Rifiuto: Non Mirena

Rivka glanced up from the spinach she was chopping; Ziva had stopped kneading the dough for the bread, a faraway look coming to her dark eyes. One hand had moved down to cradle her belly, and a small smile played on her face as she gently rubbed her tummy. Her mother chuckled softly, pushing the chopped spinach aside before grabbing the basil and proceeding to work on it.

"I know that look well." Slowly, Ziva turned to her mother.

"What look, Ima?" Rivka met her gaze.

"The one you were wearing a moment ago. It's the same look I wore when I was pregnant with you." She set the knife down, quickly wiping her hands and then reaching out to caress her daughter's cheek. "Pregnancy is a beautiful time, Zivaleh. It's the time when a woman goes from being a wife to becoming a mother, and it's meant to be cherished. And I know it hasn't been easy since the accident, since Tim came out of the coma, but he is trying."

"I know, Ima." She sighed, looking down at her belly.

"Soon there will not be enough room in there for him to move, and then I will be in labor, and then..." She swallowed. "And then I will be giving birth... I'm scared, Ima. What if I can't give birth, or something goes wrong and I have to have a c-section? What if I'm not big enough to give birth?"

"Oh, Zivaleh." Rivka gently took her daughter's face in her hands, brushing her thumbs against her cheeks. "A woman's body changes during childbirth... you have nothing to worry about. Besides, Tim will be right by your side, helping you through-"

Ziva hissed as the baby kicked, just as Tali entered from the living room. "Abba wanted to talk to Tim alone. From the look on your husband's face, Zivaleh, he was looking for the closest, quickest exit." Her gaze moved to her sister's belly. "Is he moving?" Ziva nodded. "Can I... feel it?" A moment passed before Ziva nodded, and Tali moved closer, sliding an arm around her sister's waist as she laid her hand over the swell. "Wow..." Ziva chuckled at Tali's breathless response. "Has Tim felt the baby move?"

Her sister pulled away, going to the table and taking a seat as her mother and sister followed, pulling the chairs close. "Amal is more active whenever I talk about Tim or mention him or if he hears Tim's voice. There are nights when we will be in bed talking and I will have to get up and walk around during the conversation because he will not stop moving."

"He knows his daddy." Tali replied, grinning. Ziva nodded, looking down at her stomach.

"Yeah, he does. Especially after everything we've been through." She met her mother's gaze, her fingers moving over her stomach. Tali let out a little squeal when she felt the baby kick hard against her hand.

"Oh... oh, I want one!" Rivka's smile instantly faded, and she gently tapped Tali on the back of the head. "Ow, what was that for?"

"No babies."

"But... Ima, I thought you wanted grand-babies?" Tali replied as Rivka got up and returned to her work.

"No babies, Talia!"

"But, Ima?"

"No! You are too young!"

"Malachi and I are engaged!"

"No babies until Malachi puts that wedding ring on your finger, are we clear?"

"But Ima-"

"Zivaleh's baby will tide your father and I over until you get your butt in gear and walk down that aisle, are we clear, Talia?"

The younger girl crossed her arms over her chest, pouting, a sight that sent Ziva laughing. When she finally regained her composure, she leaned close. "Been putting the wedding off?" Tali nodded, and Ziva reached up, squeezing her sister's arm. She then sat back against the chair, fingers moving to caress her belly. "Don't worry, Tali. You'll be pregnant soon enough. It doesn't take a lot to make a baby. Trust me, I know. Isn't that right, little one?"

He kicked in response, and Ziva sat up straighter, releasing a breath. Tali's head snapped up. "Ziva?"

A moment passed before her sister got up, moving away from the table towards the kitchen doorway. "Have to pee again." She groaned. "I am going to be so glad when he is out of me!" Tali chuckled, getting up and joining her mother.

"I can't believe Zivaleh's going to be a mommy soon. It doesn't seem... real."

"It can be very real if you find the right person, Talia." She stopped working on the basil and turned to her youngest daughter. "Your sister found a wonderful man, and she has started a family with him. Timothy is a good man; he's good for your sister. And... even since the accident... he's proven that he is more your sister's safe haven than anything."

"But he was in an accident, Ima. Any couple would divorce after that, baby or no baby."

"Not your brother-in-law and sister."

"But... why not?"

"Because even with the amnesia, Tim's heart recognizes the connection he shares with Ziva. And it's slowly- very slowly- bringing him back to her."

Tali nodded, tearing off a small piece of the bread dough and popping it in her mouth. She thought a moment, before glancing at Rivka. "Hey Ima?"

"Ken, ahuva?"

The girl bit her lip, gathering her courage. Better to just say it before she turkey-ed out. She swallowed the dough, buying herself time to get the words in order. Her dark gaze watched as her mother worked, noticed how Rivka still looked as young and youthful as she was in old photographs. Her mother was a very beautiful woman- and she'd passed that beauty on to both her daughters. "Do... do you think I'll be as beautiful as Zivaleh is when I'm pregnant with my first baby?"