Holding Onto Hope

By wanna-be-bold

Some lines by promiseyoullbepatientwithme

Beta for this chapter: violetdoodlebug

AN: Hey all, sorry for the late update. My chronic wrist sprain flared up again and I cut my finger making it difficult to type. I had a bad case of writer's block on this particular chapter and I was out longer than I expected the day I planned on writing. Plus, after I finished it, my usual beta was out for the day. Again, I'm SO sorry for the later than usual update. I have chapter 5 about half way written so it should be up soon.

Thanks again to all my lovely reviewers! The positive ones always make me smile and the not so nice ones bring out my sarcastic side. (I like constructive criticism though)

Anyways, here's chapter 4:

Ch 4

After laying her smaller pregnancy album on the coffee table, Ziva pulled out a large purple photo album with "Tikva" written on the front and her first picture underneath. The moment Tony's eyes landed on her little pink face he fell in love.

"She was 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 19 inches long. This picture was taken about 10 hours after she was born."

"Oh my gosh, she's beautiful Ziva. Will you tell me about the day she was born?"

"Of course. What would you like to know?"

"Anything you want to tell me."

"Well in that case… It was a week before my due date. I woke up and went about my normal routine for most of the day. When I felt my water break around five that evening, I called Alvina who came over with her midwife. I was in labor for twelve hours, giving birth to her just as the sun was coming up in Beersheba." Ziva starts getting teary-eyed at the memories. "I do not think it became real that I was a mother until she started crying when they laid her in my arms for the first time. She looked up at me with these big green eyes and I just knew I would do anything for her."

"I wish I could have been there for you Zi. I'm just glad you didn't have to do it alone."

"I know Tony. I wish you could have been with me too. Alvina stayed with me for a month after Tikva was born to help with anything I needed. Right before she went home, she look these photos of Tikva and I."

As Tony looked at the photos of mother and daughter, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken at the memories he had missed out on making with his daughter and Ziva. He hoped that Ziva's visit was permanent and would allow him to make up the year he was absent from Tikva's life. He broke out of his thoughts when Ziva started showing him photos from Tikva's first birthday and he realized he had zoned out for most of the album.

"Wow, she already has a full head of hair. She looks just like you with those curls."

"She has my hair, but she has your green eyes. And let us not forget the famous DiNozzo smile."

"She looks like us. And she's perfect, absolutely perfect."

"Yes she is."

"So, when do I get to meet the munchkin?"

"I could bring her over in the morning if you would like. We could spend the day together."

"Where is she at now?"

"At Gibbs. I called him before my flight and he offered to pick me up. He was a little surprised when there was a little girl with me. He took to her immediately and she was calling him 'Gampa Gibbs' since I left them."

"I take it you're staying with Gibbs then?"

"That was my plan, yes."

"Why not stay with me?"

"I was not sure what your reaction would be when I randomly showed up at your apartment and announced you had a child. I did not want to assume you would be so welcoming."

Tony couldn't believe she thought he could turn her away.

"Ziva you are always welcome here. I may still be mad that you were gone for two years without contact and kept my daughter from me, but I would never be able to keep you away now. So whadya say? You and Tikva could take my room, I could stay on the couch."

Ziva hesitated, unsure of herself.

"Tony I could not impose on you. You should not have to give up your bed for me again."

"Ziva I told you, you're always welcome here. Besides, I'd really like to be able to put my daughter to bed."

As soon as Tony pulled the daughter card, Ziva knew she had no choice.

"Alright Tony. It is almost 9:00 pm now. I shall go to Gibbs and pick her up then."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"That is okay Tony, I will not be long. I need to explain to Gibbs what is going to happen. For now I will just bring with us enough for overnight and we can see how that goes."

"Okay, I'll just uh, clean up my room a bit before you get back then."

"That would be wise, because when I get back I will have a very curious and exhausted one year old ready to meet her daddy."

"I can't wait."