Tony sat quietly behind his desk, bent over at the waist, his face buried into his hands.
A hand touches his shoulder, he starts to lift his head, he sniffles deeply, pinching his nose as his hands fall away from his face, his eyes puffy.
"You don't have to hide your tears, ya know?"...Constance softly spoke.
Tony sat up, wiping under his nose again..."DiNozzo's don't cry."
"I cry and I'm a DiNozzo."
He looks up, seeing her huge smile. He slightly lowers his head, covering his eyes with his left hand, tears trickling down his face.
"Can I have a hug?"...Constance asked.
Tony raises his head, opening up his arm, she falls into them as he hugs her tightly, cupping the back of her head, holding her close..."Always."...He whispered.
"Are you okay?"
"Heh. Yeah."...Tony pulls back, brushing her hair out of her face... "It's just been one helluva day."
Constance turns her head slightly, seeing the opened envelope that she gave to Tony..."You read it?"
Tony nodded.
"What did it say?"
"Read it if you want."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."...He smiled.
Constance reaches for the letter, unfolding it and reads it silently:
"Dear Tony,
I've wrote this many times, sometimes it went on for pages and pages, but then I remembered, you hated reading - I know, this is no time for joking, but I can't help it, your sense of humor rubbed off on me and she's a lot like you, too.
I loved being with you, I was always laughing and smiling and giggling and doing things my mother never wanted me to do, but I got tired of it, tired of her bitching, tired of her wanting me to be something I wasn't. I was miserable. I had to get away. I didn't see any other solution than transferring to Texas and staying with my Grandmother Connie.
Then something special happened, something that chanced my life forever. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how and I tried, I really did. After my grandmother died, I even moved up north again and I looked and found you, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you, to ruin your life.
It was selfish of me to keep you from knowing your daughter, but I thought it was for the best. If you have to hate someone, hate me, not her and I beg you, please, please take care of her. That is my one and only dying wish.
I'm sorry.
Love,
Always Your SMA."
The elevator dings, Abby and Ziva step out and move into the bullpen. Abby was waving an envelope in the wave excitedly..."Got the test results, Tony!"...She cheered.
Tony wipes his eyes with his hand, he stands, flipping up the hoodie on his gray Ohio State sweat shirt.
"Why do you have it in an envelope, Abby?"...Ziva asked.
"Because Tony loves when Maury Povich does the whole 'You are/aren't the father' reveal thing."
Tony reaches out, gently squeezing Constance's shoulder..."It doesn't matter, Abby, she's my daughter, no matter what it says. Lets go home."
"Home?"...Constance said.
"Unless you're staying somewhere else already?"
Constance slowly shook her head no.
"Then it's settled, get your things."...Constance smiled as she moved next to Tony's desk, grabbing her backpack.
Tony looked at Ziva, holding his hand out.
"Go, spend time with her, she's your family."
Tony steps to her, caressing her cheek with the back of his fingers, then cupping it softly with his palm..."So are you."
Ziva turns her head into his hand, kissing it..."I have to talk to Abby, okay?"
"Are you okay to drive?"
Ziva smiles..."I'm fine."
"Pumpkin, go call the elevator."...Tony called out.
"Pumpkin?"...Constance smiled..."I like that!"
"Heh. Good. I was running out."
Constance turns and moves towards the elevator as Tony lowered his hoodie and quickly leaned in, kissing Ziva on lips.
He pulls away, smiling, he turns and walks towards Constance.
"Tony?"...Ziva spoke.
"Yeah?"...Tony turned, looking at her.
"I love you."
Tony raises his right hand to his lips, kissing his fingers, then extends it towards her, blowing her a kiss with a smile before disappearing into the elevator.
Ziva turned, looking at Abby..."There's a 99.997 percent chance that he IS the father."
"Looks like 100 percent to me, Abby."...Ziva smiled, they started moving towards the opposite elevator..."Now, lets go test my..."
"It's pee, Ziva."
"I know what it is called, Abby."
"It's a normal aspect of life, everyone pees, Ziva."
Ziva stops just before entering the elevator..."Do not make me take my pee away from you."
Abby laughs, stepping into the elevator..."Don't be such a party pee-er...pooper...pee-er?"...She turns, shrugging, with a huge grin on her face.