Akiva, Aliyah, Ivan, Shabel, Nathan, Phillip and Tali were happily sitting in the living room watching TV three hours later when Ziva walked back into the house silently which made everyone turn to her with expectancy as Akiva asked "how did it go Ziva?" "he didn't show" ZIva said emotionless as she sat down next to Ivan on the living room couch before she said "but he did leave a message" off handedly as she stared at the TV while the others looked at her intently. "what did the message say Ziva?" Akiva asked looking questioningly at Ziva. Chuckling slightly Ziva said "I should stop wasting his time" blankly while she kept staring at the TV. Smiling sadly Akiva said "Ziva, can I talk to you for a moment?" motioning to the kitchen which made Ziva sigh asking "what did I do now?" "come on" Akiva said walking to the kitchen which made Ziva stand up and follow her to the kitchen while Aliyah looked on after them as Ivan, Shabel and Nathan joined Aliyah on his side of the couch.
Reaching the kitchen Akiva sat down on one of the chairs and motioned for Ziva to do the same as she asked "you okay?" "I'm fine" Ziva said blankly as she sat down in front of Akiva. Sighing Akiva asked "wan…" "no, I am fine" Ziva said blankly which made Akiva smile sadly saying "Ziva, I know you're not fine are you angry?" "no" "sad?" "no, I don't feel anything" "why not?" "momma, I don't want to talk right now" Ziva said blankly with unshed tears evident in her eyes. Smiling sadly Akiva nodded saying "okay, are you hungry?" "yes please?" Ziva said which made Akiva stand up to get Ziva's dinner plate before she kissed Ziva's head and left while Ziva silently sat eating.
Smiling sadly Akiva walked back into the room which made Aliyah asked "Ziva?" "she's eating" Akiva said sitting down next to the kids as she glanced at the kitchen where she saw Ziva silently crying at the table.
Sighing an hour later Akiva turned off the TV saying "bedtime guys" motioning to the hall which made Ivan, Nathan and Shabel groan as they slowly trudged to the hall while Akiva walked to the kitchen to go get Ziva but was stunned when she walked into the kitchen to find it empty. Sighing in sadness and frustration Akiva rubbed her forehead saying "Ziva, where have you gone?" softly to herself as she cleaned Ziva's plate and left to go check on the other kids.
Reaching Ziva's room Akiva saw Nathan, Shabel and Ivan sprawled out on Ziva's bed which made her smile saying "you guys bunking here tonight?" "yes momma, where's Zevy?" Ivan asked sitting up to look at his mother. Smiling sadly Akiva said "she went for a walk, she'll be back later, okay climb into bed guys" motioning to the covers as she walked up to them. Sighing Ivan and the others did as they were told while Akiva kissed their head saying "goodnight guys, sleep well" fondly before she turned off the light as the boys bid her goodnight.
Sighing the next morning Akiva walked into the kitchen to start breakfast as the rest of the house started filling into the kitchen for breakfast. Sighing Akiva turned to the others saying "good morning" pleasantly surprised by Ziva being one of the people at the kitchen table as she turned back to the stove behind her.
Sighing a few minutes later Akiva placed the food on the table as Ivan asked "where were you last night?" as Akiva dished out the food. Lightly tapping the table ZIva stared at her plate saying "I went for the walk" blankly which made Ivan frown saying "you didn't come home last night…" "what are you my mother…" "speaking of which, who is this Zevy?" Nathan asked holding Ziva's burnt picture of her mother. Staring at the photo Ziva asked "where did you get that?" her voice dangerously calm which caught Akiva's attention as Nathan shrugged saying "your drawer, very pretty lady this one…" "it's a shame she's dead, Nathan put that back please?" Ziva said calmly before she stood up and left while Akiva called "Ziva were not…" "bye momma, guys" Ziva said waving before she vanished from the house which made Akiva sigh as Nathan asked "who is this?" adamantly which made Ivan take the photo from him saying "her mother" as he put the picture in his pants pocket.
Shrugging Nathan said "she was really pretty" innocently before he asked "so Tali looking forward to your birthday tomorrow?" looking expectantly at the little girl next to Akiva. Smiling brightly Tali said "yes Zi said Abba come tomorrow" happily which made Nathan and the others smile sadly before Nathan said "that's great and all those presents, did you invite anyone?" "yes, Phil, Zi, momma, Ali, you, Bell, Ivy…" "that is one big party list Tali" Shabel said kindly as he smiled at the brightly smiling toddler.
Sitting in the living room around 10 that night Akiva watched as Ziva walked into the house with a bag which made her ask "where have you been Ziva?" making Ziva stop in her tracks as she turned on the living room lights. Sighing Ziva said "I've been around" blankly. "what's in the bag?" Akiva asked pointing at the plastic bag in Ziva's hands. Looking down at the bag Ziva said "I robbed the bank and brought ba…" "Ziva, didn't we talk about this?" "I have nothing to say, so can I go?" Ziva said blankly which made Akiva sigh saying "no, where have you been?" "momma if I answer that, I will lie to you so I'm not going to answer" Ziva said blankly which made Akiva sigh saying "you and I need to talk…" "momma I have nothing to say" "yes you do" "no I don't" "Ziva come sit down" Akiva said pointing at the couch she was sitting on. Sighing Ziva walked up and sat down on the couch as Akiva did the same saying "you gonna be here for Tali's birthday?" "yes" "gonna be smiling?" "yes" "okay, we'll talk about this tomorrow, deal?" "deal, goodnight" "goodnight, Ziva, sleep well" Akiva said kissing Ziva's head before she watched as Ziva silently walked to the hall and her room to get some sleep.
Smiling the next day Ziva waited for her turn to give Tali her presents before she kissed her sister's head saying "happy birthday Natalia, I'm sorry papa couldn't be here but he sent you a present with a note, so here" giving Tali a red and black wrapped present and a black and silver wrapped present saying "the red one's from papa Natalia" pointing to the present which made Tali's eyes light up as she grabbed the gift eagerly which made the others laugh while Akiva said "Talia, don't you want to read the note?" taking the note from the top of the present. Nodding eagerly Tali looked up at Akiva, who opened the note and read "happy birthday little princess, I love you" making Tali smile brightly while Akiva frowned at the all too familiar writing.
Smiling Ziva asked "so what did papa get you Natalia?" making her little sister go rabit as she ripped the present open to reveal a beautiful Barbie doll with an extra set of clothes which made Tali squeal happily as she pulled the doll free and clutched it to her chest making Ziva say "papa really nailed it this year" making Tali nod in agreement. Smiling Akiva asked "Talia don't you wanna open Ziva's present?" "no it's alright, mine is not nearly as good as this one" Ziva said patting her sister's head before she returned to her seat while Tali happily played with the doll. Smiling sadly Akiva said "well the cake is in the kitch…" "yeah!" the kids called rushing to the kitchen which made Akiva and Aliyah laugh as Aliyah said "I'll go keep a eye on them" to his wife on his way to the kitchen.
Smiling sadly Akiva picked Ziva's present up and slowly opened it to reveal a small brown teddy bear with happy birthday embodied on its stomach which made Akiva smile sadly as she returned the wrapping paper to its original form saying "let's go eat some cake Talia" before she picked Tali up and walked them over to the kitchen.
Sighing later that night Akiva watched as Ivan, Aliyah and Tali walked down the hall before she sat down next to Ziva on the couch saying "okay…" "yes" "yes what?" "whatever you are thinking momma" "you don't even know what I'm thinking Ziva" Akiva said making Ziva chuckle before said "okay momma what are you thinking?" looking at Akiva out of the corner of her eye. Smiling slightly Akiva said "Tali's gift…" "yes" "are you going to let me finish talking?" "I know what you're asking" "do you now, and what would that be?" "you're wondering about Tali's gift from my father, yes?" Ziva said looking knowingly at Akiva. Smirking Akiva said "yes, did you?" "yes, she is still young, she does not need to know anything" Ziva said off handedly. Nodding Akiva said "okay, where were you yesterday?" "I went to the mall…" "by yourself?" Akiva asked disbelievingly which made Ziva roll her eyes saying "momma if I'm gonna be open with you, can you please not freak out at everything I say?" calmly which made Akiva sigh saying "by yourself?" calmly.
Sighing Ziva nodded saying "yes" "Ziva you are seven, you cannot do that, it is too dangerous and you know this" "I had to get her a gift" "I understand that but do not do that again okay, tell me and I'll help you, okay?" "okay" "tomorrow's ceremony?" "yeah I heard I was gonna have to sit by him" "yes, as heir you have to, you'll also be going over to the house to get ready there" "okay" "you okay with this?" "I don't have a choice, do I?" "Ziva I'm really sorry about what your father…" "don't momma, this isn't your fault" Ziva said sincerely before she looked up at the ceiling saying "I had really good dream last night" making Akiva smile asking "what is it about?" "it was random, it was about that day he pulled me and Ari out of school and took us to the beach, we stayed there the whole day laughing and joking, it was a really good dream and then I woke up" Ziva said the sadness and tears evident in her voice before she sat up straight looking Akiva straight in the eyes with tears in hers saying "I wonder where that man went, I really want him back" a tear rolling down her cheek that she quickly wiped away saying "goodnight momma, sleep well" before she stood up and left sniffling slightly while Akiva stared on after her sadly.