Rifiuto: Non Mirena

Ziva looked up as Tim slipped into the house, shutting the door softly behind him. She came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel, in the process of fixing dinner. "How did everything go with Sarit?" He removed his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the door.

"Um... Good."

"So we're okay?" He nodded.

"Yeah, we're okay. Oh, and she wanted me to tell you something, but I can't remember it at the moment." His wife nodded, and returned to the kitchen. Tim followed, pulling out the Brita pitcher and pouring a glass of water. Setting his glass down, he moved towards her, sliding an arm around her waist. "Mmm... something smells good. What are you making?" Ziva giggled as he pressed a series of kisses to her neck.

"Chicken albondigas and Ptitim. I hope that's okay. It's pretty much just-"

"Chicken meatballs and Israeli couscous. I know." She smiled, popping a slice of black olive into her mouth as he slid his hands back and forth over her belly, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Mmm. I love your cooking. I think Amal does too." She laughed as the baby kicked hard, and then stopped, turning to her husband as what he said registered with her.

"You remember my cooking?"

A moment passed before he nodded. "Yeah, some of it."

"Oh, Tim-" She kissed him softly, shifting to face him. Her arms slid around his neck, and he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer. It was only when Amal began pedaling against his father's hand that they broke the kiss, turning their gazes to her stomach. "Sorry, ahuva, but we won't be able to get a room without you for a while. Not for the next few weeks, at least." The baby kicked, seemingly in annoyance, and Ziva laughed. "He is one stubborn little boy."

"Can you imagine how much grief he'll give us when he becomes a teenager?" Tim winced at his own words, and Ziva laughed, meeting his gaze.

"Maybe so, but admit it, Timothy. You won't change a thing." He thought a moment.

"Actually, you're right, I won't."

After dinner, Tim and Ziva headed upstairs, where he drew another warm bath, helping her into it. As they settled down within the water, Ziva reached up, brushing her fingers against her husband's jawline. She sighed softly, letting the water and the feel of her husband's arms around her relax her. His hands gently moved up and down her stomach, tracing patterns on her stretching skin, which the baby took to be play. Even when Amal kicked her hard in the ribs, Ziva just winced but kept quiet, savoring what were the last four weeks of her pregnancy.

She sighed. "I bought a book a couple weeks ago and I've just gotten around to reading it."

"What's it about?" She laid her head back against his shoulder as he continued stroking her belly, enjoying the feel of his hands against her skin, of the relief the water brought to the itching, and feel of her husband's arms around her.

"Orgasmic birth." Tim pulled away, looking down at her, one eyebrow raised.

"I'm sorry?" She sat up, shifting slightly to face him. He pressed gently at the bottom of her stomach, and Amal shifted towards his father's hand before turning back. "Ah... Orgasmic... birth?" She nodded.

"Yes."

"What the hell is orgasmic birth?"

His wife rolled her eyes, settling back against him, her fingers moving to rub slow circles at the top of her belly. "Just what the name is. It's... it's entering a natural state of ecstasy, of... pleasure, brought on by the labor and birthing process. It puts the focus on both the mother and baby during the birthing process, and that intimate connection between a mother and child that's formed during both the pregnancy and the birth."

Tim nodded. "And this is... what you... want to have?"

"Well, I hope my birth is orgasmic."

"Why?" Ziva rolled her eyes.

"Sweetheart, I love you, but you're male, and frankly, you wouldn't understand."

"Look, if you want an orgasmic birth, that's fine, just... just be careful." She turned to him.

"Tim, ahuva, there's nothing dangerous about orgasmic birth. It's just... just reaching a higher level of understanding between a woman and her body. That's all it is. Just a higher level of understanding." She turned her gaze back to her belly, stroking it gently. "It's supposed to be very sensual, an orgasmic birth. For the woman and the baby. There is... minimal risk of something going wrong because oxycotin is released during the birth, which relaxes the muscles of the uterus and the cervix- and since I'm going to be giving birth at Jeanne's birth center, there's a lower risk that I'll be induced and given an epidural, like I would be in a hospital. My risk of having a c-section goes down and... the use of my body, being allowed to use my body and follow its commands is higher. In the hospital, I'd have to listen to the doctor and all they'd do would be pump me full of drugs, possibly slice me open- I don't want that. I wouldn't be able to give birth the way I want to in the hospital."

Her husband sighed. "It's up to you, Ziva. It's your body that's gonna be going through labor. I'll be there supporting you any way I can."

She looked up at him. "Toda."

"Al lo davar." The kiss was soft, tender, but quickly broken as Amal kicked firmly.

By the time they got out of the bath, Ziva was absolutely relaxed as she pulled on a bra and pair of underwear and settled back against the pillows. "Hey, Tim?"

He stretched out beside her, rubbing her belly. "Hmm?"

"Did Sarah tell you about Jason?"

He stopped, and Amal kicked, trying to get his father to keep going. "Yeah. They're living together, why?"

She shrugged. "I was just curious."

"Oh, now I remember what Sarah wanted me to tell you." She turned to him.

"What?"

He bit his lip. "Wanted me to inform you that after Amal's born, she's gonna kill you."