Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Ziva came out of the kitchen, carrying a sizeable Turkey and placed it in the middle of the table.
'Ta-da!' she said happily. It had been a while since she had cooked a full Thanksgiving meal. Everyone clapped.
'That looks amazing Ziva' said Abby.
'I second that' said Senior. 'Now I'm wishing I didn't have such a big lunch.'
Everyone laughed as Ziva carved the turkey and placed it on plates for everyone. If it had been any other year, Ziva wouldn't have cooked such a large spread, but Thanksgiving 2020 was special. It was their first Thanksgiving as a family.
Tony helped Tali add some veg to her plate (no peas) before adding veg to his own plate. If they had been in the US, it would be a four day weekend. However, as they were in Paris, and even though Tali went to an International school with other Americans, Tali still had to follow the rules and go to school. When she found out about the four day weekend and no school, Tali was not impressed to find out that she still had to go to school.
'Why do I have to go?' she whined on Thursday morning.
'Because we live in France and not the US' replied her mother.
Dinner was a truly joyous event, and a big improvement on the very first family dinner they had back at the beginning of March. Ziva had only been back a handful of weeks and became sad when everyone told stories when she was on the run, plus her reunion with Abby had been strained. This time, Ziva had been back almost a year, and had her own stories to tell.
After several helpings of Turkey, followed by several slices of apple pie, Senior and Abby went back to their respective hotels. Senior was staying another week, Abby going back to London on Sunday. Tali and Ziva read some more of Charlotte's Web. Tali's teacher had noticed a significant difference in Tali at school, especially with her reading and literacy lessons. Tali always enjoyed reading, but since Ziva returned home, it was something that the two of them shared.
Ziva went into their bedroom. Tony was sitting up, reading in bed. Apparently it was also starting to rub off on Tony. Ziva climbed into bed and shifted over towards Tony who draped his arm over her.
'You know what I am thankful for?' asked Ziva.
'What?'
'You and Tali.' Tony smiled and kissed Ziva.
'Me too, Zi.'
Tony was standing at the bar, decorations scattered across the place. Christmas was fast approaching. He saw his friend and waved him over.
'Tony' said Paul, offering his hand.
'Paul' replied Tony, shaking the hand. 'How you've been?'
'I've been good Tony. You?'
'Better than ever' replied Tony, smiling. Paul cocked his head, interested. 'Tali's mom came home. She finished her assignments.'
'Oh, yeah. She worked in intelligence, right?' Tony nodded.
That was his cover story for Ziva whenever anyone asked. She worked in intelligence and was away. It created more questions in people's heads but it was vague and tended to stop the questions aimed at Tony and Tali.
Tony and Paul had met at playgroup. They both daughters who were a similar age and both dads felt somewhat out of their depths. Tony had just moved to Paris with Tali and Paul had been given full custody of his daughter Lexie. Lexie and Tali got on well and even though they went to different schools, they occasionally attended the same birthday parties. Tony and Paul got on well too and back then Tony liked having a friend with a similar situation. There were very few single dads in the playgroup days.
'How are you?' asked Tony to Paul.
'I'm good. Still work in the same department but obviously things have changed.' Paul worked in the British consulate. Brexit was still on everyone's minds.
'How's Lexie?' asked Tony.
'Driving me mind' said Paul. 'She's like a mini-tornado or something.' Tony laughed.
'Tali's the same. Ziva's a big reader and so Tali's started reading more. Books are just strewn around the apartment. I find them in the most random of places. Plus Ziva brings home at least five new books a week.' Paul chuckled.
'What's it like having her back?' asked Paul quietly. Her clearly meant Ziva. Tony paused.
'Best year of my life.' He took a sip of his beer. 'What about you? You seeing anyone?' Paul shrugged his shoulders.
'I've had a couple of relationships. More like flings than anything. I don't want to confuse Lexie too much.' Tony nodded his understanding. 'Plus I'm finding it difficult to find a decent babysitter.'
'Oh, I might be able to help you there' said Tony. He pulled out his phone and sent Clara's number to Paul. 'Clara Andrews. She was Tali's nanny and an excellent babysitter.'
'Cheers Tony' said Paul. 'They're like gold dust, decent babysitters.' Tony laughed.
'Where's Lexie tonight?' asked Tony.
'At a sleepover' explained Paul. 'Tali?'
'With Ziva. They're having an Ima and daughter night, whatever that means.'
'Ima?'
'Ziva was born in Israel. Her first language is Hebrew.'
The conversation turned to other things; Tony's own job, the pandemic, politics and what they both thought of the new James Bond movie. Movies were another thing the two men bonded over. Before long, they had finished two beers each and decided to call it a night.
After getting the metro and climbing the stairs to the apartment, Tony unlocked the door. The lamp was still on in the living room. Assuming that Tali and Ziva were in bed, Tony went to switch it off. The room was a mess. Books, toys and all sorts of stuff were scattered across the floor. An empty tray of something that looked like melted chocolate sat on the coffee table. Tony looked at the sofa and smiled.
Tali and Ziva were fast asleep, Ziva's arm draped protectively over Tali's little body. He knew that at least Ziva would regret sleeping on the sofa, but Tony didn't have the heart to wake them up. They looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Tony bent down and gave Tali and Ziva each a kiss.
'I love you both' he whispered.
The next morning Ziva woke up with a stiff neck. Tali had already woken up so Ziva got up and in search of food. She found Tali still wearing her pyjamas and eating cereal. Tony was pouring lemon juice into a glass.
'I have not seen one of those in a long time' said Ziva. 'How much did you drink last night?'
'A couple of beers' said Tony, a little groggily.
'You need a DiNozzo defibrillator after a couple beers?' Tony shrugged his shoulders. His tolerance for alcohol had dropped considerably over the last few years since Tali came along. As a result, Tony found himself getting at least tipsy earlier than he used to.
'What's a Dee-mozzo defabulator?' asked Tali, her mouth full of cereal.
'Nothing you need to worry about' said Ziva, getting up to fetch her own breakfast. 'Hangover aside, how was it last night?'
'It was good' said Tony. 'I think Paul enjoyed it too. I get the impression he doesn't get out much either. We might do again after Christmas.'
'I am glad' said Ziva. She had her friends from temple and the support group. Tony had a handful of colleagues but that was it. His lack of a social circle had concerned Tony for some time.
'Finished' announced Tali. Her bowl of cereal was empty. 'What are we doing today?'
'Tali, do you think you could talk a little quieter?' asked Tony. Tali thought for a moment.
'No' she replied. Ziva burst out laughing. Tony grimaced with the noise.
'Go pick out what you want to wear today then we'll go out for a bit. Give Daddy some peace and quiet' said Ziva, chuckling.
Tony watched as Tali and Ziva got ready to go out. His mind wandered back to last night's conversation with Paul. Tony had loosely explained his plans for the future now that Ziva was back permanently. Plans that involved a small velvet box that Tony had hidden in a box in the bottom drawer of his nightstand.
Perhaps Tony would call Paul again and they could brainstorm ideas.
Hope you enjoyed this.
For those who read the most recent chapter of The Call, I'm feeling much better. Thank you for all the kind reviews.
For those who remember chapter 1 of Reunion will know what happens. You might want to reread that chapter anyway before the next chapter.
Two more chapters left.
Stay safe and see you soon :)
