A/N: Hey guys, I'd just like to address a couple questions I've been getting. Yes, Ziva will see the letters Tony's writing but not until pretty much the very end of the story (which may or may not end up around 100 chapters). Yes, Ziva is going to tell Tony about her inability to conceive at some point but again, it will be a long wait. I promise I haven't forgotten! And to my dear un-signed in reviewers - THANK YOU! Your comments and questions and all the sweet things you say make me so happy, I just wish I could reply and talk to you guys more but thank you for taking the time to review! That goes for all my readers, you guys are fabulous! :D ~Aliyah
It was noon by the time both parents were showered and dressed. Tony checked the diaper bag and added a few things while Ziva picked something for their daughter to wear and grabbed the notebook she'd been jotting baby information in. They managed a quick nap before Chaya woke and Tony and Ziva ate lunch in the kitchen while the baby nursed. Finally they were ready to go.
Ziva was a little nervous walking into the doctor's office with the diaper bag over her shoulder and Tony carrying Chaya's car seat. He reached for her hand when they sat and followed her minutes later when the nurse called their names. As soon as they were inside the exam room, Ziva unbuckled Chaya and lifted the sleeping baby into her arms. Tony put his arm on the back of the chair and that was the picture Dr. Meyers walked in on.
She smiled. "Welcome DiNozzo family, how are we today?"
Tony shrugged. "We're here, that might be as good as it gets."
Mandy made a note on her clipboard. "Sleeping is still a little rough?"
"It is getting better," Ziva shared. "She is eating every three hours now."
"Before you know it she'll be sleeping through the night. But I remember the early days when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel." she glanced at the infant. "Well Miss Chaya, I see you're determined to sleep through our first formal meeting? But if you can, that's alright with me." Mandy nodded towards the parents. "Ziva, can you get her undressed please? I need to do some measurements to start with."
Ziva stood and put Chaya on the examination table, gently stripping her down to her diaper. Mandy measured Chaya's length and the circumference of her head. Next the baby was transferred to a metal scale so she could be weighed. Tony got up and covered Chaya with a blanket when she protested the cold on her bare skin and they watched as Dr. Meyers started the physical exam.
She checked Chaya's soft spots and reminded them to change the position of her head when they put her down to sleep. Mandy got out an otoscope to check Chaya's ears for fluid or infection and looked into her eyes with an ophthalmoscope. After washing her hands, the doctor tested Chaya's sucking reflex by placing a finger in the baby's mouth and when she yawned, checked for any issues inside.
Removing the blanket, Mandy did a careful inspection of Chaya's skin including her healed belly button. She warmed the end of the stethoscope in her hand and listened to the baby's heart and breathing. With gentle fingers she pressed on Chaya's abdomen to check for tender areas.
To Chaya's displeasure, Mandy manipulated her legs to test the hip ligaments and joints. A quick look inside her diaper revealed nothing to be concerned about and Ziva dressed her daughter again. The doctor observed Chaya's arm, leg and head movement to assess muscle strength and tone. The last thing she tested was Chaya's reflexes and responsiveness before leaving the parents alone for a few minutes to calm their now disgruntled baby girl.
When all else failed Ziva nursed Chaya briefly and she settled right down, sucking contentedly. Her eyes got heavier, her drinking slowed and they let her fall asleep completely before moving her back to the car seat. Then Mandy came back in and leaned against the counter.
"The good news is that you guys have a beautiful, healthy baby girl. You've survived the first two weeks, so that's a plus and now some of the fun stuff begins." The parents sat forward in interest so she continued. "When she hits three weeks you can start doing what's called 'tummy time'. Just lay Chaya down on the floor on her stomach and let her spend a few minutes in that position. Odds are good that she won't like it at all in the beginning," the doctor warned, "but it's good for her. Being on her tummy gives her the chance to lift her head, even if it's just for a second or two, and use her arms and legs differently than when she's on her back. It will also help strengthen her back and leg muscles for when she starts sitting and crawling."
Taking a look at the sleeping baby, Mandy smiled. "I'd suggest getting one of those unbreakable baby mirrors for her crib, she's going to find her reflection fascinating pretty soon. As she grows, some things will be the same as they are now - Chaya will enjoy listening to you talk, keeping eye contact with you and being held skin to skin. By four weeks she'll start to turn her head from side to side when she's laying down, you'll notice her responding to sound and focusing on your faces. At that point she'll also become more interactive: grunting, gurgling, cooing and sighing, which will no doubt amuse all of you. Chaya will begin smiling, both in her sleep and at people, and playing with her fingers and toes. So offer her toys, talk through everything you do and encourage each milestone."
Mandy's serious gaze rested on both parents. "If she seems a little behind or doesn't reach a certain developmental level at exactly the right time, don't worry about it. She was a few weeks early and because of that she may be a bit behind other kids her age or she may excel at everything. Just look forward to the changes that are coming and remember to enjoy all the moments because even if it's hard to believe, they do go so fast and in a couple years you're going to wish for these days back."
Tony eyed his daughter. "I'm just getting used to her now, to being her dad, I can't imagine what the rest is going to look like."
Ziva squeezed his hand. "But it will be amazing to watch her grow."
"It's like nothing else," Mandy agreed, rolling her wrist to see her watch. Sitting on her stool, Dr. Meyers looked at Tony and Ziva and started on a list of questions for them. "So, how are you guys adjusting to life with a newborn?"
The couple exchanged glances and Tony nodded. "Pretty good I guess. We're working on a schedule, trying to sleep when we can, remembering to eat most of the time, going out occasionally - all that jazz."
Mandy eyed his wife. "Ziva, anything to add?"
Ziva shook her head. "That is a good summary."
"Okay." Mandy checked her clipboard and directed her gaze at the baby. "How much does Chaya cry? Is she easy to soothe?"
Tony slid his fingers through Ziva's and waited, answering when she didn't. "I don't think she really cries that much, at least, it's less than I expected. Chaya's happy as long as she's fed the moment she wakes up. We've gone through a few fussy periods and we're still experimenting with what works, but she's a pretty good baby."
Mandy chuckled. "I noticed that at the hospital. I think you guys deserve it." She made a note and continued, making sure Ziva had to answer this time. "Are you and Tony getting any time to yourselves?"
Ziva leaned against her husband. "We have been careful to take time together in the evenings. And Gibbs came over last week so we could leave the house for a short while." She smiled. "I would like to do that more often."
"Plan for it Ziva," Mandy advised, "don't let quality time get lost in the shuffle." Tony squeezed Ziva's hand in silent promise and they waited for the next question. "Tell me about a typical day at your house."
Ziva scrunched up her nose. "Some days we do not leave the house. I am feeding Chaya every three hours and Tony takes care of burping and diapering each time. Sometimes we nap with her and other times we try to stay awake to get things done or just relax. We usually get a chance to shower, remember lunch and dinner and have our time before going to bed again. Chaya is rarely awake longer than a feeding and changing."
"That's not unusual at this age," Mandy commented, "newborns are typically very sleepy." She scanned her notes and looked up. "Is breastfeeding going well?"
Ziva remembered back to their first few days at home. "Things were very difficult when my milk came in, and earlier this week when she went through a growth spurt I was having a hard time just surviving all the feedings." She caught Tony's eyes and he agreed.
"The every hour and a half thing Chaya was doing was exhausting and overwhelming, but we got through."
Dr. Meyers' expression grew thoughtful. "It seem to me that you're trying to do a lot of this on your own. You guys have a tight knit family, don't forget to let them be your support." The couple nodded and Mandy leaned back. "Are there any questions you have for me? Nothing is too trivial when it comes to caring for your baby."
Ziva ran a hand through her hair. "I will let you know, but nothing comes to my head right now."
"Comes to mind Zi," Tony whispered in her ear. When she didn't respond, a look in her eyes confirmed the need to rest and he hoped the appointment would wrap up soon.
"Well, I think we're done here then." Mandy tucked her pen back in her pocket. "Ziva, as long as you're feeling okay, I'm lifting the bedrest ban. But if you need to nap, don't feel bad about it. And as long as you can wear a seatbelt and turn comfortably, you can start driving again next week if the soreness is gone. Tony," Mandy smiled, "take care of yourself and your girls. I think you guys are doing just fine. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions. Ziva I'll see you in a month for your six week check up and Chaya needs to come back at two months for her first vaccinations. Have a good day!"
As soon as she left the couple gathered their things and their baby and went to the car. On the way home Tony stopped at a store and came back bearing a lovely bouquet of wildflowers. Ziva took them with tears in her eyes and kissed his cheek, while Tony grinned, loving that he was allowed to spoil her now.
By the time they got back to the house, the new parents were exhausted. Being out took more energy than they'd expected and all three went back to bed. Chaya woke earlier and nursed longer than usual and after her diaper change had to be cuddled and walked before she would fall asleep again, but otherwise it was same old, same old.
That evening Tony and Ziva sat together on the couch, Ziva curled up against Tony's side and playing with his fingers. He sighed and kissed her hair. "Whatcha thinking?"
She lay her head on his shoulder. "I will miss this, our quiet time at night."
"Yeah, me too." Going back to work in the morning was not a welcome prospect. "I wish I wasn't leaving you to do everything on your own." Just thinking about not being around for feeding and changings and naps together was depressing.
Ziva didn't say anything and he felt worse. "Are you mad?"
Ziva shook her head. "Can we go to bed? I want you to hold me."
He grinned. "You don't have to ask me twice." Tony stood up and took her hand, leading his wife upstairs and crawling under the covers to lay behind her. But Ziva rolled over and fit herself into his body, sliding her arm under his and nestling her head in his neck. Tony pulled her as close as possible and buried his face in her hair.
"I love you Zi."
She kissed his neck and Tony tipped her chin up, molding his mouth to hers. Ziva kissed him again, slowly, and he felt tears on his skin when she pulled away. "I am still blaming the hormones," she whispered, listening to his heartbeat, his arms her favourite place to be.
NCIS
He had to let her go when Chaya fussed an hour later and even when the baby wasn't waking them, Tony found it very hard to sleep that night. He made sure he was showered and ready to go so he could spend time with Ziva and Chaya during her morning feeding.
When the baby spit up all over his shirt, Tony wiped her mouth, kissed her nose and changed quickly before doing her diaper. In the nursery he took his time, wanting to hold onto the memory of his last moments with his daughter because it would have to last him all day.
Tony put Chaya in the bassinet to sleep and Ziva followed him downstairs. "I have heard it said that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles rainy days, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights." She hugged him. "But in our case I could say I have learned a lot about my husband by the way he handles nightmares, having to wait for everything he wants, and newborns." Ziva looked at him closely. "I have learned that you are a very good man Anthony DiNozzo and I am so proud to be your wife. Thank you for loving us."
They reached the door and she kissed him gently, then more demandingly, ensuring that he'd have a hard time keeping his mind on work. He whispered 'thank you', 'I love you', and 'there's nowhere else I'd rather be', held her tightly, grabbed his backpack and tried not to look back. But it didn't work so he grinned and waved instead, then left before he changed his mind.
If Gibbs was surprised that Tony arrived on time, he didn't show it and they all watched as Tony pinned up pictures of his girls on the wall behind him and taped two more to his computer monitor. He stared at the images and sighed, he missed them already.
Tony's head snapped forward and he spun around, rubbing the spot. Gibbs dropped a pile of folders on his desk. "Welcome back. Get to work."
He rolled his eyes. "Good to see you too Boss." Tony picked up the first one and leaned back in his chair. It was going to be a long day.
NCIS
Around lunchtime Tony finally remembered what he wanted to ask McGee. Walking over and grabbing a stress ball to juggle, he lifted an eyebrow. "So, how was Abby's Mother's Day?"
Tim grinned. "It was fun. She was very sweet about my first attempt at making cake, even if it had to be smothered in icing to be really edible. We took a walk, I got her flowers, and made supper. We went bowling later - even pregnant she's really good at it." He chuckled. "When we got into bed she told me it was the best Mother's Day ever. I decided it was best not to point out that it was her first Mother's Day."
Tony nodded. "Probably wise."
"Was Ziva surprised?" McGee asked.
"Oh yeah." He remembered the look on her face. "I ordered her a bracelet the day Chaya was born and it was ready just in time to be her present, you'll have to take a look when she comes back. We had Chaya's first doctor's appointment and getting out of the house was really tiring, so we didn't do much else. She was kinda bummed that I had to come back today."
"It can't be easy when she's used to having you around all the time. You think she'll be okay?"
Tony stared out the window and sighed. "I hope so Tim, but I don't think she'll admit it if she isn't. Ziva needs someone to believe she can do this."
NCIS
Two feedings later Ziva was realizing how much she liked having Tony around for support. She felt less confident, unsure and overwhelmed trying to do it all by herself. But when Chaya fell asleep on Ziva's chest in the livingroom and she got a chance to enjoy her baby, the new mother discovered that being home alone with time and space to think and just be wasn't really so bad.
She changed Chaya's diaper on a blanket on the floor because she didn't feel like going back upstairs. Ziva chuckled when the baby stared at her. "You are used to having Daddy do this, yes? Do not worry tatelah, Ima has had lots of practice." She left the baby in her diaper and settled back into the soft cushions as Chaya curled up contentedly on her mommy's bare skin. Ziva ran her fingers slowly over Chaya's spine.
"I am sorry it has taken so long for us to spend peaceful time together tsiporkatan. I do not want to forget what it is like to have you so little, when you are happy to just listen to my heart beat." She kissed Chaya's head. "Ani ohev atach. I have not been telling you that enough, hmm?"
It was a long time before Ziva could make herself get up to put her daughter to bed. With the baby monitor in hand, she ran a bath and spent a blissful half hour soaking away all the stress and tension of the previous days. With more than an hour left before Chaya would be hungry, Ziva got into bed and closed her eyes. So far, so good.
NCIS
Tony took Abby lunch early that afternoon, wanting to catch up with his little sister. It had been all about Ziva and the baby and last few weeks and as much as he loved that, he missed the team. Since he'd already seen Matt whisk Tami and Sammy away to eat outside, he knew she'd be alone.
Abby was working at her computer when he set a blue Caf-Pow cup in front of her and kissed her cheek. "Still love me?"
She spun around with a frown on her face but immediately threw her arms around his neck. Then she pulled back, smacked his chest and glared. "Visiting hours. I'm not asking, I'm telling."
Tony held his hands up in surrender. "Sunday afternoon. I'll clear it with Ziva. The last week wasn't on purpose. I promise we're not shunning you."
Abby stared him down for a minute just to be sure, then spied the bag in his hand and her eyes lit up. "What did you bring me?"
He chuckled. "McGee told me you felt like tacos earlier."
Her grin brightened the whole room and she tucked her arm in his as they walked to the office. "I knew there was a reason you're my favourite."
Tony kissed her hair. "Missed you Abs."
They found spots to sit around her desk and chatted over tacos and milk, sharing the cinnamon twists he'd ordered for dessert. Abby shared the story of Father Nate catching her and McGee kissing at Christmas and Tony laughed. "You think that's embarrassing? How about walking in on the bossman and his lady friend getting cozy in the basement?"
Abby froze and her eyes flashed dangerously. "What?"
Tony backpedaled rapidly. "Well, I mean...I didn't see anything...not that there was anything to see of course, but it was just-" She stood up and raced for the computer in the other room. "Abby, what are you doing?" Silence met his inquiry and Tony groaned inside. One of them is going to kill me.
Cautiously he joined Abby, watching warily as her fingers flew over the keys. Her indignant screech put fear into his heart. "She lives around the corner from Gibbs?"
He winced, not bothering to mention to an incensed, pregnant Goth that Gibbs would not see the humour in her hacking Celeste's information. "Abby, just calm down, okay?"
Abby whirled on him. "I will not calm down!" she shouted. "I'm getting to the bottom of this, now!"
Afraid of what would happen if he didn't follow her, Tony trailed Abby to her car. It was more a precaution than anything, even if he did admit to his share of curiosity. They arrived in Gibbs' neighbourhood in record time and Tony stood beside Abby when she rang the doorbell.
Celeste answered, as pleasant as he remembered her from the wedding. "Tony, Abby, what brings you here?"
Tony rubbed the back of his neck when Abby crossed her arms. "What is going on between you and Gibbs?" she demanded furiously.
The other woman leaned casually against the door frame and surveyed them, folding her arms across her chest. "Normally I'd thank you very much to mind your own business, but there's nothing normal about this situation." She pushed the door open. "You better come in, we need tea for this conversation."
Tony and Abby exchanged glances, confirming that they had expected a very different reaction. Nevertheless, they stepped inside and stood waiting in the entry until Celeste returned, carrying a tray with mugs of steaming water and an assortment of tea fixings.
She looked at them. "I'm not sure about the making yourselves at home part, but you may as well sit down."
Once they were all holding hot cups of tea and sipping them carefully, Celeste let out a breath. "Let's get this over with."
Tony decided to start, hoping he could keep the tone more neutral that what Abby might come up with. He chewed on the inside of his lip for a moment and leaned forward. "I guess what we're wondering Celeste, is what are your intentions towards our boss?"
To their surprise, Celeste laughed lightly. "So this is an interrogation. I wondered how long it would take before someone started asking questions." She took a drink of tea and tapped her nails against the mug. She focused on Abby first. "You don't have to feel threatened by me Abby, I'm not trying to take anyone's place." Celeste shrugged one shoulder, trying to decide how much to share. "Jethro and I have been friends for years, but I'm not sure either of us are willing to settle for that anymore. Right now I'm enjoying my time with him and waiting to see how it goes."
It was hard to be upset with her when she was being so honest, but Abby tried. "You're not family," she muttered, shooting a dark look at the other woman.
"No," Celeste shook her head, "I'm not, and I don't expect it to be easy to earn a place in this group. But I'm willing to try and I'd appreciate your respect, if nothing else." Abby's eyes widened like she had not expected to get told. Her gaze hardened even more at Celeste's next words.
"I know you're protective of him, but I have no intentions of hurting Jethro. He means a great deal to me and with all due respect, I've known him much longer than you. You don't have exclusive rights to his heart Abby. If Jethro can love Ziva's baby and yours, then I'm sure there's room for me there too, without any of you losing your spots in his life."
Abby stood. "I think I want to leave now," she said coldly, marching out of the house. Tony moved to stand as well.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, feeling very much like they'd overstepped. "Abby...she doesn't like change. She's always been the favourite Celeste, Gibbs' first daughter after Kelly, proof that he could still love. But she's feeling the competition with Ziva since she...came back and I think she's just scared." Tony wished he could explain better. "You'll never have a better person on your side than Abby, just keep that in mind.
He left and Celeste looked after him. Tony, you've changed. She ran a hand through her hair. "Well that went well," she said to no one in particular, absently rubbing the ring finger of her left hand. Jethro, if you only knew what your kids are willing to do for you. I wonder if you know how deeply you are loved.