Still Breathing

Chapter 25. ceilings

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"But it's not real, and you don't exist." ~ Lizzy McAlpine

Jake and Norm had something planned since before Tuk was born, and today was the day that it would finally be happening. Now that Neytiri was on board as well, it was easier to plan the surprise. While Jake contacted Norm, Neytiri took the children outside so they couldn't hear the conversation.

Even Spider went outside to play with them.

"So, how's it coming?" Jake asked through his comm tablet he had with him that Norm had given him before they left.

"It's ready. We're loading it into our Samson and then we'll be on our way." Norm answered before his tone turned more serious, a sympathetic look appearing on his face. "How are you guys holding up?"

Jake's ears dropped slightly at the question, a sigh escaping his lips as he thought how to answer the question. Obviously he wasn't okay, he'd lost his son and his children lost their brother. But they were pushing through like they always did.

"We're managing. How's Mo'at?" Jake asked, trying to change the subject. He was tired of answering the same question over and over again.

"She misses you guys." Norm seemed to get an idea for a moment as his eyes widened, a mischievous smile painting his face. Jake raised an eyebrow in confusion before his own eyes widened in realization about what Norm was thinking.

"Should we ask?" Norm asked and Jake nodded vigorously, wanting to do something nice for his wife. The sound of Max calling for Norm to load up the Samson could be heard in the background. The two quickly said their goodbyes as the call ended.

Jake placed the tablet down as he looked out of the exit of their pod. Outside was all of the children including Aonung, Tsireya, and Rotxo as they all played what looked like a game of chicken.

Kiri had Tuk on her shoulders as the two of them went up against Tsireya who was on top of Lo'ak's shoulders. Everyone was cheering for them as Tsireya and Tuk begun to shove each other. Tsireya purposefully lost as she flipped back into the water, laughing as she resurfaced and gave Tuk a high-five.

With a smile, Jake ran down to the water to join in on the fun. Without warning, he grabbed onto Lo'ak, scooping him up and placing him on his shoulders. "Dad!" Lo'ak shouted with a hint of laughter as he placed both of his hands on top of his fathers head.

Jake looked up and smiled up at his son, his beautiful baby boy who was smiling back down at him. "Pick your opponent, Lo'ak."

Lo'ak looked around at each of the children around him as his eyes locked onto one person. He pointed towards Erica as he shouted that he challenged her. Erica chose Neytiri as her base, knowing that she was probably one of the only people here that had the same strength as Jake.

Neytiri scooped up her daughter and placed her onto her shoulders as her and Jake gave each other competitive smirks. Although the couple never showed it around their kids very often, the two of them were crazy competitive. 

Aonung did the count down as the two teams charged at each other, Erica and Lo'ak attempting to shove each other off. Neytiri felt a leg underneath her, attempting to sweep her feet from underneath her. Knowing who the culprit was, she looked at her husband with a sarcastic shocked expression before smirking at him.

With one swift move, Neytiri kicked Jake's legs out from underneath him, causing him and Lo'ak to fall into the water. Erica and her mother both cheered as she jumped off of her shoulder, laughing as her brother resurfaced.