A/N: This story is just a one shot but includes the same characters from Hard-Knock Life.
Children's Ages: Alex 6, Tali 2, Ellie (Not born yet)
Ziva's POV:
As Ziva pulled her car into the grocery store parking lot, she sighed. She knew how much of a struggle this trip would be since she was taking her children. Resting a hand on her pregnant belly, Ziva hoped this would be the last one. She loved her kids with all her heart but between her job and them, she was stressed. Also this pregnancy was not easy and she woke up with sickness nearly everyday. Because of this, Ziva was much more irritable and less patient. She was working on this and tried her best especially around the kids. You know that saying, 'One Day at a Time'? She adjusted it to one minute at a time. That being said, she decided it was time to face the chaos.
Turning to the backseat, she spoke firmly, "Okay, before we go in we need to review the rules. Whats rule #1, Alex?"
The happy kindergartner smiled his cheeky smile, "Hold on to the cart at all times, even if you see something really cool." This rule only really applied to him since Tali sat in the small seat and Alex was definitely a wanderer.
"Good. Please make sure you follow that rule, okay sweet boy?" she waited for a nod before continuing, "Also just because you two want something, doesn't mean we are gonna get it. Mama is pregnant and tired so she wants to be in and out as fast as she can."
"We be so quick. Like The Flash, Mama."
Ziva smiled softly, knowing this to not be true, "That's right, my love. Like Flash."
Alex scowled before correcting his mother, "The Flash, Mama, not Flash." He was satisfied when he heard her mutter, 'Of course baby'
Soon, the soon to be mother of three, made her way out of the car before opening the back doors to let her children out. Alex jumped right out, immediately hopping up and down trying to be patient. Ziva unbuckled Tali before placing her in her arms. Taking a hold of the boy's small hand, she praised him for not running into the parking lot, and then walked through the lot to the front of the store where carts awaited.
Once everyone was situated, they made their way inside, bracing for chaos. Kids were screaming, carts bumping each other, and what felt like millions of people. She would really have to watch Alex. The mother put on her brave face, and pushed the cart down aisles all the while, listening to her sons rambling. That was her indication that she was still with them. However the farther she got down her list, the grumpier Tali got, wanting to be let down. The toddler started joining the other children in a screech off.
"Talia, please please stop. Mama's got a headache and wants to be done as much as you," Ziva tried to reason. Upon seeing her inefficient that was, she tried a new tactic, "Talia Jennifer DiNozzo. If you don't stop screaming, when we get home you shall sit in timeout."
Even at her young age, Tali understood and knew when to not push her mother. She tried to calm herself down but was now choking on sobs. Ziva sighed, for what felt like the thousandth time today, before picking up her frail daughter. The little one still hard tears running down her face, but otherwise stopped crying, "No Ti'eout, no Mama,"
Ziva felt terrible for snapping at her, "No baby, no timeout. Mama is sorry for yelling. You're a good girl. No timeout." Tali snuggled into her mothers chest, and Ziva wondered how much longer she could, with her belly growing everyday. She'd cherish it until then. Once she was positive that her daughter was okay, she sat her back in the seat but this time fished into her purse for her daughters favorite stuffed bunny, a gift from Auntie Abby. No more complaints were heard about sitting.
Ziva glanced down to where Alex had been. Had being the key word. He was gone. Maybe it was because of her job but her mind always landed on the worst outcome. She had to remind herself that Alex had a history of walking off. She pushed the cart forward and made her way to his common spots, trying to push the worries out of her head. Checking the lobsters, candy isles and the chips, she still had yet to find him. Panic set back in her mind before remembering there was one place she hadn't checked. The Ice Cream isle.
Nearly sprinting there, relief washed over her boy, seeing the brunette boy on his tiptoes, with a freezer door opened.
"Aleksander David DiNozzo," her scary mama voice began, "What do you think you are doing?"
The boy froze, both in shock of his full name and at the fact his mama had found him. Sheepishly facing her, he gave her his innocent look, "Nothing Mama, I just thought we needed ice cream."
"Alex, what is rule #1?" she asked, frustrated she had lost him.
"Never screw over your partner?"
Ziva had to stop herself from laughing and ignore the stares made by onlookers. Too much time with his father and Gibbs, "No, Alex, our rule #1? No wandering."
Alex pouted, "I just wanted to help. We needed Ice Cream. I sawed it on the list."
Damn, kindergarten teaching him to read. Ziva knew this was just his excuse though, "Aleksander, I am very frustrated. You know better than to wander off especially when I am dealing with your sister. When we get home, you are going to be sitting in the Timeout chair and having no ice cream."
The boys anger became apparent, "It not my fault you had to deal with stupid Tali. I hate her and I hate the new baby! I want a different Mommy!" In full tantrum mode, his feet stomping and his face red, he didn't even process what happened next.
Ziva was next to him in a swift movement and brought her palm across the child's bottom. Earning a yelp, she was grateful he stopped stomping, "Aleksander. I understand you are angry at the thought of being punished, but you cannot say you hate someone. Especially not your sisters. That is unacceptable on every level. You will be in timeout and you will apologize to your sister and me. Do you understand?"
The question was in such a soft voice, it scared the six year old. His daddy would have yelled at him and then dragged him out of the store. Not kneel in front of him and whisper. It was freaky. The child quickly nodded, with tears in his eyes.
"Okay. Now grab onto the cart. We are going home and I will come by myself another day."
And with that, the family made their way to the register and paid for their items before crossing the parking lot to their car. Alex looked sad all the way. Once she loaded the groceries into the trunk, she grabbed Tali out of the seat and carefully placed her into the carseat. Opening the door to Alex's side, she waited for him to jump in but he didn't. Crouching down, she was shocked that he threw his arms around her and cried.
"I'm sorry I was bad, Mama. I'm really sorry."
The pregnant woman stood up with her son still on her arms and swayed. "I know baby, I know. Everyone was tired and so things got out of hand. I forgive you. I promise."
Alex sniffled, "Do I still have a timeout? I'll say sorry to Tali and baby."
"I know you are sorry, but you still had a tantrum, yes? Do you think you should have a five minute timeout?"
"I guess so. But I still think I deserve Ice Cream for saying sorry."
Ziva chuckled, "I'll think about it. Dinner is a while away so if when we get home, you go to timeout without complaint and then apologize, you can have Ice Cream."
The little boy smiled, "Yes Mama! I promise I'll be so good and not even complain once."
"Oh baby, you're always good. Sometimes you make bad choices but I'll always love you, yes?" She hoped to god, he knew that. Unlike her as a child, she wanted, no needed, her kids to know they were loved.
Alex nodded eagerly, happy she wasn't angry. "I know, Mama. I love you too. I don't want a different mama. I like having you." He climbed into his seat and Ziva into hers, and they went home where Alex served his time, while Ziva put away the groceries.
When Tony arrived home, the mother and son were snuggling on the couch and the toddler was fast asleep on her blanket.
A/N: This was my first one shot if that wasn't obvious. As I stated up top, this connects to my other story so if you like the family dynamic feel free to read that one. I actually enjoyed this so I may write more short stories in the future. Please give me ideas for what you want to see. In these stories I will do either younger then their current age or older. Thank you for reading and happy holidays!