A/N – If you have read the entire CJ series you will realize that I have suggested (although not stated exactly) that CJ's birthday was late in the year Nov/Dec. I had wanted her to be one of the youngest in her class and since I am from Canada the calendar year is how the grades are determined. In the US (it does vary) but CJ would have had to have a birthday no later than end of July for her to be part of the class with the others. So I have moved her birthday to midsummer to coincide with this fact.
Exams finished without any glitches and she was able to score an 82 on the grade 12 exam. The ironic thing was she only scored an 80 on the grade 11 exam. CJ spent a few days a week at NCIS helping out in the lab. Her other days she hung out with varying members of the gang. They spent a lot of time cycling the trails and watching an assortment of movies and TV shows.
As the end of July approached CJ started being more outright with her hints about what she wanted for her birthday. At first she only made passing comments but by the middle of the month she was leaving pictures she had printed off the internet of the bike she really wanted. She was going to be turning 16 something you didn't do every day.
As CJ's birthday drew nearer Ziva was trying to decide an appropriate way to celebrate. Her own 16th birthday had past unnoticed to those around her, she didn't want that to happen to her daughter. CJ wasn't the big party type so that made planning a party rather difficult. In the end Ziva booked reservations for dinner at local restaurant. Reservations were made so that the entire "family" could come. Ziva only told CJ they were going out for supper and didn't mention who would be joining them. Their shared gift would be the biggest surprise.
Ziva spent much of the month of July reminiscing about what the 8 months that lead up to the day that CJ was born. She and Tony had been married for almost 18 months and although there had been discussion about whether or not they would have children they hadn't come to a definite decision. So when Ziva was "late" she first shrugged it off as a result of 'on the job stress'. That was until about a week later she woke up feeling a little queasy and then later that day got light headed when she stood up quickly. These facts coupled with an ever growing 'worry' led Ziva to drive home via the pharmacy. She decided that there was no need to tell Tony about any of this until she had something specific to say. So squirreling herself in her bathroom the next morning Ziva took the home pregnancy test. Staring at the little blue plus sign she wasn't sure she full grasped at that moment what was happening.
Her pregnant, no that couldn't be. How could they even have discussed starting a family? She wasn't fit to be a mother. Her job was dangerous, her experience with children limited to say the least. Standing in the bathroom she wasn't sure how to proceed. What do you do when you find out your pregnant? She didn't know. She didn't have a lot of female friends and none who had shared such details with her. Ziva didn't even know how to tell Tony he was about to be a father. That news was going to come as a surprise to him and she could imagine the issues that he too would be facing. Ziva jumped uncharacteristically when a very loud knock was followed by Tony yelling "Hey you letting me in, I need to shower too you know. We're going to be late for work."
In that few seconds that it took her to cross the bathroom to unlock the door Ziva decided there was no time like the present and as Tony walked into the room rushing to turn on the shower she handed him the little white stick with the blue symbol.
He only glanced at it before throwing it in the trash and hopping into the shower. She stood watching him as she knew it was only a matter of time before the information was processed through his non-work brain. Arms folded across her chest she stood watching through the shower door. The water pouring down his body, face turned into the down spout. Wait for it, she thought, wait for it. His jaw fell open, no words escaped, he turned ever so slowly to face his wife. There it was, she thought, he gets it now. Tony stared eyes doing all the talking. Asking a thousand questions in thier gaze. Her smirk and tiniest of nod was all he needed to understand that she wasn't joking. This was for real. Almost 17 years later Ziva would smile when she thought of his look that day, that moment of realization, that moment of truth, the moment Tony DiNozzo realized he was going to be a father.
CJ's birthday fell on a Thursday and she spent the day with Steven out on the trails. She had been instructed to be home by 1700 so that they could go for dinner together. Getting home just in time CJ was surprised to find that both Tony and Ziva were at home already. Yelling "Hello" as she entered the house two different voices called back "Happy Birthday".
Taking the stairs two at a time CJ waited at her parent's bedroom door after knocking to be invited in. Instead Ziva called out. "Go shower and change, you need to wear something other than jeans and t-shirt." CJ searched through her closet, she had very few articles of clothing that did not fit in the jeans and t-shirt category. In the end she chose a pair of black pants, a white blouse and a jacket that use to be her mother's. She hopped through the shower and was ready to go before her family emerged from their lair. She was about to walk in unannounced when Tony quickly exited and shut the door before she could go in. Somewhat confused CJ raised her eyebrows at her guilty looking father. He didn't respond and just suggested that they wait in the kitchen for Ziva who was not yet ready to go. They needed to be at the restaurant for 6:30 and it was a bit of drive to get downtown. In the end Tony and CJ waited in the car in an effort to get Ziva to hurry up as well as get CJ out of the house so Ziva could put out CJ's gift.
Together the 3 family members drove to the restaurant. It wasn't until the maitre d' rounded the corner that CJ saw the large table with Abby, Tim, Jimmy, his wife Cindy and Gibbs already seated. The huge DiNozzo smile spread across her face. CJ hugged each and every one of them before taking a seat beside her 'uncle'. All she said was "Thanks". Ziva was glad she had chosen to include everyone, there was a part of her that was worried the little "surprise" wouldn't go over well with her daughter.
As Tony and Ziva sat the waiter approached and offered to get drinks for everyone. The order taken he backed away and left them all there in silence. Abby not doing "silence" well spoke up. "Hey you know what .. I just had an idea… because it is CJ's birthday we should all tell a CJ story… that would be so fun… don't you think?"
Nodding heads and smiles could be seen at all of those gathered except CJ. "AH, I don't think that is necessary really Abby, I think that might take us down roads best left untraveled… don't you?" CJ asked the table at large.
Laughing and shaking their heads the group sided with Abby. "Who wants to go first?" Abby questioned the table at large.
Quiet reserved Cindy spoke up first "I will." Stunned the group turned to listen to the story.