Primetime Love

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Gibbs

When Gibbs called the hospital, he was told that Ducky had been sedated and would sleep until morning. Lia had not taken it well. She was seated on the couch in the living room and was quietly crying.

He threw his phone on the coffee table and sat beside her. "Come here, sweetheart." He pulled her into his arms so she could cry into his chest while he rubbed her back.

"I hate my mom," Lia sobbed into his chest.

"You have every damn right to." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry that you couldn't talk to Ducky tonight, sweetheart. But I promise we'll go and see him first thing in the morning.

Lia's sobs finally subsided almost half an hour later. She sat up to look at him through swollen eyes.

"Feelin' better?" He reached up and softly rubbed her cheek.

"A little, I guess." Lia shrugged. "I'm more exhausted right now than anything else."

Gibbs got to his feet and held out his hand to help her up. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you to bed."

***

Once they were cuddled up together in bed, Lia spoke up again. "I'm lucky to have you, Jethro." She drew invisible shapes on his chest with her fingertips. "I love you so much, and I'm beyond grateful to have you with me during all of this."

Gibbs smiled to himself and held her a little tighter. "I love you too, Lia. I love you more than life. There's nowhere I'd rather be than by your side...no matter what's going on."

"It's like fate gave me my soul mate and my dad at basically the same time." She chuckled tiredly. "That sounded so damn cheesy."

"No matter how it sounded, it rings true," he admitted. He kissed her forehead. "Now, close your eyes and get some sleep."

***

The following day, Lia was a nervous wreck. She hadn't been able to sit still from the moment she awoke, no matter what Gibbs said or did. They had eaten a quick pancake breakfast before getting in Gibbs' car and driving to the hospital.

They didn't immediately go inside the hospital when they arrived and found a parking space in the visitor's lot. Lia had paused beside the car after he helped her out.

"What's up?" Gibbs asked, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Promise me this won't go bad?" Lia looked up at him.

"I won't let it," Gibbs promised. "Now come on, let's go."