I'm quite proud of myself, I am finding much more time to write this week than last, I admit that I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, but it is honestly the best I could do tonight, so I apologise for that. Please review to let me know how I am going, this chapter continues on the topic of Eli's reaction and shows how supportive the team are. I hope you enjoy it!
Tony and Ziva walked into the bullpen to find Gibbs and McGee at their desks, and Abby talking to McGee. Despite washing her face Ziva's eyes were still slightly red and puffy from crying, and Tony's shirt was also a dead giveaway. Gibbs noticed this and got up from his desk and headed for the elevator, motioning for them to follow.
The elevator went dim and Gibbs turned to Tony and Ziva for and explanation, he knew she had gone to tell her father about her engagement and pregnancy, and that she'd come out of MTAC upset. He needed to know what happened in between. Ziva sighed before she began, "My father is disappointed in me, I told him about the engagement and he didn't care, then I told him about our baby and he basically said I was filthy. He said how he thought he raised me better than to have children before marriageā¦and he said that tony only proposed because I am pregnant" a single tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away quickly although she knew both Tony and Gibbs had seen it. Tony drew her into his chest and she buried her face, Gibbs was shocked that her father had said such a thing to his own daughter, he hated the way Eli treated Ziva when he was robbed of the chance of having his own grandchildren. He spoke as Ziva gently pulled away from Tony, "Ziva, if he is going to act like this then in my opinion he doesn't deserve to have anything to do with this baby, it's your choice, but that's my opinion. You are surrounded by people that love you and we will all be here to support you not only through the pregnancy, but with raising your child as well" she nodded, "Thankyou, Gibbs" he drew her into her chest briefly as he flicked the switch to make the elevator continue.
McGee had filled Abby in on the whole situation with Ziva's father whilst the others were in the elevator. As Ziva returned to the bullpen, both Abby and McGee rushed over to give her a hug. Abby got there first, "Oh, Ziva, I'm sorry" she said before pretty much repeating what Gibbs had said. When Abby was finally finished, McGee moved forward, "If there's anything I can do, let me know" he said with a smile and a hug, "Thankyou, McGee, but I will be fine, if he is going to act that way, I do not want anything to do with him." she gave him a small smile before returning to her desk. Gibbs was sitting at his desk, proud of how his team were so quick to reach out to her, offering support, and comforting her.
7 PM rolled around and Gibbs sent the team home, they'd had a slow day and he thought that after the horrible morning Tony and Ziva had, they might want some time to themselves. When they were walking down to the cars with McGee and Abby, Tony suggested that they all go out for dinner and a movie. McGee and Abby were quick to jump at the chance to dine out with their colleagues, it had been a while since they'd eaten out together. They decided on an Italian restaurant not far from the Navy Yard. They were seated at a table close to the kitchen. Tony ordered a bottle of wine for himself, Abby and McGee and a Pepsi for Ziva. When their drinks arrived they ordered their meals, Tony and McGee both ordered Pepperoni Pizza, Abby ordered Pasta Napolitano and Ziva ordered Pasta Carbonara. They chatted and joked as the waited for the meals to arrive, and when they did none of them hesitated to dig in, all hungry from their day at work. They headed to the cinema at 8.15 for an 8.30 showing of James Bond: From Russia with Love, Tony claimed that it was a classic and they must see it, none of them complained, they were too busy enjoying the evening out.
They walked out of the cinema at 10.10 PM, Tony and Ziva said goodbye to Abby and McGee as they headed for Tony's Mustang. Ziva fell asleep on the way home, the pregnancy was making her quite tired and spending the whole day out certainly didn't help her energy levels. As tony pulled into the parking space at her apartment he gently rubbed her arm, waking her up. She smiled and got out the car and he walked her to the apartment. He fumbled with his keys briefly before unlocking the door and letting them in. they were both tired from the days events, so they went straight to bed, skipping the usual hour or so of TV or reading.
The alarm woke them again at 5 AM that morning, Ziva was getting out of bed when she was hit with sudden nausea again, this was the part that she hated most about being pregnant. She crouched over the toilet, Tony took up the same position as he had the previous morning, holding her hair and rubbing her back. He hated the fact that pregnancy came with morning sickness, Ziva would certainly enjoy her mornings more if she didn't spend at least 10 minutes in the bathroom throwing up, but at the same time he was glad he was able to help the woman he loved through it, and in 8 or so months time, a new life would enter the world. Just as Ziva had never imagined herself being happily engaged or having a child, Tony never imagined himself being a father. He was frequently reminded of how immature he was, although that had reduced over the last year or so. Maybe he was maturing, he thought. He had only been truly in love once in his life and that was part of an undercover operation to catch and international Arms Dealer, but even then he didn't felt what he currently felt for Ziva, and he'd certainly never gone as far as having a child with a woman, meeting the parents was usually his biggest concern. His thoughts were interrupted when Ziva stood and walked to the wash basin to brush her teeth. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, she replied with a nod, "Better now, as revolting as it is having my head stuck down the toilet it always makes me feel much better" she finished brushing her teeth and spun in his arms, "I love you, Tony, I am glad I have found someone who truly cares for me, unlike my father" he knew she was still upset about her fathers words the previous morning, he hugged her tighter and looked into her eyes, "I love you too, Ziva, more than you could imagine, and I love this baby too" he said as he placed a hand on her belly, she smiled and her eyes flickered to his lips, he took this chance to pull her closer, he felt her relax as he kissed her.
