Chapter 7
They slid into the car after leaving Ducky, and as Jethro moved to start the car, he suddenly stopped, turning to Tony, still feeling some anxiety flowing from him. "Okay, son?" he asked softly.
Tony nodded, giving Jethro a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Dad, I'm okay. I just … if you don't mind, I don't think I want to talk about what happened today right now. I just want to tune it out for tonight, if that's all right."
"Sure, Tony, no problem," Jethro responded easily. "Whatever you wish." As he pulled out, he added casually, "You know, Abby and Tim went fishing today. I can just imagine the stories we're going to hear tomorrow …"
Tony laughed. "Oh boy! If I remember, last time Tim lost his balance trying to reel in a fish and took Abby into the water with him. Let's hope they did better this time!"
And so the conversation went, light and commonplace, and Jethro could feel the tension leave Tony as they talked about the normal activities in their lives.
After enjoying a leisurely dinner at a favorite local diner, Jethro and Tony happily but wearily returned home. After more hugs and murmured words of love and affection, they both retired to their beds, happy to put the tumultuous day behind them. Jethro, exhausted from the roller coaster ride of strong emotions, thought he would fall asleep almost instantly. However, he was restless and unsettled, haunted by the "what if's" and how close things had been to turning out differently. After an hour of tossing he slipped out of bed and padded quietly down to Tony's room. Opening the door slowly, he silently entered the dark room and viewed his son, who was lying comfortably in a tangle of sheets across his bed, breathing softly and deeply. Jethro stood by the bed just watching Tony, unable to leave his side, still rattled by the close call and the unthinkable outcome that could have resulted. He was grateful Tony was sleeping peacefully and there were apparently no nightmares to disturb him this night.
He gently straightened the rumpled sheets and tucked the covers warmly around his sleeping son, then reached out to caress his unruly hair, smiling when Tony unconsciously nestled into the touch with a sigh of contentment. His blue eyes took in the small gauze bandage on Tony's forehead and the wrapped wrist, and he blew out a breath at how lucky he was to escape with only minor injuries. Leaning forward, Jethro placed a tender kiss on his forehead and then sank into the chair beside the bed for a while, soothed by his son's easy breathing, keeping quiet vigil over his boy and just enjoying the precious gift of his life.
After about an hour Jethro decided reluctantly to head back to bed although he still wasn't sleepy and wanted nothing more than to stay by his son's side. Just as he stood and was turning to leave, Tony stirred and Jethro found a pair of sleepy green eyes blinking at him.
"Dad?" Tony asked drowsily, rubbing his eyes with a yawn. "Everything okay?"
Jethro smiled. "It is now," he said softly, reaching out to touch Tony's cheek.
Tony smiled back and studied his father for a moment, his eyes warm with understanding. He scooted over on his bed and opened up the blanket invitingly. "C'mon," he murmured with a light laugh. "You need sleep, too."
With a grin, Jethro slid onto the warm bed, leaning on the soft pillows crushed against the headboard, and gathered Tony against him. Tony lay his head on his broad chest and listened to the soothing rhythm of his father's steady heartbeat, comforted as always by the strong arms around him, and gave a contented sigh. Even though he was probably too old to be cuddled by his dad, he didn't think he'd ever want to give up these special moments. "Night, Dad," he whispered, eyes already slipping closed.
Jethro tightened his hug briefly and dropped a kiss on his son's soft hair. "Night, Tony," he returned quietly, his own eyes closing. His boy safe and warm in his protective hold, sleep came easily now …
