Chapter 31, New lives and Getting Older: 2039 - 40
In late January 2039, Gibbs fell on the steps to his basement. Luckily, he had his phone in his pocket and was able to call Tony. Ziva and Tony rushed to Gibbs' house, to find him nearly unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. Ziva went upstairs to call 911 as Tony checked Gibbs' vitals. Pulse was strong, breathing ok, but Gibbs was having trouble focusing and responding. Tony held Gibbs' hand and tried to keep him from moving too much. He was worried about possible head, neck and back injuries. "Stay with me, Dad," he pleaded. "Look at me."
"Hurts, Tony," Gibbs managed to gasp out.
Ziva led the paramedics down the stairs to where Gibbs lay. She took his hand from Tony and squeezed it, "I am here, Abba."
The EMTs got Gibbs into a neck collar and on a backboard, noting that he complained of pain in his hip. They carried the backboard up the steps and placed him on a stretcher and into the ambulance. Ziva rode with them and Tony followed in his truck.
At the ER, Gibbs was taken immediately to an exam room as Tony and Ziva filled out paperwork and provided information to the nurse. After they finished with the papers, the nurse led them to the area where Gibbs lay. They each took a hand. "We are here, Abba." Ziva tried to hold the tears back. "Dad, we're here for you." Tony wasn't doing much better with the tears.
Gibbs lay with his eyes closed and squeezed Ziva and Tony's hands. "Thanks." He hurt too much to say much more. He was glad, though, that his kids were with him.
The radiology tech came to take Gibbs to x-ray. Tony and Ziva walked with him as far as they could and then waited outside the radiology suite. Tony called Tim while they were waiting and Ziva called Delilah, Breena, and Abby. Tim said that he would let Tali and Chaim, Jimmy, and his team know. Tony also sent text messages to LJ, Beth, Rivka and Anthony, telling them he would update as soon as he had more information.
Gibbs was taken back to ER to wait for the doctor. Tony and Ziva again each took a hand and waited. The ER doctor came in with another doctor. "Mr. Gibbs, Mr. and Mrs. DiNozzo, this is Dr. Kenna. She is an orthopedic surgeon and she is going to explain what has happened and the treatment plan to you." He left the group.
Dr. Kenna explained that Gibbs had dislocated his right hip and fractured his pelvis as he fell. The old knee injuries had been aggravated and the left patella had been damaged in the fall. There were no spinal injuries, and only a mild concussion. However, because of Gibbs' age, they would be monitoring the concussion for any worsening. She would be taking Gibbs to surgery within the hour to put pins in the hip and make what repairs she could to the pelvis and knee. Gibbs would be in the hospital for about a week and then ninety days in rehab afterwards. He would most likely need to use a walker for the rest of his life.
Gibbs nodded his consent and Tony and Ziva agreed. They stayed with him as he was transferred to pre-op. Tony updated Tim and asked him to let the rest of the family know. Ziva updated Delilah and Abby, letting them know she would contact them again when Gibbs was out of surgery. LJ called his Abba and got an update as he was leaving school and heading to work. "Give my Grandpa a hug for me."
~TIVA~
After four hours in surgery, Dr. Kenna came out to update Tony and Ziva. Gibbs had come through the surgery well, but it had taken longer because she had found scarring from an old wound around the knee that she needed to clean up and work around. She had also found remnants of shrapnel in his hip and removed them. He would be in recovery for about an hour and then transferred to a room where they could see him.
During the surgery, Tony and Ziva had talked to nearly every one of the family and promised updates when they had them. LJ had come from work to the hospital to wait with his parents and had helped in updating his siblings and cousins.
~TIVA~
By the time Gibbs was transferred to a regular room, Tim, Delilah, Jimmy, Breena, Abby and Leon had come to the hospital waiting room. Tim had brought pizzas, figuring that Tony and Ziva hadn't had much to eat all day. They thanked him and, between bites, gave him the latest updates.
A nurse came to the waiting room, "Gibbs family?" When nine people turned to him, he was surprised at first. Tony stood up and nodded at the nurse. "You can come back and see him now. He's in room 334, and just starting to come around."
Tony thanked him and turned to his family. Tim spoke up first, "You and Ziva go in first, Tony. Then the rest of us can go see him." Ziva thanked Tim and took Tony's hand as they went to Gibbs' room.
"We could have lost him today," Ziva spoke what they had both been thinking. "Maybe we should have him move in with us after rehab, yes?" Tony looked at Ziva and nodded; he had been thinking the same thing.
Tony pushed the door to Gibbs' room open and noticed Gibbs' eyes were closed. He and Ziva moved closer to the bed. Ziva reached for Gibbs' hand and took it in her own. Tony wrapped his arm around Ziva as she whispered, "Abba, we are here." She smiled when Gibbs squeezed her hand.
"Ziver… Tony…" Gibbs opened his eyes and smiled at his kids. He shut them again. Both Tony and Ziva wiped at their eyes. Gibbs was their father in every sense of the word except biological. In the ways that mattered, he was their Abba, their Dad. They pulled chairs to his bedside and sat with him as he woke up. Tony sent a text to LJ to come back to see his grandfather.
LJ walked into the room, trying to be as quiet as he could. He could see Ima and Abba sitting on one side of Grandpa. His Grandpa opened his eyes and smiled at LJ and beckoned him over. LJ just about ran to the bed and took Gibbs free hand in his own. "Grandpa, I love you." LJ's tears ran down his face. Gibbs squeezed LJ's hand. "I don't want to lose you, Grandpa." LJ choked out.
"Not going anywhere any time soon, kiddo. I love you, LJ." LJ bent down and hugged his Grandpa. He was just glad his Grandpa was awake and talking.
Ziva and Tony watched the interaction between Gibbs and LJ with tears running down their faces. Of all of the grandchildren, Tali and LJ were the closest to Gibbs. LJ had been Gibbs' painting and woodworking buddy since he was small. LJ sat with his Grandpa for a bit longer and then said his good night; he had to be at school in the morning and needed to get some sleep at home. LJ hugged his Ima and Abba. Tony told LJ to send Uncle Tim and Aunt Delilah back next.
Tim and Delilah visited briefly, and then Jimmy and Breena, since all of them had to work in the morning. Leon and Abby came back last. After they left, Ziva and Tony settled in for the night. They would stay with Gibbs, taking turns to get food, stretch breaks, and the like. LJ had promised to bring changes of clothes when he stopped by on his way to school.
After one break for Tony, he came back to hear Ziva talking to a sleeping Gibbs softly. He could just make out her words. "Abba, I am so grateful for you and all that you have shown me over the years how a real father loves his children and is there for them no matter what. You are my Abba of the heart and I am not ready to let you go yet. But if it is your time, know that I love you so much and you will be with me always."
Tony wiped his eyes and walked over to Ziva. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She turned and kissed his hand, tears running down her face. Silently, he took her into his arms and together they sobbed out the fear that had entered them earlier that day.
~TIVA~
While Gibbs was in rehab, Tony and Ziva had Tali and Anthony's old rooms remodeled to make a suite for Gibbs. Since the two rooms had shared a bath, it was a fairly simple job and they were pleased with the results. They found a bed that would raise and lower and make it easier for Gibbs to get in and out. The tub/shower had been replaced with a walk-in shower that had a seat and a moveable shower head. In the second room, they put a television, a computer and a recliner that raised and lowered electronically and a table and chair where Gibbs could eat his meals if he chose. They had cleaned Gibbs house and brought over many of his pictures and mementos to decorate both rooms. They brought over clothing as well.
At first, Gibbs had tried to argue that Ziva and Tony did not need to take him into their home, but neither one would hear it. Tony sat him down and explained to Gibbs that he and Ziva WANTED to do this and that they would have no argument. Gibbs was their father and they would take care of him out of love. Most of all, they both wanted to thank Gibbs for being a true father to both of them. When Eli had turned his back on his only living child and left her for dead in Somalia, Gibbs had taken Ziva in as his daughter. When Senior had yet again belittled Tony and acted as if Tony was a nuisance to be avoided, Gibbs had taken Tony as a son. They both knew that their own children had been much better for having Gibbs in their lives and as a parent to Tony and Ziva. Gibbs had consented with tears in his eyes. "I love you son. Never forget that."
~TIVA~
LJ loved having his Grandpa in the house and spent much of his free time with Gibbs. The two continued painting together. On the days Gibbs needed to use a wheelchair instead of a walker, LJ often pushed the chair for him.
In June, when LJ graduated from high school, Gibbs made one of his first trips out of the house, other than a doctor visit. When LJ gave the valedictory address, he specifically mentioned his Grandpa and had the audience in tears as he told how Gibbs had created a family of broken people and made them all whole again. "I want to live my life like my Grandpa, making a difference in the lives of others because I care." The entire audience gave LJ a standing ovation and Tony, Ziva, and Gibbs wiped tears from their eyes.
At the party after, Tali and Chaim shared their news; Levi was going to be a big brother in December. They also shared that they were looking for a house, since Tony's old apartment would be too small for a family of four. Gibbs surprised all of the family by offering to give his house to Tali and Chaim. They were overwhelmed at his generosity and thanked him with hugs.
The paperwork for the transfer of the property was drawn up the following week and during the fourth of July holiday weekend, Tali, Chaim and Levi moved to their new home with the help of family and friends.
LJ had been accepted at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) into their architecture program. He left for school in August; Beth and Charles were in Erie, Pennsylvania at Gannon University; John and Rivka in Atlanta at Georgia Tech, and Anthony, Katie and baby Anthony in Ohio.
~TIVA~
With their children in various parts of the country, Tony and Ziva quietly celebrated her sixtieth birthday with Gibbs, Tim and Delilah. All of the out of town DiNozzo children had called via Skype during the day, and Tali and Chaim had visited with Levi the night before. Anthony's big news was that he had accepted a position with the affiliate station in DC and they would be moving back to DC in December. Tony had offered them the apartment for a place to live and both Anthony and Katie agreed.
At Christmas, all of the DiNozzo, McGee and Palmer children were home for the holidays. Tali had given birth to Elijah Benjamin on 21 December. Anthony and Katie had settled their family in the apartment. Charles and Beth stayed with Jimmy and Breena. John and Rivka stayed with Tim and Delilah. LJ was in his own room at home. Jared and Tori had surprised the family by flying in with little Jackie on the same day Elijah was born. They stayed with Leon and Abby.
Tony and Ziva hosted the family Christmas dinner, with the others bringing various dishes of food to complete the ham and roast beef meal. Ziva noted to Tony that their house again had little ones to marvel at the miracles of Chanukah and Christmas. Levi, at two and one half, and Jackie at almost three years, had quickly decided they liked tearing the wrapping paper and had "helped" everyone open gifts.
At dinner, Gibbs sat at the head of the table as family patriarch, a title he was proud to have. He looked out at his family of the heart, three generations of them, and couldn't be prouder and more loved. Tim got Kayla and her family of six on Skype as they toasted the holiday and said the blessings.
"To family, the ones we hold dear be they in the same room or far. Our family of the heart is so very special to me in so many ways. To my brother, Leon; to my kids, Tony, Ziva, Abby, Tim, Delilah, Jimmy and Breena; to my grandchildren, Tali, Tori, Anthony, John, Katie, Charles, Beth, Rivka, and LJ; to my great-grandchildren, Levi, Anthony, Jackie, and Elijah; and to those who became a part of the family, Kayla, Jared, and Chaim, a very merry Christmas and may you all be enveloped in the love of our family for always. I love you all!" Gibbs had tears running down his face as did most of the others as they raised their glasses in a toast.
~TIVA~
Ziva and Tony rang in the New Year and their anniversary quietly at home as had been the norm in recent years. Gibbs had eaten dinner with them and then retired to his rooms to watch TV. He fell asleep well before midnight.
As Tony and Ziva lay intertwined on their bed, they reflected on the prior year and the year to come. Having all of their grandchildren in DC would give them time to spend getting to know each one, but having three of the five children out of town made them both sad, even though they wanted the kids to be happy. In February, all of their children except LJ would be in their twenties. All except LJ had either married or were with the person who would be their life partner.
For the first time, Tony finally understood what Gibbs had felt like when his "kids," the team, had started their own families, and shared his feeling with Ziva. She nodded agreement. She and Tony were transitioning from "parent" mode to "grandparent" mode with no children under their roof.
~TIVA~
In May, Anthony and Katie announced that they would be adding two more DiNozzos to the family. Little Anthony would be a big brother. They started looking for a house to rent and were having trouble finding one in their price range. Delilah came up with the perfect solution, pending Tony and Ziva's agreement; she and Tim would move back to the apartment and Anthony and Katie could move into the McGee house.
Tony and Ziva agreed to the arrangement, and the move was made in late June. Delilah had told Ziva that she really liked the idea of having a smaller place and that it would be easier on her to care for the apartment rather than the house.
~TIVA~
Kelly Ziva and Shannon Delilah DiNozzo made their appearance on 22 and 23 November 2040. Kelly was born at 2348 and weighed six pounds two ounces at twenty inches long. Shannon was born at 0013 and weighed six pounds even at twenty inches long. Ziva and Delilah had both been in the birthing room when the babies were born. Tony and Tim had made a run for pizza and arrived back just as baby Shannon let out her first cry. Both grandfathers took pictures of the grandmothers holding the babies and then had their pictures with the babies. Little Anthony had been taken to Tali's house for the night after Katie had started having contractions in the early afternoon on the twenty second in the middle of the family Thanksgiving dinner.
At breakfast with Tony, Ziva, Tim and Delilah the next morning, Gibbs joked that only a DiNozzo could make a holiday memorable. All of them recalled the DiNozzo Disaster and smiled. Then Gibbs said that he wouldn't have it any other way, and the others all agreed.
Later that afternoon, Tony and Ziva took Gibbs to meet his two new great-granddaughters. Tony and Tim took lots of pictures. Ziva and Delilah's favorite was the one with Anthony and Katie each holding a baby and perched on each arm of Gibbs' wheelchair to make it look as though they were sitting in his lap. Gibbs' huge grin said it all; family was the most important thing in the world.
A/N Merry Christmas to all; and thanks for all the reviews, favs and follows.