A/N: 2 chapters to go...

Sarah (Ch 91) - Thanks :) lol...I figured the impatience sounded like Abby. I knew she wouldn't react well to the baby being a girl, but it's seriously hard not to fall in love with a newborn, no matter what the gender. I'm glad you liked the name. I had it picked for awhile, the harder part was inventing a reason why it fit them :) I liked the little G&C bit at the end, they are so cute married! Thanks for reviewing Sarah!

Guest (Ch 91) - Well, I'm always glad to hear from you, whoever you are :) Thanks so much, that's so nice to hear. lol...yeah, initially I guess A's reaction was a little harsh, that's why getting attached to a gender is dangerous when you don't know for sure. But I think she's going to be a great mom. She'll never be the type who's too grown up to play with her kid. Yeah, G&C are good together, huh? Thanks!

ADR1989 (Ch 91) - Finally, right? It only took the whole freaking story! lol. I'm glad her name went over so well. I know, me too. I'm really gonna miss these guys :( Well, TYF is the sequel, but it's only 2 chapters. Fitting, I think, to wrap up the series with a short story when it started with a one-shot. But Snapshots is a whole series of one-shots about the time between SMH and TYF, and later, as the years pass, there's just over thirty of them right now. Thanks so much for reviewing! PS. If you enabled PMs, I could respond to you directly.

Abby fell asleep before the baby did but Tim was too jazzed to even consider closing his eyes. Instead he pulled his chair close to the plastic bassinet and gently stroked the baby's cheek. "Hi Lissa, it's Daddy again." She stared up at the ceiling, forehead wrinkled as if she was thinking deep confusing thoughts. "Gosh, I can't believe you're finally here. I still remember the day Mommy told me you were growing inside her, and the first time I got to hear your little heart beat. I waited so long to feel you move and I was jealous that Mommy got you all to herself for so many weeks. But now we can share."

McGee tucked his finger into her hand again, her touch so light and soft it reminded him of butterfly wings. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "I love you precious. I'm not always so sure about being a dad, I'm so afraid I'm going to make a mess of it. But I promise I'll do my best, okay?" Her eyelids slid closed and Tim swallowed. "That's it little girl, just sleep. Mommy and I will be right here when you wake up." Leaning back in his chair, the new dad smiled and watched the two most important women in his life sleep soundly for the first time.

NCIS

Abby's first nap was not nearly long enough, but more than she expected. Two hours passed before Haven's thin, pitiful cry broke through her rest and when she opened her eyes McGee already had the baby in his arms. "It's okay honey, don't cry, Mommy's awake." He handed her the little girl and after a few failed attempts that just made Haven cry louder, Abby got her to latch on properly.

Tim watched somewhat in awe and moved his eyes to Abby's. "Weirdest feeling ever?"

Abby made a face. "Kinda. My nipples are tender right now but that's supposed to go away. It's just like a...tugging, I guess."

Haven's cap had come loose and he brushed his hand over her head. "She's got a lot of hair," he commented. "Look how dark it is. Haven will probably look just like you Abbs."

"Maybe. Pigtails and everything," she agreed, already imagining her daughter old enough for all that. "Though I hope her eyes come out darker green like yours." Abby yawned. "You better go home and sleep Timmy. In a couple days we're not even going to recognize that word."

Reluctant to leave but consoling himself with the ability to help tomorrow because he'd be somewhat rested, McGee stood and kissed both his girls. "I love you two."

Abby smiled. "We love you. Don't forget to come back."

He grinned. "Just try and keep me away. See you tomorrow babe."

NCIS

An hour later Abby wasn't expecting to be woken from a light nap by a knock on the door. She pushed herself up a little and rubbed her eyes. "Come in."

The door cracked open and Tony peeked his head in. "Hi Abs."

She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

He came all the way in and sat down beside her on the bed. "No, I just...couldn't stay away." Tony glanced over at baby Haven asleep in her bin. "Pretty crazy, isn't it?"

Abby made a face, not sure thinking coherently was a feat she was capable of at the moment. "What?"

Tony shrugged. "Being a parent. I thought I knew love until the first time I held my daughter, then I realized she'd teach me something new about it every single day."

Abby reached over to touch her baby, then thought better of it. She needed Haven to sleep as long as possible. "I didn't expect a girl. When the midwife told me, I kinda freaked out. I grew up with a little brother Tony, I know about boys, but a girl scares the crap out of me."

"You looked happy about it when we came in," Tony pointed out.

She laughed. "Yeah, well, that was after I freaked out about having a daughter first. But as soon as she started nursing I fell in love." Abby glanced at Haven. "I think she's my greatest accomplishment."

Tony grinned. "I'm sure she'll appreciate the compliment, when she's older." He tugged gently on one of her pigtails. "How're you doing sis?"

Abby shrugged. "Tired. Exhausted. Sore. Next time Timmy gets to try."

He chuckled. "That you can even think 'next time' five hours later is impressive. Although I think Haven will be an only child if McGee is your only choice to carry a second kid."

She wrapped her hand around his. "Did you really come just to check up on me Tony?"

Tony brushed the comment off. "Nah. But I did want to get my alone time in with you. I bet Gibbs shows up tomorrow for his turn."

Knowing that they'd only have this moment once, Abby nodded at the bassinet. "You can get her. Just try not to wake your niece up just yet. She's only been asleep for an hour."

He walked around the bed and gathered the tiny, six pound baby into his arms, returning to sit by Abby. "Hi there sweetheart, I'm your Uncle Tony." He touched her cheek gently. "I'll be the one your dad doesn't want you taking after."

Abby leaned over and kissed Haven's head. "He'll be the cool uncle," she corrected.

Tony adjusted his hold on her. "Wow, I guess I'll never remember just how small you guys are when you've just arrived. Y'know, Chaya was littler than you when she was born. You met her earlier, but you won't remember by tomorrow. Don't worry though, she's lots of fun. She'll be crawling before you are, but I bet you guys will be wreaking havoc together as soon as you're both mobile." He looked up at Abby.

"The family's growing."

"It's already gotten so much bigger than I ever expected," Abby agreed. She was quiet for a moment. "Do you remember when it was just you, me, Gibbs and Kate?"

He held her gaze. "Kate would've loved your baby Abs, I know it."

Abby looked at the ceiling, blinking rapidly as she tried not to cry. "She was my best friend Tony."

Tony rubbed her leg soothingly. "I know she was. You two were so much like sisters."

"I'm happy we have Ziva," she tried to explain, "I wouldn't trade her for anything. But I wish we could've kept them both."

Tony forced a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "The ninja vs. former secret service? They would've killed each other."

Abby giggled, picturing a fight between the two women. "Yeah, probably. Kate wore skirts too often to win a chick fight. But it would've been cool to watch."

"Do you remember the case with the little blind girl?" Tony asked. "When McGee and Kate went to check out the house and she was wearing a skirt and used poor McGullible as a ladder?"

"Timmy was so nervous that day," Abby laughed, thinking back. "He told me when they got back. I don't know if I've ever seen him turn so red."

"Maybe the first time he saw you," Tony mused.

"No," Abby shook her head, "he wasn't embarrassed. Nervous and stuttering and he couldn't stop staring, but he didn't blush until I took his arm to walk to the elevator." She sighed. "I should've known then Tony, that we'd make a great pair, even if we were as different as black and white. Why did it take us so long to see it?"

He gave her a look. "You're talking to the guy who spent six years flirting with his partner, and didn't realize he loved her until it was almost too late." Tony rubbed Haven's back. "The timing worked out when it was supposed to, and we both got everything we didn't know we needed, Miss I'm-Never-Getting-Married."

Abby rolled her eyes. "Gibbs did not appreciate my rollerblades phase. I thought it was genius. And I'm glad to say I was wrong about the married thing." She yawned and frowned at him. "You're taking up my sleeping time mister."

Haven started to stir and he handed her over, expression apologetic. "Sorry about that."

She smiled. "I wouldn't trade time with you for sleep big brother," Abby assured him. "I love you. Go home to your wife."

Tony stood and kissed her forehead. "I think I'll do that."

Before he could leave she grabbed his arm. "Kate would've been proud of you Tony. To see the man you've become. To see you as a husband, to watch the way you've learned to be Chaya's daddy. She would've been so proud."

He swallowed hard and tried to smile. "Thanks, I hope so. Good luck Abs."

Abby watched him go, apprehension building. "Now why do I think I'm going to need it?"

NCIS

It was a long night for Abby because after a couple feedings Haven began struggling with latching and Kylie had to come and give some advice. Then Haven wasn't sure how much or how often to eat and ended up just snacking all the time, so for a couple hours she was feeding every twenty minutes. But after awhile the midwives devised a strategy to help her eat longer and woke her every hour, then every ninety minutes so she could nurse. They also show Abby how to make sure Haven was sucking and swallowing. That worked better but Abby was still exhausted by morning. Catnaps did not leave one feeling rested, a truth she discovered after spending a night that way.

She was just burping Haven when Celeste knocked lightly on the door. "May I come in?"

Surprised to see her, Abby nodded. "Hi Celeste."

The other woman held out a bouquet of roses. "Jethro said black are your favourites, but I added a few pink ones for Haven." She smiled. "New moms should always have flowers." Celeste arranged them in a vase beside the bed and Abby found she liked the contrast of the pale pink roses against the black.

She bit her lip. "Thank you, they're beautiful." Sighing, she cuddled her daughter against her chest and considered the woman. "Did you, umm...want to hold her?"

Celeste's eyes lit up. "I'd be honoured."

Carefully Abby transferred Haven into the redhead's arms. Celeste cradled the little girl expertly and smiled down at her. "Hello sweetheart. Oh, what a tiny thing you are!"

"Wouldn't've known that when I was pushing her out," Abby grimaced, remembering the long hours of labour she endured yesterday.

Celeste cocked an eyebrow. "But you're glad she's here?"

The new mom fiddled with one pigtail. "Soreness, bleeding, sleepless night and all," she admitted. "I still can't believe something so beautiful and perfect came out of me. It's weird to know that Tim and I made that little person. Weird and probably the coolest thing ever since Bert."

Celeste chuckled and stroked Haven's cheek. "Did you not let Mommy get any sleep last night little one? She's going to need her energy you know. Even someone as small as you takes a lot of work to look after."

"You're telling me," Abby agreed. "I got my diapering practice in earlier. Yuck. Timmy's turn next."

Celeste looked up. "Yes, where is that husband of yours? I'm surprised he left the room at all."

Abby shrugged. "I sent him home. One of us needed to sleep."

"That was very generous," she commented.

"He'll get to share all the joys of hour and a half feedings when he takes me home," Abby promised.

Celeste returned her attention to Haven, whose eyes were getting heavy. "It's hard to stay awake, isn't it?" She yawned and the older woman though it was the cutest thing ever. "Well, I don't mind if you fall asleep in my arms. There's very little that makes me happier than to hold a sleeping baby."

Abby smiled tiredly. "You're good with her."

"I like babies," was Celeste's reply. "I've been around my share."

Lowering the bed, Abby got as comfortable as possible, but then realized she had a problem. She made a face. "Celeste, could you help me up? I need to..." her eyes flickered to the bathroom door and the woman understood. After placing Haven back in her bin, Celeste offered her support to get Abby to the bathroom and retrieved the supplies she needed from a duffle bag on the floor.

"That's disgusting," Abby commented several minutes later when she came out. "I can't believe there's still more stuff to come out of me after yesterday."

Celeste chuckled. "I think your body probably will never cease to amaze you."

Abby shuffled across the floor slowly. "And walking? Not my favourite thing ever. Whose idea was this anyway?"

Celeste raised an eyebrow. "God's?"

Abby contemplated that. "Huh. Can't even argue with Him."

"No, I think not," Celeste agreed. Seeing exhaustion gathering in the girl's face, she stepped back. "I'll leave you to nap. Congratulations on your baby Abby, she's beautiful."

Abby closed her eyes. "Thank you."

Celeste watched them both a few minutes more before making her way home. Gibbs looked up from smoothing the hull of his boat when she walked down the stairs. "So?"

She leaned against his workbench. "The flowers were a hit. Abby let me hold Haven."

"You looking for a sign from the heavens?" he grumbled. "I think she likes you."

Celeste moved into his arms and kissed him. "Thank you," she whispered.

Gibbs shrugged. "I just gave suggestions. You did all the hard work."

"Well, thank you anyways," Celeste smiled, checking her watch. "What time are you going in?"

He turned her wrist so he could see the time. "Now." With all the excitement of yesterday, Gibbs gave Tony and Ziva permission to come in a few hours late for work. "See you tonight." He pecked her cheek. "Love you."

Celeste watched him go. "I love you too."

NCIS

Tim stood in the lobby later that morning waiting for an elevator, rested, awake and impatient to see his wife and baby. An older lady entered the car just after him and McGee smiled. "What floor?"

"Fifth," she answered and he pushed both the five and seven button. The woman's eyebrows lifted. "Maternity?"

Tim chuckled. "Yup."

"New dad?" she asked.

He pulled out his phone and showed her a picture he'd snapped before leaving last night. "Guilty. This is my daughter."

"Oh what a treasure!" the woman exclaimed. "Congratulations."

McGee beamed. "Thank you. But my wife did all the hard work." He looked at her quizzically. "You know all the floors of the hospital by number?"

She nodded. "I've spent my share of time here over the last few years. My Thomas isn't doing very well and will often spend a week in Palative Care, so I stay with him."

His eyes shadowed. "Oh, I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "Don't be. This is just part of life. I often go upstairs and look at the babies in the nursery while he's sleeping, to remind myself of the joy in the midst of sorrow."

"I hope he gets better," Tim said sincerely.

"Thank you," she nodded. "He may, for a time, or he may go Home and leave me here. Either way I will be thankful for our years together."

"You have an incredible attitude," McGee commented.

She fingered the tiny cross on her necklace. "I have a reason for my hope." The elevator dinged and she stepped out. "Enjoy your new family young man, and remember what a gift that baby is even when she cries all night."

He nodded. "I will." Just before she turned away, Tim pushed the button to keep the doors open. "Wait." He held out his hand. "I'm Tim McGee."

Her face crinkled into a smile and she put her soft hand in his. "Nice to meet you Tim. I'm Grace McPherson."

Tim had it in his mind to tell Abby about the older lady he'd met, but the second he walked in the room and saw both Abby and Haven sleeping, every other thought just flew right out of his head. He crept slowly over to the chair he'd occupied last night and just watched his girls dream. It wasn't long before Haven's face scrunched up and her cries for food began. McGee slid his hands under her body and lifted his blanket wrapped baby into his arms while Abby groaned and rubbed her eyes, slowly coming back to consciousness.

He propped Haven up on his chest and she rubbed her face on his shirt, rooting. "Sorry precious," he chuckled, "I don't have what you're looking for. That's all Mommy's domain right now."

Abby unbuttoned her nightgown and reached for the baby. "C'mere dolly, I've got your breakfast." She winced when Haven latched on and sighed. "Can you get that cream on the table Tim? I think I'm going to need it."

McGee retrieved the tub and held it. "How was last night?"

Abby looked down, watching her baby nurse. "Pretty terrible. I thought I could handle being up for most of the time because I never really go to bed early and I was worse before we got married. But I didn't know tired until Haven was feeding every twenty minutes or every half hour or every hour and a half. She still hasn't really got a pattern yet, but Brittney said that's normal for newborns and she'll settled down eventually."

"At less than twenty-four hours old I'd be surprised if she's figured anything out yet. She's probably still adjusting to the huge change in her life. "Abby frowned and Tim explained. "Haven went from falling asleep to your movements to being wrapped up and laying in a plastic bin that holds still. She's used to hearing your heartbeat above her and all the noises that come from living on the inside of your body. Now it's quiet most of the time. She was tucked snugly in your dark womb for months but out here it's so bright it's no wonder she's squinting so much." Tim kissed the back of Abby's hand. "Our lives aren't the only ones that have changed drastically."

Abby rubbed Haven's back. "I never thought about it that way. I guess I'd be all out of whack too."

"So we can probably cut her some slack, for awhile at least."

His wife smiled. "Yeah, I guess we can."

When Haven finished, Abby gave Tim a turn with burping, then unwrapped the baby and laid her on her chest with a black blanket overtop. The pink one hadn't lasted past her second feeding. "So she can hear my heartbeat," Abby explained, slouching down against the pillows. Tim wished he could climb into bed and hold both of them, but had to settle for just observing for now. When Abby fell asleep Tim left to get a few things but didn't expect to find his wife nursing once more when he got back. His eyes jumped to the clock and Abby sighed.

"Like I said, no schedule." McGee held up the blue plastic cup in his hand and her eyes lit up. After a long swallow, she smiled. "I feel better already."

A few hours later Tim got to experience diaper changing on a newborn and took his turn with skin to skin time. Haven fell asleep on his chest and Abby was reminded of the story Gibbs told her about Kelly doing the same thing. "Does it scare you Timmy, to be a dad?" she asked.

He kissed Haven's head. "Actually, no. I think I'm braver now because I have to be for her. She needs me and that makes me feel like I can do anything." McGee slid his fingers between hers. "What about you?"

Abby sighed. "I never knew how much work being a mom was, it's way different than taking care of a puppy. But she's mine and that makes every missed minute of sleep worth it. I love her Tim, more than I knew it was possible to love."

McGee nodded. "I know the feeling."

NCIS

Later in the afternoon Abby and McGee looked up when they heard a soft voice from the hall. "Excuse me."

Tim's eyebrow knit together. "Grace? What are you doing here?"

She smiled. "Just making my visit to the nursery. I'm sorry to intrude but I was walking by and the door was open...I hope you don't mind."

Abby looked back and forth between them in confusion and Tim turned to her. "Sorry. Grace, this is my wife Abby. Honey, this is Grace. We met in the elevator earlier." He switched to sign language to explain further. Her husband is dying.

Grace faced Abby directly. "Do you read lips?"

Abby shook her head. "Not very well. I'm not deaf, but my parents were and I grew up signing. It's still my comfort language."

Grace nodded. "Fascinating. I wish I knew something like that."

Abby looked down at Haven. "Did Tim tell you about our daughter?"

"He did, complete with picture. Every inch the proud father that one. But the real thing trumps any picture," Grace added.

"Come see her," the new mom offered, happy to show off her baby, even to a complete stranger.

"What a little beauty!" Grace exclaimed. "And look at all that dark hair!"

"I guess she gets that from me," Abby commented. "But I hope she has her daddy's eyes."

Grace studied Tim and then the baby and nodded. "Dark green eyes and black hair, you might have a hard time keeping the boys away."

McGee's hand fell to his hip and Abby glared at him. "Timmy, you are not allowed to shoot anyone!" Then she grinned. "I have much less messy means of persuasion that leave no trace."

The older woman wasn't completely following, but she got the drift. "I think she's in safe hands. What's her name?"

"Haven," Tim answered. "It was a bit of a surprise, we weren't expecting a girl. But I like the meaning behind her name."

"It's lovely," Grace agreed. "Thank you for letting me meet her, but I better be going."

"It was nice to meet you Grace," Abby smiled. "Maybe we'll see you again sometime."

Grace's eyes twinkled. "Maybe you will. Goodbye."

Tim and Abby looked after her. "What a sweet lady."

"You just never know what you'll get out of a chance meeting. Who knows," Tim shrugged, "she could've been an angel."

"If she was," Abby giggled, "we're going to have a great birthday story to tell Haven someday."

NCIS

Shortly after Grace's visit, when the shadows outside Abby's window were beginning to lengthen, another person appeared in the doorway. "How ya doin' Abs?" Gibbs asked.

Her smile bloomed and she held out her arms. "Hi Papa Bear! You came back!"

He chuckled and hugged her. "Had to get some holding time in with my granddaughter."

Abby raised her eyebrows hopefully at Tim and he turned to surrender the baby he held. "Boss."

Gibbs cradled the little girl in his arms. "Get some coffee McGee, I got this."

The new dad seemed about to protest when Abby interjected. "Could you find us something for supper that isn't hospital food Timmy? It tastes like gross and it's no wonder there's so many sick people in here."

McGee nodded. "Okay honey, I'll be back. I love you."

"Us too," Abby answered for herself and the baby, watching him go.

Gibbs settled on the side of the bed, unable to tear his eyes away from Haven. "She's beautiful, huh?" Abby asked.

"Just like her mother." He barely touched the baby's dark hair. "I can already see it in pigtails."

Abby giggled. "Carrying around her stuffed bat or Baby Bert. She may be younger, but I think Haven's gonna give Chaya a run for her money."

"Better look out if she gets her energy from you," he noted, getting comfortable. "Remember the first time we met?"

She bit her lip. "I was flying by and I bumped your arm, spilled your coffee. Got my first and only Gibbs lecture about the rules and then offered you my Caf-Pow."

Gibbs snorted. "I learned fast that your favourite form of caffeine didn't do it for me."

"But you brought me one anyways, the next day, and apologized for yelling."

"And you just shrugged, then proceeded to list off the rule's of Abby's lab," he recalled.

Abby leaned back. "You didn't know what to do with me - my music, my clothes, Bert. But you accepted us anyways."

"Then I found out you signed."

"I sign to myself when I'm tired or stressed, run through the alphabet and numbers. You just happened to walk in at the right time one night we were staying late to solve a case."

"That's when it happened," Gibbs shared. "Like your heart connected with mine."

Her smile was reflective. "Yeah. There was no introduction or asking me how I knew, you just started talking to me in sign language, more than I'd ever heard you say out loud. I was so shocked I forgot to pay attention, but then you brought up the case and I found what you needed. After that we were friends."

Gibbs drew his finger over Haven's barely visible eyebrows and down her cute little nose. "That first night you came to the house and asked about Kelly's picture - I was so mad I almost threw you out, but you weren't trying to hurt me and I realized nobody knew what I carried. Never planned to tell a soul, but I told you."

"And I cried, because I cared about you already and it wasn't fair that you had to hurt so much." Abby put a hand on her baby. "I think I have a better idea now of what it feels like. When I think of something happening to her my chest gets to tight it hurts to breathe. But for you it was more than just a worst fear."

Gibbs rubbed one of her pigtails between his thumb and forefinger. "Don't dwell on it Abs, just hold onto her with all your heart. This little baby's got a lot of protectors, that I promise."

"Guardian angels with guns and badges," Abby smirked. "I didn't know they came that way."

He huffed. "They do now." Slowly Gibbs stood and handed Haven back to her mother, kissing Abby's cheek before he left. "I love you Abs."

She swallowed and blinked back the moisture behind her eyes. "I love you Gibbs. Thank you for making us family."

NCIS

Tim and Abby hadn't been finished their supper very long before Cassie came in with Brittney, Kylie and Delaney. "Do you want the good news?" Abby perked up. "You can go home tonight, if you want."

Abby closed her eyes. "Oh yes please. I want my own bed."

"I figured as much. Let's take care of the paperwork and then you can take your time getting ready to leave."

Happily filling out and signing everything that was required, the couple soon were able to pack their things, though Abby wasn't moving very much. "You try walking after pushing a watermelon out of something the size of a lemon," she grumbled and Tim wisely made no comment.

After a few tries to figure out how the carseat straps and buckles worked, Haven was secure and they left the hospital. Haven cried the entire way back to the house where Abby promptly went upstairs to nurse her again and laid her in the co-sleeper. Tim followed with their bags and found an envelope by the phone when he checked for messages, so he brought it up with him. "Look at this Abbs, Tony and Ziva left us something." He opened the note. "'For all you've done for us and because new parents deserve to be spoiled, here is a little something to help out.'" McGee pulled out the cards and read them. "Wow, they got us a gift certificate for someone to come in and clean once a week for the first month. And this must've been Tony's idea - a gift card that lets us order take-out from a whole list of restaurants."

Abby took the note and read the bottom. "'P.S. Your freezer is stocked. Don't forget to eat once in awhile. Love, Tony, Ziva and Chaya, Ducky, Jimmy and Breena, Matt and Tami.' Wow, they all pitched in to help us? That's so sweet."

Tim leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Gotta love family."

At his wife's urging, Tim undressed and lay down with her, able to get really close for the first time in months. He kissed her shoulder and held her gently, happy to finally be home with his family.