Happy Easter/Happy Passover to those who celebrate it! In honor of the holiday, here is the next chapter for you to enjoy. I'm already working on Chapter 12 so I should be able to update again within a week! Hope you all stay safe and healthy! And please review!

Chapter Eleven

Tali hopped up and down in the living room. Throwing Max up in the air and catching him as she twirled around and sang, "Ima and Abba are coming home! Home, home, home! Tooo-day!!!!"

Tali's rainbow, glitter covered skirt with tulle fanned out as she twirled. She had paired it with a blue shirt featuring a kitten riding a unicorn and had on blue leggings under her skirt that matched. All compliments of Aunt Abby, who had said the outfit was too cute not to buy even though it wasn't Tali's birthday or Christmas.

Gibbs was in the kitchen with Abby. He grabbed yet another cup of coffee while Abby slurped her Caf-Pow! Gibbs looked at the slight frown on the usually cheerful face of his youngest before speaking.

He chose his words carefully as he knew Abby was already in a bad mood from her grounding combined with a lack of sleep for most of the weekend. On most occasions, Abby would have been out in the living room with Tali singing and jumping around with the little girl. Instead, she crossed her arms over her skull and crossbones black t-shirt and scowled at nothing in particular.

"Hey Abs," Gibbs started, moving in front of her so he was in her line of sight. "I want you to take Tali outside in the back and keep her entertained for awhile. She's way too keyed up right now."

Abby's frowned deepened. She didn't want to go outside. She wanted to go back to bed and sleep through the rest of her last day of grounding. Her bowling friends had gone out without her; she was missing a dinner date tonight with a friend for out of town and she was downright sick of being told what to do.

Gibbs saw the storm brewing in Abby's green eyes and put a finger over her mouth before she had a chance to protest.

"Don't do it, Abs. I know you're unhappy about being grounded. But it's your last day of restriction. I'd hate to extend it because you decide this is a good time to be disrespectful and disobedient."

Abby's eyes widened as she took in Gibbs's words. She definitely didn't want to extend her grounding. She took a quick look around Gibbs's shoulder and saw Tali playing with Max and her attitude softened. She did love her niece so much!

"Okay, I'll go," Abby conceded, even though she knew it wasn't a suggestion. "But when we come back in you have to make us your amazing hot chocolate. Deal?"

Gibbs smiled and kissed Abby on the forehead before heading into the basement. He really needed a break after entertaining Tali since 6 A.M.

"Tali! Let's go play outside! Get your coat! We can collect leaves and I'll show you something cool we can do with them," Abby called out.

Tali ran for her coat and was out the back door before Abby said another word. Abby grabbed her Caf-Pow! and a plastic bag for them to put their treasures in.

—NCIS—

Tony and Ziva pulled up in front of Gibbs's house. Tony turned off the engine and looked toward the house.

"It's good to be home," Tony said as he leaned over to kiss Ziva lightly.

Ziva smiled and leaned into the kiss. She loved how much Tony enjoyed being settled down with a family considering how he was when the two had met years earlier.

"Shall we go in, my little hairy butt?"

Tony nodded and hopped out of the car. He came around to help Ziva but she was already out as well. Their plane had caught a tailwind so they were 45 minutes earlier than expected.

Ziva reached the front door first. As she stepped in with Tony close behind, the two took in the scene before them.

Tali was hopping from the couch to the coffee table to Gibbs's chair and back again with Max in hand, pretending the floor was lava so that she couldn't touch it. She had just made a grand jump back to the coffee table when she saw her parents.

Tali immediately became stock still, her mouth gaping open. Abby, who seemed to be in an in-depth conversation on her phone in the kitchen doorway, had her back turned to the living room and was seemingly unaware of her surroundings.

Tony and Ziva were about to spring into action when Gibbs came rushing from downstairs, still wearing safety goggles and covered in saw dust. Before anyone could move, Gibbs took Abby's phone and ended the call, pocketing the device and strode over to Tali, lifting her off the coffee table and giving her a light swat as he set her feet on the floor.

"What in the hell is going on up here?"

It was then that all three noticed Ziva and Tony standing in the foyer. Tali, her lip quivering from the swat and stern tone, ran to her parents as if jumping off a sinking ship.

"Abba! Ima!" Tali shouted, practically climbing up Tony's legs until he lifted her. "You're home!"

Gibbs immediately moved towards the couple and took a good look at Ziva before hugging her.

"You're bigger just since last week," Gibbs said with kindness, kissing Ziva on the cheek.

"What about me, Boss? Am I bigger than last week too?" Tony joked and stuck his belly out as far as possible.

Gibbs rolled his eyes and smacked Tony on the back of the head. Tali giggled at her dad's antics. Before anything more could be said, Abby rushed in with hugs and squeals, grabbing Ziva tightly.

"Abs, okay now, that's enough," Tony said gently, trying to pry the Goth off his pregnant wife.

"Why don't we all sit down for a meal and catch up? I've got meat on the grill and Abby made a salad."

Ziva and Tony immediately moved toward the dining table, listening to Tali chatter away about her weekend.

Abby went to follow when Gibbs grabbed her arm lightly.

"Not just yet, Abigail. Just so you know, we will be discussing your attitude today after our guests leave," Gibbs said in a soft but stern voice. "When I asked you to watch Tali that meant actually watching her. Not getting on your phone – which you are not even supposed to have right now."

Abby opened her mouth to protest but immediately closed it with one look from Gibbs. Plus she could see Ziva trying to figure out what they were talking about from across the room.

"Fine," Abby said with a little attitude, figuring she could talk her way out of trouble later. For now, she wanted to enjoy Ziva and Tony's company and hear all about their trip.

Gibbs decided to let Abby's terse response go for now. Something had been bothering her all day and Gibbs had a feeling the issue wouldn't be settled until the two talked it out. He didn't want to discipline Abby, but he was worried she would push him to it before the weekend was over.