Chapter Ten: It Won't Be Like This For Long (AU)

He didn't have to wake up

He'd been up all night

Laying there in bed listening

To his newborn baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee

He splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says

It's gonna be okay

Jethro was laying in bed, not able to get to sleep. He hadn't been to sleep since he woke up at 2:00 a.m. because of his newborn daughter crying.

Caitlin Abigail Gibbs was born just two days ago, at 6 pounds 5 ounces. She had her mother's green eyes, and from what they could tell, a tuft of brown hair like her dad used to have. Apparently, though, she liked to not sleep.

He looked at the clock and noticed it was 5:30. He'd might as well get up now.

He walked downstairs and turned on the coffee-maker before going back upstairs to the bathroom. He ran the water for a few seconds before splashing it onto his face. God, he was tired.

He felt arms wrap around his waist. He turned around to see his wife looking up at him, tired but happy.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, Jen, I'm fine," he replied. "Just a bit tired."

"It's gonna be okay," she said.

"I know."

It won't be like this for long

One day soon we'll look back laughing

At the week we brought her home

This phase is gonna fly by

So baby just hold on

'Cause it won't be like this for long

Four years later 'bout 4:30

She's crawling in their bed

And when he drops her off at preschool

She's clinging to his leg

The teacher peels her off of him

He says what can I do?

She says now don't you worry

This'll only last a week or two

Jethro woke up when he felt someone crawling up the bed. He looked down to see Caitlin. "What're you doing?" he asked.

"What?" Jenny asked, waking up beside him. She noticed Caitlin. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I had a bad dream," she said.

"Come here," Jethro said, holding out his arm so she could go up and cuddle next to him. He stroked her back soothingly. "It's okay," he said.

Jenny curled up on the other side of her, wrapping her arms around both her and Jethro. The three of them slept for the next one and a half hours.

Jethro was driving Caitlin to her first day of preschool. When he got there and gave her a kiss goodbye, she clung to his leg.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Don't go, Daddy," she said.

The teacher came over to him. She peeled Caitlin off his leg. "Look at all the toys over there," she said, pointing at the box filled with toys near a couple of other children that were playing.

The toys got Caitlin's attention, and she went over to them while Jethro and the teacher talked.

"What can I do?" Jethro asked.

"Don't worry," the teacher said. "This'll only last a week or two."

It won't be like this for long

One day soon you'll drop her off

And she won't even know you're gone

This phase is gonna fly by

If you can just hold on

It won't be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager

And at times he'll think she hates him

"C'mon, Dad!" 16-year-old Caitlin Gibbs said. "Why can't I go?"

"Because I said so!" Jethro said. "You don't need to go to that drive-in with him!"

"But Ari's so sweet! He wouldn't try and get lucky!" Caitlin whined.

"I don't care what you think he thinks! He's a teenage boy. What else is there to say?"

"Oh, my god, Dad! I hate you!" Caitlin screamed. She ran up the stairs and into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Jethro sighed loudly in frustration. "She's gonna drive me crazy."

"Jethro, be easy on her," Jenny said from behind him. "She's not going to be 'Daddy's Little Girl' forever, you know."

"But he's 18! She's only 16!"

"So? You're nine years older than me," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He did the same. "She's 16, though."

Jenny laughed. "Just let her go, Jethro. So what if she gets laid? Give her the protection lecture if you're that worried." She kissed him softly. "Don't be such a hard ass."

"Fine," Jethro grumbled. He let go of her and walked up to his daughter's room.

He knocked on the door cautiously. "Caitlin?"

"Go away!" she yelled.

"Kate, I just want to talk."

He heard the lock click and he prudently pushed it the door open. Caitlin was sitting on her bed, her back to Jethro. He walked over and sat down beside her, putting his arm around her.

"I've decided to let you go to the drive-thru with the boy," he said.

Caitlin turned around with an excited expression on her face. "Really?"

"Yeah," Jethro said.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Caitlin squealed, hugging him. "I have to get ready! Oh, what am I going to wear?" She gave him another hug. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too, Caitlin."

Then he'll walk her down the aisle

And he'll raise her veil

"You ready?" Jethro asked his daughter.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Caitlin said. She put her veil down over her face.

The music started up, cuing the bridesmaids and the flower girls. The music changed into the traditional wedding march of the bride, and Jethro walked Caitlin down the aisle. When he got to the end, he lifted up her veil and passed her over to the groom. She smiled and kissed her father's cheek before turning to the preacher and her husband-to-be.

But right now she's up and crying

And the truth is that he don't mind

As he kisses her good night

And she says her prayers

Jethro woke up from his dream to hear his newborn daughter crying. Jenny mumbled into the pillow beside him.

"I'll get her," Jethro said, getting up and stretching before heading over to the crib and picking his daughter up. She quickly quieted down and Jethro placed her back in the crib, kissing her forehead quietly. "'Night, Caitlin." She started crying again and he sighed. He picked her up and brought her back over to the bed, setting her down beside Jenny. Jenny looked at their daughter, smiling. Jethro lay on the other side of Caitlin.

He lays down there beside her

'Til her eyes are finally closed

And just watching her, it breaks her heart

'Cause he already knows...

It won't be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by

So, he's trying to hold on

'Cause it won't be like this for long

He watched his baby finally fall asleep. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and he sighed with happiness. Finally, peace and quiet.

He picked up her sleeping form and placed her back in her crib, where she finally stayed asleep.

He went back over and lay down beside his wife. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

"It won't be like this for long," she said.

"I know," he said. "And it breaks my heart."

It won't be like this for long.

A/N: I took a quick break from suggestions and I just had to do this song. I love it so much. The next chapter is a suggestion given to me. It's a little weird, but bare with me! Please R&R!

Song - It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker