Months
" Who's the most gorgeous little baby? That's right! It's you! You, you, you!"
" Don't give him an ego boost, Abs. He's already got the genes..."
" Tim! He's just a baby! Just a gorgeous, handsome little man!"
The baby gurgled, a wide, toothless grin plastering his face, as Abby hoisted him into her lap, cooing, as she swung gently in Gibb's chair. Ziva glanced over from her desk, watching with a smile as her son entertained the goth and Tim.
" So have you thought about any names yet, Abby?"
The goth nodded, still captivated by the baby.
" I mean, I know I still have 3 months to go, but it's never too early right?"
Ziva nodded her agreement, as Tim bent down to speak to the baby.
" She wants to buy him a little coffin to sleep in..."
Abby grinned, and Ziva played along happily.
" Oh, I think that is a wonderful idea!"
Tim glanced up, visibly paling, however, his reply was cut off as the elevator pinged, and Ducky appeared, smiling brightly.
" I heard we had a visitor in with us today!"
Little Tony stared, watching the older man approach, as Ducky grinned widely, bending down to study the young baby.
" And it is indeed the young Master DiNozzo! What a handsome chap you are, young man. He is looking well, Ziva. Much bigger than last time I saw him, bright as a button, clearly listening to every word... what a sharp little mind...How old is he now? 8 and a half months?"
" Just turned 9 months two days ago. Time has flown..."
" As it often does. You know, an infant mind is like a sponge, soaking up everything he or she sees, hears, tastes, experiences... No doubt, he already has some of his own traits, and has picked up habits from those around him..."
He reached out, a finger tickling under the baby's chin, making his squeal in delight, and again, beam that toothless grin. Ducky chuckled, shooting Ziva a smirk.
"My, my, he does take after Anthony, doesn't he?"
Ziva snorted with laughter, standing up to lean against her desk, watching with soft eyes.
" Because I have not heard that one before. Clearly, things do not work evenly in the trouser pool."
" That'd be 'gene' pool, sweet-cheeks. Unless you're still dating. S'pose that could be the trouser pool..."
She rolled her eyes, turning to face her newly arrived husband, who gave her an innocent look as he dumped his bag on his deak.
" What? Only helping!"
Her response was her lack of one, as she pushed herself off of the table.
" I shall be back, Vance wants to see me."
Tony glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. Ziva smiled innocently, brushing past him with a pat to the chest.
" And Tony has just been fed. Don't let him fool you into another bottle."
He looked over at the baby, before back at his wife, who was by now climbing the illustrious stairs to Vance's office. Tony considered it for a moment, before deciding to leave it, that he'd get answers later tonight. He sauntered over and perched on Gibbs' desk, eyeing his son, who Abby was happily bouncing on her knee, with a smile.
" Here, Tim! Have a cuddle with him. He's so darn cute!"
McGee visibly gulped, hands taking on a slight tremble as he was handed the baby. Tony took the chance to pounce on him.
" Still not baby confident, Tim? No worries, you'll be McGooGooGaga after a week..."
Tim gave him a slight glare, going back to doing his best to rock the infant in his arms. Tony clapped him on the back, clearly reveling in the younger agent's discomfort. Ducky carefully adjusted his hold on the little one, giving slight pointers.
" Make sure his cervical vertebrae are supported if you hold him like that, particularly with younger babies. Their atlas and axis vertebrae are still rather soft, and the muscles surrounding it quite weak, so it's important for their development. You know, I once knew of a couple who had an infant..."
Ducky continued on his usual ramble, as the younger Tony in Tim's arms gave the agent an eyeballing, quickly noting the change from confident Aunt Abby to rather nervous Uncle Timmy. The baby watched him carefully, lip slowly starting to protrude, sniffling, and his breath began to hitch, little face furrowing.
" Uh, Tony?"
McGee's alarmed tone brought a look of fiendish glee to the elder agent, who was content to watch him struggle for a moment.
" It's all good practice Tim. Just bring him up to your chest and comfort him."
Tim looked as though he'd just been asked to wrestle a bear, or rather, tell Gibbs there was no more coffee. The baby's wails began to pick up, and he paled further, doing his best to comfort the young child. But it was to no avail, as the younger DiNozzo let rip, small face turning red at his screaming. McGee looked desperately between Abby, Ducky and Tony, rocking the wailing baby.
" Guys, c'mon!"
It was Tony who relented first, Abby content to watch him 'gain practice', and listen as Ducky continued his story, regardless of the screaming infant. After several minutes of watching Tim flounder, he hoisted his son from his arms, bringing him in tightly to his chest, and gently murmuring hushes in his ear. The effect was almost instant. The baby calmed, small fists curling his his father's shirt, snuffling, as he took in the new face that held him. After several hiccups and sniffles, he was quiet again, content to stare at his father, and laugh as he was tickled.
" Dada!"
Tony beamed, bouncing him gently as the noise ceased, as Tim stared on, half in confusion, half in admiration. Abby, on the other hand, cooed and aww'd.
" He talks! You never told us that!"
" He's got mama and dada down... baba, that's food...The rest is just sort of babbles, but we're getting there..."
" He's so cute! Such a clever boy! Aren't you?"
The young Tony, his head resting against his father's chest, giggled, watching as Abby pulled faces and cooed at him. Ducky placed a hand on Tim's shoulder, patting it softly.
" No worries, Timothy! You have 3 months to prepare yourself!"
" Gee, thanks Duck."
Tony shot the younger agent a grin, like a predator hunting his prey.
" We can give you plenty of practice. I can even give you lessons, Probie. Like, how to change a diaper quickly."
" Speed isn't everything, Tony."
" It is if you don't want to end up being peed in the face."
Tim's already pale face went white. Months were going to turn into minutes.
Poor McGoo. I was watching the episode with the Korean military wives. The part where Gibbs takes the baby, instead of a nervous McGee, made me giggle, so here you go.
How I wish I'd had a Tony around to teach me that last lesson. Ah well, the hard way is always a great teacher!
Thank you all for your lovely reviews and welcome-backs, they really brightened my day. I read them all to my son, who is probably too young to understand, but listened in anyway. What a good sport he is. There shall be responses in the coming updates, I promise!