Falling for the Olo'eykte

✧Chapter 18: Newborn ceremony

Azura's POV

Today was an eventful day. Zygmunt's cousin had just given birth to her first baby a few days ago and today we were going to celebrate. Whenever a member has a child in my clan we always prepare a big celebration to thank Eywa for blessing us with a new life. It was an important event, not only for the family but for the people. A new member meant that our lineage would survive in the future generation. 

I was preparing myself as my brother played around in our kelku. I was nervous, it was the first time I would lead this ceremony and I was scared to mess it all up. Even though I had been the Olo'eykte for four years I had never done this before. After the human war my father had headed, our clan had been mourning the deceased and after a long time we had decided to celebrate once again.

Focusing on braiding my hair while putting on golden accessories, I didn't notice someone entering my kelku until I felt their hands on my shoulders. "How are you doing?" Zygmuntso said in a low tone so he wouldn't startle me as he massaged my tense skin. A sigh left my lips, "This is an important celebration and I don't want to ruin it". "Azura, you won't ruin anything. It will all be perfect" 

Turning around I looked into his eyes,  "What happens if I do? It's your cousin's baby ceremony and the first celebration we have done since the war" "Do not overthink too much, you are going to do just great. Besides, you know she would never get mad at you". That was indeed true, Tora was a kind soul it was very difficult to make her angry. I could mess everything up and she would still find a way to not make me feel guilty. 

Tora and I had been friends since I was born, she was like an older sister to me. I remember when the three of us used to play near the river as our parents took care of the clan, we were quite the troublemakers. She and Ulan, her mate, had been trying to have a kid since they mated. Now after a couple of years, their prayers had been heard and Tora gave birth to a beautiful baby named Nuri.

"Yawne" Zygmunt said while stroking my hair, "Get out of that little head of yours and start to let go. It's your first time, no one expects it to be perfect and yet I'm sure it's going to be the best ceremony we ever had". His words calmed me, this was the part of Zygmunt that I had missed since the Sully's arrival. "The true Zygmunt is back" I said with a teasing smile, "I missed him"

Zygmunt laughed at my comment and wrapped his arms around me to embrace me in a warm hug, "And I missed sharing these moments with you" he whispered in my ear. My head rested on his chest as I focus on the steady sound of his heartbeat. For a moment I forgot completely our current situation. It was just us once again, learning and growing together to ensure a better future for our people. 

"Can I get a hug too?" a small voice asked shyly from behind us. Anek was rocking from side to side with his eyes fixed on us. "Of course monkey" Zygmunt told him as he stretched one arm to pick him up so he would be at our level.  My brother surrounded our necks with his arms strongly making Zygmunt's and my head bump together. "Be careful there hì'i tsamsiyu" I said between laughter. 

After some time we separated and decide to head towards the clearing where everyone would be for the ceremony. On the way there Anek couldn't stop talking about how excited he was to meet Nuri and everything he would teach her when she grew up. Zygmunt and my brother were talking fondly about the little girl as I walked behind them. These two morons fought like Ikrans and riders but they loved each other with all their heart.

When we arrived at the clearing, we made our way towards the elevation of the ground where Tora and Ulan awaited us. The sight before me warmed my heart, the couple was holding their baby as they played with her with big smiles all over their faces. The sweet laugh of Nuri filled the air, "Nuri!" exclaimed my brother excitedly while running towards her and beginning to do weird faces to make her laugh even harder.