Chapter Seventeen | Our Little Family

'It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.' – Johann Schiller

The Tsahík of the Omaticaya clan sat on a log on the outskirts of Hometree in the evening, watching the world go by. Her ears flickered as she heard the sound of children playing, and she turned to see her children doing various activities around the river. Kyoki was undergoing a tickle attack from her friend Yol Kxetse, and Tom with his friend, Ta'em, playing with a ball made out of a material similar to rattan. Lanuah sat on the outskirts with Reiqa, both of them engaged in some conversation which Neytiri couldn't hear.

Neytiri got a bit of a start as she felt strong arms wrap around her, and then felt lips press a loving kiss to her temple. "I see you," Jake said to her.

Neytiri turned to look at him and gave a smile. "Hey yourself," she chuckled, and Jake gave a laugh too as she didn't greet him how she usually did. He followed her gaze to see their two daughters and son playing with their friends. He felt a sense of wholeness as he watched them, the likes of which he hadn't truly felt in a long time. Sure, they weren't perfect, but Jake wouldn't want any other children to be his.

Neytiri looked down at the floor for a moment, and, snapping Jake out of his thoughts, asked, "Do you think Kiyeri will ever try to come back?"
Jake scoffed. "Hats off to her if she tries. I think I managed to scare her off." His topaz eyes focused on Tom, watching him aim his bow, and then firing a pretty perfect shot.

"You think he'll ever figure it out?" was Neytiri's next question. Tom, unlike Kyoki and Lanuah, carried no Avatar traits. He hadn't truly questioned it, but his sisters had traits such as five fingers, a lower queue, and a more human-like nose.

Jake shook his head. "Well, if he does… Hey, that's what death beds are for." Neytiri frowned at her mate and went back to watching her children. Jake ruffled her hair gently. "It'll be fine."

Neytiri hoped he was right. They would cross that bridge when it came, she supposed. Before she knew what was happening, Jake brought her head back and forcefully kissed her. Neytiri squeaked in alarm, and broke it off. "Jake - ! Cut it out!" she laughed softly, since they were in public. They weren't exactly young, and they couldn't really get away with such behaviour any longer.

Jake smiled and winked at her. He was about to add something when the group of children broke off, and Tom, Lanuah and Kyoki came up to their parents. "Hey da, ma, can we go have dinner now?" Kyoki asked, her tail wagging like a little puppy.

Neytiri looked at the time. It was starting to get dark. "Well, I suppose so," she said, getting up. "Come on, children." The children gave a whoop and ran ahead of their parents to go and secure their seats, even though they sat in the same spot at dinnertime every day of every year. Both Jake and Neytiri laughed as they watched them go.

Jake looked at his mate, and held out his five-fingered hand for her. "Shall we?" he asked.

Neytiri looked at the hand offered to her, and smiled, placing her dainty, four-fingered hand in his. "Yes," she said, tugging him after the children.

The End

So that's it, guys! It's actually over… Wow. I can't really believe that… I think I need to pinch myself! I do hope you guys enjoyed that! Reviews and such are always appreciated!

I can't actually believe this is done… This is the longest story I have ever completed, and the first fan fiction I have ever truly completed, at least alone. I'm going to miss this crew, but hey, they'll be along again shortly – I'll be posting the first chapter of Heartbeat soon, maybe this weekend, so you can see what Jake, Neytiri and their children get up to in the later years. I must warn you though – it starts with quite a bit of a twist, so just prepare yourself for that. Here's a hint – afyo hapxì.

Now, if you figure it out, don't tell everyone, at least not in the reviews! If someone does figure it out, you can say you did, and those who are absolutely dying can PM you, okay? Just in case some people don't want spoilers, you understand.

Now, of course, I must thank some people for their help throughout this journey with me. So, where to begin…

My beta reader, AnnanInTheSky. Yes, I know you're not my beta anymore, and I wish you still were. You really helped me with this story, more than you can imagine. You helped me develop plot lines, encouraged me when I was stuck, and when I abandoned this story for a while, you got me right back on track! I am so grateful, so I thank you girl!

My wonderful Leo W. Ryan. It seems just like yesterday you and I created Kyoki and Yol, and now the first step of their journey is done. I am so thankful you helped me through this, with role playing possible scenarios with me – not necessarily with this story, but with Heartbeat and Accidentally on Purpose – and forcing me to finish this! I love you.

My best friend, gabbagirl10. You know, I know you never liked Avatar… at least not how much Leo and I do (same goes for Annan, actually… I dunno how I roped her into being my beta). But you actually did help me with this. Your eagerness for it actually pushed me to write it more, so thank you wifey!

My other best friend, Jeff. Yeah, I'm putting the spotlight on you! You helped me too, you know! You forced me to finish it as well, and I am thankful for that – it got somewhere, didn't it? Thank you!

My dedicated reader and good friend, tm20. You also helped me to finish this. When you told me, 'It's been so long, I can't even remember what Jake and Neytiri did last!', it told me that I better take my finger out and continue this, so thank you!

So, I shall now start to compile all the deleted scenes and moments, so don't disregard this story just yet. Watch this space!