Family

" I want you all on your best behaviour, understand?"

There was a nod of three heads simultaneously, all too afraid of the zealous gleam in their mother's eye to disagree.

" Your grandfather has heard good things about you, and so it shall remain. If one of you acts up, so help me, you'll be grounded 'til next September, clear?"

Again, another round of nodding heads. Timmy tugged at his shirt collar, opening his mouth to complain at the discomfort.

" That includes whinging, Timotheos. That shirt is staying on whether you like it or not."

The boy pouted, murmuring something under his breath, something thankfully Ziva chose to ignore.

" Good. Now go and amuse yourselves until he arrives. And keep your clothes clean!"

As the children made a beeline for the living room, Tony appeared on the stairs, buttoning up his own shirt, glancing after their retreating backs.

" Briefing the troops?"

Ziva turned to him, a frustrated sigh passing her lips.

" Why is he even coming? I send him a Christmas card, is that not enough?"

Tony chuckled lightly, taking the stressing woman into his arms.

" Ziva, he is your father. He's over on official business, but managed to get a little free time. Why would he not stop by for dinner?"

" Because...Because it is all too much! He will judge, and have an opinion on everything! You know what he's like! Need I remind you of the wedding?"

Tony ran a gentle hand through her straightened locks, attempting to calm his wife, whilst keeping his own fears at bay. It was no secret that Eli David put the fear of God in him. Marrying his daughter had been a daunting prospect, and the confrontation when Eli had branded him 'sub-standard' was less than pretty. Nevertheless, peace had been made, for Ziva's sake, and the two men had put aside the rather large differences. Eli as a dinner guest, however, was on a whole different level.

Ziva had spent the day cleaning and preparing, with several Hebrew curses emitted from the kitchen, enough to make the children giggle near permanently. Both Tonys had been instructed to clear the garden and tackle any manual jobs, whilst Abi and Timmy were sent around the house with various cleaning utensils. With 5 minutes until arrival, the stress had finally caught up to the woman of the house, and she allowed herself a slight cry in her husband's arms, finally straightening up and stopping as the doorbell rang.

" That'll be him."

Tony gave his wife's hand a gentle squeeze, before standing back, allowing her to open the door.

" Abba!"

Eli David stood, fresh faced as ever, a grin spread across his face, as his daughter embraced him.

" My Ziva! Look at you! As beautiful as ever."

They parted, allowing Tony to step forward and offer his hand. Eli looked him up and down, before taking it in a firm shake.

" Anthony. I see you've taken good care of my girl."

" As promised, Sir."

" Good, good. Now..." Eli glanced around, taking in the house as Ziva closed the door behind him. " Where are these grandchildren of mine? I didn't come all this way for formalities, after all."

A small hand reached up and tugged at Eli's hand, wide eyes staring, as Abigail dared to be the first to greet this new intruder. Eli bent down, a smile appearing on his face.

" Ah. You must be Abigail?"

" That's me!"

Eli laugh softly, gently kissing her cheek.

" It is wonderful to meet you, my little princess. So very like your mother. She was exceeding beautiful too."

Ziva allowed herself to smile, as Abi blushed.

" Was, Abba?"

" I meant, a beautiful child, my dear. You still are exceedingly beautiful."

Abi took that opportunity to retreat back to her mother, gently taking her hand. Tony pushed forward, a large grin plastered on his face as he offered Eli a hand. Eli took it, shaking it gently.

" And who are you, young man?"

" Anthony Jethro DiNozzo, the third. But you can call me Tony."

" Tony. I see. No need to question whom you got your looks from. Very much your father's boy, hm? And so that leaves Timotheos?"

Tony Senior laughed, shifting somewhat uncomfortably in his spot as the younger DiNozzo stepped back, turning around to look for the last of the clan. When Timmy did not step forward, Tony glanced down, seeing a head of brown curls peeking from behind his legs.

" Come on, Timmy. No need to be shy."

The little boy dug his fingers into Tony's trouser leg, refusing to budge. With a sigh, his father picked him up, at which the he let out a cry and buried his head away from his grandfather.

" C'mon, little guy. Say hi."

Eli smiled gently, watching the tiny head shake.

" My bark is worse than my bite, little one."

Timmy braved a peek out, turning to look Eli up and down, before smiling shyly.

" Hi "

Ziva watched as her father gently spoke to Timmy, before glancing down as her daughter tugged on her hand, bending down so she could whisper in her ear.

" He's not scary!"

" Of course not. Who said he was?"

" Daddy did."

Ziva chuckled, straightening up again as her father turned to face her.

" Shall we eat then? You must be hungry, Abba."

Dinner passed without a hitch, with the children as good as gold, and Ziva suitably relaxed compared to her earlier state. Afterwards, Eli managed to secure his place in the children's hearts by presenting them with various presents brought from Israel, and even Timmy managed a hug as goodbyes were said. Eli's driver pulled up outside, with Ziva promising her father to write more often and as he stepped outside, he turned to Tony.

" Walk with me, Anthony."

Steeling himself, Tony gave his wife a quick wink, before following after her father, strolling down the garden path next to him.

" She seems happy."

The question caught Tony off guard. He was ready for all insults and probing accusations, but this was something else entirely.

" I'd like to think so, Sir."

" Indeed. Your children, however."

Tony bristled. An insult to himself, he could take. Even an accusation towards his treatment of Ziva, he could at least give a courteous reply. His children, however, were an out of bounds limit, especially from a man such as Eli David. The beast inside him roared, ready for anything thrown at him, regardless of who was watching or the consequences.

" They are...how to say..."

" They are my children"

Eli paused in his walking, stopping to stare at his son-in-law, who locked eyes.

" What do you mean by that, Mr DiNozzo?"

Tony caught sight of Ziva, peering out of the front window, trying to remain hidden, and willed himself to keep a cap on his famously sharp tounge.

" I mean that, regardless of your opinion of me, my family, my position in life, whether I should be with your daughter, I refuse to let you comment on my children. I am innumerably proud of all three, and love them without a shadow of a doubt, so refuse to allow any criticism of them, Mr David."

There was silence between the two men for a good minute, before Eli leant forward, and clapped a hand on Tony's back.

" I was wrong about you, Anthony. Perhaps you do deserve my daughter after all."

With that, Eli turned and continued down the path to his car, pausing again to look at Tony.

" And I was only going to say that they are clearly being brought up well. Look after them... Tony."

With that, Eli vanished inside the car, and as it sped away, Tony swore he could've caught sight of the old man smiling.

Once back inside, Ziva pounced on him, demanding to know exactly what her father had said. Tony simply tapped his nose with a smile, much to her fury. She left the subject be for now, and disappeared into the kitchen. No sooner had she left, than three faces appeared beside Tony. He opened his mouth to speak, but was met by three hands thrust at him. Checking one last time that his wife was definitely out of sight, he handed each child $10, and ushered them up the stairs. Timmy paused, turning back to his father with a defiant glare.

" I played the shy, cute game. That's gotta be worth an extra $5."

" I never told you to."

Timmy pouted, opening his mouth and turning towards the kitchen. Tony grabbed the youngster's hand, stuffing another $5 in it, before shooing him up the stairs, much to the boy's glee.

Perhaps he'd gotten more from his father than met the eye after all.