Twenty Seven
Later that night. After a small party at Ducky's with dinner.
Ziva carried the tired eleventh month old child into her room. Her eyelids having a hard time themselves to stay open. She gently put Conner into his crib and covered him up with the blanket. She kissed his head and then left to help Tony carry in the presents they all had gotten. They all got presents they loved. But the one Ziva loved the most was her necklace back.
Tony set the small box of toys that everyone had given Conner down by the couch. On the top was a small "handy man" toy set McGee had given him. Abby's small snow globe that had a little bat with a Santa hat on it was right by it. Gibbs had made a small sail boat out of wood and painted it a light blue. He had made sure it was sanded down enough so it wouldn't give Conner blisters or splinters. Ducky had gotten Conner a few books. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, a picture book called Red Yellow Blue Bunny. Tony had joked, "looks like Ducky's trying to veer Conner away from Duck's but to Bunnies." He had earned a Gibbs'-Slap for that one.
Ziva got the other box that sat outside the apartment door, it was hers and Tony's presents they had gotten. She set it next to the other one. She stood to her full height and yawned as Tony shut the door and locked it.
"Looks like the ninja needs to sleep." Tony smiled.
Ziva shook her head, "hold on. I haven't given you my present." She went into her room and a few moments later emerged with a thin rectangle present wrapped up in a silver paper.
Tony took it and looked up at her.
Ziva smiled, "you'll see." Tony sat on the couch and began un-wrapping it.
Ziva sat on the floor in front of his feet. She watched intently wanting to see his reaction as he pulled it out.
Tony finished un-wrapping it. It was upside down because he saw the backing to a picture frame. He turned it over and saw the sweetest picture ever. Ziva had gone and gotten a picture of her and Conner. Ziva was sitting almost how she was now and Conner was sitting in her lap, playing with his mother's fingers, with a big smile to the camera. The back round was snow falling. "Ziva, I like it."
Ziva smiled and got the small card that rested inside the paper still. She handed it to him. "Read it."
Tony took it and began to read.
"Dear Tony, you have done so much in mine and Conner's life. Thank you so much. You have taken us in and taken care of us without thinking much about it. I do not know the exact reason you did it. But if it's as simple as your conscious telling you, or as complicated as some drawn out story of liking me, I will be grateful no matter what it is. Thank you for making me feel safe again in my life and thank you so much for calling yourself Conner's father when you are technically not his father. I appreciate all you have done. And you definitely have earned the right to be Conner's father. Thank you. Ziva." Under Ziva's name was a pen scribble.
"Conner." was all Ziva said. Her smile spoke volumes.
Tony smiled, "I love it." and he definitely meant it.
Dec. 27th
Ziva heard her phone ringing as she was helping Conner go to the bathroom. She groaned softly. "Tony, I need help."
Tony came from his room into the bathroom, "what is it?"
"Take care of Conner. I need to get my phone."Tony nodded and helped Conner allowing Ziva to grab her phone on the third ring.
"David." She sighed into the phone as she sat on the couch in relief she had made it in time.
"Ziva." It was Eli.
"Hello Papa." Ziva answered automatically sitting up straighter.
"Hello daughter. I was calling to say hello. We haven't talked in quite a while."
"I know father and I am sorry. I have been really busy. A lot of cases." She lied. She didn't tell Eli about Conner. She wanted it to stay that way.
"Well Ziva dear I have some news for you." Eli said into the phone. She could almost hear his smirk. This wasn't going to be good.
A/N: Don't you guys love cliffys? Haha I'll write more tomorrow but until then…Hehe. Reviews would be great. Especially with the day I've had. Thank you guys so much. You're reviews make me feel better and make me feel…special. Yeah, I'm bragging but hey I got the world's most amazing reviewers! Thank you all so much! Until tomorrow, au revoir!