IKIGAI / Jake Sully

50 - END

"Mom" I mouthed crouching down to Neteyam. Big golden eyes stare at me. "Say Mom"

He opens his mouth

"Ok! Good" I praised "Muh...."

"Muh" he starts

"Om..."

"Muh"

"Om." I entice "Mom"

"He's going to say Dad first" Jake says from behind me picking up his son. "Aren't cha? Because Dad is always better"

He speaks in that stupid little voice he used to use on me when teasing me before we had Neteyam.

"I hope you know that Neteyam doesn't like baby talk" i shoot back looking up at them both.

"Oh did he tell you?" Jake chuckles "Can't say mom but is able to give you full detailed information about his feelings"

"I sense it" I corrected standing up "Mother's intuition"

"Oh really..." he responds back

"Mom" I tell him "Mu....om"

"Muh" Neteyam mutters out

"So close" Jake tells me

"You're distracting him"

"Oh! Me?" He chuckles as I take Neteyam back from him. Jake leans down to his son. "Say Dad"

"Da.."

"See he's almost there." Jake taunts me

"Da is a common response." I reply "Say mom"

"He'll probably say Dad first" Tru'it voices from behind both of us. I turn to look over at Tru'it who gives Jake a hug.

"The piece of shit returns" Jake greets. I was told sometimes Jake and him would run into each other when he was doing patrol runs for Omatikaya. But I never expected them both to actually get along now. "You look less depressed"

"Thanks, I call it sleep" Tru'it replies "Happy birthday to Neteyam by the way. He's officially one years old."

"Tru? I didn't know you were back?" I responded

"Well, I wasn't planning on it. But your husband promised me liquor." Tru'it tells me handing me a leaf wrapped package. "Birthday gift"

"You really didn't have to get him anything"

"Of course I do." He says looking down at Neteyam. "Definitely has Jake's eyes"

And Jake chuckles "Yeah Mo'at thinks he takes after Levy"

"Nah, more you." Tru'it says looking over at me. "You look well. Being a mother suits you."

"Thank you" I reply smiling at Tru.

"Well let me rephrase this, being a parent suits you both" he corrects rubbing Jake's shoulders "I know, we fight every now and then Jake. But I do truly love the both of you. Together."

I realize since leaving, Tru and I never spoken since heaven's gate which was almost two years ago.

"I just want you happy" he says not really speaking to anyone particular looking at Jake and glancing over at me.

"You must be drunk..." Jake says

"Yeah a bit" Tru'it admits letting out a chuckle  "I saw Tsu'tey first"

"Ah I see" I say "no wonder you speak so eloquently today"

"I mean it though" Tru'it tells me

"Jake!" Mo'at waves over "Help me!"