Chapter 17: McTree - 2017

"Tim and Delilah's babies are adorable," Ziva commented to Tony as the couple drove home from visiting the McGee family at the hospital. The twins were just a day old and scheduled to go home the next day.

Tony grinned, "Little McGees… there's something so funny about it. Seriously, though, I wouldn't want to be them when the McTwins hit the terrible twos. We got one through it and another heading that way; one at a time is all I can handle."

"They will have their hands full, that is for sure," Ziva replied. "I am glad you offered to help Tim set up the beds for the babies. I think he is overwhelmed at the moment."

Two hours later, Tony knocked on the door of his old apartment; well, technically still his apartment, but the McGee family currently called it home. He had a toolbox in his left hand, with his cordless drill, cordless screwdriver, hammer, and assorted other tools that might be needed to assemble baby beds.

"Hey, Tony," Tim looked as though he could use a day's worth of sleep. "Come on in, sorry about the mess. I just…" He scrubbed a hand over his face and shrugged.

"No prob, McDaddy," the older man grinned and placed his toolbox on the small table in the living room. "Been there, done that… it does get easier as they get older."

"Gosh, I hope so," Tim sighed. "They are only a day old and already I feel as though I've aged ten years. How am I gonna handle twins, Tony?"

"Chill, McWorryWort, you'll be a great dad," Tony placed a hand on Tim's shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, you got me and the Gremlin. Now, let's get these baby beds ready for their owners."

Within ninety minutes, the two men had both cribs set up and placed in the small room which had been converted from a home office to a nursery. Tony packed up his tools and prepared to head home. He glanced around the apartment.

"No Christmas decorations? No tree?" he asked.

"No time," the younger man replied with a shrug.

"Get some sleep, bro, while you can."

"Thanks for all your help, Tony."

Back at home, Tony mentioned to Ziva that the McGees had not put up a Christmas tree, nor had they put up any decorations. She frowned and met his gaze.

"How about…" Tony started.

"We should set up a small tree for them," Ziva said at almost the same time. "You still have a key, yes?"

"Uh huh; I could take a small tree over there while Tim is getting Dee and the babies from the hospital tomorrow," Tony replied with a grin. He and Ziva were yet again of one mind. "I think that three-foot tree from last year in Paris is in a box in the garage. We could use that."

"Yes, and there are plenty of ornaments in the storage boxes; we did not use all of the ones we own on our tree this year," Ziva was thinking out loud. "I also think there is at least one string of lights in the storage boxes from your things from the apartment."

"Good idea; I have a piece of plywood in the garage left from when Gibbs fixed that shelf in Tali's room. We could attach the tree to that for a base. I can take it over in the van in the morning."

Ziva nodded, "We shall decorate the tree after the children are in bed tonight."

Around 1300 the next day, Tony's phone rang with Tim's ringtone. He looked at Ziva and grinned as he swiped the screen.

"Hello, McDaddy. Everyone home okay?"

"Yep, and I'm gonna put you on speaker. Can you get Ziva on speaker on your end?" Tony could hear the tired in his brother's voice.

He motioned for Ziva to come over by him and pressed the speaker option on the call, "Okay, we're on speaker on this end."

Delilah spoke next, "Thank you so much for the tree you two; I really didn't think we'd have one this year. Thanks both of you!"

Tim added to his wife's words, "I'm speechless… thanks; you two are the best."

"That is what family does!" Ziva smiled at her soulmate. "Merry Christmas; now get some rest while the babies are sleeping."

Tony grinned at Ziva, "Merry McTree, McGees!"