Chapter 3: I Think I Love You
8 July 2027
Abby and Leon managed to keep the rest of NCIS and family from knowing that they were dating for several months, although Leon suspected that Gibbs had figured it out. At family dinners, they arrived separately and sometimes sat together, sometimes sat apart.
When the family celebration for Tony and Leon's birthdays was held at the DiNozzo house on that Friday, Abby decided she would arrive with Leon. She would tell the others that she wanted to make sure Leon did not have to drive himself to his own party, if asked.
Ziva had planned a cookout and the McGees, Palmers, Reeves family, and Abby were bringing foods to accompany the burgers and hotdogs. Gibbs brought the cake and ice cream. Tony, Tim, and Jimmy had set up the waterslides and a splash pool the previous weekend. Tali and Anthony had set up a volleyball/badminton net on the side lawn as well. Tony also put out the horseshoes and bocce ball sets as he had done for the family Fourth of July party.
When the family broke into teams to play some of the games, Abby and Leon were a team. No one said anything as it was normal for them to pair up for family game time. Ziva and Tony did notice when Abby and Leon sat side by side for the meal, but neither one said anything except to each other. Gibbs also noticed and to him it confirmed what he already suspected about the two.
As the evening wound down and families started heading home, Abby and Leon said goodnight to all and left the way they came, together. At Leon's house, Abby grabbed a large gift bag from the back seat and followed Leon inside.
Abby placed the bag on the kitchen counter and wrapped her arms around Leon's neck, pressing her lips to his, "Happy, happy birthday, handsome! You don't know how much I wanted to do this earlier..." Her voice trailed off as Leon fused his lips to hers. Abby grabbed the bag and led Leon to the family room, holding his hand the whole way and kissing him as they walked.
"Sit, please," Abby indicated the sofa and sat next to Leon. "My present for you at the party was just for show, you know? I'm glad you like the jazz CD, but it's only a for everyone's eyes gift. Your REAL gift is in the bag…" Abby began to worry that she pushed too far with Leon when he didn't answer her at first.
"Ok, I'll bite; what's in the bag?" Leon locked eyes with Abby and took her hands in his. Abby temporarily forgot about the bag as she met his gaze. For the first time since she had known Tony and Ziva, she finally understood why and how they could get lost in each other's eyes.
The intensity of the moment startled them both and each looked away slightly. Leon squeezed Abby's hands in his. "Would you like something to drink? I have sweet tea, hot tea, water and CafPOW!"
"Water is fine," Abby replied. "I'll go get it; what would you like?" Abby was very familiar with the Vance kitchen as she cooked dinner for the couple several times each week in the very same kitchen.
"Water is fine, and I'll go with you." Leon followed Abby to the kitchen and watched her pour two glasses of water and put a twist of orange in each one. He still was amazed at how she had picked up on the little things, such as his preference for a twist of orange in his water.
The pair went back to the family room and sat back on the couch. Abby handed Leon the bag and watched as he pulled a small box out of it. He looked inside and saw several more boxes and bags. "Open one at time," Abby directed.
Leon unwrapped the first box and when he opened it, he saw the pocket watch that had been his grandfather's watch. He had many fond memories of his grandfather that were tied to that watch. It was how he had learned to tell time.
"I fixed it for you," Abby grinned at his confused look. "See the second hand moving?"
"Oh, I'm speechless… I don't…" Abby put her finger on Leon's lips.
"I know how much it means to you," she stated simply. He nodded and put his hand in hers.
"Thank you."
"Keep going on the items in the bag." Abby gestured to the gift bag.
The next item was flatter; when Leon unwrapped it, he saw a collage of pictures of himself, Jackie, Kayla and Jared in a simple walnut frame.
"They are all part of who you are, Leon. I want you to have a memory that you can see every day." Abby gestured to the bag again.
The next item was also a photo frame, but with a picture of Abby and Leon taken at the diner by Clyde. "Your present and also your future," Abby again offered a simple explanation.
The final item was wrapped in tissue paper and very light weight. Abby bit her lip as Leon unwrapped the black silky gown, hoping she had not gone too far. He held it up and joked, "Um, definitely not MY size!"
"I… it's for me… to have here…" Abby was panicking. She had pushed Leon too fast. She got up to leave and apologized, trying to grab the gown. "I'm sorry, Leon, I shouldn't have pushed…"
He stood up and wrapped his arms around her, locking his lips on hers. When he broke the kiss, he spoke softly, "No, Abby, you did not push… I have been waiting for this moment. I didn't want to push you too quickly. And, I wasn't sure I was ready. But…"
Abby cut him off by kissing him again. She broke for air and looked into Leon's eyes. "Leon, I think I love you…" She kissed him again, savoring his kisses and touch. She hugged him tighter.
"Abs, air!" He chuckled and she loosened her hug. "I love you too." He motioned for her to sit on the couch and he sat beside her, taking her hands in his own.
"Abby, I wasn't sure I would ever love again, but you have changed all that. I enjoy being with you and when we are apart, I look forward to being with you at the end of the day. You have opened my heart to love again.
"First of all, thank you for being my friend. I think you are now my best friend and I like that. Secondly, I have been working up the courage to ask you to take our relationship to the next level. I know that your lease expires at the end of July. Will you move in with me?"
Leon searched Abby's eyes as she sat taking in all he had said to her. He worried that HE had gone too far. She squeezed his hands in hers, and replied with her heart, "Yes, yes, yes! I love you." She just about flung herself at him and wrapped him into one of her 'Abby hugs.'
After she finally let go of the hug, they settled back onto the couch, arms around each other and Leon found a movie on the television for them to watch. About half way through the movie, Abby murmured something about it being a very domestic moment and Leon laughed.
"And I love it!" Abby gushed. "I could get used to this!"
"Me too."
They watched the rest of the movie and Abby got up to leave for her apartment.
"Stay? Please?" Leon whispered as he drew her to him. She nodded into his embrace.
