Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

1st January 2020

Ziva knocked on the door to Tony and Tali's Parisian apartment. She heard footsteps on the other side, the door handle turning and there he was. Tony DiNozzo, the love of Ziva's life.

'Hi' said Tony.

'Hi' replied Ziva and they both smiled. Tony opened the door wider to let Ziva in.

The apartment was what most people picture a Parisian apartment to look like. White walls, large windows that let in lots of light. The entranceway was filled with coats, shoes, and bags. Photos hung on the walls along with drawings Ziva presumed done by Tali. Ziva dropped her rucksack by the front door. As usual, she traveled light.

'Do you want a drink? Tea?' asked Tony as he took her into the living room.

'Um, yes. That would be nice' replied Ziva. She kept looking around, taking in everything in the home that Tony had built. Shelves ran along one wall, filled with DVDs and books. A coffee table sat between a large TV and a sofa. It was littered with Tali's art supplies.

'Tali likes to sit there and draw pictures, especially when we watch movies' explained Tony when he came back with their tea.

'Where is she?' asked Ziva. The words came tumbling out of her mouth.

'At the nanny's.'

'Nanny?'

'Yes. I thought it would be best for this to happen bit by bit.' It was awkward.

'You did not know what I was going to be like.'

'It's not that Ziva' said, Tony. 'I don't want to push you or Tali. This is a big thing and we cannot rush it.' Ziva nodded. It made sense. 'I thought it would be best if you and I had spoken first before Tali comes in. Plus you might have wanted to freshen up or take a breather before having to deal with a lively five-year-old and trust me, she can be lively.' Ziva nodded again, smiling but a little disappointed that Tali wasn't there. 'Clara doesn't live far. I can text her now and get her to bring Tali.'

'OK' said Ziva quietly. She sat down and drank her tea. Tony came back in.

'I've messaged Clara. She and Tali are on their way.' Silence. 'You want a quick tour of the place?'

'OK' agreed Ziva, desperate to quieten the voices and nerves in her.

'Obviously this is the living room, dining room, arts and crafts room, movie room. Multi-purpose, really' said Tony in a jolly tone. 'This is the kitchen. It's tiny but had everything we need. We're blessed to have a laundry room in this building' said Tony. 'I can show you later.' He led her out of the kitchen and down the hall. 'This is my bedroom. Well, I suppose our bedroom.' He looked at Ziva, who didn't know what to say. 'We can sort out sleeping arrangements later.' He pointed to another door. 'That is the bathroom and that is Tali's room. I thought she could give you the tour herself.'

Ziva swallowed and nodded. There was so much to take in. Everything from the grocery list on the fridge, to the pile of clean laundry that need folding sitting on Tony's bed, to the stuff that Tali had put up on her bedroom door.

They heard the front door open and people walk inside. Ziva's senses heightened but relaxed when she saw Tony's face.

'Mr. DiNozzo, we're home?' came a female British voice. Tony walked into the entrance.

'Hi, guys. Did you have fun?' he asked.

'We played dollies and went to the park' came a little girl's voice. Ziva, who was still in the hall, gasped at hearing Tali's voice. She sounded so grown up.

'Did you thank Clara for her Christmas present?' asked Tony.

'She did' said the British female. 'And thank you for mine.'

'Of course, Clara. Thank you for taking her today. I'll let you know about the rest of the week.'

'OK, Mr. DiNozzo. Bye Tali, I'll see you soon.'

'Bye Clara' said Tali. Ziva heard the front door close. 'What's going on Daddy?' she asked, the moment the door closed.

'What do you mean?' asked Tony.

'Why did I go to Clara's?' Tony smiled and chuckled. She was such her parent's daughter.

'There's someone here who wants to say hello.'

Ziva watched as he turned towards the hallway and beckoned Ziva out. She tentatively walked over to Tali.

'Ima?' asked Tali. 'What are you doing here?' Ziva crouched down to Tali's height. Tears were falling down her cheek.

'I have come home, Tali' said Ziva, struggling to keep her voice straight.

'Really?' asked Tali.

'Yes, motek.'

'Are you staying?' Ziva gave her daughter a weak smile.

'Yes, Tali. I am staying.'

'OK' said Tali, and she gave Ziva a hug. It didn't last long but after three years of not holding her baby, it was enough for Ziva.

'Why don't you show Ima your bedroom?' suggested Tony. Ziva gave him a look, marvelling how much he had thought this moment through.

'Ok. It's this way Ima.' Ziva and Tony followed Tali who skipped to her room.

Tali's room was bigger than Tony's bedroom. White walls, with a large window at the far end, but it had lots of colour. There was a bed in the corner opposite the door. One of those bunk beds from Ikea where you can take the bottom off. A duvet cover with flamingos covered the bed on top, and Tali pulled back a green sequin curtain to reveal a reading nook under her bed, complete with cushions and lamp. Above the bed hung a canopy that looked like it could be draped over the bed.

Ziva moved further into the room. Next to Tali's bed was a strip of black paint, that turned out to be a chalkboard for Tali to draw on. A large bookcase and dresser stood near the window, that had flowery curtains. A blue fluffy rug was on the floor and above their heads was a pink paper lampshade, a series of birds that hung in one corner. They looked like they were made out of paper. Lots of toys littered the floor.

'What do you think?' asked Tony. Ziva turned to him and Tali.

'It is perfect' she said.

Tali went over to Tony.

'Daddy, I'm hungry.' Ziva and Tony chuckled.

'OK, then. Let's get something to eat' and the three went in search of food.

Tony and Tali came out of the bathroom, Tali now ready for bed. They had spent the day together, Ziva mainly observing Tony and Tali together. She had so many mixed emotions floating through her head right now.

'Do you want a story?' asked Tony. Tali shook her head. 'OK. Go say good night to Ima.' He smiled saying that, having wanted to say for so long. Tali went over to Ziva who was sitting on the sofa, flicking through French TV channels. She had been at a loss of what to do. Tali was wearing navy blue pyjamas with stars and moons on them.

'Night Ima' said Tali.

'Can I have a hug?' asked Ziva. Tali gave a small smile and went to hug Tali. 'Goodnight motek. I love you.'

'Night Ima' said Tali again before going over to Tony. Ziva tried not to focus on what Tali had not said.

A few minutes later, Tony came back into the living room and sat next to Ziva.

'You OK?' he asked.

'I do not know.' Ziva started to cry. It had been an emotional overload day. She put her hands on her face. 'I messed up Tony' said Ziva, muffled by her hands. 'I made such a mess. I convinced myself that not telling you about Tali was the right thing and that not being with you and Tali, was the right thing. Now I am not sure.' Ziva left the room, grabbing her coat and making for the front door.

'If you leave again, Tali and I may never forgive you' said Tony.

'Excuse me?'

'You heard me Ziva. You leave again, like before, Tali and I may never forgive you.' Ziva couldn't believe her ears. Tony walked over to stand in front of Ziva. 'I know you stayed away to protect Tali. Now I am protecting her. Protecting me. We cannot keep doing this will they/ won't they. My heart can't take it anymore.' His voice broke as tears formed in Tony's eyes. Suddenly they were back in the orchard, Tony begging Ziva to come back to the US.

'I love you Ziva and I have worked hard to forgive you, and I want to have a life with you, to be with the love of my life. But I think this is our only chance. We won't get another one.'

Ziva dropped her coat, it falling to the floor as she started crying. She wasn't going to walk out on them. She just needed some fresh air. Tony knew that but he needed to say what he said, otherwise he never would. Ziva knew Tony was right. If they didn't get right now, they never would and Tali's relationship with her parents would never be as good as it could be.

Tony walked over to Ziva and pulled her into a hug. He held her as she sobbed into his shoulder. How many times had they done this? When Gibbs' was in a coma. When Jenny died. When he rescued her from Somalian monsters. When her father was killed. When she was so lost in Israel. When he found her in Cairo.

'It's OK, Ziva' said Tony quietly. They heard a door open.

'Daddy?' asked Tali quietly, Kalev tucked under her arm.

'What is it, baby?' he asked. Tali went over to her parents as they crouched down.

'Why's Ima crying?' Ziva sniffed.

'I am sad, Tali. Sad I missed so much when I was away. I made mistakes, Tali, and I wish I could change them, but I cannot.'

'But you came back' said Tali. 'You promised and you didn't break it.' Ziva and Tony chuckled, remembering what happened back in Cairo. They were surprised that Tali remembered any of it. 'You kept your promise, Ima' finished Tali.

Ziva reached for Tali and hugged her. Tony wrapped his arms around the two people he loved the most in the world.

They sat on the floor in the Parisian apartment, holding onto the pieces of their family, ready to start putting it back together.

Hope you enjoyed it. I thought it was appropriate to put this chapter up on 1st January 2020.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.