Anna was due to arrive in a matter of hours and Tony could not be more relieved. Gibbs was seriously losing it. He had snapped at Abby of all people. Granted Abby could be a lot to handle in situations like this. Of course she meant well but she was so Abbyish. Tony knew it got to Gibbs and feared him going off on her but it was different knowing he did. It was different seeing Gibbs break down and being useless.
"You should go back and see her again." Tony suggested.
"While I was in there a baby who was born weeks later and doing way better died. If that kid who was thriving can die. What's to save her?" Gibbs questioned.
"She only had one kidney. It failed fast." Tony explained.
"How do you know?" Gibbs asked.
"His cousin goes to Tali's school. His aunt saw me and worried that it was me and Ziva's kid." Tony explained.
"They said he was thriving." Gibbs commented.
"He was but things changed fast." Tony explained.
"How is that supposed to make me feel better?" Gibbs demanded.
"They knew time with him would likely be short. Infant organ donation is not easy." Tony explained.
"She just looks so fragile." Gibbs sighed.
"She is and there is a good chance she won't survive." Tony explained.
"Then why should I see her? Why should I chance getting attached only to lose her?" Gibbs asked.
"She needs somebody. She deserves to know love. Especially if her time is brief." Tony explained.
"Can't you and Ziver?" Gibbs asked.
"Ziva can't handle this. She's flipping out as it is. Kelly was only two weeks ahead of her." Tony reminded.
"McGee and Delilah?" Gibbs asked.
"They have the twins to worry about." Tony reminded.
"Abby? Bishop?" Gibbs offered.
"Bishop won't step foot in the hospital without your permission and Abby is freaked out by how you snapped at her." Tony explained.
"Ducky?" Gibbs suggested.
"He's with Tori until the Palmer's get back." Tony reminded.
"Jimmy and Breena?" Gibbs begged.
"They have their hands full. Gibbs it has to be you." Tony insisted.
"Anna's coming!" Gibbs cried.
"She has three kids on her own and with Sean being severely autistic she can't be spending all her time in the NICU." Tony reminded.
"So basically I have to be alone?" Gibbs questioned.
"Not alone but you do have to step up and give her love." Tony explained.
"But I'm scared." Gibbs admitted.
"I know" Tony replied.
Anna arrived to the hospital. She was dreading this moment. She wanted to be with her brother but she did not want to see him in pain. She did not want to see her niece's body, she did not want to see her great niece struggling in the NICU. She was not ready for the tragedy that was awaiting her.
Jethro stood outside the door to the NICU. He knew that he needed to go in but he could not bring himself to pick up the phone and request to be buzzed in. He could not do it. He was terrified of seeing his granddaughter so sick. He was terrified of getting attached only for her to die.
"Let's go in together." Anna suggested.
"I'm sorry but I can't." Jethro whispered.
"They know I am your sister. I am going to go in and see her. You just take your time." Anna offered.
"OK" Jethro sighed.
That was the one thing that frustrated Tony about Anna. She was a Gibbs for sure but she was softer than the Gibbs men. Tony wasn't sure if that was because she was a lady or because she had inherited her mother's meek ways. What he knew was that those meek ways were not what Gibbs needed right now. He didn't need Abby's over the top optimism but he also did not need a pushover. He needed tough love and there was only one person who could deliver that. Tony walked into the main waiting room, took out his phone, and dialed her number.
Ziva rested her hand on her stomach. She wasn't sure if she was smaller this time or if she were pudgier now. She had gained nearly thirty pounds with Tali. The postpartum hit harder than she thought and she ended up putting on another thirty pounds. They had trouble getting pregnant this time around. They had two miscarriages between Tali and this baby. Ziva managed to drop thirty five pounds. Making herself only fifteen pounds heavier than before Tali's birth. She also did a few hormone treatments and made it past the sixth week, the first miscarriage, and then eight, the second miscarriage. Now she was twenty eight weeks. Twenty weeks past the last miscarriage, and eight to twelve weeks until she would give birth. She had been happy and hopeful, until today. Today one of her best friends had died and her surrogate father was suffering. Her phone rang it was Tony.
"Ziva, Gibbs needs you. McGee is coming over to watch Tali."
Anna placed her hand on her brother's shoulder. She knew that she needed to be tougher but sometimes Jethro scared her a little her went after Abby. He never went after Abby. Surely he would go after her as well.
"She's doing great." Anna assured.
"Kelly's not." Jethro replied voice cracking.
"Oh Jethro." Anna whispered.
"If I lose her I lose the last piece of Kelly. Of my family." Jethro sobbed.
"You won't lose her." Anna assured.
Breaking down was the first thing that Jethro needed to do. He fell onto the couch just sobbing uncontrollably. He had broken down before but this was different. He was really crying for Kelly the first time. This was child loss. His baby girl was dead. He did not know what he was supposed to do now that she was gone.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. Life got crazy for a bit. Anyway Gibbs finally meets his baby granddaughter in the next chapter. After a little tough love from Ziva. Thanks for reading and please review.