"Tony, I can't."
Tony was practically bouncing with anxiety and exhilaration as he smoothed down Ziva's hair, slick with sweat. "You're almost there. You're so close."
"One more push, Ziva," a nurse called from the end of the bed.
"Harah," she cursed loudly, slipping her hand into Tony's and gripping it hard. He turned away momentarily so she wouldn't see him wince in pain. She took a deep breath, lifted her head off the pillow, and gritted her teeth. It was three long seconds before a wail pierced the air and the room erupted in cheers and activity and Tony moved from her side so that he could cut the umbilical cord. Ziva craned her neck to see over her raised legs and caught sight of a swirl of dark hair before the baby was whisked away.
Exhausted, she collapsed on the bed. Tony appeared above her, a huge grin on his face. "You did awesome," he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "You owned childbirth, ninja style."
"Where is she?"
"They're cleaning her up. Did you see her face? She looks like you."
That made Ziva smile, and her husband's excited chatter faded into the background as a nurse made her way over to the bed with a pink bundle. "Here you are," she said softly. Ziva pulled herself into a half-sitting position and took her baby. When she saw the little face peering out at her- the puckered lips, the dark eyes- she was overcome with a feeling she couldn't put into words. She stared into those eyes, unable to look away. Tony sat on the bed beside her and rested his chin on her shoulder, moving one of his arms beneath hers so that he could cradle their daughter, too.
Ziva's lower lip was quivering the slightest bit as she carefully raised one hand to touch the baby's cheek, but her voice was strong when she said, "Shalom, Azalea May."
I'm sad this story is over, but I'm also excited to post this because… I just really, really love how this scene plays out in my head.
I want to thank everybody who had read, reviewed, alerted, and/or favorited this story! You guys rock; I wouldn't be writing this stuff if it weren't for you!
If you enjoyed Bloom and want to see more Tony, Ziva and Azalea, check out Family for Observation- just a compilation of (mostly fluffy) drabbles about the three of them.
And… okay, I think that's all. Review if you are so inclined, read FFO if you are so inclined, and thank you so much for reading!