Epilogue

As planned, Tony took the reunited family for Coffee and let them talk for over an hour before reining them in and making sure Zeus had the rental car sorted. They were soon on the road and heading off to Tim and Ziva's where, unbeknown to the happy couple, Tali and her family would be staying courtesy of the room being prepared in their absence.

Tony parked in the driveway and grinned. "Home sweet home. You guys okay?"

Tim nodded with a grin and glanced back at Ziva and Lily. "I am. Zee? You okay?"

"I am more than okay, Tim. Tony, I don't think thank you can cover what you have all done. My sister…" Her voice trailed off as more tears threatened to fall. "When Ari died, I thought of her a lot and have wanted nothing more than to see them all again. I accepted my fate when I married Tim and decided to do right in other ways. This is wonderful."

It was strange for Ziva to show so much emotion to anyone but Tim and Tony found himself choking up slightly at the admission. He reached over and grasped her hand. "Zee, it was everyone and it was hard when you and that little gorgeous niece of mine was taken. We had Tim…yeah, let's not speak about that; but we thought we lost you and when you came back had to do something special." The rental pulled up behind them.

"And here they are so come on! Let's go in and decorate that tree!"

Ziva laughed loudly at Tony when he bounded out of the car and slipped on some ice.

"Tony, you okay?" Tim asked from where he'd leaned over the driver's seat. He was trying to stifle his laughter at the sight off the team clown flat on his back but failed and laughed loudly, waking Lily up.

"I'm okay. Just…come on guys! Stop laughing and get your buts out of the car!" Tony stood up and waited for everyone to get out. Once they were all milled around in a group, he led them inside and grinned when he could smell the dinner cooking and saw the sparkling lights and decorations that adorned the house. He stood aside holding the door open and held out his arm.

"Merry Christmas guys. Zee, I know you haven't had the chance, but happy Hanukkah."

Ziva walked in and gasped at the decorations and watched as Tali made a beeline for their father. She couldn't help the love that flooded through her at what everyone had done and leaned into Tim when he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Guys this is…I'm speechless!"

"Don't have to say anything McGee. Just enjoy."

Abby walked over and hugged them both. "We have eggnog and Jackie is cooking the dinner. The presents are all under the tree and tonight, we are all going to celebrate!"

"Tim kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks Abbs…Thanks everyone! I thought this year was going to be a small thing because of, well you know. But this? This is brilliant. Between Tali and her family and this, I don't know how we can ever repay you."

"You don't have too." Jackie said as she walked in carrying the turkey. She placed it down on the beautifully decorated table and nodded. "There! Perfect. The rest will be ready soon."

"Timothy, Ziva, would you both like some eggnog?" Ducky stepped forward and handed them both a mug. "I'm afraid me and Mr. Palmer didn't help much because we were stuck at work. We only turned up twenty minutes ago, but I will say Just long enough to see you put the star on the tree."

"We thought you should do that." Abby agreed and handed Ziva the large, gold star. "Come on guys! The tree needs to be finished. " She took Lily and Ziva's drink and nodded to the tree. Tony took Tim's eggnog and slapped his friend on the back.

"How about you give Ziva a boost. You know she'll never reach it." Ziva glared his way. "What? Am I wrong?"

"Quit while you're ahead, DiNozzo." Gibbs growled through a grin and watched as Tim steered Ziva to the tree and picked her up easily so she could place the star on top. Silence reined in the room as the tree was finished and the lights were dimmed so that the twinkling lights cast a warm glow.

"Beautiful." Tim whispered in his wife's ear when he put her down and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Yes it is." She agreed and turned in his arms to face him.

"I was talking about you."

Ziva kissed him deeply and pulled back with a sigh. "I have something to tell you. I wanted to wait until tomorrow but this couldn't be more perfect." She looked around at her family. Tali and her family were with her father and the NCIS crew were all relaxed and happily looking at the scene with awe.

"What is it?"

"Before I was taken." She paused and shook the bad memories away. "Sorry. I…I'm pregnant, Tim. We're having another baby."

Tim scooped her up and spinned round with glee. "Seriously? You're…really?"

Ziva giggled happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes. The doctor checked me over when we got back and everything is perfect. I heard the heartbeat, Tim. It's strong like Lily's was."

Tim kissed Ziva again and the world faded out so that the woman he adored was the only person in it. He was pulled out by a chorus of cheers and loud applaud.

"Merry Christmas, My love." Ziva said softly and together they turned towards the group. With a smile, they took back their drinks and raised their mugs.

"Here's to family everyone." Tim said with a smile and took a drink. There was a chorus of 'to family' and they knew, that no matter what, they were truly blessed and lucky to be a part of something so special and amazing.

Finis..for now.