A/N: Thank you to all the readers who left comments, followed the story or made it a favorite. I appreciate each of you. This is the final chapter of this story and it's a short one but I felt it needed to stand alone. I hope you enjoy it.

Bad Luck Turns to Good

Chapter 12

"Jethro", Ziva shouted for her husband who was supposed to be getting dressed but was not.

"Yeah?"

Ziva startled and almost dropped the brush she was using to fix her hair. She was in front of the mirror in their master bathroom and her very sneaky, quiet husband was leaning against the door frame in their bedroom watching her. She had no idea he was in the room. Jethro never got tired of watching Ziva do even the most mundane things. Seeing her standing there wearing only a tiny little slip and a bra took his breath away even though he had seen her in that and less many times over the past almost three years that they had been married.

"My god, Jethro you scared me. Why do you insist on sneaking up on me?"

"I didn't sneak up on you. I was merely standing here admiring my beautiful wife."

"Are you dressed?"

"No, I'm standing here naked with my father downstairs. Of course I'm dressed."

Ziva was in no mood for his silliness. They were going to be late if he didn't get it in gear in the next ten minutes.

Jethro pushed himself off the door frame and walked into the bathroom. He dropped his tee shirt in the laundry hamper and stood very close behind Ziva. His hands were on her hips and he leaned his chin on her shoulder. His hands slipped around to cover her belly where their daughter was safely growing.

"You're beautiful you know. I love you, Ziver."

"Thank you, Jethro. And, I love you, but you still need to get dressed. I do not want to be late. Is Jack ready?"

"Yes, he's downstairs reading Zach a story."

"Good. Why are you not getting ready?"

"Because I'd rather stand here with you. How about I stay home with Zachary and you take Jack tonight."

Ziva sighed and turned to face her annoying but very handsome and sweet husband. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him away. Then she sidestepped him and went into the bedroom to get dressed.

"You are not staying home. I do not intend to have to explain to my father why you are not present at a dinner in your honor. Now, your suit is hanging on the back of the closet door. I suggest you take a very quick shower and then get dressed. Your pouting will not do any good tonight."

"But. . . "

"Jethro! Honestly, you are worse than a child."

She refused to say anything else or look at him. Jethro did as instructed and a mere seven minutes later he stepped out of the shower, dried himself off, pulled on a pair of briefs Ziva had left on the counter, and stood at the sink shaving. He towel dried his hair and went into the bedroom to get dressed. He hated going to big, fancy dinners especially if, as on this occasion, he was going to be the center of attention.

While Jethro was showering, Ziva took a few minutes to reflect on why they were getting all dressed up and going to dinner at the Israeli Embassy.

Two months prior Jethro had stepped in front of a bullet meant for the Israeli Ambassador to the US. He, luckily, was wearing a bullet proof vest and was only bruised. The Ambassador was bruised as well when a security guard pushed him to the ground but he certainly wasn't complaining. The gunman was killed by DiNozzo who was covering his Boss. The whole thing took less than thirty seconds. Jethro insisted he was only doing his job and did not want anyone to even mention the incident much less make a big deal about it. Nevertheless, the Israeli government wanted to give some official recognition. Ziva had spoken to her father and managed to get them to keep the fanfare to a minimum by having a dinner at the Embassy and no public statements.

Seeing her husband dive in front of the Ambassador hadn't phased Ziva at the time but once the adrenalin rush was over she was furious with him and scared to death at the same time. She reminded him in no uncertain terms that she did not want to be a single parent of a toddler and a newborn. Jethro had just smiled at her and then winced when she hugged him fiercely.

Now Jethro sat on the bed putting on his socks and watching Ziva finish her makeup. He wondered why she bothered; she sure didn't need it in his opinion. She was ignoring him but Jethro didn't mind. He knew before they left he'd get some lovin' and he'd extract a promise from her to make it up to him for not putting a stop to this whole dinner thing.

"You want to pick out the tie, Ziver?"

Ziva stood up and smoothed her dress as she walked over to Jethro standing by the bed holding up four potential candidates. She immediately indicated two were unacceptable and then held each of the remaining two up next to Jethro's chest.

"I like this one," she said indicating the one in her left hand.

"Then that is the winner. How about a kiss before you put on your lipstick."

"Excellent idea."

Ziva wrapped her arms around his middle and Jethro leaned down to kiss her softly at first and then with a bit more heat. He pulled her closer and Ziva knew she'd better be careful. His hands went down to her bottom and pulled her even closer still.

"Whoa, there my love. Remember, we are on our way out not just coming home. You need to hold that thought and if you are really good tonight we will definitely get back to that later."

"Define really good."

Jethro hadn't let go of her but he did loosen his grip and let her move back a fraction.

"It means you just be the charming, gracious man I know you are. And, you are nice to my father."

"I'm always nice to your father. I promise I won't piss anyone off and I'll use my best manners. You sure you don't want to just take Jack and let me stay home with Zach?"

"I am sure. Emily will be here in a few minutes and she is quite capable of taking care of Zachary for the evening."

"I know."

Jethro let Ziva out of his grasp and began putting on his tie. The idea that Emily Fornell was old enough to babysit was still hard for Jethro to accept. Of course the fact that he had a child who needed a babysitter was also hard to believe. Zachary was eighteen months old and had his parents wrapped firmly around his little finger. He was a fun little boy, always running around, always busy and into one thing or another. He loved cars and books and everyone who knew him thought he was about the cutest kid ever. Jethro wondered how he would react to the new baby. They'd find out in about five months.

Before they left the bedroom, Ziva looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. As overjoyed as she was to be pregnant she did not relish the idea of getting fat again. Jethro saw her looking at herself and came to stand behind her.

"You are beautiful. New dress?"

"Yes, you like it?"

"I do. I look forward to taking it off of you later. Do you have any idea how much I love seeing you pregnant?"

"I hope a lot since you keep getting me in this situation."

"Not by myself. I'm excited about this baby, Ziver. She's going to be just as beautiful as her mother."

"Just as long as she is healthy that is all I care about. You are happy this is a girl, yes?"

"Absolutely. Don't worry about me. I am happier than I ever thought I'd be, Ziver. You are the reason for that. Never forget it."

"Jethro when you jumped in front the Ambassador I thought I would die. I knew you were wearing a vest but just the idea of it. . . I cannot imagine my life without you. Promise me you will always be careful and let Tony go in the door first."

Jethro laughed at that idea. "You know that's not how it works, Ziver. I am careful. I don't take chances anymore. I want to come home to you every night for the rest of my life and I plan on that being a long time. But. . . ."

Ziva stopped him with two fingers on his lips. "No, do not go any further down that road. Just leave it that you will always come home to me and our children. Nothing else needs to be said."

"Okay. So, whose car are we taking?"

"My father is sending a car for us. We should go downstairs and get Zachary ready for Emily."

The dinner wasn't nearly as painful as Jethro had imagined it would be. The food was delicious and the Ambassador and his wife were very gracious in their thanks to him. His dad had a wonderful time and as usual, charmed all the women in the room. Eli was thrilled that Ziva was pregnant again and he spent most of his time with her. He and Jethro had a good relationship these days so Jethro was happy to share his wife with her father for the evening.

As they were leaving, Eli took Jethro aside for a quiet word.

"There will be some men around the house very early tomorrow. They will be unobtrusive and probably no one but you and Ziva would notice them. Just a precaution."

"I understand. We'll be expecting you about eleven. Zach is excited you're coming."

"I am excited to see him as well. I imagine he has grown quite a bit since I last saw him."

"Oh yeah. He's a busy one. Goodnight, Eli. Tonight was very pleasant, thank you."

"The thanks is all mine, Jethro. Not only for the ambassador but also for the life you have made with Ziva. For my grandchildren. For the happiness is see in my daughter's eyes. You have no idea what it means to me that she is happy and safe."

"She is well loved I assure you. And safe. See you tomorrow."

Ziva approached her two favorite men and kissed her father goodnight.

"See you tomorrow, Abba. Tonight was lovely."

When they got home, Jethro paid Emily and she called her mom to let her know she was on the way home.

"Call when you get home, okay."

"Sure. You know, you worry too much Gibbs. Night."

"Night Em."

Jackson kissed Ziva goodnight and headed off to bed. Ziva waited for Jethro to lock the front door then met him on the stairs.

"I was hoping you would help me out of this dress", she whispered in his ear as they started up.

"So, I guess I was good tonight?"

"The night is not over so that remains to be seen but based on my experience, I would say yes, you are very good."

"Mrs. Gibbs you are too much, you know that?"

"Not too much for you I hope."

"Nope."

Jethro did indeed help her out of her dress and then he behaved very 'badly' for the next hour or so, reminding Ziva just exactly what she liked most about her husband and them being naked together. He took his time and made sure to pay attention to all the places she especially liked him to notice and by the time he finally entered her she was way past ready. In fact, she threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't get on with it in the next ten seconds.

About four o'clock that morning, Jethro woke up and slipped out of bed to go to the bathroom. Then he went down the hall and looked in on his father in the guest room and then checked on Zachary. Jethro sat down on his son's bed and straightened out his covers. The little boy was sound asleep clutching his favorite stuffed animal; a bear Jackson had brought him just two weeks after he was born. Zach carried that bear with him everywhere.

Jethro thought about the blessing this little boy was in his life. His son was his pride and joy. He couldn't wait to teach him to catch a ball, swim, ride a horse, all the things he had loved doing with Kelly. He thought about the baby girl they were going to welcome in just a few months. Jethro knew their daughter would be just as beautiful as her mother. He looked forward to seeing Zachary as a big brother, protecting and aggravating his sister. Tomorrow Zachary would have both his grandfathers in the house together for the first time and Jethro wondered how his little boy would be able to absorb all the attention and love he was going to get from those two men. He leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead and then headed back to his own bed and his wife.

When he slipped back into bed, Ziva rolled over and reached for him.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah. Go back to sleep."

"Promise we will always be as happy as we are now."

"I promise. I love you Ziver, nothing will ever change that."

"Good. I adore you, Jethro. Nothing will change that either."

Ziva snuggled closer and Jethro kissed her hair and she was back to sleep. Jethro laid awake for a while thinking about that fateful trip to North Carolina. When they started on that trip he was in the midst of a run of bad luck. Tonight he knew he was in the midst of the best run of good luck a man could ever have. Ever since he had told Ziva he loved her he had been looking forward instead of backward. As he fell asleep that early morning with the love of his life in his arms he liked the way their future looked.

END