I just wanted to thank everyone for the AWESOME reviews, they were so sweet! I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season, so far. Its very cold here and not liking the expected snowstorm that will prevent my trip to an annual party in Long Island but otherwise, life is not shabby
xxxx
Ducky had his hands resting on Tim and Ziva's shoulders as he directed them out onto the back porch. Jenny had just climbed the stairs joining him, "Doctor Mallard, I'm so glad you could make it. I was just about to check on Tim, to see if he had wakened from his nap."
Tim and Ziva looked at Dr. Mallard, waiting in anticipation to hear his response.
"Oh, he had by the time I arrived and I assure you; he is well rested." Ducky winked at Tim and Ziva. "I thought I'd help them dress into their winter clothes so they could join the party. And, just to enlighten you, I brought a breakfast kiesh and stored it in the refrigerator for your family to eat in the morning."
Tim and Ziva both sighed with relief as Jenny leaned over, kissing Ducky's cheek, "What a nice gesture, thanks, Ducky. So, I gather you made it?"
"Mother's recipe."
"How lovely."
Tim was relieved Ducky didn't tell his mother what he had found them doing; he was concerned Ziva would get into big trouble with her father for eating so many cookies without asking.
Tim and Ziva descended the stairs, looking in awe at the party going on in front of them. It was evident Tim's parents had diligently committed a lot of their time to prepare for the celebration over the last week.
The adults circled an enormous bonfire as it roared at the far end of the yard with a table covered with foods and drinks, close by. Tony, Abby and Jimmy were skating on the mini-homemade ice rink his father had prepared in the beginning of the admired the way Tony was hitting around a puck with a hockey stick. Tim had tried to balance on the new skates his mother had bought him, earlier in the week but had eventually preferred sliding in his boots on the ice, more.
The snow fort he helped make with his father and Tony was still intact at the front end of the yard, not too far from where Tim and Ziva currently stood; a big snowman near its entrance. Both snow sculptures were decorated with strings of white Christmas lights. Two snow walls that had been built with the snow block maker molds stood on each far side of the yard, just past the fort, ready for anyone willing to challenge others in a snowball fight.
Jenny took Tim's hand, "I'm going to make you a plate, you need to eat dinner."
"I'm not weally hungwy, doe, mom."
"Well, I want you to eat something, you haven't eaten since breakfast."
Jenny was unable to see Tim's cheeks turn a scarlet red underneath his scarf. He was beginning to feel guilty over his and Ziva's deceitful actions. He looked at Ziva and shrugged as his mother guided him towards the buffet table. When Ziva didn't follow, Tim waved her along.
"Would you like a plate, too, Ziva?"Jen asked the small girl.
Ziva quickly nodded, "Yes, please." Tim looked at her wide-eyed wondering how she could still be hungry. Jenny filled their plates with cut-up fruits, vegetables and a buttered roll. Tim and Ziva managed to fit on the same chair next to his mother that was set around the fire.
A woman standing next to Tim that stood with his grandfather, bent down to his eye level then tugged the blue-knit hat on his head to get his attention. "Hello, sweetie. I came with your grandpa-"
"Hi Timmy, did you have a good nap?" Jackson had his arm around the woman as he looked around her, smiling at Tim.
"Excuse me, but I was just introducing myself to your grandson." The woman nudged him, playfully.
"Oops, sorry." Jackson, guiltily answered her.
"I haved a good nap, grumpy." Tim piped in.
"This is Louise, Tim. She's a friend of mine-"
"A friend dad?" Gibbs asked from across the fire. "You can be open with Timmy."
"Okay, she's my date Timothy." Jackson corrected.
Tim held out his mitten-covered hand for her to shake, "Hullo. How are you, Ooweeze?"
"What good manners for such a little one. And who is your little friend here?"
Tim looked at Ziva. "Heard name is, Ziva...she's my date." Ziva gasped then backhanded Tim's arm, dropping her plate and running away. He disconcertingly looked at Louise, frowning. "Uh,oh. I sink she's mad at me now."
Louise pinched his cheek, "Don't worry, flash her those puppy dog eyes, and she won't have a chance at staying angry with you."
Gibbs was startled when a small snowball hit him in the chest. "So, when are we going to start the snowball fight, probie? Women against men?"
"What! That hardly seems fair, Mike. Aren't there more men here than there are women-"
Jackson interrupted Diane. "Don't forget Louise, here." Jackson moved his thumb towards his date.
"Oh, you men will be sorry." Louise stretched her arms out in front of herself, smugly. "I used to pitch for a softball team in college."
Tobias patted Gibbs' back. "Now we're in for it. We're going to get our butts kicked by a bunch of women. Diane was on the swim team and believe me, she has superhuman, upper body strength." Tobias finished with a look of utter fear.
"Oh yeah, well, Jenny is just... strong, really strong." Gibbs raised his arms as if he were pumping up his muscles. "I wouldn't mess with her." Gibbs gazed at his wife, conversing discreetly with Diane and Louise, across the fire, obviously preparing for the snowball fight. They shared a smile through the flames and Gibbs had the sudden desire to be close to her.
Mike came up from behind Tobias and Gibbs, stretching his arms over each of their shoulders, "We're doomed."
"Boys, follow my lead, we can win if we just use our noggins." Said Gibbs.
"Now that reminds me, hold up here, Jethro, I didn't taste your wife's eggnog yet. I bet a shot of rum would taste really good in-"
"Rum?" Gibbs eyed Tobias, disgusted.
"Well, what do you put...ahhh, let me guess, bourbon?" Tobias winced as Gibbs answered him with a smile. Mike shook the beer can he was holding. "I suggest we take a beer break, men before we even think about wallowing around in the cold snow. I'd like to try the eggnog, too."
"What are you going to mix it with, Mike; beer?" Tobias chuckled.
"Sometimes I think your head is more handy than using it for a hat rack all your life, Tobias. That sounds like a good combo." Tobias winced, again. Mike chuckled, patting Tobias' back as all three headed towards the house.
xxx
Tim, Tony, Ziva, Abby and Jimmy huddled in a circle inside the fort; a hollowed-out snowbank, as they excitingly discussed their own Christmas day plans. They had a battery-operated lantern positioned in the center of their circle, giving the fort a brightly-illuminated, surreal affect.
"We should sleep out here tonight." Suggested Tony to Tim.
"But, I want to see Santa come."
"Oh, Tim, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but there have been no known sightings of Santa within the history of mankind." Jimmy urged.
"Did anyone ever tell you, you can be a real bummer?" Asked Abby.
"I'm just being realistic."
Tim shook his head and sighed as he talked. "I dunno wud you ah saying."
"But, the question is...is Santa real?"
"Oh. He's real, Tony! I have proof! I did an experiment with my chemistry set; his DNA from a half-eaten cookie!" Abby was shaking Tony as she held on tightly to his shoulders.
"I dunno,I just wonder some times." Tony slowly shook his head.
"Guys! Calm down, I agree with Abby. Santa is not some made up fairy tale but a true miracle; no question. But, to actually catch a glimpse of him in person...that is a true feat, all children, everywhere wish to accomplish. Am I right?" Jimmy held his chin in his hand as he nodded, looking over the group. They all silently stared back at him with blank stares.
Abby scratched her head, "You lost us. Someone else talk."
"What are you getting from Santa?" Tony asked Abby.
"I put in for a, 'Our Generation Hair Grow Doll and Salon Set.'" Abby spoke quickly then finished with an excited grin that she was unable to contain.
"Sounds like a waste of good elf labor to me." Said Tony.
"Well, then what did you ask for?" Abby asked.
"I dunno, I'm pretty happy now. I couldn't think of anything."
"Me, too. I don want Sanda to hurt his back carrying ah da stuff." Tim agreed with his brother as he used his hands to express himself.
They all jumped when a side of the fort thudded and caved in a bit. Loud laughter bellowed, directly outside the fort's entrance.
"Hey! I think they started their snowball fight!"
"We better stay in here where it is safe!" Yelled Ziva.
"No, go out and 'fro some 'foballs, too! " Tim pumped his arm up then started to crawl towards the exit but Tony grabbed him by the coat and pulled him back in.
"You need to have a plan, first, Timmy."
"Just throw and run!" Answered Abby. "Come on!" She waved them on.
The kids yelled and screeched as they frantically crawled out of the fort. Tim and Ziva took cover behind the well-lit snowman. Tony, Jimmy and Abby darted across the lawn, joining the men's side, seeking the protection of their snow wall. Tim and Ziva were amazed at the constant flow of snowballs that flew across the yard and past their heads.
"You bedder duck, Ziva." Tim over zealously pushed down on top of Ziva's head.
Ziva pushed his hand away. "Stop! I'm 'kay and you're pushing my face in dah snow! We should run to a wall."
"Kids, come on, get over here! You're right in the line of fire!" Jenny crouched as she ran from her refuge to help guide the two little ones back to the protection of her chosen snow-wall. The snowballs stopped until Jenny, Tim and Ziva gained cover, joining the women.
The women sat against their snowy protection, planning their strategy. "Now you kids can help by making snowballs, okay?" Tim and Ziva nodded as they dug their hands into the snow, kneeling, while forming small, lopsided snowballs next to Jenny as she did the same. Diane crouched to eye level with the edge of the wall as they passed the ammunition to her, as she keenly aimed before she threw. Louise joined her, screaming and yelping in laughter. Diane screamed when a snowball smashed into her face.
Tim tugged her pant leg, looking up at her. "Careful, aunt D..an!"
"Thanks, sweetie, Oh...my... goodness! That's cold! She shook her jacket to release the snow that was making its way down her shirt when another snowball hit her in the side of the head. "Hey! Ya mind?" She yelled to the men.
"Sorry, dear!" Jenny could not mistaken the sound of Toby's voice; his terrified regrets made public to his wife.
"Don't worry! You'll pay for that later!" Yelled Diane.
"See guys? I'm a dead man!" Diane smiled when she heard her husband's terrified pleas to Gibbs and Mike.
"Hey, if its any consolation, I just got Jethro good in the shnoze. He doesn't look too happy about that one!"
"Good aim, Louise!" Yelled Jenny as she popped her head over the wall to catch a glance. She smiled until a snowball hit her in the shoulder. The spray of the snow blinded her momentarily. She shook her head to find Ducky partially standing behind the other wall, giggling.
He made an effort to yell his apologies, "I am quite sorry, Jennifer, but I have to admit I found that quite exhil-"
A hand had reached out and yanked him back behind the protection of the wall as a snowball just missed his face.
Jimmy darted from the safety of the men's wall, yelling and jumping up and down while waving his hands in the air, "Consider yourselves defeated! We will prevail!" Jimmy pumped an arm in the air, victoriously.
"Oops. I just hit that little kid with the glasses right in the head and caused his hat to fly off." Louise ruefully conveyed to her friends.
"Keep your kids protected!" Jenny yelled to the other side.
"That's...okay! I'm all right!" Tim and Ziva giggled when they heard Jimmy's reply.
The snowballs continued until everyone was too cold and started to complain. Each side was scared to leave the safety of their wall to walk towards the house or fire for warmth in fear of being bombarded with snowballs. Each side yelled for a truce but did not feel confident enough that the other team would honor it. It finally ended when the women stormed the men's wall knocking it over as it crumpled onto them. The pile of competitors screeched and yelled, then darted into the comforts of the house.
They all resumed the party indoors; the children sitting on the couch to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' in the living room while the adults carried on their conversations in the kitchen. Jimmy, Abby and Ziva's parents picked them up just before they nodded off in front of the television. Tim and Tony fell asleep leaning against each other in the corner of the couch.
The party broke, late in the night, Tobias and Diane the last to leave.
"We'll be right back with the...special package, Jethro." Tobias winked at Gibbs.
"You sure you're not too tired to drive, Toby?" Asked Jenny.
"Nah, I'll make sure he stays awake." Answered Diane.
As soon as they quietly closed the door behind them, Gibbs and Jenny started towards the living room to put the kids to bed.
