Intertwined [Neteyam x OC]

Chapter 24

I, I'm I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is all right with me
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you
- 'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green

Aliyah tried getting up from the beach again. She had been laying down for an hour or so, but her stomach was growling hungrily. However, after five failed attempts, she gave up. She sighed and let herself fall back into the sand. Suddenly, a shadow was casted over her eyes.
She stared up at the figure, seeing Tsireya tilting her head, "Are you okay? Need some help getting up?"
Aliyah sighed, "No, no, I'm fine!" She smiled awkwardly, not wanting to admit she needed help again.
Tsireya giggled, "Okay, my parents are looking for you, so let's go!"
Aliyah nodded, attempting to raise herself up again. Unfortunately, her belly had grown so big by now that she struggled with a lot of things. Tsireya held her hand in front of Aliyah, who reluctantly accepted it and let herself get pulled up. 
When she was on her feet again, she groaned, "Why is this baby getting so big? I feel huge."
Tsireya smiled, "You're literally growing a new life! It's a wonderful thing!"
Aliyah rolled her eyes, "Yeah, everyone says that when they're not the ones that are pregnant."

Chatting happily, Aliyah followed Tsireya to her parents, who were waiting for them in their hut. 
As they entered, Tonowari clapped his hands together, "Ah, Aliyah, you're here!"
Ronal smiled softly, nodding to the girls entering. Aliyah bowed slightly, greeting the two clan leaders.
Ronal came forward, placing a hand on Aliyah's belly, "She's going to be a strong child, I can feel it."
Aliyah joked, "She better be, with all this space she's claiming!"
Just then, Neteyam entered the hut as well. He placed a small kiss on Aliyah's cheek as he joined her and turned to Tonowari, "You wanted to speak to me?"
Tonowari grinned, "Well, we wanted to ask you both if you'd like your little baby to participate in our Metkayina ritual for newborns."
Aliyah smiled at Neteyam, who returned the gesture, before speaking, "We'd be honored to have our baby be welcomed into your clan!"
Neteyam agreed, "Yes, it would mean a lot to us."
Ronal smiled, "Good, then I will start preparing everything for when the time comes!"
Aliyah mumbled under her breath to her belly, "Hear that, Korra? Time to leave!"

---

Over the next few days, Neytiri ordered Aliyah to stay inside, because she said the baby was coming. Aliyah, however, didn't feel anything happening anytime soon, so she was extremely bored being stuck inside again.
She played around with a bracelet that she had made earlier, singing songs to herself. Neteyam entered the hut, sitting down next to her.
Aliyah begged, "Please, 'Tey, let's go for a walk!"
Neteyam shook his head, "No, Ali, I'm sorry but it's just for a little while."
Aliyah pleaded, fluttering her eyelashes at him, "Come on, just for a few minutes!" She traced his chest with her finger seductively, lowering her voice to a sultry tone, "I'll make it worth your while."
Neteyam seemed to give in for a second, kissing her softly, before coming up to her ear and whispering, "It won't work on me this time."
Aliyah groaned, feeling annoyed, "Nothing's happened these past few days! This baby isn't leaving me anytime soon, trust me! She's really comfy in there."
She kept complaining for a few minutes to her mate, who stayed calm and denied her requests.
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her belly, making Aliyah clutch it in pain.
Neteyam's attention snapped back to her, "Ali, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Aliyah took a few deep breaths, trying to ease the continuing pain, "Well, about what I was saying, I don't think Korra agrees with me."
Neteyam frowned, unsure of what she was trying to say.
Aliyah bit her bottom lip in pain, "The baby's coming, 'Tey."
His eyes widened while his mouth fell open, frozen in disbelief.
Aliyah felt another sharp pain, screaming out, "Neteyam, I love you, but please get your mom in here before I scratch your eyes out!"
Neteyam started reacting again, her shouting pulling him out of his trance. He helped her get comfortable on a cloth they had laying around for when this moment would occur. He placed some rolled-up fabric behind her back, so that she could sit up a bit. 
He breathed out, "Okay, I'll be right back!"
Aliyah felt another contraction coming, "Hurry!"

She tried calming herself down while she waited for Neytiri, who quickly came running into the hut together with Kiri and Neteyam. They all crouched down around Aliyah, while Neteyam grabbed one of her hands in his, squeezing it gently.
Neytiri sat in front of Aliyah's legs, "Okay, just place them on each side of me, Aliyah. And keep breathing!"
Aliyah obeyed, while she watched Kiri close a big curtain in front of the hut, giving her some privacy.
Jake peeked his head inside the hut, together with Lo'ak and Tuk. The two kids had shock written all over their faces seeing Aliyah scream out in pain.
Aliyah shouted while she tried to control her breathing, "This isn't a fucking show, guys!"
Jake hesitated, "Uhm, I'll think we'll wait outside!" He quickly pulled Lo'ak and Tuk away from the screaming girl.
Neteyam pressed his lips together, while Aliyah crushed his hand as another contraction hit her, "Love, could you maybe ease up on my hand a little bit?"
Aliyah had fire in her eyes, "Oh, sure, 'Tey! Maybe you can squeeze this baby out then? You're the one that knocked me up, so you're gonna suffer just as much as me!"
Neteyam smiled sheepishly, "Okay, okay! I love you."
Aliyah sighed, "I love you too, but I really regret having sex with you right now."