Chapter 23, Sweet Sixteen: June 2030
Ziva watched Tali as she prepared a sandwich for her breakfast. Tali turned to her Ima, "What? You've been watching me for the past fifteen minutes."
Ziva smiled, "Sentimental, motek. It seems like just yesterday you were a baby and now you are almost sixteen years old." Tali rolled her eyes. "I do not know if I am ready for you to grow up on me."
Tali hugged her Ima, "It happens, Ima. You can't stop time." Ziva sighed into the hug. Her baby was wise beyond her years. "Gotta run, Ima, Grandpa is taking me to practice driving again. See you later." Ziva sighed again; she was not ready to have her babies become adults.
~TIVA~
Tali slid into the driver's seat of Gibbs' car. She buckled the seat belt, adjusted the mirrors and started the engine. Gibbs nodded his approval of her pre-driving activity. "Way to go, Tals, you remembered the correct things to do before you start moving." Tali smiled to herself; she much preferred practicing driving with her Grandpa Gibbs over practicing with her parents. Ima was a safe driver, but she worried too much. Abba, too, was a safe driver, but he tended to hover when she drove. Grandpa was laid back unless she violated one of his rules; then she got a reminder and had to answer why the rule existed. She had already asked Grandpa to go with her next week for her road test to get her license.
Gibbs usually had Tali practice both local and highway driving, and today was no exception. As she eased onto I-95 south, Gibbs nodded approval at her smooth merge into traffic. He had her exit at the Quantico exit as usual, but instead of getting back on the interstate northbound, he directed her to continue straight. She followed his directions, and they pulled into the parking lot of a steak and crab house restaurant along the shore of the Potomac.
"Happy birthday, Tali. We are eating lunch here." Gibbs smiled at his oldest granddaughter. Tali parked the car and hugged her grandfather. She smiled as he held his arm to her to escort her into the restaurant.
Gibbs turned to the hostess, "Party of two, Gibbs." She checked the reservation, and led them to a table with a view of the river. She handed each a menu, and asked what they wanted to drink. Tali ordered iced tea, while Gibbs had his usual coffee. Tali looked over the menu and selected a steak and crab cakes combo, with sautéed vegetables. Gibbs ordered a t-bone steak with vegetables. After the main meal, the waitress brought out a small molten lava cake with a candle. The staff sang 'Happy birthday' to Tali as the other diners nearby applauded.
"Happy sixteenth birthday, a day early, Tali," Gibbs smiled at his granddaughter. "Love you, kiddo."
"Toda, Grandpa." Tali and Gibbs shared the cake.
~TIVA~
Ziva, Tony, Anthony, LJ, and Gibbs finished decorating the backyard for Tali's birthday party. Tali was still at her piano lesson, as they had hoped. Beth and Rivka were in charge of answering the door as guests arrived. John, Katie, Delilah and Tim were the first to arrive, each carrying a present or a dish of food. Rivka took the potato salad from Delilah and put it in the refrigerator. She told Tim and John to take their food out to the deck, and pointed to a stack of gifts for Katie to add the one she was carrying.
Beth greeted the Palmers, and had Breena put the cold cut tray in the refrigerator, and told Charles and Tori to take the rolls and fruit tray out to the deck to her Ima. She showed Jimmy the pile of gifts to place he box he was carrying.
Ellie, Clayton, Savannah and Jason arrived next, with Abby and Leon right behind them. Jared pulled up at the same time as Nick and his fiancée. Ziva went to pick up Tali from the piano teacher's house and when they arrived home, Tali was surprised to see all the cars of her family in their driveway. "Happy birthday, Tali!" Ziva squeezed Tali's hand. "Our family is here to celebrate with us."
When Tali opened the door to the deck, "SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY" greeted her from the family. She grinned, and LJ led her to the special chair that they had decorated for her. She hugged him before she sat down, "Toda, LJ."
Tony clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Sixteen years ago, today, a very special girl made her debut. She has grown into a beautiful young woman who I am proud to call my daughter." He turned to Tali and took her hand, helping her to her feet and putting an arm around her. "Yom huledet sameach! I love you, Tali!" He kissed her forehead and drew her into a hug.
Ziva took Tony's place and wrapped her arm around her daughter. "This girl changed my life forever and for the better. Sixteen years ago, when I first held you, my heart burst with love like no other. Yom huledet sameach!" Ziva drew Tali into a hug and wiped tears from her eyes.
Gibbs stood up, "Happy birthday to my first granddaughter. The day I met you, Tali, my heart learned to love again. I love you, Tals!" He hugged Tali, "Now let's all eat. Tali, you lead the line."
The family filled their plates with food, and sat at the tables set up around the deck and yard. Anthony and Katie were at a table by themselves; Charles, Beth, John and Rivka sat at another table; and LJ sat with Savannah and Jason in the yard.
The adults sat around tables on the deck. Tali sat with her parents and Gibbs. Abby, Leon, Jimmy and Breena sat at another table; Delilah, Tim, Clayton and Ellie were at a third table; Nick and his fiancée were sharing a smaller table. Jared went over to Tori and asked her to share a table with him. She smiled shyly, and agreed. Tony nudged Ziva, "I think Jared and Tori are going to be our first pairing of the next generation." Ziva nodded, "They do look good together, and it is written all over his face that he is smitten with her."
The family ate, laughed, enjoyed being together, and partied. When Ziva brought out the cake, they all sang happy birthday, and cheered as Tali blew out the candles. Tali opened her gifts after the cake had been cut. She thanked her family, and went around and hugged each one of them.
~TIVA~
Five days later, a proud Tali walked into the house, followed by Grandpa Gibbs. She had aced her road test and earned her drivers' license. Ziva and Tony shared a look, their baby was growing up too fast for their liking, but she also was making them proud. Each of them hugged Tali, and refused to let the tears that had filled their eyes spill over.