After another two hours, Tim was getting accustomed to Abby's wailing and was beginning to know when to expect her contractions.
Ducky had arrived about twenty minutes earlier and was talking to Tim's dad when Tony and Gibbs came into the room. Abby smiled at them, her face looking tired.
Tony took her hand. "Hey Abbs. How you holding up?"
"Pretty good. The doctor was in a few minutes ago and said I was just about ten centimeters and could go at any time."
"Cool."
Tony looked at Tim, who looked more frazzled than Abby. "Hey Tim, you ready for this man?"
Tim smiled. "You bet."
Abby moaned again and Tony stood watching as she panted and groaned her way through another contraction. After she relaxed again, he brushed his hand across her cheek.
"Want me to kick his butt for you Abbs?"
Abby laughed. "No, don't worry. He'll have plenty of time to make it up to me."
Abby looked over at Gibbs, who was standing a little behind Tony with a grin on his face.
"hey you, are you going to say hi or are you going to stand there all day?"
Gibbs laughed and walked over to her side.
"Of course I was going to say hi. How are you doing? McGee here taking good care of you?"
She smiled when she saw Tim flinch. "Of course. Don't worry Gibbs, he knows the consequences if he doesn't."
Abby laughed then inhaled sharply. Her body tightened in a way it hadn't before. She cried out in pain.
"Ahh, Tim, get the doctor!"
Tim started to panic so Becca went to get the doctor.
"What Abby? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Just feel like I want to push. Baby's coming!"
"Really?" he asked almost stupidly.
"Yeah Tim, that is what we are here for you know."
Everyone laughed as Tim blushed. Abby wailed again.
"Oh God Tim. It really hurts!"
"Come on Abby. Don't get all freaked out on me now honey. I don't know what to do here. You have to help me out."
Tim held her hand, tears running from his eyes, as she cried out again. To his surprise, Gibbs laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax Tim. It's going to be just fine."
Tim looked at Gibbs, grateful for his encouragement, and smiled.
Becca returned with Doctor Alexander. The doctor quickly went about checking on Abby.
"So I hear you feel like pushing. That's good. Well, the baby's head is down and ready to go. Let's get you set up to push Abby."
The next few minutes were a flurry of activity. Doctors and nurses hurried in and out of the room. The guys had excused themselves after wishing Abby and Tim good luck and were waiting in the hall.
Becca and Tim's mom had stayed with Abby and Tim as Abby was prepped to deliver the baby. Abby had wanted Tim to hold her, so he had carefully climbed up on the bed with her. He was now sitting up against the back of the bed. His legs were bent and Abby rested between them, her back braced against him and her legs up against his. Everything was ready to go and Abby began the difficult task of pushing.