Hello everyone.
Yes, it's been a while! I feel bad, and since this story is coming to a close in a few chapters, I have done something – there will be a sequel, and don't forget, this is a prequel to another story of mine. So, since I wanted to upload these chapters ASAP, they haven't been edited actually. Also, once this story is done, I shall be uploading a chapter from the sequel so you can get a taste of it, and I will upload all the deleted chapters. So, enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen | New Daughter
'Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.' – Bill Cosby
This pregnancy was different – it was real. Neytiri and Jake were ecstatic, but they decided to keep their news a closely guarded secret until she began to show. Even Dieln wasn't told, but Jake knew that he knew. If that man could figure out a fake pregnancy, Jake had no problems thinking he would be able to figure this out. He had this knowing look in his eye when he watched them, and Jake was silently praying he wouldn't tell anyone. As far as they could tell, Dieln kept mum.
Being pregnant suited Neytiri well; she was a picture of robust health in all ways but one – she spent all day, every day, on the verge of throwing up. But she greeted these setbacks with what could only be described as gleeful acceptance. She knew it meant the little one inside her was doing just fine. On one of these ill mornings, Neytiri awoke with a smile on her face. She had gotten another vision from Eywa. She wrapped her arms around her mate and kissed him softly, which caused Jake to stir. He looked at her smiling face. "What?" He asked with a chuckle.
Neytiri smiled. "You're going to have a little girl."
· · ·
A few days later, and Jake and Neytiri were contemplating telling the clan. They still hadn't even told family members, including Mo'at and young Tom, and Neytiri felt bad for keeping them in the dark. Since it was approaching Mo'at's birthday, Neytiri told Jake that they could tell her as her birthday present.
"Oh, come on! She would love to know she is getting a granddaughter," Neytiri told her mate quietly as they were outside of Hometree, setting up for a little get-together for Mo'at. Jake really couldn't remember ever having as many clan parties in the time he was an Avatar, but he didn't complain.
"Yes, that may be so. But I thought we agreed to only tell them when you were starting to show?" Jake reminded her.
Neytiri paused. She had the slightest bump, but it was barely there. "Well, yes but... she is my mother. And yours. Surely we could tell her?"
Jake could see the logic in Neytiri's words, but he was still nervous about it. Word got around in this clan, which is why he was still amazed they had been able to keep Tom secret. "Fine. We can tell her. But only after the party, all right?"
Neytiri smiled. "Okay. I love you," she said as she kissed Jake gently.
A few hours later, Nikti was helping Neytiri with her hair. At least she didn't make Neytiri yelp in pain, as Mo'at so often did when she put Neytiri's hair in braids. "Are you all right, Ney Ney?" Nikti asked her friend. "You seem a little pale."
Neytiri was most definitely pale, since multiple waves of nausea were hitting her as Nikti fussed over her hair. She forced a smile onto her features. "I will be. Just... I am just tired." That was true as well, so she wasn't outright lying.
Nikti patted Neytiri's shoulder in a comforting way. "Well, you best get a lot of sleep tonight then." She finished by placing Neytiri's brown, wood barrette just above her queue. "There. Now, come on!" She said as she took Neytiri by the hand and went downstairs. Jake was already there with Mo'at, with Tom in his arms, and he turned and smiled as Neytiri came down with Nikti. "There you two are. We were getting worried," Jake chuckled, placing an arm around Neytiri and kissing the top of her head.
"Mummy!" Tom exclaimed with a beautiful smile.
Neytiri chuckled and took her son from her husband. "We are here now." Nikti gave her signature laugh and smile, and then excused herself to go and socialise. Neytiri gave her mother an awkward hug, since she was carrying Tom. "Happy Birthday."
Tom hugged his grandma as well. "You old!" He exclaimed, and then gave another beaming smile, as if he was very proud of what he had just stated.
Jake tutted. "That is not nice, Tom," he said sternly, but his eyes were laughing.
Mo'at shrugged Tom's unintentionally rude comment off. "I know I am old," she laughed, taking her grandson. "You need not remind me, though!" Tom smiled and hugged his grandma. "How about you go and play with the other children?" Mo'at asked and placed a big, wet kiss on Tom's forehead before placing him down. Tom nodded and then raced off. "They grow up too fast," Mo'at said as she watched Tom leave.
Jake nodded in agreement to Mo'at's words. "We know," he smiled. "I'm really going to miss this part of his life."
Neytiri smiled, all the while knowing that soon they would be experiencing it again, with their new daughter. Mo'at looked at Neytiri curiously, as if she were trying to figure something out. Why were they being so coy? At least, that's what it seemed to Mo'at. "Shall we sit down?" Mo'at asked. Jake and Neytiri nodded. Since they were family, they of course got to sit with Mo'at. The moment they did, a Na'vi male came and placed some drinks on their table. Neytiri felt an overwhelming wave of nausea wash over her as she smelt the alcohol. Jake knew why, and he squeezed her hand. "Are you all right?" He asked her quietly.
Neytiri gave a white lie, and nodded. "I am," she said. It truly hit her when Mo'at passed her a drink. Oh Eywa, Neytiri thought as the scent tickled her nostrils.
A member at the table they were at, Neytiri's elder uncle, raised his drink and said, "Let us all have a toast to Mo'at!"
Jake looked at Neytiri and thought fast. She couldn't drink that, and he wasn't about to let her. But how would he go about that without suspicion? "Oh, look! A... nantang!" Jake exclaimed, pointing to the forest. It was a rather lame excuse, but Jake didn't always work well under pressure. Thankfully, everyone looked to where Jake had pointed while he grabbed Neytiri's and downed it. Neytiri's eyes widened as Jake did that. It was stronger than any alcohol on Earth, and could knock you into next week. Also, they weren't meant to be drunk as shots. Jake quickly placed Neytiri's cup down just as everyone turned back to look at him oddly. "Sorry. My mistake," Jake said.
The uncle looked at Jake strangely, as if thinking to himself, 'Avatars are strange creatures', before going on with the toast. He then gasped as he saw Neytiri's empty glass. "We must get you another!" Oh, crap, Jake thought as he was still recovering from the dizziness of the last drink. He should have switched the cups. Neytiri was trying to tell her uncle that she just didn't feel like it, but her uncle replied, "Nonsense! Good sir," he said as he turned to one of the Na'vi who had volunteered to help with this. "Could you fetch young Neytiri another drink?"
Neytiri grimaced slightly and then looked at Jake. "Are you okay?"
Jake nodded. "Fine... Just remind me to never do that again," he chuckled slightly. Neytiri squeezed his hand, and then let go as another drink was served to her. Jake grimaced as well.
The old uncle placed a hand on Mo'at's shoulder. "My sister," he said, "Here is to you. To Mo'at!" Everyone shouted Mo'at's praises, and Neytiri looked absent-mindedly at the cup. She gently took a sip, and, when no one was looking, spat it back. Unfortunately for her, Eywa wanted to play games.
Someone had been watching.
Nikti came over to the table and placed her hand on Neytiri's shoulder. "Hey! Your hair is just... oh, it is driving me mad. Come with me, I will fix it!" She said, practically dragging Neytiri out of her seat. She took her back into Hometree, and turned the corner. She stopped abruptly once out of eyesight, and turned around sharply, causing Neytiri to bump into her. She got right to the chase. "Are you pregnant?"
Neytiri blinked. She gave a laugh. "What? What on Pandora would make you think that?"
"I saw you spit out your drink. Now answer the question."
Neytiri hesitated. "Yes," she said and Nikti gasped. "But you cannot tell anyone! No one knows yet. Only Jake and I do, and now you."
Nikti smiled. "Oh my... This is great!" She exclaimed. "You should tell everyone!"
Neytiri grimaced. "I just... I cannot."
"Why?"
Jake came over then, and Neytiri gave a slight sigh of relief. "What's going on here?" He asked the two women.
Neytiri hesitated. "Nikti knows," she said. Jake paused and looked at her. Nikti shrugged.
Jake sighed. "Well, if you know, you know," he said, smiling at Nikti. "We'd appreciate your discretion."
Nikti nodded and bowed a little before leaving the two alone.
Neytiri placed her hands on Jake's shoulder. "I think we should tell them..."
Jake nodded. "I guess so. But, right now? It's your mother's birthday. I don't think she'd appreciate having the limelight taken away," he chuckled.
Neytiri smiled and patted his hand. "Come on," she said, taking him outside. She went over to her mother and said, "Do you mind if Jake and I have a little announcement?"
Mo'at looked at her daughter and son-in-law. "Of course. What is it?"
Neytiri decided to tell Mo'at before everybody. "Well... Jake and I are expecting."
Just their luck – the area had gone silent then, so basically everyone heard. They all looked at them. Jake nodded slowly. "Well, that saves us a huge announcement," he chuckled.
Tom had come up then. "'Huge announcement'?" He asked. "Of what?"
Jake scooped up his little boy and said, "You are going to have a little sister."
Tom blinked. "Really?" He smiled.
Mo'at gasped and hugged Neytiri. "Oh, I am so happy for you!" Jake and Neytiri heard the meaning behind the words. She was happy that Neytiri was truly pregnant this time. The whole clan was too, as everyone came over to congratulate Jake and Neytiri.
"Do you have a name yet?" Mo'at asked. Neytiri shook her head. "Well, you cannot go past Sylwannin," she smiled. Neytiri smiled. Naming her baby after her late sister; it was cute.
"Not a bad idea," Jake chuckled as he wrapped his arms around Neytiri.
Neytiri smiled as everyone came over to them. She gently leaned over and whispered to Jake, "See, I told you telling them would be good."
"Shut up," Jake chuckled, kissing her cheek.