Absence

Idea 32

*4 months later*

Saiyas bump was getting larger each week, she swore this baby could be the size of her by the time she delivered. Lo'ak chuckled beside her as he continued weaving the baby loincloth for his future niece or nephew.

A lot had happened since the morning after everyone found out about Saiya and Neteyams baby. It took a while to adjust, mainly for Saiya, the people of the island welcomed the news of the unborn child with such open arms it was beautiful to see.

Tuks 8th birthday had passed, her first one without Neteyam. The gap and harmoniser of the human birthday song Jake taught them was clearly missing but nonetheless the family sang as best they could.

"Happy birthday to TukTuk happy birthday to you!" Everyone cheered. Kiri had collected beautiful tiny shells for a necklace which she gifted her younger sister.

"Thank you Kiri! I love it!" The young girl squealed as she wrapped her arms around Kiri. Neytiri smiled kissing her daughter on the head.
"Where's my present Lo'ak?" Tuk turned around to ask him. His smile slowly faded as he realised that he hadn't curated anything to give to her like his father had asked him to.

"Lo' I asked for one thing what happened?" Jake asked cocking his head to the side catching a glimpse of his daughter's fading expression.

"I'm sorry, I was just... busy." Lo'ak mumbled, voice quietening on the last words.
No one replied, instead Saiya spoke up wanting to get the unwanted attention off of Lo'ak.

"It's okay, here open my gift Tuk." She grinned widely pulling it out of her mesh sack.

Tuk pulled at it eagerly, excited to see what it would be.

She pulled apart the cloth that surrounded it, feeling the wood and feathers. Her eyes lit up at the sight. Slowly her hands reached and pulled up the Ikran toy Neteyam had made for her with the wood of the left over home tree that Lo'ak had broke. Being no fixer in any way shape or form, Saiya was unable to salvage the left wing, and so she replaced it with the few feathers Neteyam used to put in his perfect hair, making it look like a real bird.

Tuks eyes watered immediately, everyone fell silent, unsure if the reaction following would be positive or negative. Saiyas eyes remained fixated on Tuks features. Fortunately the young girl ran to Saiyas arms, encasing her in a heartfelt embrace.

"Thank you so much Saiya, thank you thank you thank you!" She cheered whilst her voice cracked from the tears that cascaded her soft cheeks. Saiya smiled inching her stomach back slightly from the impact.
Everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief. Neytiri, Jake, Kiri and Lo'ak all joined in on the hug before Jake and Neytiri gifted tuk their present.

They had finally gotten her the shimmer Loincloths she was waiting for but never had. She loved it.

The family enjoyed Tuks birthday and eaten before night had fallen and Saiya had to return to her mauri.

Saiya said her goodbyes and closed the family mauri flap behind her. As she walked down the cooling sand her hand ran against her slightly bumped stomach. She looked out towards the dark waters that were illuminated by the enticing moon. She longed to go back into the water but she was afraid that she'd hurt her baby, that was what she did the last time she entered. But nothing hurt more than not seeing Neteyam, the constant worries plagued her.

"But what if he's waiting for me, and i'm not coming?"

"If i go back i could tell him about our baby?"

"No Saiya, it's not safe." Kiri said for a final time after hearing Saiyas questions a hundred times over. Sometimes Kiri and Tsireya would stay over at Saiyas mauri just before heading back to their own to rest at night. The three would try to hang out how they usually did before and most of the time it was normal and 'fun' if that's what you could call it. But the anomaly nights where Saiya would worry about not being able to see Neteyam would stress even Kiri and Tsireya.