Family First

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving rolled around quickly and Tony and Ziva had invited everyone to their place. Which meant they had to cook a lot of food.

"Hey Ziva. To make it easier how about we all bring something?" Abby asked.

"Like what?" Ziva said.

"Like McGee could do the ham, Ducky the desert, I could make stuffing I make really good stuffing." Abby said excitedly.

"Sure Abby that would be helpful." Ziva said smiling at the happy goth before her.

"Yay! I'll email everyone and let them know." She said dancing around her computer.

"Tony wants to make the turkey though. He keeps going on about a family recipe I have to try." Ziva said.

"Oh it's good trust me." Abby squealed.

Ziva laughed and headed back up to the bullpen with Tali on her hip.

"Ready to go sweet cheeks?" Tony asked as he took Tali out of her arms and bounced her around.

"Yes." Ziva said softly. She didn't want to admit it but she was exhausted.

"Come on let's go home. You can rest and I'll start cooking." Tony said kissing her cheek.

"Okay." Ziva said not even fighting him on it.

Once they made it home Tony laid Tali down in her crib since she had fallen asleep and told Ziva to go take a nap.

He began getting everything ready for the turkey. He was going to start it in the morning.

He made grilled chicken salad for them. He knew something light today would be good because tomorrow was going to be full of lots of heavy food.

After an hour everything was done and the table was set.

"Hey sweet cheeks." Tony said softly touching her arm.

Her eyes immediately snapped open and her body was rigid. Her face softened once she realize it was Tony.

"Hey." She said.

"Dinner is ready." He murmured.

"Is Tali awake?" Ziva asked.

"I was about to go wake her up." Tony told her.

"Okay." Ziva said getting out of the bed.

They got to the table and everyone was settled. They ate and had a causal conversation.

"This is great Tony." Ziva said.

"Glad you like it. I though it would be a good idea since tomorrow we're going to have a lot of heavy food." Tony told her.

"Good point." Ziva said wiping Italian dressing off of Tali's face.

"What time is everyone coming tomorrow?" Tony asked.

"Around two or three." Ziva said.

"My dad said he'll come around lunch time." Tony informed her.

"I forgot about him." Ziva said honestly.

"Well he's been gone for a while." Tony chuckled.

Once they were done eating Ziva washed the dishes and Tony dried and put away.

"I'll get her some pajamas if you get her in the bath." Tony said kissing Tali's head.

"Alright." Ziva said with a smile.

Tony came back with a pink top and brown and pink stripped bottoms.

"This work?" He asked. Ziva smiled and nodded.

They got Tali off to bed and then quickly went to bed after.

The next morning Tony got up. Made some breakfast and then started on the turkey.

"I did not think you would be up this early." Ziva said wrapping her arms around him.

"I woke up, saw you weren't there so I figured you went for a run. Thought I'd make breakfast and start with my awesome turkey." Tony said kissing her head.

"Can I help?" She asked.

"Sure. Would you mind chopping up some celery?" He asked.

"Of course." Ziva said washing her hands.

They continued working and had the turkey in the over by the time Tali woke up.

Tony heated up the pancakes and sausage and chopped them into little bites for her. While Ziva secured her a sippy cup of milk.

Soon people began to arrive. Bringing delicious looking plates in with them.

"Ziva." Abby said giving her a hug.

"Hello Abby." Ziva said breathlessly as Abby squeezed her so hard.

"Alright Abbs don't break her." Tony said humorously.

"Sorry I've just missed her so much and now that she's home and not dead I just can't help it." Abby said.

Ziva looked away with sad eyes. Hating what she had put them all though.

"Don't." Tony whispered to her kissing he cheek softly. He knew she was going to apologize again.

"Let's eat." Gibbs said coming in last. Tali ran over to him and he picked her up.

"This is going to be a thanksgiving like no other." McGee said.

"That is for sure McGee." Ziva said setting Tali in her high chair.

"I'm glad we're together." Abby said excitedly.

"Thank you for inviting me." Ellie said.

"Of course. Bishop I think you should've noticed by now but we aren't just a team here. We're a family." Tony said taking Ziva's hand in his.