Holding Onto Hope

By wanna-be-bold

Ch 5

As Ziva walked out of Tony's apartment, she began to review the last hour and a half. Her talk with Tony went a lot better than she expected. Instead of being furious with her for being away and keeping her daughter from him, he was patient and was allowing her the chance to explain her reasoning behind her actions. He even showed how much he still trusted her when he gave her the keys to his car, knowing she had come over in a cab. During her drive to Gibbs house, she couldn't help but think about how tonight was going to go. She had shown Tikva pictures of her father many times, explaining to her who he was. She just hoped that, at fourteen months old, she would easily take to this new figure in her life – though if Gibbs was any example she would be attached to Tony at the hip. It was just after 9:30 when she pulled into Gibbs home, driving slower and more cautious since Tikva was born, and was greeted by Gibbs when she came in the door.

"Hey Ziver, how'd it go?"

"It went, much better than I expected Gibbs. He was upset at first, but I told him I would explain everything to him later. He even looked through the photo albums I took for him. He is ready to meet his daughter."

"Are you gonna bring him over here?"

"Actually I am taking her over there. We are going to spend the night at Tony's and take things from there."

"You sure that's such a good idea?"

"He is her father Gibbs. You should have seen the way he looked at her pictures. I can tell he already adores her. He needs to get to know his daughter and she needs to know her father loves her. I do not want her growing up like I did."

"Eli wasn't the father you deserved Ziva and I'm sorry for what he put you through."

"Thank you Gibbs, but what is done is done. I am just thankful for the happy memories I have, however few they may be."

"You'll make memories with your little one Ziver. And I know Tony'll wanna be there for them. I'd like to be there for them too."

Ziva couldn't help but choke back her second so of the night as she tightly hugged the father figure in her life.

"I would like that Gibbs."

"He loves you ya know."

Ziva pulled away from Gibbs, wiping at her eyes.

"I love him too. I just hope Tikva will accept him."

"Like you said, he's her father, she's gonna have him wrapped around her finger."

"I take it that has already happened to you?"

"It's hard not to be. She's adorable."

"Yes she is. I suppose she is asleep?"

"Yeah, put her down an hour ago."

"Well, I will go get some bags in the car before I must wake her."

"You bring your stuff in here, I'll take it out for you."

Ziva goes to her room to collect a few bags that she had not had the chance to unpack, along with the portable crib, and brings them out to Gibbs.

"Could you get Tikva's crib in the car while I get her up?"

Gibbs nods as he starts to take Ziva's bags and the car seat out to Tony's car while Ziva goes to wake up her daughter. As she enters the room, she sees her baby sleeping soundly in her portable crib and she realizes how much her life is going to change within the next few hours. She walks over to pick up a now awake Tikva before sitting on her bed, ready to talk to her daughter.

"Tikva, do you remember Ima telling you about your daddy? Well, we are going to go stay with him tonight. You will like him, he is very nice and very excited to meet you. Let us get your seat in the car and we shall go."

Ziva had just started packing up the diaper bag when Gibbs comes in the room.

"All your bags are in the car, crib's in the trunk, seats all that's left."

"Could you keep Tikva occupied while I get her car seat in?"

"Sure. I'll bring her out in a minute."

When Ziva is almost finished installing the car seat, Gibbs comes out carrying a very sleepy Tikva and her diaper bag. Ziva gets Tikva settled into her seat before getting behind the wheel as Gibbs sets the diaper bag in the passenger seat.

"Thank you Gibbs, for everything."

"No problem Kid."

"I will call you when I get to Tony's. We will come back to get the rest of our bags tomorrow."

"See you then. And Ziva."

"Yes Gibbs?"

"It's good to have you back."

"It is good to be back."

"Drive safe."

"I will. Wave bye-bye to Gampa Gibbs."

With Gibbs waving back, Ziva pulls out of the driveway, making her way back to Tony's apartment. No longer one to talk on the phone while driving, she calls Tony as soon as she pulls in to his parking spot. He meets her downstairs to carry her bags and the portable crib while Ziva carries a sleeping Tikva. After they get inside and sit the bags down, the new family takes a seat on the couch just as Tikva starts to wake up.

"Ima?"

"Shalom sleepy head. You had a nice nap yes?"

Tikva nods her head and Tony watches from the side amazed at mother and daughter. He is still finding it hard to believe that his daughter and Ziva are sitting here before him.

"Remember Ima telling you about meeting your daddy? Well my little nesikha, this is your daddy."

Tikva turns to look behind her at Tony who is smiling widely at her with tears in his eyes.

"Hi Tikva. I'm Tony. I'm your daddy. I'm so happy to finally meet you. I already love you so much."

Tikva turns back around to look at her mother with questioning eyes before climbing in her lap and tugging on Ziva's hair. Watching her reaction, Tony starts thinking he did something wrong. Sensing his reaction, Ziva quickly reassures him.

"It is okay Tony, you have not done anything wrong, she is just like this when she is tired. It will be better in the morning after she has slept."

Ziva carries their now sleeping child to Tony's room and guides him in setting up the portable crib. Before laying her down, Tony gives Tikva kiss on the forehead and says goodnight to his daughter for the first time before turning to Ziva.

"Goodnight Ziva. See you in the morning?"

"Goodnight Tony, we will see you in the morning."

For the first time in two years, he had never been so excited to wake up on a day off.

AN: Sorry again for the delay. Now it looks like I'll only be able to post 2 or 3 times a week.

I have 23 followers and 8 favorites on this story so I want to thank all of you that followed or favorited! I never expected to get that many so thank you thank you thank you!

And again, thanks to Debbie and my guest reviewers! To my one guest, don't worry, you'll find that out within the next 2 or 3 chapters.