I should probably mention that I'm in the last year of my B.S. in Engineering...which is why it takes me forever to put up a chapter.

Thank you to all those who still read this and a special thanks to Kaylarina, easylion, ncisXpsych12345, dark but so Lovely, and stargatesg1973 for the lovely reviews! I do read them and even if I don't respond they make me smile :)

And because you all have been so patient, I'm going to upload several chapters today! Because it was my birthday on the 5th, I'll upload the next five chapters. Sound like a deal?

Enjoy!

"One more push Mrs. DiNozzo," the nurse said brightly. Ziva growled at the nurse but took Tony's hand as she waited for the next contraction. Despite her training, both in the IDF and Mossad, she lacked preparation for pregnancy; specifically labor. Never in her life had she experienced such pain. She once fell from almost 27 meters, broken her wrist, her ankle, bruised the entire side of her left body, and still managed to complete her mission of swimming across the Dead Sea and climbing the subsequent cliffs. The pain she remembered then paled in the comparison of the pain she was in now—but the pain of her fall was also deadened by the morphine pills she swallowed by the handful and this pain was hardly deaden by the epidural.

As the countdown began, she found strength in what Tony whispered to her. She couldn't make out specific words; she only knew he was trying to encourage her. The contraction started and she gritted her teeth as she began pushing, focusing her want to scream into physical energy.

"Congratulations, it's a boy!" the doctor said as cries filled the room. Ziva dropped in exhaustion, gulping air, as the doctor and nurses busied themselves around her. Tony leaned close and placed a cool cloth over her head; it was like Heaven. She was so hot, she could feel her hair plastered to her forehead and neck as she gasped for breath. She felt something cold pressed against her lips and opened her mouth. An ice chip fell in and coated her mouth in relief; she turned and offered the best smile she could manage at her husband.

"You did an amazing job," he told her as he placed a gentle kiss to her temple. She sighed at his words and searched the room for her son. Tony helped her sit up a little as the nurses busied around her. Several minutes later a nurse brought a bundle of blankets over; a moving, crying bundle of blankets.

"Ready, mom?" the nurse asked before she gently placed the bundle on Ziva's chest. Instinctively her arms wrapped around the tiny life and held him fast to her.

Tony had thought he loved Ziva with all his heart but the instant he looked at his newborn son he knew that he loved this little boy more than anything in the world. The little person who stared back captured his gaze and he couldn't look away. He was absolutely perfect.

Ziva felt the weight on her chest and knew that her life would never be the same again. Looking at her son was the best feeling she ever experienced. She felt her love for him so much that her heart almost exploded in joy. He was perfect in her opinion; blue eyes with a hint of her olive coloring and a patch of brown hair on his head.

"Do you have a name picked out?" a nurse asked, holding the birth certificate. "If you don't that's fine," she assured but Tony looked at Ziva and smiled.

"Leroy," Ziva answered, not looking away from her son. "Leroy Timothy DiNozzo." She could not believe how perfect he looked. She felt Tony lay next to her once the nurses were done cleaning her up and she shifted their son so he could properly look at Leroy. He rested his head on her shoulder as he traced the outline of Leroy's face.

"He's wonderful," Tony whispered and Ziva could only nod. A nurse came over and took Leroy, Tony calmed her protests but she still kept a hawk's eye as they worked with their son. They gave him back after several minutes and time flew as the nurses busied themselves around the new family.

"Alright, we're about to move you back into your room," a nurse told them a little while later. Leroy had fallen asleep on her chest and they just watched as he slept, Tony had moved to cradle Ziva into his side but he couldn't tear his eyes from his son.

"Leroy?" Tony asked, taking the question from Ziva. The nurse smiled, all too familiar with anxious new parents.

"He is going with you but we have to put him in a bassinet," she told them, pointing to the portable crib. Tony looked at Ziva and nodded once before moving to the crib. The nurse shook her head with a smile; she had seen many parents who could silently communicate but these two were in a league of their own.

Ziva only allowed the nurses to move her when she was sure Tony was watching Leroy. As soon as the bed locked in place in her room, Ziva sat up and she watched Tony and another nurse wheel the bassinet into the room. A nurse tried to push her back down but soon let go when Ziva glared at her. Tony moved the crib next to the bed, causing Ziva to relax.

"Lay back," he told her and she obliged quickly, leaning against the propped-up bed. The nurse came over and gently lifted their son out of his bassinet and handed him to her, her arms instinctively curling around him, cradling him. He was still asleep and she smiled, her previous fears quickly forgotten.

"The doctor will be right in," the other nurse told them, leaving them alone with a smile. Ziva shifted on her bed, allowing Tony to join her again as they watched their son sleep.

"I have to say," Tony said, "we make a pretty baby." Ziva smiled but the door opened before she had a chance to respond. The doctor walked in with a smile, flipping through the chart.

"Everything went well and looks good," he told them. "Just don't be surprised when he wakes up hungry," he said with a grin before delving into specifics. After the doctor left Tony took Leroy so Ziva could take a shower but she was back within ten minutes, her wet hair tied into a loose bun at the base of her neck.

"You could have stayed longer," Tony told her but she shook her head as she gently climbed back onto the bed.

"I couldn't," she told him, holding her arms out. Tony smiled as he gave Leroy back to her before joining her on the bed. Ziva relaxed into Tony's chest as he carefully placed his arms around her. She wanted to say more but she couldn't find the words; she couldn't stand to be apart from her child. For months he had been with her, a constant companion, and to be able to finally touch him? To hold him? She couldn't put into words how it physically hurt her to be apart from Leroy.

"I know," he whispered into her hair as he stroked her arm. He saw the way she would rub her abdomen and smile when Leroy moved, he had been with her for nine months and she needed to hold him. He did understand. A soft knock resonated through the room a short while later.

"Come in," Tony called, carefully getting off the bed. Gibbs and Jenny walked in, Gibbs carrying a duffle bag while Jenny carried balloons and a few stuffed animals. Ziva sat up a little more, a smile on her face as her friends came in. Gibbs set the bag down on Tony's bed before coming over and giving Ziva a kiss on the cheek.

"Congratulations," he told her as Tony poked the bag with curiosity. Jenny grinned at Ziva as she set the balloons in the corner and placed the stuffed animals around the room.

"What'd you bring boss?" Tony asked when Gibbs sat next to him; Jenny sat on the edge of the bed, conversing quietly with Ziva. Tony watched as Ziva carefully gave Leroy to Jenny and smiled at the two cooing over him.

"Stuff," Gibbs answered, grabbing the bag and placing it in Tony's lap. "For you; I remember these days and you'll need that," he pointed to the bag. Tony opened the bag curiously and grinned as he found two heavy blankets, a pillow, some snacks and a flashlight. Tony also found a wrapped package but Gibbs took it from the bag quickly.

"What's that?" Tony asked.

"This is for Leroy," Gibbs said. Tony nodded and pulled out the pillow and one of the blankets placing it on his bed and grinning at the print.

"Thanks boss," he said, smoothing the OSU blanket over the bed. Gibbs grinned and patted Tony's knee before they joined Jenny and Ziva's conversation.

"Abby and McGee are waiting," Gibbs said a little while later. He handed Leroy back to Ziva with a smile. Gibbs was also the only one, besides Tony, whom Ziva trusted completely with her new son. He had instantly bonded with his surrogate grandchild and godson and didn't mind when Tony jokingly called him 'grandpa'. Leroy had opened his eyes when Gibbs held him, cuddling into the man's arms before promptly falling asleep.

"Get lots of rest, you're going to need it," Jenny said with a smile, placing another kiss on Leroy's cheek before hugging Ziva. She gave Tony a side-hug before leaving. Gibbs gave Ziva a hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking Tony by the shoulders.

"You're going to do good," Gibbs told him, looking his partner in the eye. Tony nodded and pulled him into a hug.

"Thanks Gibbs," Tony said after they parted. Gibbs nodded once more and turned to leave. He wasn't gone a minute when another knock sounded on the door.

"Abby?" Ziva said with a smile and Tony nodded. "Come in," she raised her voice. Her guess was right: Abby and McGee came in, Abby holding a vase of white roses and McGee holding another bag.

"Aw!" Abby exclaimed as she entered the room quietly. "What's his name?" Tony looked at Ziva and smiled.

"Meet Leroy Timothy DiNozzo," she said, tipping the bundle a little to reveal the sleeping child. Abby simpered and McGee smiled. Abby turned to McGee, who didn't have a look of surprise on his face, and hit him on the chest.

"Did you know?" she asked in a slightly threatening tone.

"We asked him if we could use his name," Ziva replied. "He promised to keep it secret."

"What if it was a girl?" she questioned.

"We'd be asking you if we could use your name," Tony answered. He glanced at Ziva and got the permission he needed before continuing. "If it was a girl, her name would be Caitlin Abigail."

"If you promise to have a daughter, I'll let you use my name," she said with a sweet smile and a twinkle in her eye.

"We'll get right on that," Tony said sardonically with a smile before offering McGee a spot on his bed. "What's in there Probie?" he asked, poking McGee's bag after he set it between himself and Tony.

"Something for him," McGee said pointing to Leroy, who currently resided in Abby's arms. "It's a collection of things from me, Abby, Palmer, and Ducky. What's that?" he asked, pointing to the box Gibbs left.

"It's for Leroy from Gibbs," Tony replied. "We had to promise to open it when we were alone," he shrugged his shoulders. Abby's squeal of delight as she held Leroy made Tony and McGee turn to her.

"He's so precious," Abby cooed, making Ziva smile. Tony stood and placed a hand on Ziva's shoulder as they watched their friends. The bag of presents was a success: bottles, onesies, outfits, blankets, toys and a portable changing table filled the diaper bag. In addition to all of the other gifts they received at the baby shower, Tony was sure Leroy would have enough clothing for the first two years of his life.

"Alright, visiting hours are over," the nurse said, interrupting the small group in the room a little while later. Ziva smiled as McGee handed Leroy back to Tony.

"Say good night to Uncle Probie, Leroy," Tony said with a smile, waving one of Leroy's hands and looking at McGee.

"If he grows up to call me that…" McGee threatened, leaving Tony to imagine the punishment. Tony only grinned, causing McGee to eventually chuckle. "Good night guys," he offered, leading Abby to the door.

"Sleep well!" Abby said before leaving with McGee. The nurse went through their new nightly routine, reminding them of their responsibilities before bidding them a good night. Tony looked at Ziva and she nodded with a smile; he grabbed the package Gibbs gave her and carefully climbed up on the bed with her as she opened it. He smiled as he bent down to kiss Leroy, sleeping contently on Ziva's chest.

"Open first," she read the envelope before handing it to Tony. He opened the letter and another envelope fell out packed with cash. Ziva held it up and he shrugged. He read the letter.

"The present isn't much, but it is something that Kelly always liked," Tony read. "The money is from Abby's bet. Thought I'd split it 50/50 with you," Tony couldn't help but laugh.

"There is 800 dollars in this envelope," Ziva said in awe. "This many people bet?" she asked.

"Must have," Tony replied. "Open the box," he asked, tossing the letter and money on his bed. Ziva took the package and carefully unwrapped it, revealing a plain box. She lifted the lid and a soft 'oh' escaped her lips as she took in the handcrafted wooden toys. Tony picked up a simple ring as Ziva trailed her fingers over one of the letters he had made.

"This is…" she didn't have words. She looked at Tony; his jaw had dropped open as he ran his palm around one of the circles.

"Amazing doesn't begin to describe this," he said softly as he reached for one of the letters. They were made from cherry and had been sanded smooth, no chance of a splinter. Each letter was proportional and each shape was perfect. Gibbs had taken extra time with this.

After setting Gibbs present aside, Tony climbed into his bed. Ziva eyed the heavy blanket he had pulled around him almost jealously, the thin blanket the hospital had supplied was barely keeping her warm, and without warning, Tony stood up and draped the blanket over her before digging in the bag Gibbs got him. He pulled out the other blanket and threw it over himself before lying down as Ziva snuggled up with the blanket he gave her.

"How'd you know?" she asked softly.

"Just did," he said. "Call it a gut feeling," she could almost hear the grin as he said it. "Go to sleep, you've done amazing today," he said quietly. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered before drifting to sleep.

Once he was sure she was asleep, Tony silently thanked Gibbs for the flashlight. He turned it on low and shone it at the floor, lighting his way as he left a sleeping Ziva and Leroy behind. He carefully closed the door before pulling out his cell phone and dialing the familiar number.

"Gibbs," his boss' gruff voice rumbled through the phone.

"It's me," Tony told him. "You were right, those were useful things to have," he said with a smile. Tony could hear the knowing grin Gibbs had on his face. "And boss, those toys…I don't think 'thank you' covers what those mean to us," he said solemnly.

"I'm glad you like them," Gibbs replied. "Now is there a reason you called me or is this purely social?" he asked and Tony smiled at his wry joke.

"I was wondering what Eli was being told about her hospitalization," Tony asked, getting to the reason of his call.

"Ziva was injured and requires at least three months of medical leave," Gibbs told him. "Should appease him for a while."

"Thanks boss," Tony smiled, running his hand through his hair. "And thanks for the money, we—uh, enjoyed learning we profited from the bet," he said with a smile.

"Don't thank me, thank Jenny. She's the one who persuaded me to give you half," Gibbs said and Tony decided he didn't want to know how she persuaded him if it cost him 800 dollars.

"Good night boss," he said.

"Take care," Gibbs said and Tony could swear he heard the smile before hanging up and joining his family.

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