Hello!

Here's to the start of December - and the final chapter of this story. :) It might be a little abrupt but I plan on doing sequels in the future to pick up some more of the untangled threads started in this story. I hope that the "Mini Ziva" universe will become a sequel - this is just the introduction.

At the bottom of this story there is some information about a mini contest that I think you might enjoy. :) Make sure to read that part before commenting (if you want to comment). ;)

Thank you to every single person who has read or reviewed, and special thanks to quintawrites for her patient editing so many times!

More stories will be coming soon - lots of Christmas break updates are ahead! :D

Hugs! Stay safe, everyone!

...

Ziva did not know what all the fuss was about. Everything was so busy but all the people coming and going were bringing boxes and bags of colourful items. Abby called them "decorations". Tony had mentioned cake and pizza, but no treats had made it in Ziva's direction just yet. Tim was taking pictures with a flashy camera and trying to coax her to smile by holding up Orchid (Mama's suggestion for a name for the toy otherwise known as "Osich") but he wasn't giving it to her and panicking whenever her little face crinkled with frustration about to spill over into tears.

It was a busy day. Ziva was confused why.

Mama called it "Adoption Day".

It was big and special.

And it required Ziva being in a fancy dress with flowers and sparkles on it, but she was not allowed to pull off the flower petals or sequins. She was not allowed to squirm around, risking messing up the pretty curls that Mama had somehow successfully tamed.

It was stressful being a pretty girl!

And the toddler was not doing well with the stress.

Tim finally gave her Orchid and with the "fwiend" tucked firmly under her arm, Ziva felt consoled. She expertly swiped a cookie off of a low table and carried it to an armchair where she curled up in a self-consoling position. She began to munch, sharing the cookie with Orchid.

"No, Zizi..."

Her little curly head popped up as she heard Abby begin to scold, but a mighty glare toward her "big fwiend" made Abby stop in her tracks and throw her hands up.

"One cookie won't hurt," Abby muttered, unwilling to ruin the princess' mood any more than necessary. But she went and told Mama.

"Baby, what are you eating?" Mama asked, walking over and scooping up her beflowered, besparkled tot. Ziva clenched the cookie tightly. No one was taking her treat!

"It's okay, darling, you can have your treat," Mama said gently. "I know that you don't understand why there is all the fuss, but today is very special to Mama and you. Today is the day when we get to be a family officially. Forever."

"Family forever" was not as exciting of a concept as eating the stolen cookie. Ziva gobbled it, then snuggled her head against Mama while tugging at one of the flower petals on her dress. Mama sighed, but did not stop her.

"Close your eyes, honey, and rest for a little bit. Then we're going to go in the car and visit a nice judge and all our friends are going to celebrate with us."

With one thumb in her mouth, one hand firmly holding Orchid, and with Mama holding her and her favourite stuffie, Ziva drifted off to sleep.

...

While Ziva took a short nap in Jenny's arms, the rest of the team decorated the house and quietly sneaked in some presents. As soon as the toddler woke up, the whole group left for the court house. Gibbs drove Jenny and Ziva.

...

Ziva looked longingly at the bangy thing that the person called a judge had used. It looked like a fun toy!

She looked up curiously from Orchid when she heard the name "Ziva Rebekah Leigh Shepherd". And when the judge smiled at her, Ziva beamed back. Then the bangy thing banged again, and everyone was clapping and cheering and Mama was squeezing her in a tight hug and Mr. Gibbs was giving her cheek a kiss and Abby was holding out her arms to her. There was excitement everywhere and the toddler let out a chortle and clapped along with everyone else. She was not sure what was so exciting but she loved the attention!

"Everyone is welcome back to our house for a celebration," Mama announced. "We're going to have a party, my baby."

"My mama," Ziva giggled before giving her mama a kiss. Everyone "aww"-ed at it.

On the way home, she heard Mama and Mr. Gibbs talked about "kids need a father figure" and "maybe we should try it again" and "I'm committed to you, Jen ... both of you."

But all the busy toddler could focus on was that maybe "'doption pawtees" had more cookies. Her tiny tummy was grumbling!

Meanwhile, her guardian angels of all sorts and sizes smiled down on the little toddler who had finally found her family in a different way.

But maybe even that family had potential for growth in the future.

The End ... for Now!

...

Thank you to all my loyal readers! I hope that you enjoyed and that I did this story justice.

The afore-mentioned contest is that until December 5 I will be gathering story ideas from the comments. Then I will collect all of the ideas and put them in a poll on my profile. People can vote on which story idea they would like most (before December 10) and I will write it, aiming for 1,500-2,000 words (as everything permits!). I will try to post the story over Christmas break and will dedicate it to whoever suggested the story idea. :) So, if you have an idea, please comment! :D

Happiness, joy, and safety to you all! And have a great start to your advent season (if you celebrate that).