Chapter 8 – Reminiscing – Thirty Years Later - 2060

"Savta, are you sure that you want to give away all of the sewing machines and stuff?" Ziva's granddaughters were deciding who would get what of the seven sewing machines, the totes of fabric, and the quilting supplies. The six young women ranged in age from twenty to thirteen and all had learned to sew from their DiNozzo grandparents. Anthony's twins, Shannon and Kelly were checking over the machines. Tali's Elisheva, Rivka's Abigail, Beth's Rebecca, and LJ's Jessica all looked on with interest.

"I would much rather have these things go to family than to sell them to a stranger," Ziva replied. "Saba and I are getting too old to sew. We want you to have the machines, fabric, and supplies so that you can enjoy the hobby and get a good start without having to buy a lot of things to start."

Tony walked into the sewing area, "We have had thirty years of enjoyment from this hobby. My back won't tolerate sitting at the machine for any length of time; a hazard of getting old. I was pushing it last year when we made the quilt for little Rachel." He turned to his better half, "Did you ask the boys as well?"

Ziva nodded, "Yes, only Jet showed any interest in having any of the sewing items and LJ and Savannah decided that he is too young to have his own machine at the present. I guess we can always buy one for him when he is older if he still wants to sew."

"LJ lets the kid use his sewing machine; eight years old is a bit young to have his own, I guess. If there is one left after the girls are done divvying up the stuff, we can put it aside for Jet."

"Savta and Saba, did you make quilts for the whole family?" Abigail tried to think of anyone in the family who didn't have a quilt.

Ziva grinned and nodded, "Everyone got a quilt; children, sons- and daughters-in-love, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings of the heart, those who married into our family, and of course the most recent one for our great-granddaughter. One of you will have to continue the tradition for the newest generation though. As Saba said, we are getting too old to sit at the machines for any length of time. My eyesight is not what it once was, and I have trouble seeing the seams and guides."

"Some of us will have to make sure the tradition of making quilts, blankets, and hats for the NCIS Christmas donations to the children in the hospitals continues as well," Kelly commented to her cousins and grandparents. "I know we have been making items as a family since forever. Shan and Anthony crochet and sew with Dad, and Mom and I knit. El, your family has also, correct?"

"Yep, and both Levi and Elijah work with Abba and Uncle LJ to make the wood toys also. Abigail, didn't your mom help with that for a while too?"

Abigail nodded, "Mom still helps some, but mostly with sanding and painting. Adam likes to knit; he and Dad usually make close to fifty hats and blankets each year. Bri helps Uncle LJ and Uncle Chaim."

"Grandpa and Uncle Tim have lots of helpers when they wrap everything; Noah, Robert and Jackson like to help with that part, and Grandma Ellie told us that Uncle Leon liked to help with the wrapping part too," Jessica added. "Mom showed all of us how to crochet but only Jackson seems to like it. I would rather sew the quilts with Savta."

Rebecca grinned, "I think we should all keep sewing here at Savta and Saba's house, especially for the donation quilts for the kids and teens in the hospital. It's a family tradition that needs to be kept up if you ask me."

Her cousins all turned towards their grandparents to see the reactions as she continued the thought, "I mean, Savta and Saba started the quilt-making for the donations years ago. The other family members joined in as time went by. Uncle Anthony still comes over here to sew quilts for the donations, right?"

Ziva nodded, "Yes; and Tali as well, although she also sews some at home. LJ sews at home in his studio."

"So, we could all still come here to cut and sew donation quilts, since Saba and Savta have this sewing area all set up and organized," Rebecca looked between her grandparents. "That way too, you two could help if you want to and are able to, and you can also watch the progress of the quilts."

"And, Jet could have his own sewing machine set up here," Jessica added. "He may be too young to have one at home, but Mom and Dad won't argue about him having his own here."

All six young women looked to their grandparents.

"That is a good idea," Ziva admitted. "You all are welcome here any time. And we do have this area set up for cutting, laying out designs, sewing, and all of the steps to quilt-making."

Tony nodded, "I agree. We can leave everything set up as it is or change it around the way you want it to be. All, and I do mean all of you, children, grandchildren, are welcome at any time. Something we could do if it works better is to move all of the sewing and quilting items to the back two rooms that once were Tali and Anthony's rooms. The ones we had set up as a suite for Grandpa Gibbs when he lived with us."

Shannon looked at her twin, "Maybe Saba, but if we do decide to move everything, you and Savta will not carry anything heavy; got it?"

Kelly nodded, "We could put the sewing machines in one room, and the cutting tables in the other one. Redo the closets to hold the totes on shelves for easy access…" The wheels were turning for her as a plan started coming together in her mind. "Since there is no carpet in either room anymore, that would be easier to clean the scraps and threads off the floor too. What do you all think? Should we move it all?" she looked at her cousins.

LJ came into the room, "Move what?"

"All the sewing stuff to Tali and Anthony's old rooms," Ziva replied to her youngest. "Turn the two rooms into a sewing center for the family."

He grinned and nodded, "As long as you and Abba don't try to move any of it, I think it's a great idea. I can get Anthony, Chaim, John, Charles, and the boys to help as well. With twenty plus of us from the younger generations doing the moving, it should go quickly. Let me take a look at the rooms and the items to be moved so I can sketch up some possible room layouts."

Three weeks later the 'DiNozzo Quilting Center' was fully set up and several quilts for the Christmas giving were in progress. The grandchildren who wanted to work on them came and went as they had time in their schedules. Some of them stayed overnight on weekends to work on projects, sleeping in the other two bedrooms that had once been designated for LJ and for Beth and Rivka.

After the passing of the DiNozzo parents in 2067, the generations maintained the house as a family gathering spot, leaving many of the rooms as they were. The two sewing and quilting rooms became a place for each generation to pass along the hobby to the next, continuing the traditions, including the donations at the holidays.

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