Fathers' Day
A/N: Amazingly enough, the three hooligans, Bamacrush, Gibbsredhoodie and With the Grain have been waiting for this lake chapter... I really can't think why ;)
Chapter 51 – Wading In
By the time Gibbs pulled up at the lake, it was dusk, the light disappearing rapidly from the day and fairly soon a full moon would be the only illumination. Fortunately, as far as he could see, he and Abby were the only people there. Neither were in the mood to share each others' company with anyone anymore tonight and he definitely had plans that didn't involve any onlookers.
Abby scrambled down from the truck and looked round eagerly at the spot where he'd parked, a curving bay sheltered on both sides by headlands forming almost a private lagoon set back from the main lake but with views across to the far side.
"What a gorgeous spot. Look at that view." She reached for his hand, grinning broadly. "This was a great idea, Jethro... even if we did nearly ruin it just now with an almost fight."
Gibbs pulled her into his side, slinging an arm round her shoulders, kissing her temple. "Nah... can't ruin this, Abbs. But you're right... guess we're as bad as one another."
Sliding an arm round his waist and hugging him, Abby nodded, figuring that was as close to an admission and an apology as she was likely to get, especially given she was equally to blame. "We'll get there if we both work at it... coz it's worth it."
Dipping his head to kiss her, he nosed against her cheek when they broke for air, murmuring into her ear, "Sure is."
As they unloaded the truck with their supplies, a blanket and cushions and found a secluded spot right by the water's edge, Gibbs explained that he used to come here as a kid on fishing trips with his dad, and sometimes with Shannon and Kelly for family picnics. And years ago, his mom had christened this place Jethro's Bay after he'd caught a big walleye from a boat just offshore... and she hugged all these precious nuggets to herself, once again delighted at how much Gibbs was sharing with her.
Abby watched Gibbs as he stood quietly looking out over the water, obviously lost in his memories, and left him to it as she spread the blanket on the ground in the shade and settled down cross-legged. The evening was still stiflingly warm and she was looking forward to cooling off in the water.
When Gibbs eventually returned to her side, Abby smiled up at him. "D'ya wanna eat now or later?"
"Later… had enough earlier." He gestured with his head towards the lake. "Wanna go for a swim now?"
"Totally." Abby took his hand and let Gibbs help her up, giving him a teasing smile. "Even if I didn't bring a costume."
And there was that cocky grin she loved. "Neither did I."
Gibbs tugged on her hand, leading Abby to the water's edge and had quickly shucked off his clothes and was wading into the water before she'd even gotten her trainers off.
Unable to look at anything else other than that long back and firm ass as he moved, Abby halted in mid strip to enjoy the view. When the water was deep enough, Abby watched as Gibbs ducked fully under the water and when he stood up again, shaking his head and running his hands over his hair, water spraying everywhere, she almost groaned aloud at the sight.
Water streamed off his head onto his shoulders and back, running down the hollow of his spine to the curve of his ass and...
What the heck are you doing standing here, Abigail?
... and she suddenly couldn't get out of her clothes fast enough, cursing when her foot snagged in her pants, nearly falling over in her haste as she scattered clothes in all directions.
By the time she'd finished stripping, Gibbs was standing hip deep in the water, head thrown back, breathing deeply as rolled his shoulders and neck as if to ease the final tensions of the day from his muscles.
Abby gasped at the coolness of the water, wading in till she reached him and Gibbs made as if to turn but she stopped him with hands on his shoulders, a soft kiss to the centre of his back and a murmured, "Wait."
He glanced back over his shoulder but didn't move, amusement gleaming in his eyes. Letting her fingers trail over his shoulder blades, feeling him shiver slightly under her light touch, she switched direction on reaching the middle of his back, hearing a low murmur of her name.
Stroking her hands down the length of his spine and into the hollow at the base of his back, Abby giggled softly as his hips shifted in response to her teasing those dimples. Before he could turn round and take control, she stepped closer and slipped her arms around his waist to hold him, mirroring her actions earlier but this time with no annoying clothes in the way.
Moulded against his back and the curve of his ass, Abby moaned at the feeling of his wet skin, cheek resting against his back, hands roaming over his stomach and on up to thread her fingers through the damp hair on his chest.
Always slightly stunned by how quickly Abby could send all his blood racing south, Gibbs reached around to slide his hands onto her butt, pulling her closer, helping her grind against him... a growl escaping at the feel of her breasts pressed against his back.
Abby eased back as Gibbs turned to face her. His silver hair was mussed and spiky wet with a few loose strands falling over his forehead. Her eyes followed the path of water droplets as they ran down his neck and onto his chest, the sight of his wet bare skin making her nerve endings tingle... spoilt for choice where to start.
His blue eyes were doing their own inventory, his heated gaze making her shiver as much as the cool water. Before she could move, Gibbs wrapped a hand around the back of her neck, pulling her in for a kiss and Abby gasped into his mouth at the suddenness of his action and the feel of his hard body.
Winding her arms around his neck, Abby groaned at the contact of his wet skin, the rough hair on his chest stimulating her breasts as she rubbed herself shamelessly against his front.
Abby was hyper aware of his hands as they roamed over her back to squeeze and cup her ass, hoisting her up. She prepared to wrap her legs around his waist only to gasp, her eyes flying open as he used his strength instead to toss her back into the water.
When she surfaced again, shrieking with laughter, Gibbs was already swimming away and she set off after him. But she didn't swim often enough and he was too strong so she soon gave up the chase as he teased her by letting her nearly catch him before he swam off again. Out of breath and treading water, Abby looked over to where he was similarly breathing hard, grinning at her from the shallow water near the shore.
They spent a while swimming, floating together lazily and splashing around... and she loved this relaxed, playful side of Gibbs, sneaking up to duck her or pull her under. She managed to successfully leap on him a few times, clinging to his shoulders and back but he simply ducked both of them under the water and when she emerged spluttering and laughing onto the surface, Gibbs was floating just out of reach, smirking at her.
Abby could also feel all the emotional strain of the day falling away as they exchanged teasing kisses, bodies wrapped around each other, hands roaming underwater, neither in a hurry for once... but just content to be close.
Eventually, when it was fully dark and the moon out, Gibbs pulled Abby back into the shallows so he could stand. His eyes roamed over her creamy skin, the water buoying up her breasts and he gave into the urge to take them into his hands, cover them with his mouth.
Gibbs kissed his way hungrily from her mouth down onto her neck and chest, one hand splayed over her back as he licked his way across her cool wet skin. She grasped his shoulders, letting her head fall back as his mouth latched onto a nipple, grinning against her skin as she moaned his name. Abby arched into him, eyes fluttering closed as his hand kneaded and teased her other breast, his own arousal trapped between them.
He alternated between licking and suckling hard, sliding his hands under her ass to pull her close as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Abby undulated against him sinuously, teasing them both and he buried his head in her neck, nipping her skin as he ground against her.
She grabbed his head, spearing her fingers into his hair, seizing his mouth in a deep, searing kiss that left them both breathless. Abby smoothed her hands over his shoulders and arms before sliding her mouth to his neck, nibbling her way onto his collarbone, feeling as if she wanted to glue herself to his front and not let go.
Feeling him take her weight as she wound herself around him, Abby grinned as Gibbs waded towards the shore carrying her and when they reached dry land, she slid slowly down his front to regain her feet.
Abby lay down on the blanket and reached for him, her breath catching in her throat at how sexy he looked standing there, wet skin glistening, tousled hair damp but seeming more silver than ever in the moonlight, his eyes almost dark in this light, his large powerful frame towering over her.
Gibbs allowed her inspection, a lazy grin on his face as her eyes roamed over broad shoulders, still trim hips and firm thighs, his straining erection showing he was as aroused as she was.
That lop-sided confident grin that she could lick off his face remained as he dropped down onto the blanket beside her, and only added to the ache in her lower belly.
As Gibbs knelt on the blanket, Abby couldn't resist urging him onto his back and he let her push him down before she straddled his hips, gazing down at him spread out beneath her.
It seemed longer than just last night since he'd last been inside her, but the emotional day, the being on show for much of it, their almost argument and honest discussions earlier, had built up her need to be alone with him to an almost desperate level, and with that need, lust wasn't far behind… especially when he looked like this.
Her eyes were glued to the droplets of water trickling over his body, the moisture gleaming in the subdued light as it caught on the coarse grey hair on his chest and pooled in his navel.
Leaning over, Abby caged his head between her arms, gazing down at his face, feeling she could drown in those blue eyes which were looking at her now with such desire and love.
Gibbs cupped her face in his hands, thumbs stroking over her cheeks before pulling her down for a slow, tender kiss, lips clinging, tugging... tasting, savoring.
Coming up for air, Abby nuzzled his face, lacing her fingers through his and pressing his hands back to the blanket, silently asking him to stay still... to let her lead and she was rewarded with a slow grin and an amused twinkle in his eyes.
Abby leaned down to kiss her way across his face, covering every inch slowly, nipping at his nose and making him chuckle. Nibbling along the line of his jaw, she slid her mouth down to his neck, feeling his fingers grip hers reflexively as she licked and suckled from one side of his neck to the other.
Gibbs tilted his head to allow her better access, content to lose himself in the feel of her mouth against his skin, every nerve ending on fire. Abby heard and felt his low growl under her lips as she laved her tongue in the hollow at the base of his throat, and grinned against his skin when his hips bucked up as she ground down against him.
Moving her mouth down onto his chest, Abby nuzzled her way over his skin to torment his nipples, biting down gently as he gave a strangled gasp of her name. Mouthing her way down the fine path of damp hair over his stomach, Abby chuckled as he moaned and shifted beneath her when she suddenly suckled at his navel.
Slowly tracing her way south, she brought her hands into play, stroking her nails lightly over his skin as she used the knowledge she'd gained in the past couple of weeks to make him moan.
When his erection bumped her chin, she wrapped a hand around him and he thrust into her touch. Gibbs raised his head when Abby stilled her movements, looking down the length of his body and she held his gaze as she hovered near the tip.
The sight of the mischief sparkling in those green eyes and the full lips so close to where he wanted them had him fighting back the urge to come... now.
When she took him in her mouth, she hummed around his length as the taste of him burst onto her tongue. Abby felt his hand tangle in her hair as she worked her mouth over him, loving the sounds he made as she let her lips and tongue push him closer to the edge.
When Abby did that thing with her tongue, his eyes rolled back in his head and Gibbs tugged at her hair, asking silently her to stop lest he lose it too early. When he came, he wanted to be inside her.
When Abby released him with a final lick over the head that had him groaning, Gibbs wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her close, slanting his mouth across hers in a hungry kiss.
Breathing heavily when they parted and unable to wait any longer, Abby straddled him, guiding him inside and they both watched as he disappeared inch by inch as she slowly sank down. Her eyes fought to stay open at the sensation of him buried inside her... filling her.
Gibbs gazed up at Abby poised above him, the moonlight playing over her creamy skin, the dim light making her eyes shine, mesmerized by how beautiful she looked.
He surged up to wrap his arms around her, moaning as the change in angle drove him deeper. He slid his hands down to cup her ass, squeezing firmly and pulling her hips closer and Abby gasped at the increased friction just where she needed it.
Abby slid her arms around his shoulders, stroking through the short hair on the back of his neck as she leaned in to capture his mouth, moaning as his hands urged her to move, steadying her as she began taking him.
Abby tried to muffle her cries into his skin as they slowly built to their releases, trying to draw it out, her movements becoming erratic as she hovered on the edge. When he nipped her neck, growling her name, it was enough to tip her over.
Abby clutched him as her intense release ripped through her, feeling his arms come around her as she trembled against him... around him.
He loved watching her come undone for him... gazing at her face as she bit her lip, eyes closed as she concentrated on the sensations running through her. Still throbbing inside her, Gibbs waited till she'd recovered slightly and opened her eyes to give him a lazy smile before he flipped them over, making her giggle.
Grinning down at her, he pushed back inside her wet heat, picking up the pace as he drove towards his own release and it wasn't long before he lost it, groaning into her neck as it washed over him.
When Gibbs became aware of his surroundings again, Abby was stroking his back and shoulders, nuzzling against his face as he breathed heavily, his heart pounding in his ears.
He kissed her neck and she held his head against her as he recovered. Eventually pulling back, he pressed gentle kisses all over her face, making her giggle softly until he reached her mouth, breaths mingling as he barely brushed her lips.
When he slipped out of her, Gibbs stretched out beside her on the blanket and they let the night air wash over their skin as they cooled down, heartbeats gradually returning to normal.
Unwilling to relinquish all contact, Abby laced their fingers together. "Now that's an outdoor memory I wouldn't mind repeating..." she paused and Gibbs could almost see the wheels turning and smirked as she almost purred his name, "Jethro?"
"Hmm."
"Can any neighbours see into your back yard?" Abby released his hand and rolled onto her side, tracing her fingers over his arm.
"Too many. There'd be a queue of men if we tried that... and then I'd have to get my gun."
Abby giggled, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "And then I'd have to dispose of all the women ogling you over the fence... without leaving any forensic evidence of course."
He turned his head towards her, grinning. "Of course. Might be a bit tricky gettin' rid of the bodies though."
"Excellent point."
"Would sure make for a quiet neighbourhood though."
Abby laughed. "Maybe we could try the back porch then... in our chair."
He liked the way she called it their chair and grinned back. She leaned in and kissed him soundly, declaring, "I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry after sex." Gibbs watched as she sat up and began rummaging in the cooler and ran his hand down her back, tracing the delicate lines of the cross.
Abby rolled her eyes at him, handing over a beer. "Well... yeah... gotta keep my strength up somehow or I'll never keep up with you. In fact... I could probably work out how many calories I burn off each time and how many I need to replenish..." she trailed off as her mind started to turn over the idea.
He laughed and reached round her to grab a sandwich as he sat up, resting his chin on her shoulder and sliding his hand round her hip to tickle her side. She squirmed, giggling and pushed him back.
After they'd shared the food and drink, they settled back on the blanket and cushions, lying side by side as Abby chatted about who she'd met and what they planned to do tomorrow. Gibbs was content to listen to her husky voice, his mind drifting.
When she finally fell silent, they lay quietly for a while until Gibbs rolled onto his side, head propped on his hand. His gaze ran slowly over her body, trailing his fingers gently along her pale skin, which looked flawless in the moonlight, the ink standing out even more strongly in stark contrast.
His hand came to rest on her stomach, gently stroking in slow circles, seemingly lost in thought. Abby rested her hands over his and Gibbs met her gaze, smiling softly and leaning in for a tender kiss.
"You okay," Abby asked tentatively when he pulled back. "Or am I in the middle of a minefield without realizing it?"
"If you are, I'm right there with ya." He didn't elaborate, letting his gaze rest on their joined hands and Abby let the silence drift for a while but couldn't keep quiet for too long, worried at his preoccupation.
"What's wrong?"
Gibbs glanced up, startled from his thoughts. "Nothing's wrong, Abbs..." He paused, trying to think through what he wanted to say... what he suddenly needed to say. "This afternoon... with George. It suited ya."
Abby smiled, squeezing his hand. "I just loved spending time with him... George was fun..."
"They all were. Kids have no side to them… what ya see is what ya get."
She reached up to run her fingers through his hair, smiling when he pressed a kiss into her palm. "You're such a natural with them. I always love seeing that side of you."
"Enjoyed being a dad." Gibbs was silent for so long, gaze distant, that Abby was about to change the subject when he spoke again. "We haven't talked about it yet but… before we got together you said you wanted more."
"Yeah, I did and I meant it." Her heart felt squeezed in her chest that Gibbs wanted to talk about this now, her nerves bubbling up as she tried to read his expression.
"Kinda got the feeling that included kids."
"Yeah, it did," she admitted softly. "But… it's up to you. I would never put pressure on you about kids… I know it can't be an easy thing to even think about."
The strength of longing that had risen when she was with George and when she saw Gibbs with those kids had taken her by surprise.
But it fed into thoughts she'd been having for a while now… of wanting that 'more' in her life and now she had the man she wanted, it had allowed her mind free rein to think about those things as real possibilities for the first time and not some unattainable wish.
Mentally and emotionally she felt ready to think about it as part of their future. But she'd imagined it would be a long time before Gibbs would be prepared or even able to think about it, let alone discuss it.
Gibbs shook his head slightly, his voice rough as he went on. "Nope… never easy. Don't think it helped my other marriages either. Wasn't ready then. Couldn't even think about havin' another kid. Thought I was ready when Stephanie wanted kids but she couldn't have 'em."
Abby felt a flash of sympathy for Stephanie, or both of them, her heart pounding in her chest as she plucked up the courage to ask him.
"And now?"
He held her gaze, nodding slowly. "With you… yeah, I do. You?"
Earlier, watching her with George, he'd found himself swamped by that image he'd had on Fathers' Day, of a mini version of Abby with green eyes and dark hair.
"Yes… totally," Abby whispered, and reached up to kiss him slowly, tenderly and when the kiss came to a natural end, she saw a big grin spread across his face as she whispered, "Want all of it with you."
Before she could go on, he'd pulled her into his arms, hugging her close, struggling with his emotions. As she snuggled into him, she went on softly, "I kinda wanted it to be just us for a while but yeah, I do want your child… want us to have a family."
In one way, it didn't feel rushed. They'd both been investing in this relationship for years even before they were together, and knowing each other so well already, they'd been able to leapfrog over that awkward getting to know you bit.
And in another way, she wanted to enjoy them for a while... she felt like she'd been waiting for him forever and wanted to savor everything they had together.
"Kinda like the idea of us too… for a while," Gibbs admitted softly, nuzzling against her face.
"Not that I wanna wait forever but..."
"... I'm not getting any younger," he finished with a rueful smile.
She shook her head. "Wasn't about to say that... but neither am I, even though I know it doesn't matter so much these days if you become a mom later in your thirties or even early forties, so we've got time." Her voice was so soft and quiet, he strained to hear as Abby continued, "Although I'm not sure I'd be a good mom… I wasn't much of a good substitute mom or helper for Luca."
When she was growing up, she'd had to act as her parents' ears very often and had taken such an active part in raising her brother that sometimes she felt like an aunt to Luca rather than his sister.
There were so many things her parents missed out on while she and Luca were growing up. Abby could still picture the tears in their eyes as she signed Luca's first spoken word to them, neither of them realizing that the almost constantly open mouth of her little brother had finally formed a coherent word instead of just making noise.
He stroked a hand gently down her hair, hearing the doubt in her voice and wanting to chase it away. "Find that hard to believe, Abbs, and that's not what Gloria or Ben told me. You're a natural with kids too… didn't need to see ya with George today to be reminded of that."
"Yeah, but looking after someone else's, even if it's your own brother, is different… I'm not the conventional image of a mom after all, am I?" Abby looked up at him, smiling and his heart ached to see the sadness and worry in her eyes. "What would I have in common with other moms, huh, and I'd just embarrass the heck out of the kids? I can just imagine any schoolteacher having kittens if I turned up on parents' day."
She loved kids but she wasn't sure how she'd be as a mom… if she could do it for herself. Quite frankly, it scared the crap out of her.
Gibbs understood her trepidation and lack of confidence but didn't share it. "You'll be a fantastic mom, Abbs. The kind other kids wish was theirs. And none of what other people think is important… it's what we want that matters."
She smiled at the confidence and warmth in his voice and burrowed back into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, I know… I'm just having a bit of a wobble… not about the idea." It was a comfort knowing he'd be there… knowing he'd support and help her with this most important part of their lives, as he was for everything else.
"But you're doubting yourself… again," he chided gently.
"As long as you'll still love me when I'm as big as an aircraft carrier." Abby dropped her eyes to his chest, tracing random patterns on his skin and Gibbs heard the vulnerability and the real question behind her joke and made a mental note to work on her confidence every chance he got.
"You'll be the sexiest aircraft carrier I'll ever board."
Abby snorted in amusement, poking him in the ribs. "That was so cheesy, we could stick it on a plate and serve it with crackers."
Abby could easily imagine how he'd be with her while she was pregnant. If she thought he was over-protective now, she suspected she hadn't seen the half of it... his history with Kelly would only make that come out more strongly.
His eyes ran down her body, sliding his hand over her belly again, feeling her smile against his skin, imagining what Abby would be like while carrying his child. He could easily imagine how her natural joy and beauty could only be enhanced by the glow pregnancy gave most women.
He hadn't been there for Kelly's birth and it was one of a long list of regrets in his life. So the thought of being with Abby right throughout any pregnancy and being there to see their child enter the world filled him with a torrent of emotion.
The thought that he could have that again... have a family was something he'd not been able to think about without overwhelming pain for a very long time.
Abby let herself relax in his arms, snuggling into his chest, her mind whirling in a hundred directions at once as it began to sink in that she might actually be able to have all of that 'more' that she wanted... with the man she wanted.
She'd seen Gibbs with kids so often and could only imagine what a wonderful father he'd been to Kelly and she wanted to give that back to him more than anything... wanted to give him another chance to have a family.
TBC...
