The final chapter. I feel quite emotional! This last one is pure, unadulterated fluff for which I make no apologies - you have been warned! Thank you so much for reading.

The chapter title and quote are taken from Jeanette Winterson's 'Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?'.

"I have noticed that doing the sensible thing is only a good idea when the decision is quite small. For the life-changing things, you must risk it."

― Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Ziva sat in the passenger seat, looking out of the window as the unfamiliar scenery rolled by. The sun was peeking through the clouds, even as the annoyingly cheerful DJ on the radio announced that the terrible downpours would continue for a while yet and to not forget your umbrellas, folks. When Reba McEntire started telling her to turn on the radio, she reached for the volume control and turned it down. Right down. She was nervous. And the nearer they got to their destination, the more nervous she became.

'Relax'. Gibbs looked over at her, smiling, before turning his attention back to the road. 'You've met him before'.

'Yes, as your colleague'. Ziva shifted uncomfortably in her seat. 'This time is different. I am here as your…..' She paused.

'Girlfriend?' Gibbs suggested.

Ziva wrinkled her nose. 'That makes me sound like a teenager'.

'Partner?'

'Too much like work. Tony is my partner'.

'Lover?'

She caught his teasing smile. 'Jethro, I cannot introduce myself to your father as your lover!'

He laughed. 'Well, sure we'll think of something'.

They fell silent again. When Gibbs had told Ziva it was his father's birthday and suggested they spend the weekend with him in Stillwater, she had been surprised, but happy to agree. She knew that their relationship had been strained at best in the past, but that things seemed to be improving. At least that is the case for one of us. And she liked Jackson Gibbs. She was just not sure whether he would approve of her as Gibbs'…whatever she was.

They pulled up outside the neat house where Jethro had grown up, and she took a deep breath. Gibbs switched off the engine and reached over to give her a quick kiss.

'OK?'

She nodded and smiled. 'OK'.

As they got out of the car and stretched their legs, the door of the house opened and Jackson stepped out, hand raised in greeting. He looked older than Ziva remembered, but his face was creased into the same welcoming smile.

'You made it, then'.

Gibbs walked up to the door, carrying their bags. He stopped and looked at Jackson, and his face broke into a smile.

'Thought you'd still be at the store'.

'Well, it's not every day it's your birthday. And your son comes to visit. I've got a young lad helping me now, since…..well. I figured he could see to the place today'.

Gibbs nodded. He knew that the robbery at the store three years earlier had shaken Jackson more than he would ever admit. It was probably a good thing he had managed to find someone to give him a hand every now and then.

Ziva came up behind Gibbs, and he placed a hand reassuringly on her back. 'You remember Ziva, Dad?'

Jackson beamed. 'Course I do. I might be old, Leroy, but I ain't senile. Not yet, anyway'. He reached out and shook Ziva's proffered hand, then pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the cheek before ushering them into the hallway.

'If I'd known you were coming this early, I'd have got the shopping done yesterday'.

They followed him into the bright kitchen, where he filled the kettle and took some mugs from the cupboard.

'Coffee?' They both nodded. Jackson prepared the pot as the kettle boiled. He looked up at them with a twinkle in his blue eyes as he gestured towards the bags on the floor.

'You can take the bags upstairs, Leroy. I made up the spare room. Thought you probably wouldn't need the fold-out bed as well.'

Ziva laughed, and Gibbs smiled as he picked up the bags. 'Nope'.

'Is it that obvious?' Ziva asked as she accepted a steaming cup of fresh coffee. She was already beginning to relax.

Jackson just raised his eyebrows, and she laughed again. This might be okay after all.

Ziva pulled on a sweatshirt over her sleeveless top, and looked at herself in the small mirror on the wall. She could hear Gibbs calling to Jackson to pass him a hammer, and she smiled to herself. He had insisted on fixing the hole in the roof of the verandah at the back of the house, and although Jackson had protested, she could tell he was grateful for the help. Earlier on, when they had been shopping in town for groceries and hardware supplies for the repair job, everyone had greeted her as if she was an old friend. She got the impression the whole town knew she was with Gibbs, and that they would be here this weekend. Small town life. It was a strange feeling, knowing that everyone knew who she was before she even met them. She was surprised to find she did not dislike it.

She found Jackson back in the kitchen, putting on yet another pot of coffee. He smiled as she walked in, and gestured to her to sit down.

'Another coffee? Or tea?'

She shook her head, smiling. 'I am fine, thank you. I can take that out to him, if you like. You sit and have yours'.

Jackson handed her the large mug. 'Be careful out there. Nails and hammers all over the place. Anyone would think the verandah had fallen down'. His eyes twinkled again.

Ziva went out of the back door and found Gibbs at the top of a ladder, perched on the verandah roof. She started up the ladder towards him, balancing the mug carefully in one hand.

'Careful'. He put down his hammer and reached down towards her, taking the mug from her and giving her a kiss.

'Taking longer than I thought. Wood's rotten around the hole'.

'You need some help?'

He shook his head. 'No. If you don't mind sitting with Dad for a while'. She shook her head.

'Of course not'. She pulled him down for another kiss. 'Just shout if you need anything'.

She walked back into the kitchen where Jackson was sitting at the table with his own mug and the newspaper crossword puzzle, and helped herself to a glass of water before sitting down to join him. He pushed the paper towards her.

'Fourteen down. Aramaic?'

She looked at the clue. Ancient Middle East language (7). She nodded. 'Yes, I think that would fit'.

He nodded and filled in the squares. They sat in comfortable silence for a while over the puzzle, broken only by one of them pointing out the answer to a clue. Finally there was only one left that neither of them could get. Jackson pushed the paper away with a sigh.

'Damn things. Never quite get one finished'. He leaned back in his chair, his blue eyes on Ziva. The sounds of hammering and the occasional swear word came from the verandah roof.

'He on your mind?'

She looked at him in surprise. Damn. He's even more perceptive than his son. He smiled at the look on her face.

'You looked….sad, for a moment there. When women look sad and they're involved with Leroy, well….'. He shrugged. 'I don't want to pry'.

She considered for a moment. This was not the turn she had expected the conversation to take, but something about Jackson Gibbs made her feel comfortable. Something paternal.

'It is not Jethro, it is me', she admitted. Jackson raised his eyebrows.

'Heard that one before'.

She managed a small smile. 'You have raised a wonderful son, Jackson. But…..I do not know whether I have what it takes to keep him. And I want something permanent'. She paused. 'Something that will not be taken away'. She shook herself mentally, and forced another smile. 'But we are here for your birthday. We should not be talking about that now'.

Jackson frowned, and he leaned forward in his chair. He spoke slowly, as if measuring every word before he uttered it.

'If you're trying to say you're not good enough for him, forget it. You are'. He looked over to the window as a loud bang came from the verandah. 'He knows it'. He looked back at Ziva. 'If it makes you feel any better, I haven't seen him like this since Shannon'.

Ziva's brow wrinkled in confusion, and Jackson smiled.

'In love. Infatuated. Besotted. Do I have to spell it out?' He got up slowly, and took his mug over to the sink. 'And he's brought you here. He and...what was her name, now?...Diane, well, they were married before I even met her. And I only knew he'd been married to Stephanie when he rang to say they were divorced'. He leaned against the counter. 'He'll be worried too, you know'.

'What makes you say that?'

'Parents know their kids, Ziva. We might not always get along, but I know he's a good person. He loves you. He won't want to hurt you'.

He moved back to the table, and took Ziva's hand as he sat down. The twinkle was back. 'But if you want to marry him…' He ignored Ziva's squeak of protest. 'Well, you might have to take the initiative on that one. He'll be too worried you'll say no'.

Ziva swallowed. Hard.

'I, uh…had not thought about it'. She raised her gaze to meet Jackson's and caught the look on his face. Yeah. Right. They both burst out laughing just as Gibbs walked in through the back door.

'I miss something funny?' He walked over to the table and dropped a kiss on Ziva's head. Jackson shook his head.

'Just the crossword, son. See if you can finish that one off, I'll make a start on dinner'.

Ziva stood up. 'No, you will not. We will do it – since it is your birthday'. The smile that passed between them did not go unnoticed by Gibbs. His eyes questioned Ziva, but she merely smiled at him too and moved past him towards the stove.

'Want some help?'

She shook her head as she looked him up and down. 'Not until you take a shower. You have half the roof on you'.

Gibbs smiled in acknowledgement and headed out of the kitchen towards the stairs. He just caught Jackson's voice over the sound of the fridge door opening.

'See? Obeying already'.

He heard Ziva laugh. 'I do not think the husband promises to obey, Jackson'.

A snort. 'Don't you believe it. And will you please call me Jack?'

Ziva breathed in the cool air, enjoying the feeling of the sun and slight breeze on her face. They had spent a lazy Sunday morning at the house with coffee and the newspapers – something she rarely did but actually quite enjoyed. After lunch, Jackson had suggested that she and Gibbs go for a walk before heading back to DC. And – she did not think she was mistaken - she could have sworn she had seen him wink at her.

She had spent most of the morning thinking about what he had said. It amazed her that someone who she had really only just met could be so perceptive. Maybe that is what it takes. She stepped over a rock on the path as she followed Gibbs along the narrow trail between the trees. It had been obvious to Jackson, and suddenly it was obvious to her too. She loved Gibbs. She knew he loved her. She was happier than she could ever remember being before. We only have today. You of all people should know that, Ziva.

Gibbs suddenly stopped in front of her, and for a moment she was worried he had somehow read her thoughts. He reached out a hand, and drew her to his side. The trail had abruptly ended by a small lake, clear blue in the sunshine, gentle waves lapping against the large rocks at the water's edge.

'It is beautiful'.

On impulse, she climbed over the rocks to one further out, big enough for them both to sit on. As Gibbs clambered over to join her, she pulled off her boots and socks and dangled her feet in the water.

'Cold?'

She nodded, smiling. 'But nice. You should try it'. Gibbs shook his head as he sat down. They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the scenery and the stillness.

'Thanks for coming'.

Ziva smiled, thinking back over the previous day. 'I have enjoyed it', she replied honestly. 'I was a little nervous but your father is lovely'.

'He likes you'.

Ziva laughed. 'Then the feeling is mutual'.

'Never did figure out what to introduce you as'.

'Then it was just as well introductions were not necessary'. Ziva looked out over the water. Take a risk.

'But for future reference…' She paused. Her voice came out so quiet even she could barely hear it. 'How does 'wife' sound?'

She could not look at Gibbs, but continued to stare at a spot on the far shore of the lake. Suddenly she knew what people meant when they talked about a deafening silence. She only realized her hands were shaking when Gibbs reached over and took them in his own.

'You asking me to marry you, Ziva?'

She shrugged. 'I realize it is not strictly…traditional'. She could not help smiling as an absurd thought occurred to her. 'And I am not getting down on one knee. But yes. That is what I am asking'.

'Look at me, Ziva'.

Ziva actually shook her head.

She heard Gibbs laugh softly. He reached up and placed his fingers under her chin, gently moving her head round to face him. He did not look shocked, as she had feared. Or angry, or worried. He was smiling, and the love and tenderness in his eyes made her breath hitch in her throat.

He looked at her for a good minute before speaking.

'You absolutely sure?'

She nodded. 'I have never felt happier, Jethro'. She paused, thinking of how to try and say everything she was feeling, before giving it up as a lost cause. She shook her head at herself. 'I have had too much taken from me to risk losing this as well. I know that marriage does not necessarily mean forever, but…..'. She shrugged.

Gibbs nodded slowly.

'Good job I brought this along, then'.

He let go of her hand, and reached into the pocket of his jeans. Her heart thudded as he brought out a small black box, and she watched him open it and take out the gold engagement ring inside. As he slid it onto her finger, three tiny diamonds glinted in the light. She looked at him in amazement, shaking all over and unable to speak.

He kept hold of her hand, looking at the ring that fit her slim finger perfectly.

'My mother's', he said softly. He looked up at her shocked face and smiled. 'Dad. Last night. Told me to quit being an idiot and get my act together'.

Ziva laughed, suddenly feeling slightly light-headed and hysterical.

'For once I agreed with him'. Gibbs was smiling still.

'So, uh….'

'Yes, Ziva'. He leaned over and kissed her. 'I will marry you'.

When they finally broke apart, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Her eyes kept returning to the ring on her finger, and she could not keep the smile from her face.

'I think we probably owe Jackson a drink'.

Gibbs slipped an arm around her shoulder and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips and gently kissing her ring finger. Somewhere in the trees behind them, a bird had started singing.

'Later, Ziva'. He kissed the top of her head. 'Later'.