Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Tim looked up as the waitress set the coffees down in front of them. The three sat outside in front of a small café, not far from the apartment they had just bought. Asher took a bite of his sundae, glancing between his parents. Neither said anything, so lost in their own thoughts were they. Eventually, Ziva broke the silence.
"Thank you, Tim. For buying the apartment." He chuckled softly, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Not a problem. You said it yourself. We're a family. We need our own home." She nodded, reaching out and taking his hand.
"And now, all we need to do is move in and make it look and feel like home." He gave her a soft smile, before glancing at Asher, who quickly returned to his sundae. After several minutes, the waitress brought two pieces of berry pie out and placed one in front of Tim and one in front of Ziva. They shared a confused glance, before Tim stopped the waitress.
"Um, we didn't order-"
"I know." She pointed towards another table, where a young woman sat, reading a book. "She ordered them for you." Both Tim and Ziva followed the waitress's gaze; the woman had her back to them, but her short, chestnut brown curls gave no indication as to who she was.
Once they were both preoccupied, she dared to sneak a glance over her shoulder. She'd seen them talking with the realtor in Georgetown, just happening to pass by on her bike as they came out of the building and shook the man's hands, and she'd nearly been hit by a car after stopping in the street, she'd been in such shock. She hadn't expected to see them in America, and yet, they were here.
Until they came to the café; she'd had a small inkling that they were who she thought they were, but she hadn't been sure; not until she saw the woman fiddling with her necklace, and then, she was absolutely certain they were the ones she was looking for. Seeing the little boy and his father only confirmed it; how could she forget a child as adorable as him? And his father...
Yes, she had finally found them. Now, she just needed to find a way to approach them.
"When can we move into the apartment?" Asher asked, holding tight to Ziva's hand as the three head up the stairs to Tim's apartment.
"As soon as your things get here from Tel Aviv, so most likely another week or so." Asher let out a groan of annoyance and stamped his foot.
"That is not fair!"
"Hey! What have I told you?" The boy had the good sense to look ashamed. Ziva had never tolerated tantrums, and had made sure to scold it out of Asher early. It had been hard enough, being a single woman working in Mossad, but to be a single mother working in Mossad had been near impossible, and so she'd made sure that her son was well-behaved and polite early on. Just like your Abba.
"I am sorry, Ima."
"I know it's not fair, Asher, but just be patient. As soon as your things arrive, we can start moving in, and once we're moved in-"
"We will be a family?" The boy asked, looking up at him as he took Tim's hand. He was surprised to feel the small hand tucked willingly within his, and after a moment, he nodded, giving his son a small smile.
"Yes. We will be a family. With a home of our own." The boy grinned, before his mouth dropped in surprise.
"Can I decorate my room anyway I want, Abba?" His parents shared a glance. A moment passed, before Ziva replied,
"He has had his own room, but he has never been able to think of it as his." Tim nodded, understanding. As they got to the apartment door, and he pulled out his keys, he let go of his son's hand, turning to him.
"Of course you can." Asher let out a cry, throwing his arms around Tim's waist.
"Toda, Abba! Toda!" His parents watched him dash into the apartment before following.
"I'd say he's excited, wouldn't you?" He asked, turning to Ziva. She chuckled as she removed her coat, and then went to him, taking his hand. She searched his face for several minutes, before,
"Thank you, Tim."
"For what?" She reached up, caressing his cheek.
"You are putting your own life into an upheaval to make Asher more comfortable with his new life in America and his new place in your heart."
"I'm his father, Ziva. He will always have a place in my heart, and... as far as my own life..." He shrugged, reaching up and taking her hand in his. "My life needs some upheaval. A little upheaval is a good thing- especially if it's for the right reason." She chuckled softly, meeting his gaze.
"You do not mind? Me coming back into your life and... bringing the son we created eight years ago? How can you not mind that? I am... sure any other man would deny his paternity-"
"You obviously don't know me as well as you think, Ziva. I would never deny a child of mine, blood or not. If I was told the child was mine, the last thing I would do is turn them away. And Asher..." He laughed, glancing over at the little boy, who was picking through the books on the shelf. "well, anyone that takes one look at him, knows that he's my son." He pressed a kiss to her hand, before leading her into the kitchen and fixing tea. When Asher settled at the table with Tim's copy of David Copperfield, his parents shared a glance, chuckling. The boy didn't even look up as Tim's cell rang.
"Tim, what is wrong?" He met her gaze as he stood; she had moved to the sink, putting her mug in the sink after rinsing it.
"I forgot, I have an appointment." He bit his lip, and glanced at her.
"What appointment?" He slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Nothing major, it shouldn't take too long. I should be back in an hour or so." She looked up at him, on the verge of saying something, when his lips met hers in a quick kiss. Asher turned to look at them; they just stared at each other, unsure of what to do or say in response to their surprise, impromptu kiss. Tim stammered for several minutes, before Ziva stepped aside. Once he was gone, she dared to brush her fingers over her lips.