Chapter 6
Tony,
I am honored to be asked to be a part of Tali's family. I think that that little girl is very lucky to have you as a father. While I am saddened at Ziva's death, I'm happy she left something to remember her by. Tali already looks so much like Ziva, it's unbelievable. And I know you will raise her to not forget her mother.
I guess that explains a lot of why she left the way she did. I guess she didn't want to complicate your life. At least, I think that's how she would think it. But, I know you will be an amazing father. It's ashamed that she could not see that quality in you. I don't know if she didn't look, or if she didn't care. Both options make me wonder about her.
As I said, I would be very, very honored to be Tali's grandfather. I am working on some toys for her now. They will be painted and ready for her by the time you two come back home.
See you soon,
Grandpa Gibbs
PS: Your transfer has been approved.
You should be hearing from Vance in a few days. And, no, I'm not angry with you. I knew that this was coming. I'm just glad you'll still be here at NCIS. We'll talk about it all when you get home.
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Tony,
I am so honored to be Tali's Aunt Abby. I cannot get over those green eyes. She looks so much like you. It's unreal. You have a beautiful little girl, Tony. I am so happy for you. She is just amazing. I can already see the protective Papa Bear thing coming out in you, too. And if you're anything like Gibbs when you're in 'Papa Bear' mode, this kid doesn't have a blessed thing to worry about.
It's okay to miss Ziva, Tony. We all do, especially since we know we will never see her again. But we have the next best thing. A part of her lives on in that little girl. That is the best thing she could leave you, Tony. And I know it will probably take you a little time to get used to the whole 'daddy' thing. But you'll do fine. And just remember, you have plenty of people to talk to. You have plenty of people to ask questions. And also remember…I need pics….lots and lots and lots of pics.
Love you, too,
Auntie Abby
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Tony,
Wow! You're a dad. I'm still wrapping my mind around it. I had always suspected you and Ziva, but….. Well, you know, rule #12 and all. I wasn't' sure. But, I must say, Tali is a very pretty little girl. She looks so much like Ziva. It's just hard to believe that we will never see her again. But it's a little easier knowing she left something behind.
Delilah and I would be very honored to be Tali's aunt and uncle. We are looking forward to watching that little girl grow up. She is very lucky to have you. And I know you will keep whatever memories she has of Ziva alive. I know she will have a good life here in the states with you. And I hope that your dad is excited to have a granddaughter, too. She is a blessed little girl.
Enjoy Israel and France.
See you soon,
Uncle Tim and Aunt Delilah
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Tony,
Wow, you're a dad. That is so awesome. That baby girl of your is a cutie. She has your green eyes. It must have been very scary for her to have been brought her to the States and not know why she was here. I guess she will be asking you a lot of questions. Kids tend to do that anyway. And she is just going to have that many more to ask. Don't be afraid to tell her you don't have the answer, or you're not sure. She doesn't expect you to know everything. You're job is to check under the bed and in the closet and chase the monsters away. That's it. You do that, and you're the best father ever.
But seriously, Tony, I am so happy for you. I am sorry that you had to find out about her the way you did. But she is a tiny little gift, a little blessing. She is a part of you and Ziva. And she is a product of how you two felt about each other.
I can only imagine how angry you are with her now. And I can only speculate about why she never told you. I'm guessing she thought, maybe you just didn't want a child. Maybe you would reject a child. Or on the other extreme, maybe you would take Tali away from her and bring her to the U.S. to raise alone. That may sound farfetched to you. But I am sure she gave each of those possibilities, at least, a passing thought, and probably all the possibilities in between. But I am guessing that, in the beginning she just didn't want to interrupt your life. She didn't know if you would feel like you had to quit your job, a job you loved, for her and the baby. And she didn't want that.
I know that she regretted her decision of not telling you. We were told that bit of information. But, to be honest with you, Tony, I don't know. I have never been in such a situation, and I'm not even sure what I would do. But I can imagine I would think of those things I mentioned. I tried to put myself in her position. And that's what I came up with. I hope that that helps, at least a little. I don't think her motives were selfish, Tony. From what I heard about her, it doesn't seem like her. The best thing I can tell you to do is to let go of your anger and raise your little girl.
And I would be very happy to a member of the family, just call me Aunt Ellie.
Have a safe trip, come home soon,
Ellie
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Tony,
Thanks, so much, for asking me for help. I was glad to do it. That little girl is absolutely precious. I am looking forward to seeing her grow up. I am looking forward to seeing your 'daddy' skills in action.
I know what you mean. Brianna and I have discussed it. We have a very hard time remembering life before our little one. It's amazing how quickly and completely that children fill up your life. You go from essentially doing everything for yourself to doing everything for this tiny adorable person. And I know you'll be a great dad. Tali is a very lucky little girl. She is going to have a lot of surrogate family to take care of her. And, Tony, don't be afraid to ask all of us for help. We are all anxious for you to get back. We are looking forward to seeing our niece again.
I hope you find the answers you seek in Israel. And I hope you enjoy France.
We'll be looking for those pics,
Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Brianna
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Anthony,
Of course, I will be happy to claim the title of Great Uncle. I am pleased you asked me. I have many stories to tell Tali of you and of the rest of NCIS. I am so excited for you. You have a lot in common with this little girl, you having lost your mother at such a young and impressionable age. I hope you will use what you learned there to help your daughter to cope with Ziva's death. I know the circumstances were not the same. But, the feelings that they leave behind are. You are still without a mother at a critical time in your life.
And please remember, you do have an excellent support system. We all thought of this little girl as our family as soon as we found out you had a daughter. It wouldn't have matter who her mother was. But, it being Ziva makes Tali even more special to us because Ziva meant so much to us. It will be hard to look at this young lady and not see her mother in her. But that is a good thing, too. That means that we can never forget her.
I have never been to Israel. But it has always intrigued me. I would love to see the religious mecca of the world, in person. I look forward to your gift. And I know I will enjoy it immensely.
Thank you,
Great Uncle Ducky
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Agent DiNozzo,
I cannot say that your employment decision is a surprise to me. I have checked into your employment options. (A formal letter will follow.) I think you are making a wise decision. It is difficult to worry about your family's safety when you are trying to do your job effectively. It can compromise you and cause you to make mistakes out in the field. And, as we both know, distractions in the field can be deadly.
I understand your desire, your need for answers. I went through the same type thing when Jackie died. I wanted to have something to tell our children. I wanted to be able to answer all their questions. But, I am going to tell you this. And trust me on it. You cannot answer all of Tali's questions. She will ask you things that you have no clue of how to even begin to answer. And I'm talking of things about Ziva's death, about life, whatever. She really won't expect you to have the answers. But she will love you for trying as hard as you can to find the answers.
I also understand why you didn't ask the agency for help. You would have gotten the politically correct answer, no doubt. But, I will still extend my help to you, anytime you need it. I am sure you and Tali will make more visits to Israel as she gets older.
Best of luck to you in your quest for answers, and I hope you and Tali enjoy Paris.
Take Care,
Director Leon Vance, NCIS
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DiNoteso
Uncle Tobey, huh? I like it. I was very surprised to hear of the huge changes that have gone on in your life. I feel like your 'daddy intuition' will kick in and you'll do fine. I am looking forward to seeing your little girl. I am sure she a beautiful child, knowing what her mother looks like. Does she act like you, or like Ziva?
Gibbs tells me that she has your green eyes. I have yet to see a picture. You know how inept Jethro is with a smart phone. I guess I will have to wait until you get back or until somebody else comes by to show me a picture. Though, if you send pictures to my phone, or my daughter's, I will get to see them.
Congratulations, daughters are a blessing…then they turn into teenagers. But, by then it's too late, you love them too much to give them away.
See you soon,
Uncle Tobey
TBC
END NOTE: I have one more letter to write and all I can say is that it is set well into the future. Thanks, as always, for reading, reviewing and alerting. And, if you see mistakes….. Thanks again, JL