Chapter Eight- Tali turns one
All though each chapter can stand alone, I have created some kind of narrative in my mind which I loosely stick too. So for the purpose of this chapter and potential future ideas, Jimmy and Breena had Victoria before Tali was born she will be written as being three in this chapter.
The whole gang was gathered at Tony and Ziva's house to celebrate Tali's first birthday, no one could believe how fast the past year had gone by, especially Tali's parents. She was such a happy little girl with so much love around her. She had already hit milestones that filled both Tony and Ziva with pride. All the adults were sat in the lounge, Victoria sat patiently between Jimmy and her Grandducky and Tali was sat on the floor between Ziva's legs.
"You ready for your first present Tali?" Ziva asked as she pulled a brightly wrapped gift towards Tali.
The little girl reached out excitedly, her eyes taken by the glittery pink wrapping paper. She happily tugged at the bow on the top, watching and giggling as the strands bounced back as she pulled them.
"It's amazing how easily entertained they are" Jimmy said as he sat waiting for Tali to open the present from himself, Breena and Victoria.
"Come Tali, rip the paper" Tony encouraged.
Tali continued to be transfixed by the bow as Ziva slowly ripped some of the paper. It didn't take long for Tali to to lose interest in the bow and start to help Ziva tear the paper.
"Eh eh..Ima" Tali groaned as she batted at Zivas hand.
"You going to do it by yourself yes?"
Tali edged forward, hands gripping the paper and tugging, throwing the stray bits all around her. Risking some more grumbles from a stubborn Tali, Tony leant forward and helped her out, she was cute but he didn't want to sit and wait for Tali to unwrap in her own time, they'd be there all night.
"Look what you got baby"
Tali giggled and pushed at the box. Pointing at the picture. It was some kind of stuffed bird that talked and sang songs when you pressed its hands.
"We got Victoria one when she was smaller, she loved it" Jimmy informed.
"Thank you guys It's great"
Ziva moved to bring Tim's present too Tali. Excitedly she ripped the tissue paper from the bag to reveal a new play matt that made noises as you crawled over it.
"It's great Tim, thank you"
They swiftly moved onto Ducky's present, wanting to avoid Tali loosing interest. Ducky brought her a toddler size piano, engraved with her name. It was stunning but Tony was not impressed with the noise his one year old was currently making as she bashed the keys.
"Did you guys get together and all plan to buy her noisy toys, are you trying to drive us insane" Tony joked, his laugh making it clear he was joking.
"It's good for a chid to start developing with sounds from a young age Anthony" Ducky informed, a smirk at his lips.
"Mine next Tali, it isn't noisy" Abby said as she placed a present in front of Tali.
The wrapping paper was a shimmery black with white skulls stickers added. Tali face planted into it as she tried moving towards it, biting at the paper before Ziva pulled her back up.
"Meh meh" Tali babbled, trying to pull the contents from the small hole Ziva had made.
With a little help Tali pulled out a black swimsuit, a skull on the front and white checked skirt at the bottom.
"You guy's said about teaching her to swim, she can wear this" Abby said excitedly.
"It's amazing Abby, thank you" Ziva replied, as she pulled the swimsuit from Tali's mouth.
Tony just looked at it with concern, he was kind of frightened at the possibility of Tali running about dressed in skulls.
"Last one then munchkin"
Gibbs had wrapped his gift in a box before wrapping it in paper. Ziva was surprised Gibbs even owned wrapping paper. Tali pulled herself up, leaning on the box and pulling the paper. Gibbs helped her open the box and he lifted out a hand make rocking horse. A horse carved on either side of a little seat, placed on a curve that allowed the seat to rock. Tali bounced happily, clinging on as the new toy rocked back and fourth.
"Oh Gibbs" Ziva almost sobbed.
Everyone was in aww at the gift, no one expecting Gibbs to have gone to so much trouble.
"That's incredible Gibbs" Abby exclaimed as she joined Tali on the floor.
The little girls eyes were wide as she pointed and played. Ziva lifted her into the seat, making sure she was secure before rocking it back and fourth. Tali giggled, smiling happily as she went backwards and forwards. Everyone sat around chatting for a while, watching as Tali went between her toys. Victoria now on the floor playing with the cardboard box as she and Tali crawled into it.
"Shall we do the birthday cake?" Tony suggested.
Tali was beginning to grumble a little and he guessed some cake might cheer her up. That or a nap. Ziva stood and lit the candles, carrying a cake over to Tali who sat on Gibbs lap. Everyone sung and clapped, Tali waving and trying to grab the cake.
"Happy birthday to you!"
They all finished singing, Ziva and Gibbs helping to blow out the candles. Tali was amazed by the flames suddenly disappearing, her little fingers trying to grab at the invisible flames.
"Tony bring her high chair over here, she can sit in there and have some cake" Ziva instructed.
Tony did as he was asked, before taking Tali from Gibbs. She was grumbling more now, whining at the change of hands.
"Come on Tali don't cry now"
Tony fought a little with her but managed to get her sat in the chair. Brushing back curls from her slowly drooping eyes.
"She will be asleep soon" Tony chuckled.
Ziva just smiled and brought some cake over to Tali. The little girl perked up, happily crumbling the whole thing into tiny pieces, sucking the icing of her sticky fingers and bashing the crumbs everywhere. She sat for a while longer, making a mess of her food before the tears started. Her eyes heavy as she fought to stay awake.
"I think someone needs a nap" Gibbs laughed.
Ziva grabbed some wipes and cleaned Tali's hands while Tali batted her away, flailing her arms and crying louder. Ziva hurriedly scooped Tali up, holding her in her arms and gently rubbing her back. The tears subsided a little, sniffles still wracking her body. A Hebrew lullaby and a few laps of the lounge and Tali was asleep in Ziva's arms.
"I think It's time we made a move, leave you guys to clear up" Tim chuckled.
"Guy's thank you so much for her gifts, there amazing"
"Yeah she's a very lucky girl" Tony added.
They all said there goodbyes and Ziva curled up on the couch with Tali. The house was a mess but neither cared. Tony curled behind Ziva, pulling her to lay between his legs, Tali on her chest.
"I can't believe where this year has gone Zi…"
"Tell me about it"
"It's been an incredible year though"
"Oh yes, it has indeed"
The three of them quickly fell asleep in each others arms, enjoying the closeness and moments peace. The hour or so of rest was well needed for all but it wasn't long until Tali was awake again. Crawling up Ziva's chest, patting her face to wake her up.
"Ima…Ima…Abba"
"What's wrong baby?"
"Eh eh…mmmmm" Tali moaned as she tried to escape Ziva's grasp.
Ziva and Tony sat up and placed Tali to the floor, watching as she crawled over to her rocking horse, pushing it back a fourth.
"I will clean, you can sit rocking her" Ziva laughed as she headed to the kitchen.
Tony chuckled and lifted Tali back into the rocker, giving her a push. She happily sat in it while Tony collected the discarded wrapping paper around her. With her determination, Tali was able to gently rock herself, laughing at Tony as he pretended to sneeze a few times, throwing the wrapping paper all around him.
Once the house was spotless and everyone had been fed, Ziva carried Tali to the bathroom for her night time bath, the young girl exhausted from the excitement of the day sat with her head lulling. Ziva washing her body of bubbles before pulling her out, wrapping her in a towel and carrying her to her bed. Ziva laid Tali out on the kingsize, the little girl barley able to keep her eyes open as Ziva rubbed lotion on her skin before dressing her in fresh pyjamas.
"Come little one, lets get you down"
Ziva cradled Tali in her arms, scooting onto the bed. For tonight she wanted Tali close. Her baby growing too fast for her liking. Tony joined his girls half and hour later, curling up and pulling both girls into him.