AN: Ari=11, Ziva=6 and Tali=3
Ziva was reading a story to Tali so she would lie down for bed. Ari had chosen the tale, The Princess of the Tower.
The story was one of many Jewish Fairy Tales but such nonsense was not allowed in the David Household. When Ziva was Tali's age Ari had copied the stories out of a library book into a lined school book to entertain her away from their father and now he and Ziva regaled them to Baby Tali. Though, Ziva enjoyed the stories just as much as Tali did.
Tali adored her elder siblings and was always happy to spend some time with them which unfortunately meant that it took her a while to get to sleep.
"Your head needs to be on the pillow for you to sleep, Tali," Ziva scolded gently.
The toddler pouted but did as she was bid, or else Ziva wouldn't read. She had learnt that the hard way when she sat up waiting for Ziva to read for half an hour before she gave in. The obstinate toddler may try her hardest to get her own way but Ziva was far more stubborn!
"Pick the one you love the best, Solima dear," said Ziva in an attempt at a deep voice, making Tali giggle.
"None!" Tali answered, her grey eyes, so like yet unlike their father's, shining with glee. She knew this story well.
Ziva smiled and continued with the story, "Dear, dear me-that is very awkward. We shall have to return the entrance fees-I mean the presents,"
Even Ari chuckled at that line.
"Let Ari be the King, ZiZi," Tali instructed sleepily as she always did when Ziva and Ari read to her.
Ari always refused at first, normally claiming he was busy but he always listened as Ziva read. Eventually either he or Tali would get annoyed at Ziva's attempts at a masculine voice and the book would be shared between the two siblings to get the story finished 'properly'.
Ziva pretended to sigh exasperatedly but held out the book to Ari, who moved from his spot against the pale pink walls so he was next to Ziva.
"'At least,' he said, growing impatient, 'tell me what you do want.'"
"'I will marry any man,' she replied, while he wondered gravely what else she could have said, 'who is not such a fool as to think himself the only person in the world who is of consequence.' "
"What does con-teh-wense mean?" Tali questioned, rubbing her eyes.
"It means that the princess will only like a man who thinks he is just the same as everyone else," Ari explained with a fond smile.
"Oh," said Tali with an adorable thoughtful face. "Why did he not just say that then?"
Ari chuckled, "I do not know, Natalia."
Tali pouted, with the stuck out bottom lip and doe eyes to perfect the look. "Don't call me Natalia! My name is Tali, see? TAH-LEE."
"Shh, sheli [precious]. You do not want Abba to come up here," warned Ziva.
Tali, realising the severity of that happening, quickly fell silent and placed a finger on her lips in an imitation of Ziva and Ari when they wanted her to be silent. Ziva hugged her and smoothed her unruly curls.
Ari carefully placed the book on the floor and joined his sisters on the bed. He made sure that he was in the middle so he could keep both of them safe. There was no sound coming from downstairs so Eli was most likely in his study, working like he always did. His little sisters curled into him, their curls tickling his nose. He would never complain though. Ari knew how important they were to him, unlike some of the boys at his school who despised their younger siblings.
The three siblings made an odd bunch, lying in Tali's bed with Ziva's left unoccupied, with Tali in her little pink footie pyjamas, Ziva in odd pyjamas (a pair of blue bottoms with a yellow top with a smiling bear) and Ari in his navy bottoms and white undershirt. Both Tali's and Ziva's heads were on Ari's chest, their small hands clutching a rabbit and bear respectively. Together, they all fell asleep like that, peacefully for once.
AN: The story will properly flow in a chapter or two. Btw, the story I mentioned actually exists. Check it out! And in case anyone is wondering...
Ziva's favourite: The Star Child
Ari's Favourite: The Beggar King
