Chapter 12

After working being over, Tony is in the parking lot, walking to his car. As Tony walks to his car, he sees his father waiting there for him.

"What do you want?" Tony asked as he approaches.

"I just wanted to talk." Mr. DiNozzo said.

"You may wanna talk, but I don't."

"I know that missing your wedding…"

"No you don't know, Dad!" Tony exclaimed. "You have no idea how it felt for me to not have my own father show-up at my wedding."

"So what you said on Monday about me being…"

"Of course you being at my wedding would've meant something me. Something more to me then just what my coworkers and boss meant. You're my father. How could your presence not?"

"I just…" Mr. DiNozzo sighed.

"I know our relationship has always been..." Tony paused. "I can't even think of the right word for it."

"Odd comes to mind."

"Odd works." Tony agreed. "There are times when I hate you so much. Then there are other times when I just wanna give you a hug. But ever since Mom died, you…"

"Pushed you away… I know."

"You took Mom's death so hard. And I tried to be there for you."

"I know."

"You've always been obsessed with the Civil War. But when my Mom died, your obsession increased."

"The Civil War was always my means of escaping everything, even when your mother was alive."

"You sure as hell tortured me with your means of escape." Tony said. "You wanna know the funny thing… Jamie loves to learn, so she would be intrigued by your Civil War stories." He laughed.

"There's nothing I can do or say to make up for missing your wedding. I've used your mother's death as an excuse for far too long." Mr. DiNozzo stated. "On Monday, when I came here and you yelled at me, which got me thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"Until that day, I didn't realize how bad our relationship has become. So starting next week, I'll be going to a psychologist twice a week. I know I have to work thru some unresolved issues over your mother's death."

"That's good. It'll help."

"I just hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive your old man."

"I really wish you were at my wedding, Dad."

"I know, Son. A wedding is a once in a life-time thing." Mr. DiNozzo said. "Well, once in a life-time may be un understatement cuz there's such a high divorce rate. But I hope that never happens with you and Jamie."

"I know it won't."

"You and Jamie should come over for dinner Sunday night so I can finally meet her."

"What about your, every Sunday night Civil War meeting?

"I'll skip it. Besides, I can always go next weekend."

"You mean it?" Tony smiles as he's happy.

"Yeah. I'd love to have both of you over for dinner this weekend."

"Then we'll be there."

"Good. And I'll pick my best Civil War stories for her."

"I bet she'll love em." Tony laughed.

"You never stood up to me before, like you did on Monday. You definitely grew some balls." Mr. DiNozzo stated. "Jamie must be one hell of a woman."

"She is."

"Do you need to go anywhere right now?"

"I was just gonna go home. That's all."

"I have some time before heading out, so you wanna take a walk with me? I'd love to hear all about my daughter-in-law."

"Sure, Dad."

Tony and his father walk away from the car. They go for a walk down the street and Tony tells him all about his wife, Jamie.

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Once Tony finally arrives at home, Jamie is fixing a late dinner while Chioke is trying to figure out how to turn the TV on so he can watch, The Lion King. As the door opens and Tony walks into the apartment, Chioke runs over to him. While running to Tony, he's holding the movie in his hands. When he gets to the door, Tony lifts Chioke into his arms. Chioke waves the movie in Tony's face.

"Let me guess, you wanna watch The Lion King?"

Chioke smiles and nods his head in excitement.

"We'll watch the movie after dinner."

With Chioke in his arms, Tony walks into the kitchen where Jamie is preparing food. Tony kisses Jamie on the lips.

"It's gonna take a while." Jamie said. "So you can give him a bath now, if you like."

"What do you think Kid?" Tony asked. "You wanna take a bath now?"

Chioke nods his head. Tony brings him into the bathroom. He turns the water on in order to fill the tub. Chioke watches as the water begins filling the tub. As the water begins filling the tub, Tony notices Chioke is becoming a little anxious.

Chioke's heart beats rapidly as in his mind; the water is turning red from blood. Chioke turns the water off then climbs into Tony's lap. Jamie runs into the bathroom.

"I just realized, you've never given him a bath before." Jamie stated.

"He's shivering." Tony said.

"He did the same thing with me the first time. He's obviously afraid of water." Jamie said. "Let the water out and keep the drain open so water doesn't accumulate. Sit him in the tub and use the showerhead. The detachable showerhead should make it easier."

"I wonder why he's afraid of water."

"In time, he'll let us know."

Jamie walks out of the bathroom in order to finish making dinner. Tony holds Chioke in his arms until the water is drained from the tub. Chioke takes his clothes off. He finally steps into the tub and sits down as Tony grabs the showerhead. With the drain kept open, Tony turns the water on and begins given Chioke a bath.

After Chioke's bath and the three of them sitting down to eat dinner, they all sat down in the family room and watched the movie, The Lion King.

Almost two hours later, Tony is putting Chioke to bed. Chioke's bed is setup in the corner of the family room since it's a one bedroom apartment. After tucking him in, Tony goes to stand up, but Chioke grabs his arm.

"You want me to stay until you fall asleep?"

With somewhat of a sad facial expression, Chioke nods his head. Tony sits down next to the bed and stays there, holding Chioke's hand until he falls asleep.

Eventually, once Chioke is sleeping, Tony quietly leaves the family room. He enters into the bedroom and gets into bed. Tony and Jamie stay up talking for about an hour before going to sleep.

Later in the night, in the family room, Chioke is in his bed tossing and turning. Once again, he's having a nightmare. His facial expression is of pure anguish and heart beats rapidly as his breathing becomes heavier. He also begins trembling.

In Chioke's mind, he hears the sound of gunfire. Then his mother yells; 'Run Chioke! Run!' The dream continues a little longer, until he hears the sound of one last gun-shot, then a splash of water. While still sleeping, Chioke begins gasping for breath as blood and water fills his mouth, making it hard to breathe.

Finally, Chioke wakes up. He's breathing heavily as tears fall from his eyes. After wiping his tears away, he gets out of the bed. He walks to the bedroom where Tony and Jamie are sleeping. Chioke walks into the room. He walks over to the side of the bed where Tony is. Chioke stands next to the bed looking at Tony. He then places his hand on Tony's arm and shakes him. Tony wakes up and turns a small lamp on. Tony notices Chioke is crying.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

Chioke nods his head. Tony sits up, grabs a tissue and wipes Chioke's tears away. He then pats the bed to let Chioke know he can sleep in the bed with them. As Chioke climbs into bed, Jamie wakes up. She lifts her arm and Chioke crawls under her arm. Jamie wraps her arm around Chioke as Tony turns the light off. Tony then moves closer to Jamie and Chioke and also wraps his arm around him. In the comfort of Tony and Jamie's arms, Chioke closes his eyes and goes to sleep. Eventually, Tony and Jamie close their eyes and go to sleep to.