Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

026, Happiness.

♯┆calm before the storm  .ᐟ
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     Happiness is simple. It started off simple. Her flesh was drenched in beaded sweat. Her throat burned from the intense screaming. Childbirth was a beautiful experience. An experience so agonising but came with a delightful outcome. An innocent outcome. A bond that will never break. "She is so beautiful..." Denahi pushed out her lasting strength to whisper as she grasped their new addition within her gentle arms.

Jake had seen it too many times. Four times to be exact. A mesmerising experience. Realising how strong Denahi had been to go through all that pain four times. But, when he saw Malhua laid comfortably within her arms, he realised what she did it all for. A family for them. All for them.

His arm reached out and grabbed a bowl full of clean water, feeding it to her. She deserved it. Denahi deserved everything. Everything she had done, all of it. Becoming a mother despite still being in grief about her brother, telling stories when her children wouldn't sleep at night, when they bickered and argued like she used to with Mukata.

"Can we see her, Dad?" Their eldest son could be heard standing behind the closed door. Holding back his other siblings who had missed their mother for far too long now.

All of their feet tapping with anticipation. Wanting to greet their little sibling. Jake couldn't help but laugh before running his fingers through Denahi's hair, feeling her settle her cheek into his large palm.

"Yeah, come in," Lo'ak was the first to run in. A momma's boy no matter what. Tuk stumbled in close behind, Jake immediately taking her into his arms. "It is a girl?" Neteyam asked once he could walk in, Kiri following a couple of seconds behind.

Denahi nodded her head, clearing her sore throat, "Your little sister."

Neteyam smiled. He was always happy to have a new sibling. Someone else in the family to interact with. He was the perfect older brother— stoic and protective. His finger stroked across Malhua's cheek as he laid besides Denahi on the ground.

Tuk wiggled from Jake's hold and crawled towards her mom. Lo'ak had already found his place next to her. Kiri standing at her head to look down at her new sibling.

Jake smiled at the sight of his family.

How all of their children loved Denahi. He couldn't blame them. She is perfect. Denahi was understanding. Someone they would cuddle and weep to when Jake had to discipline them. Which sometimes caused a scolding from her, Denahi believed he was too harsh some of the times.

But all it took was that painful memory of Mukata and how she knew children needed consequences to bad actions. How would they learn from their actions?

"What is her name?" Kiri asked from her stance above Denahi's head. "Her name..." The name pondered on them for a while. Whilst Denahi had used all of her favourite names on her children, she had none left. And Jake only had human names. "Her name is Malhua," Mukata and Hua. It wasn't the perfect mixture of their names. But, it will be remembered in that respect.

"Malhua is my favourite already," Neteyam whispered from Denahi's left side. She chuckled and looked up at her son, "I am sure she is, Teyam."

After Mo'at had finished her healing remedies on Denahi, she wished them all luck before sending them back to their hut.

"Does this mean we can go flying tomorrow?" Lo'ak asked as he rubbed his tired face. Denahi chuckled as she fed Malhua, "In a couple of weeks, little one. Momma needs to heal before she can take you on Riti again."

Jake shook his head at his eager soon before ushering them all off into a separate part of that but, "C'mon, kids. Momma needs to rest and so do all of you."

Their heads shook almost straight away. But, when Jake gave them all that glare, the four children went running to their mats— knowing not to mess with Jake when he warned them in such a manner. Although, Lo'ak tried to run back to Denahi, Jake had caught him multiple times, "You will see her tomorrow, she ain't going nowhere."

Tuk laid flat out over Netetam's stomach. He barely had any room due to the smallest one taking up most of his mat. Kiri slept in her little, private hammock. Jake returning back to their private mat separate from the kids.

"Good night..." Neteyam murdered with his eyes half way open. Jake laughed at him.

He looked at his children one last time. Admiring at what his life had become. And, he wouldn't want it any other way.