Author's Note: I do not own Storm Hawks, etc.

Chapter Ten – The Small Stuff

Aerrow took a deep breath as he stopped driving a few meters from the house. It had been a whole year since he left to look for Piper. He has been all over Atmos and there was no word of Piper. In his heart, he felt like he failed her by not finding her. He put down the kickstand and dismounted his ride.

Walking up to the door, he took another deep breath. He wondered what kind of reaction Helena would give him. He always pictured her scolding him for leaving, belittling him for not finding Piper, and telling him I told you so. But whatever reaction it was, he braced himself and knocked on the door.

When she heard this, she was in the middle of cleaning dishes. It wasn't a good day for her, Tarek had been grumpy about going to sleep and it took her two hours to do so. Of course before that, they had lunch where she ended up wearing it down her blouse. She hoped this was someone from the village because she could take her anger out on him.

She stomped over to the door and opened it. Aerrow was standing stiff for a moment as he looked at her. She was breathing heavily and wearing her undershirt.

He forced a smile to help and waved a hand, "Hi, I'm ba…"

He was stopped when Helena forced herself on him and embraced him in a kiss. She pulled back and grabbed him, nearly throwing him into the house. Then she pushed him into the bedroom and onto the bed. Taken back by this, he didn't have any chance to react as she straddled him and started taking off his clothes.

"Helena, wait. I…"

She covered his mouth with her hand, "No talk, I've been alone with the baby and taking care of everything for a whole year. You don't get to speak, lay back and let me do everything."

He blinked his eyes twice, "Um…okay?"

She removed her clothes and kissed him again.

Stork was in the study and calculating the expenses for this month. He had been working overtime to help out with the financial situation and felt bad leaving Steela at the daycare center overnight, but he had to think of them in the long run and how they were going to live.

"We have to pay 1489 this month, which gives us 356 gold as the remainder."

He leaned back in his chair and relaxed, "What could make this day any better?"

He saw the day creak open, which made him gaze in that direction, "What the…?"

He stood up and walked toward the door, Steela was inching her way into the room. His jaw nearly dropped at what he was seeing.

"Steela! You're…walking."

She looked up at him and smiled. She reached her arms up toward him. But without their support, she fell to the floor. Stork bent down and picked her up.

"Don't cry, Steela. Oh, you scraped your arms. But not to worry, uncle Stork is here."

He rocked her back and forth. Soon, she settled down and looked up at him with a smile.

"Feeling better? Uncle Stork will always be here for you."

"Stork." She said.

His eyes couldn't get any wider, "You just…said your first word."

"Stork."

"You did it again!"

"Stork."

He heaved her into the air and caught her, "This is the greatest day of my life."

She giggled when she flew, so he did it again and caught her the same way. Spinning around, she laughed and he smiled.

"Today, truly is the…" he yawned, "…greatest day."

He went upstairs and brought her to her room. It had everything he promised her a year ago. It had a crib, playpen, and bookshelves that held mostly children's books. It also had a small carousel where tiny skimmers and terras dangled from the strings above her crib.

Placing her inside, she yawned because it was nap time. He drew the small sheet over her and stroked her cheek.

"Time for us to get some sleep. I will see you tomorrow, Steela."

He walked to the door and took one last look at her, "You really are beautiful."

He flicked on one light switch for the night light and the other light switch to turn the lights off.

"Good night, Kiddo. I love you." He said and closed the door.

She rolled back and forth in the sheets trying to find a comfortable position. She felt safe as the night light illuminated the room. When she found that position, her eyes started to close.

"Stee…la…"

Helena snuggled against Aerrow as they were resting from their prolonged activity. Aerrow's eyes were wide for it had been a year for him as well. She threw an arm over his chest as she smiled.

"That was nice."

"Sure was."

"So, you didn't find her, did you?"

He shook his head, "You were right. She was nowhere to be found and I looked everywhere that is safe in Atmos. Unless she wandered into a place like the Black Gorge, I don't think she is alive anymore."

"Well, now that you are back, we have certain things to talk about."

"I guess so. What do you need of me?"

"First, we must talk about the division of the chores. Also we need to talk about spending time with Tarek as well as each other."

"So, what do you want to talk about first?"

"Okay for the chores, I was thinking that you could tend to the fields and taking care of the garbage as I do the dishes and cleaning."

"That sounds good. What about Tarek?"

"I was thinking of having some family time where we do things together."

"Good idea. What did you have in mind?"

"I don't know. Maybe like story time and some family walks around the valley."

"I could fly him around in my skimmer."

"I don't know about that, it maybe too dangerous."

"I meant when he is a little older. I am not dumb, I mean I am a sky knight, after all."

"Okay, I was going to train him to defend himself when he reaches that age."

"Well…that might not be necessary."

"Come on, he has to grow up and leave this place. He is not going to spend his whole life here with us."

"True, but the world can be scary. I mean there are cyclo…" He looked down at her and saw her glaring at him.

He cleared his throat, "Nevermind, but there are other dangers. I've met a few of them over this passed year and I don't want to put him in any danger."

"You're one to talk. You've only been with him for a month and now that you are back, you can't immediately start treating him like your son again."

"Yes, but he is my son and I am still his father, so I can care about him and worry over him as well."

She sighed, "I know you are right, but this year has been stressful. I barely had time to myself and so felt angry about you taking off shortly after the birth."

"But now, I am back and like I promised I am here for good."

"Okay, we just need to work together better for his sake."

"I agree. Now what were you talking about time with each other?"

Her devilish smile widened as she positioned herself back on top of him. This gave him a really good idea what she meant.

"Oh, I see…" He said before they joined in a kiss.