Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Ziva placed the can of paint on the table in Tony's old apartment. After weeks of looking, comparing, and arguing over paint swatches and samples, Ziva and Tony had finally decided on a light blue for their new office and a light grey for the meeting room and studio.
Ziva dipped a brush into the can and painted a small section of the wall. She smiled. It was exactly the right colour for the office. They were also getting blinds, replacing the curtains, and were splashing out on some new standing desks and desk chairs. Tony had already selected his. An ergonomic chair that allowed you to sit in different positions. Ziva was looking at other options, mainly armchairs. She had also eyed up some wingback chairs for the meeting room. All in all, making sure it felt like a professional environment instead of an apartment.
There was a knock at the front door. Ziva put the paintbrush down and went to answer it. A black woman with a pixie cut was standing on the other side.
'Hi, Sam' said Ziva, opening the door and letting her in.
'Hey Ziva' replied Sam.
'Did you have a good weekend?' asked Ziva.
'Yeah I did. Jake and I went to the zoo.'
'Oh Tali and Tilly love the zoo' said Ziva. Sam nodded.
'So does Jake. I love the fact that it's free.' Ziva laughed, agreeing with her. They walked into Tony's old bedroom, picking up the paintbrush and carried it to the bathroom to wash it. 'Is this your new office?' asked Sam.
'Yep' said Ziva, rinsing the brush in the sink.
'It's nice' said Sam.
'It used to be Tony's apartment before we lived together' explained Ziva. 'We rented it out for a few years, and eventually decided to turn it into our new studio space.' Sam did not need to know about the numerous people who had died in the apartment.
'Cool' said Sam, looking around. Ziva came out, wiping her hands on a towel.
'Ready?' she asked. Sam nodded, and the two women left.
Today Sam and Ziva were going to a mentorship lunch at Education Restart. Tony was on location for a photo shoot. They made their way over to Education Restart's office, chatting about their children, and up to find everyone else. There were a lot of people.
Sam and Ziva found their seats and sat down. Gloria stood up at the front.
'Welcome everyone to the first mentorship lunch.' There was a round of applause. 'Eat, chat, and inspire.'
Chairs scraped across the floor as people made their way towards the buffet that had been set up.
'So how are things going with your drawings?' asked Ziva to Sam.
'It's going good' said Sam. 'I've been drawing every day like you said, and even reached out to a handful of local tattoo parlours about doing custom designs for their clients. One said they're interested and could I show them my portfolio and another said they would add me to their books.'
'That's great Sam' said Ziva. Sam had a big smile on her face, though that might have been the delicious Jamaican curry she was eating.
A few weeks ago, Sam had asked Tony and Ziva about how they got clients, especially when they first started.
'Word of mouth mainly' said Tony. Ziva nodded.
'I volunteer at the Hope Rises Homeless shelter. A few years ago, they were updating staff headshots and were looking for a photographer. I said I would do it for free. Carlos liked what I did, and the next time he hired me I was paid. That was my first paying photography gig' explained Ziva.'
'News spread at my old work' said Tony. 'Someone had recently got engaged and wanted some engagement photos. That led to a friend of a friend wanting a pregnancy photo shoot, and so on.'
'I also worked as a second shooter with Bob Kim. That bought in the bigger paychecks' said Ziva. 'And he also took me to a couple of networking events, which helped.'
'So, what could I do?' asked Sam.
'Well, you said you designed your friend's tattoo' said Tony. Sam nodded. 'And you have one yourself. Did you design that one?'
Sam smiled and looked down at her left upper arm. It was a portrait of a woman with flowers around her.
'Yes I did.'
'Perhaps you could reach out to tattoo parlours' said Ziva. 'Offer your services as a custom designer.' Sam had really liked this idea. Ziva had also stressed the importance of practicing, even if drawing came naturally to Sam.
'It will help expand your portfolio and you never know where it might lead too.'
And so Sam bought a new sketch pad and pencils, drawing whenever she had a spare moment.
After lunch and chatting with the others in the group, Ziva turned to Sam on their way out.
'What are you doing now?'
'I have to work the late shift' she said, a little glumly. Sam did not enjoy being a waitress.
'OK' said Ziva, pulling Sam into a hug. 'We will talk soon and keep drawing.'
'Will do Ziva.'
Tilly ran through the house with her friends, giggling. Tony jumped out the way as they made for the backyard.
'Sounds like they're having fun' he said to Ziva. She nodded.
'Yes it does.'
Tali and Tilly had missed their friends a lot during the lockdown of 2020. Now that it was May 2021, and the pandemic more or less under control, life was settled at its new normal.
Laughing and the sounds of basketballs being bounced came from outside.
Tilly had three really good friends from school. Jack, Maisie, and Nova. The four of them were inseparable, especially Tilly and Nova. Both girls would be moving to Sherwood School in September when they started Kindergarten. Their current teacher joked that she would have to write their new teacher a guide on how to handle the two little girls. Tilly and Nova had a bit of a reputation of being a handful.
However, it just made everyone smile, including their parents. Tony and Ziva got on well with Nova's parents and did not want to change their daughters' friendship one bit.
Tony left the kitchen and went into the family room. Tali was sitting at her craft table, the table itself covered in anything remotely related to crafting.
'What you doing Tali Bean?' asked Tony. Tali laughed.
'Just making' she said, shrugging her shoulders. Tony raised an eyebrow and clambered down to the floor.
'What you making?' he asked. Tali grinned and picked up what she was making.
It was a little book.
'Tali's book' said Tony, reading the front cover. 'Can I have a look?' Tali nodded and handed it to Tony. He flicked through it.
There was a page about Tali herself, with a self-portrait. There was a page about her parents, and sister, along with Papa and Granny. The next couple of pages were about Tali's friends and cousins. She had written about the things she liked to do; read with Ima, dance with Tilly, and watch movies with Daddy. Tali had also written about what she didn't like to do, including eating peas.
'Do you not like peas?' asked Tony, jokingly.
'Daddy' said Tali, giggling. Everyone knew that Tali hated peas.
'Tali, this is amazing' said Tony, handing the book back to Tali. 'Go show Ima.'
Tali ran over to her mother.
'Look what I made Ima.'
Ziva flicked through the book.
'Tali, this is incredible' said Ziva.
'Really?' asked Tali. Ziva nodded.
'Yes it is.' Tali smiled.
'I want to do another one' she said, also smiling.
'Go on then' said Ziva, and Tali ran back to her craft table.
A couple of hours later, she found her parents in the kitchen.
'Look what I made' she said, holding up her second little book. Tony and Ziva took it and read it.
'The princess on the moon' said Tony, reading the title on the cover. Tali stood nearby whilst her parents read the book she had written. It was about a princess who lived on the moon. Tali had even illustrated it.
'Tali, this is amazing' said Ziva. Tony nodded and picked up Tali, placing her on his lap.
'You're great a writer' he said, bouncing her up and down.
'Really?' asked Tali again.
'Yes' said Tony and Ziva.
Tali laughed and ran off to play, or maybe write another story.
'I think we have a budding author on our hands' said Tony. Ziva smiled.
'Yes, I think we do' she said.
Thanks for reading. I hope you liked it.
I'm not sure it's my best writing and it's more of a filler chapter but this week hasn't been the best for me.
Nettie will be in the next chapter. Four more chapters left
Stay safe and see you soon :)