Protecting Gibbs

Chapter 40

A couple of days later, Tony woke up and got dressed and ready for work. He walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Charity was making waffles from scratch. Gibbs was setting at the table playing with AJ.

Charity turned around when Tony entered the room. She grinned at him. "Morning sunshine."

He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. "How can you be so awake and animated after having to be up and down all night?" He asked.

"I thought we discussed this already, I'm Super Mom." She said with a laugh. "Believe me I'm tired and I am really missing coffee right now."

Tony smiled at her. "Speaking of..."

"A fresh pot on the counter." She said pointing to the kitchen counter.

He kissed the top of her head and walked over to grab some coffee. Then he walked over and sat down at the table. Soon the waffles were done and Charity sat plates in front of Gibbs and Tony. Then she sat a plate for herself and joined them at the table.

The family ate their breakfast. Tony looked over at Charity after his first bite. "Did you go to culinary school or something because these are the best waffles I've ever had?" He asked.

Charity giggled. "Nope. I'm just a regukar Betty Crocker."

"Believe me Tony, she wasn't always this good. She's spent years pracitcing on me." Gibbs said with a chuckle.

Tony laughed as he imagined Gibbs eating burnt waffles and other charred dishes. Then he turned to Charity. "So, what are your plans today?" He asked.

"Well, AJ and I are going to visit Memaw for tea. Then we're meeting Abby for lunch." she answered.

"When you come see Abby, you should bring AJ on up." Tony said.

Charity grinned at him. "You just wanna show him off." She teased.

"So, what if I do?" Tony remarked.

Charity laughed. "I already planned on bringing him up. I want to show him off, too." She replied.

Tony laughed.

The family finished their breakfast. Tony and Gibbs started to get up to leave. "Hold on." Charity said getting up. She pulled out two insulated bottles and poured the coffee in them. "Take these. If I'm around the coffee too long, I might crack." She said.

Gibbs and Tony laughed. Tony walked over to the bassinet AJ was in and kissed him bye. Then he walked over to Charity and gave her a quick kiss. "Love you, honey." He said and headed out the door.

"Love you, too." She replied.

Gibbs kissed AJ's forehead and then did the same to Charity. "Love you, baby girl."

"Love you, too, Daddy." She said.

Charity watched as the two men she loved as they headed off to work. She smiled as she thought about how they were a family. She walked over and picked AJ up. "I love you, sweetie." She told him and kissed his little cheeks. "It's time to start getting ready. You're going to meet some new people today."

She headed upstairs and laid AJ in his crib while she got dressed. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a light blue button-up blouse. She picked AJ up and changed him into a different sleeper. "No sense in getting you all dressed up." She said. "We need you to be comfortable."

Once she had him dressed and ready, she packed up the diaper bag. She put in plenty of extra clothes, several diapers, wipes, and some baby lotion. She slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and held AJ in her arms. She placed AJ in his car seat and fastened in. Then she tossed the bag on the floor. She hopped in the driver's seat and started the car.