Could it be? YES! Hi everyone! I'm BACK!
So here I am, writing the sequel you all want – for all of those lovely readers who know my universe, welcome back! For all you lovely new readers, welcome! So, updates with me won't be as frequent as I'd like due to the fact that I've entered year 11 and homework is getting insane but I promise I won't leave this for extended periods of time.
*If you have not read the prequel to this story "What to expect when your assassin is expecting" I highly recommend reading it first otherwise some aspects of this story will not make sense, it could be read as a stand-alone but I digress...*
Disclaimer: Yeah, I own it. *silence* NCIS does NOT belong to moi, kay? Kay.
Jayden is going to be three and 2 months in this chapter
Jayden DiNozzo opened his bright green eyes lazily before stretching out underneath the warm covers of his 'Big Boy Bed' with a yawn. His eyes then diverted to the curtains, where two small but bright rays of light could be seen poking through the part in the middle and the bottom of the curtains.
Throwing the covers off with a grin, Jayden walked over and pushed them apart allowing the light to wash around the room.
The boy jumped as a small but audible yawn disrupted the silence of the morning; turning around, the source was revealed – Flick, Jayden's young Spaniel cross Border collie popped her head up from
the end of the bed and looked at him with sleepy eyes.
He grinned and made his way over to the puppy who was wagging her soft tail across the bed sheets slowly as she recognised her master.
"Mornin' Flick!" he greeted perkily before running his small hand over the puppy's head and down to a particular spot behind her left ear where she loved to be scratched.
Flick barked in response before standing up on all fours and jumping off the bed and darting out of her dog door which was installed several weeks ago after the puppy had refused to sleep on Tony and Ziva's bed, preferring to protect her master.
Jayden giggled before standing up on the stool close to the edge of his bed to reach the doorhandle. He padded down the hallway to his parents' room and poked his head through, noticing that his father was still asleep – Mama's in the kitchen!Jayden surmised, heading downstairs.
Ziva turned at the sounds of small footsteps hitting the stairs, she straightened up after pouring Flick's puppy milk and smiled at her little boy, who's dark hair was sticking up in various directions – much like Tony's did in the morning.
"Good Morning Jay!" Ziva said warmly before accepting the hug from her son.
"Mornin' Mama!" he replied flashing his own version of the inherited DiNozzo grin.
Ziva dropped a kiss onto Jayden's forehead "And what would you like for breakfast this morning? Mama and Daddy do not need to go into work until 10:30 this morning so you may have whatever you like." She told her wide eyed son.
"Yes!" he said with a small fist pump "Waffles?' he asked suddenly "Wif berries n' ice-cream?"
Ziva chuckled "Berries, yes. Ice-cream? Maybe for dessert tonight." She told him.
Jayden shrugged "M'kay. Can I help mix?" he questioned as his mother pulled out the essentials for his desired breakfast.
Ziva nodded before quickly tying her curly hair into a ponytail "I will measure everything, go and wake up Daddy for me and then you can mix it all up when you come back." She said with a small smirk at the thought of her blissfully unaware husband.
Jayden's eyes flashed mysteriously before he bolted back up the stairs, Flick scrambling on the wooden floors to catch up to her partner in crime.
Ziva let out a laugh as the sounds of her son's squeals and Flick's repetitive barking a few minutes later "Daddy's gonna transform into the TICKLE MONSTER! Yeah, you'd better run floppy ears! Dogs can be ticked too!" Ziva heard her husband exclaim dramatically.
Shaking her head at her boys, Ziva cracked the final egg into the mixing bowl before turning around with her flour covered hands poised on her hips at the sight of Tony carrying their son by his legs into the kitchen, the child continuing to laugh and struggle.
"I found your secret weapon Mrs. DiNozzo! Looks like our little ninja boy here still has a lot to learn..." Tony said with a wink.
Ziva rolled her eyes playfully "Come now Tony. If he wanted to sneak up on you, he would have done so...I askedhim to wake you up!" she said seriously "I am telling the truth, am I not Jayden?" she asked the child.
Jayden bobbed his head up and down as best he could "Uh huh! I not playin' ninja Daddy!" he promised.
Tony pondered this for a moment "Alright kiddo, I believe ya!" he announced finally before plopping his son down on a small pile of pillows on the couch.
"And how's my fully grown ninja master/NCIS agent/mother/beautiful wife this morning?" Tony asked wrapping his arms around Ziva's waist and kissed the crook of her neck as she began to stir the
waffle mix.
Ziva hummed in response "I am making waffles" she said unnecessarily, a smile gracing her features "Jayden? Are you going to help Mama with the waffle mix?"
Jayden approached his parents in the kitchen on slightly wobbly feet before dragging over his plastic stairs and standing atop them, in the middle of his parents.
"Daddy?" Jayden questioned as he stirred the mix with help from his father.
Tony smiled "Yeah buddy?"
"Can I go work wif you and Mama today?" he asked innocently.
Tony and Ziva exchanged glances; Ziva was the first to reply "The mix looks good Jayden! How about you go and watch your morning cartoons and I will cook the waffles and talk to Daddy about you coming with us today..." she suggested.
Jayden grinned and nodded before running out of the room with a "M'kay!"
Tony leaned against the bench as he watched Ziva pour some of the mix gently into the waffle maker "What do you think about it Tony? We are pretty deep into a case right now." she muttered before closing the lid and turning to him. Since Jayden was born, Gibbs had made a strict rule that Tony and Ziva not work cases unless it was completely necessary, if they were going to work a case, it was as consultants.
Temporary contracts had been assigned to the pair by Vance (Both the Director and Gibbs adamant to break up the Gibbs team Dynamic completely) and temporary agents had been assigned for the days the pair were at home with Jayden, now that Jayden was older Tony and Ziva were more comfortable leaving him with their next door neighbours Cassandra, Alan and their little girl Melanie who was Jayden's partner in crime.
Tony ran a hand through his hair "I know you don't like to bring him in all the time Zi, but all the really horrible stuff is over, it's just questioning our suspects to get the story straight for the DA." He reasoned.
Ziva nodded "Okay. As long as one of the team is with Jayden at all times I do not see an issue with it. I want to put these people away too Tony."
Tony kissed her forehead "I know. I think we'll all be able to sleep better when this is over." Tony said while trying to shake the images of their victim out of his mind.
Tony pulled his head away from Ziva's as a small frustrated groan could be heard from the lounge room, the groan morphing into a louder protest.
"Jayden?" the pair called out quizzically as they exchanged glances and walked into the lounge where Jayden was bouncing on the balls of his feet near the couch – attentively watching the TV screen where Go Diego Go! Was playing.
Can YOUUU see the Banana Tree? Diego asked in an annoyingly cheery tone that always irritated Ziva.
"It is THERE!" Jayden said exasperatedly while pointing to the right of the screen where the said tree was positioned beside an apple and peach tree.
Is THIS the Banana Tree?
"
No! Apple!" Jayden grumbled, his arms now crossed over his tiny chest causing Tony to grin at the sight before them.
"He's just as impatient as you Zi, I hope you realise that." Tony chuckled.
Ziva poked him in the ribs "Funny. We really should be recording this!" Ziva said, a smile creeping up her face.
"21st Birthday blackmail planning already Zi?" Tony sniggered quietly, eyes still focussed on their child.
Nope! That's an APPLE tree! Diego said shaking his cartoon head back and forth.
"'Nanas aren't red Diego!" Jayden said obviously amused by the characters' inability to recognise a banana from an apple.
THAAAAT'S RIGHT! The banana tree is THERE! Diego said finally.
Jayden huffed and mumbled something incoherent under his breath before turning around and smiling sheepishly at his parents.
"You alright there Buddy?" Tony asked biting back a grin.
Jayden rolled his bright green eyes "Diego is silly Daddy." he stated before walking over to them curiously.
Ziva ran her fingers through Jayden's soft hair as she spoke "Daddy and I have agreed that you may come into work with us today." She said smiling as her little boy's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Toda Mama!" He said excitedly before pausing "Waffles first?" Jayden continued innocently.
It was Ziva's turn to smirk at Tony "Your son through and through Tony." She said with a wink before motioning for the pair to follow her into the kitchen to continue the breakfast ritual.
"Press button?" Jayden asked as the little family stepped into the elevator that would take them up to the Bullpen. Tony hesitated for a moment and glanced over at Ziva who was grinning at him like a Cheshire cat, remembering the last time he had allowed Jayden to press the elevator button.
"Okay but listen Jay, you need to press onebutton..." he instructed the 3 year old who looked up at him with curiosity.
"I like the lights!" he pouted. Ziva picked up Jayden lightly "I know you do, but not today." She said backing Tony up before pointing to which button Jayden should push before the little boy leaned forward in his mother's arms and slapped the button with his little hand with glee.
"Do not look so paranoid Tony, it was one time."
Tony smirked "Yeah, kid's got timing I have to admit, he decided to press every singlebutton just as Vance goes in..." he chuckled.
"Down please!" Jayden requested, looking up at Ziva who complied immediately plopping the boy gently back down onto his feet just as the doors opened, Jayden giggled before exiting the elevator and bolting over to the Bullpen under Ziva's hawk like watch from a few feet away.
"Uncle Gee!" Jayden squealed rushing over to the startled agent's desk.
After a moment, McGee responded to the DiNozzo child's hand gestures for a hug and sat the boy on his lap "Hey Jay!" he said smiling at Tony and Ziva in greeting over the top of the child's head as he fist bumped the three year old.
"How you coping McDaddyToBe?" Tony asked with a hint of amusement.
The younger agent looked back at them with a slightly giddy look "I'm a little nervous but Abby's over the moon."
Jayden jumped off his uncle's lap and looked up at him inquisitively "Aunt Abby havin' the baby?" he asked.
"Not yet Jay, but very soon." Ziva replied before flicking her brown eyes back up to McGee "Abby seems to be dealing with maternity leave better than I did!" she remarked with a tinge of bitterness,
remembering how caged she'd felt.
McGee chuckled a little darkly at that "Ha. I don't know Ziva, Abby doesn't really like being away from her Labby all that much – she was getting really agitated when we flicked onto CSI: Miami by accident last night because they weren't doing the tests right..." McGee said, his eyes widening exasperatedly.
"That's our Abby!" Tony said with a grin.
10 minutes passed by quickly, Jayden busying himself with his colouring books, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth in concentration.
"I hate paperwork. Officially." Tony said finally, breaking the patience.
Ziva rolled her eyes and place down her pen "Honestly Tony, even your son can stay quiet for 10 minutes!" she joked.
Tony quickly checked to see that his progeny wasn't looking before crumpling a piece of paper and tossing it at his partner who caught it with ease, shooting him an Are you kidding me with that?Look before faking a throw to lower Tony's guard shortly followed by the paper wad being tossed back with a greater force into the other agent's forehead.
"You two finished? I think one kid in the Bullpen is enough." A voice grumbled from the entrance of the Bullpen making Jayden gasp happily and jump to his feet.
"Grandpa Gibbs!" he exclaimed before running over to the smirking Special Agent who caught the youngest DiNozzo without a moment's hesitation.
"Hey Squirt, looks like you are behaving yourself...the same can't be said for your Mommy and Daddy can they?" he asked while the child giggled.
"He started it!" Ziva grumbled.
"Debatable!" Tony chimed back.
Gibbs rolled his eyes "You two want me to end it?" He asked unwaveringly.
"Mama and Daddy are in trouble!" Jayden muttered with a smile glancing over to McGee who nodded smugly.
"That's right; do you think I should send em to time out Jayden?" Gibbs asked with a "Try me" glare toward Tony first.
Jayden shook his head "Nuh uh Grandpa Gibbs! Mama and Daddy be good!" he vouched for his parents while throwing an innocent lopsided smile at his Grandpa.
Ziva bit her lip at the scene before her and smiled lovingly at her little boy as he was placed back onto the ground, he darted around to Tony's desk and motioned to be picked up.
Tony quickly obliged, placing Jayden on his lap where he sat happily for a few moments before turning his head to face Tony, his little eyes narrowed in a Ziva like fashion as he said "Be good Daddy!" as he noticed his father scrunching up a piece of paper.
McGee sniggered from across the room "Yeah you tell him Jayden!"
Tony looked across at his wife exasperatedly "Everyone's a critic! I wasn't going to throw it at Mama, Jayden," he explained before lowering his voice playfully "Not while grumpy Grandpa Gibbs is watching anyway..." The child's serious expression changed in an instant to one of amusement, giggling, he glanced over at his Grandpa who was raising a brow at Tony.
"Just kidding Boss!" Tony trailed off before swiftly disposing of the paper making a show to prove to Jayden that his intentions were true.
"Alright kiddo, daddy's gonna hit the head and then if Mama agrees, we might go get you a choc milk from the vending machine..." he said, two pairs of green eyes flashing up to meet Ziva's who looked thoughtfully at her little boy.
"I do not see a problem with that, remember Jayden, you have to go down for a nap soon." Ziva reminded him.
Jayden pouted a little at that, whenever Jayden visited the Bullpen he put up more of a fight when it came to nap time despite being a very good sleeper.
"Do I haveta?" he asked looking up at his father pleadingly.
Tony nodded "That's the rule Jay, if you don't nap you won't be able to come with me to walk Flick this afternoon...you know how much she loves to play with you!" he said leaning on his desk.
Jayden seemed to think about this for a moment "M'kay Daddy..." he sighed finally before scrambling up the wheelie chair to wait, his brown hair just visible above the desk.
Jayden's eyes flicked from his mother, to his Grandpa, to his uncle several times before deciding that his time would be better spent exploring his father's desk.
Getting off the chair, Jayden bent down to tug at a drawer before frowning, it was locked. Trying the one above it, the 3 year old was very pleased to find that it was open and interesting. The usual pens and pencils littered the drawer, as well as a few paperclips and paper wad ammos which Jayden sniggered at. Just as he prepared to close the drawer, something shiny and hidden away at the back caught his curious eye.
Pulling it out he fingered the hard case and turned it around several times before shaking it lightly to hear a small rattle. Smiling, he darted over to his mother and tugged at her sleeve.
"Mama! Mama? What dis?" he asked holding up the object questioningly, the Israeli smiled and took the object "I think this is a question for Grandpa Gibbs, after all it does belong to him..." Ziva said handing it back to the boy whose eyes flashed at the mystery of it all.
The man in question peered over his glasses at the pair with a quirked brow "What have ya got Jayden?" he asked as the little boy bit his lip with a giggle, hiding the object behind his back with a signature DiNozzo grin spreading across his face.
Gibbs waggled a finger at the youngest DiNozzo with a small smile, the 3 year old silently obeying his Grandpa's silent request and sliding the small rectangular shape into the Agent's hand.
Gibbs let out a small chuckle "DiNozzo..." he muttered before picking up the boy and sitting him on his right knee.
"What is it?" Jayden asked again.
Gibbs clicked a small button down the bottom which sent the lid flicking upwards, Jayden gasped at the contents with wonder in his eyes.
"This is a medal, Jayden," he began as the child ran his little finger over the eagle that rested in the centre of the bronze circle, decorative leaves surrounding the rim of it.
"Mama says it is yours!" Jayden whispered looking over at his mother for conformation who nodded with a smile.
Gibbs chuckled again "Yeah, you're Mama's right."
"Did you save the world Grandpa?" Jayden asked, leaning back into his chest to listen, eyes wide.
Gibbs remained silent for a moment "This medal is for a different kind of superhero Jayden, they don't have super powers. I was given this because I helped keep people safe from bad people, do you
understand Jay?" he explained.
Jayden bobbed his head up and down "Uh huh, you stop bad people!" he said seriously "M'Gonna help people too Grandpa!" he continued puffing out his chest.
Gibbs smiled wider at that and kissed the boy's head "I don't doubt that Squirt, you are one special kid." He said casting his eyes over to Ziva who looked amazed by her son's determination.
Jayden continued to observe the medal for a few more minutes before he rested contentedly back onto Gibbs' chest again with drooping eyes.
Ziva quietly approached Gibbs' desk with a sideward glance at her son who had finally succumbed to sleep "He really looks up to you Gibbs." Ziva whispered while picking him up and out of Gibbs' arms, the tired child automatically wrapping his arms around Ziva's neck with a yawn.
"He's a smart kid Ziver." He replied, pride evident in his voice.
Ziva mouthed a "Thank you" before moving Jayden onto his little couch bed that was present whenever the boy came to the Bullpen for the day. After unfolding it, Ziva carefully placed him down and pulled a light blanket over the spread eagled boy who was luckily a very deep sleeper.
"Hey Daddy's got..." Tony began with a louder than acceptable voice as he entered the bullpen only moments later, a little carton of choc milk in his hand.
A glare from Ziva and head jerk was all the elder DiNozzo needed, he quietly padded over and grinned a little "Looks like he won't be needing that choc milk." He stated unnecessarily causing Ziva to roll her eyes.
Ziva sighed with relief once the final T's were crossed and I's were dotted before her on the paperwork that would send their veryguilty suspect to jail for 20 to life.
Tony looked up from his own closed paperwork file as he flexed his fingers which were painfully rigid "You ready to call it a day?" Tony asked, looking up at the clock which read 4:30 pm before his eyes flashed down to Jayden who was happily sucking the last of the chocolate milk out of the carton, the child re-energised after some sleep and some more drawing.
"I think we should, otherwise you and Jayden will not get a chance to go to the park." Ziva said before looking over to McGee "Are you heading home soon McGee?" she asked the younger agent.
McGee glanced over to Gibbs who smirked a little "Go McGee, you don't want to stay away from your very pregnant wife from longer than you need to, especially when she's trained in forensics. Trust me."
McGee visibly gulped and half smiled "Thanks Boss. Abby and I might come around to see you tomorrow night Tony, she wants to see you all." He said while hugging Jayden goodbye.
"I talk to the baby?" Jayden half pleaded, whenever Abby came over to visit, Jayden loved to feel the baby kick as he babbled to his aunt's swollen belly.
"Sure thing Jayden!"
Tony hummed in agreement "See you tomorrow McGoo!" Tony called out before he walked into the elevator with a backwards wave.
"Okay Jayden, go and say goodbye to Grandpa," Ziva said as she hoisted her bag onto her shoulder.
Jayden didn't need to be told twice, he rushed over and hugged his Grandpa with the same amount of energy as he had hugged his Uncle.
"Bye Grandpa! See ya soon!" he promised as he flashed his milky whites.
Gibbs ran a hand over the toddlers' hair affectionately before placing something familiar into his smaller hands "I want you to have it, Squirt." He said honestly.
Jayden stood with his mouth open like a fish for a few seconds before shaking his head "Nuh uh this isn't mine! I not a superhero!" Jayden said trying to nudge the case back into his Grandpa's hand.
Gibbs smiled "I want you to have it, okay?"
Jayden smiled brightly before hugging his Grandpa "Thank you! I keep safe!" he promised before running back over to Ziva who looked very touched at the sight before her.
"Mama! Look!" Jayden partly squealed.
Tony watched as his wife and son headed toward the elevator, Ziva silently promising to hold it as she left with a very pleased little boy.
"Thanks Boss...I'll make sure he looks after it." Tony said sincerely.
Gibbs slipped on his coat before patting his Senior Agent's shoulder "I know. You've been lookin' after the others for me for years DiNozzo." he said with a knowing nod toward Tony's desk.
He smiled sheepishly "If you want them back Boss..."
"Nah keep 'em there. I gave that one to Jayden so he knows his Grandpa Gibbs is lookin' out for him no matter what. He's a good kid Tony." He said finally.
"Come on Daddy!" A little voice called out, making the two men smile "Yeah he is. Night Boss."
"Okay Jayden, time for bed." Tony said, looking down at the boy who was rubbing at his right eye furiously.
"I not sleepy!" he rebutted in a very unconvincing tone before his lip dropped into a pout worthy of Ziva.
"Really? Keep rubbing that eye and you'll look like half a panda Kiddo!" Tony joked as the child gasped and pulled away his hand in an attempt to prove he was indeed awake.
"Night Buddy, Mama will come and say goodnight in a minute so get comfy!" he said while dropping a kiss on Jayden's head as he yawned and let his head fall back onto the pillow.
"M'kay, night Daddy..." he mumbled.
Ziva entered a few moments later, a small wooden display case resting in the crook of her arm "Goodnight my son, sleep well." She whispered after kissing his forehead as he prepared to fall asleep.
Jayden didn't verbally reply, he simply sighed sleepily. Ziva smiled before walking over to the Family photo wall that Abby and McGee had made all those years ago as a baby shower gift and looked at
it fondly, pictures littered the wall, old and new. After a few moments, Ziva found one of the many empty spaces where a photo hook protruded and gently pushed the small case onto the wall before examining her handy work.
There, close to an image of Jayden and Gibbs taken at his third birthday party, sat Gibbs' medal.
Okay that's the first chapter done! I really hope you enjoyed this fluffy one. If you lovely readers have any ideas on what you would like to see happen in this story for any of our characters, please send me a PM or place it into a review you have no idea how much those ideas help me! In the next chapter, there will be more of the Journal entries for you to see what happened in the three years previous!
So how did I do?
Thanks for reading!