Rifiuto: Non Miriena

"So... what... is this showing us the future now?" He choked out. They'd taken the last twenty minutes trying to figure out exactly what the images- because memories was an impossible term to use for something that had never happened- were and what they meant, and neither had been able to come up with a good, viable conclusion.

"I don't get it. First it showed us the past, and then... the... images of the present and now... what is this? Some fucked up version of A Christmas Carol?" She cried, throwing her hands up.

"Honestly, Jojo, I have no clue-" He stopped, something having caught his eye.

"Zane? Zane? He-llo?" She waved a hand in front of him before smacking him hard on the shoulder, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned her around, pointing to whatever he was looking at.

"Jo, look." She felt her mouth drop, and she struggled to speak.

"I... is that... am I..." She couldn't say it; even as the image stood in front of her, she couldn't say it.

They stood in a nursery, in what appeared to be Jo's house. The walls were painted a soft peach and white and she gently folded a baby blanket and laid it within the white bassinet by the window. A beautiful cherry oak rocking chair sat in the corner, surrounded by various other things a baby required, and after several minutes, she turned, a smile on her face as she reached out for someone. Zane came into the image, and he twisted her around, wrapping his arms around her distended belly and holding her close. Music could be heard coming from the stereo in the living room, and gently, the pair began to sway.

"It's perfect. Everything... it's absolutely perfect." He nodded, pressing a kiss to her hair, but didn't respond. "Thank you for doing this for me, for her." She whispered, turning in his arms to meet his gaze. He gave her a soft smile. "You must have had to rush to get this finished." He shrugged.

"It's wasn't hard; Carter and Henry and Fargo were a big help. Lucas and Zoe even pitched in when they could. We just... wanted to make sure it was done and ready so you could see it before she comes." He replied as she turned completely around in his arms. A smile tugged at her lips, and she leaned up to kiss him, laying a hand on his chest to steady herself. The kiss was soft and gentle, and he rested his forehead to hers for several minutes before pulling away. "How are you doing, by the way?" He asked, leading her from the nursery to their bedroom. He helped her onto the bed and then climbed up next to her, propping himself onto his elbow to watch her. She sighed, hands reaching down to caress her stomach.

"Okay, I guess. I'm anxious, you know?" She quickly licked her lips. "I... I want to meet her, but... but she's been... she's been... growing and moving inside me that... I don't know, I... I guess I'm just... nervous about everything. Her birth and... what'll happen after..." She looked up at him, and he gave her a soft, reassuring smile.

"You'll be fine, Jojo. I'll be right here, by your side, like I have been for everything. I can't imagine being away from you when she's born. I want to be here for every moment, from the time you go into labor until she's laid in your arms. I might rush out and get Carter and let him meet her, but other than that, I'll be right here. By your side, every step of the way." She smiled at him, reaching up to brushing her fingers over his cheek. He kissed her fingertips, reaching down to lay a hand over her belly.

The baby kicked against her father's hand, and he chuckled softly, leaning down to brush his lips over the distended skin of his wife's round tummy. "I love you, selkie pup. I have from the moment you were concieved. And mommy and I... we can't wait to meet you. Try to be patient, sweetheart, you've got another couple weeks before it's time for you to come into the world. Be patient, selkie pup, you'll be out soon."

"You know, she's not going to like that nickname when she hits sixteen." He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her lips.

"Maybe not, but I'm her father."

"But seriously, Zane? Selkie? Irish mythology?" He shrugged.

"Hey, I just suggested her name, you didn't have to go along with it." She sighed, returning her hand to her stomach and gently tracing patterns over her skin.

"How do we know she won't be mocked for her name? Bridget is not a common name-"

"Neither is yours and neither is mine. She comes from a very... rare family of names. She will be fine. Besides, I didn't suggest Bridget, I suggested-"

She groaned, cutting him off, and struggled to push herself to a sitting position. He helped her sit up, and she sighed. "This is getting ridiculous. I can't see my feet, I look and feel like a beach whale, my hormones are entirely out of whack... and I'm tired of her playing soccer with my intestines." She directed the last phrase to her belly, and he chuckled.

"Well, you want to know what I think?" She turned to look at him.

"What?"

"I think, that you've never looked more beautiful. Because you're carrying our child." She rolled her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "You're gorgeous, and this little one growing inside you just makes you even moreso. And I'm not saying it to get on your good side, I'm saying it because it's true." She sighed, looking up at him.

"Promise?" He nodded, and after a moment, she accepted his soft kiss to seal the deal.

Jo turned away from the fading image, eyes locking with Zane'sown surprised gaze. "Please tell me that the next one isn't going to be-"

She didn't get to finish, as a scream cut her off.