So this is the end. I am finishing this story here but thank you all for the support and reviews it is greatly appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled for new stories in the coming days.

Chapter Nineteen

Tony tiptoed to the bedroom, Tali cradled in his arms, her lips rosy red in a little pout. Cries had rung through the apartment all night, screams deafening Tony and Ziva as they tried in vain to sooth their little girl. It was only night two and they were still finding their feet. Carefully, Tony lay Tali in the crib, making sure to stay as still as possible, sucking in a breath and holding, praying she would go down without waking. Silence. He backed out the room even slower than he walked in. Cautious of any loose floorboards that may creak. He was exhausted, as was Ziva. As he closed the bedroom door, he turned to see Ziva asleep, slumped in the corner of the couch. Her hair was messy, her eyes puffy and she had spit up in her shoulder. In Tony's eyes she still looked gorgeous. The breath he had held in was finally released as he crept through the dim living room to the couch, almost making it before tripping on the rug and knocking the small coffee table, letting out a soft cry as he rubbed his shin. Silence. Ziva seemed to snore a little louder but apart from that there was no other sound. He wanted to wake Ziva, to send her to bed so she could sleep in comfort, but he also knew any sleep she could catch, no matter where it was, was a blessing. He sighed, and sat down on the couch, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

"AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHHHH"

Tony groaned in annoyance while Ziva sat up with a start, knocking a bottle of water off the side as she did.

"How long was she asleep, what time is it?" Ziva asked, clearly disorientated.

"About two minutes, I just sat back down" Tony laughed.

"I'll get her"

"No babe, go get in bed…I've got her"

"She probably wants to feed; you can't help there"

It was Ziva's turn to laugh as she stood up, stretching out her arms and clicking her back, letting out a satisfied sigh before heading to the nursery.

"Hey baby girl, what's up" Ziva cooed.

Tali was wailing, her little arms flailing around beside her as she wriggled through her cries, her pouty lips sucking the air expectantly.

"I know what you want…Abba wants them too, but he can't right now" Ziva whispered, chuckling to herself.

Tony had been particularly turned on the past couple of days, wanting Ziva at any opportunity he got. Ziva appreciated it and loved him for it, the fact he felt so much love for her despite the new mummy state she was in. She wanted him to, but she was still sore all over and not feeling very attractive.

"Let's have a cuddle" Ziva cooed, sitting in the rocker and holding Tali to her chest.

She rocked back and forth, softly rubbing her fingers over her baby's tummy as she fed, staring at her little face, so perfect and peaceful.

"You know Tali, your named after another Tali, a very special and important Tali. She would have loved you so much, I wish every day that the two of you could have met but I know she is looking down on you. She will protect you always, as will me and Abba. I promise you, no matter what, I will always be there. I will do everything I can to be the best Ima for you. It's scary because I didn't have the best childhood, but I remember my Ima did everything she could for me and Tali so I will do the same for you. You will never have to face the bad things that I have. Your Abba loves you so much too, you're his little princess. You don't realise how special you are. You saved me and Abba baby girl, in so many ways. I almost lost him, I was so silly but you, you saved us…you have brought me and Abba so much love."

Ziva sat whispering softly to baby Tali, gently stroking her fine dark hairs, not realising Tony was hovering in the doorway. The creak of the door alerted her to his presence.

"Looks like she's asleep again" he whispered.

Ziva looked down, Tali was out, eyes tightly shut and soft snore leaving her lips.

"She gets the snores from you" Tony laughed.

"Ssshhh, don't wake her" Ziva mumbled as she put her in her crib. "She's not snoring, it's heavy breathing"

"If you say so"

Ziva smiled sleepily at Tony, walking into his waiting embrace as he held her to his chest. Stroking her back and nuzzling her neck. He guided her to their bedroom, his hand creeping up her shirt.

"I feel dirty, I need to shower" Ziva whispered.

"Babe it's almost two am"

"I know but I have spit up on me"

"I don't care"

Ziva smiled, she loves Tony so much. She couldn't be any prouder of the man he had become.

"Why don't you join me?"

"Really…I thought you wanted some space" Tony whispered, knowing she was not feeling herself quite yet.

"I'm definitely not ready to go the whole way but I still want you, you've made me feel amazing since we got home"

Tony grinned dopily and ushered her to the bathroom, the baby monitor coming in to. He switched on the shower, both stripping of their clothes and standing under the hot water. Both relaxing in each other's arms, the heat and loving touches melting the aches in their muscles.

"It's only day two at home and I'm exhausted" Ziva giggled.

"It's only going to get worse"

"Who need's sleep anyway"

"Is she too young to send to Gibbs' for the night" Tony laughed as he started rubbing shampoo in Ziva's hair.

Ziva wanted to hit him even though he was joking, Tali was far to young to be left with someone else, and Ziva wouldn't be happy leaving her just yet, but she still took the moment to consider it. She really did just want to sleep forever.

"You're actually thinking about it?"

"No" She lied.

Tony laughed into her hair, leaving kisses on her head. His hands wandering down her body, exploring all her curves, his lips wandering down to her neck as he caressed her bum. He tried his hardest to not make her feel pressured into anything, just wanting to show her how much he loved her, that she was beautiful and perfect.

"Tony…"

"I know, I know…I just want you to know you're the sexiest woman ever and I love you"

"Tony"

"Believe me"

She stared into his eyes; her body held firmly to his. His attraction to her obvious but he didn't pressurise her. He just caressed her and made her feel beautiful.

"My body has changed"

"I love it, I loved it before, and I loved it now."

"You're just trying to get me back into bed" Ziva laughed.

"Mmmmm, seriously Zee…your beautiful"

"Thank you, Tony, not just for making me feel special and sexy but for helping bring Tali into the world, for saving us…just everything. I know this past year I've put you through a lot, but I am so happy with our little family, I'm just so grateful you gave me another chance, I really wouldn't be without you"

Tony looked into her brown eyes; they were so gorgeous he could get lost in them. All their ups and downs led them to where they were now, he wouldn't change that for anything.

"Our journey here just made us stronger"

"I hope we continue to grow together"

"We will, I promise"

"I can't believe we have Tali"

"Me either, I didn't think we would be here a year ago when we started seeing each other"

"No, nor did I"

"I will do everything to be a better father than both of ours"

"You already are Tony, Tali couldn't get a better Abba, and I couldn't have a better husb…"

Ziva froze as she realises what was about to roll off her tongue. It just seemed so natural, so normal. A blush crept up her cheeks as she buried her face in Tony's neck.

"Were you going to say husband?" Tony asked, enjoying her embarrassment.

"No"

"Ziva…"

"Yes…I didn't mean to"

"I liked the sound of it"

"What?"

"Being your husband, and you my wife"

"What are you saying?"

"Let's get married, let's tie our little family together, I love you, you love me, let's do it"

Ziva's eyes welled with tears, her hands grabbing at Tony's face to kiss him fiercely.

"You mean it?"

"Yes…when were out this show I will get down on one knee, I will do it properly"

"I don't care about that, this is perfect"

Tony smiled, their whole relationship had been backwards, it only seemed fitting that their engagement be made within a slowly chilling shower. The connection and love between the two so deep it didn't matter about perfections; they were perfectly imperfect. Love was all that mattered, it was all they needed. They were in love and the world would know.

"Ziva David, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"