Section 18

Tony moaned softly as he tried to stretch out his back muscles. He moaned again as firm hands gently began to massage the area. He tilted his head letting warm lips nuzzle under his ear.

"Told you I'd help you shower." Jethro stopped the massage and put his arms around Tony holding him carefully against him.

"Figured I'd get a head start. Our little angel over her diva moment?"

Jethro snorted. "Sound asleep."

Tony laughed, too. Linnie randomly chose moments when she wasn't hungry, wasn't sleepy, didn't need a diaper change; to start crying pitifully. A cuddle stopped the crying but only until they went to put her back down. Tony had dubbed it a "diva moment." The moment Jethro started the shower, they had heard the pitiful cry. Due to Tony's restrictions, Jethro had went to scoop their daughter up and shower her with love and attention.

"Good. I think I could use a little attention." Tony felt his husband's hand move lower. He moaned for an entirely different reason. "Jethro, I …."

"Wah!"

"No!" Tony banged his head against his husband's shoulder. "Chris," he whined. "He shouldn't be hungry yet."

"I'll go change him." Jethro briskly wiped off the water and then wrapped a towel around his waist.

Tony finished washing but Jethro hadn't returned, leaving Tony to take care of the situation himself. Toweling off and pulling on his robe, he entered the bedroom area where he could hear Jethro talking to their son.

"..you think? Well, I'll tell you what I think. You know that bear skin rug your daddy keeps talking about. I'm going to let him buy it. Yes, I am. In fact, I'll get Uncle Tim to order it for him. What do you think about that? Then I'll let him take those baby pictures of you playing on the rug. Let's see if you get any when we show that picture to all your future girl-friends…"

"Jethro, do not talk to our son about s..e..x…What's daddy saying to you? Hmmm…" Tony scolded. "Was he wet or dirty?" He asked smiling down at the baby.

"Neither. Our son appears to have adopted Linnie's habit." Jethro stood as Tony held out his arms when Chris tried to turn his head to see him. Jethro waited for Tony to sit down in the rocker before handing him Chris. "He's a bit fussy, but not warm and doesn't appear to have gas."

"What's the matter?" Tony pulled Chris close listening to his low grumbles. "Hey, sweet boy, I'm here." Trying to focus on Tony's face, Chris pushed his head against Tony. Tony carefully shifted his son so that Chris' ear was close to his father's heart. Chris instantly stilled. The baby lay there for a minute and then gave a big sigh. "I'm here." Tony began gently rocking. Chris gurgled.

"Spoiled already…" Jethro shook his head.

"I think he's still a bit upset over the hospital." Tony said rubbing his son's back.

"Or he just wants his mommy…"

"Jethro…" Tony snarled trying to keep his voice down, "I am not the mommy."

"Tobias had a point, we can't both be daddy." Jethro leaned against the bathroom door frame. "It would get very confusing."

"I guess." Tony sighed. "Jimmy says that it wouldn't be good for Linnie and Chris if they became accustomed to us using the mommy/daddy titles and then when we switched..." Jimmy had sat down with both of them to discuss the situation. The running joke had been funny but they needed to make a decision about what the twins would call them. Neither wanted to cause any issues for their children.

"It would cause even more problems when they start school." Jethro added. Both men knew the twins would be targets for bullying simply because of their marriage. "Unless you want to start wearing a dress and baking brownies." He said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"I've told you before I look good in a dress," Tony retorted. "And I already bake the brownies."

"And very good ones at that." Jethro paused to wonder if there were any left, before adding, "...so, who's going to break it to Zuma that you aren't his mommy?"

Tony glared at his husband and changed the subject. "Did you see the breast milk Brenna dropped by earlier?"

"What milk?"

"She had a bag when she stopped by after work earlier." Tony explained. "I thought she brought milk and put it in the refrigerator, but I didn't see it earlier."

"I thought she already dropped a supply off this week."

"Maybe she dropped extra off?"

Jethro shook his head. Six months ago, he would have thought it crazy to imagine people just running in and out of the house. Their family were often in and out dropping off little things for the twins, sneaking a cuddle or picking up a care package from Tony. He thought back, he had been helping his dad with supper when Brenna made her quick stop. She hadn't gone near the fridge but… She had come into the bedroom.

He glanced around the room finally noticing a bag on the shelf under the changing table. "That must be it. Wonder why she brought it in here. Hope it has an icepack on it." Jethro crossed the room and lifted the bag out. Walking over to the bed, he sat down on the corner close to Tony. "I'm thinking the god-mother was on a little spoiling trip." He showed Tony the gift box inside. Jethro started to hold out the box, but Tony shook his head.

"You open it. I don't want to disturb Chris now that he's settled down."

Jethro smiled at the sight of his son contentedly listening to Tony's heartbeat. He knew how mesmerizing it could be; especially late at night when the house was silent and he held his husband close.

"Jethro?" Tony urged. "The box?"

Placing the box on his lap. He lifted the box lid. On top of the tissue paper was a small notecard which he picked up and read aloud. "Tony & Jethro, I hope I'm not being too forward. I saw these when I was out to lunch and thought it might solve the problem with the twins. No pressure. Just trying to be a good godfather. Jimmy."

"A problem?" Tony frowned. "What problem could the twins have?"

"Let's find out." Under the tissue were two bagged objects. Jethro picked up one and pulled out a coffee mug. The mug had the United States flag on one side and on the other in bold lettering, it said "Daddy." Intrigued he laid it carefully next to him after showing it to Tony and picked up the other bag. It also had a coffee mug. This time it had the Italian flag. Turning it, Jethro smiled. It was a problem solver, if Tony agreed.

"Let me see." Tony prodded.

Jethro held up the mug showing the other side. This mug said "Papa." The two men looked at each other. "Daddy Jethro. Papa Tony." Jethro said trying out the titles.

"Papa. Daddy." Tony repeated.

"What do you think?"

Tony rubbed Chris' back and smiled at his husband. "I think Jimmy gets a gold star on his godfather chart."

"You know that means Tim will be trying to outdo him."

"Well, you did say he could order the bear rug." Tony coaxed Chris to shift so he could see his son's face. "Daddy was being mean, wasn't he?" Chris grumbled in response. "Yes, he was."

"So, papa…" Tony looked at Jethro when he spoke. "Have you figured out why Chris is fussing?"

"I think he just wanted to cuddle. Is that it, Chris? Did you just want Papa to hold you for a while?" Tony stroked the tiny cheek and was rewarded with a gurgle.

Jethro saw the adoration in Tony's eyes echoed in Chris'. He spared a minute to wonder why no one had ever seen the true Tony but was grateful they hadn't. Tony belonged to him now. And to Linnie and Chris… And dad… and Zuma… and… Jethro stopped the train of thought in its tracks. Tony had a family - period and so did he. "Well, why don't I leave the two of you to cuddle while I grab a quick shower and then we can cuddle?" Tony gave him a loving smile.

Jethro heard the snore when he turned off the shower. He dried and put on a pair of boxers before exiting the bathroom to find just what he expected. The sole occupant of the bed lay sprawled taking up the major portion of center of the bed snoring contentedly. Shaking his head, he looked towards the crib. Chris lay sleeping contentedly, his head once again positioned to listen to his dad… papa's heartbeat. Tony had fallen asleep, holding Chris securely, making Jethro wish for a camera.

Another loud snore interrupted the magic moment. With a shake of his head, Jethro began the process of nudging Zuma to the foot of the bed so that he and Tony could join him. Sleepy growls met his initial efforts. Finally, the pup opened bleary eyes to whine at him. "Come on, Zuma. Tony and I need a bit of the bed, too." Jethro had known from the first night this would happen. Sleeping with a new born pup was a lot different than sleeping with an adolescent dog. He could foresee having to have a special bed made for the new house to have room for two toddlers, a grown Zuma, Tony and himself.

Having finally cleared enough room, Jethro went to put his son in bed. Carefully, he pried Chris from his husband's arms. Chris gave a bit of a snort but a gentle pat on his back soothed him. Jethro laid him carefully on the mattress on the opposite end from his sister. He blamed the humidity in the air for his misty eyes. His son. His daughter. It still made his breath catch when he thought about it. One last look and then Jethro turned to wake his husband only to find Tony looking at him with misty eyes.

"Son thief." Tony joked.

"Bed thief." Jethro countered, pointing over his shoulder.

"We may need a bigger bed." Tony smiled as he gratefully accepted his husband's help up.

"Two words." Jethro smirked. "Puppy bed."