This one was difficult for me to write, simply because I have a boy, and not a girl. So I drew upon my niece for inspiration, and tried to adjust it from there.
As usual, thank you for your reviews and reads (:
mprmusings, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that about the last chapter! I was sure Tony must have taken the rap for someone else. It's Tony after all. He's very protective like that, one of the things that makes me connect to him as a character. Thank you for your kind words too. I'm raising my boy to know he was very well loved, and still is, even if he keeps Daddy up all night.
Shalom to you all! :D
Daughter
Tony had always prided himself as a 'man's man'. He didn't cry either, as DiNozzos simply did not.
Yet from when his daughter was first placed in his arms, he felt that suddenly begin to crack, and slowly crumble with the first emotional slipped tear.
Over the years, he'd grown to think nothing of allowing Abigail to plaster his face in make-up, of acting out dramatic stories with dolls, of dressing up into whatever she required for her stories today. He knew the dances to all of the television shows, and was regularly called upon to join his young daughter in reciting them. He knew all the words to all the songs, more begrudgingly as she grew up and insisted on having them belting from her room. She had him wrapped completely around her little finger, and Tony knew it.
From day one, if she had said 'jump', Tony wouldn't even have asked how high. He drove her to every cheerleading practice, was there at every dance recital with the video camera, was the first one to stand up and loudly cheer as she knocked out at black belt at karate, albeit an accident.
He'd watched her grow from that tiny child to a beautiful young woman, every bit as smart and confident as her mother, with a flourish of him in her character. He loved his sons, no doubt about that, but his daughter would always hold a large part of his heart.
And it was bitter sweet as he'd said yes to her, watched her plan, and worry, and stress, and dream. It had kept him awake for many nights, memories replaying in his head, desperate to keep that little girl there.
But when the day finally came, he couldn't help himself. She was beautiful in her dress, as he'd known she would be, and shaking with nerves. He took her hand, kissed her cheek, and whispered his love for her. He walked her to the front of the church, took a breath and handed her away. And as he stepped back beside his wife, safe in the knowledge that his little girl would be safe, and happy, Tony DiNozzo allowed himself to bow his head, and sob silently.