AN: Thank you all once again for reading and to those who leave me such lovely reviews that make me smile and laugh and tell me your thoughts as you're reading the chapters! I love hearing your reactions to what happens. The music this Chapter is "The Ludlows" by James Horner from the Legends of the Fall Soundtrack. Enjoy all of your sweet fluff while you can!- Wild
"Why are we meeting her here?" Liat asked nervously looking around the cafe for any signs of Julia. She and Ziva had come together to speak with Julia about their decisions regarding The Council.
They were sitting at a small table outside of the quaint little café just outside Langley. It was late-morning and relatively quiet for such a gorgeous day with the lunch hour approaching. Liat and Ziva were the only two patrons sitting outside in the patio area, exactly where Julia had told them to meet her.
"I do not know." Ziva answered Liat's question with a soft smile and shrug, squeezing her lemon into her iced tea and stirring it. "She said she was in the area and this would be a good place to meet."
Ziva had called Julia only this morning wanting to schedule a time to meet and discuss their decisions for later in the weekend but Julia said today would work best, she would be leaving town this evening, though didn't say where to.
"There she is." Liat spotted Julia walking towards them across the parking lot and smiled as she took in Julia's appearance. She looked as though she'd just walked off the cover of an Equestrian magazine wearing tan breeches, and knee high riding boots with a baby blue short-sleeved polo shirt that looked slightly rumpled over her tanned skin. Clearly, she'd been riding horses this morning. Julia's mane of long blonde hair and curls was flying around wildly in the breeze and she smiled behind her classic golden aviator glasses at catching sight of them.
"Hello!" Julia smiled in greeting them, raising her glasses to rest on the top of her head and kissed both of their cheeks when they stood to greet her. "Thank you both for being able to meet me on such short notice." She smiled taking a seat, "And my apologies if I smell like a horse." She chuckled softly.
"I think you smell like fun." Ziva answered with a smile and small laugh. "I loved to ride growing up. I haven't been in a long time." She thought about how long it had been since she'd ridden a horse. "Likely since I was sixteen." She realized thinking that was about the time she'd left home for the Israeli military academy and all her girlish joys behind.
"When you are no longer pregnant, I would love to take you riding again then." Julia smiled warmly, "Both of you." She turned her gaze to Liat knowing she had ridden horses as well and hadn't been for some time either.
"We'd like that." Liat smiled looking at Ziva and seeing the same smile of excitement there too.
"So you ride not only Western but also English, I see." Ziva took in Julia's appearance once more with a smile, remembering Julia very clearly from the ranch.
"I do." Julia laughed softly signaling the waitress to order a drink as well. "I grew up on a ranch, so Western is what I'm most comfortable with. But given my other lifestyle, I learned English very quickly riding with Henry and Mikael." Her smile softened at the mentioning of both those names. "My children are comfortable in both."
"Were you riding with them this morning?" Ziva asked with a soft smile remembering all of the children talking excitedly during their night of babysitting about riding and jumping and their loves of horses.
"No, unfortunately. I would have much rather been with them." Julia shook her head softly with a slight smile and ordered a tea from the waitress as well. When the young woman departed she finished her explanation. "I was having a meeting with the Director of the CIA." She took a sip of her water already waiting for her and set it down with a soft sigh.
"An interesting place for a meeting with the Director." Liat's brow slanted slightly with a small smile, knowing there was more to this story than Julia was saying given how close they were to CIA Headquarters in Langley just a few miles away.
Julia raised her eyebrows with her own soft smile at Liat for pointing that out and sat back in her chair with a soft sigh, "We were discussing Council business. But I refuse to enter Headquarters anymore. So we have our meetings elsewhere."
"May I ask why?" Liat hedged carefully seeing the look in Julia's eyes and curious given this was Council business Julia had been discussing with the Director, and that was something she and Ziva were about to become intimately familiar with.
The waitress was returning with Julia's tea and so they waited politely for the answer to her question until the young woman was gone again from ear shot.
"Let's just say…that the old Council had torture chambers deep below the bowels of the CIA sub-levels that I became a lot more familiar with than I would have ever cared to." Julia answered quietly with another soft smile that was clearly sarcastic and gave Liat a empathetic sigh. "It's were I was taken when they discovered I was pregnant with Julian and had married Henry without permission." She added quietly.
Ziva and Liat's eyes widen with realization and hearts starting to pound a little at hearing Julia mention not only her own moment in history of being taken and tortured, but to hear her speak again of Julian, knowing how horrific that was for Julia and what it meant.
"It's where you became The Phoenix…" Ziva exhaled quietly with realization dawning and saw Julia's slight head nod of confirmation.
It was no wonder she never wanted to enter the building ever again, having endured such torture in the place that her body physically evolved into what it was now.
Ziva decided to switch topics to something happier for the moment. "So Kelsi had her baby." She smiled warmly at Julia who smiled instantly.
"She did." Julia smiled thinking about her sister's new baby. "Ava is beautiful."
"Is that where you are leaving to this evening?" Ziva asked with a small smile and running her hand over her own baby belly feeling Sarai moving within.
"Ah, no, actually. I'm going to London." Julia sighed softly again raking her hair over her ear and tucking it behind, clearly trying to control her emotions and they knew instantly it had something to do with Henry. "I will be meeting Charlotte."
Two babies born this week had been all over the news coverage. Kelsi's baby Ava, and Henry's baby Princess Charlotte, born on none other than Julia's birthday. When that news was released everyone felt the sharp stab of pain for Julia at what a cruel twist of fate that had been and it surprised both Ziva and Liat to hear she was headed to London to meet this baby.
"Oh," Liat gasped quietly not sure what to think or say in the moment.
"She is my…biological daughter." Julia stunned them both into silence and awe by dropping that unexpected bomb on them quietly.
"What?" Ziva gasped in astonishment with instant tears in her eyes to see them welling in Julia's and hear the crack in her voice when she'd told them. "How?" She asked with heart pounding and mind rapidly firing.
"Apparently, Louis was still in possession of some of my previously harvested eggs from his project with Ulric. After discovering that I was pregnant with Jillian last fall, and Henry's refusal to provide an heir once he'd remembered the truth," Julia explained quietly, clearly having been successful in pulling back her emotions on the subject and boxing them away for now. Speaking as if giving only facts, "Louis used my egg and Henry's sperm to create the heir via Elizabeth, as was always his original intent. Elizabeth, is infertile." She reached slowly for her tea and took a sip as Ziva and Liat stare with impossibly wide eyes.
"How long have you known all of this?" Ziva asked quietly with heartbreaking seeing the wall that Julia had firmly put in place now in her interaction with them on the subject, shutting off her emotions as they must have been too great.
"I just learned of this last night." Julia informed them both quietly staring into her tea, "Henry called to tell me, as it was only yesterday that he was finally told the truth as well. This was Louis' way of ensuring that Henry stay put in his marriage and take proper care with his heir, if it were mine." She shook her head clearly in disgust, "Louis actually said he was giving Henry exactly what he'd wanted and demanded last fall…that I be the only mother of his children. Now they have a legal heir they wanted with the... 'right woman' were the words Louis had said, and Henry has my child that he wanted."
"And you can't do anything about it…can you?" Ziva breathed through her tears, trying to blink them back as she felt she couldn't cry for Julia, if Julia wasn't even allowing herself to cry in this moment over such horrific news.
"No," Julia shook her head slightly and swallowing hard again, "Much like his marriage to Elizabeth, once it became public and the world celebrated their love and now their baby…there is nothing I can do. It is too late. I will never be able to claim my own child. To the world, Charlotte is Elizabeth and Henry's...with just enough genetic tweaks in her DNA, that she will be believable as their child."
Both Ziva and Liat understood what she meant by that given their new knowledge on the capability of Designer Babies in choosing certain genetic factors that people wanted their children to have, such as blue eyes and blonde hair. Julia herself, was a Designer Baby as were her three oldest children.
"Does Elizabeth know?" Liat asked quietly wondering what Henry's new wife knew about the real genetics of her child.
"Yes. Apparently, she's known from the beginning." Julia answered with clear anger in her voice though she tried to hold it back. "The very beginning. She always knew about Henry and I. She did not care how he felt for me. It only mattered to her that one day he would marry her and she would be the Princess. We were all three, very aware of her feelings on the subject. Henry said that she was the one to inform him of the truth yesterday after an argument they'd had about his coming to spend time with Jillian and Kristoff soon now that the baby was here. In her moment of anger that he was already making plans to spend time with 'my' children, she informed him that Charlotte was 'my' child as well, as she is afraid now that he's produced an heir, he will leave her. So Alexandra, who the world knows as her child, is now her permanent chain to Henry. He can never leave Elizabeth now or lose 'our' child. Elizabeth has been working with his grandfather for years to make this happen, apparently." She took a deep focused breath, obviously trying to control her emotions on the subject and the glasses and the silverware on the table rattled slightly from the energy she was giving off and trying to hold back. "Sociopaths, the pair of them." Julia shook her head thinking about Elizabeth and Louis. "And now she will be raising my child."
"What are you going to do?" Liat asked with silent tears slipping from her eyes in thinking about the horror of having Eden taken from her and being raised by someone else; much the same way that she'd been taken at birth from her own mother and family.
"The only thing I can. Stand by the sidelines and do the best I can to look after her, while Henry does his best to be her primary caregiver and devoted father in the public's eyes. Thankfully, Elizabeth doesn't really care about Charlotte's upbringing except for the occasional photo opportunities that portray her in a good light as a mother." Julia sighed, "She's already informed Henry that she doesn't care how much contact I have with the baby and even threw in his face with a smile that she'd be fine with letting me choose the nannies that would be raising Alexandra most of the time anyway. Elizabeth said to him, that everyone' gets what they want… She gets to be Henry's wife and the mother to his child with the public's adoration, Henry gets 'my' child as his heir, and I get to keep his child with me in Jillian and visit Charlotte when I want to. And we should all be happy with this arrangement." Julia scoffed and the liquid pools of gold grew in her eyes with held back emotion.
"Julia, I am so sorry." Ziva shook her head softly and reached for her hand lying on the table and giving it a squeeze of support. Vance's words about the tenacity of those royal families to breed into Julia's bloodline resounded in her head. She'd thought they'd given up on the idea after hearing the story about Louis' demands that Henry produce a legitimate heir with Elizabeth. She realized now, he only meant legitimate to the public. Even now, Julia's life was continuously filled with new heartaches.
"And you never saw this coming?" Ziva asked quietly wondering about Julia's abilities to see the future and how she could have missed Elizabeth giving birth to her own child.
"No. Apparently, it was purposefully blocked and kept from me by the Higher Powers, who said this was the way things needed to happen. That Charlotte needed to be my child to work with the others and fulfill her own destiny in the future with her position." Julia answered still clearly very much upset and her heated glare staring into her iced tea actually made it start boiling in the glass before them.
"By Higher Powers you mean…Gabriel?" Ziva asked swallowing hard and speaking in a near whisper, finally confronting this subject with Julia for the first time since Julia's children revealed Julia's own relationship and history with the messenger.
Julia's fiery eyes flashed to Ziva's, holding intently for a moment and then nodded once.
"It reminds me once again, that my life is not my own." She spoke quietly.
Julia may have gotten rid of her human masters with the old Council and those wishing to use her as a weapon, but she still served a greater purpose in life to an even much Higher Power.
"I've been told to be patient and that one day, I will get my child back…but not until she's grown…much like Katherine had to wait for me." She added quietly and then looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat in thinking about that comparison. "So for now, I leave this evening to meet my daughter for the first time… and interview nannies to raise her in my absence."
"How are Jack and Henry doing with this news?" Ziva asked quietly wiping away her silent tears as fast as they were falling.
"Both are furious. Both are ready to kill Louis, as am I…but am forbidden from doing so." Julia clenched her jaw and her hand resting on the table balled into a fist. "That is one evil I must endure until he dies naturally."
"Why?" Liat asked wanting to kill the man herself after hearing all that he'd done in his life to cause nothing but grief, especially to his grandson Henry and his life with Julia.
"I'm not told why." Julia shook her head slowly. "I was given a list of those who've done grave wrongs and are truly evil that I am not allowed to get rid of…yet. As they still have roles to play. He is one of them."
"Who else is on that list?" Ziva asked with narrowing eyebrows, and wondering what purpose these evil human beings could still have that Julia was forbidden by the Higher Powers from killing presently.
"The current leader of Russia for one. President Vladimir Pavlov." Julia answered with venom in her voice. "It is my truest test of patience that I will ever be given as The Phoenix to control my emotions in his presence, discussing Council matters and sitting across from the man who ordered the horrific executions of my children in Russia amongst his many other atrocities committed against those I love and everyone else." She swallowed hard, "And I'm forbidden from doing anything about it right now."
Ziva and Liat's eyes both widened again with the shocking news. First, that he was responsible for that order and second, that Julia had to sit down face to face with him on occasion to discuss Council business knowing he ordered the execution of her children in a shallow grave in the Russian forest. Julia had to have had the patient of a saint, or an angel to be able to do such a thing.
"The only solace I am given, is that his day will come." Julia spoke quietly, reaching out and touching her glass of now hot tea and turning it back to cold again with voice much calmer.
"Well, when that day comes," Ziva answered Julia quietly, finding her gaze once more, "And if you are given permission to be the one to give him due justice… I will gladly stand by your side and help you in whatever way I can." She vowed, offering exactly what Julia had done for her with Bodnar.
"Me too." Liat nodded with unshed tears, thinking about the angel in black leather who had set her free that night from her captive prison, now sitting before her a friend. She doubted there was much that she could actually help Julia do, given Julia's own abilities but Liat would gladly help in anyway she could if Julia needed her.
"Thank you. I appreciate the offer." Julia smiled softly with a slight nod and took a deep breath, boxing all of that up for now. "Enough about me. We are here today to speak of the two of you." She smiled more widely, changing the topics. "You have made your decisions."
"We have." Ziva smiled softly and ran her hand over her belly once more. "I will be accepting my seat on The Council." She answered with a nervous smile and slight head shake with the same nervous chuckle as she reached for her own glass of cold tea in the hot sun.
"And I accept the position as Ziva's Number Two." Liat nodded with same small nervous smile. It was only fair that she did so in her mind. "We are accepting this responsibility as a team. I won't let her do this alone. It's not fair to force this whole responsibility onto her shoulder's alone, especially if I'm not willing to be the one in the seat, the least I can do…is be there to support her." She flashed her eyes briefly to Ziva with a small smile and then reached for her hand to hold and give a comforting squeeze.
"A good team." Julia smiled speaking quietly with an approving head nod. "It is why I trust my sisters with the responsibility as well and why we work so well together. We are not afraid to call each other on our bullshit and make us face facts, and yet are fiercely protective of each other against everyone else as well. The best kinds of partnerships are those you feel completely comfortable being honest in and knowing they have your back always."
Liat and Ziva could tell by the way Julia was looking at them that she wasn't only speaking of their relationship and partnership moving forward in this venture as sisters, but also in their former and current partnerships with both Tony and Malachi.
"I look forward to working with both of you for the many years to come." Julia smiled more widely and held her glass up for a toast. "To making the world a better place…than the one we were each born into." She added quietly thinking of the three of their lives thus far, and how they were all born as projects to be used by others in very bad ways.
Ziva and Liat both smiled softly and raised their glasses as well, agreeing with Julia's toast as the ultimate reason for taking up this new adventure. "For our children." Ziva added quietly with a smile.
"For our children." Julia nodded in agreement with her smile growing wider and they all clinked their glasses.
"And to something good, coming from all the bad…to silver linings." Liat added quietly with a smile in trying to focus on the good things in her life now and not the bad as she tried to move forward. "To finding my sister." She smiled at Ziva, "and a whole new family that came with her." She laughed softly thinking about Gibbs, Tony, McGee and everyone else who came as a ready made family when she'd found Ziva and were instantly there for her as well. "To my miracle baby who kept me alive when going through hell." She smiled with a single tears slipping down her cheek even as she smiled thinking about Eden. "To a new start with Malachi...and a chance to change the future." She sighed with growing smile and then eyes landing on Julia, "And to a very special new friend," she emphasized the word given its meaning, "My angel in black leather," She laughed softly at her first memory of Julia and how she would forever be imprinted in her mind. "The beautiful Phoenix… Julia. Whom without you…none of this would have been possible."
"To Julia." Ziva joined her with happy tears in her eyes, raising her glass with Liat and agreeing with everything she said.
"To new friends." Julia answered them both back with a smile and tears welling in her own eyes, deflecting the attention off herself once more and back onto what she felt was more important. "Good friends."
To that, they could all toast with smiles and small laughter.
"Speaking of the good friend who made all of this possible." Ziva smiled after taking a sip of her tea and sharing a knowing glance with Liat about what she wanted to ask Julia next. "There is something I would like to ask you, Julia. I would be honored, if you would please stand up with Tony and I for our wedding as one of my bridesmaids."
Julia seemed genuinely surprised and delighted given her reaction. "Ziva, I would love to. I would be honored to share in your day." He smiled and leaned forward hugging Ziva tightly.
Ziva felt the instant tingle again from embracing Julia and smiled with relief at Liat over her shoulder. Julia had been the last of her wedding party to ask with everyone else gladly accepting. "You didn't know I was going to ask?" Ziva asked with raised eyebrows of surprise that Julia didn't see this coming either given her abilities.
"No, I did not. A nice surprise." She smiled, "They don't share everything with me. Only what I need to know and let me be happily surprised by the rest. This is a good surprise, one I'm glad I didn't see coming." She laughed softly, "But something else now makes more sense. Apparently, they did must have shared this with the children as Lara has been talking about her dress for the wedding with Lena for the last two days and how she will look like a beautiful princess for her Beast." She laughed shaking her head at the visual of Tony as the Beast as did Liat and Ziva. "When I asked her what she was talking about she said, 'oh, nothing Mama' with her charming smile and then went off to play quickly. Clever little Munchkins, my children. So good at keeping secrets." She laughed again softly shaking her head at the secrets they were able to keep when they wanted to.
"Like their mother." Ziva smiled with one raised eyebrow. "You knew our baby's name and yet, did not say."
"And knew what that one night of babysitting would do to cause a change of heart for both Malachi and I in regards to our future, didn't you?" Liat gave Julia the very same smile and raised eyebrow that Ziva was giving her.
The both of them looking at her in such a way only made Julia laugh more, "Yes, I know lots of things about the two of you…a hazard of being me." She laughed softly with a shrug. "Sarai Bella is a beautiful perfect name for her." She winked at Ziva with a smile.
Ziva hadn't yet told Julia what they had decided to name the baby and yet, she just proved what they already knew…that she knew. That she knew the name of their baby before they did and the fact made Ziva smile wider shaking her head in aww.
"And little Eden has perfect timing and adorable feet." Julia then turned her smile to Liat, knowing about that moment as well.
"You know about that?" Liat gasped with a smile and tears forming in her eyes again in happiness thinking about that moment and Julia nodded with a soft smile.
"I wish I could have seen it." Ziva smiled shaking her head slightly. Liat had told her the story of Eden's tiny foot making an appearance against the skin of her belly and being the moment that Liat and Malachi decided to try for the future together. "It must have been amazing to see."
"It was." Liat agreed still in aww herself with a smiling nod. "I wish you could have seen it too, Ziva." She added wishing she could have shared the moment with her sister too.
"I can help." Julia smiled softly and leaned forward from her chair placing both palms gently on Liat's belly as the other two looked on curiously.
Within seconds Liat felt Eden turning inside her again and felt the hard kick against her abdominal wall from the inside out.
"Ziva get your camera ready." Julia smiled with the gold pools flickering in her eyes and when she pulled her hand away, the most perfect tiny foot could be seen once again coming through Liat's baby belly, even through her tight cotton knit t-shirt she was wearing, each toe could easily be made out.
"Argh!" Ziva screamed softly with delight and amazement at seeing it for the first time and tears of joy came immediately to her eyes. She forgot to breathe in the moment let alone use her phone to take a picture of the foot and continued to stare in aww.
"How did you do that?" Liat asked Julia in amazement with a raging smile to see the tiny foot again.
"I asked her to move." Julia answered quietly with a smile and reached for Ziva's phone on the table when Ziva leaned forward with a matching raging smile to lay her hands gently on Liat's belly with her. It was a moment between the two pregnant sisters that should be captured with a photo in Julia's mind. Quickly, she snapped the photo and set the phone back on the table. "She also is requesting more ice cream. With peanut butter M&Ms in it." She laughed at Liat's eyes widening once more that Julia knew exactly what her worst craving had been of late.
Liat realized something in that moment in staring into Julia's beautiful smiling eyes; she'd made a connection now that time and understanding were giving her clarity.
The voice inside her head; the calm and reason that would come over her in moments of panic and high anxiety towards the end of her time in captivity. "It was you, wasn't it?" Liat asked with a calm but serious tone and new tears in her eyes with a slight smile.
Ziva immediately took note of the change in Liat's tone and the way she was looking so intently now at Julia.
"You were the voice inside my head in those last few weeks before my rescue. You were the one keeping me calm and not giving up." Liat clarified trying to swallow the rising emotions in her throat while looking at the change in Julia's face and posture as she spoke, confirming it.
Ziva remembered Julia confirming this in the days before they'd rescued Liat. Revealing that she'd been using Liat's own voice to control the thoughts and keep her calm until they could get to her.
Julia nodded softly confirming it was her, and this time it was Liat who was suddenly lunging forward from her chair to wrap her arms tightly around Julia, hugging her for the first time and crying. "Thank you." Liat whispered quietly into Julia's ear with gratitude for being there mentally, emotionally and then physically in coming to her rescue. "You really are my angel." She added with a smile through her tears when she pulled back. "You saved me in so many ways, Julia. Thank you." She said again, feeling like it was never enough now for what this woman had really done for them.
"You are welcome, Liat." Julia acknowledged her with a smile but shifted her gaze to Ziva. "But Ziva, is the one that deserves the real credit for your rescue. It is the love I saw one night, in her heart and the devastation she felt in losing you, that had me agreeing to do whatever I could to help you."
Ziva realized something in this moment as well, another piece of her own puzzle had clicked together in staring at Julia right now.
"You were there that night…" Ziva's mind flashed back to the night she's crumpled beside Ari's bed and finally let loose with all the emotions she'd been holding back and sobbed uncontrollably in the dark. She'd thought she was alone until the lamp turned on and Jack appeared for the first time. They'd already realized from learning of Julia's abilities that she'd been the one to shield Jack that night and get him inside her compound fortress home in Israel, but Ziva had never thought about Julia actually 'being there' mentally as well…watching, listening and seeing Ziva's breakdown and the reasons for it.
"I was." Julia confirmed with a soft nod of her head and quiet voice. "I am sorry for the intrusion, but I had to know what it was you wanted with me, Ziva. What your intentions were."
"What night?" Liat asked looking between the two woman staring intently at each other and seeing the welling tears in Ziva's eyes and soft smile tugging at her lips as she tried to control her own emotions.
"The night I finally broke down with my inability to help you." Ziva answered Liat quietly and broke Julia's gaze to look at her apologetically. "The night Jack appeared in Ari's room with me."
Liat's eyes widened in understanding and looked back to Julia, realizing the same thing Ziva had. That Julia had seen the breakdown as well given her abilities.
"I'd felt the exact same way you did that night, before in my life, Ziva. The same feelings of desperation in my inability to help those I loved and keep them from danger…and not having anyone be able to help me." Julia spoke quietly, "I knew then, I needed to do what I could." Her eyes flashed between the two sisters. "I found Liat that same night and sent her the first message not to give up. That you were coming for her and got her to focus on the baby."
Both women were quiet for just a moment before Ziva's smile grew wider and the tears fell once more. "Thank you." She nodded and then leaned forward to properly hug Julia as Liat had done; for everything that Julia had done for them in ways they were still learning about. "I wish there was more I could do to repay the kindness you've shown to us. Repay what you have given us all. There has to be something more than a simple 'thank you."
Julia smiled at her when she pulled back and wiped Ziva's tears quickly with the brush of her thumb over her cheeks as she held Ziva's face gently with one hand and stare into her big brown eyes. "You have thanked me enough, Ziva." She looked at Ziva intently with a smile and then at Liat with the same, "No need to thank me anymore, either of you." She smiled and let her hand fall away again. "All I want for you in return, is that you not take these chances for granted; and I don't think you will." She sat back with smile growing. "So," her smile flashed brilliant after a moment, "When is this wedding, Ziva? And where will it be?" She asked with a soft laugh wanting to speak about those very happy moments that came from second chances not taken for granted.
"Well, the when is September 20th. The Eighth Anniversary of the first day Tony and I first met." Ziva smiled proudly. "But the where is still a mystery. Tony and I have been looking the past week for the perfect place that would mean something to both of us and suit the kind of ceremony we want to have but aren't finding anything that we just love. The venues around here that we did consider are already booked given how short of notice we are giving for this wedding date." She sighed feeling slightly frustrated and overwhelmed already. "Eloping is sounding better and better all the time." She smiled, "Or a destination wedding, giving everyone a much needed vacation after this year." She laughed softly shaking her head. "Some peace and quiet. I've just started planning and I'm already stressed."
Julia smiled more widely laughing softly in understanding. "Perhaps…I may be of some help."
It was mid-August when Gibbs and Tony eyed Malachi with arms folded over their chests giving him the once over standing in Gibbs living room. They'd been working all Saturday afternoon in Gibbs basement on the special surprises for Liat and Ziva while the girls enjoyed a day out together with Abby and E.J. Now that evening was coming, it was also time for Malachi and Liat's first official date and he was going to pick her up any minute.
"So where are you taking her again?" Gibb asked speaking slowly and quietly while Malachi adjusted his collar in the mirror in front of the door.
Malachi sighed with a smile shaking his head. He'd already been over this with them at least a dozen times over the course of the day. "I'm taking her to National Harbor. I've rented a small sailboat for the evening. We're going to eat a romantic dinner on the water and watch whatever movie is playing tonight on the outdoor screen from the river."
"It's Casablanca." Tony added having been the one to suggest the idea to Malachi for this date. He'd taken Ziva several times now on their own dates and had seen the sparkle and smile in Liat's eyes at 'how romantic' it sounded when listening to Ziva speak of those nights on the water watching old films with Tony.
"Right." Malachi smiled turning around and amused by the sudden protective stances both men had taken in sizing in him up for this date. "She's going to have a great time. Trust me. I'm sure she will tell Ziva all about it tomorrow when we see you again."
"Noooo," Tony smiled shaking his head with arms still folded. "That's not how this works, Mal."
"How what works?" Malachi narrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"You have her home no later then 11:00 PM." Gibbs instructed quietly and speaking slowly.
"Home no later then 11:00 PM?" Malachi repeated in astonishment and then laughed. "You can't be serious."
"Very." Tony nodded with an amused smile. "You drop her off here no later then 11:00 PM."
"Home?" Malachi gasped again "Why?"
"Because this is your first date, Mal. She doesn't go home with you." Tony smiled with amusement at the look on Malachi's face.
"You can't be serious… She's already pregnant! With my baby!" Malachi argued back in disbelief that, what would it matter if he slept with Liat again or not given her condition as is.
"Exactly." Tony's eyes narrowed with a steely grin and jaw clenching.
"Exactly." Gibbs agreed. "And you're just now…taking her on your first date." He glared with a disapproving eyebrow at Malachi that reminded him he was sure as hell doing things ass backwards right now and at least needed to get this right. "You are wooing her, Gidon. Not taking advantage of what is already there." He paused waiting for Malachi to nod in understanding and then sighed. "You bring her home by eleven and can come over for breakfast in the morning."
Liat had been staying with Gibbs the past couple of weeks, wanting to give Tony and Ziva time alone but also not ready to be by herself yet. When Gibbs offered she come back to his house and stay with him, she gladly accepted. He was like Ziva. Gave her space when she wanted but let her know that he was there if she needed that too. So far, they'd made perfect roommates. She was happy to have his comforting presence and words of wisdom and he was happy to have her around, smiling again and filling the silence that had fallen over his house again since they'd all left when Ziva was healed.
"Fine." Malachi sighed with a smile shaking his head. "I will be back bright and early and 'bring' breakfast, Agent Gibbs. How about that?" He asked with a cocky smile and soft laugh, feeling as though he were now staring down Liat's father and big brother and finding it rather funny they were trying to be intimidating in those roles with him now.
"Don't get too cocky, Mal. He may not keep a loaded shotgun over the mantle to scare off the boys, but he's got a pretty accurate sniper rifle in the basement." Tony laughed shaking his head at the brazenness of Malachi with Gibbs when he was in protective Dad mode.
Malachi knew that Tony was teasing but he still gulped anyway seeing the look in Gibbs eyes and the sly smile that spread across his quiet features at Tony's mentioning.
"There are two rules to dating Liat." Gibbs began quietly. "These are the Rules of Engagement if you planned to proceed any further."
"Oh, this is good, listen up, Mal." Tony nodded with an approving smile, knowing what Gibbs was going to say about dating his daughters. He'd given both McGee and himself these same rules when starting relationships with both Abby and Ziva. Liat had been enveloped into that special Gibbs club as well, given everything they'd been through together this past year and in being Ziva's little sister.
"Rule#5, never waste good and Rule#8, you take nothing for granted." Gibbs spoke slowly with intent eyes staring straight into Malachi's. "You break those rule, I break your neck. This is your third and final chance with her. Don't waste it."
"Third?" Malachi asked swallowing hard the lump in his throat.
"You were her partner for seven years. You knew she was in love with you and you didn't make a move. Strike One." Gibbs began quietly. "She finally told you that she loved you and you chose your job over her. Strike Two." He added and watched Malachi's eyes fall in shame to the floor, nodding softly and inhaling deeply with a sigh before looking up at him again in understanding.
"I get the baseball reference, Agent Gibbs. One more strike…and I am out." Malachi spoke quietly holding Gibbs gaze again with his own intensity. "I understand how important this night is and every night after. I love Liat. I will never waste the good between us again, and I will never take her for granted…again." He added quietly realizing how he had in the past. "I want to do this right. I promise to have her home by 11:00 PM." He smiled reaching for the door handle and turning around to look at them both again. "I am so happy that Ziva found you…and in turn, you have taken them both under your wings as a father should. You are a good father, Agent Gibbs. I hope one day, I will be just as good of father to my daughter, as you are to yours." He nodded with a soft smile at Gibbs seeing the rapid emotion float across the man's face in the moment and how much it meant to him to hear. "Good night." He added and then walked out the door.
Tony couldn't help but smile standing beside Gibbs and agreeing with what Malachi had said. Gibbs was a good dad to his girls; and to his boys, too. He threw his arm around Gibbs shoulders and smiled, "How about we order a pizza and tell Uncle Fornell to bring over some beer, Dad?" He asked shaking Gibbs shoulder slightly watching the smile grow on his face from Tony's comment and kidding around.
"Already ahead of you." Gibbs smiled and turned around, unfolded his arms and relaxing as he headed back towards the basement. "He'll be here in 20 minutes." He chuckled heading down the stairs again to continue working on their wood projects: cradles for the babies.
Tony's smile grew wider happily bouncing down the steps behind Gibbs.
"It's hard letting go." He sighed picking up his piece of sanding paper again and thinking about how difficult it still was for them to let Liat leave their sight for long after her abduction and time in captivity, especially since and Ziva had been the ones looking after her the most right after they'd gotten her back and his older brother protective instincts of her had been pushed into overdrive.
"Yes, it is." Gibbs sighed quietly with a smile picking up his own sanding piece from the workbench again and thinking about letting any of his kids go.
Tony could see the look on Gibbs face and knew what he was thinking about, what his statement really meant and remembering what Gibbs had told him about trusting Julia with Ziva's safety, as he'd trusted Tony with her. That at some point, you have to let go.
"Mal's right you know, Boss." Tony began with a small smile picking up the small piece of cherry wood he was working on sanding. "You are a good father…and I hope one day, I will be just as good of father to my daughter, as you are to yours." He smiled more widely catching Gibbs eyes. "They are lucky to have you."
"No Tony," Gibbs shook his head softly with a small smile, still choked up first from hearing Malachi say it and now Tony about his skills as a father. "I am lucky…to have them." He nodded softly thinking about how those 'girls' had brought meaning back into his life and love into his heart. "To have all of you." He added thinking about what a family they had made and agreeing with Julia's statement that children had a way of healing the wounds in the soul. His kids now, were doing just that.
"Jesus Jethro," Fornell's voice suddenly broke the moment when he appeared at the top of the steps. "What he hell happened up here?" He asked with beer in hand and wide-eyes. "It looks like someone actually lives up here now!" He commented with astonishment in his eyes and voice.
Tony and Gibbs both chuckled softly shaking their heads while Fornell made his way down the steps.
"Since when did you go and get all domestic on me, Gibbs?" Fornell asked setting the beer on the bench. "There are flowers in a vase on new dining room table with real and matching chairs up there. Complete with place settings and all. Did you get married again and I didn't know it?" He asked and Tony laughed out loud this time.
"No, Tobias." Gibbs shook his head smiling widely and trying not to laugh as well when he cracked open a beer and threw one to Tony as well. "That would be Liat and Ziva's doing." He smiled taking a big swig. "They're nesting."
"My God… can't they nest in their own house?" Fornell asked with narrowed eyebrows cracking open his own brew. "It looks like Martha Stewart went wild up there. Fresh paint on the walls, matching furniture..." He shook his head in astonishment. "I thought for a second I walked into the wrong damn house!"
"They're nesting everywhere." Tony laughed with a smile thinking about how his own apartment and the Ninja Pad had already been made over as well. "They've gone crazy and nothing is ever clean enough. I scrub the tiles in the bathroom and Ziva comes in behind me and does it all over again saying they aren't clean." He laughed shaking his head.
"Christ, I remember Diane doing that when she was pregnant with Emily. Always rearranging everything in the house and telling me to clean and when I did, it was never good enough." Fornell shook his head with a hint of annoyance in his voice and took another swig of beer. "I was foolish enough then to argue with her about how damn clean things were and finally, it got to the point where she just said stay the hell out of my way and I gladly accepted defeat. Learned my lesson then. You never argue with a pregnant woman, DiNozzo. Never! Those pregnancy hormones are like Satan's venom and they will plot and plan your slow demise if you make them angry! Remember that!" He nodded sharply with raised eyebrows sending Tony and Gibbs into a fit of laughter.
The doorbell rang signaling the pizza had arrived and broke their laughter at Fornell's words of wisdom for Tony. The three trudged up the steps still chuckling and shaking their heads.
"You know…" Fornell began when they'd each taken a slice of pizza and sat down to watch a movie. His hand sliding over the soft suede leather of the new recliner he was sitting in appreciatively and taking another glance around Gibbs house. The whole place he realized, had been decorated with Gibbs tastes in mind; a subtle western theme throughout, from the furniture to the art on the walls and rugs on the floor and even the plate in his hand now. "It looks pretty damn good in here, Jethro… I'm actually afraid to spill my beer or drop my pizza now." He smiled and paused looking around again, "If those two still feel the need to do any nesting, send them my way. I can't have the only house in the family now that looks like no one is home."
"Are you ever home, Tobias?" Gibbs asked with a teasing smile and then laughed with Tony when Fornell grinned at how much time the man spent camped out at Gibbs house or at the office.
"Maybe I will be home more, Jethro…whenever your girls get done redoing the place." Fornell smiled raising his eyebrows at the thought. "Perhaps, host a few Game Nights myself." He added and both Gibbs and Tony lost it laughing at the idea.
Gibbs smiled shaking his head, "Just remember that you asked for it when they show up with paint samples and start holding them to your eyes to see which tones best bring out your eyes natural highlights." He chuckled deeply, still laughing at the memory he'd made with Liat and Ziva doing such a thing to him before painting his house. He'd loved what they'd done in bringing it back to life again for him and enjoyed watching the fun they were having in doing so.
Fornell leaned forward studying Gibbs face, "You know, Jethro, I thought your eyes looked more brilliant than ever this evening." He smiled and then winked sending Tony into a fit of laughter.
Gibbs smiled shaking his head, "If it gets any deeper in here, I'm going to need waders."
"Checking out already, DiNozzo?" Fornell asked when Tony stood as soon as the movie finished and started cleaning up after himself. "I thought we were doing a double-feature tonight, waiting for Ben-Gidon to bring Liat back on time?" He looked between Gibbs and Tony and saw them smile at his involvement and interest in looking after Liat as well.
"Not tonight, Fornell." Tony smiled shaking his head and rinsing his plate to put in the sink. "I'm following the Rules of Engagement this evening." He turned smiling over at Gibbs who handed him the other two pizza plates to rinse. "I'm not wasting the good or taking it for granted…so and I'm going home to my beautiful fiancée and spending the rest of the evening with her."
"Ah, well I see your point. Ziva is far better looking then the two of us." Fornell smiled softly sharing a knowing look with Gibbs. "Better enjoy the time you two have alone while you still have it. Everything changes once the baby arrives." He chuckled knowingly, "Date nights become few and far between."
"Ah," Tony shook his head softly with a teasing tone and smile, "and here I was hoping we could get Uncle Fornell to babysit for just such a reason with Papa Gibbs on occasion." He smiled at the sudden look of surprise in both mens' eyes and liked catching them off guard for the first time together. "If you two wouldn't mind the company of some beautiful, albeit, tiny little ladies every now and then so Mal and I, can continue to take their beautiful mothers out for what I can only assume, will be much needed occasional nights away?" He asked with slanted eyebrow and smile thinking about the two men before him now babysitting Eden and Sarai for an evening and what that would be like. He could see the instant smile in Gibbs eyes and nod that he'd love to and glanced at Fornell who was slowly recovering from his shock.
"Hell, it's been a long time since I held a newborn…but I suppose it's like riding a bike, right, Jethro?" He smiled looking over at Gibbs, "I'm sure we'll remember." He chuckled softly.
"Good. I'm sure they'll be in good and capable hands." Tony smiled more widely and made his way towards the front door. "Good night, gentlemen. It's been a pleasure as always."
"Night Tony." Gibbs smiled proudly watching him go out the door to hail a cab home.
"Your kids are growing up, Jethro." Fornell spoke after a moment with a small smile on his face thinking about how much they'd all changed; and especially seeing so in Tony this evening with a new level of maturity and responsibility about him.
"Yep." Gibbs nodded with a proud smile, thinking the same thing as Fornell.
Fornell shook his head with a smile as he sat back down in his recliner. "Bout damn time!"
Malachi had Liat home by 11:00 PM. as promised and kissed her goodnight on the porch with a smile, wishing her sweet dreams and then dropped another kiss to her belly, wishing the same for Eden.
Liat had been amused and overwhelmed with love when Malachi had told her that he would be dropping her back home at Gibbs by 11:00 PM sharp, as was instructed by Gibbs and Tony for their first date protocol. Malachi had given her a wonderfully romantic dinner on the river with him making their first official date incredibly special, and it was on the way home that he revealed how the evening would end, respectfully. She fell just a little bit more in love with him watching him say goodnight, telling her and their baby that he loved her and walking way towards his car where he smiled and waved again, obviously hating to part but respecting their attempts to go slow and get this right. He vowed to back with breakfast in the morning and made her smile and laugh softly when he had to run back up the steps again to give her one more goodnight kiss before finally leaving.
Her smile only grew when she turned the door handle and stepped inside to see that Gibbs had waited up for her along with Fornell who were both still sitting engrossed in their movie but clearly aware she was home.
She couldn't tear the smile off her face as she walked towards them and looked down at them.
"Did you have a nice time?" Gibbs asked quietly seeing the raging smile on her face that actually lit her eyes in a way he'd never seen before. This was the happiest he'd ever seen Liat; the most at peace and comfortable in her own skin. All was right in her world for once.
"I had a wonderful evening." She beamed still smiling and ran her hand over her belly looking down at the man who had been taking such good care of her. She was still overwhelmed with how much everyone cared for her and looked after her after a lifetime spent looking after herself. "Thank you for waiting up for me." She leaned over carefully and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Gibbs smiled at seeing her so happy and the kisses she gave him now nightly before departing upstairs for bed.
She surprised Fornell by leaning down and kissing his cheek as well with a raging smile. "Goodnight." She told him as well and then headed for the stairs.
Both men watching her go with smiles on their faces.
"Good kids you have there, Jethro." Fornell smiled softly sinking back down into his recliner.
"Yep." Gibbs smiled with pride turning his attention back to the old television the girls had left for him.
This time, Fornell didn't have a snappy comeback for Gibbs, only a contented smile in seeing the love and pride in Gibbs eyes for his family and having seen the same love and pride reflected back at him just moments ago when Liat looked at him before saying goodnight. It was well-deserved love and pride, Fornell thought as he looked at his friend who was finally reaping some of the benefits of being a damn good father… He smiled to himself, 'bout damn time.'
The Ludlows (repeat)
Late September 2013-
"This may be… the most beautiful place I have ever seen." Liat marveled with wide-eyes as they drove along through the mountainous path through Julia's ranch. "I feel as though I am in Heaven." She gasped in aww seeing the mountainous purple peaks rising high into the sky around them, some with snow-capped tops now this late in the year with winter right around the corner. The valley was still quite warm with mostly mid-70 to 80 degree days with cool nights of low thirties and perfect for an outdoor wedding in September.
"I knew you would love it here." Malachi smiled widely, kissing her hand and sitting beside her and thinking of the first time he'd seen this magnificent place as well and having the same thoughts of it being heaven.
"It is just so beautiful." She smiled continuing to marvel at the fields of green around them and colorful wild flowers still in bloom even as fall began. "The perfect place to get married." She smiled over at Ziva sitting beside her and to Tony in the front passenger seat of their jeep. Julia's offer to have their small and intimate wedding at the ranch seemed like the perfect idea for Tony and Ziva who gladly accepted.
It was a chance to get away from the city and enjoy peace and quiet and relaxation for them all over such a stressful year. Tony was like a little boy again with raging excitement as were most of the men on this trip, all living out boyhood fantasies. Julia had mentioned that this week would actually work out perfectly for her, as she'd be coming home from Sweden during the same time to help bring the cattle herds down from the high pastures for the winter.
When Tony heard there was a chance to be part of a real live cattle drive, he nearly begged Julia to let him come along. Once she'd agreed, every other male in their wedding party, wanted to be a part of it as well and before long, the only two people who weren't going alone were the two women who were pregnant, much to their disappointment. Julia promised them both, that when spring came and it was time to move the cattle and horses back up the mountain again, she would gladly have Liat and Ziva join her then. Both women seemed content with that, though sad to be missing out on the first adventure given the level of excitement that everyone else had about joining in.
Tony was spewing grand visions from various old John Wayne movies about cattle drives and how glorious it all was going to be while McGee wasn't so sure, and said, with their group it was more likely to end up like City Slickers with Billy Crystal and Daniel Stern. Especially given that Tony's father Anthony and Schmeil both, were insisting they were going along on this adventure too, not wanting to pass up the once in a lifetime opportunity.
Ziva just hoped that no one would end up in the hospital and make it to the wedding ceremony in one piece. She had faith that would be the case, given Julia was leading them and wouldn't let anything too terrible happen if she could prevent it.
"Lady Julia wanted me to let you know, that she apologizes in advance but she won't be here until the morning now." Cody smiled from the driver's seat, clearly happy to be back on the ranch and wearing jeans and boots over his suit and tie when he stood guard duty. "Her stopover in London from Stockholm took a little longer then planned. She ordered something special as a wedding gift and it hadn't arrived yet." He smiled coyly at them from the front seat and kept driving.
"She didn't need to get us a wedding gift." Ziva sighed with a smile shaking her head. Julia had already gone above and beyond to help make this wedding happen. Working with Abby and both she and Tony about what they wanted exactly for the wedding arrangements and had it taken care of. Once she had taken over and put people to work, the stressful wedding plans had evaporated and became enjoyable and fun again. Abby was over the moon to be able to assist with the wedding plans and as equally excited now, about partaking in the cattle rounding up adventure as the others.
"There really is no arguing with Lady Julia when she has her mind set on something, Ma'am." Cody smiled shaking his head still smitten as ever with Julia. "She may not have needed to get you a wedding gift, but she wanted to…and that's just the way she is. All heart." He smiled.
"Yes, she is." Ziva smiled warmly in thinking about her and shared a glance with Tony. Both were so excited their wedding day was fast approaching now and thrilled to be sharing it in such a beautiful place with the ones they loved.
"Y'all be staying together in what we call the Guest Cabins Village: Site Two, if that's okay?" Cowboy Cody smiled as he drove into a clearing and several beautiful log cabins appeared in clustered together but not too far apart. "She thought it best for you each to have your own spaces of privacy and yet still have the fun of being close together."
"It's perfect." Tony smiled widely jumping out when the vehicle stopped moving.
"Lady Julia told me to put you two as the Bridal Couple, in Cabin One." Cody smiled pointing out the cabins as the rest of the vehicles following them came to a stop. "Miss Liat and Director Ben-Gideon in Cabin Two." He smiled at Liat. "Mr. McGee and Miss Abby in Cabin Three. Mr. DiNozzo Sr. and Mr. Pinkhaus in Cabin Four. Agent Fornell and Agent Gibbs in Cabin Five. Dr. Mallard in Cabin Six. Miss Erica Jane and Miss Abigail in Cabin Seven. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer in Cabin Eight. and Mr. Abrams in Cabin Nine." He finished with a smile at everyone looking at him for instructions on where they were going.
"Asa is coming now? For sure?" Abby smiled with excitement at seeing him again. She hadn't since before they'd left for Israel to find Liat in June. There was some question about whether or not he was coming after being invited by Tony to be a groomsmen given what happened with Liat and even as they'd boarded the plane in D.C. Tony did not know if he would make it or not and it was a subject that no one liked to bring up, especially around Liat.
"He is coming." Liat answered with a soft smile. "I spoke with him last night and he said that he would be flying in with Julia, meeting her in London."
"He called you?" Tony asked with widening eyes and a soft voice, turning around with a smile. He knew that they'd talked about her decision to try with Malachi, hearing such a thing from both Asa and Liat, but when he'd last spoken with Asa, he was concerned that his presence at the wedding may make Liat uncomfortable and he didn't want that to dampen anyone's moods on Tony and Ziva's special day.
"I called him." Liat corrected Tony with a soft smile. She'd heard that Asa was potentially not coming because he was worried about making her uncomfortable by being there. "I spoke with him about his concerns and it is fine, Tony. We are fine." She smiled, "I'm happy that he will be here to celebrate with us and stand up with you as well." She couldn't help but smile wider seeing Tony's smile widen considerably with the news that Asa was coming for him.
"Thank you." Tony thanked her softly with a kiss to he cheek at knowing how much it meant to him and Ziva both, to have Asa there now as well for their wedding.
"He sounded very excited about this cattle drive." Liat smiled thinking about the little boy excitement she heard in Asa's voice when hearing about it. "You know how he loves the history of the American Cowboys." She laughed softly shaking her head thinking about Asa's many stories about such things in their years together and all the episodes of Bonanza she's watched with him. "It will be a dream come true for him tomorrow to be a part of this adventure." She smiled from Tony over to Malachi who was smiling as well.
A group of other ranch workers were already carrying everyone's bags into their assigned cabins as night was beginning to fall more quickly with the sun going behind the mountains.
"We have a very early start tomorrow morning, so I recommend everyone get a good night's sleep." Cody smiled at the group gathered and then chuckled. "And try to stretch out as much as possible in the morning when you first wake as it will be a long time in the saddle for you, especially when you're not used to it." He paused with an enormous smile, "Lady Julia left appropriate clothing again for all of you to wear tomorrow in your rooms. Don't worry about bringing anything else with you when you step out tomorrow as we've packed everything you'll need for the drive already. Good night and sleep well." He tipped his hat and set off climbing back into the jeep's seat again as everyone set off to settle down in their cabins, taking the man's advice to rest up as it had already been a long day of travel and tomorrow would be even longer.
"Tony, what are you doing?" Ziva asked with a raging smile as they stepped into their room for the first time and Tony immediately bent over and flipped up the bedcovers to look under the bed.
"Just making sure the little eavesdroppers aren't hiding under there again." Tony smiled widely and then checked the closet while Ziva giggled softly at the memory of their first meeting with Julia's children.
"And why is that?" She asked with a sexy smile as he came stalking closer to her with a sexy grin.
"Because I'd hate to traumatize them this evening with what I know, your naughty little mind has in store for me this evening, Ziva David. I can see that look in your eyes right now." He laughed softly and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply.
"I will not lie. There is plenty I want to do to you right now. And plenty, I want you to do to me." She smiled in between soft and short kisses when they pulled apart slightly. "But you really should rest this evening with what is coming at you tomorrow, Tony. No matter how badly I want you." She kissed him again.
"I'm the fittest I've ever been in my life…thanks to making wild, and crazy, and out of control love with the most beautiful woman in the world… morning, noon and night now… for the last two months straight." Tony laughed softly, speaking slowly with hands already taking Ziva's clothes off. "I need the release if I'm about to be away from you for the next three days straight…wearing tight jeans…bouncing in a rhythmic fashion…up…and down…on a horse." His voice was getting deeper and more throaty with the desire in just thinking about it and being away from Ziva. "Three whole days…without touching you." He repeated in a whisper with lips dropping gently to Ziva's.
"Too long." Ziva grabbed him instantly when put that way and ravaged him with her kiss, giggling softly when he swooped her up and carried her into the bathroom as they'd both intended to take showers before bed, deciding one together right now would do instead.
When everyone gathered again in the morning, it was with raging smiles of excitement. Seeing everyone all dressed in their western gear from their boots and jeans to their personalized chaps only added to the smiles that Julia had pinned down their individual tastes so well. None so more clearly than Abby, who now wore flaming red leather chaps with black fringe on the sides and a skull and bones in rhinestones bedazzled into the hip and belt. She was in love with her outfit and that Julia understood her sense of fashion even in western wear that was practical as it was fun. Cody and the other drivers had once again come back and rounded them up, this time in trucks again and let them sit in the open air in the back truck-beds as they drove towards the place they'd be meeting Julia and the others. Jack and the children would be going along as well as William while Katherine and Annika were staying behind to care for Julia's youngest two. This was the first time that Lena would be making the journey as well.
"There she is!" Tony smiled widely seeing Julia coming towards them with a small herd of other cowboys on horses once they'd finally stopped at their destination. He could easily make her out in the front with Lena sitting in front of her, Jack beside her on his own horse and Kristoff, Rurik and Lara beside them each on their own horses as well. The children were waving enthusiastically at seeing them again.
"You're here!" Lara cheered when the horses came to a stop. "Oh, this is so exciting!" She giggled.
"We're here!" Tony smiled back at her, melting under her cuteness. "And it is, very exciting!" He shared her childish enthusiasm given this was one of his boyhood dreams.
Julia was the only one to dismount her horse, leaving Lena in the saddle and greeted them all with a smile. "Hello and good very early morning to you all!" She smiled seeing the sleepy faces and commenting on the fact the sun was still not fully risen over the horizon yet at this early hour. "I'm sorry about last night, but there was someone special I needed to wait for."
"Someone?" Ziva asked with a smile and brows knitting. Cody had said Julia was waiting for a wedding gift that hadn't arrived, not a person.
"Yes, someone." Julia smiled softly and looked back into the small crowd of horses. One of the cowboys in the back got off his horse and made his way through the crowd leading a beautiful gray horse behind him. "A very special someone, I thought you might like to have here…and celebrate your wedding day with. Someone who helped make all of this possible by bringing us together…"
Ziva's heart immediately began to pick up speed as the person approached and then stopped next to Julia and tipped his cowboy hat up, flashing a raging smile back at her for the first time and Ziva's smile lit up her face with a flood of tears in her eyes. "Kevin…"