I am so sorry it's taken me almost two weeks to get this up! I have no excuse other than a lack of time really, so i am really sorry.

This entire, very long chapter is the night before the wedding and the wedding. It's a filler chapter really, so feel free to ignore if it's not what you're here for. Next chapter we're delving into consolidation chemo and all that jazz, promise.

Also- I am so sorry about the many, many errors we have here. I post my stories un-beta'd.

Enjoy :)

With Ziva and Abby gone off to the hotel for the night, Tony, Gibbs and Tim went about finishing things for the next day. Gibbs made a last minute call to the caterer, McGee went about finding the song Tony wanted for their first dance, and Tony was trying to write his vows whilst feeding Alexa. She was crying, had been unsettled since Ziva had shut the door on her way out, and now she was refusing her bottle and wriggling, crying lightly. Tony abandoned his vows to try and settle her, standing and rocking her, walking back and forth.

'Shh, Lexi. We'll see mommy tomorrow I promise, and she'll look so beautiful we'll all want to cry like you are now. And you'll look beautiful too in the new dress I had uncle Timmy go out and get for you. Shh, come on Lexi.' Instead of settling her, like whispering and rocking usually did, Alexa began to cry louder and Tony sighed, cuddling her further into him and staring down at her trying to figure out what to do. Gibbs appeared next to him about five minutes later, having growled the caterer into submission over some buffet foods.

'Give her to me, Tony. You need to finish those vows and you look exhausted.' With a sigh, Tony handed his daughter off to his boss and slumped back into the chair. He watched as in about a minute flat, Gibbs had soothed Alexa enough to take her bottle and was now sitting in the chair across from him feeding her. Tony just shook his head, trying not to focus on the feeling that maybe he wasn't good enough at being a father and tried to turn his attention back to his vows.

Concentrating hard and not thinking about what he was doing, he reached out and snagged McGee's open bottle of beer from the table in front of him. Gibbs told him not to just as the alcohol slipped into his mouth and Tony spluttered, crying out. The sores in his mouth from all the chemicals and weeks of throwing up protesting the harsh fluid flowing over them.

'Shit! Ow.' Tony cried out, grabbing his own glass of water and trying to sooth his mouth, the burning feeling remaining and making his jaw ache with pain.

'Tony, you okay?' McGee asked, staring at Tony intently.

'I will be, McNosey. It's just the sores, some more water and a pain pill and I'll be fine.' Tony ground out, trying to lighten the mood. He was lying really, he wasn't okay. The pain in his mouth triggered the ever present ache in the back of his head to begin to blossom into something worse.

'If you take one of those pain pills now DiNozzo you'll be out for the count until tomorrow. You'll not get your vows done.' Gibbs said quietly, now cradling a sleeping Alexa in his arms. Tony sighed and dropped his chin to his chest.

'Yeah, I know. I'll take it once I'm finished.' Gibbs nodded and went back to lightly rocking Lexi, settling her further and further into sleep. McGee watched him for another moment before going back to his laptop and sorting out some kind of play list for tomorrow. Sighing again, Tony picked back up the note pad he'd been trying to write on and attempted to concentrate. He'd gotten very little written before the added pain, having the feelings inside was a totally different thing from writing them down on paper, and he doubted he'd get much more done now. It didn't mean he didn't try though, pushing through the pain as much as he could, fighting back the flinch his body threatened every time one of the others put their beer bottle down too firmly on the table or a phone went off. He lasted half an hour, about 16 pages of crumpled up failures at his feet, before Gibbs finally spoke up.

'How much does your head hurt right now, Tony?' Gibbs asked, sounding so much like his doctor that he automatically reverted back to numerical pain scale and answered like he would have to the doctor, truthfully, before he thought about what he was doing.

'8, maybe a 9.' Tony replied without looking up, before realisation clicked into place and he looked up. 'But, erm, I can deal with it until I've got this down. I'm fine boss.' Gibbs sighed, standing and putting Alexa into the bassinet beside his chair before making his way to the kitchen. Tony waiting, pen in hand, perplexed as to what Gibbs was doing. He came back a moment later, a pain pill and a fresh glass of cold water in his hand. Gibbs put them down on the table beside Tony and pointed at them.

'Take the pill and got to sleep. I'll wake you early so you can get those done.' Tony hated that ever since he'd gotten ill, Gibbs had been going way too easy on him and looking at him with goddamn soft eyes that conveyed some kind of mix between sympathy and bossiness. This time, however, he just sighed and conceded. He was in too much pain, the headache quickly verging on migraine. If he got one of those now, he'd be no good tomorrow. He reached out and snagged the pill, swallowing it down with small sips of water that soothed some of the remaining discomfort in his mouth. Standing, and trying not to be obvious about the dizziness that it caused, he made his way over to the bassinet to give Alexa a kiss goodnight and then headed towards his bedroom, stopping only once on his way to talk to Gibbs.

'Wake me up for her feeds during the night?' Tony pointed his chin towards his daughter.

'Sure DiNozzo.' Gibbs replied, a small smirk gracing his mouth. 'Now get to bed, you'll be no good tomorrow otherwise.' Tony was pretty sure he'd not be woken during the night, and that Gibbs would probably use his wicked Gibbs senses to stop Lexi's crying before it even started, therefore preventing Tony from hearing her. He was too tired and in too much pain to argue with him instead making his way towards his bedroom again.

'Great stag night, huh?' He called over his shoulder to McGee and Gibbs, he got a chuckle from them both in reply before he collapsed into his bed and tried to get comfortable before the pain pill pulled him under.

'Do you think they are alright, Abby?' Ziva asked, lounging back against the headboard of the big hotel bed, wrapped in a fluffy white robe and waiting for her nails to dry. Abby looked up from where she was giving herself her own manicure, having just finished Ziva's for her.

'They're fine, Ziva. Gibbs and McGee are there. They won't let anything happen to them.' Abby grinned at her and Ziva smiled back checking her nails were dry before hopping off the bed and grabbing her cell from the bedside table.

'I think I will ring to say goodnight, anyway.' Abby just nodded, she understood that this was the first time Ziva had been away from her daughter since she'd been born, with Tony being sick, that worry must have been more than two-fold.

'Ziva, what's up?' It was Tim who answered Tony's phone.

'Tim? Why do you have Tony's phone, is he okay?' Abby looked up, pausing her inspection of her newly painted nails.

'He's okay.' There was some muffled speaking between what sounded like him and Gibbs, before she heard the phone being handed over and Gibbs' gruff voice was on the line instead.

'Ziva?'

'Gibbs where is Tony?' Ziva's voice was laced with worry and anxiety.

'He's okay Ziva, idjut drank some of McGee's beer by accident and managed to start a headache. He's sleeping it off with a pain pill.'

'Oh.' Ziva sighed, relief flooding through her. 'How is Alexa?'

'Sleeping now, she started to cry once you left but I managed to get her to eat and then get off. Should be out till her next feed. We got it all covered Ziver, promise.' She could hear Gibbs' smirk through the phone and she sighed.

'I know I am worrying too much, I just did not know it would be so hard to be away from her even for a night.' Gibbs chuckled.

'You're a mom now Ziva, better get used to that feeling. Just try to enjoy the rest of your night and I'll have Tony ring you in the morning okay?' Ziva nodded before remembering that Gibbs was on the phone and couldn't see her.

'Okay, I will try. Give Alexa a kiss for me when she wakes up, I will see you tomorrow. Goodnight.'

'Will do Ziver, night.' The phone went dead and she set it back down on the bedside table. She looked over at Abby who was flicking through what looked like a menu of spa treats.

'Everything okay on the home front?' Abby looked up from the leather bound booklet.

'Tony is asleep with a headache but Gibbs says he will be okay tomorrow and Alexa is sleeping. They are fine.' Abby nodded, biting her lip she turned her head back to the booklet again for a second before looking back up at Ziva.

'Hey. Ziva?' Ziva hummed a reply and stopped rummaging through the bag she had brought with her.

'How do you feel about room service?' Abby glanced down again and then back up. 'And a massage?' Ziva chuckled before she replied.

'Perfect.' She grinned, Abby smiled widely back.

Tony was pacing in front of the set up for the wedding. The chairs were set up, a white arc decorated with flowers before them, all in the gardens of one of the most beautiful homes open to the public in the wider DC area. The sun was out, it was a warm day, but he was cold, shivering almost. McGee was stood leaning against a tree, holding Alexa and watching him with both concern and amusement. He didn't look well, he knew that, but for now he was putting it down to nerves and excitement about the wedding. There was all of half an hour left now and almost everyone was here. Ziva and Abby were in one of the many rooms inside getting ready, Gibbs was waiting inside somewhere for them so he could walk Ziva down the isle.

Tony had managed to write his vows, eventually. Gibbs woke him at 6 in the morning so he could do them and get ready and to the venue on time. Now, all they had to do was wait. He stopped pacing and made his way down the centre of the chairs as he saw Ducky, Vance and his wife and children making their way down towards them. He grinned at Ducky, who shook his hand and gave him a smirk and a wink, muttering in his ear when he lent forward for a quick hug.

'Good luck lad.' He said with a chuckle. Ducky let him go in favour of wandering over to see McGee and Lexi. Tony turned and smiled at the director and his family. Over the past few years, Tony had become more and more acquainted with this family, At first, Vance and he had not gotten along, but eventually that changed. Jackie called him up every so often and had even visited him in hospital a few times. Kayla and Jared were like family to him, and they squeezed him with grins on their faces before rushing off towards the others, cooing over Alexa. Jackie gave him and hug, Vance a handshake, they both shared words of good luck and gave each other one of those looks that people who've been married a while seem to get. Conversations without speaking going on through eye contract. Eventually, they called Kayla and Jared back, and along with Ducky, they took their seats.

Glancing at the clock, Tony realised there was only ten minutes to go until Ziva was supposed to be walking down the pathway towards him. Behind him, the only person he'd been able to find who would provide a non-domination wedding was setting up. With Ziva being Jewish, and he not exactly knowing what faith he followed, if he followed one at all, it had been a hard push to find someone who would do it, but eventually this man had popped up and he'd paid him extra to do it at such a short notice. Tony went back to pacing, much to the amusement to Jackie and Vance who shot him grins whenever he looked their way. Others they worked with and a couple they knew from outside of work turned up with only minutes to spare, getting quick greetings and smiles before they took their seats. Tony was now fidgeting, stood at the head of the isle with McGee holding Alexa next to him. He was shooting glancing between his feet, his daughter and the doors that his soon to be wife would be coming out of any minute. It was during a moment when he was staring intently on his shoes that McGee nudged him lightly.

'Tony.' He whispered, and when he looked up, and the music from the laptop they'd set up earlier began to play. Tony swore, he'd never seen anything more beautiful.

A knock on the door brought Abby running whilst trying to put on her shoes. She flung the door open to Gibbs, who looked at her with a smirk on his face before stepping around her and into the room.

'Ziva all ready to go?' He asked as Abby closed the door and slipped her last shoe on at the same time. She stood up with a relieved sigh, now finally fully ready and then pointed at the door.

'She's in there taking a few moments, but she's ready.' Abby grinned at him, she'd seen Ziva in her dress, all her makeup and hair done. She was stunning. Gibbs smiled back at her and then knocked on the bathroom door the get Ziva's attention.

'Coming out, Ziver? It's almost time to get this show on the road.' Gibbs stepped back beside Abby as he heard the door unlock and Ziva stepped out. For a second, he was frozen. This was his daughter, and she was possibly the most stunning thing he'd ever seen. Her ivory a-line, sweetheart neckline dress flowed across her body like water. Her hair was in loose, dark curls down her back. Her makeup was light but perfectly applied, leaving her face clear, defined and beautiful. She cradled a bouquet of white and blue flowers in her hands tightly, the blue matching Abby's bridesmaids dress, and the men's ties.

Ziva stood and fidgeted. She'd never been so dressy in her entire life, and it felt a little odd. This entire thing felt a little surreal. She'd only seen the dress once she'd put it on, and had been worried about it until the moment Abby finished lacing the corset back and tied it in an elegant bow. They all worries flew away. Tony had chosen perfectly, the dress was beautiful. Designer and probably cost more money than she even wanted to imagine, even more given that it was probably a rush to get it in her exact size at such short notice. And then there was the fact that Tony knew her exact measurements off by heart. Ziva had blushed when Abby told her that. Now she stood nervously, watching Gibbs as he stared at her dumbstruck. Abby had her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes as she rushed forward and enveloped her in a hug.

'You look so, so, so beautiful Ziva! Tony's just going to go crazy when he sees you!' She exclaimed, pulling back and then smoothing out any invisible wrinkles in the dress she might have caused by the hug. Ziva smiled at her and then turned her attention back to Gibbs.

'Well, what do you think?' She asked quietly. Gibbs cleared his throat and blinked away the dampness in his eyes before he stepped forward and grasped on of Ziva's hands. He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

'You look perfect.' He whispered to her, before pulling her arm through his and taking his place for walking her towards her soon to be husband. 'Ready to do this?' He asked, glancing sideways. Abby was watching them and holding the door open. Ziva grinned and little nervously.

'Ready.' She nodded, and they followed Abby out of the room.

The music began as soon as she stepped foot onto the roll of dark blue carpet that led the way from the door to Tony. Gibbs gripped her arm more tightly as they walked forwards, nerves flooded her while she took the first few steps, but then Tony came into her line of sight. He looked dumbstruck, like someone had taken a mallet and hit him straight between the eyes. He was looking straight at her. The again, so was everyone else, but everything narrowed down to Tony. Stood taller than she'd seen him in a while, hands crossed in front of his body. They walked slowly towards him, the music flowing over her, and suddenly the nerves were gone.

'She looks beautiful.' McGee whispered to Tony, watching Ziva walked down the isle on Gibbs' arm. All Tony could do was nod. His entire being was focused on Ziva walking slowly, too slowly, towards him. All his nerves were gone, he just wanted her next to him, his hand in hers, their bodies closer to each other, holding her.

Slowly, so so slowly, they finally reached him. Gibbs grinned at him, kissed Ziva on the cheek, and then went to stand beside Abby just off centre. Tony reached out and grabbed Ziva's hand as soon as she was close enough, raising it to his mouth to lay a gentle kiss against her palm.

'You look so beautiful.' He whispered to her, before they both turned their attention to the minister before them.

'We are gathered here today to bear witness to the matrimony between Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David.' He exclaimed with a smile to them both. Alexa gurgled happily in McGee's arms and the congregation chuckled lightly.

'If anyone has any lawful objections to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.' Every wedding Tony had ever been to ended up with a moment of tension as those words were uttered, but not a single person had anything to say, and so they continued.

'I am informed you have your own vows?' He asked them and they nodded, the minister smiled and then nodded at Tony to go first. He turned to face her, running a hand over his head and expecting to be able to pull lightly on his hair for composure. It was taking a while to adjust to the new baldness, and so he laughed lightly, and Ziva grinned at him. Eventually, he cleared his throat, and everyone was suddenly very quiet.

'The moment you told me you felt the same way, that you loved me, when I got out of hospital after the explosion. I thought that would be the happiest day of my life.' He smiled at her. 'But then you told me you were having our baby, and that soon took first place.' Ziva grinned back at him. 'Eventually though, even that was taken over. I swear, I have never seen something more beautiful than the moment Alexa finally cried, and then she was placed on your chest. I thought I could have died right there and been a happy man. Nothing will ever beat that, but the day you agreed to marry me comes very close, and now this. God, Zi. You're so beautiful.' He took a deep breath, blinking away tears in his eyes while Ziva let hers fall freely. 'I love you more than I thought possible. I love you more than I love pizza, and knowing that on Sundays you don't go for a run and make pancakes instead, and arguing with McGee and I love you more than movies.' Ziva chuckled at him along with the rest of the crowd. 'I will always love you.' Tony's voice dropped to a whisper, his tears now finally making a break through. 'I will love you through sickness, 'Ziva swallows, a sob escapes more than one person in the crowd. Tony predicts Abby and Jackie. 'And I love you through health, I will love you through better and through worse, and I promise I will even love you after death do we part.' Tony whispered. He reaches a hand sideways and McGee manoeuvres Alexa so he can drop the wedding band into Tony's waiting palm. He turns back towards Ziva, who is now holding her hand out, and slowly, gently, Tony slides the ring into the space on her finger, right above her engagement ring. A gentle nod from the man before them, who looks like even he has tears in his eyes, encourages Ziva to say her vows. Grasping Tony's hand in her own, she takes a deep breath and meets his eyes.

'America is a big, scary, wonderful place. When I first came here, I was terrified. Terrified that I wouldn't be accepted, that I would have to go back. But then I found you, and I was not scared anymore. At first, I did not know why. I did not understand that, that is what love is supposed to do. It makes the hard things easier, and the easy things wondrous. I could not have imagined a better person to meet, a better person to love, a better person to spend the rest of my life with.' 'She takes another deep breath, watching as the tears roll down Tony's cheeks. 'You have given me a family, and safety, and happiness. Security, and confidence and love. All things that, before you, I had not felt in a long time.' Next came the part that Gibbs had helped her with through a phone call early in the morning, she had not understood until she heard Tony's vows. 'I love you more than I love dancing, and I love you more than I love Sunday mornings in bed and making pancakes, I love you more than I love my work, and I love you more than I love beating you at chess.' Another chuckle ripples out from the crowed, they'd all seen the way Ziva had rubbed Tony's face in that after she'd won her 20th game against him. Her voice, much like Tony's, dropped to a whisper for the next part. 'I will love you through sickness.' Ziva whispers determinedly. 'I will love you through health, I will love you through better and through worse, and I promise I will even love you after death do we part.' She concludes, taking a deep breath and plucking the ring Abby is holding out to her from her fingers. Slowly, she slides it onto Tony's waiting hand before they turn back to face the minister who is watching them with an awestruck expression. Eventually, he clears his throat and smiles at them. A few more formalities and they could be declared man and wife.

'Do you, Anthony DiNozzo, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?'

'I do.' He replies, looking over to her.

'Do you, Ziva David, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?'

'I do.' Ziva whispers back, meeting Tony's gaze.

'Well, then. I now declare you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.' He finishes with a grin. Tony turns quickly, gathering Ziva into his arms and pressing a kiss into her rosebud lips like he'd wanted to since he'd watched her walk down that isle. The cheers erupted out from those around them, shouts of congratulations. None of that mattered though, it was drowned out by the firm butterfly kissed being pressed repeatedly against soft, pliant lips.

'I love you.' He murmured to her. 'I love you, I love you.'