Rifiuto: Non Mirena

Thanks to mcgeeksgirl for reviewing 46, 50, DS2010 for reviewing 44, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50, and Reader aka Sun Samurai for reviewing 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50.

Week Thirty-Six

"Your cervix is starting to dilate and efface, but that will take awhile- first time moms usually don't dilate very quickly, however I did notice that you're a centimeter dilated, so. I also noticed that your joints are loosening, because you've started waddling."

"I was trying to avoid it-"

Jeanne shook her head. "Not possible by now. Your joints have loosened so they'll be ready for birth. Sorry, Ziva. And you've lost bits of your mucus plug, but not much. You still have four weeks left, however, it's not uncommon for first time moms to go overdue by a week or so But we'll watch it." Ziva nodded. "Oh, and you said something about thinking of going to the birth center I work at also?"

"We checked it out a couple weeks ago." Tim said, helping Ziva sit up. Jeanne nodded.

"And we want to have the baby there."

The doctor raise an eyebrow. "Really?"

Ziva nodded. "Yeah, we... we like the atmosphere and everyone was really nice."

"My staff is wonderful. They all have at least fifteen years experience delivering babies, which is good. And we use a range of ways to help mothers cope during labor and birth, without the use of drugs-"

"Which is what we both liked about it. Hospitals are so-"

"Primitive, and they often push birthing mothers into things that aren't good for them or the baby, all so they can make more money." Jeanne finished; clearly she'd said this before. "Labor and childbirth is- as I've always told my staff- about two things: the mother and the baby. They are and always should be the focus during labor and delivery, not the money. And we won't make you do something you don't want to do; if you aren't comfortable with something, we won't do it. It's your choice, because it's about you and the baby."

As Jeanne walked them out, she added, "Oh, and you probably won't feel as much movement from now on, since the uterus is getting tighter due to the baby's growing." The couple shared a glance.

"Clearly, Jeanne, you don't know our little Amal." Tim replied, as they left after making an appointment for the next week.

Once in the car, Ziva turned her attention to her son. "Did you hear that, ahuva? I've started dilating, which means you'll be here soon. Isn't that exciting?" Despite the fact that space was limited the baby kicked, and Tim chuckled.

When they got home, Ziva made a beeline upstairs; after emptying her bladder- again- she quickly undressed, studying herself in the bedroom mirror. Her belly was nice and round; she had quickly, in the course of a few months, become all soft curves and dulled edges. She stroked the skin of her belly, pushing gently as she moved her hands up and down.

Amal kicked hard against her hands, and Ziva chuckled softly. "I know, ahuva. Jeanne said that you would probably slow down in your movements, but she doesn't know you. Not like Daddy and I do." The baby kicked again, and Ziva shook her head. "No, sweetheart, Daddy's downstairs right now." Another hard kick. "I know, ahuva, I mentioned Daddy, and Daddy's not here-" She stopped, feeling strong arms go around her from behind. His hands slid over her middle, and she then felt a firm kiss on her throat.

"Amal wants to play, hmm?"

She turned to him. "What are you doing up here?" He shrugged.

"I fixed tea, figured you'd want some."

She whispered a soft thank you before settling down on the bed; Tim joined her, stretching out and reaching over to rub her belly. A moment passed, as Ziva watched her husband, before she spoke up. "Sarah can't have children."

He looked up at her, his hand stilling against her stomach. Amal kicked firmly, trying to get his father to continue, but Tim sat up, moving closer to him. "Wait, what?"

Great, now you've done it, Ziva. That wasn't your secret to share, it was Sarah's! What the hell were you thinking?

She quickly glanced at her husband; there was something in his gaze that she couldn't read, something that screamed volumes to her that she'd just opened up the cellar door and found herself looking into the eye of the storm-

"What do you mean my sister can't have children?"

Don't say anything, don't say anything, don't say anything!

"She... she had an affair with a fellow photojournalist that she works with... when they were in Italy and she... she got pregnant."

Tim's eyes widened in shock. "Wait a minute... what?"

Ziva bit her lip. "She got pregnant and... and she had the baby at... at twenty-four weeks..." What are you doing? What the hell is wrong with you? Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP! "And... the baby was a pound and five ounces... she died an hour after she was born... the... the placenta, it... it tore away and she bled out... they did a hysterectomy... you have a niece, Tim... Sh... Shanti... it means peace..."

"Wait, so I... I have a niece..."

She nodded, watching as her husband stood. "Tim, where are you going? Tim!" It took her a moment before she followed, reaching the foyer just as he grabbed his keys and pulled on his light jacket. "Timothy!" She grabbed his arm, causing him to turn back. "Where are you going?" Though I think I know, because it's my fault in the first place.

He met her gaze. "I need to talk to my sister." Then, without another word, he left, shutting the door behind him. Ziva sighed, resting her hands on her stomach. She'd really put her foot in it this time.

Maybe Sarit will let me have my son before she kills me.