Chapter Fourteen-The Breakfast Argument

The next morning Ziva woke up in the warmth of her bed. She then realized Tony must have helped her to bed last night because she remembered falling asleep on the couch. She then noticed Tony's absence. She saw a note on Tony's pillow and picked it up. She knew Tony had written it because it was in his usual chicken scratch hand writing. She opened it and read it aloud.

"Ziva, went to store because I found out we're out of…well, a lot of food…since you're pregnant I thought I would go to the store for you. By the way, you looked really cute asleep on the couch."

She smiled and let a laugh slip through her lips. She folded it up and set it on the bedside table before standing from the bed. She popped her neck and walked out of the bedroom. The sun illuminated the apartment beautifully which made Ziva smile. She stretched her arms above her head, loosening up her tight muscles. She walked to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. What Tony had said was true. There wasn't very much food. She grabbed the orange juice and poured herself a glass. She leaned one hand against the counter behind her as she drank her juice. She looked out the window and smiled at the sight of a blue jay landing on the tree branch next to the window. It must have been perched there for five whole minutes before it flew off. She allowed her smile to lessen at the bird's abrupt exit. She then heard Tony begin to unlock the door and ran towards it. She swung it open and smiled brilliantly to him.

"Tony!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso.

"Hey baby. Can you let me go so I can set the groceries down?"

"Oh, yeah; I'm sorry."

"No. It's fine. You seem in an awfully good mood." He observed as he walked into the kitchen.

"I am."

"Why is that?" He asked, putting a jar of pickles into the fridge.

"I am not sure." She said truthfully as she helped him unpack.

She noticed a lot of things like ice cream, chocolate, and other things that they didn't normally get. She placed her hands on her hips and looked at Tony.

"What's with all of this stuff?" She asked, holding up a carton of ice cream.

"Well, I did some research online the other day and a lot of these things are common pregnancy cravings."

She smiled softly, her eyes filled with so much love and happiness. She felt so cared about at that very moment. She put the ice cream in the freezer and wrapped her arms around Tony yet again.

"Thank you." She said, tears forming in her eyes.

Tony held her as she began to cry.

"Ziva, what's the matter?"

"Nothing, Tony. This is just very sweet…very, very sweet. Thank you." She said, looking up at him.

He pulled her back into him and rubbed her back.

"Well, I would do anything for my sexy ninja." He informed.

Ziva already knew this to be true. She would always have Tony to count on…for anything. They separated and Tony began getting things out t prepare breakfast.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes." She said with wide eyes.

"Well, you go into the living room and rest…watch TV or something." He told her, ushering her off with his hand.

She nodded and walked off towards the living room. She sat down on the couch and turned on the television. She began watching the news. It quickly grew boring and so Ziva turned the channel. It landed on a movie channel and she started watching the movie. Tony walked in with their breakfast of toaster waffles, eggs, and an apple for Ziva and scrambled eggs with bacon and sausage for himself.

"I love you, Ziva." Tony told her as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"I love you, too." She replied, taking a bite of her waffle.

They finished eating and Tony went to wash the dishes. Ziva got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around Tony from behind and kissed his back.

"Hey baby."

"Can I help?" She asked, going to stand by his side.

"Yes, you can help me, sweet cheeks. Although, I really think you should be resting."

"Tony, I am pregnant. That does not mean I can't help you with some of the chores around here." She argued truthfully.

She enjoyed being treated so sweetly but she felt as though she never got to do any of the upkeep when it came to their apartment. He would do the laundry; make their bed, vacuum, basically every single household chore. She hated feeling like a burden and wanted to help out more.

"True but I just don't want you getting hurt. That's why I think we should tell Vance and Gibbs so we can keep you and the babies out of danger."

"Tony, I will be fine. It will be fine. I wish you would stop being so paranoid." She said, raising her voice slightly.

"I'm not being paranoid! I'm only caring about the woman I love!" He retorted; his voice going up a few octaves.

"I know that, Tony!" She yelled. "Why don't you let me help out anymore? Huh? It's just vacuuming and laundry! I can handle it or perhaps you have forgotten who I am, hmm? Is that it? You think I am too weak to handle a simple task?"

"No! Ziva, I think you're the strongest woman in the world!"

"Then stop treating me like I'm a damn invalid!"

"You know what, fine! If you want to do the chores then do them." He said, throwing the dishrag on the counter before walking out of the room.

Ziva's eyes flooded with tears and she held onto the dishrag. Tony made it halfway down the hall before he turned around. He walked back into the kitchen and grabbed Ziva by the arms. He kissed her tenderly and pulled away just before she could react.

"I am so sorry, Ziva. I didn't mean it."

"I am sorry, too. I know you are just worried for my safety and I am flattered. I didn't mean to lash out on you."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." She replied as her shoulders shuttered.

Tony took hold of her and kissed the top of her head, smelling the unique aroma that was the lingering scent of her shampoo. As they stood in the kitchen, their arms holding each other tightly; they were completely oblivious to the fact that a small argument was the least of their problems.