Chapter 9

Throughout the night Palmer took several group photos as well as lots of just Gibbs and Abby together. Carol and Tony had also brought cameras and all three of them got passed around to everyone to use, so they knew by the time the night was over there would be more than enough to remember the day by.

After sitting down for only a few minutes once she'd had her picture taken with Gibbs and his dad, Abby's attention was drawn towards the main cabin when Kyle and Tony walked out carrying a tray that was piled high with several tiers of cupcakes.

"Oh my…" Abby gasped the instant she saw it.

Her bottom jaw dropped, her mouth remaining open the entire time the boys walked each step closer. She was more than a little anxious as they walked over uneven ground, hoping that neither of them lost their footing.

"Know how much you love cupcakes," Gibbs said, leaning into her as he placed his arm across the back of her chair. "Thought you might like this more than just your usual run of the mill wedding cake."

"I do…and it has a mini you and a mini me on top too," Abby laughed, noticing the small figurines on top.

Gibbs had used photos of the two of them to get custom made designs to put on the highest cupcake; he in his red hoodie and jeans, while the smaller version of Abby had a skull and crossbones t-shirt and black pants.

"Thought you could sit us on that shelf above your computer at work," Gibbs suggested.

"As a reminder of today…I love it…and I love us!" Abby said excitedly, looking at the cake toppers again. "What flavor are the cupcakes?"

"I got a mixture, with a lot of help from Kyle," Gibbs nodded his thanks to the younger man. "So you can try a few."

"You do want me to be able to move tonight right? Cos I wasn't planning on just lying there once I get you into that cabin," she whispered in his ear.

Gibbs' only answer was a smug smile, he wasn't game to say anything with everyone gathered around.

"The top cake is for you and Gibbs," Kyle interjected as the couple got to their feet, Gibbs instantly feeling relieved that everyone's attention had been moved on to something else. "It's coffee flavored…one you can share. And I'll let Gibbs tell you about the surprise."

Abby looked at Gibbs expectantly. "Another surprise?"

"See that red one there?" He asked, pointing to a cupcake on the second layer. "It's caf-pow flavoured."

"Seriously? Can that even be done? And why didn't I know about this before?"

Gibbs chuckled at her reaction. "Well I can't vouch for how good it tastes."

"Only way is to find out then...after we share ours first of course."

Abby took hold of the miniature replica of her and Gibbs and placed them down on the table, then reached out to pick up the single cupcake on the top tier and brought it to Gibbs' mouth, peeling off the black wrapper surrounding the sides. "Think after everything you've done you deserve the first bite."

Gibbs opened his mouth and Abby's gaze smoldered as she moved the cake closer until it reached his lips and he bit down. When he stopped chewing and licked some of the frosting from his top lip Abby couldn't help but stare, her desire to remove it herself with her tongue only halted when she felt Gibbs cover her hand to take the cupcake from between her fingers.

"Tastes good, Abbs."

She grinned as he lifted it closer to her mouth, Abby taking a bite next to where Gibbs had. She nodded vigorously as the flavor exploded in her mouth, the taste of coffee instantly reminding her what it was like to kiss Gibbs…as it always did.

"Go ahead guys," Abby mumbled to everyone, still chewing on her mouthful. "Take your pick…except for the red one," she eyed Tony suspiciously.

"Hey, I wouldn't risk my life for it, promise." Tony held his hands up in defeat, before picking up a chocolate one and wandering off.

Abby watched him go before feeding Gibbs another bite of the coffee cake, this time making the most of everybody else being busy eating or picking their own cupcake and quickly licking some of the frosting off Gibbs' lips.

Once they'd finished that cake between them Abby immediately picked up her caf-pow flavored one.

"I don't care how it tastes, I love you for even thinking of this."

Closing her eyes Abby savored the moment as the cupcake passed her lips, the moistness and sweetness of it as it rolled around inside her mouth making her moan. It tasted better than she'd let herself imagine and as she slowly ate the rest of it her eyes reopened, her gaze settling on the man next to her.

With the expression of utter pleasure on her face Gibbs momentarily wished they were alone so he could drag her back to the cabin and take advantage of her almost orgasmic state. He loved that he could make her feel like that. Usually it was his body bringing out that reaction in her but he would've given anything to be on the receiving end of her obvious state of satisfaction right now.

"God, Gibbs, that was amazing."

"Where have I heard that before?"

She giggled and swatted his arm playfully. "I hope whoever made it still has the recipe cos I'm gonna want more."

"Told 'em you'd be back and they'll have made a friend for life."

Sitting back down Abby wiped her hands on a napkin before lacing her fingers through Gibbs' as he took his seat beside her.

"I don't want this day to end," Abby sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Me neither," Gibbs agreed, kissing the top of her head. "It's not over yet though."

"You think Jimmy will let me borrow his camera later?" She teased. "We could make our own X-rated wedding album, what do you say Marine?"

Gibbs shook his head, though he couldn't hide the slight grin that curved the corner of his lips. "Not gonna happen Abbs, and don't let DiNozzo hear you suggesting that either."

Abby stopped her response when she saw Director Vance walking over to them, his kids on either side of him as he rested a hand on their shoulders.

"I better take these two home, Kayla has a birthday party to go to tomorrow and she won't be happy if she misses out on it."

"Thanks so much for coming Director," Abby beamed, still thrilled that people had made the trip to enjoy the day with them. "And you guys too."

She moved over to both of Vance's children, bending down slightly and pulling them into a tight hug as the five of them started walking towards Vance's car. Since their mother's death Abby had gotten to know Kayla and Jared a little better, especially Kayla, thanks to the director asking for her help with their science projects. Abby had treated it as something he wouldn't ask just anyone to do and it still meant a lot to her now, even months later, that he trusted her to be a good influence in their lives. Something she took very seriously.

"Go hop in the car, I'll be there in a minute," Vance told them once Gibbs had pulled Kayla into his side for a brief hug and shaken Jared's hand.

"I appreciate you inviting us," Vance said, watching the kids get into the car. "Nice to see you both so happy...and to be around good people."

"We're a family Leon," Gibbs stated, "sure we go through rough times but what family doesn't?"

Vance held out his hand for Gibbs to shake, the two men now closer due to the similar kind of heartache they'd endured. "Guess I didn't always see it that way."

Gibbs looked across at Abby briefly, almost not believing how far he'd come himself, it had been a long and difficult struggle but the woman beside him had finally brought him some peace. "I didn't either...it'll take time."

Vance nodded and put his arms around Abby for a quick hug. "Congratulations again...and in case you were wondering Gibbs, I approved your leave."

"What leave?" Abby blurted out, looking at Gibbs with wide eyes and moving out of Vance's arms.

The director chuckled and walked away from them, smirking over his shoulder at Gibbs. "Have fun, I'll see you when you're back at work."

"What leave?" Abby repeated.

"I asked if we could take next week off, thought maybe we could stay here a few days more, just the two of us...kinda like a honeymoon. I'll take you away somewhere later on as well if that's what you want, but I thought since we're already here we could use the extra time to just relax and be newlyweds."

Abby launched herself at him, her arms linking around his neck as Gibbs grunted under the force. "I take it that's okay with you then," he struggled to speak.

"You cleared all this before we even left?"

"Yeah, Vance said it was pending until it was definite we were getting married but I saw the temp head down to your lab after you left work on Thursday night...so I think he was confident you'd say yes."

"Sounds like everyone knew I'd say yes," Abby smiled, kissing him lightly. "What does that tell you?"

"They all think we belong together."

Abby's answer was to kiss him again, murmuring against his lips. "So...you, me, alone here for a whole week..."

"Yep," Gibbs grinned, leaning his forehead against hers. "I suppose we should get back to the party, they'll wonder where we are."

"They'll think I've dragged you off to the love shack, which is a very tempting thought."

Gibbs moved away from her and took hold of her hand, walking past the convoy of cars and back to everyone else.

"So you had a word with that temp right? About how to treat major mass spec and all my babies?"

"McGee said he'd handle it."

Abby stopped walking and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Abbs, it'll be fine, you need a break, let someone else deal with it. No work for either of us for a week…no phone calls unless it's an emergency…just you and me."

"That does sound good…" Abby trailed off, her mind absorbed in what she intended to do with him for the next several days.

"I promised Leyla and Amira we'd drop in on the way home," Gibbs said, breaking into her thoughts. "They were meant to be here but Amira's got a cold and Leyla didn't want to make her travel since she wasn't well…or pass it on to everyone else."

"Aww the poor thing, I'd love to see them, it's a shame they couldn't be here."

Over the last year Abby had gotten closer to Mike Franks' daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Gibbs had taken it upon himself to make sure they were okay and to help out with anything they needed around the house and if Abby was free she always went with him.

She knew Gibbs still missed Mike, but taking care of Leyla and Amira was his way of keeping his friends' memory alive and she could see the genuine affection he had for them both. Abby found that she enjoyed every moment they spent together as well, and she had learnt even more about Mike from the stories they'd all told.

"Mike would've got a kick out of all this…seeing us together and married," Gibbs smiled reminiscently, "always was telling me to get my head outta my ass and tell you how I felt."

"Sounds like him," Abby smiled, weaving her arm around his elbow as they continued walking towards everyone. "He would've loved to see you happy."

Gibbs nodded. "Yep, and that you were the reason."

"And I'm happy that I'm the reason too."

Abby leaned over to kiss his cheek, both of them rolling their eyes at the whistling and cheering that came from their friends as they rejoined the party.

Gibbs kissed her on the forehead and wandered off to get them both a drink and Abby watched as he approached Kyle along the way, patting the younger man on the back, her brother's eyes lighting up at the show of affection from his new brother-in-law.

"Thought you must've dragged him off into the woods," Carol teased Abby, startling her out of her quiet contemplation.

"Almost…though I think it must be getting near the time for us old married couples to leave you young ones to party on."

Carol raised her eyebrow at Abby. "And it has nothing to do with your gorgeous new husband and wanting to get him naked I'm sure."

"Nothing at all," Abby smirked.

"He's a keeper that one," Carol mused looking over at Gibbs. "It's been a wonderful day, Abby."

"The best," Abby said adamantly, in answer to both of Carol's statements.

The day had been unforgettable in so many ways; they still had presents to open but Abby knew no-one would be upset if she and Gibbs left that until tomorrow. She valued the time spent with the people she loved but now she was looking forward to spending the night alone with Gibbs, hopefully with no interruptions and very little clothing.

TBC...