For the first few weeks, Willow made sure to take Isabella to the doctor's for appointments for her eyes. She was healthy and seeing. This was the best news for Willow and Jake.
However, they were still having trouble with paying bills. They were barely making it by on what they had. Willow was working as hard as she could, and Jake was, too. But that left very little time for each other.
It was about 7:00 at night. Jake was working on some work things on the laptop. Willow was trying to catch up on cleaning, but it was so hard when she was so distracted with work.
The doorbell rang. Willow glanced over at Jake. He looked at her. "I got it," she said.
She answered the door and was not so pleased. "Mom.. what are you doing here??"
"I just wanted to stop by and see how things were going. I haven't been over in so long."
Willow looked back at Jake, who was still on the computer. "I- umm-"
"Well, let me in, won't you?"
Willow sighed and opened the door. Ziva walked in and froze. "Willow, your house is a wreck!"
"I was just cleaning..."
"Look at this place!! Unfolded laundry everywhere, dirty dishes, bottles, toys, everything. It's horrible!"
"I know I was just laying down Isabella and getting started."
Ziva walked into the kitchen. "What even is this??? It looks like a dumpster was literally dropped upside down here, and then taken away. And it stinks. Willow how can-"
"I know, Mom!!" Willow's voice cracked. It was bad. She knew it. But she had no help.
Ziva turned around, seeing willow so upset. "Willow... what's going on??"
Willow was almost crying now. "It's too much. Jake is working all the time. I work as hard as I can, but someone's got to take care of Isabella. I never get to see my husband. I never get to hear him tell me he loves me... because we are always out of money. The bills are piling up and I am not going to be able to afford groceries next week... it's too much... and I don't understand how when I was 15, I was running around doing who knows what with that stupid secret agency thing. And I can't even provide for my family..."
Ziva studied willow's face for a moment. Then she brought her in for a hug. "Why don't you tell me that you were having these problems? I can help you. It's okay to get help..."
Willow hugged her mother back. "I can't ask for that..."
"You don't have to.. listen, I want you and Jake to go on vacation. No arguing. It's completely free. You're leaving tomorrow. I don't care where you go. But you're taking my credit card and you're leaving. Don't worry about here. Your father and I will be here at nine o'clock tomorrow. Be ready to go by then."
Willow was extremely confused. What type of comforting was this???
Before she knew it, ziva was gone and she and Jake were getting ready for vacation. It was all like a dream that she'd wake up from any second now.
At 9 o'clock the next day, ziva gave willow her credit card and told her to get lost. Willow found it extremely strange, but hugged her parents, after checking for the millionth time that they knew what they were doing. Then they left.
~~~
Three days layer, willow And Jake were driving home. They decided just to stay at a hotel a few hours away. Nothing big or extravagant. Just relaxing.
They had gotten back to how they were almost a year ago. In love completely. Ignoring any stress that life had to offer.
Willow was extremely scared to go back to the dirty house and the screaming child. But she did miss home.
They walked in the Door and willow nearly passed out. She was in the wrong house. Or so she thought...
It was sparkling. It smelled amazing. There was no evidence of any dirt anywhere. No laundry piled up in baskets. No stacks of dirty dishes. Nothing.
She heard laughing in the living room and grabbed Jake's hand and pulled him there. Tony, ziva, andy, and Isabella were on the ground in the living room. They were just playing with toys and other things with Isabella.
Willow was grinning from ear to ear. "Did you guys do all of this???"
They hugged and greeted. Ziva hugged her daughter. "Of course. You two are so amazing. But sometimes you need some help. Don't worry about food or bills for a while." Ziva winked.
Willow could barely breathe until after they left. She sat on the couch with Jake. Isabella was asleep in his arms.
"Jake... do you realize what's happened??"
"Uhh your parents payed most of our bills and gave us some cash?"
"No. Well, yes. But no... we can finally start our family... without stress... we can live Happily Ever After."
I guess every girl has dreamed of a fairytale ending... a prince on a horse riding with you on his lap into the sunset... but I did get my happy ending... I have my amazing husband, and my beautiful baby girl. It won't be perfect, there will be struggled. But it's definitely my Happily Ever After...
~~~The End~~~
