Gibbs was lying down on the sofa in his living room reading a book while an old western flickered from the black and white television set in the corner. He looked towards the window as he saw the headlights from a car that had just pulled up in his driveway. It did not take him long to figure out who his visitors were as he heard a not too pleased Ziva scolding someone as soon as the car doors were closed. Gibbs could not tell whether it was Ben or Tony who Ziva was directing her anger at but he figured he would find out soon enough.
Ben was the first one to enter the house through the unlocked front door and ran over to where Gibbs was still lying on the couch and announced, "We here to visit", he excitedly said as he jumped up and down. "Yes I can see that, what a nice surprise", Gibbs said as he ruffled Ben's hair and then looked to see Tony and Ziva enter his home.
"Hi Gibbs", Ziva said as she gave a sulking Tony one last glare before making herself comfortable in a chair across from Gibbs. Ben whispered to Gibbs, "Daddy mad cause mommy won't let him stop at McDonalds for ice cream". Tony walked over to Ben, "Nobody likes a tattle tale Ben", than he added, "Hey boss hope you don't mind us stopping by"?
Gibbs was more than curious as to why the three DiNozzo's were standing in his living room unannounced and he replied, "Don't mind at all but as you can see I was not expecting company, is there something on your mind"? He asked looking from Tony then to Ziva.
Tony walked over to Ziva and stood behind her placing his hands lovingly on her shoulders, forgetting about his anger towards her for denying him ice cream and a medium soda, which would have had two game pieces on the cup and he asked Gibbs, "Would it be okay if Ben watches t.v. so we can talk in the kitchen"? Gibbs nodded yes and Tony then walked over to Ben and took him by the hand and sat him in front of the television and said, "Ben you watch the Cowboys and Indians why mommy and me talk with Gibbs in the kitchen, okay"?
"Okay daddy", Ben said already transfixed on the western.
Tony and Ziva then joined hands and followed Gibbs into the kitchen. Gibbs went over to the cupboard and pulled out two clean cups and filled them with coffee, than topped his own off and motioned for Tony and Ziva to sit down at the table. He placed a cup in front of each of them and Tony asked, "I don't suppose you have any hazelnut creamer"? Gibbs just stared at him for a few seconds then got up and went to his refrigerator, he came back holding a gallon of milk and not so gently placed it on the table causing the lid to pop off and some of the milk to splatter on the table. Tony stared at the milk then looked at Gibbs saying, "Martha Stewart you are not". Gibbs took his seat at the table and said, "Had I known you were coming I would have baked cookies". Ziva smiled as she watched the interaction between the two men; She had never seen a pair so different, yet so alike. She did not know what she enjoyed seeing more, Tony's infectious grin or the sight of Gibbs trying to hide his smile behind a coffee cup.
Tony looked to Ziva as he took her hand in his once again asking with his eyes if it would be him or her to tell Gibbs the news. She squeezed his hand tighter and said, "You tell him". Tony took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder to make sure Ben could not hear him and he said, "Ziva is pregnant again, were going to have another baby and we wanted you to be the first to know". This time Gibbs did not attempt to mask his smile behind his cup of coffee. "Congratulations to you both", he said as he got up and kissed Ziva on the forehead, than shook Tony's hand.
"How far along are you"? Gibbs asked Ziva.
"About 6 weeks", she answered. Tony then added, "I bet we conceived on Father's Day, I knew there was something special about that night, it was perfect Ziva", he said as he leaned across the table and kissed his wife.
Gibbs then said, "So Ben doesn't know yet does he"?
Ziva took a sip of her coffee then said, "No, not yet; we only said there was a chance he might be a big brother and asked him how he felt".
"And", Gibbs asked.
"He said he would rather have a puppy", Tony said causing all of them to laugh.
After the laughter, the three sat in comfortable silence for a few seconds until Gibbs asked Ziva, "Have you given any thought as to possibly retiring and becoming a full time mom"?
Tony and Ziva's eyes met and Tony said to Gibbs, "It's something we have been considering for a while now. You know with all the risks involved with our job and all, we do worry about what would happen if something… you know… happens". Gibbs just nodded, indicating that he understood than said, "Another baby on the way puts a whole new perspective on things doesn't it"? Both Tony and Ziva nodded their agreement.
Tony continued, "We just need to work some things out boss. It's just a little overwhelming right now when we think of mortgage and car payments and college tuition on one hand and on the other hand, providing a home for our children, doing all we can to make sure at least one of us will always be there for them". Ziva than added, "We're trying to balance it all out".
Gibbs took everything in and said, "Whatever you two decide, you have my full support".
"Thanks Gibbs", both Tony and Ziva said at the same time. Gibbs got up and said, "Let's go check on your son and see what he is up to". Ziva got up first and went into the living room and as Tony was following her Gibbs gave Tony a head slap saying, "That's for getting my agent pregnant, again". At first Tony looked shocked but then he smiled as he felt Gibbs' hand gently squeeze the back of his neck.
After spending a little time down in the basement where Ben got to sand a small section of the boat, it was now time for the DiNozzo's to head home. Gibbs escorted them out to their car and waved goodbye until their minivan turned the corner and was out of sight. He went back inside suddenly realizing how alone it now felt. He went into the kitchen, put the milk away and walked over to the shelf above the coffee maker and picked up a folder bringing it with him into the living room. He resumed his position on the sofa and looked at the two words he had written on the folder nearly a year ago….RULE ELEVEN….He sighed knowing he had a lot of thinking to do.
A/N Please send a review and let me know how the flow of the story is going. I still have some ground to cover with this one and need a little encouragement and or constructive criticism. Thanks everyone!