Rifiuto: Non Mirena

Thanks to mcgeeksgirl for reviewing 59 and 61, DS2010 for reviewing 58, 59, 60 and 61; Reader aka Sun Samurai for reviewing 58, 59, 60 and 61 and Umm/My apologies for reviewing 60 and 61. And to Umm/My apologies- don't worry about it. I didn't believe that a woman could go into labor weeks earlier either until I myself went into labor with my first at 37 weeks.- Licia

"I can't believe Sarah's engaged. Did she tell you first?" His wife looked up from tracing patterns on her belly. A moment passed before she nodded. "Why did she tell you first and not me?"

"Because she knew how you'd react." He rolled his eyes.

"How I'd 'react'?" Ziva nodded. "How would I react?" His wife raised an eyebrow as he joined her on the makeshift bed.

"How you usually react whenever Sarah even talked about dating anyone- protective border-lining on stalkerish-murderer."

He glared at her. "I was not that bad." She laughed, reaching up and taking his chin in her hand.

"Yes you were, ahuva."

He moved to pull away, but she tightened her hold. "I was not." A soft giggle escaped her throat, and she grinned.

"Oh, come now. That's how I know you're going to be a wonderful father to Amal."

"How?"

"Because if you are willing to go to any lengths to protect Sarah," She started, releasing his chin. "then the lengths you will go to protect our son will be immensely greater." She kissed him quickly, before snuggling close. "Now, are we going to watch this or not?" As it got closer and closer to birth, Ziva had taken to watching birth videos on YouTube, to get a sense of what she'd be going through when labor began. So far, all the videos and documentaries she'd watched had fascinated her; and while Tim had squirmed, he'd sat by her side, watching women go through what his wife would soon be going through. "I don't see how she can be so calm."

Tim slid his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "A big part of it has to be that she trusts her body and knows that what's she's doing is ingrained, even if she doesn't realize it."

"Yeah, but... but will I be able to do that?" She turned to him. "I mean... who's to say that I... that I won't chicken out and... go to the hospital and get an epidural or have a c-section?"

"That will only happen if something goes wrong, but the pregnancy has been normal, and both you and Amal have been strong and healthy-"

"But what if I can't give birth naturally? What if I can't do that?"

He pulled away, taking her face in his hands. "Ziva, sweetheart, you can do anything and everything that you set your mind to." She nodded.

"You think so?"

"I know so." She smiled softly, nuzzling into his chest and turning her gaze back to the screen. She soon lost interest in the Youtube videos, however.

"Jason's stayed with her, Tim. He didn't abandon Sarit when she got pregnant, or when she went into premature labor, when she gave birth. He didn't abandon her after they lost their baby girl, or even after she had to have her hysterectomy. He's stayed with her... through... through the worst thing a parent can go through, the loss of a child... and he loves her. He loves her, Tim, that's why he asked her to marry him. Because he loves her, and he's willing to stand by her through everything. If they can survive the loss of their child and the chance at any other children, then they can survive marriage."

He sighed, sliding his arms around her and gently stroking her belly. "But-"

"And if we can survive your accident and the amnesia that resulted from it- and our marriage is getting stronger from it, then Sarah and Jason can survive what they've gone through and come out on the other end together. Like you and I are."

"Ziva-"

She reached down, brushing a hand over her belly. Amal kicked firmly at his mother's touch, and Ziva giggled. "I'm not the only one that thinks so. Amal certainly agrees with me, don't you, ahuva?" There was another firm kick, one that hit Tim's palm as he stroked his hand over the top of her belly. "Yeah, I know. Daddy's doing good, isn't he? His memories are slowly coming back, and he's starting to remember us a little more."

"Remember you, Ziva. I'm starting to remember you a little more. But our son-" She met his gaze, gently stroking the top of her belly.

"Amal knows, sweetheart. He understands."

"How can he understand, Ziva? He's still in your belly- he's not even born yet."

"But he still understands, Tim. He knows that we've been struggling with the repercussions of the accident, the amnesia... and he knows that you've been getting better. Because when I've been stressed, it affects him, too. But we've been doing good these last few months. And Amal knows that. And he's proud of you, Tim."

Her husband shook his head, but kept quiet. He returned to stroking her belly, running his hands over the thinned skin of her stomach, watching as their son pushed and kicked against her skin. "Look." Ziva turned to him. "That's his foot." She reached down, feeling her son's foot against her skin. She hissed softly.

"It doesn't always feel great, but it's cool to watch. Ow." She shifted, reaching up and feeling beneath her breasts. "And my ribs are right here, so it... hurts my ribs." A sigh escaped her throat, and she returned to stroking her belly. "You can come out now, ahuva. Daddy and I are anxious to meet you." But all Amal did was kick his mother in response.

Tim chuckled softly, kissing her head. "I think he's gonna be staying in there a little longer, sweetheart."