Shirley agreed to watch Lily and Charlie until the twins were born, but Marley wanted to be at the hospital. Since she was twelve years old and well behaved, Tony and Ziva didn't have much objection. Though they made it clear she would not be watching the birth. Tony drove to the hospital in record time. Even though Ziva kept insisting that she didn't think it would be happening anytime soon. Sure enough when they arrived to the hospital. Ziva was only about five centimeters dilated. She had a monitor strapped to her stomach to monitor the babies heart-rates. The DiNozzo's doctor was off that day but they were in the capable hands of another obstetrician.

"Alright Mrs. DiNozzo you are six centimeters, we have two very strong heart-beats, and your vitals are excellent. Now I have to do a C-Section for another patient. If you need anything page a nurse but you should be set until I am done." Dr. Nichols explained.

"What if I am ready to deliver?" Ziva asked.

"You probably won't get that far while I am gone and if you do they will call in another doctor to handle the delivery." Dr. Nichols explained.

"OK" Ziva replied nervously.

Ziva rubbed her stomach and halfheartedly watched the TV that hung on the wall. She just wanted these babies to be born and for them to be happy. Tony and Marley were coming in and out of the room. They had taken turns getting snacks in the cafeteria. Then Marley had gone to the bathroom. She was gone a while and then Tony said something about running to the drug store across the street. So Ziva suspected that Marley's visitor had arrived. Tony returned and Marley went back to the bathroom. She returned about five minutes later clutching two blue teddy bears in her hands.

"Lily, Charlie and I pooled our allowances and raised enough money to get small gifts for each baby. We were going to go shopping after the shower but well. Lucky for me I had just enough to get these little guys from the gift-shop." Marley explained.

"You didn't have to do that." Ziva replied.

"We just wanted to get a little something for our brothers." Marley explained.

"Well I love them and I am sure the boys will too." Ziva replied.

Dr. Nichols returned not long after Marley returned with the gifts. She stepped out into the waiting area. So that Ziva could have her next exam. Ziva knew the drill by now. She propped her legs up and took deep breaths. That wasn't procedure but it made her feel more comfortable.

"Alright Mrs. DiNozzo, you are eight centimeters. Two more to go and you will be delivering two perfect babies." Dr. Nichols announced.

Ziva was getting closer to the big moment and it had her very emotional. She remembered feeling the same way when she was delivering AJ. She knew that each labor was supposed to go faster but she didn't think it would be this different. It was a two and a half day labor with AJ. She didn't even get to eight centimeters until well into the second day. Thus far this labor had been about three hours and they were thinking it would all be over soon. She didn't know how she felt about this. Once labor was over it was over and this was likely her last pregnancy. Once the babies were out they were at the mercy of the world. She remembered how AJ's life had been once he was born and the way his life had ended. The labor had lasted two days but when AJ got hurt and she wasn't sure how long she had with him. Everything had seemed to happen so quickly, too quickly. Now she was going through this whole process again and her fear was that she would lose them too. Tony would not blowup the twins the way Adam had AJ, but still so much could go wrong. Maybe it was the hormones or the pain of labor, maybe it was just her fears but Ziva was now crying her eyes out.

"Ziva! What's wrong?!" Tony cried.

"I can't protect them anymore. Once they are out that is it." Ziva sniffed.

"We can't protect them from everything but we can protect them. If it helps I will be there. You are not alone this time. You have me and I will never stop protecting them." Tony explained.

"You have your own problems." Ziva replied.

"I have PTSD. That is true but what is also true. The best thing for me is to keep things as normal as possible." Tony explained.

"Is it supposed to be this scary?" Ziva asked.

"Things were different with Becca and Angela but I was scared to death." Tony explained.

"Do you think we can get through this?" Ziva asked.

"How many times do I have to tell you? We can get through anything." Tony assured.

"How can you be my rock? With everything so wrong in your life." Ziva asked.

"Because that's just who I am." Tony replied.

Dr. Nichols returned again to check Ziva's dilation. This time she was fully dilated. Tony poked his head out and informed Marley. She agreed to call Shirley, so that she could bring the other DiNozzo children. Ziva pushed for five minutes and twenty one seconds. Dr. Nichols knelt down and stood seconds later with a red, screaming baby. They cut the cord and handed Anthony Josiah off to a nurse. Ziva pushed for another three minutes and then the room was filled with the cries of little Elijah. The cord was cut and the baby was handed off.

"We have two healthy babies." Tony announced.

"What are the details?" Ziva asked.

"Anthony Josiah is nineteen inches, long four pounds eight ounces and Elijah Corbin is eighteen inches, four pounds and three ounces. They in the NICU to watch their vitals but so far, so good. With any luck they will be out the same time as you." Tony explained.

"When can I see them?" Ziva asked.

"They want you to stay put for a few minutes but probably within the hour. The only thing is you have to be in a wheelchair." Tony explained.

"OK" Ziva replied.

"I already took Marley to see them. I had to talk to the doctors and she wanted to come." Tony explained.

"That's OK. Who do they look like?" Ziva asked.

"AJ. They look just like AJ." Tony replied, wiping away a tear.

"Perfect" Ziva replied, her own tears falling by now.

A/N: Ziva will meet the twins in the next chapter. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.