The drive home from Gibbs' house was a quiet one. Ben had fallen asleep in his car seat a few minutes into the trip back home and Ziva and Tony were speaking quietly about how they were going to tell their three year old that he was soon to be a big brother. "I think we should take him somewhere for lunch on Saturday, you know some place where he can run around and play", Tony suggested. Ziva narrowed her eyes at her husband, "You're talking about McDonalds again aren't you"? "What? No, did I say McDonalds? I just want to take my son somewhere to have fun that's all". Ziva continued to look at her husband, "You're up to something, I can always tell, you can't fool me". Tony took a quick glance at his wife and using a mocking tone asked, "What are your acute Ninja senses telling you"? Ziva studied her husband's face and admitted, "I am not sure YET, but I will find out". The evil smile on her face caused Tony a bit of concern and he began to recount all the trips he has made to McDonald's the past few days, but then he remembered he was smart enough to only pay with cash, leaving no paper trail. "Investigate all you want, I have nothing to hide," he grinned as the lie rolled easily off his lips.
Arriving home a short while later, Tony carried a still sleeping Ben up to his bedroom and tucked him in for the night. Tony and Ziva quickly brushed their teeth and changed into their pajamas and crawled into their own bed. They sat propped up against their pillows, Tony watching television, Ziva reading a book. "I think we should go to the Zoo on Saturday", Ziva said breaking the silence. She then continued, "I remember seeing on the news that the new baby elephant is now old enough to be in the viewing area with its mother, I think that would be the perfect setting to tell Ben about the baby". Tony wanted to disagree with her since he preferred his own idea more; and damn you Ziva for always being right. "Fine, whatever you want" and he added just under his breath a barely audible, "as usual". Ziva seemed to take pity on him and against her better judgment said, "Your idea is good too, and if you like we can have lunch at McDonald's first, than go to the zoo". Tony looked surprised at Ziva, there had only been a handful of times he could remember Ziva ever suggesting a trip to McDonald's or any fast food place for that matter. Ever since they were married she had insisted that Tony eat a little healthier, sure she would make him a treat every now and then, like the fried chicken the other night, but usually the family meals consisted of lots of fruits and vegetables with lean meats and fish. Ziva was a great cook and Tony had to admit he enjoyed most of the foods that Ziva prepared for the family but that didn't stop him from sneaking off for a burger, taco or pizza every now and then.
Tony turned the television off and said, "Okay then it's settled, McDonald's and the Zoo on Saturday. Ziva nodded her agreement and kissed Tony goodnight. She then turned her own lamp off and smiled in the dark at her unassuming husband and thought, "That was too easy, come Saturday I will find out what you have been up to. She then snuggled down into her own pillow and was soon asleep.
Ziva was the first to wake up the next morning, apparently neither of them had remembered to set their alarms for the morning and they had over slept. "Tony, wake up we over slept", Ziva said as she shook her husband awake and quickly went into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later saying, "I will go start breakfast, you get Ben ready". Tony was still half-asleep as he made his way into his son's room. He did not see Ben's latest Lego Block project on the floor and promptly stepped on it and had to use all his will power to not scream out in pain as the little bricks dug into his bare foot. He mumbled several curses under his breath as he held on to his aching foot hopping up and down until the pain died down and then he limped over to his son's bed.
"Ben, time to wake up", Tony gently said as he coaxed his son from a deep sleep. "I go to work with you and mommy today daddy"? Ben asked as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Yes and we need to hurry or we are going to be late", Tony said as he pulled the covers off of his son. "Okay daddy, I hurry up", Ben said as he jumped off the bed and ran into the bathroom; He pushed his step stool in front of the toilet and climbed up on top and pulled his pajama bottoms down and relieved himself. "Look daddy I pee like you", Ben said proud at himself for standing up and peeing just like his daddy did. "Way to go little man", Tony said as he ruffled Ben's hair. When Ben was finished he stepped down from his step stool and pulled his pants up, then pushed the step stool over to the sink and climbed back up to wash his hands. Tony stood in the doorway watching as Ben went through his morning routine, no longer requiring his assistance. Now that Ben was growing up, Tony welcomed the idea of another baby in the house. He secretly missed having a baby to take care of and was once again looking forward to the feedings, diaper changes and everything else that his next little miracle would require.
"All done", Ben said as he ran past Tony out of the bathroom and made his way down to the kitchen. "Good morning mommy", Ben said as he hugged and kissed Ziva. "Good morning Benjamin, did you sleep well"? Ben climbed up on his chair nodding his head yes. "That is good, now I need you to eat quickly so we can go upstairs and get dressed". "Okay mommy", Ben said as he took a big bite of cheerios from his spoon.
Tony took his shower and got dressed while Ziva and Ben were having their breakfast, he came downstairs looking sharp in a navy blue suit and white shirt. He poured himself a cup of coffee and a big bowl of cheerios and sat down to eat. Ziva had just finished her small fruit cup and said, "I am going upstairs to get ready for work, can you please finish getting Ben ready when he is finished eating? Tony nodded yes and added, "15 minutes Ziva, we need to leave in 15 minutes".
Tony sent Ben upstairs to get dressed after breakfast while he cleared the breakfast dishes from the table. He heard Ben call out from upstairs sounding very angry, "Hey, somebody wreck my fort". Tony paused a moment then said, "Don't worry about it right now Ben, you need to get dressed, we will fix your fort tonight". Tony waited for a response and after hearing none he quickly went upstairs to hurry Ben along. He found the toddler sitting on the floor trying to fix the broken structure. "Hey, didn't I tell you to leave that alone and get dressed"? Tony said as he pulled Ben up by the arm and marched him over to the bed. "You need to listen to me and do what I ask Ben", Tony said as he pulled out clean socks, underwear, pants and a shirt for Ben to wear. "Here put these on while I look for your shoes", he said as he layed the clothes out on the bed for Ben. Tony returned a few seconds later holding one shoe and was about to ask Ben where the other one was when Ben yelled for help, "Daddy I stuck". Tony had to laugh at the sight of his son; He had somehow managed to put not only his head through the neck opening of his shirt but an arm as well. Tony put the shoe down then helped Ben get untangled from his clothing. "Do you need help with your pants Ben"? Tony asked. "No daddy, pants are easy", Ben said with confidence as he picked up his pants. Tony had found the other shoe sitting inside of Ben's dump truck and went over to the bed to help Ben who was now having trouble getting his socks on. Tony quickly slipped each sock on then put Ben's shoes on for him. "There all done, is your backpack downstairs"? Tony asked. "Yes, daddy it by the front door". Ben replied. "Good, okay let's go", Tony said as he hurried Ben out of the bedroom and took him downstairs. He then called out to Ziva, "Ben and I are ready we will be waiting down stairs". The only reply he got from her was something said in Hebrew, that he was quite certain had not been very nice.
Tony and Ben were ready to go exactly 15 minutes later and an impatient Tony was pacing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Ziva, again! "Ziva, what are you doing up there, we are going to be late"? He had often thought about teaching Ziva a lesson and one of these days he told himself he was going to leave without her but the thought of what she might do to him scared him enough to never try it. Ziva was ready just a few minutes later and came down stairs to find her husband telling their three year old how women always keep men waiting and that they have no since of time. "Is that so", Ziva said as she snuck up behind her unsuspecting husband. Ben laughed as he usually did anytime his mommy scared his daddy like that. Ziva then took Ben by the hand and as she led him outside she said, "If your daddy did not drive like an old woman we would not have to leave so early". Tony locked the front door muttering curses under his breath and said to himself, "One of these days Ziva the bus is leaving without you".
The first thing Tony and Ziva did upon their arrival to work was to tell their friends about Ziva's pregnancy. Everyone was thrilled to hear the happy news and wished them well. Abby asked if they were hoping for a boy or a girl this time causing Tony and Ziva to look at each other. Tony said, "We have not even discussed it yet". He then looked to Ziva to see what she had to say. "A little girl would be nice, but I think Ben might like a little brother more". Tony put his arm around his wife and pulled her close, "We will be happy with a boy or a girl, right Ziva"? Ziva smiled at her husband saying, "Of course we will". They were interrupted by Gibbs announcing they had a new case and within minutes the team was on their way to a new crime scene.
The case took up most of their time the rest of the week and by the time Friday rolled around an arrest had been made and all that was left was the paper work to be filed. Gibbs looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 5:00 pm and he told everyone to call it a day once their reports were finished. He then picked up a file folder from his desk and said he had to drop something off to the director and that he would be right back. Ziva was finished with her report and noticed Tony was still working on his. She decided to go up to the NCIS daycare and get Ben; he loved whenever he got to visit his parents and Gibbs in the bullpen. Tony was just finishing up his report and printing it out when the elevator dinged and out came an excited Ben running over to his daddy's desk and climbed up on his lap. "How was your day Ben"? Tony asked. "It was fun daddy, we paint with our hands and I learn counting with my fingers". Ben then proceeded to count showing the correct amount of fingers for each number recited, "1-2-3-4 and 5. Tony smiled saying, "Your three fingers need a little work, but that is the hardest one, huh"? Ben tried to hold up three fingers again, struggling to do so, "Yeah daddy it is hard but five is easy". Ben held up five fingers and Tony high fived him making the boy laugh.
Ben then climbed down from Tony's lap and went to say hello to McGee. "Hi Pobie, I can count with my fingers, want to see"? Tim smiled, he had already heard Ben count for Tony but it had been so cute he wouldn't mind hearing it again. "Sure Ben, let me see it", McGee said sounding excited. Ben began his counting once again, "1-2-3-4 and 5". McGee clapped his hands and said, "Perfect Ben, I couldn't have done it better myself". Ben smiled at the compliment feeling extremely proud. Just then Gibbs came back into the bullpen and scooped Ben up and said, "Was that you I heard counting"? Ben nodded saying, "Yeah I can count with my fingers want to see"?
Gibbs put Ben down after rewarding him with a piece of candy for reciting his numbers so well and he asked Tony and Ziva what they had planned for the weekend. Ben answered for them, "We going to the Zoo tomorrow", Ben said sounding very excited. Gibbs smiled at Ben's obvious excitement and Tony leaned in and told Gibbs so Ben could not hear. "We're going to tell him about the new baby tomorrow while we're visiting the baby elephant". Gibbs thought about it for a few seconds and said, "That's real good Tony".
Gibbs wanted to ask if he could stop by on Sunday but decided not to; he did not want Tony and Ziva's special day tomorrow to be ruined worrying about what he wanted to talk about on Sunday. Maybe he would just stop by instead.
The DiNozzo's made their way to the grocery store and stopped at the dry cleaners to pick up Tony's suit that Ben had vomited on earlier in the week. Tony was happy to see that it looked as good as new and thanked Mr. Rodriquez calling him a dry cleaning genius.
When the DiNozzo's arrived home, Ben saw his friend Brian playing on his tricycle and asked if he could stay outside. Brian's mom offered to watch Ben for a little while so he could play with her son. Tony opened the garage so Ben could get his own tricycle out to play on and told Ben, "You listen to Brian's mom and do what she tells you, okay"? Ben peddled away saying, "Okay daddy".
Tony went inside to help Ziva put the groceries away then snuck into his den while Ziva was preparing dinner and added a few more McDonald's game pieces to his secret envelope hidden in his desk drawer. It had been harder to sneak away this week since Ziva had been back to work but he had still managed to get a few game pieces by enlisting the help of McGee to make his McDonald's runs for him.
After dinner Tony gave Ben his bath and helped him into his pajamas, then father and son sat down on the floor of Ben's bedroom and re-built the Lego fort that Tony had accidently stepped on earlier that morning. When it was finished Tony looked at his watch and said, "It's time for bed Ben". Ben began to whine, "But I want to play more with you daddy". Tony picked his son up and reminded him of their big day at the Zoo tomorrow and that they all needed to get a good night's sleep. This seemed to do the trick as Ben made very little fuss as Tony placed him into bed.
Tony was joined by Ziva a few minutes later who had come to say goodnight to their son. Together they kissed him goodnight and tucked him in. Tony turned off the light and closed the door as he and Ziva walked hand in hand into their own bedroom and spent the next few hours reading articles on Ziva's lap top about the best ways to tell children that they are about to be a big brother or sister. Armed with their new found knowledge, they went to bed holding each other close as they drifted off to sleep anticipating a family fun day at the Zoo tomorrow.
a/n: Please send me a review and let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you to everyone for following this story and adding it to your favorites list.