Tony still could not believe that Ziva was back. When she first left, he would dream about her coming back and asking him to marry her but he quickly realized that, that would never happen. It took a lot of work but eventually he gave up and moved on. He went on a few dates with Leia but quickly realized that they were not meant to be and then he reconnected with Zoe. They were together for almost a year and he really thought that she was the one and then she dumped him. Right when he found out about the kids and needed her most. Now after all that heartache, his dreams had come true and he was back with Ziva. Well they weren't back together because to do that they would have had to have been together before. He wasn't even sure if they were officially together now but at least she was back in his life, back in America where she belonged. Where he could be sure that she was safe. Where in time they could become a family.
Not long after Ziva left, Shirley finally arrived and managed to apologize about a hundred times in the few minutes it took Tony to get out of the house. Even though he assured her that it was fine and he was just happy that she had gotten her car fixed and arrived to work safely. He texted Ziva and reminded her that Katie was at St. Andrews. Before putting his car in drive and heading for the hospital. He knew that he was running late because about fifty people asked him if he was OK, before he even got up to the Maternity and Infancy floor and when he finally got there. Gibbs was pacing back and forth on the waiting room floor.
"Jake giving your trouble or did you oversleep?" Gibbs asked.
"Well Jake did give me some trouble but that's not why I'm late." Tony replied.
"OK, then why exactly are you late?" Gibbs asked.
"Ziva came back this morning." Tony replied.
"Really? Ziver?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes, she said that you told her about the kids and she wanted to help." Tony replied.
"And she's back for good?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes" Tony replied.
"I did call her and she said something about coming back but I was sure that it was just temporary or that she would get cold feet. I am so happy that she is back for good." Gibbs replied.
"Me too, I love her." Tony replied.
"I know you do and you have my permission to date her." Gibbs replied.
"Even if she comes back to NCIS?" Tony asked.
"Unless Bishop agrees to go to another team, you won't be teammates anymore. So yes, there is no issue. I just don't want teammates dating. Too much risk." Gibbs replied.
"I get that." Tony replied.
"Just be good to her and make this one last." Gibbs replied.
"I will, trust me. This is all I have wanted for a long time." Tony assured.
A dead Marine forced Gibbs to go back to the office. Leaving Tony alone with Katie. She was doing well and he had told a nurse the name he decided. So her little card now read "Katelyn Grace Dallas-DiNozzo" rather than simply "Baby Girl Dallas-DiNozzo". He had taken to calling her Katie almost right away. It would make for a good nickname and that way he wouldn't have to worry about the others calling her Kate. She was named for Kate but he didn't think that he wanted her to be called that. He wanted to honor the person who gave him the courage to be a God Father. Not give an empty tribute to a woman he had loved and lost years before. Ziva showed up around three in the afternoon.
"I am sorry it took me so long but I think I found an apartment. Rent is cheap and It has a large storage room that can easily be made into a bedroom in case I need to keep the kids overnight or I could always stay at your place but if you are entertaining a lady..." Ziva explained.
"No Ziva, I will not be entertaining any ladies." Tony replied.
"So you are gay?" Ziva asked.
"No I am not gay. Ziva, I am in love with you. I want to be with you. I wanted that before you came back, before you left, for a long time." Tony replied.
"So we are boyfriend and girlfriend?" Ziva asked.
"If you'll have me?" Tony asked.
"Of course, so what is the baby's name? Jimmy and Gibbs said that you had not decided yet but I see a name on the card." Ziva asked.
"Katelyn Grace Dallas DiNozzo." Tony replied.
"After, Kate?" Ziva asked.
"Yes, she is the reason I agreed to be the children's God Father." Tony replied.
"That is lovely and I am sure that Kate would be honored and that Jason and Mary would love it as well. I know that the four of you were close." Ziva replied.
Tony and Ziva left the hospital just before dinner time. Tony went back to his children and Ziva went to her hotel. They parted ways with a hug and kiss outside the NICU. Tony's heart was fluttering as he drove home. In a way he felt bad that his life was the way it was because of the tragic deaths of his friends. Then again maybe Jason and Mary had told Ziva to come back to him. Maybe they new that while he could do it on his own. He deserved to have somebody who cared for him and would help him out. He pulled onto his new street, it was still strange to be living in a place where children were playing in the street and couples walked along the sidewalks holding hands. It was like something out of an old movie or TV show. The life that he was giving his adoptive children was the one that he had dreamt of when he was growing up in Senior's strict and abusive household. Speak of the devil, the car parked on the street looked so much like Senior's custom Ferrari. Tony wondered how many people his dad screwed to get that car. He said that he was a business man and not a con artist but Tony knew the truth. He turned into his driveway and his fears were confirmed. His father was sitting on the porch.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" Tony asked.
"You always gave the warmest greetings Junior. I hope you treat your kids better." Senior replied.]
"Sorry I am just taken by surprise, I just got back from the hospital. The baby is in the NICU." Tony apologized.
"So speaking of these kids, don't you remember the condoms I gave you when you were fourteen and the talk I gave you on USING THEM?!" Senior demanded.
"They are not my kids, they are the children of my friend Jason in his wife Mary. They were killed in a car crash a few weeks back." Tony explained.
"Oh well good for you." Senior smirked.
"Again? What are you doing here?" Tony asked.
"Can't a father just come by in visit his son?" Senior asked.
"Not when said father has been unreachable for weeks and thus unable to get his son's new address. Also when have you ever just came to visit me?" Tony asked.
"OK you got me. I was thinking, you have this nice big house and I am not getting any younger maybe I should move in with you." Senior replied.
"How the hell did you know about this place and what happened to your penthouse?" Tony demanded.
"So you just take in a few orphans but you would put your old man on the street?" Senior asked.
"I never said that! I was just wondering how you found my address and what happened to the penthouse you just bought!" Tony snapped.
"I should have smacked you more! Maybe you wouldn't have turned into such an asshole!" Senior snapped, grabbing Tony and punching him hard in the gut. Tony's eyes grew wide and he crumpled to the ground. Senior stormed off muttering about the ungrateful prick he had raised and how he wished that he had just left him in that hotel in Hawaii. Tony coughed and blood spattered out of mouth.
A/N: Senior had to show up at some point but just wait until Gibbs finds Tony. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.