The DiNozzo and McGee families were currently helping the Anders family move in to their new house. Gibbs was currently out on a coffee/smoothie break, but everyone had a sneaking suspicion that he simply went home. Gibbs now had a 'slight' case of arthritis, making carrying boxes and furniture more difficult for the now elderly marine.
Chris and Tony groaned as they set down a box in what would be Kelly's room.
"What does she have in this? Bricks?" Chris moaned as he flipped open the lid. "Dolls." He shook his head and walked with his uncle out of the room.
--
Emily and Thomas had purchased a large Victorian styled house with enough bedrooms for them and each child to have their own. There were 2 full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms, a finished basement and a study. They had gotten it fairly cheap because it needed a lot of fixing up. Something Emily insisted Gibbs could help with. Now she only had to convince him.
--
Daniel and McGee were currently inspecting the house making estimates as to how much it would cost to renovate each room.
--
Ziva and Nora put a box down in Toby's room and they looked around. "I'd say that's the last box for him."
Ziva nodded. "How many more boxes do you think are left?"
Nora shrugged.
--
Abby and Lia grunted as they hauled a box full of silverware on to the kitchen table.
"This has got to be 5o pounds!" Lia cried.
"I'd say more like 60." She wiped her brow. "But that's not the scientist in me talking." She grinned at Lia.
"Where is grandpa? I'm dying of thirst!" Lia's eyes lit up when her berry mango madness smoothie was waved in front of her face. "You are a saint, sir." She grabbed the smoothie and started sucking it down like her life depended on it. Which, Lia was sure, it was.
"Thank you Bossman!" Abby squealed as she grabbed the Caffpow that was being offered to chuckled and headed up the stairs to deliver the rest of the cold treats.
--
Later that evening, after the DiNozzo's barbeque, the teens were lounging lazily in their chairs watching each other.
"Is it just me, or is this more than a little creepy?" Chris asked after minutes of observing his best friend.
"Oh, it's creepy. I'm just too tired to look away." Lia answered him while staring at Nora.
"I second that." Nora replied.
"I agree." Daniel added tiredly.
The four sighed.
--
Inside the DiNozzo household the phone rang. Ziva put down her glass of wine and answered it. Tony, McGee, Thomas and Gibbs continued talking, as did Abby and Emily. The four Anders children had long since fallen asleep in the living room.
Ziva reentered the room a few minutes later practically glowing.
"What is it babe?" Tony asked as he walked over to his wife.
"That was Jacob." Tony nodded for her to continue. "He is coming home next week! He says that he is bringing someone home with him for us to meet!" Suddenly her face fell. "I have so much to do around here! It has to be perfect for Jake's return!"
Tony set his beer down on the counter and pulled Ziva into a hug. "It'll be fine Zee. You have plenty of time to do," He paused, "whatever you think needs to be done."
Ziva huffed and straightened up. "You are right. There is plenty of time to worry about that. I should be focusing on the fact that our son is coming home!" She stepped out of his hold and headed towards the back door to inform the other children of their big sibling and cousin's return.
--
"I have great news!" Ziva called as she practically ran out onto the patio.
"What?" Chris asked, too tired to come up with some witty remark.
"Jacob's coming home next week!"The four were silent as they processed this.
"That's great mom." Lia replied, her voice lacking any excitement.
"Yeah." The others added.
Ziva frowned. "I thought you would be a little more thrilled." She glared at each of them.
"We are thrilled!" Chris said.
"We're just too tired to express any sort of emotion." Daniel added.
"Dan, it's not like you did as much manual labor as we did." Nora shot at her little cousin. A small grin on her face.
"That was the most psychical work I've done in a long time." He put extra emphasis on the word 'long'.
Nora yawned and closed her eyes. "That's great news mom. I've been dying to see him."
Ziva smiled at the four kids as she made her way back into the house. I should let them sleep. They will be helping me a lot before Jacob comes home.
--
"How'd they kids react?" Tony asked when Ziva came back into the kitchen.
"There was a surprisingly large amount of lack of excitement, but Lia is practically asleep in her chair right now. Today wore them out."
"Maybe they should just stay here tonight." Tony joked.
Abby looked up.
"Are you serious?"
"Abs, I was joke…" But she cut him off.
"Thank you so much you guys!" She squealed as she pulled McGee towards the door. "We've been trying to get some alone time, but that's really hard to do with the two of them in the house. If you know what I mean." She winked at Ziva, who grinned back. "We'll see you tomorrow!" And with that, they were gone.
Tony stood there in a stunned silence for a moment or two before finding the ability to speak again. "Ew! That is…" He searched for the right words, "Ew! That's gross!"
Ziva came up and put her arms around the back of his neck. "Hm. And to think, I was planning some alone time for us tonight." She whispered seductively into his ear.
"You were?" He whispered excitedly back.
"Yes, but since it is so gross…" She sighed. "I am sorry I even considered it."
She walked away to join in conversation with Emily.
"It's not gross for us, but McGeek and Abby? Come on!"
--