Hey guys! I feel like such a liar telling you an update is coming soon and then taking nearly a week to post! Sorry about that! It's just the conclusion of this piece is coming soon (it's okay to cry, I'm sad about it too) and I want to make sure I play thing right and I've been suffering from a bit of writer's block. But…

Here we go! Chapter 28! Enjoy :-)

I DO NOT own NCIS but I do own the entire series on DVD so I'm a part of this franchise…sort of!

It had been one month since Kate and Tony welcomed identical twin boys Alexander Anthony and Aiden Todd into the world. While the couple loved being parents, it didn't come without its challenges mostly sleep related.

Yawns escaped as Kate smiled to herself, watching baby Alex nurse. She lifted the infant over her shoulder, patting his back until he burped. Kissing her son on the forehead, she put him back in the crib next to his still sleeping brother. Kate ran her hands over her eyes before returning to her side of the bed. Kate looked at the clock which read 1:15. She let out a heavy sigh as she turned off the light, laid back down and immediately drifted off to sleep.

An hour later, Kate struggled to keep her eyes open as she feed Aiden. Turning his head to signal he was finished, Kate burped the infant before putting him down in his crib. She makes her way back to bed only to be stopped by Aiden's whines, begging to be picked up. She rolled her eyes as she walked over to pick up the whining baby.

"Okay Aiden," cooed Kate as he searched the crib for Aiden's pacifier. "Tony?"

Without a word, Tony reached over to nightstand and picked up Aiden's pacifier.

"Thank you," said Kate as she took the pacifier from Tony and placed it into Aiden's mouth before sitting down in bed with her son.

Aiden looked up at her mother with hazel eyes matching hers. Kate placed her finger in his tiny hand allowing him to grip and release his mother's finger.

"Aiden, it's the middle of the night, you should be sleep."

Aiden let out a soft sigh.

"He's a night owl, like his Daddy!" said Tony as he sat up in bed. "Give him here."

Kate passed the infant to a half asleep, Tony. Laying the infant on his bare chest, Tony pulled Kate close to him, letting her rest her sleepy head on his shoulder. Tony softly pat Aiden on the back and a half an hour the three of them were sound asleep.

Later that morning, Alex laid his a crib kicking and screaming. Kate and Tony slept with Aiden between the two of them, dead to the world. Arissa walked in carrying Mr. Snuggles, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Mommy?" yawned the four year old, gently shaking her mother.

Kate didn't move.

"Mommy, the baby up!" repeated Arissa a bit louder to wake Kate, unsuccessfully. "Mommy!"

Alex's cries grew louder.

Arissa made her way to Tony's side of the bed. "Daddy! The baby!"

"Five more minutes okay, sweetie?" said Tony as he buried his head under his pillow.

Arissa let out a heavy sigh as she walked over to the crib to see her baby brother kicking and screaming. His tiny face was a bright pink from crying to get his parents' attention.

"Hold on! I get Mommy okay?" reassured Arissa to the infant before walking back over to Kate who still hadn't moved.

Arissa took a deep breath. "Mommy!" shouted the little girl as loud as she woke not only Kate but Tony and Aiden.

"Arissa, not so loud! You'll wake the babies!" scolded Kate as she jumped up in bed.

"But Mommy, one of the babies already up! He crying!" said Arissa as she pointed to the crib.

Coming to her senses, Kath then realized that Alex was screaming at the top of his lungs. Jumping out of bed she nearly fell over the pile of clothes that had accumulated on the floor as she went to retrieve her son from the crib. Bouncing him in her arms, Alex's cries slowly started to calm.

"I'm sorry sweetie! I didn't her him!" apologized Kate to the little girl.

"It okay, Mommy."

Tony picked up Aiden who was also crying. "What time is it?"

"6:24," replied Kate, sitting down in bed to nurse Alex.

Tony hopped out of bed, Aiden in hand, and headed for the kitchen.

"Did Alex's crying wake you up?" asked Kate as she ran her hand around Arissa's face.

"Yeah," yawned Arissa, watching attentively as Alex ate. "He okay?"

"Yeah, he's just hungry."

Arissa gently stroked the baby's head as he let out another yawn.

"You want to lay over here with me and Alex?"

Arissa nodded as carefully climbed into bed and snuggled up to Kate and Alex. Kate gently stroked her daughter's head as she drifted back to sleep. Tony walked back in yawning as he fed Aiden Kate's milk from a bottle not wanting to make him wait from his brother to finish.

"I can't believe we didn't hear him crying?" said Kate.

"Me too! Good thing his big sister heard him or he would still be screaming!" said Tony as he sat down in bed. "There are no more clean bottles."

"So wash some!"

"And the twins are down to their last sets of onesies."

"You need to do laundry too."

"Why do I have to do everything? What are you doing?"

Kate looked down at the baby in her arm.

"Okay, so when you're done with that..."

"Tony, I'm too tired to argue with you! Just do the laundry and wash the damn dishes!"

Tony looked at Kate. "Someone's cranky?"

"I'm tired, Tony! My life for the past month has consisted of nothing but nursing and pumping, nursing and pumping! I feel like a dairy cow! All I'm asking is that you just help me out and just do the freaking laundry and wash some bottle!"

"Sorry," apologied Tony as he kissed Kate on the forehead. "I know having the boys has been hell on you and me complaining his making it better."

"I just need a break! Just for a little while!"

"Hey, how about this afternoon you go do something with Arissa and I take care of the boys. She's really been wanting to spend some time with you."

Kate looked at the little girl sleep next to her. "God, I feel like I've been neglecting her since the twins got here!"

"You're not neglecting her, Kate! You're a mother to twin newborns!"

"And I'm her mother too! At least I'm trying to be!"

"You are her mother!"

"Not officially, Tony. The adoption hasn't been finalized! Sharon was right! I can't take care of the twins and give her the attention that she needs! What if they decline the adoption because of that?"

"That has to be the lack of sleep talking? She's fine, Kate! Arissa understands that the reason you are not around is because the twins need you right now! She knows that as they get bigger that you and she will have more time to do things."

"It's not fair to her, Tony. She needs me just as much as they do!"

"Look at her, Kate?"

Kate looked down at her daughter who slept with her arm wrapped around her.

"I don't think she's holding it against you. Now, you're depleted. You need to reenergized, clear your head for a bit. Call Abby see what she's up too? I'm sure she would love to see you and Rissa!"

"Okay," replied Kate leaning over to kiss Tony. "You know you have turned out to be an amazing father?"

Tony smiled. "I know!"

That afternoon, Kate and Arissa left leaving Tony alone with Alex and Aiden for the first time. Upon Kate leaving, the twins were fast asleep something Tony was glad about because it gave him time to do some of the much needed chores in the house. Tony got the laundry sorted and started the first of many loads. While the washer was running, Tony turned his attention to the sink full of dishes. Tony had just turned on the water when he heard the sound of cries coming from the bedroom. Tony ran into his room, to find Alex crying in the crib.

"Okay little guy," cooed Tony to the baby as he carried him into the kitchen to get a bottle. "Mommy isn't here, so you are gonna have to settle on a bottle!"

Tony tried to give the infant a bottle only for him to turn his head away, grunting. After several attempts Alex finally gave in and began to suck on the bottle. Tony sat down on the sofa to feed Alex just as Aiden began to cry. Tony laid Alex in his bouncer then ran to his room to get Aiden. Laying Aiden in his own bouncer next to Alex, Tony had his hand full trying to feed the twins simultaneously. After their feeding, he burped each of the twins, placing them back in their bouncers.

"Okay guys, Daddy needs to clean up so if you could be good boys and sit here quietly…"

Alex let out a loud grunt as a scent filled in the air.

"Woah, Alex! That is gross!"

Tony ran back to his room to grab a fresh diaper and wipes. Coming back into the living room, Tony laid Alex on the sofa as he changed his diaper.

"There we go! All better!"

Tony turned around to find white liquid running down Aiden's face. Tony grabbed a few wipes to clean off his son's face unfortunately the vomit had already slipped into his clothes.

"Come Aiden, let me change you!"

Tony placed Alex back into his bouncer before taking Aiden back into the bedroom to change him. After he finished changing Aiden, put him back into his bouncer. The buzzer on the washer sounded. Tony placed the clothes into the dryer before placing in another load. He walked over to the sink and turned on the water only to be interrupted by one of the twins' crying. He walked over to a squirming Alex begging to be picked up. Tony picked up the infant playing with him for a few moments to calm him down.

"Oh crap, the sink!" Tony rushed into the kitchen to find the sink running over. He turned off the water to hear the sound of Aiden crying in the living room. Tony looked at the microwave clock, and noticed that only an hour had passed since Kate left.

"I think I need backup?"

Kate sat coloring with Arissa on the outside patio of a restaurant.

"I having fun, Mommy!" smiled Arissa as she colored.

"Me too! I'm sorry I haven't been able to spend time with you," replied Kate.

"It okay, Mommy! I know you taking care of Alex and Aiden. They need you!"

"They do need me but I know you need me too. I hope you're not mad at me?"

"I no mad at you, Mommy! I love you! And I love Daddy and Alex and Aiden too!"

Kate smiled. "We love you too, sweetie!"

Abby and Ziva approached.

"Kate!" exclaimed Abby as she ran over to hug her best friend. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!"

"It's only been four weeks, Abbs!" laughed Kate.

"Still way too long!"

"Auntie Abby!" shouted Arissa as she bounced up and down trying to get the Goth's attention.

Abby scooped the four year old up and hugged her tightly. "Rissa! How have you been? How do you like being a big sister?"

"I like being a big sister! But Alex and Aiden cry a lot!"

"That's little brothers for you!"

"Hi Ziva!" waved the child to the Israeli woman.

"Hello Arissa! Kate, you look well! You can barely tell you just gave birth to twins!" said Ziva as she greeted Kate with a hug befor sitting down with the at the table.

"So how has motherhood been treating you?" asked Abby.

"Good! I'm exhausted but I love being a Mommy!"

"How are Alexander and Aiden?" asked Ziva.

"Looking more like Tony every day!"

"Oh, I so want to see them!" whined Abby.

"You guys should come by the apartment this afternoon!"

"Yes!" clapped Abby. "I have to see my little nephews! Oh, and Tony too!"

"How has work been?"

"We've been busy with a double homicide for the past two weeks. Gibbs has been intolerable…"

"In other words, the same old same old!" joked Abby.

Kate laughed. "I never thought I would miss work so much!"

"Your maternity leave ends in two weeks, right?"

"Yep! As much as I don't want to leave the twins' I can't wait to get back to regular life!"

"I guess I should start packing my things then?" smirked Ziva.

Kate smiled. "I told you not to get comfortable!"

Meanwhile back at the apartment, the door swung open as Gibbs caught sight of Tony bouncing a crying infant in his arms.

"Hey Boss!" said Tony with an unsure smile on his face.

"Everything okay, Tony? You sounded kind of panicked on the phone message you left?" asked Gibbs as he walked into the apartment.

"Yeah, Boss! Everything is fine!"

Gibbs stared at Tony and the infant that cried in his arms.

"Okay, Kate took Arissa out to spend an afternoon away from the boys and I'm a little overwhelmed here!"

"Could you use a hand?"

"Thanks Boss!" said Tony as he handed the infant to Gibbs.

Gibbs smiled as he lifted the baby to his shoulder. "Hey…" Gibbs looked at Tony.

"Alex!"

"Hey Alex!" Gibbs began to pat the baby on his back calming his cries. "It's okay! Grandpa Gibbs is here!" Gibbs took a look at the apartment. "Tony, this place is a mess!"

"I was trying to clean up but they won't let me out their sight!"

There was a knock at the door and Tony ran over to answer.

"Tony! Are you okay? Are the twins okay?" asked McGee as he rushed into the apartment.

"You called McGee too?" asked Gibbs.

"You didn't answer the first time so I called him," replied Tony.

"Is everything okay?" asked McGee.

"Tony is alone with the twins and could use a hand," explained Gibbs.

"Tony, you had me rush over here to help you babysit?" asked McGee.

"No! I had you come over so you could see your nephews!" smiled Tony.

"Seriously, Tony?"

"We're already came over here, we might as well help out," replied Gibbs.

"Fine. What do you need me to do?"

McGee cleaned dishes while Gibbs took care of the laundry. Tony tended to the twins and once they were settled he went around the apartment straightening up the disarray that had occurred over past few weeks. Once the three men were done with their chores, they plopped down in the living room with Alex and Aiden.

"Thanks guys, I appreciate your help!" said Tony.

"You're welcome, Tony," replied McGee as he played with the twins on the floor. Tickling their stomachs so close to their last feeding cause Aiden to spit up on himself.

"Oh boy!" exclaimed Gibbs as seeing the vomit coming from Alex's mouth.

"I'll go grab him a change of clothes," said Tony as he got up.

"I'm sorry, Boss! I didn't mean to make him throw up!" said McGee.

"He's a baby, McGee. They throw up." said Gibbs as he picked up the baby. Gibbs sniffed the air. "I think Alex may have a gift for you, McGee?"

McGee picked up the infant and caught the scent. "Wow! That is nasty!"

"There are a few diapers on the counter, why don't you change him?"

"Um, I've never changed a baby before, Gibbs?"

"There's a first time for everything, McGee! Just make sure you clean him up good."

McGee grabbed a diaper and placed a baby blanket on the floor, laying Alex down to attempt to change his diaper. Tony came back in with a change of clothes for Aiden. Taking him from Gibbs, Tony tried to change his son's clothes only for him to throw up on the new set as soon as he put them on. McGee was having problems of his own with Alex.

"Um, guys? I think I have a situation here?"

Tony and Gibbs looked over to McGee and little Alex who was covered in brown mess.

"What should I do?" asked McGee, confused.

"I have to give them a bath," sighed Tony.

"Go run the water, we'll get them undressed!" said Gibbs as he took Aiden.

McGee looked at Alex with a disgusted look on his face trying figure out where to start. Alex just cooed.

After getting to twins bathed and diapered, the three male agents laid them on Tony and Kate's bed to dress them.

"Here you can put them on these," said Tony handing McGee a set of matching black and white onesies.

McGee read the onesies. One read "I was planned" and the other read "I was not."

"Let me guess? Abby?" said asked McGee.

"You know it," replied Tony.

"Technically, neither of them was planned!" smirked Gibbs as he placed his finger baby's hands causing tiny smiles to cross their face. "So who gets which one?"

"Alex is the oldest so I guess he can get planned and Aiden gets the other," explained Tony as he approached his sons looking at them in confusion.

McGee studied Tony's face. "You can't tell them apart, can you Tony?"

"I can tell them apart!" said Tony, smugly.

"So which is which?" asked Gibbs.

Tony was speechless as he looked at his sons. "Um?"

"You don't know how to tell your kids apart, DiNozzo?"

"They're identical, Gibbs!"

"There has to be something that is different about them?" asked McGee.

"There is! I'm just not sure what?"

Just then Arissa came running into the room.

"Daddy!" exclaimed Arissa as she hugged Tony's leg. "Hi Grandpa Gibbs! Hi Uncle Timmy!"

"Hey sweetie! Did you have fun with Mommy?" asked Tony.

"Yeah! Ziva bought me a cupcake! It was yummy!"

"That's good, sweetie! I glad you got to spend time with your Mommy."

Arissa looked at her brothers laying on the bed. "Daddy, why the babies nakey?"

"Because your Daddy can't tell them apart!" interjected McGee gaining an evil gaze from Tony.

Kate walked in the room. "Where are my babies?"

"I'm right here!" smirked Tony, holding his arms open for Kate to hug him.

"Not you! Alex and Aiden!" Kate caught sight of McGee and Gibbs standing in the room. "Gibbs! McGee!" exclaimed Kate as she hugged the two male agents. "What are you doing here?"

"Tony, called us over," replied McGee. "He needed some help with the twins!"

"Really?" said Kate, cutting her eyes at Tony.

"Mommy, Daddy confused the babies!" snitched Arissa with a smile.

Kate looked on the bed to see her sons laying in just their diapers. "Again Tony?"

"Again? You've done this before?" asked McGee.

"Shut it, Probie! I didn't confuse them, Kate, I just forgot who was who…again!" replied Tony.

Kate rolled her eyes as she picked up one of the twins off the bed. Bouncing the infant in her arm she placed his tiny hand near his mouth which he immediately began to suck on. "This is Alex!"

"How do you know?"

"Alex sucks on his hand. You have to stop doing this Tony! It's embarrassing! You're their Dad!"

"I'll work on it."

Gibbs stared at Tony in disbelief.

McGee and Gibbs joined Abby and Ziva in the living room while Kate and Tony finished getting the boys dressed.

"Oh my gosh! Look at them!" exclaimed Abby, admiring the twin boys that Kate and Tony carried in their arms as they entered the living room. Abby immediately jumped up and took the baby from Tony. "This must be Aiden?"

"How can you tell?" asked Tony.

"I know they are identical twins but I fell like Aiden looks more like Kate!"

"Abby can tell them part and you can't Tony!" spat Kate.

"Tony, you cannot tell the twins apart?" asked Ziva.

"I get them confused from time to time," confessed Tony.

"You should paint their nails different colors so you can tell them apart," suggested Abby.

"My sons will not be wearing nail polish! Thank you very much!"

"How can you not tell them apart, Tony? You have been with them every day for the last four weeks?" asked Ziva.

"Like you could tell them apart, Ziva?"

"No, but they are not my children either!"

"Why are you over here again? Last I checked you weren't enen apart of this team?"

Tony and Ziva began to argue.

"Okay, you two enough!" exclaimed Gibbs.

Abby smiled. "How I have missed these moments!"

Ziva groaned in frustration. "Kate, I do not know how you could commit yourself to spending the rest of my life with Tony?"

Kate laughed. "He's a handful but I love him!"

Tony stuck his tongue out at Ziva mocking her.

"Speaking of, have you two started planning the wedding yet?" asked Abby.

"We've been so preoccupied with the boys and Arissa's adoption that we haven't really had the time," replied Kate.

"Oh! I can help you plan it!"

"You want to plan their wedding, Abby?" asked Ziva.

"Yeah! It'll be fun!"

"I don't know, Abby?" questioned Tony.

"Please? Please? Please?"

Kate looked at Tony. "Fine! But we have to approve of everything and let's try to keep the black to a minimum!"

"Deal!"

The team spent the rest of the day at Kate and Tony's place. The girls talked wedding plans while the guys talk about anything else. The men even offered to make dinner in order to avoid the conversation. After enjoying the meal, Ziva, McGee, Abby and Gibbs left leaving Kate and Tony alone with their three children. Kate took care of Arissa's bedtime routine for the evening while Tony feed the boys and put to be. Kate cuddled with her daughter until she fell asleep before she climbed into her own bed for some much needed sleep. Tony wrapped his arms around his fiancée, resting his head in the nape of her neck as they drifted off to sleep. Conveniently, the twins started to cry ruining not only the moment but their sleep for the night.

What do you think? Reviews and comments are welcomed and an update is coming soon (hopefully) :-)