Hi sorry for the delay, as usual life keeps getting in the way. Hope you like this chapter – I had intended for it to be in closer to Christmas due to its theme but with exams next week it has been hard to find time to write, only in the evenings. Well enjoy this family's Christmas and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and new year
Chapter 21 – The Magic of Christmas
Tony was dreaming, dreaming of him and Ziva lying on a deserted beach, together, alone, surrounded by nothing but peace and quiet watching the sun set in the horizon, it was perfect. Ziva curled up against his chest with the last of the sun's heat beating down on them, he loved it.
Then suddenly through the quiet a faint voice was calling "mommy mommy daddy daddy", he sighed and ignored it. Then the voice came again louder now "daddy daddy", he grunted and turned away from the sound.
Then something small and solid hit him in the stomach and the peaceful beach vanished as he jerked awake with a yelp sitting bolt upright, beside him Ziva started awake and half sat up before realising what it was and groaned falling back down mumbling about his daughter waking them up way to early.
"Daddy daddy" was still being chanted over and over again from his chest and he caught hold of the hyper little girl jiggling up and down on his chest before she slid off him, dislodged by his jerking awake. "Tali" he groaned "wake up daddy" she said with a giggle "it's Christmas", he looked over at the clock "it is also 7 am" he mumbled "so" she said her greenie gold eyes shining.
Tony sighed and fell back against the pillows closing his eyes "five more hours ninja" he moaned, but Tali didn't want to wait and she bounced excitedly on her perch on his stomach, he groaned again before opening his eyes to look at her.
Tali was now three and a half and turning into an excitable young child, excitable but adorable, everyone who met her fell in love with her, one smile had everyone smiling even the toughest of men, she had everyone at NCIS wrapped round her little finger, especially much to their amusement Gibbs, she adored him nearly as much as he adored her and he spoiled her rotten. She was still very small for her age but that just made her more adorable, her dark hair hung in thick curls framing her face making her eyes seem to shine even brighter. Those eyes that were staring at him beseechingly now, willing him to get up and he hated to admit it but it was working.
He groaned and closed his eyes "go play little ninja" he murmured "mommy and daddy are tired" "but it Christmas" she said "Santa came" "well the present isn't going anywhere" he muttered rolling onto his side taking her down with him so that she lay in between him and Ziva, he opened one eye to look at her and found her shifting around before she turned to Ziva "mommy" she called and Ziva groaned turning her head into the pillow "mommy wake up it's Christmas" "mm hm" Ziva mumbled not moving "so wake up" Tali said, Ziva sighed and rolled over onto her back before turning her head to look at Tali and then at Tony "well we are not going to get any more sleep" she mumbled and he sighed before sitting up "ok little ninja you win" he mumbled.
Tali's face brightened before she leapt up out of the bed and bolted out of the room, instantly Tony flopped back down sighing "where does she get all her energy" he moaned, Ziva smiled as she felt him pull her close against his chest "I don't know where she gets it but I do know that unless we get up that little ball of energy will be back in here before you know it" he groaned again and then the two of them pulled themselves up out of the bed and staggered over to the wardrobe to get dressed "what time do we have to be at Gibbs' house" Tony asked through a yawn "lunch is at 1300 hours" Ziva said with a smile, she looked at him "do you want to make coffee whilst I go dress Tali" he nodded and stumbled out into the living room to the kitchen nearly tripping over Tali as she came bouncing back over still singing "it's Christmas" "go with mommy and get dressed little ninja" he said with a smile at the light in her eyes, the excitement of Christmas that he remembered well from when he was her age.
Tali rushed off to her room after Ziva as tiredly Tony filled the kettle, Tali had really gotten into the Christmas spirit this year, being old enough to understand it properly now, it had been fun to prepare her for Christmas, to tell her how if she was good Santa would come and bring her a present, to describe how he went to every house with little children in it to give them a present, how he flew in a sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer and a special one with a bright red nose who guided it. It had been lovely to decorate the apartment, putting up a tree watching her decorate it and then having to redecorate it as she couldn't reach the top. She had enjoyed decorating that tree so much they had brought a synthetic one into the bullpen and allowed her to decorate that one there and then of course Abby had decorated her lab with Tali, the two of them had gotten so into the festive spirit it was hard to tell who was the child and who was the adult, especially when Abby was hyped up on Caff-Pow.
Their team had done lots for Tali trying to make Christmas special for her, every time they took Tali to visit Abby she had had a new Christmas movie for Tali to watch and new Christmas stories, McGee had found a website that enabled children to track Santa on Christmas eve much to Tali's delight and Gibbs had taken her and her parents to the mall to meet Santa, they had never seen Tali's eyes so wide with awe as she had got to sit on Santa's lap and whisper in his ear what she had wanted for Christmas from him, the smile on her face as she had come running back over to them had been infectious.
It had been a relief last night when they had finally persuaded Tali to go to bed telling her that Santa wouldn't come if she wasn't asleep, so they had let her leave some mince pies out for Santa (which Tony had enjoyed) and some carrots for 'Rudy and his friends', then she had crawled into bed mumbled 'night night' and fallen asleep almost instantly desperate for tomorrow to come sooner.
Then he and Ziva had brought all the presents out arranging them under the tree before they had curled up together on the sofa with some mulled wine and told each other of their favourite Christmas memories before they had stumbled off to bed to curl up together, not expecting their wake up call to be as early as it had been.
Tony shook his head and then looked at the Christmas tree under which presents were stacked all waiting to be opened "well" he muttered "we don't have all day", he looked over as he heard Tali's door open and smiled at the grin on her face as she came out in an adorable little red dress and sparkly tights "hey look at you my little princess" he said bending and she grinned as she ran forward and leapt into his arms trusting him to catch her, she laughed loudly as he raised her above his head and spun "no you're not a princess you're a little fairy" he said "my fairy princess" she giggled delightedly as he lowered her down "come on then" he said "lets go find out what Santa brought you"
Tali grinned and ran over to the tree picking up the box with a label on it reading 'To Tali, Merry Christmas. Love Santa'
Tony grinned at Ziva as she came out of Tali's room and they both sat down on the sofa and watched as she excitedly opened the box and her eyes widened in amazement as she had carefully lifted out a little rabbit.
It wasn't a real rabbit, but after the day care had taken the children to a petting zoo, Tali had fallen in love with rabbits, she loved them and had been begging for one for a long time now but there wasn't enough room in the apartment for one at the moment and Tony and Ziva thought it best to maybe wait a couple of years until Tali was older and would be more ready for pets, at the moment she just liked anything cute and fluffy and just animals in general.
So when Ziva had been shopping and had spotted the little 'Furr real friend' rabbit on the shelf she had instantly known that it was the perfect gift for Tali.
And she had been right they both thought as they watched Tali gently stroke the little rabbit before looking up in awe smiling "Thumper" she breathed, smiling Tony bent and turning it on and Tali set it down giggling as it began to hop forward before it paused, wrinkled its nose and hopped off again. Tali laughed and followed it, "good buy" Tony murmured wrapping one eye around Ziva who grinned "you had better make sure that thing never runs out of batteries" she said looking up at him "got two spare packs of batteries in the drawer" he said kissing her forehead, she smiled before turning back to look at Tali as she came back clutching the rabbit still trying to run "do you like him aheva" she asked and Tali nodded "he called Thumper" she said eagerly "like Bambi's friend" Ziva smiled nodding "good idea" she said "do you want to open some of your other presents" and Tali's eyes widened further if that was even possible as she nodded.
It was lovely to watch the smiles appearing on her face, and the frustrated looks on Tony's face when he had to put things together, such as a little pram for some dolls she had, a little scooter, a proper pink bike with stabilisers and streamers coming off the handlebars and a matching pink helmet. Luckily for him there were other presents that kept her entertained whilst he did that such as My Little Ponies, crayons and colouring books, sticker books, a little dressing table and many new DVDs.
Eventually Tony finished putting the bike together and looked at his watch "do you think we should get ready to go out" he asked and Ziva nodded and they headed into their bedroom to get changed, Ziva stood in front of the mirror and brushed her long hair back pinning it out the way before smiling as Tony appeared behind her and wrapped his arms around her "nice dress" he murmured "reminds me of the one you wore undercover" she grinned and eyed the long green dress she was wearing "mmm so it does" she said grinning cheekily at him he pulled away before reaching into his pocket and he pulled out a chain which he carefully hung around her neck, she smiled as she reached up to touch the locket hanging round her neck on the front of which there was a Star of David, she slowly opened it to find a picture she recognised as one taken a few weeks ago by Gibbs of Tali and Tony with Tali on Tony's lap both of them smiling that innocent smile of 'we didn't do anything' when in reality she knew that few minutes later McGee had found his fingers glued to the keyboard again. She smiled touching the picture before she saw on the other side the words 'Love Always' was inscribed, she stared at it before turning to kiss him softly "it is beautiful" she whispered pressing her lips to his "I love it Tony" he smiled kissing her back.
They stayed in each other's embrace until a small voice called up "when are we going to see Grandpa Gibbs and Uncle McGee and Auntie Abby mommy" Ziva smiled "in a minute aheva" she said reaching down to tuck a loose curl behind Tali's ear "can I bring Thumper" she asked, Ziva nodded "how about the bike" Tony suggested "maybe after lunch we can go out on it" she grinned again "yeah" she said excitedly "come on mommy, come on daddy lets go".
"alright go get Thumper" Tony said and she shot off allowing them to finish getting ready in peace before heading out and Tony took the bike and helmet down and loaded it into their car as Ziva helped Tali into her little boots "merry Christmas mommy" Tali said, Ziva looked up and smiled at her daughter before she opened her arms and Tali leaned forward into her hug, slowly Ziva closed her eyes savouring the moment "merry Christmas my Tali" she whispered back.
"hey you ready" Tony asked and she looked up to see him standing in the doorway, she nodded and lifted Tali off the sofa "yes" she said "let's go" Tali grabbed her new fairy wings and Thumper and rushed off down the hall as Ziva grabbed her long coat slipping into it as she stepped out and Tony locked the door and wrapped his arms around her as they headed towards the elevator where Tali was waiting happily singing 'Jingle Bells'
XO
Gibbs looked up as his front door opened and he heard a call of "Grandpa" he smiled and headed out of the kitchen to find Tony and Ziva coming into the living room, Ziva with Tali in her arms smiling at him, "hello Ziver" he murmured moving over to kiss her forehead "merry Christmas" "merry Christmas Gibbs" she whispered, he grinned and clapped Tony on the shoulder before reaching out and taking Tali from Ziva "hello sweetpea merry Christmas", "merry Christmas Grandpa" the little girl said excitedly "Santa came" "did he" he said smiling at her excitement "what did he bring you"
Grinning she held up a little robot rabbit "he's called Thumper" she said happily, Gibbs smiled "well so you did get a rabbit" he said with a grin, she nodded "but he turns off so he isn't real" she said and he nodded "anyway Auntie Abby is in the kitchen go say hi to her sweetpea", he lowered her to the ground and watched her run off towards the kitchen still wearing her little fairy wings, they heard her cry "merry Christmas Auntie Abby" and then Abby cry "yay" and clap her hands "merry Christmas Tali ooo you got a rabbit and some wings, what else did you get honey"
Gibbs smiled at his other two agents before looking at them closely and seeing the exhaustion in their eyes and smiling again "let me guess, early wake up call", Tony let out a moan "yes" he moaned "7am, man she wasn't taking no for an answer, she kept bouncing on my stomach"
Gibbs chuckled "yeah it takes a while for them to grow out of that" he mused "urgh next year we lock our door from the inside" Tony mumbled and Ziva rolled her eyes "do you need help with dinner Gibbs" she asked heading for the kitchen "where is McGee"
"he is at his sister's house" Gibbs said following her "he'll be here in time for dinner" "Ducky and Palmer will be here soon" he and Ziva began to prepare the food as Tony moved around the house finding extra chairs and arranging them around the table and finding some pillows for Tali to sit on so that she was big enough. Abby began to set the table with Tali following her happily placing the cutlery down where she indicated until Ducky and Palmer arrived and she ran over to greet them excitedly until she heard McGee arrive and she ran outside followed by Tony to greet him, she too moved over to greet McGee giving him a hug and responding to his 'Merry Christmas'
Looking outside she spotted Tony crouching in front of Tali talking to her with a smile on his face and Tali was grinning at him before she hugged him tightly, he hugged her back before lifting her up and carrying her back into the house, Ziva looked at him questioningly as he passed, he just winked at her "daddy daughter thing" he said and carried her into the house, Ziva frowned before she closed the door and headed back in to help with the dinner bringing out all the bowls of food before she turned to her daughter "come on aheva let's wash your hands"
She took her daughter into the kitchen and helped her to reach the soap and the water before picking up the towel and crouching down in front of her to help her dry them. As she did so her gaze fell on a chain around Tali's neck and she reached out to lift it up and she found a beautiful little silver Star of David on the end of the chain, she stared at it in surprise before looking up at Tali "who gave that to you aheva" she asked softly "daddy" her daughter said smiling.
Ziva looked at her in surprise "daddy gave it to you" she said "yeah" Tali said happily "cus it like yours and it is a part of who I am, that what he said", Ziva smiled and her hand went to the locket Tony had given her with the Star of David inscribed on it "yes it is like mine isn't it tateleh", she ran her hand through Tali's curls sorting the slightly wild ones out before she straightened up "come on then" she said "time for dinner"
She followed Tali into the dining room where everyone was settling themselves down, she saw Tony watching Tali before he looked over at him and she move over wrapping her arms around him "I saw Tali's necklace" she said softly and he looked down at her smiling "I just thought she should know her bloodline so that she can know who she is and be like you" she kissed his cheek gently "I think it is lovely Tony thank you"
He grinned happily at her before he kissed her forehead gently "well when you two are done making out dinner is ready" Gibbs said as he passed them carrying the turkey, grinning at each other they followed him in to the dining room and settled themselves in their places as the meat was carved and passed down the table, Ziva helped Tali cut her slice into bite size pieces along with the rest of the food before they all bowed their heads for a minute before beginning to eat talking and laughing as they did so, Ducky told some marvellous Christmas stories to Tali and recounted his own experiences of this holiday period to them all, Tali excitedly told them of her toys as her rabbit hopped in circles behind her chair.
Ziva smiled at Tali, she hadn't celebrated Christmas when she was her age but she had celebrated Hanukkah which she now treated as her past Christmases, when she had arrived in America she had allowed herself to enjoy their festivals and although she still allowed herself to celebrate her cultural rituals she had pushed them to the side allowing American holidays to be her main celebrations especially after she had had Tali.
She had learnt all the stories and beliefs that encircled this holiday and had loved teaching them to Tali, she loved this time of family and cheer where everyone became friends and celebrated together, she loved the feeling of being family.
She looked over at Gibbs and caught his eye, he winked at her making her smile back at him, he was the father she had always wanted, she looked over at Tony who had worked so hard with her to make this special for Tali and it had really paid off, that was obvious from the sound of her laughter and the sight of the light in her eyes, everything was perfect.
Once everyone had finished they all cleared the table before Tony, McGee and Gibbs took Tali outside to teach her how to ride her new bike whilst Ziva and Abby washed up before heading outside to sit on the front step and watch Tali who was racing up and down the road roaring with laughter as Tony pushed her up and down with Gibbs and McGee stopping her at each end, eventually though Tony just gave her that starting push to exhausted to keep pushing her up and down the street and then just like that she was struggling along on her own wobbling away on the little bike held up by stabilisers laughing in delight.
Ziva watched her affectionately, she was growing up fast, 'too fast' she thought glumly, she didn't want Tali to grow up to fast, she wanted her to stay innocent for a long time yet but time always did go past too fast, all you had to do was remember to savour every second of the time you had.
Once Tali too had tired they took her inside where she opened everyone else's presents and she had been spoiled again, with lots of play doo which she loved, craft kits, dressing up outfits and much much more, delighted she ran to everyone giving them big kisses and hugs as she opened each gift and she played with each of them and Ziva helped her try each outfit on and she gave everyone else a little fashion parade of the outfits and costumes.
As she watched her sitting next to Tony who was trying to piece together a toy crossly telling him he wasn't doing it right Ziva felt Gibbs come sit next to her "well I think she had a good Christmas" he said looking at Tali, Ziva smiled "mm I think good is an understatement" she said looking at him "I think amazing is a better description" he chuckled "well she is at the right age to really enjoy it" he said "mmm I think Tony enjoyed it too" Ziva said looking at her husband who was now showing Tali the fun of popping bubble wrap, she smirked "wow hard to tell who is the child there" Gibbs said "well I do always say I have two children" Ziva said "nice Zee" Tony called making her laugh.
They stayed for the rest of the day playing with Tali before Ziva looked at the clock "well" she said "I think it is time we headed home" "aw" Tali said looking up at her disappointedly "hey some of us had a much earlier start than anticipated" Tony said to her ruffling her hair "and anyway you will see everyone again in a couple of days"
Tali sighed "ok" she said and stood up to say her goodbyes moving over to hug everyone and Ziva followed her round hugging everyone as Tony filled the car again with all Tali's new toys. "thank you for a lovely day" Ziva said softly to Gibbs as she hugged him "no problem Ziver" he said softly hugging her back "I'll see you back at work yes" she nodded before she bent and picked Tali and an armful of toys up "come on then my aheva" she said softly "lets get you home" she carried Tali out to the car and strapped her into her car seat as Tony said his goodbyes before coming out and sliding into the drivers seat, Ziva watched Tali wave as they pulled away before she looked at her "did you have a good day aheva" she asked and Tali nodded happily "it was fun spending day with all the family wasn't it" she said, Tali nodded again "all my family" she said excitedly spreading her arms making Ziva smile.
X
When they got home they settled Tali down with one of her new DVDs hoping that she would fall asleep to it after her exciting day and they could see her drooping off as she watched it.
Ziva looked at Tony before she held out a box making him look at her "you gave me this" she said "I am giving you that" "you know we both need to work on the no presents thing when we agree that" Tony mused as he slowly opened the box and his grin widened as he lifted the watch out "whoa" he said "James Bond watch" he grinned at her "that's awesome Zee" she smiled at him "I had it personalised for you" she said and he turned it over to find the words 'To Daddy, lots of love Ziva and Tali'
He smiled before he pulled her into a hug "you are truly amazing you know that" he murmured into her hair as he kissed her, she smiled hugging him back leaning against his chest "thank you for a lovely Christmas" she whispered "no" he murmured "thank you"
They both looked over and smiled when they saw that Tali had fallen asleep sprawled across the sofa halfway through her movie, Ziva moved over and carefully took Thumper the rabbit from her setting it on the coffee table as Tony bent and gently gathered her up into his arms and carried her into her room with Ziva behind, Tali mumbled as she felt herself get set down on her bed and Ziva gently slipped her out of her dress and tights and picked up a pair of pyjamas for her slipping them on as Tali's eyes fluttered "movie wasn't over" she mumbled "you can finish it tomorrow aheva" Ziva whispered encouraging her to lie down as she pulled the duvet up over her "now you go to sleep honey yes" slowly Tali nodded and her hand moved across the mattress until it located Bernie the hippo and her hand closed around its leg before she slowly allowed her eyes to close and a few minutes later her breathing had slowed as she drifted off to sleep.
Slowly Ziva stood and backed out of the room closing the door softly behind her then she felt Tony's arms encircle her and she smiled leaning against him before she turned to look up at him "want your other Christmas present" she asked in a whisper, he frowned confused, before she pressed her lips to his her hand moving to the zipper of his jeans. "oh good" he murmured "something we can share" she smiled into his kiss as she felt his hands slide under her shirt caressing her skin before they began to unbutton her shirt, she smiled as her own fingers found the buttons of his shirt and she quickly exposed his warm chest, he grinned at her as he stroked her skin "ah I have missed this" he whispered his eyes combing over her, she lowered her head to kiss him again "well lets not wait any longer then" she whispered and his hands instantly tightened around her before he lifted her up carrying her towards the bedroom still locked in their kiss.
They fell onto the bed and she instantly rolled so that she was on top and he grinned at her as they worked on removing each other's clothes and he carefully pulled the long green dress over her head throwing it to one side as she removed his clothes.
Once they had been shed of their garments they felt the thrill of excitement and a rush of adrenaline, Ziva closed her eyes as she kissed him, as she slowly pressed herself closer to him, lowering herself to him as his hands descended from her waist.
Ziva dug her fingernails into the skin of his back as he kissed her passionately and she flung her head back with a gasp of delight as he worked on her body, her hands moved up to grip his neck and clutch a handful of his hair gasping in delight, she pressed herself up against him willing their two bodies to become one as she smiled at him staring into his eyes before she lowered her head and their lips locked as their bodies joined, she clung to his muscular body as his hands roamed across her slender back, she felt him pause and then he stroked her scars, kissing at the marks lovingly as she kissed his neck nipping at the skin gently as he did the same to her.
He caressed her fondly, holding her lovingly but gently as though she was made of glass because to him she was, she was so precious and valuable to him, and she clung to him gripping him tightly for he was her rock, the piece of sturdy ground she could always cling too.
He rolled and she found him on top and she grinned her hands clenching at the blankets as she flung her head back allowing him to kiss her exposed throat.
And so on that Christmas night, they found their own type of Christmas magic in a love they shared and bound them to each other and had helped them create their little dysfunctional family.
Hope you liked it, I liked writing it :P
Please review – I hope I can update soon, once the exams are over hopefully I will have ample time to write
Also if you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to send them to me (I am thinking of a slightly darker couple of chapters for a change, nothing too serious – let me know if you think that would be interesting)
Anyway would love feedback
Thanks - Mysticgirl