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Chapter six- First steps
Tony and Ziva sat in aww at the sight of their little girl. Tali was slowly beginning to explore walking, much like when she learned to crawl, her face was filled with determination, often resulting in tears in frustration. A quick cuddle from mama or dada was all she needed to calm though. Right now she was trying to pull herself up against the couch, her unsteady legs wobbling as her chubby hands tried to cling on.
"Oh bop" Ziva giggled.
Tali looked up with wide brown eyes from her place on the floor. She was afraid to fall on her bottom, she just frowned and tried again.
"The determination on her face kills me" Tony laughed. "Her scowl is all you"
Ziva rolled her eyes. It was a constant running joke between Tony and all their friends, that Tali's more negative expressions were all Ziva. Tony took claim to the happy expressions. Ziva often pretended to be annoyed but it secretly made her smile. When Tali grinned she was all Tony, except the dimples, Ziva claimed those.
"She is getting better on her feet" Ziva pointed out.
Tali looked over, a proud grin on her face as though she understood the compliment. She stuck her tongue out, dribbling a little as she tried gnawing at the couch, bouncing slightly on her feet.
"She reminds me of that erm…." Ziva clicked her fingers as she tried to think. "Bumble!" She exclaimed, startling Tali who plopped back to her bum.
Tony frowned, quirking his head to the side. It did amaze him sometimes the things Ziva came out with. Her Ziva-isms a source of entertainment.
"I think you mean Bambi"
"Ahh yes, thank you"
"She's like a baby Giraffe" Tony chuckled.
"Bambi was a deer no?"
Again Tony chuckled heartily. He was crazy in love with Ziva. The way she was so easily confused with the english language was so endearing. The inability to grasp sayings, yet she could kill you with a paperclip eighteen different ways.
"Yes Bambi was a deer, but Tali looks like a baby Giraffe on her legs." Tony explained.
"Right yes, that makes sense"
"Errrhhh" Tali groaned as she fell back once more.
Tears began to fill her eyes as she sobbed on the floor. Her little arms reaching out for Ziva, her lips quivering as she cried.
"Oh baby girl come here"
Ziva scooped Tali up, cradling her in her arms. Tali's face buried in Ziva's neck, her lips nuzzling Ziva's neck looking for food.
"I think someone needs a feed and nap time"
Ziva stood slowly, carrying Tali into the nursery. She sat in the rocking chair and positioned Tali for feeding, stroking her hair softly as she happily latch on. Her eyes so focused on Ziva's.
"I will never tire of this sight" Tony said from the doorway.
Ziva looked up and smiled.
"You just love seeing my boob out"
Tony laughed, his play boy ways always a comedic jibe. He didn't mind though.
"It's not quite as sexy when my daughters hanging off it"
"OI"
"I just mean it's, a beautiful sight seeing you and Tali so close. It's sexier that your body has done and can do so much for our baby."
Tony moved towards Ziva and Tali, kneeling down next to the chair, hands rested on Ziva's legs. His eyes now staring up at Ziva. He really did adore her.
"I love you Ziva"
Those words were something Ziva would never tire of hearing. She used a free hand and brushed her fingers along Tony's jaw, being careful not to disturb the now sleeping baby.
"I love you too"
The following morning while Tony and Ziva cleared up breakfast, Tali decided to try get to her feet once again. Ziva was keeping an eye on the little girl from the kitchen, watching as she tried to pull herself up again the couch once more.
"She's trying again" Ziva laughed, nudging Tony.
Tony turned to watch her. He was in a rush to get to work, a little behind due to Tali having a fussy morning, he always felt sad at the prospect of missing her milestones.
"I hope she can wait till I get home"
Ziva rubbed Tony's back, she knew how much he hated missing out. Especially now that Tali was at the age where her development was execrating. Her first steps, first words…they were things that could come anyway now.
"You know she will give you another show if she does walk when you're at work."
"I know but it's not the same"
"Hey, I will try film it if she does"
"Thank you"
The two put away the last dishes, Tony's giving Ziva a brief on work when giggles filled the room. Both adults turned, amazes to see Tali standing only holing the couch with one hand. Her little legs were wobbly but she was trying to shuffle along.
"Quick Tony get down next to her, encourage her to walk to you"
Tony did as Ziva said while Ziva grabbed her phone. Tony knelt a few steps away from Tali, his face in a wide smile. Ziva knelt nearby, waiting excitedly for Tali to move.
"Come on Motek, you've got this" Tony said, his arms outstretched.
Tali bounced a little, clearly enjoying the attention on her. She giggled and wobbled slightly, clinging to the couch. Once steadier she moved her feet, letting go off the couch and wobbling towards Tony.
"That's it princess, come on"
Ziva and Tony both had tears in their eyes. Ziva took a quick picture of Tali mid walk before putting her phone down. She didn't want to miss this with her own eyes.
"There we go baby"
Tali giggled, legs moving cautiously, her arms outstretched reaching for her Abba before falling into his arms.
"Yes Tali you did it!" Tony exclaimed.
He lifted Tali high into the air above his head, kissing her tummy up to her face as he lowered her. Ziva now on her feet, ticking Tali and praising her.
"God she is incredible" Ziva sobbed.
Tony held Tali on his hip and hugged Ziva into the opposite side, kissing her temple. Tali snuggled into Tony while holing Ziva's finger tightly.
"She must have known you couldn't miss it" Ziva laughed.
Tony grinned and kissed Tali over and over making her laugh. He didn't care how late he was now, his little princess had taken her first steps straight into his arms. Work could wait.