Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. I am not Jewish.

December 2020

Ziva walked around the family room, distributing food to Tilly's party guests. Believe it or not, it was Matilda Abigail DiNozzo's fourth birthday party. This year, her birthday landed on a weekend, so Tilly was able to have her party on her actual birthday. Ziva had opted for a simple theme of teddy bear picnic.

Tilly and Tali sat on the floor, an empty space for Orville of course. Tony had convinced Tilly to have a small party, only inviting cousins. Arthur and Oscar sat nearby, as did Tori Palmer, and Johnny and Morgan McGee, their parents sitting on chairs and eating too.

'What do you say Morgan?' prompted Tim after Ziva placed some snickerdoodles on her plate.

'Thank you Auntie Ziva' said the little girl. Ziva smiled. She liked being called Auntie Ziva. For so long she thought it would never happen.

Life was still a little chaotic a year into the pandemic. Children were back at school mostly, families reuniting, and business picking up again. This last bit particularly pleased Tony and Ziva. After their marketing campaign for holiday-themed photoshoots, they had lots of bookings. Ziva had come up with options regarding social distancing that she and Tony were comfortable with. Each client could choose whether they wanted the photoshoot at Bean and Bug headquarters, their own home, or outside. So far it had proved successful. Bean and Bug also had bookings for weddings in 2021 and 2022.

The doorbell rang and Tony got up to answer it.

'Boss?'

'How many times DiNozzo' said Gibbs. 'I'm not your boss anymore.' Tony chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. Gibbs would always be boss to him.

'I'm glad you came' said Tony. Gibbs went to hand him the gift bag he was carrying. 'Give to the birthday girl' he said, pointing into the family room. 'Look who I found' Tony announced to the room.

'Gib!' cried Tali and Tilly, running over to him. Gibbs crouched down, smiling and hugged the two girls. It had been several months since Tali and Tilly had seen Gibbs, though periodically Ziva and Tony would send photos to Gibbs, even if he didn't know how to open them.

Tilly opened her present to find Gibbs had made her some wooden cars. Tilly had recently become very interested in cars, constantly playing with them. Tilly also got a kid-sized basketball hoop and ball that Ziva found. Since Tony got his hoop for his birthday, Tilly had been trying to get the ball into the basket. Hopefully, this new hoop would help.

Ziva disappeared into the kitchen and came back a few minutes later.

'Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Tilly. Happy birthday to you' sang every one. Tilly blew out the four candles on top of her cake, which was covered in sprinkles. The cake was cut and handed out to everyone.

Ziva looked around for Gibbs, spotting him walk out of the room.

'Do you really think you are going to leave without any cake?' she demanded. Gibbs was almost at the door. He sighed and walked over to Ziva.

'A case' he said quietly, gesturing to the door.

Ziva studied her mentor's face, closely.

'You will be missed' she said quietly. Gibbs gave Ziva a weak smile.

'They're great girls, Ziver' he said quietly again. He took the paper plate with cake Ziva was holding. 'Proud of ya, kid' he whispered in her ear.

Ziva watched was Gibbs leave. Gibbs was a lone wolf, for as long as Ziva had known him. Yet, 2020 had been a different kind of year, with families separated from each other. Ellie was planning on going home for the holidays, having been desperate to see her parents for months.

Ziva felt something pat her leg. She looked down and saw Tali.

'Where's Gib going?' she asked, a little sad.

'He has things to do, Bean' replied Ziva. 'I am sure we will see him again soon.' Tali nodded a little. 'Come on' said Ziva. 'Let's go play with your cousins.'

Ziva walked down the hall of the synagogue towards the playroom. She had dropped Tali and Tilly off before going into the temple and praying. It was the fourth night of Hanukkah and the day after Tilly's birthday. December could be a confusing month in the DiNozzo household.

As her daughters got older, Ziva had begun to read them stories about Judaism, especially Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, and Passover. Tali and Tilly really enjoyed listening to the stories, and when Tali asked Ziva if she could go to temple with her the other day, Ziva felt it was the time was right for the girls to go to temple more often. Most Shabbat services were on a Saturday morning when Tony and the girls went to a daddy and baby playgroup.

However, now that both girls were a little too old for playgroup, perhaps it would be a good transition to going to temple. For Ziva, her faith was important, especially since becoming a mother. She loved that she could pass it onto her daughters. During Hanukkah, the synagogue ran a more child-friendly, child-focused activity sessions all about the festival.

Ziva walked into the playroom and was hit with noise only children could make. She looked around for Tali and Tilly. Tali spotted her first.

'Ima' she said, hugging her mother. Tilly wasn't far behind, holding up some colouring in sheets she had done about Hanukkah.

'Hi Ziva' said a girl in her late teens.

'Hi, Rachel' replied Ziva. 'How was it girls? Did you enjoy yourselves?' she asked Tali and Tilly. Both girls nodded their heads.

'Can we come back?' asked Tali.

'We're running this group every day of Hanukkah' said Rachel. 'You're welcome to come back girls.'

'Every day?' asked Tilly, her eyes wide.

'We will see but you have school and dancing tomorrow' said Ziva. 'For now, let's just go home and see Daddy, yes?'

Ziva led the girls back to the car. As they climbed in and Ziva helped Tilly strap herself into her car seat, memories of her mother wafted into Ziva's mind. She thought about her mother and sister daily, but especially during the holidays. Helping her daughters into the car at a synagogue, reminded Ziva of Rivka helping little Ziva into a car.

When they got home, Tali and Tilly told Tony everything that they did.

'Sounds like fun' said Tony.

'You could come Daddy' said Tilly.

'We'll see' replied Tony, and the girls ran off to play. Ziva leaned over and kissed her husband passionately. 'What was that for?' he asked.

'Nothing. I am just happy' replied Ziva.

Tony piled the presents under the Christmas tree. It was Christmas Eve, and he had spent most of the day trying to finish wrapping presents without his wife and daughters finding him. Unfortunately, all three were very good at finding Tony's hiding places. Tony had started storing presents in other people's houses, notably Tim and Delilah's, or Senior and Maggie's.

Ziva walked in, also carrying a handful of presents. She placed them under the tree.

'Is that everything?' she asked.

'I think so' replied Tony. 'How's everyone?'

Ziva smiled. She had just finished skyping with Monique and Adam.

'Everyone is well. They send their best.' Tony smiled, happy for his friends.

Adam had fully recovered physically from his ordeal a year ago and said that his therapy sessions were also going well. He had taken a desk job in counterterrorism whilst he recuperated and actually enjoyed it. A desk job also meant that he got to spend time with his family and friends, something he had begun to miss when in the field.

Monique was also better. She too had taken a break from working in the field and taking time for her soul and mental health. Six months ago, she had decided to spend time travelling, this time as a tourist, and was currently in Bali. Ziva had to admit, she was a little jealous of Monique's current location. It was rather wet and cold in Alexandria, VA at the moment.

Tony and Ziva sat down on the sofa, looking around the family room. Christmas decorations were up, with a couple of Hanukkah things as well, even though the festival had ended a week ago.

'You know, we've forgotten one thing' said Tony.

'What?' asked Ziva.

'The milk and cookies' said Tony, pointing towards the fireplace. Ziva laughed. Tali and Tilly had placed a glass of milk and plate of snickerdoodles, ready for Santa. In fact, Tali had been most insistent that they put out Nana Joy's snickerdoodles. Senior chuckled when he heard this. Apparently as a little boy, Tony had insisted on the same thing.

'Do you want the cookies or the milk?' asked Ziva.

Tony raised an eyebrow.

'After almost six years of marriage, you still have to ask that question?'

Ziva chuckled. She got up, fetching the milk and cookies, and handing the cookies to Tony.

'You never know. One day you may surprise me and say you want the milk instead.'

'Never' said Tony. 'My mom's snickerdoodle cookie recipe is the best one ever.' He held a cookie up high.

'Well' said Ziva. 'Tali agrees with you on that one.' She downed the small glass of milk in one. 'Come on. Let's go to bed. The girls will be up early tomorrow.'

Tony chuckled as he and Ziva climbed the stairs to their bedroom.

'The holidays are so much better with you and girls' he said, as they climbed into bed.

'I completely agree' said Ziva.

Thank you for reading.

I apologise for the break between chapters. I need a break from writing this story and wrote another one instead (see More than Paris and Goodbyes). I am now writing this one, with roughly nine chapters left. That being said, no promises.

Like I said up top, I am not Jewish, and based that section of the chapter on my own experiences of going to church.

Stay safe and see you soon :)