Chapter 21, The Big Six O: July 2028
A/N Thanks to all who have reviewed, favorited and followed!
Ziva knew Tony was a bit apprehensive about his upcoming sixtieth birthday, but she kept reminding him that they were ALL getting older. Despite his worries, Ziva wanted to have their immediate and extended families celebrate the milestone day. She asked Delilah and Breena to help her with plans, and also had the two older girls, Tali and Tori, in on the planning. With Abby being newlywed and also given Abby's reputation for not being able to keep a secret, they decided to enlist Abby's help closer to July eighth.
The first hurdle was obtaining a place to hold the party. Several of the possible venues were already booked even in January when Ziva started looking. She finally found a recently opened conference center near Annapolis that was on a major highway from DC and had been a farm and gardens. The center had several venues, their own catering staff, and even overnight accommodations for out of town guests. One of the party rooms had a cinema theme in its decorations and when Ziva and Delilah entered the room, they looked at each other and said, "This is the place!"
After checking that the menu she wanted would be available, that the room was available on Saturday, July eighth, and that there were screens and computer ports for the slide shows and background movies, Ziva signed the contract and paid for the venue and gave a deposit on the catering. She was excited that she had found the perfect place for Tony's party. As they drove back to Virginia, Delilah helped Ziva make a list of people to invite, decorations, what to include in the slide show, and what movies to have playing on the various screens.
After some time searching for the perfect invitation to use, Ziva finally chose one of LJ's paintings that he had completed over Christmas break, of his parents sitting side by side. Somehow the boy had managed to capture the intimacy of a shared moment in the angles of their heads, the nearness of the two and the lighting. It was one of her favorite paintings so far. Tony had it framed and it hung in the living room. She took the painting to have the invitations printed, and when they were ready, Ziva had Tali and Tori stuff envelopes, print address labels and prepare the invitations for mailing. Over one hundred invitations were mailed to friends and family worldwide, if all attended there would be close to four hundred guests, including the DiNozzo family.
As the day approached, Ziva went through the guest list: Tobias Fornell, his daughter Emily and her husband and their two children were the first to respond; Kensi and Marty Deeks, with their three children, Sam Hanna and his girlfriend; Hetty Lange, and G Callen were all coming in from Los Angeles; Dwayne Pride and Chris LaSalle from New Orleans also planned to attend. From overseas, Adam Eschel and his family were flying in from Israel. Most of Tony's coworkers from FLETC were coming, as well as Alex Quinn. Leon and Abby were a definite (and they would also wish Leon a happy 65th birthday, since he shared Tony's birthday); Kayla and her husband were flying in from Perth with their family, and Jared would be flying in from Germany. The McGee, Palmer and Reeves families, plus Nick and his fiancée were attending as well. Gibbs joked that he didn't do parties, but Ziva knew he would be there for Tony. Abigail Borin and her partner and their twins had called their assent; and to Ziva's surprise, Dr. Jeanne Benoit Woods and her husband were flying in from Costa Rica. Sarah McGee and her family would be driving in from Ohio. Dr. Rachel Cranston, Cynthia (Vance's admin) and Dr. Cyril Taft had responded just recently. So far the only one who had declined the invitation had been Dr. Grace Confalone.
Ziva confirmed the number of guests with the caterer, and reviewed the menu. All of Tony's favorites, from lasagna to olive chicken to cowboy steaks to pepperoni and sausage pizza with extra cheese were included. The meal would be buffet style, so that each guest could sample what food they wanted. The cake was chocolate with chocolate-orange frosting. LJ had made sure his Ima also included ice cream for dessert. She assured him that there would be ice cream.
Ziva had told Tony they were going out for his birthday, and that they would be dressing formally. She had found tuxedos for Anthony and LJ online, and coordinated their cummerbunds and bowties with the girls' dresses. Tali had chosen a sleeveless sapphire blue gown that showed off her teenage curves, in an acceptable amount for Ziva, with a matching shrug with beading. She had her curls in a side pony tail held with a rhinestone clasp. She had borrowed her Ima's diamond teardrop earrings and necklace. Ziva had allowed her to use make-up and she had to admit, her baby looked all grown up.
Beth and Rivka also had sapphire blue gowns with sequins and beads. Beth had chosen a short-sleeved gown and wore her rhinestone necklace and earrings. Rivka had chosen a sleeveless gown with a shawl, and chose faux pearl earrings and necklace. Each of the girls had a rhinestone hairband to attempt to tame their curls.
Anthony and LJ had on their tuxes, with a ruffled front shirt, a sapphire blue cummerbund and bowtie. Both Tony and Ziva remarked that if the boys looked any sharper, they would be beating off the girls trying to get to the two handsome young men.
Tony's tux still fit him, and he had chosen a navy cummerbund and bowtie with sapphire stud buttons and cufflinks on his shirt. Ziva had to tear her eyes from him to get dressed herself. Even at sixty, Anthony DiNozzo Jr was a looker. To Ziva, he would always be eye candy in every sense of the word.
Ziva slid her navy gown over her head and adjusted the curves to her body. Her gown had beading on the bodice and sleeves which were sheer three-quarter sleeves. The back had a sheer beaded panel over a skin tone bodice and the front neckline was cut in a beaded V. She applied her make-up and emerged to Tony's wolf whistle. "You are one sexy lady, Ziva DiNozzo." She smiled and took his proffered arm as they went to the family room for photos. Anthony had set up his DSLR on a tripod with a remote shutter release so that they could take a family group picture. He snapped about two dozen, so that later they could choose the best ones. Some were silly, with the whole family making goofy faces, or giving bunny ears to another one; some were serious, but everyone's favorite ended up being the one where Tony and Ziva had kissed and the five children had all had their eyes on their parents.
As the family approached the party venue, Tony began to suspect something more than a family dinner was underway. His suspicions were confirmed when he spotted the McGee family vehicle in the parking lot. He decided to play it cool and let them have their surprise. The five children ran ahead with Ziva's permission so that they could be in the room with the others when Tony entered. Ziva took Tony's hand and led him to the party room. She kissed him outside the door, and he deepened the kiss. "There will be time for that later," she whispered, as she opened the door.
"SURPRISE!" Tony looked around at the people, the room and the decorations. The cinema theme was awesome. He had to wipe his eyes as he saw all his friends waiting for him to enter the room. Ziva led him to the head table, where Tali, Anthony, Rivka, Beth and LJ were already seated with Gibbs.
"Thank you all." Tony spoke to his friends and family. "This is an awesome surprise. And, Ziva, thank you so much, I love you." He turned and kissed her to the cheers of the group. They all sat down and Ziva nodded to Tim. He took a microphone and directed everyone's attention to the slide show on the monitors placed around the room. Pictures of Tony from birth to the current year were phasing through on the screens. Most of the pictures of a young Tony had come from the storage locker in New York that Tony and Ziva had emptied when Senior died. There were pictures from NCIS, and Tony remarked how young they had all looked way back then. Ziva squeezed his hand and smiled. The pictures of Tony and Tali when she had first come stateside with Orli drew tears from both Tony and Ziva. Tony whispered to Ziva that the look on his face did not come anywhere near the fear he had felt at becoming an instant father to an almost two-year-old. Pictures of Tony holding each of the other children when they were born drew "awws" and "how cute" from the others.
As the slide show progressed the caterer's workers were laying out the food on the buffet. Tony could smell the food and his mouth watered. As the first run through of the slide show concluded, Tim directed the guest of honor to start the food line. "Now, our birthday boy, Tony, will lead the food line. But hey, Tony, leave some for the rest of us, please!" Laughter rose from the group. Tony, followed by Ziva, the children and Gibbs went to the buffet line and loaded plates with all sorts of delicious foods. Gibbs helped LJ with his plate, and Tali and Anthony helped the two younger girls. The rest of the guests lined up behind the family to get food.
The two photographers took pictures of everyone and everything, and Ziva had given them a list of group photos that she wanted taken after dinner. They had set up a movie theater lobby backdrop for the group photos. Each family took a turn, and then the NCIS family had a group photo. Gibbs, Tony and Tim were grouped, as were Gibbs, Tony, Tim and Ziva. Many other groups were photographed, and the last set of shots were of Gibbs with the grandchildren, first with each family and then with all of the children. As well as the posed shots, the photographers had many candid shots. One of Ziva's favorites was the one of Tony and Tim in a brotherly hug.
Tim emceed the roast of Tony, starting off with his own: "Tony, you have been like a brother to me for so long, it's hard to remember that we are not blood kin. Even when you were calling me 'Probie' and making my life miserable with pranks, you were still a brother. I could not have asked for a better brother; I love you bro!" Tony went over to Tim and gave him another hug, both men wiping their eyes.
Others shared stories or memories. Jimmy reminisced on the nicknames Tony had given his coworkers, including some of the McNicknames for Tim and, of course, his own 'Autopsy Gremlin.' Abby and Leon also shared memories from NCIS and from later years, with Leon telling them all, "and when Ziva walked into Ducky's condo, I stood there with my mouth hanging open. I could not believe Tony had found her a third time, especially since we had been told she had been killed in that fire." Tony turned to Ziva and smiled at her; caressing her face with his hand. She kissed him lightly on the lips and squeezed the hand she had been holding.
Gibbs got up to the podium and called Tony to come up with him, "DiNozzo, grab your gear!" Tony jumped up, "On your six, Boss!" to the laughter of the whole group. When he stood next to Gibbs, the older man raised his hand and gently head-slapped Tony. The laughter got louder. "Ouch, Boss. What was that for?" Tony feigned pain and rubbed the back of his head. More laughter as Gibbs said, "Quit your whining or I'll do it again!" with a grin on his face. "Yes, Boss. Shutting up, Boss." Tony tried to look contrite, but he was trying hard not to laugh.
Gibbs continued, "Tony was the best young investigator I have ever worked with; he was a natural at the job. I often think I learned more from him than he did from me. But, it wasn't the job that endeared him to me, it was the man himself. He showed me that I could care about and love a family again, and helped heal my hardened heart. Tony, Tim and Ziver, you are the best kids I could have ever had." Gibbs wiped at his eyes. "I promised myself I would not cry. Tony, you are a son to me, and I love you, son." Gibbs turned to Tony and enveloped him in a hug. Tony's face was streaked with tears, as was Gibbs'. The group applauded and wiped eyes.
Each of the DiNozzo children had a turn, and finally Ziva stepped up to the podium. She held Tony's hand and turned towards him, adjusting the microphone so the others could hear her words.
"Tony, from the first time I met you back in the NCIS bullpen, in September of 2005, I felt a pull towards you. It was like your soul had reached out to mine and grabbed hold. We have had our ups and downs and some times that we would rather forget, but you are the one who completes me. I found my soul mate, my other half, my best friend sitting across that squad room from me. When I look at our life together, I would not change a thing. Our children are fantastic; they are reflections of our love for each other.
"As others have mentioned, you went around the world to find me, not once, not twice, but THREE times. Each time our connection of the heart and soul guided you and me back together, for it was our destiny to be one. Anthony DiNozzo, I love you with all of me, and I am so glad to have you by my side for this crazy journey called life."
Ziva wiped tears from her face, and wiped several from Tony's face. "Happy, happy birthday, my love." She fused her lips to his and kissed him with all of the love she felt for this man who was her companion and soul mate. Tony wiped his eyes, and hugged her to him, "Thank you sweetcheeks, I love you so much."
"Love you more, my little hairy butt." She whispered back with a smile on her tear-streaked face.
Tony took Ziva's hand in his, and stepped up to the mic. "Thank you all, I am so touched by you all and the kind words. This day will be added to the memories of each of you. Tim, my brother, I love you, man. Abby, my sister, and Leon, you're the greatest friends. Jimmy, my other brother, I love you, man. Gibbs, my true Dad, the best Boss and a wonderful grandfather, you are the best. I love you, Dad.
"Last, but certainly not least, my beautiful ninja, my best friend, my soul mate, my wife and my better half, Ziva…" Tony choked up, and wiped his eyes with a napkin and blew his nose. "Zi, the day you came into my life, it changed for the better." Tony wiped tears off Ziva's face and continued. "Where would I be without you? I would not have five beautiful children, who have their Ima's wonderful, caring soul, who are the best darn children I could have asked for. I would not have my best friend by my side. For you complete me and have made me whole by adding pieces I never knew were missing until I met you. Ziva, thank you for loving this crazy man. I love you with every fiber of my being and then some." Tony wiped his eyes another time and then kissed Ziva deeply. The group cheered and applauded.
Tim stood back at the podium and announced that the entertainment would begin and that anyone who wanted to dance was welcome to do so. Tony took Ziva's hand and led her out to the floor. They slowly danced to George Benson's "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You." Tim and Delilah, Leon and Abby, Clayton and Ellie, Jimmy and Breena, and other couples joined them. Tony and Ziva kissed at the final notes amid applause.
The tempo changed and others began dancing. Gibbs asked Tali to join him. Anthony shyly took Katie's hand and led her to the dance floor. Charles and John went together to ask Beth and Rivka to dance. LJ, not to be outdone, took Savannah's hand and led the little girl out to dance. She smiled and laughed with him. Jared asked Tori to dance and she consented.
Years later, the families would look back on the pictures of the children and young people and wonder if they had known then that they would be together as adults.