Hey there guys,

I am back again, for the very last time!

As you know if you read the last A/N, this is going to be the very last chapter of this story. I know it's sad... But you also know if you have read the A/N's that i will be making another sequel! :D

Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter! I loved them and it's so great to know you guys enjoy the story. :)

Well i say for the last time for this story... Enjoy your reading!


So many things have happened since I came to live here. I have seen people arguing and fight! I have seen them cry because they were sad, that was a very bad period, someone of my age shouldn't see that. Though I don't think I will remember that as I get older. But most of all, I have seen them laugh and smile. The house where I live has changed, since the first time I came here. There are many photo's of the people who live here now, there is a stall in the living room where I stay, but still can't get out! Hmm. But My room is great! It was a little girly at first, but they changed it. Everywhere I can go, I find toys! That's good because I discovering new things.

So I can say, I am a happy boy. And guess what? Today it is April 7th again. My birthday. One whole year on this planet and so much I have seen, especially now that I can crawl perfectly and walk little steps. Mommy was so proud when I showed her how far I could. From one side of the couch to the other. Then I fell on my tushy. But it didn't hurt, just a little startled and mommy's kiss made it all better. And there's so much more I am going to see, once I gets bigger and bigger and grow up into a big boy!

My mommy's name is Olivia, and she is is the bested mommy anyone can get! She goes to the park with me, feeds me and a little while ago I discovered there are more things to drink or eat than milk! She buys new toys for me, every few weeks. She puts me to bed most nights. And change that stinky diaper whenever I have done a poop. But most of all she loves me... and makes sure that Mr. Teddy doesn't get lost in the big house, since I can't hold him all the time.

There is Gampa Gibbs. The man is very interesting. He is much bigger than Mommy and many people are scared of him. Maybe it's because he has funny hair... I don't know. But I don't think he's scary at all. He's a really nice man, that scares away the monsters! He helps mommy a lot. He has a big nose though and I hope mine isn't going to be that big. Oh, and he tickles me! But the best thing he does is when he sings really nice when I have to go sleep and he puts me to bed. I don't know why people are scared of him.

Then there is Tony. Tony is a really funny man. He is also big, just like Gampa Gibbs. He makes me laugh all the time. He makes weird noises, throws me in the air. I swear I can fly a little! Maybe if mommy would let us practice some more... She's scared that I will fall, but Tony always catches me, if I get tired of flying. He lets me see funny things on the big moving window. That thing is magic! Just like the window with the boy on the other side, that does exactly the same thing as I do!

They have friends too. And sometimes they come over. They are really nice too, but this is my family. The best family I can get. What weird is though, is that sometimes I see two other woman. I try to tell it, but those words mommy, Tony and Gampa speak are waaay too difficult for me. They don't understand me, so sometimes I point, but then they turn and just frown! Like they aren't there. So weird.

Anyways... The older woman's name is Shannon and she tells me beautiful stories about rainbows and stars and clouds. The other woman is much much smaller! I have never seen such a small woman. Well, not before we went to the park. Her name is Kelly and she tells funny stories about Gampa Gibbs!

My name is Mason Joel Surray and I have the bestest family in the whole world!

...

''Is this all really necessary?'' Olivia asked as she saw Tony hanging up a 'Happy 1st Birthday' banner on the wide passage between the living room and kitchen. She had Mason in her arms and looked up at Tony.

''Come on, Liv'' Tony exclaimed in disbelieve as he came down the ladder. ''It's his very first birthday! You don't have another first''

''Oh, he will'' Olivia said. ''The first time he will say more than one word. The first time he will go potty, the first time he will go to school. Lot's of first to go, T.''

Tony smiled at her and raked his fingers through the ever thickening blond hairs of the small boy. ''All firsts are special, so is this one''

''He won't remember'' Olivia said. Mason leaned his head tiredly on her shoulder.

''It doesn't matter. There will be lots of photo's and he can watch them when he's older'' Tony insisted. ''Abby made a cranberry cream pie, just for him''

''You know that most of the cake will be end up in his whole face instead of his mouth'' Olivia said, with a smirk.

''Well, that's how Tony still eats some times'' Gibbs appeared behind her.

''Hey!'' Tony protested, ignoring the fact that he still hadn't heard the older man coming into the house after a year.

''But he's right. It's an important milestone'' Gibbs added quickly. ''And every birthday should be celebrated''

Tony looked at Gibbs. Had Gibbs said that a year ago, he would have thought the man was sick. Gibbs didn't do birthdays. Or Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. But he had done them all last year. And Tony had seen that Gibbs actually enjoyed it. Especially setting up the Christmas tree that had turned out into a tinsel fight. A thing, that was a tradition in the Gibbs household, Gibbs told them. He had used to do them all the time with Shannon and later Kelly.

Tony had smiled as he had heard the soft giggles in the background. Kelly and Shannon had Gibbs tell him that.

Even though Gibbs had insisted on talking to them everyday, slowly it had lessened. And now months later they only spoke when they just wanted to hear their voices, or if something was bothering them. But they knew that they were still there. Watching them, being there when they were needed. Like guardian angels.

''Okay'' Olivia gave in, snapping Tony back to the present. Olivia shifted Mason her hip. ''But no presents that are bigger then him'' He pointed at the two men.

''Sure'' Tony nodded, resisting the smirk that was trying to creep on his face.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at him, at the tone in his voice, then glanced at Gibbs who's face was passive. She didn't trust it when he did that. It meant he was holding something back. But she trusted him that it wasn't anything bad. Because it was Gibbs, she trusted that man, more then she ever had, next to Tony of course. ''Good'' She eventually said. ''Now I'm going to give him a bath before our 'guest' is here'' She walked around the ladder and disappeared up the stairs.

''Am I the only one that still thinks it's crazy to give the kid a bath now, while he will need another one after his cake?'' Tony asked Gibbs. Mason may get a bib, but it never stopped him before. The little human liked to have his little fingers in his hair and let's face it, a bib doesn't help with that.

Gibbs smirked, walking into the kitchen and setting the bag with groceries on the table. ''No, had the same discussion with Shannon about Kelly. But as you know I didn't win, because I never won a discussion with her''

''Reminds me of my mom or my nanny, who would put me into the tub, after I got home from school'' Tony groaned. ''Think it's a mother thing''

As he said that, he was reminded that Olivia's mother wasn't like Shannon, his mother or nanny or Olivia at all. He doubted that uhm... woman gave her a bath at all. She rather pretended that her kids didn't exist. Going out until the early mornings. Thinking she was 18 instead of mid 30 or older... No, she would let her husband take care of it. The man always smelled like Wisky or some other kind of drink, like he had poured it over himself instead of drink it. Tony grimaced at the memory. No the man definitely drank just as much. Together with the man that seemed always present in the Surray house hold. He didn't remember a name... it seemed to be a friend of her father. Didn't really matter, the man gave Tony the shivers... in a bad way.

Tony shook his head. This wasn't a day to remember the bad things in life. This was Mason's first birthday. His birth changed more things for the better, then the boy will ever know.

''how's the... gift coming along?'' Tony asked as he started helping Gibbs with putting away the groceries.

''Finished it last night'' Gibbs told him.

''Good. Just in time'' Tony exclaimed happily.

''Uhu'' Gibbs only said. ''How's your house coming along?''

''What? Can't handle me any longer?'' Tony asked mocking offended.

''Would be nice to have my room and bed back'' Gibbs retorted.

Tony stopped and stared at the man in disbelieve. ''Real nice, dad. Real nice'' he said sarcastically, but still playful.

What once was an awkward thing to say, had turned into a regular and occasional ting, that would be said without even thinking about it. Well at home. Work was work and somehow Tony didn't say it while others were here. Just Olivia. And once when Ducky had been visiting. The older man hadn't said anything about it. Only looked surprised.

Gibbs grunted and smirked as he kept on going, putting things away.

Tony rolled his eyes, in defeat. ''No, but seriously. They're going great. They will start on the second floor in a couple of days'' Tony told him.

The house had a form on the outside. The frame stood. Windows and doors had been placed on the ground floor and the same thing was going to happed to the second floor in a couple of days. It was still bare for the rest. Floors had to be placed and walls had only been plastered on the ground floor. But Tony could picture each and every room, as if they were finished.

It took a couple of months to get the contracts all ready. Then the contractors had to be filled in on the plans and here and there it changed along the way. The plot had to be cleared from years of neglect. A foundation had to be made. And Tony had decided on brick walls, between the normal ones. From the outside it would look like a typical Victorian house... but it would be so much better isolated and stronger.

Give it a few more months and it will be finished.

''If I'm lucky it will be finished at the same time as the course program'' Tony said.

''So then you move things in, do three weeks of courses required for Foster parenthood, and then it's a waiting game'' Gibbs remembered.

''Yup'' Tony popped the 'P'.

''How long does that take?'' Gibbs asked.

''Hmm'' Tony said thoughtfully. ''Well, they have to get to know me. On paper I mean. They have to know my personality a bit. My living arrangement, my work and income, all that kind of stuff. Then there has to be a kid that needs a foster parent, but you have to get along, you know. They have to think you will be a good fit for the kid'' Tony said. ''Can take 4 months to about a year. Maybe longer''

''That long?'' Gibbs frowned.

''Uhu. A foster child doesn't just fall out of the sky, dad. They would have to think you will be a good guardian for him or her''

''Huh'' Gibbs said. ''You know everything about it''

''I maybe have researched a bit more''

''Good. You can never prepare too early''

''New rule?'' Tony asked, grabbing the last thing out of the bag and grinned.

''No, just a statement''

''Well if that's the case, then why don't you wrap up the 'gifts' hidden in the basement for the munchkin?'' Tony said, throwing the roll of wrapping paper towards Gibbs, who caught it easily.

Rolling his eyes, Gibbs did that just before Olivia came down with a freshly bathed and dressed Mason.

''How's the birthday boy?'' Abby asked as she hugged Olivia, avoiding, getting the cake mashed.

Olivia laughed. ''Up and ready to eat'' She said pulling back and looking at the little cranberry cream cake. ''He's in the kitchen, waiting for his cake''

''Great!'' Abby bounced in and Olivia closed the door behind the Goth, shaking her head.

As Abby came into the kitchen she saw that everyone was already there. Mason was at the head of the table, sitting in his high chair. His hair line straightly combed on the left side.

''Oh my Gosh!'' Abby exclaimed, as she saw her newest favorite obsession, next to Caf-Pow! ''Why doesn't he wear a cute baby tuxedo?'' She asked.

'Because Abby'' Tony began with a grin. ''He gets cake''

''Yeah, but that would be sooooo cute'' Abby pouted.

''True'' Olivia said. She thought that almost everything was cute on Mason. ''But it's his birthday, not his wedding day. And he's not becoming the youngest James Bond ever'' She glared at Tony, who raised his hands in surrender.

Gibbs smirked amused. Tony had mentioned something about that a couple of times. The younger man could see the whole thing. James bond with James Bond Jr. together saving the world.

''Bond'' Mason squeaked, making the rest laugh.

''See what you did?'' Olivia pointed at her child while she glared again at Tony. Mason was learning words and that had to be one of the first he get right!

When they served the little cake in front of Mason, the little human couldn't wait until the photo was made. Nor did he wait until Olivia had put some on a little spoon.

His hands reached out and grabbed two hands full of the cake, his eyes went wide as he squished the new food with his hands and it came through his fingers.

''Mason!'' Olivia gasped, while the rest burst out in laughter. Mason looked at her with startled eyes, his hands in mid air. She began to chuckle now too. Mason slowly brought his hands to his mouth and stuck the sticky thick moister in his mouth. All that didn't fit, stuck on his cheeks or fell on the plate. The laughs got less as they looked at him. Mason repeated the action more and more, more eagerly every time.

''I think he likes it'' Gibbs stated, chuckling.

''Ya think?'' Abby asked sarcastically, grinning.

''Oh baby. It's supposed to go into you mouth'' Olivia explained to the baby, but doubting that he would understand. She grabbed his hand and shoved the remainders onto the plate then cleaned his hands with a baby wipe. She shoved the plate out of his reach.

Mason complained and reached out towards the plate, then complained more when he couldn't get it.

''He wants the cake, Liv'' Tony commented.

''Yeah well, he will get it. On a spoon'' Olivia said.

''Come on! Let the kid play'' Tony scolded.

Olivia frowned. ''He isn't supposed to play with food, DiNozzo. I don't want him to end up like you'' She stuck out her tongue at him.

Tony the child that he is sometimes, did the same. Olivia chuckled at that.

''Are they always like this?'' Abby asked Gibbs.

Gibbs smirked and just grunted in reply at her. ''Olivia, you know that kids are supposed to do this thing, right?'' He asked her.

She turned to look at him. ''Really?''

''Hmm'' Gibbs affirmed. ''It's good to let them explore like this. Get them dirty. Of course you have to set boundaries. But only when he gets sick from it. Having his hands in pie, doesn't get him sick, dirty maybe'' He said making Olivia chuckle. ''but not sick''

Olivia sighed and grabbed the plate again. ''You want some 'Cake'?'' She asked, setting it in front of Mason. His face lit up and he began his exploring again.

''Cake'' Mason tried too repeat, making her grin.

''See'' Tony grinned too. ''How long until I can introduce him to Pizza?''

Although he maybe already could. Olivia tried to hold off Pizza. Knowing Tony the kid would get obsessed with it. ''Soon'' she just said. Like she always did. She looked at her son and had to smile. It was a pretty picture to see him enjoy something so much. Cranberry cream cake. Duly noted. ''You did a good job, Abs'' Olivia commented to the Goth.

''Thanks!'' Abby smiled brightly.

First it wasn't the planning that Abby came. Olivia wanted a quiet birthday. Like she never had. Heck she didn't have a birthday like that at all. So this was getting used to. However she wanted the best for Mason. A life as normal as possible. So she agreed. And when Abby insisted to make a cake and Tony told her, Abby was the best in that expertise, she couldn't say no anymore.

After a couple of minutes, another slightly bigger cake conjured out of nowhere and Tony cut that in pieces for them, to enjoy for themselves. Once done, Olivia once again wiped the boy's face and hands clean.

''I... well we got another present'' Tony announced.

''Tony, you didn't have—' Olivia wanted to tell him.

''Hush'' Tony held up a finger to silence her. ''I wanted to. And weren't you one of the people that told me to do what I want''

Olivia rolled her eyes. ''Where is it?''

''In the back yard'' Tony told her.

''I swear Tony, if you gave the baby a tree house of something...'' She trailed off.

''Just come'' Tony stood up and walked outside, followed by a calm almost too Gibbs and an overexcited Abby.

Olivia sighed, pulled the bib off Mason and picked him up. ''Come, baby. Tony got you a present'' She told her son.

She walked out outside and saw something standing on the brick stone floor before the grass. ''What is this?'' She asked.

''Why don't you let him find out?'' Gibbs asked.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at him, but sat Mason on the ground. The boy was fascinated by the bright red colored rug that was place over the present. Mason stood wobbly on his little legs and his Mothers hands around his middle helped him keep standing. He reached out a hand and grabbed onto the rug. Olivia 'helped' him pull it off the object and her jaw dropped.

''Oh my...'' Olivia gasped.

Mason just stood there with the big rug in his little hand, while looking from the interesting red object in his hand to the other object slightly less bright, but oh so interesting object.

Olivia pealed the rug from her boy's hand, but Mason didn't care, just kept staring at the object.

''I know you wanted to buy one for him...'' Tony began. ''And maybe it's not that bright and colorful as the ones in the store, but—''

''No'' Olivia stopped him. ''It's beautiful. I didn't know they had them in wood anymore'' She stated surprised.

''They don't'' Tony said, smiled. ''At least not in this quality. And I just bought the wood. The wood master made it''

Olivia looked up to him and then to Gibbs. ''You made this?'' She asked. He nodded. ''It's beautiful. I knew you were good, but...''

''Just say you like it for him and I'm happy'' Gibbs stated.

Olivia led her son, wobble slightly, step for step towards his present. A baby walker shaped as a horse. He could sit on it and use his legs, as if he was riding a horse or he could walk behind it. Having his hands on the handle and walk.

The horse was carved out of the wood. It wasn't painted in bright colors, but you could see the nose and the lips. The eyes. And even the mane were also carved in it. There were little rubber wheels under it.

''It maybe a little heavier for him to drag or push, but wood lasts longer then that plastic stuff'' Gibbs explained.

Mason grabbed onto the handle and Olivia let go of him, letting him stand on his own. Mason resettled his legs a little more under himself and tried to find out what he had to do with it. He stepped one step forward and was surprised that the object moved. He squealed and did now his other foot. Again the object moved.

''See how good he is!'' Abby bounced up and down, making the others smiled.

Tony smiled at Mason. His Godson. He had accepted that fact a long time ago and now he wouldn't want it any other way. Well.. he wouldn't want anything to happen to Olivia, but he had promised that if something happened he would take care of the kid, as if it was hos own. He loved Mason and Olivia. They were his family, just like his father Gibbs.

He looked up at the still forming house that peaked above Gibbs fence. Everything was coming together and for once it was all positive. A year ago it started as if his life was crumbling around him, but maybe the pieces just fell apart, just so that he could build something better, something way stronger. And that he had. As he looked around himself. He was proud of what he had. A family and friends.

And someday he was going to help kids like him, when he was younger. And how difficult that was going to be. What emotions and or problems it was going to bring. He was getting ready for it. He was going to do the best he could, to make that kid happy again.

Just as happy he was at this moment. Many chapters of his life were finally finished and closed in this past year and he couldn't wait for the unwritten ones to be opened.

...

She looked down at the people. She couldn't get as close as her friends, Shannon and Kelly. But it didn't matter. She seen everything in all those years. The many ups and the just as many downs. And the man next to him was a great guy, very handsome too.

She didn't know why she had ever fallen for the charms of her own husband and it had cost many pain and hurt. But nothing could compare with the son she had gotten. She loved him and she always would. And if she could say it to him she would have.

''I'm proud of you Tony. The most proud a mother could ever be'' Rose smiled. And she was going to watch everything the future would bring for him

THE END!


I cannot believe that this story is finished! It became soooo much longer then I intended to. Hope you guys didn't mind. Guess not because you guys kept following and some of you kept reviewing every chapter! Those guys get a special thanks!

- Tealrose
- Angelscatie
- Long Live Brucas
- Torrontogirl 12
- RubyDragonJewel
- DS2010

Those are the ones that reviewed the most best reviews all the time. :) saying what they liked, but also their honest oppinion.

The rest did an awesome aswell. With the reviews of any of you, my muse wouldn't be so well fed and see how fast I wrote this story... Well story? Together with Flesh and Blood... 132,808 words. (without the A/N) that is more than the 3 first books of Harry Potter! How cool's that?


I also promised you guys something. the summary of the next story! So here it is!

''A long waited but unexpected phone call from Child Services changes a slow day at the HQ for our Anthony DiNozzo, but when he arrives to meet with them, he discovers that it maybe more then he signed up for. Meanwhile Olivia's childhood comes back to taunt her and Gibbs isn't so sure he can keep his secret a secret''

Wow! So much idea's already for the story!


Well... Again thanks for all you guys that have followed this story. Tell me what you thought of it :) i love hearing all your oppinions! Plus tell me what you think of the Summary for the next one!

It will take me a week... or maaaaaybe two to put the first chapter for the new story on it. You can just follow me and you will get the alert for the new story in your mail. But that's totally up to you!

I really love you guys!

-X- Leonie