The house

Tony stopped the car in the driveway and looked at the house in front of him. It was a very hot summer day and he was not sure if this was such a good idea. All this had started with three words.

"Tony, I'm pregnant."

Those words had caused a fear in him; he was not able to fight down. Ziva last pregnancy with their son Leroy Ari had been bad. She had been very sick a lot, even gone to a hospital. She got depressive in addition to that. It had been a hard time for him and their daughter and in the end… Tony still did not like to think back to the day that should have been one of the happiest in his life. She had almost died while giving birth to Leroy. After four weeks she had been allowed to go home but the Doctor informed them, that they would not have any more children. It was okay for them. Thali and Leroy were all they wished for. So why care about birth control? And then… those three words… However his concerns were unfounded.

He looked over at Ziva, who was now seven months pregnant and lifted Thali out of the car. Ziva was full of energy. Dropping Thali off at her dancing and music lessons, she went swimming with her and Leroy, took care of other things at home, made dinner every day and even worked part-time at NCIS.

Now Thali ran over to him, pulling him out of his thoughts: "Daddy, this is the wrong house! Grandpa lives over there." She said pointing at Gibbs house across and a little down the street.

Tony smiled at her: "I know, but do you remember that I told you, you'll have a bigger room? Well we need to have a house for that and this is an option."

Thalis eyes became very big and she started to cheer until her mother came over to them: "Thali, would you take Leroy by the hand?"

The girl obeyed. Thali loved to be a big sister and was very supportive towards her little brother. Tony took Zivas hand instead and they walked to the front door after few moments an old Lady opened.

"Well you have to be Mr. and Mrs. DiNozzo. I'm Mrs. Jefferson and who are there little persons?" she asked looking at the kids.

"I'm Thali and this is my brother Leroy. Daddy said I'll have a bigger room when we move in here."

"Thali!" Tony said and turned slightly red.

Ziva laughed and the old Lady did the same. "Well then come in and choose a room for you, Thali."

As soon as she said that she stormed into the house pulling Leroy behind her. "Thali!" Ziva said and was fast enough to catch her son before he fell. Tony was surprised by her reflexes. The girl had stopped but not because Leroy almost fell. She stood at the big backyard door and pointed out.

"Daddy! There is a play-ground and a pool!"

The grown-ups went over to her. Ziva handed their son to Tony. The little boy liked to swing his legs when he was held and she did not want to be kicked into her belly.

Mrs. Jefferson smiled: "Well… Mr. Gibbs made it for my grandchildren. The play-ground. But now we are all moving to LA."

The playground was made out of wood, of course. It had swings, a slide, a sand pit and a small house with a wooden rooster on top of it.

"Can we go out and play?!" Thali begged.

Tony let down his son and opened the door for them. While they were playing he and Ziva were able to visit the whole house and talk to Mrs. Jefferson. She was very eager to sell this house to them and went down with the prize without even being asked .

"You know. Mr. Gibbs did so much for me… without him it would be not the same house as it is now. And he told me he wanted his grandchildren and daughter and her husband nearby. My dear you do not look like your father at all." She said to Ziva.

Ziva smiled: "I'm adopted." (Story: Scenes; Chapter: Gibbs-Adoption; Author: sternchan)

Mrs. Jefferson retuned the smile: "One of my grandsons is adopted too…" she was cut off. They had just walked into the backyard then they heard a loud splash. Leroy giggled loudly he was all wet from the splash and Thali swam to over to the rim. She had jumped in with all her clothes.

"Thali!" Tony said and grabbed her arm to pull her out.

"I'm sorry daddy, it's so hot today."

NCISNCIS

Ziva turned around in the car and looked at her children, both asleep after they had spent a few more hours at Gibbs house.

"Why does she have to be so much like me in that age?" she wondered as Tony stopped the car.

"She's just a bit wild. I'm sure she will settle down soon." He said and opened the door to lift his daughter up. Ziva took Leroy and they brought to bed without waking them up.

After that Ziva fell onto the couch. "My feet are killing me." She complained.

Tony sat net to her taking her feet up onto his lap so she was now leaning against the armrest. He started to massage them. Ziva sighed in relief.

"You think we should to it? Buy the house?"

Ziva nodded: "Yes. I want our children to have what we didn't have."

"Does that mean I'll finally get a dog?" Tony smirked.

Ziva smiled. A family life… "Yes."