References: S5 E2, Family

Does It Get Easier?

Ziva laid her head on her pillows. She had just returned to her room after spending all day in the NICU and she was exhausted. Ziva was about to close her eyes when Gibbs walked in.

"Hi, Gibbs," Ziva said as she struggled to sit up in bed. Gibbs helped her sit up and placed a few pillows behind her head.

"How do you feel?" Gibbs asked sitting down.

"Physically, like I've been run over by a truck. Emotionally, slightly better, more like I've been run over by an SUV," Ziva said smiling weakly.

"How's Kelly?" Gibbs asked.

"She's wonderful," Ziva said, a real smile now reaching her face. "They took her off the CPAP and now she's just on the nasal canula and they let me hold her."

"I'm glad," Gibbs said.

"I was just so relieved when I got to see her, I thought that I had lost her," Ziva said, a small tear slipping down her cheek. "Remember when we had that case when the baby went missing and you asked me if I wanted kids? Then you said when I did I would understand what that family was going through, well, I do." Gibbs didn't say anything, but took her hand in his own. "Does it get easier?"

"Ziva, some people would say that, yes, it does get easier, but I'm not going to lie to you. You will constantly live in fear for your children. It never gets easier," Gibbs said.

"Gibbs," Ziva said, her eyes slowly closing.

"Yeah, Ziva?" Gibbs said.

"Thanks for not lying to me," Ziva mumbled and then sleep claimed her.

Tony was sitting with Kelly when his phone rang.

"DiNozzo," Tony said quietly.

"It's Abby," the voice on the other end said.

"Hey Abs, what's wrong? Is Chaim okay?" Tony asked.

"Chaim is fine, relax Tony," Abby said. "We're here at the hospital. Where's Ziva's room?"

"Ziva's in room 317, and I'm in the NICU with Kelly," Tony said.

"Alright, I'll see you in a little bit," Abby said and then she hung up the phone.

Abby walked into Ziva's room with Chaim on her hip. Ziva was sleeping, but her eyes opened when she heard them walk in.

"Hi," Ziva said.

"Mommy!" Chaim screeched.

"Hey baby, were you good for Aunt Abby?" Ziva asked, holding out her arms.

"Yes," Chaim said, nodding his head as Abby deposited him into Ziva's arms. Ziva hugged Chaim tightly.

"Mommy okay?" Chaim asked peering into Ziva's face.

"Yes, Chaim, mommy is okay," Ziva said as she kissed his cheek. Just then, Jenny walked in.

"Hello, Abby, Ziva," Jenny said.

"Where's Gibbs?" Abby asked.

"I don't know, he was in here when I went to sleep," Ziva said.

"He's getting the car; we're going home for a little bit. We'll be back later," Jenny said, leaning over Ziva's bed. "I need to talk to you later," Jenny whispered into Ziva's ear. Ziva nodded so that Jenny knew she had heard and then Jenny hugged Ziva.

"Thank you, Jenny, for everything," Ziva said. "And tell Gibbs I said thank you."

"I will," Jenny said as she left. While she was in the elevator, she braced herself for the ride home.

The ride home was silent. Jenny bit her lip nervously.

"Jethro," she began but he cut her off.

"How long have you known?" Gibbs asked gruffly.

"Remember when I went to the doctor's last week?" Jenny asked and Gibbs nodded. "He confirmed that I was."

"How far?" Gibbs asked, his voice emotionless.

"About eight weeks," Jenny said as they pulled into the driveway. Gibbs shut the car off and went straight to the basement. Jenny sighed and headed for the kitchen to make dinner. A few minutes later, Gibbs came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms and kissed her neck.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted," Gibbs said.

"It's okay," Jenny said as Gibbs spun her in his arms so she was facing him.

"Jen, you do know what this means, right?" Gibbs asked, a small smiled creeping into the corners of his mouth.

"No, what?" Jenny asked.

"We're going to have to get married," Gibbs said as he pulled a white velvet box from his pocket. Jenny gasped.

"How long have you had that?" Jenny asked.

"A few weeks, I was waiting for the right time," Gibbs said as he opened the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of white stain was a silver ring with a ruby in the middle and two smaller diamonds on either side.

"Jethro, it's gorgeous," Jenny exclaimed.

"Is that a yes, Jen?" Gibbs asked.

"Of course," Jenny said throwing her arms around him. Gibbs kissed her deeply and then slipped the ring on her finger.

McGee came up behind Tony in the NICU.

"How's she doing?" McGee asked peering inside the warmer at Kelly, who was awake and moving around.

"She's getting better, they took her off the CPAP this morning and switched her to a nasal canula," Tony said. "Do you want to hold her?" Tony asked. McGee's eyes grew wide.

"I don't know, she's so tiny, I might hurt her," McGee said.

"You'll be fine," Tony said, picking Kelly up out of the warmer and gently handing her to McGee. "Make sure you support her head," Tony instructed. McGee cradled Kelly gently, looking down in amazement at the little girl in his arms.

"She has your mouth," McGee said, smiling.

"Hey," Tony said. "How would you like to be co-godfather?" Tony asked. McGee looked at him quizzically.

"Co-godfather?" McGee asked.

"Yeah, with Gibbs," Tony explained.

"I would love that," McGee said as he looked down at Kelly once again. Her eyes were open and she was watching McGee with what appeared to be interest on her face.

"Awww, she likes you," Tony said laughing.

Half an hour after McGee left the NICU, Abby came in and found Tony asleep by Kelly's warmer. Abby smiled, she knew that Tony needed the rest. Quietly, she pulled up a chair beside Tony's and leaned over the warmer. Kelly was also sleeping. Abby smiled and reached into the warmer and in her sleep, Kelly grabbed Abby's finger.

"Hey there, little girl," Abby whispered. "I've heard an awful lot about you the past couple days. You gave your mom and dad quite a scare. I can't wait until you're older and I can dress you up. But for now I think you'll have to stick with a onesie." Abby paused and pulled a miniature Bert out of her bag, just as Dianna was coming over to check on Kelly.

"Excuse me," Abby said and Dianna looked over. "Can I put this in there with her?" Abby asked, motioning towards Kelly.

"Of course," Dianna said. "'I'm Dianna, Kelly's nurse."

"I'm Abby, Kelly's aunt," Abby said shaking Dianna's hand. Abby placed the hippo inside the warmer next to Kelly.

"Sleep well, little girl," Abby said and then she left.

A/N: Sorry it's so short, I kind of had a little bit of writer's block. Once again, thanks to Ziva4Tony for betaing my story, I probably couldn't have done it without her. (And I mean that, because I know nothing about preemie's) So, please review and give me feedback!