Just then, Ziva's phone rang again. It was Gibbs.
"Yes Gibbs?"
"You have a spare room in your apartment David?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Good, because the boys will be staying with you until their aunt arrives. Both Tony and McGee's apartments don't have spare rooms."
"Sure thing Gibbs."
"If you need any help, call DiNozzo. We'll be back soon."
"Okay Gibbs." And they both hung up.
Ziva updated Tony about the arrangement upon seeing the inquiring look on his face. From McGee's desk, they continued to observe as the brothers soon whipped up a conversation.
"Gabe, are we gonna go see the big christmas tree?"
Gabriel's pen stopped moving as he said "No."
"Why not?"
"We can't."
"Yes we can."
"No, we just can't." Gabriel's voice started getting louder.
"Why not? Daddy always brings us to see the big Christmas tree in town every Christmas!" Grayson squeaked.
"Don't you get it? Dad's never coming back!" Gabriel voice shook as he shouted at his brother.
He jumped off the seat and stormed towards the break room, as Grayson's tears started spilling. "I got this kid." Tony said as he walked towards Grayson.
"I got the other one." Ziva said as she followed Gabriel into the break room.
When she got there, she saw Gabriel standing in the corner, his back facing her. "Gabriel." She called, but he wouldn't listen.
"It is okay to be angry or sad." She continued.
"How would you know? You haven't lost your dad."
"No I have not. But I have lost my mother, sister and brother." Ziva said sadly.
This statement caused Gabriel to turn around slightly. "Look at me Gabriel." But Gabriel kept his face down.
"Gabe?" The nickname effectively got him to look up.
Ziva could see him blinking back his tears, ears turning red from trying so hard not to cry. She walked right in front of him and got down on her knees so that their eyes were at the same level. "It is okay to cry." She said softly.
With that, Gabriel lunged at her, wrapping his arms around her neck as he buried his nose into her shoulder, sobs wrecking his smaller body as tears made its way onto Ziva's top. She wrapped one arm around his back, and the other was on his head, fingers threading gently through his curls. Maybe it was the lack of maternal attention, but Gabriel sought much comfort in Ziva's simple embrace. He was after all just a nine-year-old. They both stayed in that position until Gabriel's breathing finally evened out. They pulled back, and Ziva used her thumbs to wipe away the remnants of tears on his damp cheeks, throwing him a smile and leading him back into the bullpen.
Watching Ziva chase after Gabriel, Tony approached crying little Grayson. He carried Grayson off the seat and gathered him in his arms as he sat down instead, with the boy clinging onto him. He made shushing noises to calm Grayson down and when he was resolved to just sniffles, Tony pulled a mini candy bar from his pocket and gave it to him, earning him a teary smile from the cute little guy. After facing his fear of kids a month or two ago, Tony was doing quite well. Grayson shifted into a comfortable position on Tony's lap and asked the inevitable question which was hard to answer.
"Why did Gabe say that Daddy's not coming back?"
Tony thought for a while. He didn't want to rip away this child's innocence at such a tender age. So he said "Well, your Daddy's on a special mission catching bad guys. And the mission is gonna take really really long. So you can't see him for a very long time."
"But he's saving people right?"
"Yeah buddy."
"Like you Tony? You save people and catch bad guys too?"
"Like me." Tony nodded.
"Kay."
"And don't blame your brother, buddy. He was just angry, but not at you." Tony added.
"It's okay, I still love Gabe." Grayson said, all cheery again.
"That's really good Grayson. You're definitely gonna be on Santa's Nice List."
"You think so?" Grayson's eyes piqued with much interest.
"I know so. Have you decided what you want for Christmas?" Tony asked as he tapped his finger on Grayson's nose.
"I want a Heatblast toy! He's an alien from Ben 10. I know what Gabe wants too. He wants Diamondhead. That's another alien." Grayson explained animatedly.
Tony kept that in mind. With their father gone, Christmas was without presents for the two boys, and so he planned to buy a present for each of them right after work. "That sounds awesome." Tony chuckled and tousled the boy's brown hair.
Grayson resumed his drawing, colouring out a stickman in suit and tie. "What're you drawing buddy?" Tony was very much intrigued by the little being's drawing.
"It's me! When I grow up."
"And what are you supposed to be?"
"I'm you!" Grayson squealed as he turned to look Tony in the eye.
Tony was touched, really touched, that he had managed to make such an impact on a kid he just met hours ago. He felt a lump against his throat. "Why, thanks Grayson." Tony managed to croak out, breaking into a smile that reached his eyes.
Walking into his peripheral vision, Ziva and Gabriel had made their way back. "I'm sorry for shouting at you just now." Gabriel apologised, standing awkwardly beside Ziva's desk.
"It's okay Gabe." Grayson jumped off Tony's lap and went to hug his brother. Little kids did the most cutest things sometimes.
Work had ended and Ziva now had to bring the two boys home. On their account, she had slowed down her crazy speed driving. But it was still crazy enough. By the time they had reached her house, Gabriel and Grayson were laughing and cheering. Apparently experiencing Ziva's driving was like sitting on a roller coaster for them. On the way home, they had also picked up some McDonald's.
Once they entered the apartment, Ziva set up the spare bedroom which had a queen-sized bed for the boys, while asking them to take turns taking a bath. The boys had long learnt to be independent, and could handle bathing by themselves. By the time Ziva finished changing the bed sheets and pillow cases and getting spare blankets, the two boys were standing by the door dressed in their SpongeBob pyjamas looking absolutely adorable. It was eight at night and judging from their tired face, the brothers were ready to turn in for the night. Grayson as charming as he was, stretched his neck out to kiss Ziva good night on the cheek when she was pulling the blankets over him. She in turn ruffled his hair and laughed, saying "Good night."
She went on to pull the blankets over Gabriel, and just when she was about to leave, his small hand encircled her wrist. Ziva stroked his cheek with her free hand, and reassured him "I will be right next door if you need me okay?" Gabriel feeling more assured, let go of her wrist and closed his eyes.
For yet another moment, Ziva was reminded so much of her younger sister, when once upon a long time ago, she would take care of her like she did Grayson and Gabriel. Leaving the room, she left the door slightly ajar so that a little light could filter into the room.
Tony had left in a hurry after work, heading for the shopping mall to look for the Ben 10 toys Grayson had spoke so greatly of. After two hours of searching, he finally managed to find the toys and he purchased them. He went home and eagerly wrapped the toys in Christmas wrapping paper. He was a man with a plan.
He sent a text to Ziva.
TBC
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