Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or NCIS or any of their characters. I do however own this story, I wrote it and I do NOT give permission for anyone to post it anywhere else. If you want to share it post a link.
The team dinner happened a fortnight after Heather arrived, though the team had insisted on making it a potluck meal to make it easier for the two new father's. Gibbs was the first to arrive wanting to be there in case he was needed to keep his team in line. He was prepared to help set up the extra table or something but all the work was done. His contribution to the meal was bread and drinks along with steaks he'd given Tim the day before to grill. He joined Tim outside and took over grilling.
"We eating out here?" he asked.
"Yeah, so long as the weather holds, otherwise we can just carry the tables into the playroom," Tim said gesturing to the folding glass wall into the old ballroom.
"Are they new?" Gibbs asked.
"No you probably just didn't notice them, they look like traditional windows from the inside when they're shut," Tim replied handing over a cold beer.
Duck arrived next with soup and deserts, accompanied by Jimmy who'd brought salad, and ice-cream.
"We're going to have way too much food," Hadrian said laughing, leading them into the kitchen and putting away the food. "Tim and Gibbs are outside grilling and the children are 'helping' Heather tidy their playroom in case we need to move the tables in there if the weather changes.
"Can I do anything to help you my dear," Ducky asked.
"No, everything is just about done," Hadrian declined smiling. "I was just about to offer everyone a drink. Tea? Earl Grey or Darjeeling?"
"Whatever you're having would be lovely, Hadrian," Ducky said gratefully.
"Jimmy? Tea? Coffee? There's beer out in the cooler beside the grill if you'd prefer," Hadrian offered.
"Coffee would be good, thanks," Jimmy smiled.
Hadrian handed him a mug from the cupboard and pointed him to the coffee maker which had just finished brewing.
"Do you want me to take Gibbs a cup?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes, thanks," Hadrian said, busy with the teapot.
Jimmy grabbed another cup and disappeared out the back door with them.
"Who else are we expecting?" Ducky asked.
"Just Tony and Ziva," Hadrian replied.
"You didn't invite Abby," Ducky said concerned.
"Abby is not friend of mine or Tim's," Hadrian said bluntly.
"She is still part of this team, as much as Jimmy and myself are," Ducky countered.
Hadrian sighed, they couldn't invite her because they didn't believe she'd make it through the wards and having her not show up would've caused even more problems for Tim at work than if she found out she'd been excluded.
"And this isn't an official team function. Teddy's old enough to remember how she behaved last time he met her, she frightened him. Tim and I won't risk putting him through that in his own home," Hadrian replied earnestly. "It was her doing Dr Mallard, that she's not welcome."
Ducky was saved from having to answer by Ziva who arrived with a mountain of Tupperware containers piled so high she could barely see where she was going.
Hadrian and Ducky rushed to help.
"What did you make?" Hadrian asked, amused. "Have you been taking more classes?"
"Yes, though I have not had much time for them lately," Ziva replied. "I bought bities and a Black Forest torte,"
Hadrian looked confused. "I believe you meant nibbles, Ziva, the snacks served before a meal," Ducky corrected his friend gently.
"Yes thank you Ducky. Nibbles, where would you like them?"
"Ducky and I were just about to join the team outside. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee? There's earl grey in the pot and cold drinks outside," Hadrian replied.
"Tea would be lovely," Ziva said smiling gratefully.
Hadrian fixed her a cup and then refreshed the teapot, loading it and the coffee and Ziva's nibbles onto the antique tea service, wheeling it out to the deck. Gibbs immediately came over for more coffee.
-o0o-
"You're late!" Gibbs said as Hadrian ushered Tony onto the deck.
Tony flushed. "You try walking down from my apartment with this wonderful smelling lasagne. I was fending off hints for an invitation from all directions."
The team laughed. "You could have invited one of them if you wanted," Hadrian said.
"You could've invited them all, I'm sure we'd have enough food," Tim said, teasing his husband. Hadrian elbowed him in the ribs.
"Gee thanks guys, if they tasted my cooking I'd never get rid of them," Tony said sarcastically.
Once they were all there, Tim went in to get Heather and the children. "Guys this is my Mom, Heather McGee, and you all know Teddy and Rosie, Mom this is my boss Agent Gibbs, my colleagues Agents Tony DiNozzo and Officer Ziva David. And these are our medical examiner Dr Donald Mallard who you would have heard me call Ducky and his assistant Jimmy Palmer. Daisy is napping at the moment but she'll be awake soon, probably the minute lunch is ready," he introduced. "Teddy, Rosie, do you remember everybody?"
The children nodded and shyly said hello. The parents in the group chuckled ruefully remembering their own children's uncanny knack of waking up just in time to prevent their parents from eating in peace. Heather made polite conversation with Ziva while the men gathered around the grill.
The steaks were cooked and dinner was served, Daisy could be heard crying over the baby monitor right on cue and Hadrian excused himself to attend her needs. Dressing her warmly he heated her bottle and brought her outside to feed, handing her to Tim who had finished half his meal and held his hands out for the baby as Hadrian walked past him. He dished himself up a plate and started to eat.
Ziva finished eating and took the baby so that Tim could finish his own meal.
Cooing and talking baby talk to the baby she totally missed the grins from the men around the table at her uncharacteristic behaviour.
Gibbs found himself liking Heather McGee, though he hadn't expected to. The detective in him could see the weakness in her character that explained the automatic deference to many of her husband's points of view, though she had gone against him in refusing to cut Tim out of her life he could understand why Tim had doubts she would stand up to him in person instead of just behind his back. He wondered whether the Admiral knew where his wife was staying while he was deployed. And if he knew what he'd had to say about it. Had Heather come to visit Tim in spite of his opposition or had she lied about who she was visiting.
After they finished eating Daisy was passed around. Rosie was too at first but soon objected to being held and was put down to go and play. She and Teddy headed down to the swings, quickly joined by Tim, Heather, and Ziva.
Ducky watched from the deck. "They're all growing so quickly, it seems just a few weeks ago we were here welcoming Rosie to your family," he said to Hadrian.
"Sometimes it does to me too and others it seems that they must always have been with us. I can't imagine life without them," Hadrian replied.
"The three of them must be a handful. I remember when Kelly was each of their ages and she certainly kept us on our toes all by herself," Gibbs said.
"They each do that!" Hadrian agreed watching Tim push Rosie on the toddler swing, while Teddy showed Ziva how good he was at swinging himself now.
Hadrian fended off offers to help clean up, it would actually be quicker if he was alone in the kitchen so the elves could help. He brought out the deserts under a stasis charm to keep them fresh and safe to eat and set them on the side table before joining Tim down on the lawn with the children and other adults except Ducky who had fallen asleep holding a now also sleeping Daisy. They were playing some sort of ball game where it appeared to Hadrian that Teddy was making up rules as he went along. Though maybe it was just an American ballgame that he wasn't familiar with because nobody was getting frustrated with the little boy's rules.
Rosie soon lost interest in the ball game and wandered off causing Hadrian to chase after her since none of the ball players seemed to notice. He scooped up the little girl and brought her back up to the deck putting her down in the corner amongst her toys, where he could keep an eye on her, secretly casting a tethering spell to keep her there in case he got distracted. He brought out another teapot and settled in to enjoy the hot beverage while he waited for the others to finish their game.
Gibbs took the opportunity to get close to Heather McGee without the others overhearing and asked. "Does the Admiral know you're staying with Tim and Hadrian?"
"He knows I'm in DC visiting my children," Heather replied evasively. "He wasn't happy about it but I told him that he can't force me to disown Tim and more than I've ever been able to make him reach out and make the effort to get to know his son."
"And is he going to be happy to let you leave him alone at home when he's allocated to a shore position? Or will you not be able to visit Tim and Hadrian and the children, once he isn't deployed? Not to mention how's the Admiral going to accept not being allowed to know Tim's address where you'll be staying, when you come to visit him next time?" Gibbs asked bluntly.
Heather paled. "He isn't, I hadn't considered that. But are you sure that Thomas can't be told the address? He won't be here in DC."
"As one of the two people who had to physically restrain your husband long enough for it to sink in that assaulting and grievously harming a NCIS agent in the middle of NCIS headquarters could be a career ending move I can definitely say that both Tim and Hadrian were very relieved that he did not have access to their home and their children," Gibbs told her firmly. "As I already impressed on your daughter, that Thomas McGee is a serious threat to Tim, Hadrian and possibly the children as well. If Tim's father comes after them and the children, he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, Admiral or not, and we will prosecute the person who told him where to find them, as a co-conspirator. You have been warned."
Looking at Heather's pale and shaken visage, Gibbs felt slightly guilty but he wasn't going to have either of the McGee women with their rose coloured glasses views, compromise his boy's or grandchildren's safety with ill thought out words.
-o0o-
Eventually they trooped up the steps hot and thirsty and Hadrian distributed drinks, Ducky and Daisy woke too and Tim spirited her upstairs for a nappy change before bringing her back down. She was grumpy and wouldn't go to anyone. Rosie was also starting to whine and rub her eyes so Hadrian took her upstairs to nap and everyone started saying their goodbyes.
"Thanks for coming guys," Tim said showing them to the door with Daisy in his arms.
"Thank you for having us Timothy, thank Hadrian also. I hope it wasn't too much work for the two of you with the new baby," Ducky replied.
"It wasn't Ducky, we were glad to have you all come," Tim said smiling.
"And you're both equally glad to see us go," Jimmy said looking at the exhausted looking new father.
Tony rolled his eyes at Palmer's lack of tact and steered him out the door. "See you Monday, McDaddy!"
"Get some sleep before then," Gibbs ordered, gently for him.
"I hope to Boss," Tim replied. They hadn't had a turned back day since his mother had come to stay and Tim was ready to suggest turning back and going to a hotel or something just to get some unbroken sleep.
The others left, Heather retreated to her room to rest and Hadrian let the elves finish with the clean up.
"I have the portkey to the house in Boston, it's empty, I say we go quietly pack a change of clothes and repeat the weekend there, just the two of us, we'll be back before we're missed," Hadrian suggested.
"Sounds like Heaven, pity we can't take a whole week and go to Hawaii," Tim replied.
"I thought of that, there's no reason why we couldn't turn back a whole week but how are you going to explain getting a tan overnight. Tony would tease you for months for fake-tanning," Hadrian said chuckling.
Tim laughed, "He'd bring it up for years not months, and being in Hawaii and only being able to go out at dawn and dusk would suck, though I'm sure we could keep ourselves occupied. Boston for the weekend it is," he agreed smiling.
-o0o-
They landed in the front entrance, turned back three days and then made a quick survey of the house before calling the elves. Three of them popped in glad to have the freedom to move about the house without worrying about being seen. "We'll be here for the weekend, just the two of us, can you make up the master bedroom and prepare some meals for us to heat up and food that can easily be prepared. Then go back and help the other Hadrian and I prepare for the party," Tim said.
Hadrian smiled as the elves popped out to follow their orders.
"Are you hungry for dinner?" Hadrian asked.
"No I've been snacking all day," Tim said. "Are you tired."
"A little, it's been a long day. But I'm not sleepy, I just want to spend some time just the two of us," Hadrian said.
"Hot tub?" Tim asked.
Hadrian groaned in pleasure at the idea, grabbed Tim and apparated them upstairs and used his wand to activate the runes to set the hot tub going. The elves had cleaned it as part of the master suite and the runes had the tub heated and ready to go within minutes.
Tim laughed at his eagerness as they stripped themselves off and climbed in. Tim pulled Hadrian onto his lap and they sat there curled up together talking about nothing much as thoughts occurred to them and just enjoying the peace of knowing they were alone and the lack of pressure to be polite or keep the peace or put up a perfect united front. The runes kept the hot tub at the perfect temperature and the herbal essences Hadrian added were to aid with relaxation not desire but eventually they'd had enough. They climbed out of the tub and showered together washing each other down at first platonically just enjoying caring for each other but after a while their arousal started to take over and they began kissing passionately. Hadrian yelped as Tim pushed him up against the cold tiles.
"Sorry," Tim muttered.
Hadrian wrapped both arms and legs around Tim and Tim moved one hand to support Hadrian's weight while he reached up and angled the warm water onto the tiles to heat them up a bit before he leaned Hadrian back onto them. "Here or bed?" he asked.
"Bed," Hadrian decided. "I want to take our time."
Tim helped Hadrian to stand and dried him off, Hadrian reached for his wand and magically dried off Tim causing him to huff at him and pick him up and throw him onto the bed.
Hadrian chuckled delightedly and moved to lie in the centre of the bed, drawing his legs up exposing himself and conjuring lube he began preparing himself.
Tim stopped and watched almost moaning with desire. "Do you have any idea how amazing you look like that? Knowing no one else will ever see this almost takes my breath away in wonder," he asked.
Hadrian smirked. "Stop watching me. I need you," he said.
Tim immediately crawled onto the bed and over Hadrian kissing him passionately. "I love you," he said breathlessly.
"I love you too," Hadrian said arching his hips up to brush their penises together.
Tim moaned and thrust back for a moment before withdrawing a little and lining himself up with Hadrian's entrance but didn't push in. "I'm going to make you scream," he warned teasingly.
Hadrian grinned.
While technically they could make as much noise as they liked in their room at home. Hadrian had installed a permanent one way silencing ward so they could still hear the children but no sounds could be heard from inside their room when the door was shut, they tended to save their more involved erotic adventures for when they were alone or away from home. Tim said Tony referred to it as hotel room sex. Couples in long term relationships would have fairly vanilla sex at home but in a hotel room where they didn't need to worry about being disturbed or cleaning up after themselves they'd break free and have sex all over the room. Magic took care of the cleanup but other than that Tony's theory tended to hold true. With three children, a nanny and his mother in the house, not to mention the hours Tim worked they'd fallen into a bit of a rut, sex lately had been quick, and quiet, efficiently getting each other off rather than spending time glorying in each other and their relationship. Here on their weekend out of time they had no responsibilities other than to get some rest to prepare themselves to face the world again come Monday and spend time together, and Tim intended to make very sure they both slept well later that night, much later.
They spent an enjoyable day lazing around the house, because they'd only been there for the wedding preparations and the weekend of the wedding itself there weren't a lot of books or other activities to occupy them, not that they noticed the lack but it was something to consider if they did plan on regularly using the house, particularly if they were to bring the children.
They visited the conservatory where they'd exchanged their public wedding vows and Harry cast a cushioning charm where they'd stood that day and drew Tim into a passionate kiss slowly starting to take off his clothes. Tim reciprocated eagerly but started to shiver as his outer layers were removed. Hadrian cast warming charms on the ground and the surrounding air. "I'm not cold," Tim said softly.
"Now you'll be warm enough to take our time," Hadrian replied. He doused the main lights leaving them lit only by the fairy lights threaded through the plants.
Tim rolled onto his back, giving control to Hadrian who kissed and caressed his way down Tim's body.
-o0o-
Heather couldn't help but notice something had changed between Tim and Hadrian since she'd seen them last. They both looked a lot more mellow and amazingly well rested in spite of the busy weekend. Remembering that look on her husband's face from the early days of their marriage she was glad for the thick walls of the old manor house that prevented her from hearing anything from her son's or grandchildren's rooms at night. The two men's good moods were contagious and breakfast proceeded calmly as Tim unhurriedly ate then left for work and Hadrian got Teddy ready for school and the girls for a morning at kindy gym and then a picnic in the park with his new friends. He'd invited Heather to join him but she'd elected to spend some time pampering herself and get her hair and nails done that morning to give Hadrian some time to himself and with his friends.
Gibbs also noticed how well rested McGee looked compared to the happy but tired appearance he'd had at the barbecue the day before but didn't bother to speculate further. Tony on the other hand attributed the relaxed muscles and easy grin that morning not to adequate sleep but to some good loving and had no hesitation in shooting Tim a teasing look.
Tim knew that smart comments would probably follow once they were out of Gibbs hearing. It had taken Tony a while to start teasing Tim about his sex life again after meeting Hadrian and realizing who his probationary agent was having sex with. Not just that Hadrian was a man but that he was the husband not just a boyfriend or boytoy. Tim had actually been relieved when the teasing restarted but now it was just a minor irritation. Thankfully for the peace of the team it wasn't long before they got a new case, the dead petty officer and his missing best mate filled the rest of their day, tension increasing when they found the best mate's body hidden in bushland. He'd obviously predeceased their petty officer leaving them without a prime suspect. They'd no sooner solved the murders, and were still writing up the reports when they got a call out for a missing 14 year old marine dependent. After spending three 20 hour days searching the girl turned up unharmed at a friend's house near their previous posting. It was still a mystery how a 14 year old girl had got herself half way across the country without being seen but the reunion with her family was worth all the hours they'd put in. Gibbs had left the girl his desk phone number with strict instructions to call him and let him know what was going on the next time she felt the need to flee.
Four back to back cases gave Heather a better appreciation for how hard her son worked and why he'd cancelled out on so many family dinners over the years. She was amazed that Hadrian seemed to take his erratic schedule in stride, making sure the children were happy and had the opportunity to talk to Tim if at all possible before bed, and that there was a healthy meal ready for whatever hour of the night he showed up and clean clothes to replace those he'd worn out of his go bag the nights he hadn't got home, never blaming or scolding him for his absence or making him feel guilty for neglecting him or the children.
"He'll make it up to us all as soon as he gets a break. I've seen him dead on his feet and refusing to rest in order to spend time with Teddy and Rosie," Hadrian said. "And I'd be a hypocrite to complain when my work schedule can be even worse at times. At least we've spoken to Tim every day and know he's okay."
"At least with Tim's father I always had plenty of notice when he'd be deployed and an idea of how long he'd been gone," Heather said. "You have to be prepared for Tim to be home anytime."
"He does ring me most evenings and tell me when he's leaving the Navy Yard, so I have a little warning," Hadrian replied smiling, though inwardly he was wondering what Heather thought he might be up to that required Tim to warn him when he was coming home.
Hadrian and Tim both felt guilty that with Heather in the house they could only use the time turner for Tim to get some rest and them both to have a little alone time, not to spend time with the children but Heather wouldn't understand that Tim couldn't be seen, or answer the phone or appear to be in the house at all on his time turned days so they had to limit it to the house in Boston, Hadrian had Tollie pop Daisy to them when she went to put the baby down for her nap. It didn't help much because they couldn't keep her much longer than she normally slept but it did give Tim some time for cuddles and made sure the baby didn't notice that he was a part of her daily life that had gone missing lately but there was nothing they could do about the older children. There was no way of taking either of them to Boston without risking them telling their Grandma Heather about it.
-o0o-
Thanksgiving drew closer and Tim told Hadrian all about the relatives he expected to be there and stories about holiday celebrations and traditions in the past in preparation for his husband meeting his family. Hadrian and Heather could both tell that Tim was nervous about introducing his two families to each other, but there wasn't much they could do to reassure him.
Hadrian eagerly learned what he could about Tim's family, determined that this weekend with them was going to go well, even if he had to resort to casting wandless cheering charms at everyone and spiking the drinks with calming potions. Hopefully it wouldn't be necessary, particularly as Tim would recognize his interference and know his relatives' reactions weren't totally genuine which would hurt him nearly as much as letting them express their anger but would at least protect the children and allow them to enjoy their first holiday with Tim's extended family.
A/N: Thank you to Kourtney Uzu Yato, aisa.32, lilly-flower15, Kim Marie Durette, luramos, Locket1, SpiritBlackPaw, Fallow54, colubrum, HoneyBear84, DarkRavie, starie78, Melikalilly, knuckles 8, Sakihinata, Rori Potter, MargaritaS, MayaHikari, delia cerrano, mooneysfate, buterflypuss, notsofrilly, acherongoddess, Obsesive Reader, Lady Kaiki, Rainbow2007, Gottahavemyncis, xDarklightx, Harriverse, Lientjuhh, sandipi, Firehedgehog, kimbarn30, starhoney, sillygabby, Millie072, julschristine975, charm13insomnia, DS2010, Silvermane1, Ssaki, lia, Corala, rea, little chibi cherub, Criminal Minds Queen, serenityselena, yngoldfogee, LunaDragAngel, Merlenyn, asdf, Serpent91, sanders1800, alya88, Erimenthe, kittyranma, Guest, Beth9891, DragonKnight1775, fandomsneverdie and all those who followed and favourited for your support.
