Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. I'm also starting a sequel about Laura. I'm publishing it as soon as possible.
Chapter 23
Night went surprisingly well. Talia woke up twice for a feed and diaper-change. Laura cried once after a nightmare. Nettie calmed her down by rubbing her pack and hair. Susanna and Sandra were probably still confused so they slept whole night or at least stayed quiet and eyes closed. Ziva was happy about having her family near. Nettie was relieved that they were safe. It wasn't easy to leave everything behind, but Nettie was grateful about the new opportunity. Abby slept at the floor with Laura. Bert was between them. Abby refused to sleep without her friend
Gibbs and Jenny slept in living room. Gibbs had helped Jenny to bed after Ducky cleaned her wounds. Gibbs was a bit afraid about Jenny's sleeping since she was still in pain. First Jenny cuddled right next to Gibbs. They gave each other's a gentle, but passionate kiss. This was something they both have wanted, but at the same time were afraid to show and act. Both of them were sure that their relationship was long gone. Despite Gibb's fears, Jenny slept well through the night.
McGee and Tony were laying down under Gibbs's boat. They had talked quite long after coming to basement. They were tired, but despite that the sleep didn't come easily. So boys talked about their lives and what wishes they had. McGee wanted to find a woman to spend the rest of his life with. Tony had his suspicions about McGee and Abby and after trying a while, he got McGee to admit his feelings. Tony tried his best to convince McGee to confess everything to Abby. Especially after Gibbs gave his blessing to Tony and Ziva. Tony had gotten everything he wanted and now he was just waiting for his new future to begun.
Shmeil wrote an email to his contact and told that he was in America. Andrew, Shmeil's old friend answered almost immediately so they emailed almost an hour. They decided to meet next day. Shmeil was happy and thankful about the opportunity to stay in America. He missed Ziva terribly and wanted family around.
Whole house was still quiet at 8 am. Even Gibbs was still asleep when Jenny woke up. Jenny just watched Gibbs sleep. She didn't want to wake him up. Jenny knew that Gibbs was tired and given the fact about the activities that was about to come, she decided to let him sleep as long as he wanted. Finally Shmeil came downstairs. Gibbs helped Jenny up and to bathroom. After that Jenny sat to kitchen chair and drank the coffee Shmeil and Gibbs had made. Together they decided to start breakfast after everyone was up.
At the girl's bedroom everyone was still asleep until something interesting and unexpected woke them up: very loud fart. Suddenly everyone's eyes were open. All the adults were sniffing and trying figure out if any of the girls had farted. Nothing came up until another fart was heard. After that Abby and Ziva started laughing.
"What?" Nettie asked.
Abby took Bert to her arms and squeezed him.
"You have a stuffed animal that farts?" Laura almost didn't believe her eyes and ears.
"Yes, his name is Bert", Abby answered.
Abby's statement got everyone laugh. Sandra and Susanna didn't understand what the adults were laughing, but they still laughed.
"Good morning girls", Gibbs greeted.
"Morning", everyone replied still laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" Jenny was curious.
"Fart", Ziva stated.
"Bert?" Jenny and Gibbs guessed.
Girls just nodded.
"Who is Bert?" Shmeil asked.
Laura squeezed Bert and made him fart. That got Sandra and Susanna laugh.
After that fart McGee and Tony sniffed a while, but realized then what was caused the sound.
Breakfast was eaten in silence until Gibbs's phone started ringing.
"Please no bodies", Gibbs mumbled and answered to his phone. "Yeah, Gibbs."
Gibbs didn't say anything at first, but then he said:
"Fine, we'll be there."
Everyone stared at Gibbs so he explained:
"That was Vance. He wants to meet us at the NCIS in an hour.
"Can we stay in here?" Laura was scared.
"Yes you can", Tony promised.
Laura was suspicious, but didn't say anything.
At the NCIS:
Everyone sat down.
"Good morning!" Vance greeted. "I have spoken with several authority since eight. Immigration is coming soon. I have told the common cores about your situation. I personally made sure that the immigration authority that is coming, is familiar with Mossad. Social worker and judge are also coming and I demanded them to be the same people that handled Talia's adoption."
"Thank you sir", Nettie said.
Vance just nodded. Then a knock was heard from the door.
"Come in", Vance stated firmly.
"Good morning. My name is Andrew Thornton and I'm from immigration", the African-American man introduced himself. "So, Nettie David, Laura Givaty, Sandra Yakir and Susanna."
"Yes", Nettie said. "We are."
"Director Vance told me that you escaped from Israel because Mossad was after you. I know what Mossad is capable of, my wife is Israeli. So I'm not surprised about the reason. And this is not the first time I'm dealing with Israelis. But why now after all these years?" Andrew Thornton asked.
"My brother Eli was the director of Mossad. We were not close, because I did not approve what he did. But no one could not touch me, because I was still the sister of the Mossad director. But after Eli died, there is no one left to protect me. My home was burned in the middle of the night like you probably know. I managed to escape with the girls at the last possible moment. If we would have stayed any longer, we would be dead. If we would have stayed in Israel, we would be dead soon", Nettie explained.
"What is Susanna's last name?" Andrew Thornton wanted to know.
"She does not have one. No one knows who her parents are. They abandoned her, because she is physically disabled. I found her and I have taken care of her ever since. Disabled children do not have good future in Israel unless someone fights for them", Nettie answered. "If parents abandon them, they are put into an orphanage. They are not worth to Israel since they cannot join the army and it is difficult to get married, so their life is miserably since the beginning." Vance's statement earlier and I already knew that you are in danger. Based on those facts
"Okay, I got the documents and director and your explanation, I am giving you temporary residence permit because of the life-threatening circumstances. These are the papers. You will get identification cards later this week. I will give all the papers to court and my boss. They will later give you the permanent residence permit. Give these papers to social services too so that they will give your last name to Susanna. Take care", Andrew Thornton explained.
After that everyone sighed of a relief. One authority down, one to go.
Half an hour later:
"Hello!" Elisa Freeman and Ella Anderson greeted.
"Thank you for meeting us here", Gibbs said.
"Of course, under these circumstances it's the only option", Ella Anderson commented.
"Well I would not have guessed to meet you again so soon", Elisa Freeman commented. "So three Israeli children, yes?"
"Yes ma'am", Nettie admitted.
"And you are?" Ella Anderson asked.
"I am Nettie David and these are Laura Givaty, Sandra Yakir and Susanna" Nettie introduced.
"We got the papers this morning and I want to know if we understood right. Laura Givaty's parents Danya and Eiran Givaty died and you have permanent custody of her. Sandra's parents Mikhael and Elke Yakir abandoned her. Susanna does not have a last name, because no one knows who her parents are", Elisa Freeman stated.
"Yes, your honor. I have taken care of Sandra and Susanna since they were babies", Nettie told.
"And I wanted to stay with Nettie", Laura managed to say.
Elisa Freeman and Ella Anderson nodded to Laura's statement.
"How did Sandra and Susanna end up with you?" Ella Anderson wanted to know.
"Without me they would not have a future in Israel", Nettie answered.
Ella Anderson was surprised, but Elisa Freeman explained:
"Because they are disabled. They are not worth anything. I lived near orphanage so I understand your reason. And I must say that you are really brave woman. You all are in danger now when you do not have a brother to protect you anymore, am I right?"
Nettie nodded and continued:
"Right now last name David makes your life difficult."
Elisa Freeman and Ella Anderson left the room for a while. Atmosphere in the room was strained.
Outside the Vance's room:
"What would happen if Nettie David doesn't get custody of Sandra and Susanna?" Ella Anderson asked.
"They will be deported to Israel. There they do not have future. They will not get adopted and most likely no one wants to foster them. They will live in orphanage and probably they will either die or go to mental institution or prison shortly after their 18 birthday", Elisa Freeman answered.
"Custody to Nettie David", Ella Anderson and Elisa Freeman both agreed.
"I don't want anyone to suffer because they are somehow different. But I have one request. Ziva David will be named their other guardian", Ella Anderson stated.
Elisa Freeman just nodded and both women went back to Vance's room.
"I will give Sandra's and Susanna's custody to Nettie David if you agree that your niece will be their other guardian", Elisa Freeman explained.
"Agreed", Ziva and Nettie both said.
Elisa Freeman signed the papers.
"However, this is unique situation. You cannot officially be foster parents since they do not have parents to reunite with. But from this moment you have their temporary custody so that they can get passports and identification cards. Susanna's last name will be David from now on. And to avoid further misunderstandings Sandra's last name will also be David if you allow. Because I do think that it will make things easier so that you do not have to explain different last names every time you go to doctor or later to kindergarten and school. Laura is old enough to decide herself as whether she wants to keep her last name or change it", Elisa Freeman told.
"I want to change my name", Laura said with small voice. "If my little sister's last name is going to be David, I want mine to be too. I will still remember my parents even when I do not have their last name anymore."
"Fine", Elisa Freeman said. "We will began this way and we will see the adoption later. I will take papers to immigration"
Everyone shook hands. After they were alone without immigration, social worker or judge everyone sighed of a relief. No one had left the room since they were allowed to stay. Everyone wanted to support their newest family members.
"Thank you sir", Nettie and Laura commented.
"You are welcome. I was happy to help", Vance continued smiling.
"I'm going to call my friend now and ask her to get you a doctor appointment as soon as possible", Ducky promised.
Nettie nodded. Finally things were going to a right direction. Their new life was about to begin.
TBC…