Chapter two in this little family fic of mine. Hope you enjoy
The first thing Tony noticed after he woke up wasn't the voice softly whispering to him, or even the hand gently poking his shoulder. In fact, it took a long few seconds for him to even realize he was actually awake at all. One thing he never failed to acknowledge, though, was the absence of his wife from the bed. Her welcome weight and comforting warmth were both painfully lacking on this particular Saturday morning. Her entrancingly familiar scent was the only thing that she'd left behind after she'd, presumably, went for her daily run. He let out a deep groan as he abruptly realized that his brain wasn't ready to wake up yet, but then fully opened his eyes for the first time to find out what was prodding him, and whose voice was slowly growing in volume every time they spoke.
''Daddy?''
Lia's sleepy face stared back at him. Her features brightened considerably once she'd noticed he had now returned to consciousness, and she even decided that poking him was no longer necessary. He wasn't too surprised to see her at his bedside, even at this early hour. She often enjoyed a quiet snuggle in the 'big bed' on Saturdays. It was the only morning of the week that Tony always made sure he was home for. Unless there was an urgent case, he wouldn't go back to the Navy yard until the afternoon and could therefore spend some time with his daughter. He didn't have to ask permission or explain himself to anyone, not now he was the boss. God, he loved being team leader sometimes.
''Morning, princess.'' He greeted with heavy eyelids.
She tightly clutched her toy hippo to her body and looked down at the floor. ''Is Momma running?''
''I guess so.'' He answered, just as his eyes closed again. ''You still look tired, honey-bunny. You wanna sleep in the big bed?''
She nodded slowly and answered with a quiet 'Ken' before attempting to scramble up onto the mattress. Tony, once again, opened his eyes and smiled at just how close she was actually getting to making it up without assistance. He did think, in fairness, that it was quite a high bed. It wouldn't be long before her little legs would get her up there, though. He reached out gave her backside a slight push, which was sufficient enough to send her toppling face first onto the covers. She pushed herself back up and climbed along his body towards the pillows. He was either too tired to feel any of the pain her elbows and kneecaps caused, or was just used to it by now. Either way, he barely moved a muscle as she eventually settled down and snuggled up behind his back. However, he did find the energy to roll over and allow her to rest her head against his shoulder.
They were both comfortably tucked under the covers for a few more hours as they slept peacefully. Neither of them noticed Ziva entering the room and affectionately smiling in their direction before she stepped into the bathroom for a shower. A short while later, the smell of something cooking wafted its way from the kitchen, up the stairs and into the master bedroom before effectively coaxing the two sleeping DiNozzo's from their slumber. Lia was already sat up and looking pleasantly intrigued by the time Tony reopened his now far more refreshed feeling eyes.
She turned his way with an excited grin. ''Momma's making breakfast.'' She announced happily. ''Get up, daddy.'' She reached over and scrunched his cheek up in her hand, before giggling at his returning groan.
''Do me a favor and bring the food up to me, will you?'' He asked as he rolled back away from her to pretend he was going back to sleep. ''I'm comfortable.''
He knew that would get a reaction out of her, and sure enough: ''No!'' She replied with another chuckle. ''You gotsa get up or Momma will kick your butt.'' She climbed on top of him and started trying to open his eyelids.
He simply moaned in response. ''I'm so warm and comfy, but there seems to be a little bug poking me in the eyes. I think it needs to be squished.''
She laughed again, before standing up and bouncing on the mattress beside him. ''You hafta catch me first!'' She announced giddily. ''I'm gonna bounce you off the bed!''
''Oh, really?'' He swiftly sat up and grabbed her by the ankles, causing her to fall back on to the mattress with a surprised screech. ''I think you need to get a bit heavier for that, Liana-banana.'' He leaned over and started tickling her under the armpit. ''Maybe Momma's pancakes will help.'' He called out over the helpless laughter. ''Shall we find out?''
''Ken!'' She replied breathlessly.
''Okay, let's get down there.'' He stood up and gathered himself a random pair of jeans and a t-shirt to get dressed in.
He let Lia lead the way down the stairs. He knew she could manage the descent easily on her own these days, but still felt the need to keep both his eyes on her as she slowly plodded down each step. Just the simple thought of her tripping and falling made his stomach drop, so he would always ensure he was close enough to grab her if such a horrifying event transpired. Thankfully, she made it all the way down with no trouble. He watched her disappear around the corner and into the kitchen in a whirlwind of messy curls, and smiled widely as he heard the excited string of Hebrew greetings being spoken between Ziva and her daughter. He loved the ease at which their baby could switch between her two native languages, as well as the fact he could actually understand a lot of what they were saying after years of hearing their little conversations.
''Momma!''
''Tatelah! Good morning, my little baby. Did my cooking wake you up?''
''Uh-huh.'' Lia replied enthusiastically. ''Abba wanted to stay in bed.''
He entered the kitchen just as his name was mentioned, and offered his girls a wide grin when he saw Ziva crouched down at Lia's eye level after, what he assumed, was a warm embrace. ''Did he now?'' His wife asked, this time in English, as she looked up at him with a teasing smile. ''I thought your father could never resist the temptation of food.''
Lia giggled. ''His belly went grr 'fore he woked up.'' Her amused mother chuckled throatily at that piece of information.
''Well it was either get up and eat breakfast, or stay in bed and get jumped on all day by our little monkey here.'' He said, giving the little girl's hair a tussle for emphasis. ''Had to make a choice.'' He met Ziva's twinkling eyes as she stood up, giving her a quick peck on the lips when she reached his level. ''And the offer of food didn't hurt, I guess.''
Her mouth formed a wide smile as she gave him a gentle pat to the cheek. ''There is plenty of it. Go and sit down, it is almost ready.''
He lifted Lia into her own chair at the head of the table, before pulling out the one closest to it and parking his own derriere. He frowned when he noticed there were only two places set at the table. ''You not joining us, Ziva?'' He asked, just as she slapped a plateful of blueberry pancakes in front of him.
''I am having an early lunch with Ducky and Abby in an hour.''
He took a chunky bite out of his pancake tower and moaned as the delicious taste spread through his mouth. ''So you're saving your stomach for this kingly banquet?''
She returned to the table with Lia's much smaller batch of her impressive cooking. ''Something like that.'' She replied with a small nod. ''Besides, pancakes are very fattening. That is why I only let you…'' She gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead to emphasize who she was now addressing. ''…have pancakes as a treat. Because you are just like your daddy, who could eat all day if he was allowed to.''
Lia smiled proudly back up at her mother. ''I gotsa grow up big and strong.''
''And you will, my child.'' Ziva gave her another kiss, this time to the cheek. ''Just hopefully not too big.''
His eyes narrowed in their direction. ''I hope that eat all day thing wasn't another veiled comment about my weight.''
Ziva's eyes shone with amusement when she turned her gaze back to him. ''You are the one who always brings it up, not me.''
''You just did. Like a second ago.''
Her brow furrowed. ''I never said anything about you getting fat, Tony.''
''I never said fat.'' He lifted his fork and pointed it at her accusingly. ''You just said fat. I knew it.'' He looked down at his belly and gave it an experimental pat.
Lia giggled at his antics, but Ziva managed to hold back her smile. ''No one thinks you are gaining weight, Tony.'' She assured him, though her tone still held a heavy amount of amusement. ''It is all in your head. Besides, you know me. Would I really try and beat around the bush if I thought you were getting a little…heavy?'' He simply stared back at her with trepidation. ''What? It is true.''
''I know.'' He replied, before a fond grin stretched over his face. ''It's just kinda weird hearing you get idiom's correct, that's all.''
She chuckled. ''It had to happen at some point.''
''Momma?'' Lia spoke up after a few seconds of silent eating.
Ziva brushed a few loose curls behind the child's ear. ''Yes, tatelah?''
''I think Daddy's heavy.''
Tony almost spat out his breakfast in surprise, but instead had to stop himself from choking. He was just so shocked to hear his daughter's, apparently dead serious, opinion. His wife was clearly just as taken aback by the comment, and her eyebrows rose in surprise as she failed to prevent the laughter from escaping her mouth. The little trouble-maker appeared to be completely oblivious as to why her words provoked such animated reactions out of her parents.
''It's not funny.'' She whined with pouted lips. ''He rolled over and squashed Hippo. He was too heavy to push out the way.''
The heavy man in question had just about managed to clear the pancake debris from his throat. ''Just because you can't roll me over doesn't make me heavy, princess.'' He informed her defensively. ''You're just small.''
She shot him a Ziva glare. ''You hurted him.''
''Who?''
That comment earned him two identical angry looks from both the curly haired females in front of him. He knew Ziva's was fake, though. ''Hippo!'' They replied in unison.
His eyes narrowed slightly again. ''I hurt a cuddly toy?''
''His face got all smushed up.'' Lia explained.
He shared a brief look with Ziva, who couldn't help but smile back at him from behind their daughter's head, before turning back to his accuser. ''You use him as a pillow all the time, sweetie.'' He argued in a soft tone. ''Does that not hurt him?''
''No.''
''Why not?''
She sighed heavily in such a Ziva-like manner that he honestly forgot who he was talking to for a second. ''I'm not heavy like your big butt''
His jaw dropped, just as his wife snorted out in laughter. ''Lia!'' She admonished, though there was no anger in her voice whatsoever. ''Do not be rude to your father. I'm sure he didn't mean to squash Hippo.''
Lia turned to her mother with a cheeky smirk. ''You call daddy hairy butt.''
''Yes, but not at the table.''
The little girl giggled. ''He got a big hairy butt.''
''Hey!'' Tony stepped in with an indignant tone. ''How come we never talk about your mom's butt? Why's it always gotta be me?''
Ziva tilted her head as she gave him a stern look of disapproval. ''I think we should just drop this entire conversation about backsides.'' She advised. ''Knowing you two, it could go on for hours.''
...
The rest of the meal was spent in (relative) peace. The food was polished off hastily, and with great enthusiasm. That was often the case when Ziva fed her two hungry housemates. When she returned from upstairs after getting herself ready for her lunch date, she was pleased to see that Tony had done all the washing up. Her heart warmed as she imagined little Lia helping her father clean up all the dishes. There was no doubt in her mind that her daughter would have at least tried to do so, anyway. Lia would always try and help her father out if it meant she could spend just a little bit more time with him. She was a daddy's girl alright. Even if she did think he was too heavy. She found the two of them in the living room, eyes glued to the TV. It wasn't exactly an uncommon sight.
''Thank you for washing up, Tony.''
He glanced her way momentarily. ''Don't mention it.''
Lia's head poked around from the other side of the couch. ''I helped!'' She announced with a toothy grin.
Ziva chuckled softly. ''I thought so.''
''Got my 'jamas all wet.'' The little girl showcased the large patch of soapy water currently soaking through one of her sleeves.
''Perhaps it is time for you to get washed and dressed, baby.''
Tony seemed to snap out of his television trance as he hummed in agreement. ''Yeah.'' He muttered, giving his armpit a sniff. ''I think you're right about that one, sweetcheeks.''
She rolled her eyes. ''I was talking to Lia.'' She filled him in, a small smile appearing on her face. ''But I suppose you should get yourself ready for the day as well, mon petit pois.''
He grunted in acknowledgement.
''You do not seem too thrilled by the idea.''
Lia tugged on his t-shirt before he could reply. ''Daddy?'' He looked down at her with an expectant look on his face and lifted an eyebrow in question. ''Have you gotsa go to work again?''
The sad look on her little face made his chest grow tight. Clearly she didn't fancy the idea of him heading off to work, especially after a solid week of doing just that. The realization that he had pretty much been away from home between sunrise and sunset for the last five days hit him like a slap to the face. He had barely spent any time with his daughter during that time. No wonder he was in such a terrible mood in the bullpen recently. He must've made life hell for his poor probies. He looked up and shared a knowing look with Ziva who, as always, knew exactly what he was thinking. He thought he could even see a sudden glassiness in her eyes. She knew as well as him that he did have to go to work. Was there really any rush, though? When he met his little girl's deep, brown eyes again, he decided there wasn't. Hell, he would only miss her as much as she missed him. He'd already told his team not to bother coming in until around midday, so he was definitely free until at least then.
''Not until later, princess.'' He answered her eventually, trying to cover the underlying emotion in his voice with hopeful optimism. ''So we can hang out for a little while if you want to.''
Her features noticeably brightened after hearing his proposition. ''Can we play outside?'' She asked with a hopeful smile.
He nodded. ''We sure can. I think it's the perfect weather to get the tricycle out. How's that sound?''
Her smile somehow grew as she jumped up in excitement. ''I love the bike! I go really fast now, Momma.'' She was already halfway out the door before either parent could react.
Ziva raised an eyebrow in amusement, but Tony could still see the concern in her eyes. ''I know you do, Lia. Please be careful.''
The energized girl poked her head back in to the room with a serious expression. ''Come on, Daddy, we gotta get dressed.'' She had disappeared again by the time the daddy in question got to his feet.
Ziva intercepted him with a gentle hand to his chest before he got to the doorway. ''Thank you for that. I know it is not easy.''
''What isn't?''
She ran her other hand over the day's old stubble on his cheek. ''Finding the right balance between work and family.'' She elaborated. ''I think you do well.''
His eyes went distant, and she knew he was berating himself again. ''Sometimes I'm not so sure.'' He confessed honestly. ''I've barely seen her this week.''
''And she has missed you. But I think she is beginning to understand how important your job is.''
He sighed heavily. ''Doesn't make it any easier.'' He saw the sympathy in her eyes. The love and understanding he'd learned to rely on over the years. Suddenly the need to hug her was overwhelming. She was right, as always. This wasn't easy. He wished he could just completely separate his home and work lives into two individual worlds. He wished he could have as much time as he needed to fully devote himself to both his professional duties and his husband/father duties. Except that couldn't happen. NCIS was his home. Ziva and Lia were his home. They had to collide and overlap at some point. If only he had superpowers. That would really, really help.
''I know.'' She acknowledged in a soft whisper. ''Perhaps you should accept the time off Vance offered you. Try and give yourself a little break.''
He rubbed a hand over his face in frustration. ''I've gotta wrap this case up first. It's a really crappy one. I'll think about taking some leave after we close it. I promise.''
''Okay.'' She nodded, before giving him a loving kiss on the cheek. ''Now get up there and get her dressed.'' She ordered, quickly swatting his backside for emphasis.
''Yes, ma'am.'' He shot back with a mock salute. ''We'll try not to wreck your pretty new flowerbeds. She sometimes likes to go dirt-biking.''
''Make sure she wears a helmet.'' She called after him and he'd turned away and disappeared into the hallway.
...
Just over an hour later, the warmth of the sun was growing by the second. The steady rise in temperature seemed to bring out a not so steady rise in Lia's energy levels. She had already played about fifteen rounds of Hide and Seek with Tony in the garden- a game she was just too damn good at in his not so humble opinion- before he decided to bring her little blue tricycle out of the shed for her to shoot around the patio on. Overseeing this activity was far less tiring than trying to find her creative hiding places, and he happily sat back on a deck chair with a glass of cold soda as she enthusiastically rode from place to place at an impressive speed. She really was getting very good on that thing. He briefly considered that maybe it was time to upgrade to a proper bike, but decided to discuss that with Ziva another time. Lia seemed happy enough with what she already had. After all, she never seemed to get bored of it.
She stopped in front of him and looked at him with wide, excited eyes from beneath her pink helmet. ''Watch me go down the ramp, daddy.''
''Ramp?'' He asked with a furrowed brow. ''What ramp?''
He got no reply, though. He didn't even have time to stop her before she peddled her way to the edge of the patio. The 'ramp' she mentioned was actually a concrete slope leading to side gate. He was on his feet in a panicked frenzy before he even had time to think. ''Wait, Lia! That's not safe, remember?''
It was too late. She was traveling downwards before he could catch her. He did get the top of the slope just in time to see her front wheel hit a loose stone and send her and the tricycle toppling over in a heap at the bottom. His gut twisted with worry as he ran down to help her. She was whimpering, and had tears in her eyes, by the time he removed her helmet and inspected her face and head for any injuries. It seemed clear, but his heart rate was still spiking uncontrollably.
''I told you never to go down the slope, didn't I?" He reminded her with a stern look.
She sniffled before taking a few difficult breaths, and that's when the damn burst and her body started to wrack with sobs. ''I'm sorry, Daddy.'' She managed to squeeze out between the crying. He kissed her head and hugged her as tightly as he could. God, his heart actually hurt. He thought it might possibly take all day to get over this accident. ''It hurts.'' She whined after a few more choked sobs.
''What does? Where does it hurt, Lia?'' He asked with wide, scared eyes.
She lifted her elbow and showed it to him. His face fell when he saw a nasty graze that was already bleeding. Without having time to think, he lifted her up and carried her swiftly through the back door and into the kitchen. He placed her down on the counter and began rushing around from drawer to drawer trying to find the first aid kit. When he finally got hold of the damn thing, he stood in front of his daughter, who had now calmed down a little bit but still had tears leaking from her little eyes. ''Okay, baby, this is gonna sting a little bit.'' He warned her, lifting her arm out to get access to the wounded elbow. ''But it's a good sting, okay? It means I'm making your cut better.'' She didn't look happy at the idea of further pain, but did nod slowly in acceptance. She always trusted her parents. Without question. That thought made Tony's heart break a little bit. He leaned over and gave her cheek a small kiss. ''I'm sorry, sweetie.''
He then went about cleaning her graze with disinfectant, all the while offering soothing words of assurance. To her credit, she only let out the odd small whimper as she visibly fought back further tears. By the time he'd carefully placed a big, square band-aid over the cut, her eyes were completely dry. There was still a frown marring her pretty little features, though. He placed a kiss on her newly patched up elbow.
''There we go, my brave little munchkin.'' He softly told her. ''Now we've just gotta wait a few days and, when we take that off, your arm will be all better.''
She nodded again, but there was still fear in her brown orbs. ''Will it hurt when I takes it off?''
''Maybe a little bit.'' He replied honestly. ''But, you know what? I'm gonna take it off for you and make sure it doesn't hurt too bad.''
Her head bowed. ''You promise?''
''I promise.''
She still looked worried, though, when she lifted her head back up to meet his eyes. ''Will Momma be mad?''
Yes, she probably would. But only at him. ''Of course not. She'll just be glad you're okay.'' That reassurance seemed to ease her concern a little bit. He still wasn't sure he'd followed the entire parenting procedure yet, though. ''Does it hurt anywhere else?''
She shook her head. ''My butt hurts a little.''
He couldn't help but chuckle, despite everything. She had the bluntness of her mother and the inappropriateness of her father. God, he hoped she never changed. ''No talking about butts in the kitchen.'' He reminded her with a teasing smile.
To his relief, she smiled back at him. He'd rarely felt so relieved in all his life. ''We're not eating, daddy.'' She said in an amused tone.
''So that makes it okay, huh?''
Her smile grew mischievous. ''And Momma's not here.''
Just as the words left her mouth, the sound of the front door opening and shutting echoed through the house. He recognized Ziva's soft hum and light footsteps as she made way towards the kitchen, no doubt heading in the direction of the back door to check up on them. He shared a worried wince with his daughter and began bracing himself for the wrath of his angry wife. At least Lia was wearing her helmet when she fell. If she wasn't, Ziva would probably stab him after inevitably hearing about the little crash outside.
When Ziva entered the kitchen, it took her a few moments to take in what she saw. She observed her baby sat up on the counter, her husband standing in front of her with an apologetic wince and the first aid kit lying open beside them both. It didn't take long for her to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and the band-aid on Lia's elbow half-explained the tracks of dried tears on her little face.
''What did you do to my baby?" She asked with wide eyes and concern-fueled frown.
He jumped straight in to his own defense. ''I didn't do anything. It's just a little graze, Ziva.''
She was past him and already examining her daughter before she even acknowledged his response. ''What happened, tatelah?'' She softly asked in Hebrew.
''Hey! You can't do that. That's not fair.'' He protested. ''Speak eng-''
He was sharply shushed by Ziva, before she patiently listened for Lia's reply. It eventually came after the little girl met Tony's eyes for a few long seconds. ''I fell off the bike.''
''How?''
''I went down the big slope.'' She confessed with a guilty twist of her mouth.
Her mother sent a stern look of admonishment. ''We have told you not to go down there, Liana. Where was your Abba?'' She turned back to give him a questioning glare. ''I thought you would not let her down that little hill, Tony.''
''I didn't. She did it before I could stop her.''
''I told you, we need to put a gate there or-''
''-Momma?''
She turned back to Lia after the little child's voice interrupted the oncoming argument between her parents. ''Yes, baby?''
''Don't be mad at Daddy.'' Lia implored sincerely. ''I forgotted I'm not spose'd to go down the ramp. He made my boo-boo all better.''
Ziva's face visibly softened after hearing the honest explanation. Rationally, she knew it was a bit harsh to blame Tony for this little accident. Emphasis on little. It could have been much worse, in truth. She was well aware of just how hard it could be to keep control of an adrenaline-fueled Lia, and that a small graze was nothing to worry about. That didn't make it any easier to fight off the immediate panic she felt when she'd first entered the room, though. She brushed the child's wild hair behind her ear, before giving her crown a brief kiss. When she turned back to her husband, he was gazing at his daughter with unguarded adoration.
''I'm sorry.'' He said after a calming sigh. ''I should've stopped it happening.''
His eyes locked with hers, and she expressed her own apologies through the silent language they'd first developed as partners. ''It is okay.'' She assured him vocally. ''You know what I'm like with Lia. I fear the worst. I cannot help it.''
''I know. I do too. But she's okay.'' His reassuring words achieved their desired objective of calming her down even further. ''You were really brave weren't you, little lion?'' Lia smiled up at her dad as he tussled her hair affectionately. He glanced at the oven clock and let out a tired sigh. ''Right, I gotta go to work.'' He placed another kiss to the crown of his offspring's curls. ''I'll be back tonight to check on your battle wound. Okay, princess?''
Lia nodded solemnly. ''Okay.'' She said in a slightly disappointed tone. ''Love you, Daddy.''
''I love you more.'' He turned to Ziva with small smirk. ''You might find an abandoned little blue bike by the side gate outside.'' He informed her with a wink. ''Sorry again, by the way.''
She leaned in and gave him a warm, soft kiss. He guessed all was forgiven. ''Be safe.'' She ordered quietly.
''Always am.''
More to come. Hope you liked this fluffy chapter. If you didn't, then perhaps the upcoming, less happy chapters will tickle your fancy. I'm gonna try and up the ante when it comes to the emotional side of our little DiNozzo family.