*I want to say thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and followed this story. I am sorry that it has been so long since I have updated, life has a way of mucking things up but I am attempting to get this finished. Thank you for hanging in there and for your continued support and encouragement.
**I own nothing and all mistakes are mine! Not sure I am happy with how this chapter came out but here it is folks.
GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY GABBY
Abby couldn't help but smile when they pulled into the driveway and she saw the extra vehicles that were parked in front of Gibbs house. "I think we've been invaded."
"Yea, the team wanted to give you a welcome home party. I thought it would be nice to have it here."
Abby squealed and threw her arms around his neck, peppering his face with kisses. He stopped her assault by capturing her lips with his. The embrace quickly became heated and neither of them noticed the group watching them through his living room window. The need for oxygen broke them apart after a few minutes and they pulled away just far enough to rest their foreheads together as they regained their breath.
Once he was breathing normal, Gibbs pulled back to look at her. "You ready to face the masses?"
"Yes, let's go see our family and tell them the good news."
"Are we telling them everything?" Gibbs questioned as he placed his palm on her still flat stomach.
Abby placed her hand over his and smiled. She had learned to read him well over the years, always saying more with his body and his eyes than he ever did with actual words. So she easily saw the gesture for what it was, his way of saying he would love and protect her and their child from any threat real or perceived.
"Why don't we just tell them about us for now? We can tell them about the baby after my doctor's appointment."
"Sounds good to me." He placed a gentle kiss to her lips before exiting the truck and coming around the passenger side to open her door.
Gibbs led her through the front door where the team along with Ducky, Palmer, Breena, and Delilah greeted them with a chorus of, 'Welcome home Abby!', 'Congratulations!', and 'It's about time.'
Tony, Tim, and Ziva wasted no time teasing her about the kiss they had witnessed before they turned on Gibbs with warnings and threats of bodily harm if he ever hurt her. Even though they joked, their approval was genuine and heartfelt. To them the question had always been when not if. There was no Gibbs without Abby and no Abby without Gibbs. As far as they were concerned he was hers and she was his and always would be.
Ducky hugged Abby and started one of his rambling stories. Half way through he abruptly stopped talking and grabbed her hand. He turned his eyes towards his long time friend. "Oh dear, is this what I think it is?"
Abby lifted her hand to show the others her ring. Her eye caught Gibbs and they both laughed at the shocked expressions they were receiving. It didn't take long for the shock to be replaced by excited chatter.
Ziva gave Abby a quick hug and smiled at her friend. "I am happy for you. Does this mean that he was not your white fish?" Her question caused everyone to laugh.
Tim stepped in to hug Abby as he corrected Ziva. "The term is white whale, and seeing as she has hooked him I would say he is not." He turned to Gibbs and shook his hand. "You're a lucky man Boss. Take care of her."
"Always Tim." Gibbs gave the younger man a pat on the back.
Tony, unable to control his excitement any longer, pulled Abby into his arms and began dancing her through the house and out the back door while shouting, "I believe this calls for a celebration!" Gibbs and Ducky watched as the rest of the team followed them outside.
Once they were alone the older man turned to look at him. "This all seems rather sudden. Are you sure Jethro?"
Gibbs smiled at his long time friend, noting the look of concern on his face and knowing it was as much for him as it was for Abby. He placed his hand on Ducky's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Never been more sure of anyone or anything in my life."
Ducky met his gaze much as if he was studying him. Instead of the cold icy blue stare that generally reflected back at people; he saw a deep blue sparkling with an openness and affection that he would have never associated with the man that stood before him.
Satisfied with this transformation, he patted Gibbs on the back and smiled. "Well then, I must say you are an exceptionally lucky fellow to have won the affection of someone as truly extraordinary as our Abigail."
"That I am, Duck," Gibbs replied as they walked out the back door to join their family.
Gibbs fired up the grill and cooked the meat while the girls carried out the rest of the food for the barbecue. Thirty minutes later the food was finished and spread out like a feast. They settled in around the table chatting as they ate. Most of the conversation was centered around Abby's trip to Paris and her visit to New Orléans. Eventually the talk turned to wedding plans.
"So when is the big day?" Tony asked.
Abby looked at Gibbs and smiled before answering. "We decided on September 14th. We are going to have it right here. It will be very small, very non-traditional, just family and a few close friends."
They continued to talk about the wedding until the evening light began to fade. Gibbs got up and turned the patio lights on as the rest of them cleaned the table off and put the leftover food away.
The fairy lights twinkled over the makeshift dance floor and a slow melody filled the night air. Gibbs claimed the first dance with Abby. He led her onto the dance floor and held her close as the others watched them swaying to the gentle beat.
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, talking, and dancing. Abby loved spending time with her self made family and tonight had been a wonderful welcome. To her, spending time enjoying each other and having fun like this is what made a family so special.
She knew how overwhelming situations like this usually were for Gibbs though and had expected a much needed retreat to the basement from him at some point. She had watched him closely throughout the evening, gauging his mood. But to her surprise he remained open, relaxed, the light in his eyes never wavered and eventually she quit worrying. There was no doubt that she loved him just as he was but this side of him was a rarity that she would be glad to see more of.
It was well after midnight when the team left. Gibbs and Abby were both exhausted when they finally locked up and made their way upstairs. After stripping off their clothes they crawled into bed. Gibbs wrapped his arms around Abby and they drifted off to sleep.