I'm not totally happy with this chapter, but I've reworked it too many times that I'm starting to go cross-eyed on it so I've decided to post it. I'm not really sure why I dislike this chapter so much, but I do.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I already have the next chapter in the works so you shouldn't have to wait TOO long for it.
Tony read through the paperwork before signing with his heavy scrawl. Ziva read it through carefully adding her signature, tight careful letters, along with her name written in blocky Hebrew lettering. They were officially a family. Daniela frowned and reached for the paper before it could be handed back to the judge.
"Where do I sign?" She asked searching for a blank line.
"Well, it is normally for adults." Ziva began, but seeing the look on her daughter's face, she relented and drew two straight lines at the bottom.
Daniela grinned, her face lighting up and she carefully wrote her name in cursive before pausing and looking up at Tony. "Papa, how do you spell DiNozzo?" She asked, her pen poised over the line.
"Big D. Little I. Big N. Little O. Little Z. Little Z. Little O." Tony spelled out, grinning proudly as Daniela carefully wrote DiNozzo as her last name, and then repeated Ziva's action by writing her name in Hebrew beside it. She passed the pen to Jacob, still in Tony's arms, and the little boy scribbled his first name before dropping the pen and cuddling up to Tony. "Didja see that boss?" Tony asked. "Daniela used my last name."
Everyone had to grin at Tony's pride and excitement.
"Well, I think that this calls for a special lunch!" Abby exclaimed. "An adoption lunch!"
Everyone started to state their ideas for where to go when the court reporter stopped them. "Before you go, we'd like a picture for our wall." She said gently. "Success stories."
Tony nodded and wrapped his arm around Ziva's waist and pulled her close, shifting Jacob to his other hip. Ziva pulled Daniela in between both of them. They smiled for the camera before Tony looked over his shoulder. "Come on, get in." He called to everyone. "Y'know what they say…it takes a village." Everyone moved to get in on the picture, except for Leon and Jackie. Ziva took a step out and gave them a smile. "Please." Jackie nodded and dragged her husband into the picture.
Once the photo op was finished, the group started to move out of the courtroom. Daniela reached up for Tony and Ziva's hands, placing herself in between them, Jacob happy in McGee's arms.
"There's a cute little café down the street." Abby said, taking McGee's other hand and swinging it as they walked. "Or we can get Chinese food. Or there's pizza." She rambled.
"Whichever." Ziva replied giving her best friend a smile. "Seriously, Abby. We are happy wherever we go." She said glancing up at Tony who nodded happily. They didn't need to exchange words to say how they were feeling.
Tony couldn't stop smiling, his green eyes dancing. Small creases appeared at the corners of his mouth from smiling so hard, his dimples never leaving his face. There was a calmness that had washed over Ziva, and she radiated a glow that had rarely been seen. She wasn't just happy, because she was and her wide grin and loving looks she shared with Tony and their children were a testament to her happiness. This was a happiness that seemed to emanate from her. No one had seen her this happy…this…content. Her dark eyes were filled with something more than just love. Love could carry a person through a lot, but this was more. This was something that seemed to hover her above any pain she had in her life. This was contentment. This was happiness. This was Ziva finally peace and a place in the world where she belonged.
They ended up at the café, the group of them pulling tables together for enough seating. Tony and Ziva ended up sitting across from each other, Jacob squirming in between McGee and Abby. Daniela sat between Ziva and Jackie, everyone else filling in the empty spaces. The lunch was easy and remarkably quiet. Jacob pulled his bag of legos that he insisted on carrying everywhere with him and he and McGee set out to build…something. Daniela sat quietly, a look of awe on her face as her eyes flitted around the table settling on each person sitting there.
What are you thinking about? Ziva asked, reaching out raking her fingers through Daniela's thick curls, her voice soft.
Later. Daniela replied in Hebrew, picking up her toasted tomato sandwich and taking a small bite.
"I have a daughter about your age, Daniela." Jackie said gently, taking a bite of her own sandwich. "She's nine and her name is Kayla. Maybe someday you can come over and play." She turned to Ziva. "But I should probably ask your mom." She added, emphasizing the last word.
Ziva's face lit up into a grin and after fighting to control her emotions, she nodded. "Of course." She said softly, her voice tighter than usual. She started to reach for her food when she felt a strong hand on her knee and she met Jackie's eyes who gave her an understanding smile.
After a few minutes of easy conversation and eating, Leon stood up and cleared his throat and waited for everyone to stop speaking. "Uh…so…I know that I haven't been here very long…" He started, shooting an apologetic to Jenny who was seated next to Gibbs, nursing a gingerale and a bowl of soup. "But…I want to congratulate Tony and Ziva." He said starting a short round of applause. "And I want to offer you some time off. Starting tomorrow, you have three days off to be with your family. And then, once Jacob has surgery." He turned and smiled at the boy who grinned brightly at him. "Another week."
Ziva gave the new director a smile. "Thank you." She said honestly, taking Daniela's hand and squeezing it. The little girl grinned and leaned against her seat, her eyes still on Director Vance.
"And lastly…we at NCIS have a gift for you. Miss Scuito and McGee put me in touch with Jacob's doctor, Michelle Hsu." He explained pulling out a white envelope. "Director Shepard and I sat down and looked at the NCIS medical insurance and it only covers 40% of Jacob's surgery."
Jenny unsteadily got to her feet with the help of Gibbs and held onto his shoulder before turning to the two younger agents. "That's still $60 000 left uninsured." Jenny explained. "So, we've been holding fundraisers for you." She said giving them a soft smile.
Leon handed Tony the envelope and smiled. "There's the remaining cost for Jacob's implants." He said gruffly before reaching out and shaking Tony's hand. The senior field agent stared down at the envelope before staring at the director, and Jenny and then back at the envelope.
"I…uh…" He stammered before sitting down and staring at the envelope.
"Damn it Leon, it's taken me eight years to try to shut DiNozzo up, and you did it in weeks." Gibbs said with a stern smile.
Ziva swallowed a few times in rapid succession to try to move the growing lump in her throat. "Thank you. All of you." She said softly. "This is…unbelievable." Her dark eyes searched the group. "There is nothing we can do to repay you…" She whispered, her vision blurring with unshed tears. After a few moments she looked back up. "Thank you." She said again before the group went back to their conversations.
Lunch quickly finished and everyone began to go their separate ways. Jackie and Leon headed for their vehicle, Ducky taking Palmer back with him to NCIS. Gibbs and Jenny were heading back to the hospital, though no one mentioned the way Gibbs carefully had his arm wrapped around Jenny's waist or how close he held her. This left Ziva, Tony, Daniela, Jacob, McGee and Abby walking alone towards the parking lot. Once they got to their vehicles, McGee turned and looked and at Tony and Ziva. "I'm so proud of you guys." He said suddenly, reaching out and wrapping Ziva in a tight hug. She stood stunned for the briefest of seconds before wrapping her arms around McGee and returning the hug.
"There are gifts at your house." Abby whispered to Tony. "From me and McGee." Pulling apart, she reached over and grabbed McGee's hand and squeezed it, waving as the family climbed into their SUV.
Ziva climbed into the driver's seat, since Tony still seemed to be shellshocked from the envelope he was holding. Her driving had calmed down a lot since the introduction of a booster seat and a carseat in the back, though her edge wasn't totally gone.
Pulling into the driveway, she put the SUV into park and went and helped Jacob out and opened the house. Tony followed, though his eyes were still on the envelope. She got the kids inside before walking back out to Tony who was sitting on the front step, his large fingers running over the four edges of the white envelope. "Dollar for your thoughts?" She asked, sitting down beside him, her hand finding his.
"It's a penny." He said softly, a flicker of a smile on his face.
"I know. I just wanted to see you smile." She replied, watching him toy with the envelope. "So, what is bothering you?" She asked softly. "Today is supposed to be a good day, Tony."
He sighed and put the envelope in the pocket of his jacket. "I know, and it is. It's…it's just a lot to process. I mean, we're parents."
Ziva smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "Is that not what you wanted, Tony?" She asked softly. "To be parents?"
He nodded but didn't look down at her. "And then giving us this cheque…I mean…" Tony shrugged. "It's just a lot."
On the outside, he looked like he was the one that was ready for this. For a family. He looked calm, he looked prepared, but in reality he was just as messed up and nervous as she was. Sure, he didn't have the same skeletons in his closet that she had, but he had his fair share. Ziva wrapped her arms around his waist and rested against him. "It is a lot, but we know we can do this, Tony. We love each other, we love the children. I cannot see a problem." She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss. "I will be inside when you are ready. McGee and Abby left a gift in the back yard, but we will not get to them until you are with us." She said standing up and brushing off her pants.
Daniela had already changed into a pair of shorts and a regular tshirt and was sitting on the couch with a book. Jacob had started changing, but apparently gave up part way through and got distracted by the two large boxes in the backyard.
Presents. He signed to Ziva and tugged on her shirt.
We are waiting for Papa.
The little boy groaned and flopped on the floor dramatically.
None of that. She signed, picking him up and taking him to his room and helped him get changed into something more comfortable. She sent him out before she changed into jeans and a top before walking back out.
"Is Papa okay?" Daniela asked as soon as Ziva walked through the door. She was standing on the couch in the living room, peering through the large bay window. Tony was still sitting on the step, his fingers running over the envelope.
"It has been a long day." Ziva said helping her daughter off the couch and sitting down beside her. "For all of us. Can you tell me what you were thinking about in the café?" She asked, giving Daniela a supportive smile.
Shrugging, Daniela pulled her feet up underneath her and twisted her fingers together. "I was thinking that this is a dream. When Abba, Ima and Isaac died…I felt like dying too." She whispered. "But I could not, because of Jacob. Then, after the mission…I wanted to die again. That everyone would be better without me, that I was making everyone sad. But now…" She shrugged. "I am happy here." She tapped her chest. "And here." She tapped her head.
Neither mother nor daughter heard the front door open, or hear Tony's heavy footsteps approach them. "Are you happy?" Tony asked, standing in the doorway, his hands still clutching the envelope.
A frown crossed Daniela's face and she nodded. "I never thought I would be happy again." She replied honestly. "And I hated that Abba and Ima were dead…and that we had to pretend. I'm happy we don't have to pretend."
The couch sagged slightly when Tony sat down beside them. Tears were heavy in his eyes and he shook his head slightly. "This family makes me happier than I could ever imagine." He choked out, wrapping his arms around Ziva and Daniela and giving them each a soft kiss. They sat there until Jacob stomped in and started to sign quickly. Tony frowned and looked at Daniela who wiped her eyes and smiled.
"He wants the presents." She said with a small smile.
Jacob stomped over and grabbed Ziva and Tony's hands, trying to pull them to a standing position. They followed him through the house and then into the backyard. There were two boxes, one larger than the other, along with a large manila envelope.
"Jacob this one is for you." Ziva read, lifting Jacob up to help him with the wrapping paper on the box. As soon as he peeled off the first piece, she grinned seeing the new bike. The little boy tore at the paper until they could lift the box. Sometimes Abby and McGee outdid themselves, and this was one of them. The little bike was detailed with a bell, a light, training wheels and a helmet. She turned to see Daniela standing next to a similar looking bike, though a larger and girl version. Tony handed her the envelope and smiled. Inside was a reservation for a weekend away at a Bed and Breakfast, along with their "guarantee" to watch the kids.
It didn't matter how scared they were, it didn't matter how screwed up they were, they had a damn good village behind them.