"That's it, Ziver, almost there," Gibbs coaxed, squeezing Ziva's sweating, white-knuckled hand as hard as he dared. Ziva glared at him, her cheeks red and tacky with sweat as she huffed for breath.
"You have said the same thing for the past 6 contractions," she accused. "I no longer believe you."
"Actually, he's right this time, Miss Ziva," Dr. Clemens—Clara— piped up from between Ziva's covered and spread knees. "Your baby is about to crown. One last big push should do the trick. Are you ready?"
"No—" Her retort cut itself short as a gasp escaped, the next contraction quickly building. Her fingers clamped down on Gibbs' hand, until he heard his bones creaking.
"Now, Ziva!" he urged, quickly joined by Clara.
"Push!"
Ziva pushed for all she was worth, loosing a battle cry that would put any Marine to shame. Just as her breath began to peter out, everything changed. Her face went slack with relief and her body lost its fight, the battle won. The doctors flurried out of sight, as Gibbs focused all of his attention on Ziva, who lay exhausted, eyes closed.
"You did it." He kissed her hand, which shook with fatigue. "You're amazing."
Her eyes cracked open. "The baby?"
"With the doctors—" Gibbs was interrupted by a sharp wail, pulling both their gazes to where the nurse held an all too tiny bundle of life in her arms.
"Are you ready to meet your daughter?" she said brightly. Gibbs' breath caught in his throat, trapped by a sudden lump. He wordlessly accepted the small bundle, staring stunned at the squalling baby girl protesting her sudden eviction. He didn't notice his vision had blurred until Ziva's hand touched his arm.
"Jethro…"
Tears spilled down his cheeks as he brought their baby to Ziva's waiting arms. The baby soon quieted against her mother's chest, easing into displeased whimpers and the soft cooing only newborns could make. Gibbs slid his arm behind Ziva's neck, pressing his forehead against her damp hair, content to watch her hold their daughter. Inevitably his hand reached out to stroke the soft-capped head resting against Ziva's chest. Ziva's head pressed against his in silent communication, the only way she could express her understanding without saying the words. They stayed there, breathing and staring at the wonder in Ziva's arms. In the quiet, Gibbs heard a sniff, quick and congested as Ziva's hand darted from the baby to her cheek, dashing the gathering tears away. They kept coming, but when Gibbs dipped his head, he found her smiling. Her hands returned to the baby, unwilling to relinquish their, and the tears fell unchecked. Whatever Ziva had been looking for, whatever she thought was missing that night after fighting with Tony… Gibbs knew she had found it.
When the doctors came back to collect the baby for further examination and tests, Gibbs' knees crackled viciously as he returned to his feet. Ziva urged him to meet the others, who were still waiting in a room somewhere outside, anxious to hear the news.
"Go," Ziva urged. "Abby will be out of her mind by now. Tell her that everyone is fine. It will give me a chance to catch my breath before everyone comes barging in to see the baby."
Gibbs grinned and nodded. He hesitated before rising, sneaking in a quick kiss. "I love you," he murmured.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
"You did good."
"We did good," she corrected. "Sorry about your hand." Her tone, though, suggested otherwise. She gave his cheek a light pat. "Now go."
Gibbs chuckled. "Yes, ma'am." He gave her the privacy she desired by stepping out into the hallway. He pulled off the disposable scrubs he'd been given, and gave himself the moment he needed to regain an even keel by taking his time to crumple it up and stuff it in the nearest trash can. When he no longer felt like he would tip over, he followed the signs towards the waiting room. Sure enough, Abby was pacing a rut into the tile floor, wringing her hands anxiously. Ducky saw him first, uttering the scientist's name to alert her to Gibbs' arrival. She whirled, her eyes widening, then spreading into a beaming smile when she read the joy in his eyes.
"Gibbs!" Abby scurried towards him in short strides until she could throw her arms around him. "Congratulations! How's Ziva? Is the baby okay?"
"She's fine. Baby's okay too."
"And the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"A gi—" His voice caught, which he covered by clearing his throat. "A girl," Gibbs tried again. Abby gasped in surprise. "I have a daughter." Another daughter. He couldn't quite believe he could be so lucky. He had done this before—with a different family, different friends waiting to congratulate him. No better, no worse than the last time he'd had this moment. Just different.
Abby squealed loudly and hugged him again, this time tight enough to make his ribs bend. McGee followed suit scant moments later, and then the others, including a stiff backslap from Dinozzo. Leyla planted a kiss on his cheek, her eyes damp. Amira hugged his leg, unaware of why but joining in on the fun. Gibbs ruffled her hair, basking in their warmth.
"Mr. Gibbs?" the nurse interrupted them. "Ziva says she's ready for everyone to come back."
Ziva grinned wide as they all filed in. Gibbs went straight to her side, reflexively reaching out to touch the baby sleeping nestled in her arms. The child had been cleaned and wrapped in a fresh cream colored blanket.
"Oh my gosh," Abby exclaimed softly. "Ziva, she's beautiful."
"She truly is," Leyla concurred, grinning widely.
"Thank you," Ziva returned. She glanced at Gibbs to gauge his readiness for what came next. He nodded. "Everyone, I would like to introduce you to our daughter, Kira David. And this, Kira-leh, is your family." Despite her best efforts, the tears rose again, clouding her voice with happiness. "Welcome home."