I promise the remaining chapters aren't even close to as fluffy as this turned out to be. My apologies, hope you enjoy regardless!
A quick thank you to those who favorited, alerted, and reviewed me, and for those who faithfully review each chapter; I appreciate it tremendously, and love to hear how much you guys are enjoying this story!
Also: Guilty of being a Charmed fan, the name is a favorite of mine.
jae
Six
On the sixth day, she learns the true meaning of home.
The morning dawns and brings with it what looks to be a promising, refreshing spring day. She wakes just as the sun begins to lighten the dark sky, and she watches lazily as the sun's light permeates their quiet bedroom, leaving the peace undisrupted. She only wishes the sun brought with it any reminder of the years her brain has temporarily misplaced.
There are other positives to be thankful for, she thinks, as her gaze shifts from the large window of their bedroom to fall upon her companions.
She is laying in Tony's bed. Their bed, she corrects herself. Tony is lying no more than an arm's length away from her, demonstrated by his arm that is extended towards her hip. His face is peaceful in sleep, she muses, and so very relaxed.
Lying between them is Piper, whom who snuck very quietly into their bed sometime during the night. The fact that she achieved this without waking the resting ninja is quite a feat, and Ziva smiles down at the little girl, impressed with her accomplishment. She awoke to find their daughter snuggled into her side, clad in only an oversized, and very worn, red Ohio State shirt.
And she must concede Tony was right; a snuggler indeed. Ziva reaches down to stroke her little girl's hair softly, and chuckles as she reaches to pull her tiny thumb out of her mouth. Evidently, the preciousness of this habit has allowed them to enable it. Instead of letting go of her little hand, Ziva holds on to it, brushing it with her thumb. Her smile widens as the little girl's hand unconsciously tightens over her fingers, and doesn't let go.
oOo
The first day home isn't action packed, but it is eventful. Piper keeps them occupied, and the distraction is welcomed by Ziva. Their daughter, it turns out, isn't anything Ziva's ever pictured toddlers to be. She throws no tantrums, nor does she run wild and uninhibited throughout the house, leaving chaos and mayhem in her wake. She follows her parents obediently and quietly when bored, and can keep herself occupied without resorting to destructive tendencies.
In an effort to get to know their daughter better, Ziva spends the day mostly doing activities of Piper's choice. They draw in her coloring book, have a very formal tea party with several of her most regal stuffed animals, and assist Tony in building a fort, which he later informs them, puts the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse to shame. Ziva can't recall a time where she's had enjoyed herself as much as she does while playing with Tony and their daughter.
When the clock edges closer to dinner time, Tony and Piper are still laughing away in the confines of their fort, so Ziva offers to cook.
"I'll hold down the fort," she hears him say to Piper, "Looks like Momma needs her most very special helper."
Ziva smiles at his helpful hint; evidently cooking is something they share together. She watches Piper crawl out from their fort with little difficulty, and she picks herself up and smiles at Ziva.
"I helps ya Momma, We make s'ghetti tonight, be׳vakasha?"
"Spaghetti sounds delicious," Ziva acquiesces with a smile, and gently lifts her up to rest on her hip in a move she's honed and mastered in no less than a day. Tony crawls out from their fort in a much less graceful manner, and follows his two exotic beauties into the kitchen, where he spends the next hour seated at the kitchen counter, watching the two chatter, laugh, and cook.
oOo
The day comes to an end, and the family of three has curled up together, lounging on the couch in front of what Tony has declared a cinematic masterpiece.
Piper's small body is draped lazily across both Tony and Ziva. Ziva strokes her daughter's head that's resting in her lap, while Tony occasionally tickles her small feet poking out from her blanket. Half way through their movie, and Indy's adventures evidently fail to keep the little girl enraptured, for Piper is soon asleep; thumb in mouth, snoring softly.
Tony moves to cover up her tiny feet under the blanket. "It's not even to the best part; my hopes for our daughter have fallen dramatically. Let's hope she absorbs more pop culture than you," he whines to his partner quietly.
Ziva smiles, eyes never leaving the screen. "I do not think you need to worry, from the way she quoted all of this Jones' persons lines, this is not her first time watching this movie."
Tony offers a sly grin, and shifts his arm to hold her free hand.
She smiles softly, squeezing his hand lightly.
Israeli Mossad assassin to Americana mommy.
Stranger things have happen, she muses, as she glances at her partner.