Newlywed life was not the picture perfect dream that Jethro and Nicole had dreamed of when they had become engaged. Not because they had rushed into marriage and they were not as compatible as they thought, but because despite the doctors best efforts Tony was not recovering. He had finally managed to beat the infection but his body remained weak. A week had past since the wedding and the longest he remained awake was an hour. If he was awake fifteen minutes a day it was considered a victory. His seizure activity had increased and during his rare moments of consciousness he was completely out of it. Tony's care had gotten more and more expensive, and their was less and less that could be done for him. That afternoon Jethro and Nicole had a meeting to discuss the future of Tony's care. Nicole was working the morning shift and Jethro was spending the morning with his son. Because based on the doctor's attitudes it looked like there would not be a lot more time to do so.
"I love you so much" Jethro whispered stroking his son's hair.
Afternoon arrived and with it came the dreaded meeting. Jethro knew that he was going to lose his son. Tony had given it his all but he just wasn't recovering this time. Even if he managed to beat the odds. How long would it be before his body finally gave out? As painful as it would be Jethro knew that he had to let his son go. He could not keep subjecting him to medical procedures and pain. He did not want to lose another child but even more he did not want his son to suffer any more. While they waited for Tony's doctor to come and speak with them. Jethro sat in the office, resting his head on Nicole's chest. Trying his hardest not to cry.
"Hello Jethro and Nicole" Dr. Monroe greeted.
"Afternoon, Dr. Monroe" Jethro greeted.
"I truly wish that we were meeting under happier circumstances but the news is not good." Dr. Monroe said as she sat down.
"What is happening?" Nicole asked.
"I am afraid that Tony's infection has returned and it has gone systemic throughout his body." Dr. Monroe explained.
"How?" Gibbs asked.
"His immune system is shot. Between all the traumas his body has endured and all the medicines we have poured into his body. There is nothing more we can do. We can give him drugs to maybe fight off this infection but he has no immunity. If he beats this there will just be another infection or illness. At this point all we are doing is prolonging inevitable. I am so sorry." Dr. Monroe explained.
"So what the hell do we do?!" Jethro cried.
"The best thing for Tony would be for you to stop all life-support and let nature take it's course." Dr. Monroe explained.
"No!" Jethro cried.
"Jethro there is nothing they can do." Nicole whispered.
"I know but I don't want my son to die in a hospital. He deserves better than that. He has spent most of his life in a hospital or in that prison his father created for him. I want him to be at home." Jethro insisted.
"OK I will send somebody from hospice to meet with you. You will fill out some forms and be assigned a nurse. Even if Tony only last minutes off of life-support he will have a care-giver. Once the paperwork is signed he will be brought to your home via ambulance and when you are ready he will be removed from life-support." Dr. Monroe explained.
"Alright" Jethro replied.
Jethro and Nicole left Dr. Monroe's office with their hearts broken. They were expecting bad news but nothing like this. They had agreed that it was time for Tony to come home no matter what but they were not expecting to hear the terminal diagnosis. By that evening the paperwork was filled out and the family was informed. The next morning Tony would be brought home to die. John, Donna, and Nicole had called out of work for the next day and Donna had called Stephen and Annie's schools to let them know that they would absent as well. Everybody would say their final goodbyes, then Tony would be taken off of life-support and that would be it. Once Tony was off life-support, John and Donna would take the kids home. Leaving Jethro and Nicole to be with Tony in the final moments of his life. For tonight the family was just enjoying what would probably be their last night together.
"I love you, son." Jethro whispered.
"I love you too." Nicole added.
"I thought that he would save my life. Why is it happening like this?" Jethro asked./
"Oh Jethro I am so sorry." Nicole whispered.
"What the hell was the point?! I took him in! I loved him! And he is going to die! I already lost Kelly! Why am I losing my son too!" Jethro cried.
Needless to say Jethro and Nicole did not get any sleep that night. They laid on the couch by Tony's bed and clung to each other. The hospice nurse arrived at nine in the morning. Tony was wheeled on a stretcher out of his room and into a waiting ambulance. Jethro rode in the ambulance while Nicole followed behind. The ambulance pulled into the Gibbs' driveway at ten in the morning. Tony was brought into his bedroom and laid on the bed. The family came in and took turns saying goodbye. Once John and his family had said their goodbyes. They quickly exited, leaving Jethro and Nicole alone with their son. The couple took turns saying their final goodbyes. Before returning to the room together, climbing into bed with Tony, and closing their eyes.
"We'll never forget you." Jethro whispered before falling asleep. His heart was breaking because he was sure that Tony would be gone by the time he woke up and maybe it was better that way.
A/N: I decided to finish this story. Their will be two or three more chapters that should be up either late Thursday or sometime Friday. I have two possible endings. One being that the story is all the dream of either Jethro, Luke, or adult Tony in a coma or Tony dies but Jethro realizes just how much Tony changed his life for the better and that even the shortest life can make a difference. New chapter will be up soon. A poll has been posted on my profile to choose the ending. Please review and thanks for reading.
