A/N: Just for reference in case anyone wanted to ask:

The Wedding - Ch 21

Baby Born - Ch 37

Length of SMH - currently unknown

Thanks for reading guys, I'm thrilled that everyone is enjoying it so far! ~Aliyah

Ziva greeted Tony at the door when he returned, much earlier than expected, and he was pretty sure she could do that every day and he would never get tired of it. Then she stood back, crossed her arms and glared at him playfully. "I hear you are keeping secrets from me."

Tony looked panicked for a second before he tried to cover. "Uh...what kind of secrets?"

Ziva raised her eyebrow when he didn't deny it. "Getting the team to help us with the wedding."

He made a face. "Gibbs?"

She inclined her head. "Some. Then I called Abby and she told me everything."

"Everything?" T almost squeaked.

"Well," Ziva conceded, "she would not share much about your plans for tomorrow."

He let out a breath in relief, some things were supposed to be unexpected. Tony took a step closer and ran his fingers through her hair. "Would you be terribly disappointed if our date tonight included the whole team? I don't think Abby can wait until tomorrow to see you."

Ziva shook her head. "I will be glad to see them as well." She glanced towards the kitchen table where she'd spread out their wedding list and notes. "Shall we see what is left to do?"

He leaned forward and kissed her. "Hold that thought. I have someone I'd like you to meet first." Ziva was startled when Tony pulled open the door and a short, older man was standing there. His appearance was very much like the Orthodox Jews she had known in Israel. He stepped inside and Tony smiled at her. "Ziva, this is Dr. Jacob Kalev. He's a Justice of the Peace and has agreed to perform the ceremony tomorrow."

Dr. Kalev dipped his head at her. "Shalom Gveret David."

Ziva held out her hand. "Rabbi."

Jacob chuckled. "No need to be so formal my dear." He looked her up and down but not even a hint of censure entered his eyes, leaving Ziva to wonder how much Tony had told the man. "I understand plans have had to change in a hurry, but your fiancé said you might like to include some Jewish traditions in your wedding, so I thought we should speak."

Ziva's gaze flitted to Tony, appreciation and wonder shining in her eyes, before she indicated the couch. "Thank you for coming Doctor, please have a seat."

Warmth filled Tony's heart as he took his place at Ziva's side and listened to her speak to the older man in a mixture of Hebrew and English. He wondered how good it felt for her to share her native language with another after so many months. Dr. Kalev stayed for nearly an hour and Ziva smiled almost the entire time. Tony couldn't help but feel a little bit proud - it seemed like this was something he'd definitely done right.

NCIS

As it happened, Tony and Ziva ended up sitting across the table from each other at the restaurant. Abby had insisted on claiming a spot by Ziva and McGee was on her other side. Then Tony, Gibbs and Ducky, with Jimmy squeezed onto the end beside Ziva.

There was no arguing with the seating order and in the end he found he didn't want to. For the first time in a long time he was looking at her across the table with everyone else around, and it was just like the private, silent conversations they used to have in the bullpen. Tony rather liked that they could be enveloped in their own private bubble even when they weren't alone.

Right now though the group was halfway through dessert and all laughing at a story Abby was telling - even Gibbs cracked a smile. Finally the Goth wound down and took a breath, still grinning from the joke. "Wow, that was fun. But I guess we better go over plans for tomorrow, right?"

Ducky sat back. "Mr. Palmer and I have fulfilled our end of the bargain."

Abby put up her hand. "Music is good to go - great choices by the way Tony - and I'm on flower duty tomorrow afternoon.

McGee took a drink. "Palmer and I will be at Ducky's by twelve-thirty to set up. And I think everyone will pitch in to do take-down."

"Awesome," Tony grinned. "Ziva and I took care of details with Dr. Kalev earlier - thanks again for all your help on that one Jimmy," he winked at the shy younger man, "and my buddy Adrian will come around one pm to get some shots before the ceremony." Tony glanced at the group, his eyes settling specifically on Ziva. "Did we miss anything?"

She shrugged. "I have my dress. There is still the matter of moving my things to your house, but that can be done a little at a time I guess." Ziva looked down then and missed the conspiratorial glances shared by the others.

This time Tony wasn't the only one who noticed Ziva's energy fading and Gibbs wrapped the early dinner up when he motioned for the waitress and pulled out his wallet. "Not very often we have a night off, enjoy it."

Ducky moved so he could get out and turned his gaze to Jimmy. "Uh, I think Breena and I are going to a movie. See you all tomorrow."

Smiling at Ziva, Ducky put his hand over hers. "Get some rest my dear, doctor's orders."

She accepted his care with a nod. "Good night Ducky."

It was down to the four them and Tony stood to help Ziva up. "So McLoveBirds, any plans tonight?"

McGee linked fingers with Abby, ignoring the nickname. By now it was clear that Tony would never give up. "I think I'm helping her choose a dress, maybe go for a walk. It's a nice night."

Tony grinned and offered Ziva his arm. "Alright. Have fun kids."

Ziva smiled at their friends. "Thank you for everything."

"Our pleasure," Tim insisted, watching as they left. He looked at Abby. "Think she'll be surprised?"

Abby snuggled against his shoulder. "I wish we could be there to see the look on her face. But wedding nights aren't to share."

He kissed her cheek. "Well Mrs. McGee, shall we?"

She turned shining eyes on him. "Yes, let's go home."

NCIS

A month had passed in which Gibbs and Celeste slowly fell back into their familiar pattern of friendship again. She'd occasionally bring a book and sit in the corner of his basement with a cup of tea while he worked on the boat. He would go over for dinner whenever he didn't want to be alone or if he needed someone to talk to, and sometimes they took long drives in her silver convertible, letting the wind blow in their faces and not having to say a word.

The night before Tony and Ziva's new wedding date, Celeste did the unthinkable and came over with the intention of actually having a serious, real conversation with one Leroy Jethro Gibbs. She knocked, which was quite unusual, and since they'd just seen each other on Friday and talked that morning, he wasn't expecting her. But Gibbs was only in the kitchen and didn't leave her standing outside too long.

He took in the coat draped over one arm and her grave expression and sighed, feeling an acute sense of disappointment. "You're leaving again."

Celeste looked at him for a long moment, then stepped inside. "No, I haven't changed my mind yet." Waiting until the door closed, she leaned against the wall and faced her ex-husband. "Why is it that we can be friends like this, but we didn't work as a couple?"

Gibbs' eyebrows rose and he sensed this wasn't a query he could brush off. "Need coffee," he said, striding back to the kitchen.

She took a seat on the couch and stared out the window. He returned with a mug for each of them and Celeste gamely took a sip, expecting it to be straight black the way he liked it. Her expression became one of surprise. "You remembered the sugar Jethro."

"I like the caffeine, you live for the sugar," he said simply.

Silence stretched out long enough to be considered awkward if they hadn't been two people that once shared a life, a home, a bed, and everything but their full hearts. Finally Gibbs reached out and put his hand over hers. "I'm glad you came back Celeste."

"I wanted to see..." she began, but felt her courage fading.

"You wanted to see if we had a chance," he finished for her.

Celeste's eyes filled with compassion and gentleness. "Does it still hurt Jethro? When you think about them?"

Gibbs sighed and sent his gaze past her and out the window, where the sky was slowly fading from dusk to twilight. "In some ways yes," he answered at last. "But I'm beginning to think Shannon probably would've lectured me good for holding on this long. My life didn't stop when they died, even if I wanted it to."

She tried to figure out the right thing to say. "I never wanted to get in the way of your memories of them."

"You understood better than others," Gibbs told her, appreciating her sensitivity now as he had then.

"I know I never really stood a chance then Jethro, not only a year after you buried them. But I was wondering," she took a deep breath, "do I stand a chance now?"

Gibbs set down his mug and forced himself to meet her eyes. "I always regretted what happened in our marriage. Ducky said once that you were wonderful and I drove you away, made it impossible for you to stay."

"I didn't want to leave," Celeste confessed, "but I couldn't stand being so lonely when we were in the same room. I told myself if I just got away, it would be okay. That it wouldn't hurt, that I would forget." She touched his face softly. "But it did hurt and I didn't forget, so I've kept coming back, just to see if anything would change."

"You deserve better than the guy who messed it up for you the first time," Gibbs told her sincerely. "I'm still difficult to get along with, still tied to my job, still have a hard time getting close."

She blinked twice. "I think it might be worth the work."

He smiled for the first time since she arrived, but it dropped quickly. "Might mess it up again."

Her reply surprised him. "And I might stay this time, just to prove you wrong."

"Always have to win, huh?"

"No." Her answer reflected a new maturity. "I'm after something more than just a prize."

"What are you looking for Les?" he asked, the nickname he had for her slipping out.

"Something you might be able to give this time, if I stick around."

Getting a straight answer out of her wasn't easy, not this night. But Gibbs had a feeling she was keeping it all ambiguous to protect them both in case of a fall out. If she never said the words, there'd be less hurt to walk away from. "You got time?" he questioned finally. "Might take awhile."

"All the time in the world," she said with a slight smile.

"Take it slow?" he confirmed.

"Snail's pace if that's what works."

"No pressure?"

"Practical expectations," she amended. "Are you willing to try to make us work?"

"There's every reason why we shouldn't," he hedged, then covered when her expression fell, "but I think we could beat the odds."

Celeste smiled into her coffee and brushed back her hair. "Alright then. I look forward to the challenge Jethro."

To his surprise, he felt the same. "Me too."

Afraid to mess it up if she stayed too long, Celeste stood. "I better be going."

He caught her hand as she walked past. "Les." Her eyes asked the question. "Come with me tomorrow?"

She smirked. "First date to a wedding? Aren't there superstitions about that?"

Gibbs rolled his eyes. "Don't believe in superstitious nonsense."

"Of course you don't." Celeste decided that she'd really like to finally meet the people her ex-husband had deemed family. They must be pretty special to have gotten through his armour. They might actually be closer to his heart than she ever had been, maybe they knew the secret. "What time does it start?"

"1400."

"Father of the bride needs to be early. Pick me up around one?"

"I'll be there," he confirmed.

In an unexpected move, Celeste tugged him to his feet and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you Jethro." She breathed in his familiar scent, and then let go quickly, before she made a fool of herself.

Celeste was gone before Gibbs could find any words and he looked after her in consternation, wondering if he was ready for what he'd just agreed to. But some things were worth the change, and he was fairly certain that building something with Celeste, stronger for the second time, was one of those things.

Draining his coffee, he headed back downstairs to his boat. Worth it didn't mean easy. He still lived with the ghosts and Gibbs wasn't entirely certain he wanted to be without them. Ghosts of memories were better than letting go completely. If he forgot, that would hurt worse than his wife and daughter being gone.

NCIS

The phone rang at Tony's house later that evening and he quickly snatched it up, hoping the noise hadn't disturbed Ziva, who was sleeping on the couch. "Hello?"

"Mind if I bring someone tomorrow DiNozzo?" came Gibbs' familiar gruff tone.

Tony's eyebrow rose and he shook his head. "Of course not Boss."

"It's mostly family," the older man reminded him.

"Yeah, but Ducky asked to bring Dr. Jordan and Jimmy's girlfriend Breena is coming too. No reason you can't do the same." He hesitated. "But I should probably check with Ziva, just in case."

Gibbs snorted. "Get used to that DiNozzo, always ask the wife first."

Tony smiled slowly and savoured the title Ziva would have come tomorrow. "I plan to Boss. Umm...she's sleeping right now, can I-"

"I am awake Tony," Ziva called, pushing herself up a little.

"Hang on, I'll let you talk to her." Tony rushed the phone to his fiancee and explained quietly. "Gibbs wants to bring a guest."

Ziva's eyes widened in surprise. "Hello Gibbs," she said softly.

"Ziver. How're you feeling?"

She was getting so tired of that question. "No different. Tony told me why you called."

"Got a preference?"

"Bring someone," she smiled, "our joy is meant to be shared."

"See you tomorrow," was Gibbs' sign off.

"Good night," Ziva returned. She hung up the phone and looked at Tony. "I need to go home."

He frowned. "This is home Zi."

Ziva put her palm on his cheek. "I have lived here for days Tony," she pointed out. "But tomorrow this becomes permanent and I want it to be like with other couples." She smiled. "You should not see me until tomorrow afternoon."

"That's fourteen hours," Tony joked. "I don't know if I'll make it that long." He slid his fingers between hers, letting his thumb play with her engagement ring. "What about getting ready?"

Ziva's eyes softened. "Abby is going to come over and help me in the morning. She and McGee will deliver me to Ducky's one hour before the ceremony."

He leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you Zi. I can't wait to promise that in front of everyone."

"I love you too." She shifted positions uncomfortably. "I need to use the bathroom."

Tony followed her as far as the kitchen, not giving her support unless she asked. Ziva despised showing weakness above all else. When she came out, he took her back to her apartment for the last time and kissed her goodnight. He couldn't resist running his fingers through her hair and gave her a half smile.

"You'll call me if you need anything, right? Promise?"

Ziva smiled softly. "Tony, I will be fine."

He nodded. "Yeah, but I've gotten really used to having you at my house where I can see that for myself."

She touched his face gently. "You can get used to it again after tomorrow levav sheli. I am not going anywhere."

At that point Tony had to make himself leave or else he knew he wouldn't, and he went home to dream about tomorrow and what it would be like to call Ziva his forever.

NCIS

Tony got back to his dark, empty house and dropped his keys in the dish. After standing there for a moment, he took some time to wander through the rooms while it was just him for the last time. When he got upstairs, Tony knew exactly what he wanted to do before he went to sleep.

He grabbed his laptop and got comfortable on his side of the bed. As much as he enjoyed sprawling out when he slept, Tony wouldn't miss that luxury when it meant trading his space for Ziva laying by his side every night. He glanced to his left and pictured her there before turning back to his task.

Pulling up a new document, Tony saved it to her folder and positioned his fingers on the keys. Words flowed out of him tonight, he barely had to pause to think. It was his heart poured out onto the blank screen.

It's the night before our wedding Ziva, three weeks earlier than expected, but except for the toll this pregnancy is taking on you, I wouldn't change a thing.

Tony read the words over and smiled. Each one was the truth.

I can't wait until tomorrow Zi. Aside from the surprise I have planned for you, what I most look forward to is standing there in front of our family and promising to love you for the rest of our lives.

He could imagine exactly the way the moment would go.

I'll hold your hands, looking into your eyes as I say those words, so you know I mean them from the depths of my soul. And it's okay if you're a little afraid - it's a big step we're taking and it's permanent. There's no going back, no changing our minds after tomorrow. But because of how long we've waited and how hard we've fought to get to this, the day our marriage begins, I don't think we're going to have any doubts or regrets.

Tony took a deep breath, near the end but trying to get through it without crying as he thought about the day she would read all his thoughts and his heart for her.

I love you Zi and I love your baby, who is about to become mine too. I'm ready sweetheart, to be her dad and your husband. I've run from that commitment and responsibility for years, but I'm not running now. It'll be worth it Zi, it will be so worth it once we finally have her to hold in our arms, once I have you with me for good.

He glanced at the clock and grinned.

It's almost tomorrow honey and I'm counting down the hours until you're my wife. I love you with everything I am - Tony.