Two weeks had passed. Tony and Ziva sat cuddled on the couch in the evening watching Happy Feet, the younger kids dancing to the music and songs, singing. Joshua was sitting next to Ziva on the couch, resting against her and Ziva had her arm wrapped around her son and smiled at Alessandra and Cameron jumping up and down, laughing as they did so. She then swallowed, taking in a breath and shifted so she was sitting up more, Joshua moving so he wasn't under her arm as his mother rested a hand on her big belly. Tony watched her as she got up and walked past the kids and over to the kitchen. She had been doing this multiple times today. He noticed she didn't seem to be wanting to sit still, just moving and walking around. He rose from his seat and went to her, Joshua's attention turned back to the screen. "You alright?" Tony asked gently as Ziva had turned around and was now facing him, her hands rubbing her stomach. "I'm fine. I just feel, kind of..I don't know. Restless." Her husband nodded as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Do you think they're gonna come tonight?" He asked, concern showing in his eyes, to which Ziva shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think so. I've had a couple Braxton hicks the past three days but they weren't really painful. And I have been feeling some downwards pressure. It's only increased somewhat." DiNozzo took in her words and swallowed. "Do you want me to call the Doc and have her come and check you over?" Ziva thought for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should do anything. She still had two more weeks and Claire was most likely busy with her other patients. But in the end she decided maybe it couldn't hurt so she nodded. "Sure. That'll be fine." Her face then changed. "Oo, I need to pee." Tony smirked as he went to the counter where he had been charging his phone, a puzzled look crossing his face as he glanced at his wife. "Uh, honey, you know there's a bathroom downstairs, right?" Ziva nodded as she continued. "I know. I like ours better..The boys need to work on their aim." Tony gave a single slow up and down nod as his attention then turned to his cell as he had already dialed. 'Doctor Claire's Office, this is Anna. How may I help you?' Tony smiled. "Hey Anna, this is Tony DiNozzo, my wife is Ziva. You were one of the nurses who helped us last time with our first twins. Cameron and Alessandra." 'Oh Mr. DiNozzo, how are you? I've been watching your wife's progress and she's been excellent.' Tony nodded smiling. "Yeah. Well uh, the reason I called is because Ziva feeling a little restless, and some pressure. In other words, different. We were wondering if maybe Doctor Claire could come and check her over. See if anything is going on." Anna responded. 'Oh, here she is now. I'll let her know and get back to you.' Tony nodded as he waited, hearing muffled sounds. After a few moments-'Hello, Tony? This is Dr. Claire. How is Ziva doing? Is she feeling different? Any restlessness or pressure?' Tony nodded. "Yeah. And for the past two days she's had Braxton hicks on and off but nothing too bad-" "TONYY!" "On second thought." DiNozzo murmured into the phone, frozen for a couple seconds before sprinting into action, running upstairs. This of course gets the kids attention. "Abba? What is it?" Josh asked as he watched his father head up, taking two at a time, cell phone still in hand.
DiNozzo went to the bedroom and right around to see that the bathroom door was open. He entered and Ziva was looking up at him, eyes wide as she stood there next to the sink, a hand on her stomach and the other on the counter...and a big wet spot on the small rug. "Well, it's a good thing the Doc's coming over." Ziva made a face as she huffed out a breath in a slight smile. "Very funny." She murmured and Tony smiled back then realized he was still holding his cell and put it to his ear. "Yeah, Claire? Zivas water just broke...u-huh, yep. Okay. See you when you get here." He hung up and went to his wife's side. She was taking slow breaths and smiled worriedly. "Doctor Claire said she'd be here as soon as she could so she instructed me to get you cleaned up and also to remain calm." Ziva nods. "Alright. Though I am anxious about what's to come, I'm not as nervous as the last time..at least I don't think I am." She said with a bit of a frown. Tony reached up and caressed the side of her face. "Nothing's going to happen, Zi. Not to you or the babies. Everything's going to be fine. I promise." As he said this he pulled his wife into a hug and Ziva welcomed his offered comfort, letting peace settle over her. She looked up after a moment. "Well, first things first, I need to change. One of my large silk nightgowns should do." Her husband nodded and Tony left to get what was needed, returning not with just the nightgown but also a fresh pair of panties and socks. Ziva smiled and Tony closed the door and proceeded to help his wife change. The kids were downstairs still, Joshua and Danny watching their younger siblings while Jordan and the twins, Alessandra and Cameron, were being entertained by the movie. Once Ziva was in different attire she and her husband went back downstairs and sat on the couch. Danny came over. "Ima?" Ziva looked to her son. "Ken Motek-Yes Sweetheart?" Danny smiled a little then he went up and sat next to her on the couch and she ran her fingers through his semi curly black hair and kissed the top of his head as he cuddled. "Are you okay?" He asked, wrapping an arm over her big belly, feeling the twins move. Ziva grinned. "Yes I am Danny." The boy nodded and continued to snuggle. "Hey, you know what?" "What?" Danny asked, excited and Ziva grinned. "Your baby sisters are on their way." At this Danny's eyes widened and he sat up. "What?! Really! Like, now?" He asked, all smiles and Ziva laughs, Joshua and the other kids gathering around the couch. "Yep. Pretty soon you're going to be big brothers and sisters again." Tony said proudly as he locked eyes with Ziva. She smiled warmly at him and Joshua piped up. "When will they get here?" Ziva shrugged, shifting a little as she felt her stomach start to contract some, nothing intense but there was a some pain and pressure but nothing she couldn't handle. "I don't know. Mmn..Sometime tonight, or maybe tomorrow morning." Jordan giggles. "What if, if..what if we had to like, wait until the next tomorrow morning?" Cameron laughed. "Or what about next week?" They enjoyed their joking. Ziva gave a chuckled huff, eyes a little horrified as she played along by inclining her head. "Oh I don't think they will take that long." God, she didn't even want to think it, a small glance of fear pass over her eyes. "At least I hope they don't." Tony gave her a knowing look as it was good to lighten the mood with humor. Joshua looked to his mother. "Is Doctor Claire coming? I like her." Tony nodded. "Yep, and a couple of her nurses too. Anna, Marion, and Jasmine." The boy nodded and the movie was soon over after a while. Tony had just put another one in when there was a knock on the door. Ziva moved to get up and answer it but her husband waved his hand as he started for the entrance. "No, no. I got it. You sit." Ziva made a face as Tony opened the door and in walked Doctor Claire and her nurses. Danny looked out the door. "Whoa you came in an ambulance!" He said loudly, all excited and Tony shook his head smirking. "Yes they did son." Joshua frowns. "Does that mean something's wrong with Ima?" All of the adults shook their heads. "No Josh. It is for just in case your mother needs it. We also have our extra supplies in there too." Anna explained. "Can we see inside it?" Danny asked and then all the kids joined in, giving their best smiles and saying please so sweetly. The parents exchanged looks and Tony nodded. "Why not?" The kids cheered and while nurse Jasmine took the kids out to the ambulance to give a tour.
Claire looked to Ziva and Tony. "Alright so while the kids are being distracted, Ziva, let's check you out. You know the drill and we can do it right here too. Let's check your dilation and blood pressure, then time your contractions. Have you had any since Tony called me?" Ziva nodded, giving her husband's hand a little squeeze. "I'm..currently having one now..." She took some breaths, a pained expression on her face. Doctor Claire nodded and smiled as she watched Ziva. Her breathing was excellent, she was concentrating, controlled. "Good." She cooed to the mother when Zivas body relaxed, indicating the contraction was over. She and her nurses got in position quickly and Zivas dilation was checked as the pregnant woman lay on the couch, holding her husband's hand. Tony was putting on a brave face. "Well you're dilated actually at 4 and 1/2 centimeters already, almost five." Zivas eyes widened. "What? My water only broke about an hour ago." The doc nodded. "That's true but you could've been dilating before that. Soon your contractions are going to get more intense and prolonged with shorter rests between. I'm not worried, the babies are not coming too fast. Remember second births are notorious for going faster..at least that's the usual. For right now let's get you upstairs to where you plan on giving birth. You can walk around, use the bathroom, watch tv, even sleep." Tony helped Ziva to sit up after she closed her legs and began shifting. She rested her hands on her belly. "I can't believe I'm almost half way there already and I haven't felt that much pain. Either that or it's my high pain threshold." Anna nodded as they helped the mother to stand. "That could be. Each labor and birth is different as you know. Maybe you weren't concentrated on the pain enough to be feeling it since you had all the kids around and such." Ziva shrugged as they headed for the stairs, all moving together. "No it's not that I'm not in pain, I am in pain, just thought it would be more intense at this stage." Tony nodded his agreement. At that point as they started up the stairs the kids all came back in and were talking away. Jordan saw her mother going up the stairs with the Doctor and nurses close behind them. "Ima?...Ima." She called after her mother, a worried expression on her face as she began following, wanting Ziva. Tony was right behind the Doctor and turned scooping up Jordan into his arms as she was about to head up. "Whoa, hey munchkin. Where do you think you're going?" Jordan held onto her father but reached behind him up the stairs as he walked away in the opposite direction as he carried her. "I want Ima. Abba please." She called out and Tony had to calm her down. "Shhh shhh it's okay Jordan. Hey. Mommy's going to be fine alright. You just can't go with her now. The doctors have to do some things first then maybe you can come see her for a bit okay?" The little girl sniffled some, nodding as Tony ran his hand through her long brown hair. He smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead before setting his daughter down. "Okay now you be good alright. Help nurse Jasmine watch Cameron and Alessandra." He instructed playfully and Jordan nodded. "Okay daddy." Tony winked at her. "That's my big girl. I'm gonna to go up and be with mommy okay?" The little girl only nodded an Tony turned and headed up the stairs, his little girl's eyes watching him as he went.
Ziva had been hooked up to a small monitor and her contractions were timed, coming and going at a slowly increasing and intense pace. Once done with that she was free to move about as she wished. The mother was feeling more and more pressure and her body was working now, a sheen of sweat on her skin as Ziva breathed through the pains. Tony was standing in front of her now as she held onto him, moaning out but low and deep in her throat as she felt the pain in her back and belly increase, the muscles in her belly tightening and becoming hard. Zivas grip tightened on Tony as it reached its peak and she grunted, eyes shut tight and she grimaced a little, a small whimper escaping her lips. "You're doing good Ziva...that's it, just breath." Doctor Claire was gently talking to her in a soft voice, helping the laboring woman to cope with her hard pain. "Just a little bit more, almost there...you did it." The Doctor said and was smiling when Ziva had opened her eyes and let out a breath as this indicated that the contraction was over, turning her neck from side to side to ease the tension and she smiled breathlessly at the praise, her forehead shiny with sweat. She breathed deep and with a bit of effort. Tony caressed her face after he wiped a cloth over it and Ziva let go of him, moving about and going back to pacing the bedroom yet again. Tony watched his wife as she went through her labor. Sure it takes two to tango, but for the past 8 and 1/2 months she's been doing all the work, and has one last hurdle before they can hold their two little girls in their arms. It takes a lot to make a baby. Not just the fun and intimate activity in the beginning, but to have a body creat another body, two in this case, it's an incredible thing to witness. Ziva was at 5 and 1/2 centimeters now so it's been a few of hours, now dark outside. Her cervix was about 90% effaced and Doctor Claire had recently done an internal exam on the twins and when she reached in, soon feeling a head, it meant they were still in the right positions. She hoped it would stay that way in Zivas case since she was already straining because sometimes babies can make it close but then be like-oh no, I'm not going out there. Her contractions were becoming worse, Claire could tell by the sound of Zivas moans and groans whenever she had a contraction as she breathed deep but a little faster than a normal deep breath. After a little while another contraction courses it's way through the laboring mother's body and she hisses and whimpers, breathing in and closing her eyes, brow furrowed in pain as she leans over the edge of the bed, which is what she was next to when the pain came upon her. Ziva squeezes the sheets and groans out, noticing a presence near her as she feels her husband at her side, taking her hand in his. "Here, go ahead and squeeze for your life." Ziva briefly opens her eyes as she lets out her breath and grunts in pain. "I might..ugh, I might break your fingers." Tony smirked. "Awe come on honey. I can take it. Give me your best shot. I mean, I am a DiNozzoooaaaaahh!" Ziva gripped his hand vice like and hard, squeezing about half power, her husband writhing and squirming under her onslaught as she held onto him, after a moment letting him go and Tony held his hand close. "God honey that hurt."
Ziva scoffed at him. "Oh stop whining Tony. It is nothing compared to this labor." Tony huffed and pouted as Doctor Claire came near him and inspected his hand. Ziva gave an apologetic look to her husband and he then returned a small smile. But Zivas face then scrunched up in pain. "Ugh!..oooiii!" Another contraction wracked through her body again, sharp, and she slumped down onto her haunches, squatting down and gripping the bedsheets. Nurse Anna was right beside her and Tony resumed the position on her other side, taking her hand in his again, his own pain forgotten as he supported his wife. "Aauughh! It hurts Tony." Ziva whimpered, tears coming to her eyes and Tony cuddled her as best he could. "I know it does Zi. You're doing great. It's going to be alright, you'll see. Shh shhh." He rubbed his wife's lower back soothingly and Ziva swallowed and breathed out, sweat beading on her skin and her body feeling weak from her exertion. "Oommn..." Tony paused rubbing and leaned down, kissing the top of her head. Ziva turned her head in his direction, her eyes still closed as she spoke through her deep breaths. "Mmnh, keep doing that." She murmured quietly to him and Tony nodded, moving behind her and putting both hands to his wife's lower back and rubbed in little circles, putting a bit of pressure there to Zivas protesting body. He noticed she relaxed a little more, the muscles not so tense. Doctor Claire had moved beside the mother when Tony moved behind her and she spoke to her. "Ziva, would you like to try the birthing ball? I feel it will help you with your contractions. You can just gently sway back and forth on it, like rolling your hips during a contraction like how you did with your first labor." Ziva nodded and let her eyes flutter closed again as she blew out a labored breath. Tony kept rubbing her back and soon nurse Mariam came with said birthing ball. Once Zivas contraction was over they were able to get her to a standing position, then Doctor Claire instructed Ziva on how to sit on it and the different positions she can use for when she had a contraction, showing her before helping the mother to sit on the round sphere. Though Ziva had seen it done before she knew it was standard procedure to be shown again. It bent a little under her weight but it held, to Tony's surprise. He was tempted to make a joke but he kept his thoughts to himself for fear of risking bodily harm. When the next contraction came Ziva handled it much more better. Claire could tell the difference. While the pain was still there and it did reach its peak, Ziva moaned loudly and only gripped the bed sheets and rolled her hips from side to side as she sat on the ball, her forehead on the edge of the bed. While she was glad for the slight relief, it didn't help her state of mind too much as she knew it was only going to get more intense from here. She just prayed she'd make it through this.
Hours later. "Aaaaaughh!" Ziva cried out loudly as she was seized with pain. She was laying on the bed and all sweaty, tired and hot, unable to move. Tony was sitting behind her. It was almost time to start pushing. Doctor Claire was on the business end of the bed and checking Zivas dilation, her hand feeling. Tony kissed Zivas cheek and moved hair from her face as she leaned against him and squeezed his hand. Nurse Anna was on Zivas other side and nurse Marion was giving Ziva ice chips and also Doctor Claire whatever she needed. Gibbs, Abby and Tony Senior were downstairs with the kids so it freed up nurse Jasmine who was now in the room as well. "Aaghh! Oh god help me! I just want this over with!" Ziva cried as Doctor Claire looked to her. "Not quite there yet Ziva but you're handling your labor beautifully. Just 1 and 1/2 more centimeters to go." "Can't I push now? I feel a lot of pressure..please? Please, I want them out! Oh god this hurts!" The laboring woman was begging as she breathed heavy and held onto her stomach as the muscles sized up and went hard with her contractions. Sure she thought she could handle her labor better this time for knowing what to expect. But that did not make it any less painful. Ziva let out a loud moan as she went through the onslaught, gripping her husband who tried to comfort her as best he could. Meanwhile downstairs the kids were with the other adults. Joshua, Danny and Cameron were outside playing with Abby while Senior held onto Jordan as she sat on his lap. Alessandra was looking about the room and playing with her toys. Gibbs was standing at the bottom of the stairs, glancing up every once in a while. Senior let Jordan down as she went outside to join her brothers and he walked over to the other man. "Well, here we are again. In the waiting room." Gibbs looked to Tony Senior and shifted his feet, giving a little half nod. Senior swallowed. "It's okay, I'm worried too. I thought I wouldn't be as nervous as the first time.." Gibbs smirked. "Yeah. I remember when it was Shannon's time." Senior looked at Gibbs, remembering what his son had said about Gibbs past. To bring up his wife and daughter was a rarity. Gibbs went on. "It's hard to believe but I was a nervous wreck." Senior made an amused face. "No. Not you." Gibbs nodded. "Oh yeah. Being in the army they train you for all kinds of stuff and situations. Hearing explosions and boots in the mud, bullets flying by..yeah any soldier can usually take that if their brave enough. But when your wife is having a baby..." The silver haired fox blew out a breath. "Oh man was I shaking like a leaf." Both men chuckled and Senior nodded. "Tell me about it. I know I wasn't there for a lot of things with Tony..but I was there for his birth. His mom had a hell of a time but she did it..I could never have been more proud of her." "Aaaaaaghh!" A muffled yell was heard from upstairs and both men looked up, concern on their faces. Senior felt a little hand go into his and he looked down to see Alessandra holding her arms up and he bent down and picked up his granddaughter. "Hey munchkin. How are you Alessandra, having fun?" The little girl shook her head and senior made a face. "Awwe. What's the trouble my princess?" He asked her, cuddling her close as the little girl had curled her head on his shoulder and by his neck as she pointed upstairs. "Ima sad. She's crying." Senior and Gibbs exchanged glances and the grandpa spoke. "Yeah..You're mom is just very sad." He looked to Gibbs, unsure of how to explain. But to a 3 year old he didn't really need to. "But she'll be okay. Having babies is just hard work." Alessandra leaned her head up and patted her own belly as she looked down at it. "Ima has babies here." Both men nodded. "That's right." The little girl nodded and she smiled. "Yah and abba said the dinger went off on the oven so, now babies can, they can come out." Gibbs and Senior exchanged glances and sort of just awkwardly nodded. "Well it's a little more complicated than that but yeah, soon you'll get to see your baby sisters and then you'll be a big sister. How do you like that?" Alessandra smiled but shook her head. "Naw I'm the baby." The adults laughed and then Senior set the toddler down and she went outside to her siblings. "Looks like we might have some attention issues later on." Senior commented and Gibbs nodded.
Ziva cried out as the contractions wracked through her body. She glared at the doctor. "I thought you said this was going to be faster than the last time!" She said through clenched teeth and Doctor Claire nodded. "Yes I did and yes it is, Ziva. Last time you were in labor for a little over 7 hours. At this time now it's 5 and 1/2. I say it's faster this time. No less painful but yes." Ziva groaned out her frustration and then leaned back against her husband...That is after she punched the mattress beneath her. Tony held her hand and tried to lighten the mood. "See honey, you'll have these babies in no time. Now imagine if you were a whale or an elephant. You know how long they're pregnant for?" Ziva angled her head towards him. "Yes I know, Tony, and I do not care. Now be quiet..I'm..Augh...I'm trying to concentrate and listen-Mmnn-to my body." Tony smirked. "A very sexy body." He spoke huskily to her, like the way he usually talked when they were being intimate. Ziva looked to him again with wide eyes. "Seriously? I'm in the process of giving birth here and the only thing you can think about right now is sex?! Typical DiNozzo!" Tony made a face. "Well I am in the proximity of an intoxicatingly beautiful woman. As the saying goes..It takes two to tango-Crack! "OoaaaAAAHH! Uncle! Let go! I yeild!" Ziva let go of his hand after she had just squeezed it on full power to get him to shut up. Tony cradled his hand and immediately noticed something was wrong and he whined. "Ziva..god that hurt!..honey I think you just broke my fingers." "I did." Was her immediate response. Tony whimpered when he tried to move them but nothing happened. "I'll put a splint on it." Nurse Jasmine said and went to get the supplies.
It was around 2 o'clock in the morning when Doctor Claire finally told Ziva it was time for her to push. The mother was slightly relieved as she was hit with wave after wave of excruciating pain from her contractions. Ziva was sitting in the normal birthing position as she lay on the bed, Tony behind her, nurse Anna and Marian on either side, Doctor Claire right in front of the mother, all hands gloved and ready. Ziva felt her muscles tighten as a very sharp contraction started. She began to sit up and Doctor Claire nodded. "Okay Ziva you know what to do. Take a deep breath, hold it, and push. Push push push!" Ziva drew in a breath and closed her eyes as she leaned forward and bore down hard, her face turning red and her muscles tightening as the pain moved through her body. Doctor Claire counted down from ten while the nurses told her to push and Tony supported her back and spoke encouragement to her. "8, 9, 10." Ziva leaned back against her husband and panted, her body in the throws of labor as the final stage continued. She sat up and bore down again, and again, and again, giving it all she had to birth her children. "Aaaaauughhhh!" She roared as she pushed more and then leaned back against her husband, trembling hard and gasping for breath. "You're breathing is excellent Ziva, you're doing very good." Doctor Claire said to her as Jasmine fed her ice chips. "The twins aren't in distress at all..okay another contractions coming, deep breath...and push..1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Good push Ziva, very good." The mother laid back against Tony and he hugged her and held onto her hand. "Ugh! It hurts Tony!..Mmnnn!" DiNozzo supported Ziva as she cried a little, the pain getting to her. "I love you." Ziva glared at him. "I hate you Anthony DiNozzo. I've already broken your fingers...aaaughh! Don't-Ughh! Don't make me break something else!" Doctor Claire spoke. "That's it, that's it! Push, push, push! You're almost there Ziva, the baby's crowning." Ziva blinked and turned her attention back to the task at hand. Anna whipped sweat from her cheeks, neck and brow. "You can do it Ziva. You're doing beautifully." The laboring mother sat up again when she felt the contraction come upon her, leaning forward and keeping her legs wide and open as she began to feel it, the pain only increasing as she felt a burning sensation down below. The ring of fire, pushing through the pain. "Aaaaaughhh! Aaaaghh!"
Doctor Claire's face lit up as she saw the baby emerging. "That's it Ziva you're doing it! Keep pushing...here's the head. Take a few quick breathes and bear down again. This is it Ziva!" Ziva breathed through her nose, her chest heaving and sweat pouring from her body as she swallowed and felt the pain the entire time. It wasn't long before another contraction came and Ziva leaned forward and pushed with all her might as hard as she could, feeling her child turn slightly with the help of Claire and she squeezed her eyes shut tight and cried out loudly as she felt the baby suddenly slip from her body. She collapsed back onto her husband, exhausted and breathing hard. "Oh my god..oh my-is, is she okay?" Doctor Claire smiled as she was removing the plugs from the babies nose and throat, sucking the amniotic fluid from its lungs and the infant was instantly squirming its little skinny arms and legs, it's body red and covered in goo and blood and amniotic fluid from being inside the womb. "Mmmgh waaahhh, waaaaghhh! Waaahh!" The first twin let out a loud wail and Doctor Claire leaned forward and placed it on Zivas chest and the mother and father both cried at receiving their bundle of joy. Ziva craned her head a little at the babies face as it had quieted and began opening its eyes. They were brown. "Tony she has my eyes." Ziva cried. "Hello Katie. Shalom teteleh." Doctor Claire smiles. "And her father's shaped head. The skin tone of your children will always be a mix. And since these are paternal twins they will look alike because they came from the same egg." The baby looked at her parents, recognizing their voices. Tony was handed the scissors to cut the cord and it was done, the baby now fully free from her mother's body. Ziva smiled warmly despite she felt her body starting up again. She held out as long as she could but soon Ziva found herself straining as another contraction started up and she began to temple, grunting in pain again. Nurse Jasmine came forward then and carefully but quickly took the newborn into her arms after Ziva gave her a quick kiss. "Oh my god! Aaaaaaughhhh!" The tired mother sat up and began pushing again hard as a contraction ripped through her. Muscles straining she bore down, her face turning red and sweat dripping from her, hair plastered to the side of her face and forehead despite it being up in a ponytail.
Doctor Claire was right there with her as well as the nurses and Tony, supporting her body while she focused on birthing the second baby. Ziva could tell it was smaller than the first but it didn't make it much easier. "Oooiiiiighhh!" "That's it Ziva! Push, push, push, push, push...okay breath." Ziva laid against her husband yet again, heavily, taking in big gulps of air as he kept speaking to her. "You can do this Ziva. I love you so much. You're doing great. You're incredible." The mother pushed 2 more times and Doctor Claire smiled. "I can see the head. You're almost there Ziva." But the American Israeli felt like she was spent, draining. "I cannot. Can't you just pull it out? Please?...uuaaah!" Tears came from her eyes as she felt her body burning down below, felt the baby start to move as she leaned forward and pushed again, bearing down intensely, trembling hands gripping Anna and Tony's hands as they cheered her on. Claire smiled as she saw the head come out and she reached between Zivas legs and rotated the baby slightly, blood and goo covering her freshly clean gloved hands. "Okay Ziva one more push should do it. I need 110% okay? You know what to do." Ziva took a deep breath and lurched forward, roaring out and pushing with all her might. "Mmnnaaaaaaagh! Come on! I can't do this much longer!" The mother laid back against her husband, exhausted and took massive gulps of air before doing one more final push, leaning forward but throwing her head back and Ziva screamed as she pushed through her severe and excruciating pain, body trembling, muscles straining, until finally..."Wwaaaaahhh! Waaaghh! Waaaaaaaaghh!" The cries of the second baby filled the room, letting the world know it had finally arrived. The same procedure was done and it was placed onto Zivas chest. Once she had felt the baby leave her body she collapsed against Tony, exhausted and drained of strength. But though shaking and weaker than she's ever felt in her life, save for Somalia, there was still spirit in her. Ziva cried as she held her second newborn baby. It cried and squirmed until it came into contact with her skin as the mother moved it expertly, cradling her close and Tony kissed Zivas head and face. Coos coming from just about everyone in the room at the presence of another new life. Ziva leaned into her husband as he placed a hand against her cheek, lips quivering as she closed her eyes a moment then looked to him. "She's so beautiful Ziva. I love you so much. I'm so proud of you." Ziva smiled through her tears and they kissed. The baby peaked opened her eyes and Ziva smiled, noticing their color. "She has your eyes Tony." The father smiled. "Really?" He leaned in more and he could definitely tell that the babies eyes were green. "Shalom little Lexi. You're finally here Yakiri-darling. You're so beautiful." Doctor Claire smiled and then while little Lexi was being taken to get cleaned off and such just like her sister, the doc helped Ziva to deliver the large placenta. As usual it checked out and soon Ziva was moved from the bed, her body still shaking and bleeding, which is normal after birth. Her large uterus will be contracting for quite a while so after birth it's like being on an extremely heavy bloody period. (So I've heard) Tony and nurse Anna helped clean her up and got her changed into something comfortable and then it was back into bed. All cleaned of course.
There was quite a group of people gathered around the DiNozzo bed. Ziva was nursing the second twin while the first was being passed around and everyone getting the chance to hold her. Senior smiled as he held his granddaughter. "Hey beautiful. I'm your grandpa Tony. Not to get confused with your dad. He's far better looking than an old timer like me." Father and son gave amused and proud smirks to each other. Also a nod of respect. "Which one am I holding?" The grandfather asked Ziva as she was laying back against a pile of pillows to support her sore back. "Katie. Katie Grace DiNozzo." The mother smiled warmly, her cheeks flushing with heat at the love she had for her baby girls. Joshua and Danny were by their mother on the bed, smiling as they watched while Lexi was nursing, hearing the noises she made at the satisfaction of being fed. She was covered up of course, a dish towel sized blanket over Zivas shoulder so nothing un-modest was seen. Once she was done Ziva shifted the baby longways to her chest and cradled her, gently patting her back to burp her. She was a natural. Jordan and the twins giggled at the sound that came from such a little baby. Tony smiled. "Katie weighs 7 pounds and Lexi weighs 5 and 1/2." Gibbs nodded as it was his turn to hold Katie, senior frowned. "Did that mean something was wrong?" Doctor Claire shook her head. "We don't believe so. It's known for one to be bigger than the other. But if these two decide to have more in the future I'll be keeping a close eye to see if the same thing occurs and look into it." Ziva showed a tad bit of worry. "But the babies are alright, right?" Claire nodded, a big smile on her face. "They're completely alright Ziva. I wasn't trying to scare you. I tend to speak out loud with my thoughts. Not saying there is an issue with your pregnancy though things like this have occurred where one twin will grow a lot and the other not as much...don't worry. Everything's alright. You have two very healthy and beautiful little girls. Now make sure you're getting plenty of rest as much as you can and eating healthy, light work. Better none at all for the first few weeks as all your energy is going to be focused on caring for Lexi and Katie." She gave Ziva one more check over before taking her leave, letting them know to call if anything comes up or if they have questions. After Lexi burped Abby got the turn to hold her. "She's so adorable. I swear you both make the most beautiful kids, like, ever." Ziva moved to sit up more but she did so slowly, her muscles protesting and though she didn't voice it, her eyes conveyed her pain and discomfort. Tony noticed as she tightened her jaw and took a breath. "Need anything?" He asked as he came near, taking her hand in his. Ziva nodded. "A drink of water, please." Her husband smiled and leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. Danny scrunched up his face. "Eeew." Joshua shrugged. "Eh. It's just a kiss." DiNozzo looked to his eldest. "I'll have you know little man, that the kiss has the power to change lives, change moods, and it's a sign of love." Jordan giggled. "Even true love?" Tony nodded, smiling at her. "Especially true love." The father then looked back to Joshua. "Don't worry. You'll understand when you're older." After a while it was time for everyone to take their leave. The kids followed Abby, Senior, and Gibbs out of the room. That is all except Alessandra.
She had stayed at the edge of the bed, peering up as she watched her parents staring at her new siblings. She was too young to fully understand. Though she was three she was still sort of a baby but no longer the baby of the family. Her new sisters have that place now. One of the twins fussed some and her parents cooed to her and talked gently. Tony leaned forward, sniffing. "Yep, someone needs their diaper changed." He picked up the first twin. "Come on Katie. Let's get you cleaned up." He said smiling from ear to ear as his love shone for his daughter. Ziva watched him as she expertly held little Lexi in her arms. Alessandra piped up. "Baby?" The mother looked to her precious toddler and smiled. "Ken Motek. This is your baby sister Lexi. Your father has Katie. She made a stinky." Alessandra giggled at her mother's funny face. "Stinky stinky." As she said this the little girl waved her hand in front of her face and Ziva nodded. Lexi moved a little and the mother looked to the newborn baby and smiled, leaning her head down and kissing her newborn daughter. "Hi little one. Are you tired? I sure am. I can't believe I made it through another twin birth. One moment full of unbearable pain, and then the next your here, in my arms." Ziva said quietly to her. Lexi yawned and looked to her mother with her father's green eyes. "Ima?" Alessandra spoke but Ziva didn't seem to hear as her attention was on the baby. The mother gently rocking her little one and humming sweetly to her. Despite her weariness Ziva was a trooper. No matter how exhausted she somehow managed to find the strength to continue. And though her and Tony's work would be cut out for them with newborns and toddlers all together, they wouldn't trade it for anything. Tony soon returned with a freshly changed Katie. "Hey mamma. How are my girls?" Ziva smirked and looked to Lexi again. "I think this one is getting ready for sleep." She looked to her husband. "Would you mind bringing their cribs in here? Please?" She asked with a slight pleading in her voice. Her fierce protectiveness but also fear for her children already showing through. "I just want to be near them." As a parent you can't help but worry about your kids sometimes. No matter how old or young they are. You just have to hope and pray you've done the right things and raise them as best you can until they leave the nest and go out into the world on their own. DiNozzo nodded and while Ziva shifted Lexi into one arm, Tony settled Katie into Zivas other arm. "I'll be right back." Alessandra came to her mother's side of the bed. "Ima, me up?" She asked, holding her arms up. An indication she wanted to be held. Ziva swallows and smiled but shook her head. "Oh I would if I could Yakiri, but Ima has to hold the babies okay." Tony soon returned and then placed the cribs where Ziva wanted and he very carefully placed each of his daughters in their beds. Alessandra watched her father lean down and kiss each one, smiling. She came near and tugged at his sleeve. "Abba." She raised her arms and Tony then picked up his daughter. "Hey munchkin. We should probably get you ready for bed huh?" Alessandra shook her head. "No. I not sleepy." Tony smirked as he turned around and spoke gently. "You're not sleepy huh." The little girl nodded as her father walked to the bed, Alessandra leaning down so Tony put her on the bed and she went right next to her mother. She became a little giddy and bounced up and down, laughing but not loudly. "Hm. Someone has had some sugar I see." Ziva comments and the toddler giggled. "Yah Ima. Sabba give me cookies." Tony went and took off his top and quickly changed into some sweatpants while Ziva kept her little one distracted. "Oh he did. Which one baby doll?" Tony asked when he went to the bed and sat on the edge. "Sabba Gibbs." Tony and Ziva exchanged glances. "Are you sure it was Gibbs and not Abbas father?" Ziva asked and Alessandra nodded. "Ken, it was Sabba Gibbs. He said his little girl loved cookies. But powdered donuts better." The parents looked to each other again. It must have been Gibbs. How could it not with the description that came from their daughters lips.
Tony looked to his little girl and then gave her a hug. "Hey. Though it's only just about 4am I say we all need to get some sleep huh. What do you say honey?" Ziva scoffed. "You do not have to tell me twice." She grunted as she began moving her body ever so slowly as she scooted forward to lay down more fully. "Ima I'm not tired. I wanna play." Allesandra whined and moved near her mother, bouncing away. She became a little too lively and she kept bouncing, but she bumped into Ziva, losing her balance momentarily and ended up pressing onto her mother's stomach with a little bit of force. "Aughhhhggrrrr!" Ziva let out a loud sound of growling protest, her eyes wide with pain as she let out a sound through gritted teeth and blowing lips. "Alessandra be careful! Your mother is really sore. You just hurt her." Tony chastised his daughter but none of this was too loud to wake the sleeping newborns. The toddler only looked to her parents in a blank stare, unsure of what exactly she had done wrong. She was just playing. "I, I hurt Ima?" Tony nodded. "Yes you did." Ziva swallowed but spoke up. "I'm alright Tony. It wasn't that bad." She appreciated her husband for his protectiveness but she understood that toddlers are also just rambunctious and don't have a sense of the level of playing and doing things. Usually it's full power all the way when they're wide awake and on the go. "I'm sorry Ima. You's okay?" Ziva only nodded as she just breathed through her nose, her hand clenched into a fist. "Mmn!" After a moment of silence their daughter was at it again. "Let's play, pleeease?" Ziva sighed, not in the mood for this and Tony could tell she was on a short fuse. "Alessandra, your mother is very tired. Now come on. Be a big girl and let's all go to sleep alright?" She said to her little one, trying to control her emotions though the hormones were still in her system. But the toddler wasn't cooperating. Before she started fussing any louder, Tony saw it coming a mile off, he started talking to her. "Hey Allesandra, your mommy just had your baby sisters. It took a lot of hard work so she's very tired. Mommy needs a biiiig nap nap. I think we should let her rest. Don't you?" He picked up his daughter and began moving off the bed. "Come on Alice, let's get some shut eye." He said without giving his little girl a chance to respond. That is after he let Alessandra give his wife a hug and kiss goodnight.
Ziva sat in bed and rubbed her belly as it finally stopped hurting some after that big jab to it. "Oo." Tony returned to her side after a while. "You alright? I can't believe she did that." Ziva raised her hand a bit. "She's just wide awake and wanting to play." But DiNozzo shook his head as he sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "Yeah but she should know better than that." He sighed as Ziva took his hand in hers, being careful not to touch his broken fingers. "I know. But for right now it is just because we are tired and sore and irritable. Okay? Tomorrow will be better. Palmer told me that Breena will be by with a couple of meals. I told him that she didn't need to do that but he insisted that she wanted to help in some way. It won't be my cooking but her food isn't that bad." Tony nodded then leaned forward and kissed her, eyes closing and then they touched foreheads. "I love you." Ziva smiled through her weariness as she laid fully onto the bed, her head on the soft pillows. "I love you too ahuvi. So much. I'm so proud of you and glad you were with me through all of that. Even with broken fingers and threats of castration." Tony had to chuckle at that as he had moved to his side of the bed and laid down next to her. Ziva took his hand in hers and rested their intwined fingers on her chest, pulling him close and Tony obliged, getting comfortable as Ziva had closed her eyes, finally succumbing to her much needed sleep and rest as her head lulled to the side. Tony smiled as she even started snoring though not as loudly as other times. Some things never change. "I love you." He whispered to her and then kissed her cheek before settling down and he fell asleep within seconds.
Well now are you tired after all that? I think I am after just reading it myself. So far so good. Hope you are enjoying this story, reviews welcomed and appreciated. So far still no news on Cote or what she's doing or how she's doing. Michael is going forward now and working on season 2 of Bull. Most of us fans are hoping that Cote will join him on his new show. Or what about a Tiva summer spinoff? Either way I hope you're liking this story even though I'm slow to update and such. Have an awesome week this August.