As unbearable as the waiting was for Jimmy and Maddie, it was far better than the wait for Kelly's results. Having a child in surgery was purely terrifying but at least they knew what the problem was and an appendectomy was a relatively simple procedure. Kelly was a tough girl and Jimmy just knew that she would be out of surgery and back with her mommy before he knew it.
"Have you guys heard anything?" Gibbs asked reentering the room.
"Not yet" Jimmy replied.
"The doctor said it could be up to two hours. Depending on if the appendix had ruptured or not." Maddie explained.
"She gonna be OK if the appendix ruptures?" Gibbs asked.
"She should be OK. I don't think it's ruptured." Jimmy replied.
"That's good to hear." Gibbs replied.
Jimmy took Maddie into his arms and she rested her head on his chest. Her golden blonde hair flowed out on his arms. He could smell the shampoo that she had used. It was a key-lime, strawberry scent. He recalled Breena buying it a few times. The last was when she was pregnant with Tori but either her hormones had given her sensitivities or an ingredient had been changed. Because her scalp was covered by a horrific rash. She had thrust the bottle across the bathroom and the liquid had oozed out all over the floor. Jimmy had calmly cleaned up the mess, given her some cream for her scalp, and held her in his arms until she calmed down. At the time she had thought that it was just pregnancy hormones. Now he couldn't help but wonder if the outburst was a symptom of her disease.
"Jimmy? Are you alright? Why are you crying?" Maddie asked.
"Breena used that shampoo. The one you are using." Jimmy explained.
"Oh I am sorry. Do you want me to change it? I have a travel bottle of shampoo in my car and there should be a shower in Kelly's room." Maddie explained.
"No it's fine. I like it. It just brings back memories." Jimmy explained.
"Memories are good. As long as you don't get too caught up in them." Maddie replied.
Maddie was nearly asleep in Jimmy's arms. Seeing her so relaxed put him at ease. Careful not to disturb his sleeping girlfriend. Jimmy lifted his arm and looked at his watch. He was shocked to see that only half an hour had passed since Kelly had been taken back to surgery. It felt as if hours had passed.
"Maddie Tyler?" The doctor called..
"Over here." Maddie yawned.
"I am Dr. Finch and I preformed your daughter's operation." Dr. Finch explained.
"How did it go?" Maddie asked.
"Everything went perfectly and Kelly is in recovery right now. She should be moved to a regular room within the hour and as long as you are quiet. You will be able to see her right away." Dr. Finch explained.
"Excellent" Maddie replied.
"That is the best news I have heard all day." Jimmy added.
Tony woke early the next morning and made sure that both his and Christina's bags were packed. He carried his bag down to the car but left Christina's bag beside her bed. When he got back to the room he discovered that Salvatore was screaming his head off. After checking his son's diaper and trying and failing to burp him. Tony realized that his son was crying for food. He gently shook Christina awake. Tiredly she sat up and took the baby into her arms.
"You hungry, Tory?" Christina asked.
"Waaahhhh" Tory cried.
"OK well be patient." Christina warned.
"DiNozzo's aren't patient when it comes to food." Tony reminded.
"Now you tell me. A little warning and I would have gone with the formula." Christina sighed.
"Formula takes longer." Tony reminded.
"Fine but you are in charge of feeding when he gets older." Christina warned.
"Deal as long as you take why Cooper has too mommies." Tony explained.
"Who's Cooper?" Christina asked.
"Kid with gay parents I made up to illustrate an awkward parenting situation." Tony explained.
"OK well I will handle gay parents but you are telling him where Sparky went and you are forbidden from telling him that he went to a farm." Christina replied.
"Sparky?" Tony asked.
"The dog we adopt, then it dies, and one of us has to explain death to Tory." Christina explained.
"We are getting way ahead of ourselves." Tony remarked.
"We are I mean he's two days old. He doesn't have any idea about romantic love or dead pets. He just needs to know that he is loved by us." Christina replied.
"I know, sorry for overwhelming you little fella." Tony apologized.
"He forgives you." Christina assured.
Christina was finally released after lunch. Tony helped her change the baby into the little blue "I Wasn't Born Yesterday" onesie they had selected to bring Salvatore home in. A nurse came in the room and helped Christina into a wheelchair. Then Tony carefully placed little baby Salvatore into Christina's arms. He picked up the diaper bag that Christina had brought and slung it over one shoulder and then grabbed the overnight bag Christina had brought her things in, with the other hand. He wheeled Christina down the hall and into the elevator. When they got down to the lobby he went out and pulled the car around. They got Salvatore loaded into the car-seat and then Tony helped Christina into the passenger seat. He climbed into the driver's seat and headed home.
"I can't believe we are finally a family." Christina remarked.
"I know, it's wonderful." Tony agreed.
Jimmy stood in Kelly's hospital room. He had ordered Maddie to get out and get some air. She had not left her daughter's side since the toddler was moved into a regular room around one that morning and Jimmy knew that she needed a breather. While that was one hundred percent true, Jimmy had an ulterior motive in sending Maddie out of the room.
"Kelly?" Jimmy called.
"Wha Jimmy?" Kelly asked.
"Would you like to help me with a special project?" Jimmy asked.
"OK" Kelly agreed.
"Great, when your mom gets in here. I want you to put this shirt on your teddy bear and then give it to your mommy. Can you do that?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes!" Kelly cried.
Jimmy handed Kelly the special shirt he had bought for Kelly's new teddy bear. Before walking over to the door and waiting for Maddie to return. Twenty minutes later Maddie walked back into the room and gently kissed Jimmy on the lips. She walked back over to her daughter's bedside and took a seat. Jimmy nervously smiled at the toddler, who then slipped the shirt on the bear and placed it on her mother's lap.
"Here mommy, from Jimmy." Kelly said.
"Oh Jimmy wants me to have your teddy bear. That's cute." Maddie remarked nervously.
"Look at shirt!" Kelly cried.
"Can Jimmy be our daddy bear?" Maddie read aloud.
"Well can I?" Jimmy asked.
"Aw this the sweetest thing ever. Of course you can." Maddie squealed.
A/N: Jimmy probably did move a little fast but sometimes fast is good. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.