DISCLAIMER: I still own NOTHING.
A/N: Once again, thanks so much for all the reviews, I truly do appreciate them. I know that a lot of people are probably thinking that Tony nor Ziva (especially Ziva) are 'parental material' but I actually have learned (the hard way) that the people that seem less likely 'parental' sometimes are better parents than the ones one might think are. I really don't know, just some fluff that I've been thinking about and I can't help but to keep adding more to this, especially as I share more moments with my own little inspiration Ethan who is responsible for some of Tali's behavior.
The sun is very bright and Tony can't help but wince as a rather bright ray hits him directly in the eye. Grumbling he quickly turns away from the window, burying his head in his pillow, not ready to meet the day just yet. Shifting slightly a small, warm lump cuddles closer to him, making him realize for the first time that he is not in bed alone. The lump is definitely not Ziva, she is usually up before the sun and besides, this lump is much too small and light, and not to mention the lump does not snore like a drunken sailor with emphysema. Tony stretches his arm out and wraps it around the warm little lump and opens his eyes, smiling as brown eyes meet his.
"Dada!" Tali smiles, happy that her father's eyes have opened.
"Good morning Princess, did Mommy leave you in here while she went for her run?" Tony asks, sitting up in the bed and pulling Tali into his lap. Tali cuddles closely to Tony's chest and he places a gentle kiss on her forehead, deciding that the decision to face the day has been made for him.
He gets out of bed, placing Tali on his hip and walks into the nursery where Ziva is packing the green cargo diaper bag. Tony is momentarily confused.
"Good morning, what are you doing?" Tony asks smiling at Ziva as he carries Tali over to the changing table, grabbing a diaper.
"We have to take Tali to the office with us today. I have already called the Director and he said as long as we do not make a habit of this and that Tali stays in a contained space she can spend the day at the office whenever our prearranged care plans fall under," Ziva explains as she places an extra set of clothes into the diaper bag.
"Fall through you mean sweet cheeks." Tony smiles at her and she narrows her eyes at her husband for correcting her. "Why can't Leah watch her today?"
"She has a cold but it could be the flu so I insisted she take the day off and see the doctor. I do not want Tali getting sick." Ziva explains as she continues to pack Tali's necessities.
Tony shakes his head, amused at his wife's worries when it comes to their daughter. She has always been overly protective and even though he knows he is the same way it surprises him at just how overly protective Ziva can be, but given the way she had been raised he can understand why she wants Tali to be raised differently. Fastening the diaper tab on Tali's fresh diaper Tony picks her up and walks over to the little girl's closet, trying to find something for her to wear for the day.
"Why are you up so early? It isn't even six yet." Ziva asks, handing Tony an outfit that has already been picked out.
"Someone was cuddling and already awake so I thought I'd get her dressed and make breakfast before you came back from your run." Tony answers, taking the clothes from Ziva.
"Tali, did you wake your father?" Ziva asks the little girl. Tali smiles at Ziva and reaches for her. Ziva takes her daughter and gives her a good morning kiss. Tali nuzzles in her mother's neck for a moment, enjoying the closeness of her mother then raises her head, watching as her father digs for something in the changing table, twirling a strand of Ziva's hair in her little hand.
"Well at least she doesn't snore like her Mother!" Tony smirks at Ziva as he places a pair of socks on the changing table.
"For your information your snoring is what woke me up this morning. That is why I have already been for my morning jog and am now ready for work. So while you take a shower and get ready, I will feed Tali. You can fend for yourself for breakfast," Ziva smiles sweetly at him, batting her eyes and heads out of the nursery with Tali on her hip. Tali waves over Ziva's shoulder at her daddy. Tony shakes his head and follows them out of the nursery.
"Tali tell Mommy to be nice to Daddy!" Tony calls as he walks to the bathroom.
"Tali, tell Daddy he should not accuse Mommy of snoring," Ziva calls back to Tony from the kitchen. Tony chuckles slightly to himself and heads into the bathroom, being awake this early in the morning is not as bad as it used to be.