On Saturday, Abby and Ziva asked to bring two of their friends over for the day. Jenny was reluctant to let anyone in the house because of Tony but she decided to let them. Tim had asked to go to his friends house, leaving Tony alone, bored in the living room.
"Are you ok Tony?" Gibbs asked as he sat down beside his son.
"I just, um..." Tony hesitated "I want to be able to have friends"
"You can bring friends over anytime you want Tony." Gibbs assured.
"I don't have any friends other than Jimmy." Tony sighed. "And he's away this weekend."
"What about John?" Gibbs asked. "I'm sure he would love to come over. I can give his Mom a call if you want."
"Really?" Tony asked happily. "I'd really like that."
Gibbs quickly called Johns mother and John was delighted to be asked over. He arrived 20 minutes later in his wheelchair being pushed by his mother.
"Hi Tony." John greeted when he saw his friend. "How are you. You still have oxygen on."
"I'm ok." Tony assured from his seat on the couch, with his legged propped up on a table "But I have to keep the oxygen on for another while until my lungs are fully better. How are you."
"I'm really good." John replied happily as he moved himself to the couch and sat beside Tony. "I think I'll even get to start school next week."
"Wow, that's really great." Tony smiled happy for his friend. "How are you going to do that in your wheelchair."
"Oh that's the best part." John grinned happily and looked over at his Mom. "The doctor said that I might be able to get a walking boot next week and my cast on my arm will be coming off."
"That's great John." Tony grinned as John's mother said goodbye and left the house. "What school are you going to?"
"I'm going to be going to the same school as you. Dave is going there too, but he's the year ahead."
"That's so great, I just hope I can go back soon." Tony sighed "Do you want to play the play station?"
"Sure." John replied as they each grabbed a controller and started up a game.
John's visit had really cheered Tony up and Gibbs arranged with Sarah for the two boys to meet up more often especially while both of them were still off school.
Abby and Ziva's friends were staying for dinner but John had to go home. Gibbs carried Tony to the table like he always did, when everyone else was at the table.
"This is our brother Tony" Abby said when everyone was seated.
"Hi Tony." Both girls replied as they stared at him.
"Um hi." Tony replied awkwardly.
"Are you um, sick?" One of the girls asked curiously as they started eating.
"Yeah, he's been very sick." Abby replied quickly." But he's getting better and will be going back to school."
"Are you going to our school?" the other girl asked.
"No, Tony is in 5th grade." Ziva replied. "He is our age but he is very smart.
"oh." the girl replied and went back to her dinner.
When the dinner was finished Tony was brought into the sitting room and given his nebulizer. Jenny was going to bring the two girls home and Abby and Ziva went with her, leaving Tony and Gibbs alone.
"Dad?" Tony asked as Gibbs removed the nebulizer. "When do you think I'll be able to go to school?"
"I'm not sure Tony" Gibbs admitted. "We'll have to ask the doctor at your appointment next week."
"Do you think she'll let me even if I'm still in the wheelchair?" Tony continued. "Once my lungs are ok, I should be ok to go. John is going to school next week."
"We'll talk to the doctor." Gibbs assured as he ruffled Tony's hair. "I know you are getting bored, but you need to give yourself time to get better. You've been sick so many times this year."
"I know." Tony sighed as he shuffled on the couch. "I just want to be normal."
"You are normal." Gibbs assured as he sat down and pulled Tony onto his lap. "You're just sick, that's all. You are starting physio next and you'll be walking in no time."
"I hope so." Tony replied as he snuggled into his father.
The following week Tony and his parents met with doctor as well as with doctor Pitt to see how Tony was doing. Tony was brought for x rays and tests before being brought back to his parents.
"How's he doing?" Gibbs asked as they all sat down together.
"His lungs are looking much better." Brad started with a smile. "There is some additional scaring on them, so we will need to continue to monitor them closely and take even more care of colds."
"So can I go back to school?" Tony asked hopefully.
"You are going to need to be on the nebulizer for another week, but I think we can reduce the oxygen to night time or when needed from Friday. When you are finished the nebulizer, then I think you should be ok for school."
"Your leg and hip are looking good and you are ready to start physical therapy tomorrow." Dr O'Neill explained. "We will see how you are after a week of therapy and see if we can get you walking with crutches. When you can do that I am happy for you to go back to school."
"So I can go back in two weeks." Tony replied after a minute.
"Let's meet again Friday, next week and we can make a decision." Brad replied with a smile. "I know you are anxious to go to school Tony, but we can't push it or you'll end up back in hospital."
"Ok." Tony replied with a small smile.
"What do we need to do for him?" Jenny asked looking at her son.
"Keep doing what you're doing." Dr O'Neill replied with a smile. "Once he starts therapy he will need help to do the exercises at home. He is also going to be very sore and tired afterwards so make sure he rests and takes his painkillers."
"He also may need the oxygen a bit afterwards at least for the first few times." Brad added "Just keep an eye on him."
"We will." Jenny assured as she squeezed Tony's hand. "One of us is with him at all times."
"Ok, take care of him and we'll see you next week." Dr O'Neill added as the three left the room to go home.
"Let's go for some lunch" Jenny suggested as they left the hospital, "And maybe some ice-cream."
"Ice cream makes me cough." Tony sighed from his wheelchair. "But I'd love some pizza."
"Then let's get some pizza." Jenny smiled as Jethro helped Tony into the car.
The three went to a local pizza place and enjoyed lunch together before heading home. Tony was in good form and even played with the others that evening.
The following day Tony started his Physio therapy and both Jenny and Jethro went with him so they could learn what they needed to do with Tony. The physio went through all of the exercise that Tony would need to do to get his hip working properly again. Tony was in a lot of pain by the end of the session so he gratefully took his painkillers as they headed home. He was also very glad he still had the oxygen on.
"I'm tired." Tony mumbled as he laid his head against the window, "That was really tough."
"You'll have to keep doing it every day for a few weeks." Gibbs said to him. "Do you think you can manage that."
"Yeah." Tony replied with a yawn. "If it means I can walk again soon."
"You'll be running around in no time." Gibbs assured as they pulled into their neighbourhood "You and John will be playing football before you know it."
"Mmmm." Tony mumbled in reply
"Lets get you into the house." Gibbs said as he climbed out of the car.
Gibbs carefully got Tony out of the car and into the wheelchair. When they got inside Tony moved to the couch and quickly fell asleep.
"This is going to tough on him." Jenny said as she put a blanket over Tony. "But he is going to push himself."
"I know." Gibbs smiled as he sat down beside Tony. "We just have to make sure he doesn't push himself too much."
"We will." Jenny replied. "We have a meeting with the lawyers on Friday. Do You think Ducky will be able to take Tony to therapy."
"I'm sure he will but I'll give him a call later" Gibbs replied "I think I'll invite him and Jimmy over for dinner tonight."
"That's a great idea." Jenny's replied as she headed to the kitchen. "I'll see what I can whip up."
Tony was still exhausted when Jimmy arrived but still enjoyed his friends visit. All of the children played some board games together after dinner while the adults talked. Ducky agreed to take him to his physio session on Friday while Jenny and Jethro met with their lawyers. Ducky knew that things were moving slowly with Tony's adoption and he knew how much it would mean to both parents and Tony for the adoption to be finalised.
Over the next week and a bit Tony endured many painful physical therapy sessions but like a trooper he pushed through the tiredness and pain putting his all into each session. When Friday finally arrived he sat anxiously with Jenny and Gibbs waiting for his doctors to decide if he could return to school on Monday.
"Well Tony, I think you have been doing remarkably well over the last week." the Physiotherapist remarked as he sat down with Dr Pitt. "I think that from today you can start using crutches to get around."
"Wow really" Tony grinned happily "Does that mean I can go to school on Monday?"
"Well, there are going to be some conditions of course." Dr Pitt added. "But yes I think you can go back to school on Monday."
"Yes." Tony cheered and grinned happily. "I can't wait to go back."
"Now you are still going to need to go to physio sessions after school 3 days a week and continue with your exercises at home."
"I can do that." Tony assured.
"How have your lungs been?" Dr Pitt asked. "Have you needed the oxygen at all during the day?"
"A couple of time after therapy." Tony admitted. "But I was ok really."
"It was more of a precaution" Gibbs added. "We didn't want to risk it and thought it better if he used it. And he still uses it at night."
"Ok that good Tony." Dr Pitt assured." I'm happy with that and your lungs and breathing are sounding much better so I think you can stop with the oxygen at night. Just keep it on hand just in case."
"That's great news." Jenny smiled happily as she rubbed Tony's arm.
"And make sure you always have your inhalers with you." Brad continued seriously "And at the first sign of a cold or the sniffles Tony needs to see a doctor."
"We'll make sure he does." Gibbs agreed with a nod. "We want Tony to be as healthy as possible."
"Here are your crutches Tony." The physio said as he handed them to the child and adjusted them to the correct height.
"Well then I think that's it for now" Dr Pitt said as he stood up and shook everyone's hands. "We will set up an appointment for 2 weeks time to see how everything is going."
"Thanks Doc" Gibbs replied with a happy smile. "For everything."
"Let's go home." Jenny said as Tony hopped happily along on his crutches.
"I can't wait to go to school." Tony said as he hopped to the car. "I have to call John and tell him. It's going to be so great."
"Yeah it's great Tony." Jenny laughed as they climbed into the car.
The trip home was spent with Tony talking excitedly about school. When the car stopped Tony jumped out of the car with the crutches and made his way into the house where Tim, Abby, Ziva, Jimmy and Ducky were waiting.
"Tony, you're walking." Abby screamed excitedly when she saw him. "Well kinda."
"I can go to school on Monday." Tony replied happily. "I'm going to be normal again."
"That is absolutely fantastic Anthony." Ducky added with a smile. "I am very happy for you."
"We all are." Jimmy added as they moved to the living room. "You'll be playing football again in no time."
"We have a surprise for everyone." Jenny said as Tony settled onto the couch. "Grandpa is coming to stay for the weekend."
"Really?" Tim asked excitedly. "When is he going to be here."
"He should be here in about 30 minutes." Gibbs replied. "So how about everyone puts away their school bags and clean up a bit. We are going to order pizza for dinner."
"I love pizza." Tony grinned as the others started cleaning away their things.
"We know you do Tony." Ziva laughed.
Gibbs had just finished ordering the pizza when the phone rang. Gibbs answered the call and moved to the kitchen for some privacy. While Gibbs was on the phone Jackson came through the front door causing some excitement.
"It's so good to see you all." Jackson said as he put down his bags. "Tony, you look so much better and you're walking."
"Just with crutches." Tony replied as he gave his grandfather a hug "But I can go to school on Monday."
"That's fantastic news." Jackson smiled as they all sat down again.
They were all catching up when Gibbs came into the room looking a bit shocked.
"What wrong Jethro?" Jenny asked worriedly as Gibbs collapsed into the couch beside Tony.
"I just got a call from the lawyers." Gibbs said looking at Jenny.
"Oh no" Jenny gasped "What's wrong now."
"Nothing's wrong" Gibbs replied as smiled started to form on his face. "In fact it was good news."
"Tell us Dad." Abby whined impatiently
"A few weeks ago we signed some papers." Gibbs started explaining as Jenny gasped knowing what the papers were. "And today the lawyer told me that everything has been approved and gone through."
"Oh Jethro." Jenny gasped as her eyes became glassy with tears.
"Tony, you are officially ours." Jethro said and pulled the child into a hug. "The adoption went through today."
"Oh my God." Abby squealed excitedly. "That's so great."
"Really?" Tony asked in awe as he pulled away from Gibbs. "I'm really yours."
"Yes really." Jenny assured as she pulled him into a hug, tears now streaming down her face. You are now Tony Gibbs."
"Congratulations everyone." Ducky added happily. "You are really a family now. I am so happy for all of you."
"I'm yours" Tony whispered in shock as tears started pouring down his face. "I'm really, really yours."
"Forever and always." Jenny assured as she hugged him tightly.
Gibbs pulled them both into his arms soon followed by the rest of the family.
"we're a real family now." Tony added as everyone pulled away again. "I'm nearly all better. Everything is the way it should be."
"Yes it is." Jackson agreed with a smile.
"I don't think I could be any happier." Tony continued just as the door bell rang. "Pizza's here. Ok so that's made me a little bit happier. I do like pizza."
"Dig in everyone." Gibbs said as he laid out the pizza's and smiled happily at his family, which was finally complete.
And that's all folks. Thank you to everyone who has joined me in all the ups and downs of this story and has stuck with me for so long. A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed and favored this story, when i felt like giving up on it, your kind words helped to inspire me. With the way NCIS is going I don't know if I will be writing anymore fanfiction so this will be goodbye for now. Thanks again and sorry I didn't get to reply to all of the reviews.
Patrice