Adjusting to the new twins schedule wasn't too bad. Like Ziva one of them, Lexi, was a light sleeper, the other, Katie, a thunderstorm could pass over and she'd still be snoozing. Ziva recovered well and her body was sliming back to the normal physic though she will always have that bit of belly there. Tony had awoken before her upon hearing the twins on the baby monitor. Ziva stirred a couple seconds later and she looked at the clock, reading it at 1:34am. She let out a breath and yawned then sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Mmn. They must be hungry." She said as she got out of bed. Tony watched her. "Want some company?" Ziva glanced back at him when he spoke as she was about to exit the bedroom. "I wouldn't mind but you need to sleep." Tony stretched. "So do you. How about I bring them in here and you get back in bed and feed them that way." Ziva smirked as she knew he was still half asleep. "No. The rocking chair will be fine." Tony nodded then laid back down as Ziva went to the next room, gently opening the door and turning on the light, going to the cribs that held her little ones. "Hey tetelehs. You hungry?" She said gently to them as she picked up Katie first and held her close to her body. She went and sat in the rocking chair after grabbing a receiving blanket and proceeded to nurse the newborn. Katie latched on and started sucking immediately, her hands touching Zivas skin and the mother smiled as she tried to grip her with her little fingers, continuing to take her mother's milk. Ziva felt a warm calmness spread through her as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes a moment, her wavy hair down over her shoulder and scraggly. She gently rocked and hummed a tune softly, taking notice how the baby paused a moment upon hearing the sound then continued. Katie's brown eyes glanced into her mother's and there was recognition like when she was first born. "It's as if you already know me...what are you thinking Katie? That this milk is good stuff?" She chuckled. "Just wait until you get older and try chocolate milk." "Ima I want chocolate milk." Ziva looked up to see Alessandra standing in the doorway in her pink and purple pajamas with the zipper on the front. She was holding her blanket and her hair was all messy, similar to her father's. Ziva smiled. "Hello Alessandra. What are you doing up? You should be in bed sleeping." The little girl came near, shaking her head. Since they have new twins, Alessandra and Jordan shared a room while Cameron was in the boys room. It was a bit of a tight fit with the 3 of them so Joshua was often found doing things in the spare bedroom, wanting his own space though he was only 10. His things started gathering in there and Ziva thought maybe just as well as she knew he would be wanting his own space soon upon becoming a teenager. She couldn't believe her oldest boy was on his way to becoming an adolescent. Meant more complications as well as joys, and a new chapter in their lives as they will have to adjust to the newborns and the teenage years. Boys get more rowdy and rough, trying to figure things out, be more independent. She was sure she and Tony could handle it but at the same time she wondered what the future would bring. She noticed Katie's eyes start to droop and she decided to burp her, getting the baby to unlatch from her breast and rest the baby's head on her shoulder, gently patting Katie's back to get her to burp.
Alessandra came near more and giggled when a burp came from the baby. Ziva smiled and maneuvered her newborn to her chest, but Katie seemed to have only wanted a snack and wouldn't latch on, only moving her head to the side, so Ziva just rocked her gently. The toddler came and watched her mother. "Ima hold me?" She asked, raising her arms up. Ziva smirked but shook her head. "I can't tateleh. Im holding Katie right now until she falls asleep, then I have to feed your other baby sister Lexi." The little girl pouted. "But, but I'm the baby." Ziva looked to her as she rose from the rocking chair and started going to the crib. "No Alessandra you're a big girl now. You're supposed to be mommies helper remember? You and Jordan help me with the babies." As she said this little Katie was gently placed in her crib and the smaller twin Lexi was picked up, her face fussy and wanting to be feed. "I don't wanna help mommy." Ziva frowned at her daughter as she took a seat then focused her attention on the newborn as she adjusted her shirt again for feeding the second twin. It took a couple of tries and Lexi was getting frustrated as she let out some unhappy and fussy noises, but she soon latched on and began sucking, quieting down almost immediately. Ziva smiled at the newborn as she gently talked to her. "There you go Lexi. Mmm, there you go. Food at last." She smiled and listened to the sounds Lexi made and felt her little hands move across her skin. "Ima...Ima?" Ziva hadn't noticed the couple of times when Alessandra asked for her. "Ima!" The little girl became angry and with a big pouty face went over and slapped her hand twice on Zivas leg when she came near. It wasn't hard but the child basically gave her version of a hit. Ziva looked to her, eyes changed from soft to hard. "Alessandra, no!" She hissed firmly but not loud. "You do not hit Ima. Hitting is bad. That's bad." Tony came into the room then. "Hey. What's going on?" He asked as he came near and Ziva sighed. "Alessandra." Tony looked to her as he watched her cradle Lexi. "What she do?" Ziva shook her head. "It's nothing. Just in a pouty mood." Tony eyed Ziva. "Honey." Ziva have in at his glance. "Well she just got frustrated while I was feeding Lexi and smacked her hand onto my leg. Twice." "You men she hit you?" Tony suggested and Ziva more or less nodded. "Well, I guess her version of it. More like a slap instead of a closed fist it. When she did that I told her no and that hitting is bad. She stopped and looked at me but there wasn't much of a reaction." DiNozzo looked to his little girl. "Maybe she should go back to bed." Alessandra shook her head. "Lo-No I'm not tired. I'm staying up." She protested. Before she could get louder Tony scooped her up into his strong arms. "Come on kid. You need some sleep." Alessandra frowned. "I'm not sleepy..I want Ima. Ima!" Ziva took in a breath, let it out slowly. She didn't know why her toddler was acting this way. The twins were top priority now. They worked with Alessandra and James both on telling them about the babies and they had seemed excited to be getting new siblings. Lexi unlatching from her mother's breast brought Ziva from her thoughts and she burped and then changed her newborns diaper. Tony soon returned after having taken his daughter back to her bedroom and he yawned. "She good?" Ziva smiled and nodded when she felt his presence behind him. "Fed and freshly changed." Tony nodded, taking her hands in his after he kisses her neck. "Mm, okay. Let's go back to bed and get some sleep." Ziva nodded after they held each other for a moment, gently swaying back and forth. Then, after sharing a warm kiss, both parents went back to their bedroom, closing the door behind them.
It was later in the day and the kids were outside playing. Ziva was working on making lunch and Tony had went to a nearing at NCIS. She didn't like to miss out but she knew her husband would fill her in when he returned. The twins were both with her. Ziva had Lexi in a small carrier type object that had the baby facing her. Katie was in the small rocker and was sound asleep. She smiled as she looked to her daughters and sighed in contentment. But her peace was interrupted by an argument from outside. She heard yelling and went to the sliding door to discover Danny and Jordan both yelling at Alessandra. Cameron was siting on the ground with his hand on his head and crying. Ziva immediately came outside. "Hey, hey. What is going on here." She said firmly and all the kids turned to her in attention as she bent down to her son. Danny pointed to Alessandra. "She wanted the toy Cameron had. When he refused she hit him on the head and took it, then also threw it at his head." Zivas eyes widened a bit as she was clearly upset. She craned her neck to get a look at her son. "Cameron? Come on baby, move your hand." She spoke gently to him, carefully removing the boy's hand from his head. "It's not bleeding but there will be a bruise and maybe a small bump." She confirmed and cradled her son close as she could with the baby wrap sling in the way. Cameron cried and held onto his mother. "Will I need stitches momma?" Ziva gave a warm smile. "No you won't baby." She looked to Alessandra. "As for you young lady, go have to your room." The little girl showed her mad face. "No!" "Go to your room now." Ziva stated firmly and the toddler started off, stomping. The mother sighed and looked to Joshua. "Make sure she gets there and stays there." The boy nodded and followed after his little sister. Ziva then had Cameron stand and follow her Maude and had him just lay on the couch to rest up. She went to the kitchen and opened the freezer, getting out 2 ice cubes and putting them in a washcloth. She returned to her son's side and gently put it on his head. At first Cameron moved her hand away but Ziva insisted. "Just have to hold it here for a while baby. It will help the swelling to go down. You're alright." "It's cold." Little Cameron sniffled and Ziva nodded. "Yes it is. It will help tateleh. Trust me." Cameron nodded and just closed his eyes, tired. Ziva stays with him, holding his hand and humming a quiet tune. The mother was troubled about why her daughter was acting this way. She just couldn't place it. Was she jealous of the new babies? Would she try to hurt them? Ziva prayed that her daughter wouldn't go that drastic. Cameron James was soon asleep and Ziva smiled, leaning down and gently kissing his head, then got up and returned to the kitchen to finish making dinner.
Hours later Tony came home. Thankfully there hadn't been anymore strife from their rebellious toddler. Ziva had told her husband about what happened. "Maybe she's just not getting enough attention." He suggested after a while when the kids had been put down for bed. Ziva sighed. "The thought has occurred to me, but at the same time she has to realize she isn't the baby anymore." Tony cocked his head to the side as they lay there together in bed, Ziva wrapped in his arms, her hand on his hairy chest. "Yeah. Maybe..but no matter how old they get, our kids will always be our babies." He gave her a reassuring suede and Ziva leaned her head up and kissed his lips. "Either way, let's not worry about it tonight and get some sleep before the twins wake up and are hungry again." He said gently to his wife and Ziva nodded and nuzzled his cheek with her nose and then got comfortable against his strong frame, soon falling asleep.
The next day was sunny and warm. Ziva was again feeding Katie while Lexi slept. Tony came into the nursery, a smile crossing his face as he came near and got down on his knees, gazing at his little girl. "She's pretty hungry huh?" Ziva nodded, chuckling. "Yep. Sucking away. She gets her appetite from you." Tony only smiled. "Lexi doesn't eat much." Ziva scoffed. "Actually she's the same as Katie. She's a light sleeper though. And she has your eyes." The infant soon unlatched and Ziva maneuvered her. "Will you burp her while I feed Lexi?" Tony nodded. "Sure." He went and retrieved Lexi from her crib and brought her to Ziva and the parents switched. "Come here baby doll. Someone needs to give a loud belch." Ziva made a face at his sarcastic comment. Lexi took in her meal and made noises of satisfaction. After a while a little burp resounded in the room and Tony praised his baby girl. "Yeah that's what I'm talking about." Ziva shook her head and rocked back and forth in the chair. Once the second twin was done, both were changed and the parents had mommy and daddy time and had moved to the living room. The older kids were away at school. Ziva looked to her husband. "Shouldn't you be at work?" Tony shook his head. "Gibbs gave me the day off." Zivas eyebrows raised at that and Tony explained further. "Well he said he would give it to me if I agreed to help with when he was going to his hometown to do some loads of wood. Chopping, stacking, distributing and such." The mother nodded as she held Katie in her arms, the baby awake and looking about as well as her to parents face, getting to know them by sight and voice. Tony smiles. "Heh, remember when our first twins slept for 5 hours straight?" Ziva giggles. "I couldn't believe it. I had woken up actually feeling rested, but then I remember bolting upright when I realized the twins hadn't cried or anything." Tony nodded. "Yeah. We thought something was wrong but when we went in there Cameron and Alessandra we're still sleeping." Ziva grinned, but her brow soon furrowed as she thought. "Hm, I just don't know what's gotten into her." Tony nodded in agreement.
The silence is broken when Zivas cell rings. Tony goes over, expertly holding his baby girl in one arm and answers it as he is the closest. "Tony DiNozzo speaking." He announces. "Hello? Yes this is he...wait what? Are you sure it was her?...okay. I'll be right over." He hung up. Ziva quizzically looked at him, concern crossing her features. "What is it?" She asked as Tony set Lexi down in her baby carrier. "Well I gotta go pick up the twins. It's Alessandra. Apparently she was being feisty and bit someone when she got upset and didn't get her way." Zivas eyes widened. "What?! She..bit, someone? Why?" Tony shrugged. "I don't know, but what I do know is that it's going to be dealt with when I get back." Ziva nodded. She knew what that meant. Discipline wasn't exactly the funnest job of being a parent. But it had to be done. It was just part of it, comes with the package. There were different kinds the DiNozzos used, like grounding, standing in the corner, spanking, being confined to their bedroom, no privileges, ect. In this instance it was most likely going to be a spanking. The mother frowned. She wished they didn't have to. But disciplining your child lets them know right from wrong, and when they're older it teaches them respect. Tony broke her from her thoughts when he came over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back." Ziva nodded. "Be careful." "I will." He replied. And with that he headed out the door. Ziva looked down to her daughter in her arms. "I hope you and your sister don't get this violent." Violent. She was sure one to talk. As a child she was disciplined, and also going into her Mossad training, it even amped it up how she was. It made her strong and powerful, yes, but she is so grateful for the change that came into her life. NCIS showed her what it means to actually live a life, a beautiful life. Sure there are ups and downs but it's not constant violence and killing with no remorse and just following orders. "Oh Ziva. How you've changed." She said out loud to herself. A smile came to her lips and she hugged Katie in her arms. The baby looked to her, recognition there and the baby's fingers grasped around a small lock of her mother's hair. Then she decided to pull on it. "Ow, ow." Ziva untangled from her daughters little grasp. Just showed the strength that was in that little body. It came from her mother and father for sure.
About an hour later the door opened and in came DiNozzo with Cameron and Alessandra. Ziva had closed he door to the nursery so Lexi and Katie wouldn't be awoken from the other children for what was to come. She took a breath of anxiety, regretting it. But it must be done. The statement was true. It hurts the parent more than it hurts the child. She could just start crying right now. But she knew they had to do this. Why was she getting so worked up over her toddler? Maybe it was the mother in her, not wanting anything to hurt her babies. She sniffled and squared her shoulders, then descended the stairs. The other kids were still at school though they only have 2 hours left. Ziva greeted her husband with a kiss and hugged him. "Hey." He caressed her shoulders. "Hey." He paused and looked to her, noticing the change in her demeanor. "You alright?" Ziva only nodded, no doubt knowing that Tony picked up on the way her hands were on him, slightly shaky. Ziva swallowed and she took a breath. "This is one of the things I hate the most." "I know babe. But we have to do it." Tony nodded and kissed her forehead, Ziva closing her eyes as she became firm now against him, indicating she was ready when she squeezed his hand. The parents looked to their children and had them sit on the couch. "Cameron, Alessandra. Do you know why you were brought home early today?" Alessandra didn't speak but her brother nodded. "Because Ally was being bad." The boy said, saying his short version of her name. Ally, Alice. The parents nodded. "That's right." Tony said. "And when someone is being bad, you know what that means." "It means Ally is getting a span-kin." The little girl looked up into her parents eyes and Ziva nodded. "Ken, Motek-Yes darling Alessandra is getting a spanking." The little girl immediately started crying. "I don't want a spanking." Tony sighed. "I know munchkin, but if you went and did bad things without getting disciplined, then you would think everything you did is okay. And that is not okay." Ziva nodded. "That's why we are teaching you what is right and wrong. There are consequences to your actions. And Alessandra, biting is bad, hitting is bad. I don't want you to ever bite anyone again. Do you here me?" The little girl sniffled and then Tony sat next to her. "I'm sorry Ima, Abba." Alessandra said when Tony moved her over his lap.
Ziva swallowed and held onto Cameron when he came to her, picking him up. Tony looked to his little girl and then, tightening his jaw, he smacked his hand a couple times on Alessandra's buttocks. The list girl of course let out a wail at the sting against her butt as tears came to her eyes and ran down her cheeks. Tony then embraced her and held her while she cried. "I didn't want to do that. But now you know that you're not supposed to bite. Do you understand that what you did was wrong?" Alessandra nodded and cried some more while Tony held her and looked to his wife, both exchanging glances and then she came near. "Come on tatelehs, it's time for a nap." Both children complied without question as they were being led to their rooms. Tony checked on the twins to make sure they were still sleeping, this time leaving the door opened a crack so they would be heard if needed. Ziva looked to Tony. "You alright?" He nodded as he took her into his arms, kissing he top of her head as she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yeah I'm okay. It's not the funnest job but it's part of being a parent...I love you Ziva." The American Israeli smiled and looked to him, leaning and kissing his lips, then nuzzling her nose against his. "I love you too. Shall I make you lunch?" Tony thought a moment then nodded. "Sure. If you're up to it." Ziva grimes and headed for the kitchen. "I'm always up for it." Tony considered then came up behind her, resting his hands on her hips and leaned in a little so his breath was felt in her skin. "You know what else I'm up for?" A coy smile spread across her lips and they Ilene's so sad she took in a breath, resting one of her hands over his. "Mmn, I don't think I need to guess." Tony kissed the side of her neck and Ziva turned to face him after a moment. "And I would not mind it..but-but I don't feel I'm quite ready for sex just yet." She pressed her lips together apologetically at his frown, seeing his shoulders slump. "I've only just finished bleeding and I'm still sore inside...just give me a couple more months." Tony nodded, running his hands up her arms and giving her shoulders a squeeze. "Okay. But I can at least still do this." And without warning tony scooped Ziva up into his arms and swirled her around, Ziva holding on tightly to him as he kissed her repeatedly on her soft lips. "Ahh, Tony! Mmnn Mmn!" She smiled and hugged him tight when he set her back down and she had her arms u around his neck. "Mmm yes you can still do that." She pulled back from him, walking backwards toward the stairs. "And it's not like you still can't be pleasured." As she said this Ziva stopped and stared into his eyes. Tony blinked and followed, a smile playing at both their lips as they ascended the stairs. "Baby. I love it when you use your hands."
So what do you think? Hope the spanking didn't take away from this chapter. Toddlers just have lots to learn. And much more. More to come eventually.