A/N: Well guys I'm sorry it's been a few since I've updated. I've been sick with the awful flu bug bleh :p Now I'm officially recovered and it gave me inspiration for this next chapter! :] Remember reviews make the world go round. :D
Disclaimer: If I owned NCIS there would be no more of these jealousy Tiva arcs!
Miracle
A couple days had passed since the parent/teacher conference. Everything had been resolved and Isabella didn't have to skip a grade, or go to the AP classes until the next year. She was still nervous about that, but Mrs. Hurley had reassured her that Mrs. Delgado-the AP third grade teacher-was excellent and she would have tons of fun. She still needed some more convincing but it would have to wait.
Now Isabella was in bed on a Thursday night, tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable. Her head hurt, she had an ugly cough, and really bad chills. Nahla could sense her uncomfortableness and was getting uneasy. Finally, she jumped off the bed and trotted down the hall to Tony and Ziva's room, pushing the door open with her front paws. Once she was in the room, she took turns licking the sleeping duo, urging them to get out of bed and follow her.
"Ugh, Nahla, go away, I need sleep." Tony said burying himself under the covers.
"Nahla out," Ziva said pointing towards the door, angry that the family dog disturbed her sleep.
Nahla was not going to leave unless one of them followed her. She kept on urging them towards the door whining ever so slightly. Finally, Ziva got the hint.
"Tony I think something is wrong." Ziva said getting up and putting on her robe and slippers.
"She probably can't find her bone again Ziva just come back to bed," Tony said still buried under the covers. Ziva rolled her eyes, and followed Nahla to Bella's room. Bella was sound asleep, but moving around uneasily.
"Isabella, are you alright my love?" Ziva asked softly kneeling down over the bed to feel Bella's forehead.
Isabella shuddered at Ziva's touch and opened her eyes. "Mama, I don't feel good." She said, her voice raspy from the cough.
"Wait here ok? I'm going to get the thermometer and some medicine."
Before going downstairs to get the medicine and thermometer from the medicine cupboard, she went to her room to wake up Tony.
"Tony, get up." Ziva said yanking the covers off of a sleeping Tony.
"Ziva! It's cold! Let me sleep!"
"Tony, Isabella is sick. She has a cough and I'm pretty sure she has a fever."
Tony was up in a nanosecond. He threw on some sweats and raced downstairs to get Bella her medicine. Ziva smirked knowing his daughter was the only one who could get him out of bed that fast. She went back to Bella's room to try and keep her comfortable until the she took the medicine.
"Mama, my head hurts and I'm cold." Isabella said in between coughs.
"I know my love. Daddy's downstairs getting you some medicine ok?" Ziva said sitting at the edge of the bed and caressing Bella's loose curls. Even in the dimly lit room, Ziva could tell that Bella looked pale. Moments later, Tony entered the room, thermometer, children's Tylenol, children's cough syrup, Vicks Vapor Rub, and a Pedialyte Popsicle in hand.
"Hey kiddo, how are you feeling?" he asked softly. Bella coughed in response, her green eyes droopy and tired.
"Ok time for Dr. Dad to work his magic. Open wide." Tony said placing the thermometer in Bella's mouth. While they waited for the results, Ziva rubbed the Vicks on Bella's chest to give some relief for the congestion, while Tony readied the Tylenol and cough syrup. A few minutes later the thermometer beeped.
"102.3," Ziva said reading the results. Bella groaned.
"Ah, it's ok kiddo. A couple doses of Daddy's magic medicine and you'll be good to go." Tony said trying to cheer Isabella up. She nodded in respone.
"Ok my love, take these and you'll be able to sleep soon," Ziva said handing the little cups of medicine to Bella. She drank them quickly making faces of disgust, not really appreciating the taste of medicine even if it was cherry flavored.
"And here is your popsicle, milady." Tony said handing the popsicle over dramatically. Bella's eyes widened a bit, happy to have a pleasant taste in her mouth. Ziva got up for a moment and returned with a wet washcloth to put on Bella's forehead to try and help bring her fever down.
Bella moaned, not liking the coldness on her.
"I know you do not like it my love, but it will help bring the fever down." Ziva said softly.
"But I'm really cold Mama," Isabella said softly. She tried to put on a brave front, but she couldn't take it anymore. She burst into tears and began to cry.
"Oh come here my love, it will be ok," Ziva said picking Isabella up, rubbing her back to try and soothe her.
"Can you sleep with me tonight Mama?" Isabella asked in between coughs.
"Of course my love."
"Well, looks like Nahla's gonna be my sleeping partner tonight." Tony said sighing. Ziva chuckled. "Well I bid you two wonderful ladies good night, and I shall see you in the morning." They said their good night's, and off they went to bed, Ziva with Isabella, and Tony with Nahla.
Ziva walked around with Isabella a little longer, then finally sat in the rocking chair that Isabella absolutely loved. It was hers' and Ziva's "bonding chair" as Tony liked to call it. As a baby, if Bella was fussy or when Ziva was nursing, they would sit in the chair, staring into eachothers' eyes for hours, rocking back and forth ever so slightly. Ziva wanted to enjoy every moment she could with Isabella in the chair. Even though the chair was fairly large, they knew Bella was bound to grow out of it. She was a little on the small side for her age, but all children grow up sooner or later. Plus, the fact that Gibbs had made the chair himself made it extra special.
As Ziva rocked back and forth with Bella in her lap, did she barely realize the faint sounds coming from Bella's stereo. She rolled her eyes playfully when she heard the familiar voice of Celine Dion playing. Bella loved hearing Miracle, Celine's album of soft lullabies, as she went to bed every night. Ziva hummed along with the melody, then, softly sang along with the words.
My precious one, my darling one
Don't let your lashes weep
My cherished one, my weary one
It's time to go to sleep
Just bow your head
And give your cares to me
Just close your eyes
And fall into the sweetest dream
Cuz in my loving arms
You're safe as you will ever be
So hush my dear and sleep
Before she knew it, Bella had fallen fast asleep once again. The coughing had somewhat subsided and her body felt a little cooler, indicating that the medicine had started to kick in. Ziva got up slowly from the rocking chair, careful not to disturb Bella, tucked her into bed, and then situated herself on the other side of the full-size bed. Even though Bella was in a deep sleep, Ziva stayed awake listening to the rest of the CD. One peaceful song after another came on but one came up that caught Ziva's attention. She had only listened to the CD a couple of times, but never to really sit there and listen to the words. Slight tears filled her eyes as she listened to the lyrics.
You're my life's one miracle
Everything I've done that's good
And you break my heart with tenderness
And I confess it's true
I never knew a love like this 'til you
You're the reason I was born, now I finally know for sure
And I'm overwhelmed with happiness
So blessed to hold you close
The one that I love most
Though the future has so much for you in store
Who could ever love you more?
She got the remote that went with the stereo and replayed the song until she knew the words by heart.
The nearest thing to heaven
You're my angel from above
Only God creates such perfect love
When you smile at me, I cry
And to save your life I'd die
With a romance that is pure in heart
You are my dearest part
Whatever it requires
I live for your desires
Forget my own, your needs will come before
Who could ever love you more?
She looked over at a sleeping Isabella and dedicated that song to her forevermore. She sang the last phrase of the song softly to Bella before she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep; next to the reason she was born, her angel, her Miracle.
There is nothing you could ever do
To make me stop loving you
And every breath I take
Is always for your sake
You sleep inside my dreams and know for sure
Who could ever love you more?
A/N: Again, sorry it's taken me a little longer to update! I actually started writing it while I was stuck in bed, but I just didn't have the energy to finish it. Plus it made like no sense at all and I had to go back and practically re-write everything so I'm sorry if a lot stuff doesn't make sense! I guess all the medicine made me a little loopy haha. Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter! I love Celine's album Miracle, and those two songs from the album are called My Precious One and Miracle. Check it out sometime! Mother's, I promise you'll love it as well! Bear with me on the Celine stuff. I promise she'll only be mentioned or incorporated into the story every couple of chapters so y'all won't get an overload lol. I don't know if this chapter can be classified as a songfic or not though…hmm…One last thing I'd like to add, even at 19, a mother's touch can still be very comforting when you're sick lol. Give me a little bit of time to update for the next chapters. I've been on another school overload bleh! Hope y'all are having as much fun reading as I am writing :]
