YOU COULD BE THE REST OF MY LIFE
A/N: More from Christmas Day... and they get a chance to talk.
Chapter 6 – Clearing The Air
By the end of the day, any reservations Gibbs may have harboured about having a houseful on Christmas Day for the first time in 20 years had eased.
He'd actually surprised himself by how much he'd enjoyed the day, and he could see that Jackson had been thrilled with having what felt like a family Christmas again.
The snow had ceased overnight and he and Tony soon had the path cleared out front by the end of the morning. He left Tony and Luke building a snowman in the backyard, which soon deteriorated into a boisterous snowball fight, with Jethro charging around in the snow with great enthusiasm. When all three staggered back into the house, it was a toss-up which one of them was wetter.
After lunch, they decided to walk to the nearest park if only to give Jethro some more exercise.
Jackson insisted on staying at home. He was no longer that confident on his feet in snow and ice, and also wanted to start preparations for Christmas dinner, ushering Abby out of the door and brushing off her protests when she offered to stay behind to help.
Abby borrowed one of Gibbs' sweatshirts as an extra layer, pointing out, much to his amusement, that she'd only packed her case with clothes for New Orleans not Siberia.
At Luke's insistence, they took a football to the park and it didn't take much persuasion for Tony to join him in a game of catch. Gibbs and Abby strolled along, watching the pair as they played, Abby using the excuse of the snowy conditions to slip her arm through his.
The irony of being able to talk about what was happening between them more freely in this public place rather than in the privacy of his own home didn't escape Gibbs.
As they walked, it was inevitably Abby who found her voice first.
"Are you okay with this? With us?"
"Yeah... more than okay."
Gibbs had no reservations about his actions this morning... only that they'd been interrupted before they could talk properly. And without a houseful, he'd have wanted nothing more than to stay in bed all morning and show Abby how he felt.
"And you know how I feel about you, right?" Abby pulled him to a stop and stepped close, gazing up at his blue eyes.
"Gettin' there." He took in her rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and dazzling smile and only just restrained himself from kissing her.
"You know I love you, Gibbs. I mean I tell you I love you all the time but I'm in love with you, you know that, don't you?"
"Beginning to." Gibbs covered her hand where it rested on his chest. "I'll try not to screw it up but you know I'm crap at relationships." Not that that was likely to be news to Abby but he felt the need to be honest for once.
She looked up at him earnestly, "It takes two to screw up and two to make things work too."
"Abbs, you know what a bastard I can be... second B remember?"
"Well... yeah." She rolled her eyes at him, a smile curving her lips. "You say that like it should be news to me, Gibbs. After ten years, I think I know you by now."
"It's different being friends... different than coping with a bastard like me in a relationship," he told her, honestly.
"You mean the bastard who shuts people out, who thinks he can cope with everything on his own, the one who doesn't think he deserves to be loved again, the one who rarely discusses his feelings." Her voice was warm and tender as she teased him.
Gibbs ducked his head in acknowledgement of her words, lips quirking in a half smile, "Yeah, that one."
"Well, I've news for that man. I love him just as he is and I don't want to change him. And if he thinks all of the above means that we shouldn't even try to make it work, then he's gonna have an argument on his hands. I'm willing to give it a go if you are?"
Abby hooked her arm through his again as they moved on, leaning her head on his shoulder, relishing the solid feel of him against her.
"Then I'm a lucky bastard." He turned to press a kiss into her temple.
And she was right. She deserved that much, that he'd try... that they'd both try to make it work.
"I've wanted you for so long, I can't think of a time when I didn't. Ten years, Gibbs... ten years we've been friends and that's why I think this can work."
Her voice was thoughtful as she tried to verbalize what she'd thought through so many times on so many lonely nights.
"We know each other so well already... both good and bad. I know you're cranky and demanding and unpredictable. Well, breaking news, Gibbs. So am I. I know you need your space and time to yourself and silence, in the same way that I need my own space, and my music, as a way of coping with stress.
"Got a lot of baggage, Abby."
"Me too. And my relationships haven't exactly been a success either, in case you hadn't noticed?" She threw him a rueful smile. "I'd like to try, Gibbs, because if we don't explore this connection we have... this sizzle... then I've a feeling I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
She paused, her eyes were shining, her love for him clear in her expression...
"And I've a feeling you could be the rest of my life."
His throat tightened, unable to reply as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him.
Brushing his hand across her cheek, Gibbs whispered, voice thick with emotion, "Promise I'll try."
She nuzzled into his hand, "Then let's see if we can't muddle through... together."
Before he could answer, they were distracted as the football, several snowballs and then an excited Luke came flying their way, followed soon after by a breathless Tony. Gibbs succumbed to Luke's pleas and took Tony's place to give him a break, throwing a brief smile in Abby's direction as a signal they'd continue this later.
Tony flung his arm round Abby's shoulders, laughing as he watched his boss toss the football with skill and distance and both Luke and Jethro take off in hot pursuit. "Did I ever have that amount of energy?"
Abby cocked her head to one side and pretended to consider as she slid her arm round his waist, "Hmm, I'm struggling to remember if you ever had, Tony."
"Hey, are you sayin' I've hurtled into middle age real fast, Abbs?"
"You said it, Tony," chuckled Abby, "Not me."
"Hey..." Tony protested, tickling her and she squirmed away, giggling. "So... changing the subject rapidly and moving right along, anything you want to share with the class, Miss Sciuto?"
She looked away from his perceptive gaze, "Don't know what you mean, Tony."
"Hmm, and there was me thinking that I saw a little extra sparkle in those emerald eyes this morning." Tony nudged her arm playfully. "Something brought on by sharing a mattress with a certain silver-haired Marine perhaps... even if nothing hot could happen with a chaperone?"
"Tony... don't joke." Abby struggled to find the right words, biting her lip. "It's too important."
"Hey... gorgeous, you know I'm only teasing." Tony pulled her close and kissed her head.
The last thing he wanted was to upset his best friend.
"If he has come to his senses, you know I'd be delighted... now if only I'd taken that bet off Jackson on the date you two would finally get together, I'd now be able to collect fifty bucks." He was rewarded by a chuckle from Abby as she swatted him on the arm. He abruptly sobered, "I'm pleased for you, Abbs... really."
"I know, Tony." She threw her arms round him in a bone-crushing hug and Tony laughed as he hugged her back.
"Although you realize I'm risking life and limb, or at the very least serious concussion, by even touching you... "
She giggled as she drew back, grinning. "Then we'd better move on before Gibbs sees you."
They walked on in companionable silence for a few minutes before Tony broke it, his tone serious. "But if Gibbs hurts you, I shall have to set Ziva on him, got it?"
She chuckled, but could see beyond the joking front to Tony's concern. "I doubt you need anyone to stand up to Gibbs when it really matters, Tony. But I don't think it'll be necessary. I'm a big girl now... and besides, how d'ya know I won't hurt him." She came to a halt and looked up at him earnestly.
He snagged her hand and pulled her along, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Not gonna happen, Abby."
When they returned to the house, even Luke was showing signs of being tired, although he did rouse himself when his mom and dad rang. While Jethro curled up in front of the fire, Tony pitched in to help Jackson cook Christmas dinner, both refusing anyone else's help.
After they'd eaten, Gibbs and Abby insisted on cleaning up while Tony hooked up the DVD player so they could all watch a movie.
Laughing at the banter coming from the living room as Tony and Jackson argued over movie choices, Abby smiled at Gibbs as she finished drying the dishes.
"Well, you didn't expect to escape It's a Wonderful Life, did you?"
"No, I guess not," he said, shooting her a boyish grin. "Nice to see Tony relax."
"Yeah, you get the real Tony on days like this, not one of his many masks." Abby reached over to flick the coffee maker on. "Oh, and I rang the airline this afternoon. My flight's okay for tomorrow."
"I'll run you both to the airport," offered Gibbs, taking her hand and entwining their fingers.
Tomorrow was going to come round far too soon for his liking.
"It'll be nice to see Luca and my friends, but I can't help wishing I wasn't going... not yet... not now."
Gibbs glanced towards the other room before stepping in to crowd Abby against the counter, arms braced on either side of her.
His nearness was intoxicating as she leaned back into him, the low voice in her ear raising goosebumps along her neck as he nuzzled against her. "Me too. Want you back here... alone... and in my bed."
When Abby carried the coffee through, Jackson was ensconced in the armchair and Tony lounged at one end of the couch, with Luke sprawled on the rug in front of the fire, reading.
Gibbs threw himself onto the couch and after handing out the mugs, Abby looked between Tony and Gibbs, smiling, "I think I'm gonna be the filling in a very tasty sandwich... and you should be in bed young man," she threw over her shoulder at her nephew.
"Aw, can't I stay up a bit longer, Abby? It's Christmas."
Gibbs bit back a grin at the all too familiar pout and puppy dog eyes Luke was using on his aunt.
He'd obviously learnt from the best.
And from the twitch of her lips as she tried to suppress a smile, it seemed that Abby recognized it too, as she settled on the couch between Tony and Gibbs.
"Okay," she threw up her hands, laughing. "But if I know you, you'll be asleep soon anyway."
Abby beckoned Luke over and he crawled in next to her on the couch, leaning back against Abby with his legs across Tony's lap, as he cued up the movie.
Predictably, Tony kept up his usual running commentary during the film and it wasn't long before Luke drifted off to sleep, cuddled into Abby's side.
Abby was the next to nod off, head against Gibbs' shoulder and he slipped an arm round her, shifting slightly into a more comfortable position. He'd not paid much attention to the film but was acutely aware of the woman leaning on him.
Tony couldn't help grinning at the sight, glancing across at Gibbs' father.
Jackson watched them, feeling a lump rise in his throat.
The last time he'd seen his son in a similar position was with Shannon and Kelly.
When Abby woke again, the movie was over.
She yawned and looked round, smiling up at Gibbs when she realized his arm was around her and he gave her a soft smile. She glanced down at Luke, still fast asleep against her side.
Tony beckoned to her, "Let me take him, Abbs. I'll put him to bed."
Tony slid his arms round the young boy and lifted him carefully off the couch, trying not to wake him. "Come on, bud, time for bed." Luke stirred but merely looped his arms round Tony's neck as he carried him upstairs, head on his shoulder, still half asleep.
Abby watched them go with a fond smile.
After Tony had settled Luke in bed and returned downstairs, it wasn't long before they all decided on an early night. As enjoyable as the day had been, they were all reminded just how exhausting it could be when it was a child's Christmas Day too.
Abby wrapped her arms round Jackson when he stood up and the older man looked moved as she thanked him for making their Christmas special. Gibbs saw his dad struggling with words, eyes shining, and had a feeling that having a houseful had made his father's Christmas.
TBC...