The following night was extremely rough for Katie and Tony. Around dinner time Katie took a nasty turn for the worst. She had been completely vent dependent since she became ill but, now her heart rate had radically dropped and her fever had shot up. She was extremely lethargic and in a great deal of pain. She was nearly completely paralyzed but she would scream in agony anytime she could move. The nurses told Tony that this could be the end and that pained him more than he could express. He had also been told that this could be the storm before the calm. That sometimes a patient would go to the very edge and then come back. Which he took solace in but his heart was still raw and his mind was still racing. He would die if anything happened to Katie and he had to tell Jake and Lily. Gibbs had come back to the hospital, not long before he got the news. His dad was trying his best to comfort him but he knew all too well. That words and reassurance would not do anything if Katie died. It was around midnight and Tony was sitting up on the waiting room couch. Gibbs had his arms draped reassuringly over Tony's shoulders. Both men were beyond exhausted but knew that they would not be getting a second of sleep that night. Something came over Tony and he started to sob heavily and uncontrollably.
"Hey it's OK. Let it out. I've got ya. I've got ya." Gibbs whispered.
"She's just so sweet." Tony sniffed.
"I know" Gibbs replied.
"It wouldn't be fair." Tony sniffed.
"It wouldn't." Gibbs agreed.
"Why do kids have to die?" Tony asked.
"The world is cruel Tony but she does not have permission." Gibbs reminded.
Morning came and Katie was still alive. Unfortunately she was still extremely critical as well. The nurses thought that it would be wise to bring the children to say goodbye but Tony didn't have the heart to do it. He was trying to have hope that Katie would live and letting Jake and Lily say goodbye. Would be a bit like giving up. On the other hand he felt terrible that he could not bring them. Because he knew that it would destroy them if they did not get to say goodbye but he could not face the idea of bringing them. It seemed so final and his heart was breaking. Gibbs had remained by his side and for that he was eternally grateful.
"I have an appointment around noon. If you can handle being alone." Gibbs said as they drank coffee at the small table in the corner.
"No I will be fine." Tony assured.
"Good" Gibbs sighed.
"You are not sick or anything? Because I definitely could not handle that." Tony questioned.
"I am fine." Gibbs assured.
"What's up then? You aren't getting married again, right?" Tony asked.
"I was going to wait to announce this. At least until I knew something but I figure that you could use some good news." Gibbs started.
"Oh God, you are getting married again. Who is it? Fornell?" Tony groaned.
"No but I will Tobais that you ship us. My news is that I am going to be a foster father. I am looking to adopt a little girl." Gibbs explained.
"Really?" Tony asked.
"Yes, her name is Leona, she is three years old, and I actually met her at the hospital. Her parents were killed by... by a drug dealer. She survived but there is nobody to care for her. I couldn't let her just go into the system. She needs stability and I know exactly how she feels." Gibbs explained.
"Wow, dad. That is amazing." Tony gasped.
"I am glad that you are so supportive son." Gibbs replied.
"I am always supportive of you." Tony assured.
"Hey I just realized something. If I can adopt Leona. Then you will have a little sister." Gibbs commented.
"You're right, I am going to be a big brother. I secretly always wanted to be a big brother. Especially to a little sister." Tony replied, excitedly.
"And I always wanted a boy and a girl. Of course I will have three children and all three are beautiful and amazing." Gibbs explained.
Gibbs left at eleven thirty to make his appointment and took with him Tony's jubilation. He was still thrilled for Gibbs and Leona. The idea of being a big brother was a pretty huge perk as well but none of that would make Katie well. No amount of happiness for his dad would be enough to calm his fears. At least not these fears. The idea of losing a child was purely terrifying. Tony couldn't help but wonder how Gibbs, had dealt with the idea of losing Kelly. All while fighting in a war on the other side of the world. Because Tony could barely face the idea. While sitting in the hospital, right there with Katie. All he knew was that his heart would shatter into a million pieces if he lost her. He seriously doubted that he could be a good enough father. To guide Jake and Lily through the loss. If Katie did end up dying and Gibbs would not be able to help. This would be uncharted territory for him as well. Kelly was all he had when he lost her and Shannon. He buried his head in his hands and began to sob.
"God, please just let my baby girl be OK. Her sister and brother have already lost so much and I have too. Please I need her, the world needs her. She is such a sweet and beautiful child. I love her so much and so do her siblings and, my girlfriend and dad. Your will be done, amen"
Tony had been praying more in the two months since he adopted the Dallas children. Than he had in his entire life. He had also been to church with the children almost every week. Another strange phenomenon for him. He was a child younger than Jake. The last time he had been in a church for a non funeral purpose, before the adoption. Gibbs was right, being a father did change everything and he actually did not mind. He just needed his baby girl to live and survive with only manageable problems but ideally none at all, and his life would be perfect.
A/N: How long can Tony worry about Katie 24/7, before his own health takes a hit? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.