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Tony shook her awake gently and she opened her eyes slowly and whispered, "Tony. I thought that I had only dreamed that you were here."
"I'm here in the flesh."
She smiled softly at him and he felt his heart skip a beat. He had always loved it when Ziva smiled at him. He smiled back and held out his hand to her. She looked him in the eyes and simply nodded. It felt perfect. Even though they'd been apart for five months, it felt like they had been together every day. He loved her and nothing would ever change that.
She yawned and Tony smiled softly as he led her to her bedroom. He pulled back the covers and waited for her to get back from the bathroom. He watched as she got into her bed. He turned to leave and heard his whisper one simple, yet powerful word, "Stay."
Tony nodded and slipped off his shoes and climbed into bed with her. He held her and suddenly his world felt totally and completely right. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
He woke before she did and couldn't help but looking at her while she slept. She looked so peaceful and at ease. He smiled as he noticed that she had thrown the covers off of her body. He looked at her once again to make sure that she was truly asleep. Because what he was about to do could very well earn him a smack from her. He carefully sat up and moved so that his head was level with her stomach. He reached out slowly and laid his hand on her stomach. He still couldn't believe that there was a baby in there. A miracle that he hadn't realized would mean this much to him.
He looked at Ziva once again and satisfied that she was still sleeping he whispered, "I'm not sure if you can hear me or not little one, but there are a few things I want to tell you. First, I'm going to do everything I can to be the best father I can be. I haven't had any experience in that department, so if I make mistakes maybe you can cut me a little slack."
He swallowed hard and continued, "I also want you to know how much I love you already. When I found out that you were on the way, everything suddenly felt right. I love your mom so very much. I would do anything for her. I've been so lost without her these past few months. She told me to find someone to share my life with, to forget her. I can't give myself to anyone else. She's holding the other half of my heart. I will do anything I can to always protect both of you."
Ziva woke up in the middle of his speech and felt her throat tighten and the tears threatened to fall. She put her hand on his head and whispered, "You hold half of my heart also Tony. I am so sorry for not trusting you. Not trusting our love. I am very sorry."
Tony was surprised when she spoke. He smiled up at her and whispered, "I'm the one that's sorry Zi. I should have done more to keep you safe."
She smiled and whispered, "I feel safe when I am in your arms Tony. I always have. From the very beginning you made me feel safe and protected."
The look that passed between them was one of pure and complete love. Never before had Tony felt anything close to this. The woman he loved more than life itself was laying in bed with him and pregnant with his child.
He felt her hands thread through his hair and he looked up at her. Her eyes were bright and shining with the love that she felt for him. He questioned her with his eyes and received the slightest of nods.
He planted little kisses on his way back up her body. He looked deep into her eyes and his lips captured hers in a mind blowing kiss. It seemed as if the months just disappeared. That one kiss said more than any words ever could.
Ziva broke off his kiss and whispered softly, "Make love to me Tony."
Tony looked at her and nodded. He stood to remove his clothing. She watched him with a smile on her face. Everything that she felt for him was evident on her face. Anyone seeing them could see that she truly loved this man. More than she had ever loved anyone before.
Tony climbed back into the bed and Ziva started to remove her own nightgown. Tony's hand stopped her and he whispered, "Let me."
She nodded and felt his hands lift it gently and lift it over her head.
Tony had never seen a more beautiful sight in his life. He'd always known that she was beautiful, but seeing her, lying there pregnant with his child was something that he'd been unprepared for. Tony had never found pregnant women exceptionally beautiful, but Ziva gave new meaning to the word.
Ziva watched as Tony's eyes drank in her body. She felt a bit self conscious and smiled nervously at him and closed her eyes. She felt his hands touching her skin. They'd made love thousands of times, but somehow it never felt like this. Something was different, something that she felt deep inside her soul.
Tony looked at her laying there with her eyes closed and smiled. His eyes looked at her face as his hands explored her body. He leaned down and captured one of her nipples between his lips. He heard a hiss escape her lips and pulled back. Afraid that he'd hurt her he asked simply, "Ninja?"
Opening her eyes Ziva whispered, "I am fine. It was from pleasure. Not pain."
He smiled and let his thumb brush over her nipple. He watched as it hardened into a little peak. He leaned down and captured it gently. He felt Ziva's hand running through his hair. He heard her moans of pleasure and couldn't help but smile, God, how he loved this woman.
He mouth left her breast and he heard her whimper of protest. He smiled and kissed his way down her body. When he reached her stomach he whispered to her, "I love you so much Ziva."
Ziva felt tears spring to her eyes and she whispered, "I love you too Tony. Make love to me. Please?"
Tony nodded and whispered, "Gladly my ninja. Will the baby be okay?"
Ziva smiled at the typically Tony statement. She nodded and whispered, "The baby will be fine Tony."
Tony kissed his way back up her body and captured her lips in another kiss. He lifted himself up on his arms and slowly entered her. Ever mindful of the baby that she carried. He'd forgotten how wonderful she felt wrapped around him. It was like coming home and knowing that everything was right with the world.
He watched her face as he made love to her. He made love to her slowly and his hands were on either side of her stomach, cradling her and their baby.
Ziva loved the feel of him inside her, but he was making love to her much too slowly for her liking. She smiled and flipped him over. The surprise evident on his face, he laughed and said, "I love it when you take charge Ninja."
She moved faster and drew him in even deeper. He watched as she closed her eyes and heard her moan loudly. The look on her face was one of satisfaction. God, how he loved her.
They came looking into each other's eyes. She fell onto him and peppered his neck and face with kisses.
He rubbed her back and kissed her in return. He held her tightly and whispered, "I love you so much Zi. I've missed you ninja."
She smiled and told him, "I have missed you also."
They fell into a deep contented sleep. They awoke a few hours later. Ziva was curled up against him. He held her tight and kissed her head softly when he realized that she was awake.
Tony smiled softly at her and took a deep breath, "Ziva, it's time for you to come home with me. Come back to our house and our family."
Ziva knew that she was talking about their NCIS family. Because despite the fact that she no longer worked for the agency, she was still very much a part of everyone's lives. She longed to see her family. However, the fear was still too great, too overwhelming to even think about going back, "I cannot go back Tony. Nothing has changed."
Tony looked at her with a look that she couldn't quite place and he sounded heartbroken, "Everything has changed Zi. You're having my baby."
"Which places my life in greater danger Tony and your life also, I cannot be responsible if anything happens to you or to our baby."
Tony could feel the anger boiling just under the surface. He couldn't believe that she didn't want to come home with her. He finally told her, "You don't trust me to keep you safe. You've never trusted me. Tell me something Ziva. Did you ever love me? Ever trust me?"
Ziva looked at him and whispered, "Yes Tony. I love you with all of my heart. That is why I am not going back with you. I do not want my enemies using you to hurt me."
"That's a load of bull Ziva and you know it. You just don't trust me to protect my family. Do you know how that makes me feel Ziva?"
Ziva had to admit that she did not know how Tony felt. She knew that if she was just the tiniest bit honest with herself, she would realize that she had not thought about talking it out with Tony. She had been so accustomed to taking care of herself for so long that trusting someone else was something that she was still getting used to. She looked at Tony for the longest time and finally whispered, "I do not know Tony. If I had to imagine I would imagine that it makes you feel less than worthy."
"That's exactly how I feel. Come back to us. Back to Gibbs, McGee, Abby, Ducky, but most of all, come back to me Ziva. We won't let anything happen to you or to the baby. Please sweetheart?"
Ziva looked at him and chewed on her bottom lip. She knew that whatever she decided in this moment, would change their lives forever, for better or worse.