorgeous smirk plastered proudly on her face.
Abby laughs, patting Tony on the chest before returning to the vanity to reapply her cherry red lipstick.
His eyes oh-so-unsubtly inspect her and she mirrors his stares. Its only been four months, he doesn't expect much. Her dark red bridesmaid dress flows elegantly, but does not stick to her body in any place but her chest, which is exactly what she wanted, and needed. And he hates being a pig and noticing, but her breasts are definitely somewhat larger and her straps are doing the best they could to hold them firmly in her dress. He directs his attention to her face as she crosses her arms in front of her chest. Her loose curls frame her face, but there is one loose strand he wants so bad to push back behind her ear.
She too looks him over and find he hasn't changed much either. The Rota sun has done good to his skin, giving it another bronze layer, but it is not overbearing. His face is freshly shaven and his hair is neatly parted to the opposite side that usual.
He shines an infamous smile her way and she hasn't let her smirk drop.
"Hey." he grins.
She purses her lips and walks towards him, his eyes growing brighter. Her arms are still crossed tight in front of her chest and she brushes past him, shoulder grazing shoulder. She makes her way towards the vanity where Abby is and tucks the loose strand behind her ear. Abby's eyes meets hers in the mirror and the bride to be gives her a knowing look. Ziva merely shakes her head in response.
"Shouldn't you be making sure McGee is not having a panic attack?" Ziva asks playfully as she turns around, meeting his gaze once again.
"I missed you." he informs her as she closes in on him. And in an instant, her hand is wrapped softly around his arm.
"I missed you too." she whispers softly, letting go of his arm. "Now go calm McGee down." her eyes shift towards the door.
"I'll meet you at the aisle." he calls out before closing the door.
Abby gets up and turns herself fully around as soon as he leaves. She faces Ziva, a worried look on her face. "I thought you were going to tell him."
She sighs, taking Abby's hands in her own, squeezing them tightly. "This is your and McGee's day. And you should enjoy it. I am not going to cause a stirdown today."
"Stirrup." she corrects with a smile. "Fine. But tomorrow?"
"Perhaps."
"No." Abby's voice is sharper than she expected. "Tomorrow. Thats an order. Or I'll get Gibbs involved." she warns.
"You would never." Ziva presses, eyes thin and sharp.
"Oh, I would." she smiles.
Ziva lets go of her friend's hands when she hears the music begin to play. A devilish smile creeps along her face as she picks up her bouquet of red roses. "I think its time." She hands a different bouquet of all black ones to Abby.
"Shit." she swallows. "I'm getting married."
The bride looks terrified, but Ziva knows she will calm down once their silver-haired fox comes in to give her away.
She rubs her shoulder. "I am going to go, you relax. You are doing an amazing thing." she gives her a light peck on the cheek.
Abby nods and smiles as she watches Ziva leave.
She walks out the mahogany door into the simple Maryland chapel, bumping into Gibbs on her way out. He shares a caring look with her, squeezing her hand as he continues into the dressing room to pick up Abby.
Ziva is met with Tony's arm out for her, which she takes ever too easily. "I didn't want to say this in front of Abby, but you look absolutely stunning." he tells her sweetly.
Her her eyes shift to the corner and she gives him a small smile in return.
"Ready to walk down the aisle?" he asks, pushing the door open.
And Ziva pretends she is glad this is a small chapel, and an even smaller ceremony.
(2 Hours Later; Wedding Reception; Ducky's Backyard)
Abby thanked every god she could think of that today had been a warm summer day. The sun beats softly down upon the reception with a few clouds in the otherwise blue sky. Homemade lanterns and bats hang from the trees and simple dark wooden tables and chairs are scattered around the middle area that has been set up as a small dance floor. The tables are covered in deep, crimson red tables cloths and matching colored bows are tied around the the chairs. As a last minute touch, Ziva had scattered black, lightly glittered rose petals around the white lanterns that held as centerpieces.
Ducky opens up his kitchen to keep the food away from any pesky bugs, birds, or squirrels and his wine cellar to Jethro, and at this point, maybe Tony.
Abby and McGee are on the dance floor, sharing their first slow dance of the evening. They have moved from the position of his hand on her hip and her hand on his shoulder, to both her arms wrapped around his neck and his around her waist. Her head is nestled softly in his neck and he kisses her temple.
"You look beautiful." he whispers, holding her tighter.
She giggles in his neck, sending a ripple of goosebumps up to his ear.
"I feel like you're trying to earn brownie points."
He laughs. "And why would you think that?"
"Because thats the sixth time you've told me that today. And yes, six is accurate. I've been counting."
She picks her head up from his shoulder as the music fades. A light applause comes from the audience. Tim holds her head in his hands and looks at her lovingly. His eyes melt into hers and she remembers why she's doing this. He kisses her passionately, feeling her smile on his lips.
As the next slow song comes on, a few more couples join them on the dance floor. Abby assumes her position wrapped around her husband, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Thanks again for doing this." he whispers softly.
Her eyes move to the table where Tim's mother is seated. She's fragile nowadays, and a lot weaker and shyer. The chemo had done had taken her hair, but the wig that was donated by a friend looked quite natural. Despite her weight loss and much more pale appearance, she tries her best to look good today, and Abby thinks she looks amazing.
"The look on your mom's face is totally worth it." she meets his face a brushes a tear from his face. Neither can tell whether its a sad or joyful tear.
The circumstance surrounding their wedding were fragile. They had been together almost two years before McGee's mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 4 months ago. With Sarah having surprised the family (and herself) and delivered a baby boy with her on again, off again boyfriend, Mrs. McGee had fulfilled one of her two dreams that she wanted to live to see. The first being living to meet her first grandchild, and the second to see the man or woman at least one of her kids would spend the rest of their life with.
McGee had brought this up to Abby one night as she held him, trembling. But he had never meant it as a suggestion, or even put the slightest amount of pressure. She had brought it up a few days later, with a few conditions of course.
She figured McGee was the man she wanted to be with for the rest of her life, whether they were husband and wife or best friends. She knew Tim was the man she always wanted in her life.
They opted for an open marriage, even though they were together. Abby just hated commitment, so he wanted to make sure that she didn't feel completely committed to him, although as of now, she only wanted to be committed to him.
"Your mom seems to be having fun too." he smiles, motioning behind her.
She turns her head to find Gibbs and her mom dancing. Gibbs had cracked a grin and her mom is smiling the widest Abby has seen her smile in a long time. It makes her burst into chuckles.
"Kinda wish my dad were here." she admits solemnly.
He pulls her in tighter. "If he were here, he'd say the same thing I've been telling you all day." he looks right into her hazel eyes. Taking a breath, he lets go of her and signs: You are beautiful. I love you.
She puts a hand up to her heart and smiles "You're so cliche." She then signs back I love you.
...
"Come on, you gotta to give me at least one dance."
Ziva looks up from her cheese and crackers to find Tony's hand extended towards her. She crosses her arms in front of her chest instinctively. She meets his eyes slowly and a smile forms on her face.
Though reluctant, she eventually takes his hand.
He kisses it gently and she gives him a strange look. "I think you've been soaking too much rays in."
Tony laughs. "Soaking in too many rays?"
"Exactly."
His right hand intertwines with her left hand, while his left hand lingers on her waist and her right hand is on his shoulder. They are close, but it seems every time he moves even an inch closer to her, she subtly moves back.
"This kinda reminds me of prom." he earns a laugh from her.
She has watched enough John Hughes movies with him to know how an American prom went.
"Ashley Gregory." he reminisces aloud. "Cept she wasn't nearly as beautiful as you."
Beautiful.
Not pretty, not sexy, not balmy.
Beautiful.
A smile tugs at her lips.
"You're pretty quiet."
She shrugs.
"Last time we were this close you weren't so quiet." Tony teases.
Her eyes open wide. "Tony!" she says quietly, but there is surprise in her voice. She definitely hadn't expected that.
"Oh, come on, I'm just having some fun." he quickly wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her in and by the time she pushes back, his confused and surprised expression has told her its already too late.
She pauses, her worried eyes meeting his innocent ones. Taking a breath, she does not even flinch when he pinches the material hanging by her hips and slowly presses it against her stomach. He lets go of the fabric as soon as he sees the small, but defined stomach.
He laughs, but he doesn't know why.
Her mouth tastes like pennies.
"Can ninja's even gain that much weight?"
"Tony..." she pulls him over to a table, sitting down and making him sit down next to her. She faces him, hand in hand.
"Tony..." she tousles her own hair, unsure of what to say. She takes a deep, exhausted breath. She knows he knows what she's going to say, but he's making it hard. And she doesn't know whether he's doing this to torture her or he's genuinely beyond words. "That night..." he knows exactly what she's talking about. And she's only bring it up to avoid him wondering for even a second who the father is. "I got pregnant.
It seems like hours before either of them had taken a breath. Tony heard no music. Ziva only felt Abby and McGee's eyes taking turns watching them.
He swallows hard and avoids eye contact for a few minutes. "You're...pregnant? Like with my kid?"
She nods.
He takes a sharp breath inward, rubbing his face harshly.
"I'm sorry." But its sounds more like a question than a statement.
"I'm keeping the baby." She makes the extra effort to not call the baby it.
"Wow." He can no longer tell his words apart from his thoughts. He mumbles something inaudible.
"This is why I avoided telling you this today. I just want to enjoy the rest of the night." she places her hand on top of his. "I have accepted this already." she smiles softly. "I think I may want this." She finds herself a bit frazzled by her own statement.
"I'll let this settle. But you are an adult. And we are in an adult situation." her voice tightens. "And frankly...I cannot do this alone."
Her eyes meet his and he is surprised by the fear he finds in them.
So?
Suppoer long right? Jah, I know. Almost 3000 words. Shit...
Next chapter should be up soon, but I have to do my brother's science fair project this weekend so I'm not sure if I'll have so much time, but I'm going to try. I'm liking this story. And I also wanna work on Healing is a Process for you guys.
Review?