Protecting Gibbs

chapter 30

Another three days passed. Tony stood on the front porch of Charity's house. He felt his pocket one more time to check for the ring box. When he was sure it was there, he knocked on the soor. Charity answered the door with a smile on her face.

Tony looked her up and down. He thought she looked breathtaking. She was wearing a lavender spaghetti-strapped dress. It had an empire waist line and then flowed beautifully over her swollen stomache. She wore her firey locks in loose curls that flowed down her back and landed at her waist. "You look beautiful." He told her and then softly kissed her lips.

"You look pretty handsome yourself." She said. "What are we doing tonight?"

"It's a surprise." Tony answered with a grin.

Tony kissed her again. They walked to the car, well Tony walked and Charity waddled. He helped her into the car and then he got in on the driver's side. He drove them to their destination, all the while remembering what Abby had told him.

Tony parked the car. He got out and then walked over to Charity's side of the car. He opened her door and then helped her out. Tony led Charity through a small path to the top of a small hill, where a small table and chairs were set up and waiting for them. In the center of the table stood a vase of purple tulips.

They walked over to the table. Tony pulled Charity's chair out for her before sitting down himself. He reached into a picnic basket beside the table and pulled out a dish of lasagna. He cut and served it. They ate their meal and talked and laughed. After they had their fill of lasagna, Tony pulled out a jar of peanut butter, a pack of oreos, and a bag of pretzel sticks.

"Okay, you have my favorite meal, my favorite dessert, and my favorite flowers. Just what are you up to, Anthony DiNozzo?" Charity asked, a suspicious look on her face.

Tony grinned at her. "You'll just have to wait." He told her.

"Wait for what?" She asked.

"You'll just have to be patient. You'll find out soon." Tony answered.

Soon the sun began to set, setting the sky ablaze with hughes of orange, red, and pink. "I love the sky at sunset." Charity said. "It's so beautiful." She stared off into the sky, enjoying the view.

While she was preoccupied, Tony got out of his chair and walked to stand in front of Charity. "What are you doing?" She asked.

Tony knelt in front of Charity on one knee, pulling the box out of his pocket as he did so. He opened the box and looked Charity straight in the eye.

"Oh my goodness." She breathed as she moved her hand to cover her mouth.

"Charity Faith Gibbs, you made me a happy man when you told me you were having my baby. You made me even happier when you agreed to date me. Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?" Tony asked.

Charity removed her hand from her face, tears of joy in her eyes. "I don't know what to say..." She replied.

"Yes, would be nice." Tony told her with a sly grin.

"You didn't let me finish." She told him. "I don't know what to say except, yes. Yes, and a thousand times yes." She then flung her arms around his neck and kissed his lips.

Tony pulled away a took the ring out of the box. He took Charity's left and and slipped the ring on her ring finger. Then he kissed her hand. He leaned over and kissed her lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She said, the tears falling freely down her face.