Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. Please reread chapter one of this story before reading this chapter. This chapter is set immediately after chapter one.
December 2020
Tony came back into the bedroom, carrying two wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Ziva laughed and sat up in bed, the sheets slipping off her bare shoulders.
'Wine for my beautiful fiancée?' asked Tony, offering a glass to Ziva. Ziva laughed again and took the glass. Tony sat back down in bed and they clinked glasses. Ziva leaned over and kissed Tony.
Ninety minutes ago Tony had proposed and Ziva had accepted. Ziva suggested some wine to celebrate and after a quiet detour to the bedroom (Tali was fast asleep), Tony and Ziva were finally toasting to their engagement.
Neither Tony or Ziva could remember being so happy. Not when Tali came into their lives, or when they were reunited a year ago. They had been happy events, but tonight took things to a whole new level.
Ziva shuffled over to Tony who wrapped an arm around her.
'Shall we call your father?' asked Ziva. 'Let him know?'
'Let's tell Tali first. Tomorrow at breakfast.'
'OK.' They kissed again. 'You know, a year ago, I did not expect this to happen' said Ziva.
'Really?'
'I had hoped that you and I would work things out and that we could at least try but I was trying to keep my expectations realistic. The main thing that I wanted was to make sure we both had time with Tali. A shared custody arrangement if it came to it. As long as she was in both our lives, even if you and I were not together.'
Tony kissed the top of Ziva's head.
'Now you get to plan a wedding' he said, smiling.
'We get to plan a wedding, Tony, not just me. This is our wedding. Our marriage.'
Tony grinned and kissed Ziva passionately.
'God, I love you Ziva' he said quietly.
'I love you too, Tony. So very much.'
When Tali went into the kitchen to get breakfast, she found her parents already there. Both were smiling a lot. Daddy was even whistling!
'Morning Tali' said Ziva, putting her own breakfast things in the sink.
'What's going on?' asked Tali. Tony and Ziva looked at their daughter. She was standing with her hands on her hips and had a quizzical look on her face. She reminded Tony of Ziva when they worked at NCIS.
'What do you mean?' asked Tony, though he struggled to keep the smile off his face.
'Something's up' said Tali. 'Something fishy.' Tony and Ziva burst out laughing.
'Come here, Tali' said Ziva. Tali went over to her mother and sat on her lap. Ziva showed Tali her engagement ring. 'Do you know what this is?' she asked, as Tony sat down next to them.
'A ring?'
'Yes, a ring. It is called an engagement ring' explained Ziva.
'What's that mean?' asked Tali. Tony smiled.
'Ima and I are going to get married' he said, happily. 'Isn't that great?' Tali didn't say anything for a moment.
'Why?' she asked. Tony and Ziva chuckled.
'Because we love each other and want to show the world that we love each other' said Ziva.
Tali suddenly pushed Ziva's arms off her and ran out of the kitchen. Concerned, Tony and Ziva quickly followed. They found Tali curled up in her den (under her bed), Kelev in her arms.
'Tali' said Ziva, pushing the curtains to the den back. 'Tali are you alright?' Tali sniffed loudly.
'What's the matter T?' asked Tony. They both crouched down, Ziva was actually able to crawl into the den with Tali.
'I want it to stay the same. I don't want it to change.'
'Stay what the same?' asked Ziva.
'Everything. If you get married then everything will change.'
'No it won't Tali' said Tony.
'Yes, it will. It did for Maddie. When her mommy got married Maddie said her whole family changed and everything went different.'
Tony and Ziva gave Tali a kind smile each. Maddie had three step-siblings due to her mother's second marriage. Ziva pulled Tali into a hug.
'Nothing is going to change' said Ziva, stroking Tali's hair.
'Or at least very little' added Tony. 'Things will never stay exactly the same. That is life, but for us, they will only get better.'
'How?' asked Tali.
'First thing is that we will be together' said Tony. 'The three of us. Always together. That will never change.'
'And we will go on vacation, perhaps to Corsica and maybe somewhere new' said Ziva. Tali smiled a little at that. 'You will have your friends at school. Papa and Auntie Abby will come and visit. We will do new things together.' Tali smiled again. 'Like Daddy said, life changes, Tali. There is nothing we can do about that but change can be good' said Ziva.
Tony smiled. He was so proud of how far Ziva had come, and not just the last year but since he had met her.
'Why don't we have breakfast then take your new bike outside?' suggested Tony.
'Really?' asked Tali. Ziva nodded. 'Can we have pancakes?' Tony and Ziva laughed. Tali loved pancakes.
'Only if you come out from under here' said Tony.
Tali crawled out from her den. They went back to the kitchen where Ziva made pancakes. Tali practically swallowed hers whole and was standing at the door waiting for Tony and Ziva to hurry up.
'Ima, Daddy. Come on! I want to ride my bike.'
Tony, Tali, and Ziva made their way to the nearest park. It wasn't too busy yet, but it was barely 10 am. Ziva did the buckle on Tali's helmet. Tony helped Tali climb on, making sure she was secure, before giving her a quick lesson.
'I've got this Daddy' said Tali and she pushed off by herself. Tony chuckled to himself and reluctantly went to sit next to Ziva.
'She says she's got this' he reported. Ziva laughed.
'The training wheels are still on the bike, Tony.'
'I know, I know. I just don't want her to hurt herself.' Tony draped an arm around Ziva's shoulders, kissing her forehead. 'I wasn't expecting the reaction we got' he said eventually.
'No. Neither was I' agreed Ziva. 'Do you think things are going to change?' she asked. Tony heard the note of concern in her voice.
'Yes, things are going to change. It's inevitable. 2021 is going to be different from 2020, hopefully with a better first half.' Ziva laughed. The world was still recovering from the 2020 pandemic. 'You'll have the library and start going to college.'
'Tony, I do not even have an interview. I have heard nothing from them.'
'Patience Zi. Patience.' Tali seemed to wobble a little but managed to stay upright.
'Tali will be seven next year' said Ziva.
'Yeah' added Tony. A seven-year-old! She was practically turning ten.
'Perhaps we could visit DC' suggested Ziva. Tony looked at her. 'Visit Gibbs and your dad and everyone NCIS.'
'Sounds like a good idea.'
Tali rode her bike over to her parents and stopped with plenty of time.
'Have you done this before?' asked Tony. 'Because you're a natural.' Tali grinned and laughed.
'Can we get ice cream?' she asked.
'Tali, it's the middle of winter' said Tony.
'Please' begged the little girl.
'How crepes for lunch, instead?' suggested Ziva. Tali nodded her head vigorously.
'OK' said Tony, holding his hands up in surrender. 'Crepes it is.'
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.
I hope this chapter makes sense, especially after rereading chapter one. I didn't want repost chapter one as it felt like cheating a little. I've already posted it, why did I need to post it again? I hope Tali's reaction makes sense also.
There is one more chapter left. I have written it and there is a very good chance I will post it in twenty-four hours.
Stay safe and see you soon :)
