Hey guys, so a quick thing before the chapter begins. I finally broke down and got myself a Beta. It took almost three years, but I really needed a second set of eyes to find all the things I managed to miss.
So, 26hannah26, thank you so much for helping me, please excuse the craziness I am bound to write, and here's hoping you are okay with helping me with future works. Because I am bound to write a bunch more NCIS stories:D
Enjoy the chapter...
NCIS
Tony managed to get sprung from the hospital two days before he was supposed to leave. The doctor made him promise he'd take it easy, avoid any strenuous activities, and to make a follow-up appointment in a few weeks.
Abby drove him home, careful of every bump and turn, talking nonstop about how she was going to take care of Tony. About how she was going to nurse him back to health. He could think of a few things his 'nurse' could do for him, but he doubted she'd agree. Not when he had stitches in his gut.
Letting the thought go for now, it wasn't like he would die if he didn't get lucky, he let his mind wander to the past few days. Abby had said yes, they were getting married. It was a little surreal; the two 'commitaphobes' getting married. At least the team took it well. Tony had been expecting some drama, or at least some tears. Where were the damn tears?
"When are we going to tell your dad?" Abby questioned, dropping Tony back to reality. He looked over at her, hoping she was joking. He wasn't ready to tell his father, he wasn't sure if he'd ever be ready to tell his father. They were getting along better now, after Thanksgiving, but Tony still had mixed feelings towards the older DiNozzo. There was only so much he could forgive, despite what he had put down on his bucket list.
"I mean," Abby continued when DiNozzo neglected to answer. "He will be my family soon, just like Luka will be yours."
"Did you tell Luka?" Tony asked curiously.
"I was going to call him tonight. I was just waiting until you were released from the hospital. And I was hoping you'd tell your dad. Or we could tell them both together. I mean, it doesn't necessarily have to be a solo thing, now. We are going to get married and…"
"Abbs, breathe," Tony said, cutting her off. He drew in a breath and continued, "Look, if you want to tell Luka, tell him. I really don't mind, but I was hoping to wait on telling my dad."
"Afraid I'm going to pull a Julia Roberts?" Abby flashed him a smile, and he shook his head, rolling his eyes. She sighed, "If you don't want to tell him, that's fine, but he's going to need to know eventually. He's your father, Tony. He deserves to know."
She had a point, but didn't Tony deserve to know when his father married those few times they weren't talking? Granted, Tony's father probably didn't see those marriages lasting. His longest marriage, Tony's mom notwithstanding, lasted two years. And he couldn't even remember the woman's name.
But in order to patch things up, for him to actually cross off number ten, would be to start with this piece of news. As much as he didn't want to, he knew he had to tell his father.
"You realized I'm right, didn't you?" Abby questioned smiling. He didn't respond. She laughed and mumbled, "I love being right…"
NCIS
That night, after Abby had gone to sleep, Tony shuffled toward his living room. He was still sore from his injury, sudden movements pulling his stitches and making him feel uncomfortable. He grabbed his phone off his coffee table, scrolling through his contacts. He hit send on a familiar name, putting the phone to his ear.
It rang three times before he answered, "DiNozzo?"
"Dad?" Tony said after sucking in a gust of air.
"Junior, is that you? How've you been? I haven't heard from you in a while."
Earlier Tony had made a list of what to tell his father and what to keep from him. The engagement made it on the list, the stabbing didn't. It was best not to worry the old man, especially when he was going to be okay. There was no lasting damage, no need for panic. He was fine.
"Dad, I have news," he started after taking another breath.
"You knocked Ziva up?" Tony flashed back to his father's visit, when he asked Tony when he was going to 'sweep Ziva off her feet.' Tony and Abby had been together around that time, and Tony had 'forgotten' to tell his father. He had thought Abby would say something, but it seemed with a murder rap hanging over his head, Anthony DiNozzo Senior didn't have time for social calls.
"Not exactly," Tony replied slowly lowering himself onto his couch. "But I am getting married."
"To Ziva?" It was like his father wanted Ziva in the family. He was actually glad she and McGee were together, otherwise Senior may try to pursue her after Tony's news. He shook his head at the idea of having Ziva as a step-mother. It was a very disturbing thought.
"No, Dad, not to Ziva," Tony responded, running his free hand through his hair, pulling on his stitches.
"Then who? You met someone else?" It was genuine curiosity in his father's voice. Tony hadn't heard that in years.
"Abby, Dad. I'm marrying Abby."
It was quiet for a few seconds, before Senior slowly said, "Abby? The girl who wears all black?"
"Yeah, Dad, that Abby," Tony replied rolling his eyes.
"The pigtail, Abby?"
"Yeah, Dad."
"Who works in the lab?"
"Yeah." Tony was starting to get annoyed. His father had met Abby a couple times; he knew exactly who his son was talking about. Silence followed again before Senior chuckled and, just as Tony predicted, said, "You think Ziva…?"
"She's with McGee, Dad."
"Damn." The whispered swear word made Tony smile slightly.
"Does this girl make you happy, Junior?" his father questioned, his tone serious. Again, he was curious, not demanding. Tony wasn't used to this kind of thing from his father, and he knew it was going to take a lot of time before he did get used to it.
"Yeah, Dad, she does," Tony responded nodding. He leaned into the couch, running his hand through his hair a second time.
"Then congratulations, son."
"Thanks dad…"
NCIS
Thanks for reading guys. I know I haven't been keeping up with my updating lately. It's just Christmas is coming up and my brain is just like 'I don't wanna write, meh.' But me and brain are going to have a serious talk and after Christmas I will try to make updates not so far in between.
So, again, thanks for all the reviews, alerts, and just plain reading you are amazing.
I own nothing, though maybe ownership will be in my stocking this year (ah, a girl can dream :D)
PEACE OUT...