The funeral was even worse than Tony could have imagined. Jake disappeared to the bathroom at the start and when he finally came out in time for the reception. His eyes were red and puffy and it was painfully clear that he had been crying. When the time came to go up to the caskets and see the bodies. Lily started crying for her mommy and daddy and practically leaped out of his arms to be with her mommy in the casket. Needless to say there was not a dry eye in the church after that. Even Gibbs who stood behind Tony, offering moral support. Had tears in his blue eyes. The reception had just ended and Tony was sitting on the floor of the church's perish hall with Lily crying into his chest. Jake was wondering around the church. Remaining painfully silent, but he kept studying the piano. Jason had been a talented pianist and Mary too. They had always encouraged Jake to take lessons but Jake was always against the idea. He said that piano was for girls and nerds.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Tony sang to his God daughter.
"Mommy used ta sing." Lily sniffed.
"I know and this was her favorite." Tony replied.
"Really?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, I have a recording of her singing that in a concert a long time ago. Back when she was a little girl. Right around Jake's age." Tony explained.
"Where you get it?" Lily asked.
"A friend gave it to me." Tony explained.
"Who?" Lily asked.
"Just an old friend." Tony replied.
"Can I meet her?" Lily asked.
"No" Tony replied.
"Why?" Lily asked.
"She is with your mommy and daddy." Tony explained.
"Oh" Lily whispered sadly.
Jake watched as Tony interacted with his sister. He was slightly jealous of her. He wished that he could be little and innocent like that. She didn't even seem to remember the crash. He on the other-hand was haunted by it day and night. The paramedics said that everything would be OK. He was so stupid for believing them. His dad was not moving at all and his mom crying out in pain. Poor Lily was screaming out in fear and pain. Jake just lay on the stretcher and tried to be strong. Tony was the one to tell him that both his parents were brain-dead and that he had a baby sister. Who was fighting for her life in the NICU. At least Lily was OK. Hurt really bad but she was going to be OK. That first night in the hospital. They promised each other that they would be there for each other. No matter what. He wondered if Lily remembered or understood that at all.
"Hey kid are you OK?" Gibbs asked.
"Fine" Jake lied.
"You've been around the piano a lot. Do you play?" Gibbs asked.
"No... not well anyway. I was taking lessons at summer school when..." Jake replied.
"Oh well I know that Tony has a piano and I am sure he will teach you if you want." Gibbs offered.
"I don't want to play around him." Jake replied.
"Alright but if you ever want to play, I have one at my place. I can't play worth crap. So you are more than welcome to use it." Gibbs explained.
"Why would you have a piano if you can't play?" Jake asked.
"Long story" Gibbs replied.
"Some chick you were nailing play or something?" Jake asked.
"I have a feeling that nailing means something very different than what I grew up hear." Gibbs replied.
"Yeah it means having sex with." Jake replied.
"That's a little crass for a boy your age." Gibbs observed.
"I am thirteen!" Jake snapped, storming off.
Tony was shocked to see Gibbs stop and talk with Jake. They talked for a what was considered a long time for the two of them. Tony could not make out what they were saying but he was shocked to see Jake remain civil for that long. Unfortunately the peace did not last long. Because the next thing he knew, Jake threw his arms up in the air and stormed off. Moments later, Gibbs came over and sat down beside Tony and Lily, who was now sleeping in Tony's arms.
"How is she?" Gibbs asked.
"I think she is feeling better. She fell asleep at least." Tony explained.
"That's good anyway," Gibbs replied.
"Hey, what were you and Jake talking about?" Tony asked.
"I don't think he would want me to say." Gibbs replied.
"But he's alright?" Tony asked.
"I would tell ya if he weren't." Gibbs assured.
"I know but I still worry." Tony replied.
"All good parents do." Gibbs assured.
"I hope that I really am doing a good job." Tony sighed.
"You are doing a great job. This would be hard for anyone." Gibbs assured.
"That's good to hear coming from you." Tony replied.
"Are you going to the hospital after this?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah, Jimmy is keeping the older two and I am going to spend the rest of the afternoon with the baby. Hopefully they will have good news today." Tony explained.
"Was yesterday, bad?" Gibbs asked.
"She didn't seem well last night and they were watching her but I haven't had any calls. So that is good news at leas." Tony explained.
"It's a roller coaster ride when they are that small but like I said. She will be just fine." Gibbs assured.
"I hope so." Tony sighed.
"They all will." Gibbs assured.
Ziva clutched her ticket and boarding pass close to her chest. It was weird for her to think about flying back to America after being gone for almost two years now. She was grateful that she had not gone with her original plans and renounced her citizenship. Only stayed in Israel on a visa. Because she was needed back in America. Her Tony needed her and she could not ignore him. She was sure that he would be fine on his own. That he would move on without her and he just fine. That was before, before his friends died and he was left to raise their kids by himself. Tony was a great guy but raising kids was a challenge and they would need a mother figure. Sure Abby and Breena were around but the kids did not know Abby and Breena was already busy with Victoria and her job. Work that was something Ziva wondered about. She would need a job but she was not sure that she wanted to go back to NCIS but that was something to worry about later. Tony and the children were her main and only concern for the time being.
A/N: Ziva is on her way to Tony and Jake may just have a friend in Gibbs. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.