Rifiuto: Non Miriena
"So, did you finally make a decision?" Asher looked up at Tim, confused.
"On what?" Tim chuckled softly, leaning down and wrapping his son in his arms as he ruffled the dark hair.
"About dinner, silly. Remember? We told Ima we'd be back with dinner in an hour or so. She said she didn't care what we got, just as long as we got something?" The boy laughed as Tim tickled him, struggling to get away.
"Abba, stop! No more tickles!"
"Did you say more? All right." The little boy let out a shriek of laughter, before Tim pressed a firm kiss to his son's head. "So, what did we decide?" He asked, leaning down to hear his son's reply. The boy whispered softly in his ear, and he turned to him. "I didn't hear that. What was it?"
"Pizza!" Tim chuckled, pressing another kiss to his son's head before taking his hand and leading him into the small pizza parlor. As soon as they made it up to the counter, Asher rose on his toes, leaning against the counter. "Ima said we could order pizza!" Tim chuckled at the young man's confused look.
"His mother." He clarified. "Now," he leaned down, meeting his son's eyes. "What kind do you want?" The boy thought a moment. "We already agreed on pepperoni-" the child turned to him, eyes wide.
"Cheese-less with pickles, Ta-bas-co sauce and peanut butter!" He cried, turning to the cashier. Tim groaned, rolling his eyes as he stood.
"Okay, I am going to have to have a serious talk with Sarah about exposing you to her eating habits." He muttered. "Just a couple pepperoni pizzas, please."
They sat on the floor, a pizza box between them, taking a break from unpacking. Ziva had pulled her hair back into a messy ponytail, and was watching in disgust as her son added peanut butter to his pizza after removing the pepperoni and cheese. She glanced at Tim. "You are going to talk to your sister, ken?" He nodded, disgust flashing through his eyes.
"Oh, yeah." She gave him a small smile, leaning up to meet his lips in a soft kiss.
"Toda." He mouth softly against her lips, and stole another gentle kiss before pulling away at Asher's giggles.
"Eew." Tim chuckled, rolling his eyes as he took a bite of his own slice. They ate in silence for several minutes, before Asher asked, "Abba, why do you kiss Ima?" The pair shared a glance, before Tim swallowed and bit his lip.
"Because I want to." Asher's brow furrowed.
"Why?" The serious look on his son's face forced him to consider his answer for a few minutes. He sighed and glanced as Ziva, taking her hand. A moment passed, before he met Ziva's gaze and whispered softly,
"Because I love her." Her eyes widened in shock, and her mouth dropped as she struggled to form words. He turned his gaze to Asher, a soft grin tugging at his lips. "I love your Ima, and I always have. I guess... from the moment I met her, I was in love with her. And... kissing her is a way to... show her that I love her." The boy nodded, slowly understanding.
"Oh. Do you love me?" Tim chuckled.
"Yes, I love you very, very much." He leaned forward, taking his son's chin in his hand and pressing a kiss to his forehead. The boy giggled.
"Abba!" Ziva couldn't help laughing, Tim's words running circles in her head.
The boy tugged the sleeve of Tim's shirt up, tracing the knot on his father's wrist. Ziva watched from her place in the doorway, listening to the soft conversation between her boys. She sighed; never, in her wildest dreams, did she ever truly think that she would be standing here, in her own home, with the father of her son. That she would be in America...
"Ima?" She was interrupted when Asher looked over at her. Pushing herself away from the wall, she perched next to Tim the edge of the bed. Gently, she reached up, brushing her fingers through his hair.
"What is it, my angel?" She whispered, searching his face.
"Abba will not leave us, will he?" She stalled in her brushing, and glancing at Tim, who laid a hand on her back. A moment passed before she turned back to Asher.
"No, my angel. Abba is staying right here, with us. And we are staying with him. What did Abba tell you when you asked?" The boy swallowed, glancing at his father.
"Said he would stay." Tim chuckled, and pressed a kiss to her head.
"And I am sure he meant it. Abba keeps his promises." She leaned over, meeting his eyes. "Now, go to sleep, my angel."
Something gnawed at her as she slipped into bed beside Tim. "You meant it, ken? You will not leave us?" Tim's green eyes turned to her, surprised.
"Why would I, Ziva? Where did you ever get an idea like that?" She shrugged.
"Asher asked..." He took her hand, squeezing her hand.
"And I told him the same thing I'm telling you. I wouldn't dream of leaving you, not when I've finally found you again. Ziva, I'm staying right here. Okay?" She nodded, wrapping her arms around him.
"I lost you once, and I could not bear it, Tm." She sniffled, nuzzling into his neck. He held her closer pressing a kiss to her hair. "I feel as though this is a dream-"
"It's not dream, Ziva. We're a family, we're together again, and nothing and no one is going to tear us apart. I promise." He whispered, pulling away to look into her eyes. She nodded; it was finally sinking in that this was real, that she had found him, that they were a family, and that they had a home together.
"I just... I spent so many hours, so many years, dreaming, and... and I am afraid I will wake up and... and you will vanish..." He shook his head.
"No. It's real. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."