Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Tony took off his headphones and ran a hand over his face. He had been editing some videos for the YouTuber he worked with and had been at it for the past few hours. He stood up and stretched his arms as he walked into the kitchen, looking for sustenance.
It was May and Bean and Bug had two weddings booked each month from April to September, with additional weddings in February, March, October, November, and December. This made Tony happy as weddings brought in the big money. Ziva was also working as the second shooter at an additional four weddings with Bob the photographer. This again brought in a decent paycheck. They had been at a wedding fair a couple of weeks ago and interest in them had been good. 2020 might have been eight months away, but they already had phone calls enquiring about services and prices.
Tony's editing side business was also going steady. Since starting, Tony had a newfound respect for YouTubers and film/ tv editors. Before learning to edit, it hadn't occurred to Tony just how long it took, or how repetitive the job could be. Fortunately, Tony had a template to follow and the YouTuber was very good at getting footage to Tony in time to edit. Even though it was tiring work, especially on the eyes, Tony was enjoying it and had even reached out to a couple of wedding videographers to see if they were interested in working together. Things, again, were promising.
Tony put down the glass he used next to the sink and went back to the dining table he was working at. Glancing at his phone, Tony noticed he had several miss calls and texts. Looking at the time, he realised why. 1.50 pm. He had forgotten to pick up Tali from school and Tilly from her playdate. Grabbing the car keys, Tony was halfway to the car when he realised he didn't have any shoes on. Running back into the house, Tony changed his shoes and drove as fast as he could to Tali's school.
Tali was sitting by the reception with her class teacher when Tony finally turned up at Sherwood school.
'Hi, hi. Sorry I'm late' said Tony, a little breathless.
'It's fine, Mr. DiNozzo' said Miss Kettering, Tali's teacher. 'You are not the first parent to be late.' Tony chuckled awkwardly.
'Come on, Tali. Let's go get your sister.' He took Tali's school bag and her hand.
'Daddy, where were you?' asked Tali, once they were in the car.
'I'm sorry Tals. I really am. I got caught up with work' explained Tony.
Tilly had no idea that Tony was late picking her up. Patty, Tilly's friend's mom, had started to get a little concerned when Tony originally didn't answer his phone.
'I was going to call Ziva but then you called' she said.
'Again, I'm sorry we're late.'
'It's fine' said Patty. 'Tilly and Jenny were having fun.' Tony smiled as he watched Tilly and her friend chat. He hated the thought of having to separate the two, but the DiNozzo's needed to get back home.
When they got home, they found Ziva in the kitchen.
'Hey, guys' she said. Tony kissed her. 'How was school, Tali?'
'Daddy forgot me' she said, sadly. Ziva looked at her husband who sighed.
'It's not that I forgot you Tali. It's that I got caught up with work, lost track of the time and was late picking you both up.'
'Oh' said Ziva. It was a perfectly good explanation as to why Tony was late picking up the girls.
'I said I was sorry, Tali. I didn't do it on purpose and I won't do it again. Do you understand?' said Tony.
'Ok' replied the four-year-old and she went over to the play corner.
'Tali' called Ziva. 'Go and change out of your uniform first.' Tali went upstairs and Ziva turned to her husband. 'Are you OK?' she asked.
'Yeah, yeah' he said. 'I'm just tired, Zi, with work and the girls. That's all. I'm fine, honestly.' He kissed the top of Ziva's head.
Popping into the family room, Tony found Tilly falling asleep on the sofa.
'Are you tired, little Bug?' he asked. Tilly shifted over towards Tony.
'Love you Dada' she said, quietly.
'I love you too, Tilly. You and your sister.'
The joys of long lasting friendship meant that Tony, Tim, and Jimmy liked spending time together. The joys of having daughters (and one son) meant that sometimes Tony, Tim, and Jimmy ended up spending time together at princess tea parties.
'I can't believe Gibbs had another fiancée' said Tony, as the three of them sat on the floor with feather boas around their necks.
'I know, right' said Jimmy, taking a plastic teacup from Tori before she and Tali went outside. 'How many more can there be?'
'I also can't believe that you kicked him off the case, and lived to tell the tale' said Tony to Tim.
'Hey, Gibbs got himself kicked off. He would have done the exact same thing if it was me or Torres or Bishop. Gibbs should have excused himself the moment he realised who the victim was' argued Tim.
'Do you really think Gibbs would do that?' asked Tony. Tim rolled his eyes and sighed.
'No, he wouldn't have, but after sixteen years, you'd think there would be no more surprises when it comes to Gibbs.'
'Didn't he burn Rule Ten recently?' asked Tony. Tim and Jimmy chuckled.
'You both remember when we found out about Shannon and Kelly?' asked Jimmy. Tim and Tony nodded.
Everyone knew about Gibbs' three ex-wives. To some extent they were infamous, but to find out about Shannon and Kelly had been downright shocking. Even Ducky didn't know about them. For Tony, it explained quite a bit about the former marine. Gibbs was notoriously private when it came to, well, everything. He had a way with children that made that one only has after becoming a parent, and also why Gibbs had three ex-wives. One late wife, three ex-wives and a late ex-fiancée. Now that Tony, Tim, and Jimmy were fathers and husbands, the three men wondered how on earth Gibbs had the strength to get out of bed after Shannon and Kelly dying. If it was Tony, he would have just crawled into bed and waited for death to take him.
'Do you think we'll know everything about the man?' asked Jimmy. Tim and Tony looked at each other and smiled.
'No' they said in unison.
Sounds of their children laughing in the garden came wafting through. The three men got up and went to investigate.
Johnny, Morgan, and Tilly had decided to dig in one of the flower beds in Tony and Ziva's garden. They had managed to clear quite a space, and in the process get completely and utterly covered in mud. Tali and Tori were over by the swing set.
Ziva was standing by the front door, having just gotten in from a medical appointment when Tony, Tim, and Jimmy walked past her, each wearing a feather boa and each holding a muddy child at arm's length.
'Don't ask' said Tony, as the three men made their way to the bathroom.
Hope you enjoyed it.
I wasn't planning on posting so soon but I've finished writing the very last chapter and just want to post it. Do not forget that I am (trying) to follow cannon.
The final chapter will be up by the end of the week.
Thank you for reading and reviewing. See you soon