Author's Note: Now, for the fun part.
I've had this chapter all written out in my head since before I even started the rest of the story.
The wedding (and wedding night) will be posted soon, along with an epilogue.
Anyway, here's the pre wedding festivities and I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: NOT MINE AT ALL.
"Okay, this is a slumber party so we're going to talk about boys! More specifically, our boys! Gather round, girls!" Abby announced brightly.
Ziva perked up a bit at that and grabbed a juice pouch before joining the circle.
Her bachelorette party plan had been really simple.
While her father and aunt watched the twins, all of her female friends and herself would hang out at a hotel. Feeling sentimental, Ziva picked the same hotel she had been undercover with Tony, embracing the good memories. Discounting the part where he got hurt, it had been really fun.
Besides, she got to be in bed with him and feel him on her, the intimacy paving the way for more between them.
I wonder what shenanigans he's getting himself into now? Phil and Andy looked downright diabolical as they dragged him out...
The boys had showed up at about 5:30 and had kidnapped him, much to her amusement.
"Go easy on him! It took forever for me to snag him!"
"No promises!"
She missed him. Usually when she was out in social situations, Tony was with her and it was more fun for her. He would've made her snort juice out of her nose, by now.
Trying to take her mind off of her glum thoughts, she looked around at her friends, mentally thanking Abby for her choice of pajamas only on the invitations.
Everyone looked comfortable and content, even Melinda.
The young girl was always active and all over the place, striving to be great, reminding Ziva of her own teens.
Unfortunately, the stress and pressure usually made her look older than she was, compounded by her brilliant silver hair.
Seeing her giggling with Agent Lee and painting her nails was a welcome change in her niece.
"Are you comfortable with this? I may go into some detail about your uncle..." she asked hesitantly.
"Eh, just say it. I don't care. Mom and dad are usually all flirty and laced with innuendo, anyway so I'm used to it.", Mel reassured her as she closed the bubblegum pink polish.
"We are not!" Alex said with scarlet red cheeks.
"Your blush suggests otherwise, mommy."
When Alex nailed her with a pillow, she laughed lightly and threw it back.
"Oh, leave me be. That's how you and your evil twin got here, anyway. Besides, don't you have a boyfriend, now?" Alex asked with a DiNozzo shit eating smirk.
Now it was her turn to blush. For once, she looked 17 and not 17 going on 30. Also, her hand stole to a locket resting against her sternum. Reaching over, Ziva gently touched it. It was solid gold and had emeralds embedded in the surface. Opening it, she saw a picture of a young man. He was almost ghostly pale, had long black hair, and big silver eyes.
The brilliant smile on his face warmed his vampire like appearance, however. Mel smiled and closed it, explaining him to the group.
"His name's Travis Greer. He's been my best friend since 2nd grade and Matt set us up on a blind date, saying that we were an accident that needed to happen. I got to thank the little shit for it. Maybe I can get him that sweet sketchpad I saw last week. Anyway, he's a techno geek too, only he specializes in hacking instead of repair. He's first chair clarinet in band and he's in drama. He's my dance partner and a metal head. He's the one that turned me on to Brain Matter."
"A noble thing, indeed." Abby praised while eating some peanut butter.
Peanut butter was her craving, along with ginger ale and cranberries.
Everyone laughed and Mel sighed, looking a little pensive.
"Yeah, he's a good man. I...I think I love him. I'm not really sure. I mean I'm 17. I don't know much of anything about that kind of love."
"You guys remind me of me and your dad." Alex told her with a smile.
Melinda looked surprised but then she smiled back.
"Wow. Well, that's a good thing. A really good thing."
Ziva hoped to someday have that sort of relationship with her daughter.
The women were silent and reflective before Michelle broke the silence between bites of apple slices.
That was her craving and a bowl rested on her bump.
Her question was simple but potent.
"So, I guess you guys want to hear about me and Jimmy, right?"
An empathic "Yes!" was let out and Lee blushed, ready to get in the hot seat for the sake of girl talk.
////////////
Tony snuck away from the guys at the pool table, heading outside to take a breather.
After they went paint gunning, they looked for a bar.
Tony had picked the same bar that Ziva had broken their stalemate in. The bartender had recognized him immediately and asked what was up with him and Ziva. When he mentioned that they were getting hitched, he had given them free reign over the bar.
"It's a good thing to see a young couple in love, these days. Got any kids yet?"
That had been his opportunity to show off pictures. J.T. and Ava were two little one year old wonders. Every day, he could see them embrace their own distinctive personalities. Ava was the adventurer, the one that would climb trees and eat mud. J.T. was the quiet intellectual type but he had a wild streak. He'd be the planner of any future hellraising.
His thoughts eventually went to their mom and he smiled, looking at the ring she had gotten him. She had slipped it on while he was sleeping at his desk and had given him a perfectly logical but Ziva like reason when he asked about it that night in bed.
~*~
"It could be a way of identifying you. Honestly, Tony, you are like a magnet for just about every screwed up disease in the World! You got the plague, for god's sake! The bubonic plague!"
"That wasn't my fault."
"I know that but still, I'd feel better that there would be a way to identify your mangled corpse if push came to shove. That and I want every fake breasted whore out there to know that you belong to me."
~*~
Then, she had claimed him until he begged for mercy, the little minx. He was aching to touch her but he knew that the wait would be worth it. Ziva was always worth it. God, he missed her. Usually when he was out on the town, his little ninja chick was with him. She had such an innocent viewpoint on most American things, it was refreshing. He didn't feel right being out without her.
I wonder how her slumber party thing is going. She seemed to be really excited about it and she promised to share any good dirt with me. I hope she got some insight into that unholy thing with Lee and the Autopsy Gremlin...
"Just call her, DiNozzo."
Turning, he saw Gibbs watching him and he smiled sheepishly.
Gibbs could read him like a comic book.
"I don't want to intrude on her thing..."
"Jenny just called me and said that she seemed a little down. Then she also said that Ziva said something about missing her little hairy butt, which is something I don't want to think about..."
Tony let out a bark of laughter. That pet name had been introduced in a mocking way but he loved it all the same.
"All right, I'll call her, now."
"Hurry up about it. McGee and your brother are trying to drink each other under the table."
"Andy's going to kick his ass. He can down tequila like it's water. I'll be in soon."
After Gibbs went back in, he opened his phone, hitting the first speed dial.
She picked up immediately and he could hear music and laughing in the background.
"Hi, Tony."
"Hey. Jenny said that you said that you missed me?"
"Yeah. I usually do stuff like this with you and..."
"...it doesn't feel right without me. I understand. I feel the same way. So, what are you evil women doing?"
"Nothing much. We're mostly talking. Did you know that Palmer can do yoga?"
"Seriously?"
"Yes, he's an instructor at Lee's gym and..."
"...she decided to get extra credit." he leered.
Her light laughter made him smile.
"Something like that. What did Phil and Andy drag you off to do?"
"Paint gunning. Probie hit Gibbs in the nuts."
Ziva cracked up and he heard her tell the girls, their laughter louder and mixed with sympathetic groans.
"Jenny says to tell McGee that if there's any permanent damage, he's fired."
Tony laughed and shook his head. The whole lot of them were insane. NCIS was notorious for that trait, along with the head slapping. They were one big dysfunctional family. He also remembered that Jenny's threat wasn't necessary and continued telling her what happened at the range.
"Gibbs swore up a blue streak and head slapped him hard. He's been properly chastised."
"Indeed. I can't wait to see you."
"Same here. I better go, now. Make sure you get some sleep, okay?"
"Yes, grandpa."
"I mean it, Zee-Vah."
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too, baby. Good night."
He felt much better after talking to her and with her warm voice in his mind; he headed back into the bar, eager to see McGee puke his guts out.