Groaning the next morning Ziva buried her face in her pillow before she growled at the sound of someone knocking on her door saying "Z…" "Leave me alone!" Ziva yelled angrily as she buried her face deeper into her pillow. Sighing sadly Akiva pushed Ziva's door open saying "Ziva" calmly as she walked up to Ziva's bed and silently sat down next to the little girl saying "Ziva its ok…" "Leave me alone" Ziva said tightening her grip on her pillow, tears silently running down her face. Sighing sadly Akiva sighed saying "Okay" reassuringly before she silently left and closed Ziva's door behind her saying "Ivan Ziva's not going to school today" sadly.
Sighing Akiva walked into the living room where Ivan sat with a sad Aliyah saying "well I'll be on my way, bye guys" as he jumped off of the couch and silently left while Aliyah sighed asking "Not well?" sadly. Sitting down next to her husband Akiva said "Not well love, I'll stay with her okay love" which made Aliyah sigh saying "Okay, honey see ya later, I love you" sadly as he kissed Akiva, who patted his cheek gently saying "I love you too Ali" fondly. Sighing Akiva watched as Aliyah left for work before she looked at the little girl next to her saying "Hi Talia, how are you feeling today" as the sound of a struggled, pained dragon cry came out of Ziva's room into the living room.
Sighing sadly Akiva looked at Tali's trembling lower lip for a few moments before she pulled the close to tears little girl to her while the pained sound filled the house.
When the pained cry went silent a few hours later Akiva sighed saying "Oh, little girl" sadly as she looked at the sleeping toddler in her arms. Smiling sadly Akiva stroked Talia's hair for a few moments before she picked her up and walked over to her reading chair so that she could read while Tali continued sleeping in her lap.
Sighing Ivan walked into the house later that day after school where he saw Akiva sitting in her reading chair with a sad Tali in her lap making him smile sadly asking "where's Zevy, momma?" as he threw his bag down on the floor next to the door. Raising an eyebrow at his actions Akiva closed her book saying "take your bag to your room Ivan" pointing to the hall while she stared at him. Sighing Ivan picked up his bag grumbling to himself on his way to the hall but was stopped when Akiva said "Ivan" making Ivan sigh again as he threw his bag into the hall before he walked to her and kissed her cheek but was stopped from leaving when Akiva grabbed his shoulders gently saying "what's wrong?" looking him straight in the eyes.
Looking away Ivan said "nothing, can I go now?" blankly making Akiva sigh saying "don't be like that little boy, what's wrong?" sadly as she cupped his face. Sighing Ivan's lower lip started trembling as tears filled his eyes making Akiva pull him to her saying "it's okay little boy, it's okay to cry" soothingly while Ivan clutched her shirt as tears started streaming down his face. Smiling sadly Ziva silently turned and disappeared into the hall with Ivan's bag.
When Ivan went silent a few minutes Akiva kissed his head and silently placed Tali on the floor before she picked a now sleeping Ivan and silently carried him to his room but was shocked when she saw Ivan's school bag neatly on his couch and his covers pulled back so that Akiva could place him in. Snapping out of it Akiva smiled sadly and placed Ivan in his bed and kissed his head saying "sleep well little boy" sadly before she stood up straight and left to go get Tali.
After knocking on Ziva's door a few hours later Akiva pushed it open to reveal the little girl lying on her bed with Ivan next to her as they both stared at the ceiling while Ivan said "I hate that bastard" distain and anger evident in his voice. Sighing Ziva said "yes that man is an idiot, who does that?" raising her hand to the air while Ivan said "Zevy what's your dad like?" making Ziva's hand slam shut saying "his a bastard as well Ivan" her voice emotionless and blank as she glared at her fist. Sighing Ivan said "if both our fathers are bastards what does it make us Zevy?" mimicking Ziva's fist in the air. Chuckling slightly Ziva said "they may be bastards but I'm most certainly not and the same goes for you Ivan" flexing her hand.
Nodding Ivan said "I'm never gonna be like that bastard" making Ziva nod saying "me neither" playfully nudging Ivan's hand next to hers. Smiling Ivan bumped Ziva's fist saying "I'm hungry" making Ziva laugh the tears still evident in her laughter. Sighing Ivan asked "do you think momma will make us a sandwich, Zevy?" "well why don't you ask her and find out?" "why don't you call momma, momma?" Ivan asked letting his fist fall to his side. Sighing Ziva sat up saying "I'm hungry, le…" but trailed off when she caught site of Akiva standing in the doorframe, staring straight at them. Frowning at Ziva's silence Ivan sat up before paling when he saw Akiva in the door as well.
Sighing sadly Akiva stood up straight asking "which sandwich do you two want?" making Ziva sigh in relieve slightly saying "ham and cheese, please?" as Ivan nodded in agreement which made Akiva nod saying "okay, Ziva come out of your room for a while please?" before she turned and left to go make sandwiches while Ziva slipped off of her bed with Ivan.
Reaching the living room moments later Ziva saw her sad little sister sitting on the couch which made her smile sadly saying "hi Natalia" softly making Tali turn to her with tears in her eyes. Smiling sadly Ziva picked her up saying "hey little sister" hugging her to her as she and Ivan sat down on the couch. Smiling sadly Ivan wrapped his arm around Ziva's shoulders saying "what do you want to watch Zevy?" "I don't care but Natalia probably wants to watch cartoons" Ziva said stroking her sister's back.
Ziva, Shabel, Ivan, Ethan and Nathan were sitting on the grass playing spin the bottle while Aliyah played with Jane, Tali and Phillip and Sarah, Anna, Gimil and Benjamin sat on the porch talking with Akiva busy in the house making lunch when a young black haired boy walked out into the backyard with Akiva, who called "Ethan, your brother Elef is looking for you" making the boy in questioning groan saying "go away Elef!" glaring at his brother while Ziva and the others looked at the boy with disgust which made Akiva frown at the behavior. Crossing his arms over his chest the young oy said "don't be like that Et…" "fuck you Elef, leave me alone" Ethan yelled glaring at his younger brother, who kept smirking at him.
Smirking Elef said "papa is looking for you Et" off handedly which made Ethan groan asking "what does he want now?" "why are you asking me?" "what daddy's little star doesn't know?" Ethan said standing up from his spot while Elef smirked saying "well he might have said but I don't pay attention to things that don't ma…" "do us all a favor and fuck off" Ethan said walking up to the porch where a frowning Akiva stood next to the smirking boy. Standing up Ziva said "Ethan are you coming back later?" making the boy turn to her saying "who knows why?" "study group" Ivan said making the boy laugh saying "we'll see, bye guys, Akiva" nodding before he left with his still smirking little brother.
Smiling Ziva said "study group Ivan?" "what, we all know that little bastard will tell on him, so" Ivan said off handedly making the others nod apprehensively before Ivan gulped when "excuse me?" swirling around they saw a frowning Akiva behind them with her arms crossed over her chest. Chuckling nervously Ivan rubbed the back of his head saying "hi momma, what's for lunch?" sheepishly. Raising an eyebrow Akiva said "stew, why did you say that?" "because we're hungry Akiva" Ziva said making Akiva scoff while Ivan and the others smirked slightly before Ivan cleared his throat saying "a slip of the tongue momma, sorry" all business. Nodding Akiva made to say something when Ziva playfully slapped Ivan's shoulder saying "nice Ivan" amusement evident in her voice making Ivan chuckle while Akiva sighed.
Later that night Ziva, Ivan, Akiva, Aliyah, Shabel, Sarah, Anna, Phillip, Tali, Nathan, Jane and Benjamin were sitting on the living room couches watching TV when a scowling Ethan came into the house with a smiling Elef saying "sorry guys, the old man made me bring him" pointing at his brother as he slumped down next to Ziva and Ivan while Elef sat down on the ground to watch TV which made Akiva frown saying "Elef why don't you sit on the couch?" glancing at the others, who immediately sprawled out on the couch so that there wouldn't be any space for him. Smiling Elef said "I don't mind Akiva" making Ethan scoff as he glared at the TV.
"Ziva move up let he sit next to you" Akiva said motioning for Ziva to move but frowned when Ziva said "he is not complaining" glaring at the boy. Scowling Akiva picked up the boy and settled him down next to her which made Ethan glare at the boy in her lap for a few moments before he stood up and left with Ziva and the others and go to Ziva's room with scowls on their faces. Frowning Akiva looked at Aliyah, who was smiling sadly and knowingly, before she sighed again and returned her gaze to the TV.
When the movie ended Akiva looked down at the sleeping kids on her couch saying "Ali what should we do?" motioning to the sleeping kids. Smiling Aliyah said "well I don't know about Elef but the others can bunk here tonight, don't you think honey?" "okay can you tuck them in while I go talk to the others, please?" "okay honey" Aliyah said kissing Akiva's cheek before picking up the sleeping kids. Reaching Ziva's door Akiva heard Shabel said "so are we going to bunk here tonight Zevy" "if you want but Ethan what about your brother?" "what about him?" "well your father might mind if he doesn't come home Ethan?" "well I guess I have to take him home" "you don't have too, momma won't mind if he stays" "yes but then he'll have to bunk with us" "yes, and your mother already thinks his an angel" "I've noticed" "yes but she thinks you're an angel as well Ivan" "screw you Bell" "and his true colors come out" "I've never pretended to be anything other than myself Bell" "whatever, two face" "the only two face here is Elef, Nathan" "well I can't argue with that" "no shit" "and she speaks" Ivan said making the others chuckle while Ziva gently shoved his shoulder.
"well I have to go get the little angel, I'll be back later guys" Ethan said walking to Ziva's door where he was stopped in his tracks by the site of Akiva leaning against the doorframe staring at them. Sighing Ethan said "is he sleeping Akiva?" not looking at her as he stood in front of her. Nodding Akiva said "yes Ethan" "okay thank you" Ethan said nodding to her respectfully before slipping past her to go to the living room while Akiva looked at Ziva, who was sitting on the couch with her head against the wall and her right leg pulled up to her chest while her arm lazily hung on it, and the others that lazily sat down around her room. Sighing Akiva stood up straight and headed to the living room where she saw Ethan gently pick up his sleeping brother saying "bye Aliyah, I'll be back later if you don't mind?" which made Aliyah gasp playfully saying "I'd be insulted if you didn't Ethan, do you want me to walk with you or…" "no need…" "I'll go with you Ethan" Akiva said walking up to her husband and the little boy, who frowned slightly saying "okay but you don…" "it's okay Ethan" Akiva said patting his head before she kissed Aliyah's cheek and left while Aliyah smiled turning back to the sleeping toddlers.
Walking with his baby brother in his arms Ethan looked up and saw a black haired man that he recognized as his father which made him sigh as he broadened his shoulders saying "father" as greeting. Nodding the man said "Ethan" taking the sleeping boy saying "thank you Akiva" nodding to the woman behind his son, who he was ignoring completely, with the sleeping boy snuggling into his chest. Nodding Akiva said "my lord" respectfully which made the man nod as he turned and headed back into the big house behind him. Sighing Ethan turned and walked away silently with Akiva following behind him with a sad smile on her face.
Sighing Ethan shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at the paving beneath his feet as they walked back to Akiva's house. Smiling sadly Akiva placed her hand on his shoulder and walked up beside him as they neared the house before she smiled when she saw Ziva and the others waiting for him on the front porch with Aliyah. Turning into the yard Ethan looked up at the porch asking "what are you guys doing out here?" "enjoying the fresh air Ethan" Ziva said sarcastically making Ethan smirk saying "sarcasm is the refuge of a shallow mind Zevy" "screw…" "Ziva!" "sorry it slipped" Ziva said off handedly making Ivan and the others chuckle while Akiva scoffed saying "oh I'm sure" while the others chuckled.
Chuckling Ziva said "goodnight Aliyah, Akiva, sleep well" heading into the house but was stopped when "Ziva" making Ziva sigh and turn to Akiva and kissing her cheek saying "goodnight Akiva" before turning and leaving as Ivan kissed Akiva's cheek saying "goodnight momma" happily which made Akiva smile as she patted his head. Smiling Ivan stepped back and watched as the other kids said goodnight to Akiva and Aliyah before he lead them to Ziva's room while Aliyah kissed Akiva's cheek saying "hi honey" fondly as he took her hand and silently lead Akiva to their bedroom.