If anyone thought this would be your average, cheerful wedding reception dinner…well, they were wrong. Aside from the astounding proud family of Delilah's, majority of the room was in a whirlwind of oblivion when it came to what was currently happening at the bride and grooms table.
Mark scooched his chair closer to Ziva's chair, his arm resting behind her back and wrapping around to the front of her hip. Ziva leaned forward, hoping that his arm would fall and he would quickly remove it in embarrassment, but neither happened. Saved by the bell, or rather Gibbs clinking his wine glass with a knife, it was time for the maid of honor and best man's speeches.
Ziva stood up carefully, pulling the hem of her dress down and fumbling with the microphone given to her by the waiters.
"Um, hello…" She started off slowly, realizing that public speaking was definitely not her forte.
"Mommy?" Isabella questioned what she was doing, trying to stand out of her high chair to join her mother.
"I would like to thank you all for coming today for our dear friends and family, Timothy and Delilah. It has been a wonderful evening and I'm sure that the night has just begun…" She gazed down at Delilah who held her hands over heart in a loving gesture she watched her friend's speech. "I will start by saying how thrilled I am to see Tim get his happily ever after. I have known him for almost fifteen years now and met him on my first day in the U.S. I had not known when I met him that I would be getting not just a friend, but a brother I could count on to save me at moments when needed most… moments when I was not aware that I needed saving because I was being stubborn and did not believe the people around me were there to support me…" She smiled at McGee, the faltering scenario playing out in only four member of the room's heads. "Or even love me…" She trailed on, glancing quickly at Tony who felt the chambers of his heart, twist like a ribbon. "I was lucky enough to have Tim there for me at the worst of times and also, the best of times. I want him to know that today on, I will also be there for you because you are…the brother that I never had." She choked up, realizing that Tim was what Ari never was. Clearing her thoughts and knowing the few people around her knew that she hated to cry, she went to continue on when Tim stood up from his chair and walked over to her. He leaned in, giving her a tight hug and kiss on the cheek, the full understanding of her statement weighing heavily on him. Enduring on, "Delilah, however… I have not known for that long. I think I met you three or four years ago when you started assisting NCIS." Ziva smiled at Delilah. "I knew from the moment I saw you and Tim together at his computer that you were the one for him. I have seen people use him and take him for what he is worth for their own sakes… but not you. You are compassionate with him unlike anyone else I have seen him with. You bring out the best in him and I am so lucky to see you both on this journey with each other. I know that I have not known you that long, but I also see where he has brought out the best in you. He definitely brought out the competitive player in you." Ziva laughed, receiving awkward glances from around the room.
"Gamer…not player," McGee shouted towards her with a laugh.
"Ah, yes. Gamer. I suppose player is another word for someone at this table." She pointed out with a snarl, unaware of the face Tony made from her shading. She returned to her thoughts quickly, "I am so happy to share this day with both of you and that Tim could find the love of his life. I am also honored that I have met a sister out of all of this… I could not ask for anything else," Ziva smiled, setting the microphone down and hugging Delilah as she walked over to her.
"That was amazing, you're so cute!" Delilah cried, hugging Ziva again.
Ziva sat back down at her seat, failing to avoid Mark's advance towards her. He kissed her temple, "That was great, beautiful!" He smiled, clapping again for her.
Tony crumpled up a piece of paper in his hands that he had ready for a speech, the anger spilling out of him as quickly as water jets out of a faucet.
"Why are you doing that to your speech?" Lisa asked, giving him an odd look.
"Because I fucking want to." Tony spit back, standing up and taking the microphone from the table.
"Good evening, all. I'd also like to thank you today for coming to see two of my favorite people wed. Luckily for all of you, I'll be using contractions as well, so this won't take as long." The audience around him chuckled, unaware that he wasn't joking. His curtness cutting through Ziva like one of her knives. "I've known Tim for seventeen years now and I'm proud to say that my Mc-loser has finally become a man. He's always been my little brother and the butt of my jokes…. Literally, the guy's such an asshole when he wants to be," Tony joked, laughs filling the room. "Not at all, actually. Tim here, is the most genuine guy I have met, besides myself of course. If you need him to drop everything and travel the world with you, he would. If you needed him to set you up a hot date over an internet connection, he would. Hell, I've even had hot, gaming dates with him from time to time. I'm so fond of Delilah and the relationship that they have created together. They're the 'relationship goals' of every good looking gaming duo out there on the planet," He held up his hands to make air quotes. "But most of all, they're a wonderful and loving couple who I know I can always count on. To you guys!" Tony helped up his wine glass in a toast and set down the microphone. The audience clapped, Tony bringing the strong, white liquid to his lips and gulping it down in order to remove the sight in front of him. Ziva was leaned into Marks side, whispering in his ear about what food Isabella and Ty ordered, little to Tony's other thoughts.
McGee walked over and man hugged Tony, followed by Delilah giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Tony's impolite comments towards Ziva didn't go unnoticed by Delilah or McGee, however and for that, they would discuss with him later.