Rule 39: There Is No Such Thing As Coincidence (Tony DiNozzo Love Story)

Tony and Erin

1 Year Later, Gibbs' POV

Looking around the room, laughter and small chatter echoing around I smile.

"What are you grinning about?" I hear and turn to see Erin.

"You. Today, it's been a long time coming," I say and she smiles and nods as she looks around the room.

"Who's winning the pool?" She asks and I chuckle.

"Ducky," I admit and she laughs. I turn to her with a smile and she nods as she looks back at me.

"Makes sense," she says.

There's a clinking sound and we both turn to look and see Tony holding a glass of champagne. The room hushes and Tony smiles. He beckons a hand to Erin and I glance to her and she smiles as she walks over. Tony wraps an arm around her waist and kisses the top of her head before turning back to the room.

"I want to thank you all for being here. The past year and a half have been a bit crazy, we all have to admit, but when isn't it? Many of us didn't think this day would come after everything that happened, but I can say I'm happy it has," he says as he glances to Erin and she smiles.

"And to Erin, I always promise to look out for you, I'll always be watching your six. You are the best partner and friend, I know you'll be the best wife. I love you, have since we first met because you had me at hello," he says and Erin bursts out laughing.

"Really Jerry Maguire?" She asks and Tony smiles.

"I'm sorry, I had to," he says and we all laugh.

"Truthfully, I love you and you'll never have to question that," he says and she smiles.

"To the Dinozzo's!" Abby calls raising her glass.

"To the Dinozzo's," we reply. Erin and Tony smile and kiss.

Everyone in the room has their own small speech to give and we listen, laughing at different points remembering the past.

When Ducky finishes, he turns to me as I am the last one to speak.

"You know when Erin came into my life I thought maybe I was getting a second chance at something. If I had known it was going to be like this, maybe I'd have reconsidered," I chuckle and everyone laughs. "When Tony came around, well I don't have the words for what I initially thought of him," I say.

"Hey!" Tony argues and I smile.

"In all honesty, it was clear to everyone that the two of you were meant to be. As much as Erin tried to fight it at the beginning, we all remember that," I say as I look around the room and everyone smiles and nods. "It was bound to happen, the two of you were practically at each other's hip most of the time and when Tony asked me all those years ago to marry you and seeing the look in his eyes, much like today, I knew I couldn't deny him. As much as I didn't think he was ready to deal with Erin," I chuckle.

"There was no one better than him that I could trust to keep her in line and safe, and loved," I say and catch Erin and Tony's eyes. Erin smiles and a tear slips from her eyes.

"To Tony and Erin, may you have the best years to come and all the love you deserve," I say.

"To Tony and Erin," everyone echoes.

Erin and Tony walk over and Erin wraps me in a hug and I can't fight the smile that comes to my face.

"You're a big ol' softy, you know that?" She asks and I nod.

"Yeah, I know."

"I love you, pops," she says and my chest tightens.

"I love you too, E," I say and she smiles. I turn to Tony.

"Look after her," I say as I head out and he nods and offers his hand to me.

"Always will," he answers and I nod, shaking his hand.