When we walked back inside, Tuk immediately rushed to me and hugged my hip. Her little arms clung tightly as though she were afraid I might disappear. I could tell she didn't fully understand what had just happened with my parents, but she knew enough to see that I was upset. I knelt down to her level, stroking her hair softly, and then remembered the bracelets I had made.
"Tuk," I murmured with a small smile, reaching into my pouch, "I have a surprise for you."
Her wide eyes lit up as I placed the beaded bracelet into her hands. She gasped softly, turning it over with reverent fingers as though it were made of solid gold. Without hesitation she scampered to Neteyam, tugging at his arm until he helped her tie it around her wrist.
One by one, I pulled out the other pieces—Kiri's iridescent one, Lo'ak's with coral and dark beads, Neteyam's with sea glass and wood—and handed them out. They each accepted the gifts with soft smiles and murmured thanks, slipping them on immediately. Seeing them adorned with the little pieces I had poured so much of myself into made my heart swell.
When the last bracelet was given, my gaze shifted to Jake. He was sitting off to the side, his sharp features softened as he watched his kids admire their gifts. A fond smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. My stomach knotted; my pulse raced.
I moved toward him, clutching the final bracelet in my hand. My heart thudded wildly as I placed my palm gently on his knee, pulling him from his trance. He turned, one dread sliding across his cheekbone.
"I have one for you too," I whispered.
His rough fingers brushed mine as he accepted the piece, sending sparks up my arm. "Can you help me put it on?" he asked, voice low.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, but I nodded, fumbling slightly as my trembling fingers fastened the delicate string around his wrist. When it was secured, he lifted his arm to admire it, then glanced back at me. "Thank you," he said softly, a quiet sincerity in his tone that made my chest ache.
The kids were still preoccupied, giving us a rare sliver of privacy. My mind raced with everything I had been holding in—every feeling I had buried, every fear, every want. My breaths came shallow, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out.
"Jake."
He turned to me, concern flickering in his golden eyes. "What's up?"
"I... I need to tell you something," I stammered, my voice shaking. "And... I'm sorry if you don't like what I'm about to say."
His brow furrowed. "Tayala...?"
I inhaled sharply, heart hammering. "I see you. I like you, Jake. A lot." The last words came out in a rush, barely above a whisper.
I couldn't bring myself to look at him, terrified of what I might find on his face—disgust, rejection, disappointment. My hands twisted in my lap until his large, calloused hand covered mine, stilling the nervous fidget. His other hand lifted to my face, gently coaxing my chin upward.
"Open your eyes," he murmured in that gravelly voice that always seemed to settle deep in my bones.
I did.
And instead of rejection, I was met with warmth—his eyes alight with joy, his lips curved into a soft smile that made my chest tighten.
"Tayala," he whispered. "I see you. I like you too. More than you know."
I froze. My brain scrambled for words. "You—what? You do?"
"Yes," he said firmly, his grin widening. "When I woke up this morning and you weren't there, I thought maybe... maybe you'd changed your mind. But then you came back. And the way you stood up for me—and the kids—" his voice wavered, and his gaze softened, "—I didn't think I'd ever get to mate for love. But you've changed that. You've changed me."
My breath caught in my throat. I had no words, only the wild rhythm of my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
"I don't even know what happens next," I admitted breathlessly.
He smirked, leaning closer. "I can think of one thing."
And then his lips were on mine.
The world melted away until there was only him. His mouth was warm and sure, his hands steady, and I felt myself dissolve into the kiss. My fingers curled into his shoulders, holding on as though he were my anchor. For a blissful moment, everything was perfect—until Tuk's shrill little voice cut through the haze.
"Dad! Ew!"
We jerked apart immediately. My face burned as I looked over to see all four kids staring. Tuk's expression was horrified, Kiri and Neteyam were smirking knowingly, and Lo'ak looked as though his entire worldview had just collapsed.
"Are you guys getting married?" Tuk blurted, eyes wide.
The innocence of her question made me laugh despite myself. Jake chuckled too, shaking his head. "Yes, Tuk," he teased gently. "We're getting married."
The moment broke into light-hearted laughter, the tension easing. Before either of us could explain further, Tsireya appeared at the doorway. "I've come to fetch the others for training."
The kids scrambled up, still whispering and giggling, and disappeared with her after choruses of "Be good!" and "Don't cause trouble!" from me and Jake.
Finally, we were alone again. Silence hung in the air before we both turned to each other and burst out laughing.
"Well," Jake chuckled, "that wasn't how I expected that to go."
"At least it saved us the awkward conversation," I teased, nudging his arm.
He smirked down at me. "Fair point. So... what now?"
"I have another surprise," I said with a grin, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the beach.
We called for our ilu—mine faithful Rini—and set off toward my secret cove. Jake followed close behind, still clueless about where we were going. When we arrived, I climbed onto the sun-warmed rock, tugging him up beside me.
"Privacy," I explained with a mischievous smile. "No kids. No interruptions."
His smirk turned predatory. "Is that so?"
Before I could reply, his lips crashed into mine again, hungrier this time. I melted against him, tilting my head as his hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. I climbed onto his lap, straddling him, arms looped around his shoulders. His hands explored my waist, teasing dangerously close to places that made my breath hitch.
When we finally broke for air, our foreheads rested together, the bond between us electric. Our gazes locked, unspoken words heavy in the space between. Slowly, reverently, we both reached for our kuru.
Jake hesitated, his breath rough. "Are you sure you want this?"
"Absolutely."
We joined them.
The bond hit like a wave, slamming through me in a rush of emotions so raw and overwhelming that I gasped. Jake's pupils blew wide, his lips parting in awe. For a moment we were lost in each other's minds, every wall gone, every thought bare.
When we finally steadied, Jake let out a breathless laugh. "I never thought it would feel like that."
I smiled, cheeks flushed. "I'm honoured to bring you that pleasure, Jake Sully."
His grin softened into something warm and adoring. "Sweets, you've given me more than I ever thought I'd have again."
We stayed entwined for a long moment, until reality tugged at us. "We should head back," I whispered reluctantly, still staring at our joined braids.
"Yeah," he agreed, stealing one last kiss before pulling me into his arms. Together, we slipped from the rock, calling our ilu. With his strong arms around me, we dove beneath the surface and glided back toward the village—two hearts, two souls, now bound as one.
