Chapter 42, A New Generation, 2059
When Tony and Ziva flew home to DC from Santiago at the end of March, Levi and Jackie picked them up at Dulles. Tim was supposed to have been their ride to the house, but Levi had asked his Uncle Tim if he and Jackie could give his Saba and Savta a ride instead. After sharing the reason with Uncle Tim, and swearing him to secrecy, Tim was more than happy to let Levi do the driving.
Ziva spotted Levi near baggage claim. "Motek, it is good to see you." Both she and Tony hugged him. Levi helped his grandparents with their luggage and sent a text to Jackie to drive from the cell phone waiting lot to the baggage claim doors to get them.
Levi loaded his grandparents' luggage in the back of his SUV and Jackie moved to the front passenger seat. Levi maneuvered out of the parking area onto the interstate to Virginia.
"Savta, Saba," Levi began, "we have some news to share with you. Only Ima and Abba, and Mom and Dad Vance and Uncle Tim know so far."
Ziva had a feeling she knew what they were about to hear, and squeezed Tony's hand. He smiled at her, and slightly nodded his head. He was pretty sure what the news was as well.
"We are going to be parents in October." Jackie and Levi said together.
"Congratulations!" Ziva held Jackie's hand and gave it a light squeeze as Tony put a hand on Levi's shoulder. "We will have to get proper hugs when we get home!"
For the rest of the ride home, both Tony and Ziva were wrapping their thoughts around the fact that their oldest daughter was going to be a grandmother in a few months. Along with that, they were going to be great-grandparents! They turned and looked at each other, and Tony kissed Ziva.
"Savta Raba; Saba Raba. I like the sound of that." Ziva touched Tony's cheek and kissed him back. They grinned at each other. Levi and Jackie were holding hands and smiling.
Levi looked at his grandparents in the rear view mirror. "Uh, oh, 'TIVA-land' back there." He, Elijah and Anthony had heard Ima and Uncle Anthony talking one afternoon about Aunt Abby and her name for his Saba and Savta's ability to shut out the rest of the world. Levi thought to himself that he would do everything he could to have that sort of commitment and relationship with Jackie, emulating his Saba and Savta.
~TIVA~
Rachel Elena Rubin made her appearance at 1853 on 3 October 2059. She weighed eight pounds, three ounces, and measured twenty one inches long. Tali and Chaim were over the moon in love with her from the minute they saw her. Ziva and Tony smiled at the new grandparents, remembering when Levi had been born. When Ziva held Rachel, she saw a marked similarity to infant Tali.
As Tony held Rachel, Tali and Levi both took pictures of them with Ziva standing next to Tony. "She looks like Tali," Tony remarked. Ziva nodded and stroked the baby's head. "That she does."
Later, at home, Tony drew Ziva into an embrace. "You are one beautiful Savta Raba, Ziva. Even better, I love you so much." He kissed her.
"Love you more, Tony, my sexy Saba Raba." Ziva looked into his eyes and again time and space stood still as far as the couple were concerned. "We are so blessed."
"Yes, we are." Tony agreed.
~TIVA~
Ziva's eightieth birthday was in the middle of the week. On the day of her birthday, she, Tony and Tim went to her favorite Italian restaurant for dinner. The rest of the family celebrated the previous Saturday at the DiNozzo house. Tali, Chaim, Anthony and Katie coordinated all the plans, food and surprises. Ziva was not told of the plans, and Tony had been instructed to get her out of the house from 1000 until 1400 on that Saturday. He had taken her to lunch and then to a movie.
When they arrived back at the house, the driveway was filled with family vehicles. Ziva looked at Tony. He shrugged and replied, "I had nothing to do with this. All I was told by Tali was to keep you out of the house for about four hours today."
When they walked in the front door, everyone yelled, "Surprise!" Ziva looked around at her family. All of them were there, and she nodded and thanked them all. Tim and Anthony had set up a slide show in the living room, showing pictures of Ziva from her infancy to present. Anthony had remarked to Uncle Tim that most of the pictures from 2005 on had both his Ima and Abba in them. There were very few of just one of them other than a few individual portraits from Anthony's own files that were taken at family gatherings and some from the NCIS years.
"Anthony, think about it," Tim tried to explain, "Your Ima and Abba are inseparable, are they not? Why do you think Aunt Abby called them 'TIVA-land'?"
"Uncle Tim, did you and Aunt Delilah have that same connection? I try my best to make sure Katie and I can have it too. I want to be like Ima and Abba in my marriage."
"We had our own connection, Anthony. I think each couple is unique. That said, I think your Ima and Abba have more than we can even hope for, but can strive for. I have known your parents for nearly fifty five years. They had that connection from before they met."
"I think I understand. For most of my life, I have thought that the lines are blurred as to where Ima ends and Abba starts and vice versa. As an adult, I see them as two bodies housing one soul. I am glad they are my parents." Anthony felt very blessed to have his parents.
Tali walked to her Ima and hugged her. "Happy birthday, Ima. Today is your day to celebrate your life. We love you." Her brothers and sisters came to stand with their Ima. Each one hugged Ziva and wished her a happy birthday. Anthony extended his arm to his Ima and escorted her to the family room where they had set up a chair decorated to look like a throne. "Today, you are royalty, Ima. Love you." Anthony hugged his Ima and helped her into the chair. She smiled as he kissed her cheek.
Tony sat on a chair beside Ziva that had also been decorated in the throne theme. Anthony placed a crown on his mother's head, joking that they had forgotten the crown for Abba. Tony stuck his tongue out at his son, and everyone laughed.
One by one the grandchildren walked up to their Savta. Jethro, 7, handed his Savta a red rose, and sang happy birthday to her. Abigail, almost 9, handed her Savta a yellow rose and a picture she had drawn. Nine year old Jackson had a white rose for his Savta, and he also sang happy birthday. Brian, 10, had picked out a pink rose for Savta, and he hugged her as he handed it to her. Robert, 11, handed her another red rose and a card he had made on his computer. Twelve year old Jessica handed her Savta a picture she had drawn of a rose and also a crimson rose. Rebecca, 14, placed a white rose in her Savta's hands and read a short poem she had written. Adam, 15, handed her a pink rose and kissed her cheek. Noah, 17, gave his Savta a wood rose that he had carved and a red rose for the vase. Elisheva, 17, presented her Savta with a white rose and a white shawl that she had knitted. Nineteen year old Shannon chose a red rose to present with the bracelet she made of the birthstones of all of the grandchildren. Her twin, Kelly, handed Ziva a yellow rose with a card. Elijah, almost 20, brought his Savta a red rose with three pieces of greenery to add to the bouquet. Anthony, 21, gave his Savta a white rose and a digital picture frame with images he had animated from family pictures. Levi, Jackie and Rachel came up together and handed Savta one red, one white and one pink rose, and a framed photo of the three of them with Ziva and Tony.
The five children and their spouses presented two large framed photos to their Ima. One was of Tony and Ziva, their arms around each other, eyes looking only at each other that Anthony (IV) had taken at the family Labor Day gathering; the other was a group photo of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, taken a week earlier.
Tali, Katie, Beth, Rivka, and Savannah had made most of the food: lasagna, olive chicken, chicken saltimbocca, vegetables and salads. Tim had brought garlic bread and beverages, including iced tea, milk for the younger kids, soft drinks and wine. Chaim had made his "secret recipe" barbeque ribs. Breena and Jimmy brought the cake and ice cream.
When the family had finished the food, Tony called for quiet. He took Ziva's hand, and told her to close her eyes. She gave him a glare, but did as he asked. Once Ziva had her eyes closed, Tony nodded to Chaim and Anthony. The two men went into the garage and came back carrying a long thin box, about six feet long, and six inches square in width and depth. He had Ziva open her eyes, and she gave him a questioning look. Anthony and Chaim opened the box and took out what appeared to be rolled fabric. As they slowly unwound the roll, Ziva could see the family tree from the farmhouse. Tony had it reproduced on a piece of fabric, six feet by ten feet, to hang in the Virginia house.
"Tony, it is beautiful, thank you." Ziva put her arms around Tony and kissed him, and then looked into his eyes. He rested his forehead on hers, and returned the gaze. The world was just them.
"Happy birthday, Ziva. Yom huledet sameach! Ani ohev otach." Tony put his hand on the side of Ziva's face and caressed her. "I love you so much." Ziva looked at the love in the emerald green eyes that looked back at her. "Love you more. Ani ohevet otcha. Toda."
Tim, Anthony, and Tali exchanged glances and LJ voiced what they all were thinking, "TIVA-land! I love my Ima and Abba!"
~TIVA~
The family celebrated Christmas at the DiNozzo house. Ziva and Tony had added a stocking and an ornament for Rachel. In all, they hung forty four stockings and forty two ornaments for others, plus their own fifty four each for their years together.
Christmas dinner had the usual variety of meats, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, salads and bread. Christmas cookies, pies and cakes, plus ice cream were put out for dessert later in the day. With thirty three people eating dinner, not including Rachel, the dining room table, the extension table, the breakfast nook table and all of the folding tray tables were in use to seat everyone. Ziva and Tony sat where they could see the entire family. Four generations celebrated the holiday and their family.
Before they ate, Tony called them all to attention. "I just want to pause to reflect on how blessed we are to have this family, and to remember the true patriarch, the one who brought us all together so many years ago. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, your family of the heart is the best family anyone could ask for. Thank you, Dad, for loving your kids and making us a family." Tony raised his glass in toast to Gibbs' memory.
"Thank you, Abba." Ziva added. As they all raised their glasses in toast, Ziva took Tony's hand in hers and intertwined their fingers. She gave a slight squeeze and he squeezed back. Each knew the other was remembering their father of the heart.
As the others started to eat the meal, Tony turned to Ziva and drew her to him. He firmly planted his lips on hers, and kissed her with all of his love. When they broke apart for air, Tony pointed up to the mistletoe hanging over them. Ziva laughed and fused her lips to Tony's.