A little drabble series in honor of december to countdown the 25 days of christmas. I don't have time for much right now, but I wanted to do something special. Enjoy :o)
jae
Aunts
He's finally settled on the week's ESPN highlights when he hears her re-enter her apartment, her footsteps growing louder as she makes her way down the hall.
"Tony," she calls from the entrance of her living room, and he fumbles for the remote beside him on her couch, silencing another holiday commercial and turning to look over his shoulder at her. She's brushing her thumb across the address on top of a colorful package, a small frown pulling at her mouth, and her eyebrows knit together as she reads it carefully.
"What's up?"
She lifts her face to meet his.
"Borriello, Donatella," She says carefully as she looks down to glance once more at the elegant script. The name stirs something in her memory. "Is that not your -"
"Aunt Di," Tony grins, setting down his beer on her coffee table and getting up to come stand before her. He takes the package from her hands, scrutinizing the name and address.
"Ah, good, she got your name right." He hands her back the package, smiling easily despite her bewildered expression.
"What is this?"
He chuckles, his eyes bright as he taps the box with his finger.
"Aunt Di's Christmas Pizelles."
She frowns.
"But why did I receive them?"
Tony's expression grows softer, and a small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.
"It's just her way of saying she approves of you, sweet cheeks."
Ziva's confusion slowly fades, and she drops her head to the side as her eyes warm.
"I have been approved?"
He chuckles again, stepping closer, and she breathes a laugh as one of his hands snakes across her hip and the other glides up her back.
"Oh, yeah." He murmurs, smiling down at her pursed lips. "You're in with Aunt Di, you've got the seal of approval."
Ziva regards him, her expression as playful as she gets, but it doesn't hide the surprise that creeps onto her face.
"You talk to your aunts about me?"
He captures her lips then, kissing her deeply.
"You've been mentioned once or twice."
"Why?"
Her eyes search his, warm and familiar, and he loves that he can bring that look of wonderment to them.
"Because I'm their family. And you're mine."