Meant to Be

The Speech

"Well the lucky participate will be..."
Tony announced as the guests awaited eagerly anticipating the answer. "None other then Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard!" Tony finished with a spokespersons mannerism as he emphasized Ducky. Abby gasps in shock as Palmer grins ear to ear encouraging the doctor, his mentor, that he will do well. Ducky gets up from his seat and he walks over to a podium near the DJ.
Tony and Ziva wait in anticipation to hear the words of wisdom chosen from their "weird uncle like" figure about marriage. It amused both husband and wife of the irony of the situation as they bother remembered the vows conversation they had years ago when Tony mentioned the weird uncle giving the speech.

"Ahem... Well Anthony and dear Ziva..." Ducky begins in his well known accent. "I have worked with the both of you for years, Anthony, I had the privilege to have worked with you for a bit longer, although in this instance it feels like I have known both of you for the same amount of time..." Ducky pauses for a moment. "Through the times I have known the two of you I have witness, along with others who I will not mention at this current moment, the unforsaken bond that both of you shared. It was clear that neither of you were aware at the start that you had feelings for each other. As time went on however, it became more apparent to me and your other coworkers just how much you truly cared for the other... Ziva." Ducky says as he spots her out while making his speech. "I remember a time when Anthony was concerning you due to a secret relationship unknown to anyone at the time. I was with you at the bar and you brought up Anthony. The tone in your voice confirmed my suspicions, that there was more then met the eye from questioning your partner's whereabouts." Ducky pauses and takes a sip of wine and then continues. "Anthony my dear boy," Ducky says as he switches his gaze over to Tony. "I will never forget the look in your eyes when you came back from Israel. The time you took a visit to autopsy, laid on an examining table, and spoke of your lack of sleep and the feeling that you made a mistake. It was very obvious that you had lost your love, you just did not know how to admit it even to yourself." As Ducky brought back difficult memories for Tony, Ziva looked over to her husband to see what emotions he would show. He seemed shaken by the memory. Ducky quickly resumed. "Now none of the past is relevant. Your paths have crossed yet again and you have a beautiful daughter who has two parents who would give the world to her. My advice to you both, my dear friends, there will be good times and trials as well in your journey of marriage, however the bond you have will overcome whatever comes your way. Each of you are the others rock, the foundation in which you are starting to build your new life together. Use that to your advantage in difficult times and nothing will hold your love for each other back." Ducky smiles and says, "In closing I would like to share a few wise words as good old Charles Dickens once said, "A loving heart is the truest wisdom!" He added, "Love each other my dear friends and the rest will surely be well!" After Ducky finishes, the guests all applauded as Ducky headed off to Ziva and kissed both her cheeks. Tony then reached to shake Ducky's hand, however Ducky pulled Tony in for a hug instead.

The DJ announced, "Who's ready for some cake?"

Thank you for reading. Please tell me what you think.

Sarela25