Invisible String - Jake Sully

19

She looked up at the others when she didn't hear any chatter from the kids, especially Lo'ak's, "what?"

"You call us your kids," Neteyam pointed out.

Tawn's eyes grew wide as a saucer, "what?"

"I'm not opposed to that idea," he winked at her, "Actually, I love it, our kids," he repeated, teasing the flustered Tawn even more.

"Does this mean we have to call her sa'nok?" Lo'ak asked his dad.

"No, Lo'ak, this means Tsireya is now officially your cousin," Kiri teased, high-fiving Neteyam when she earned his laughter.

Jake rolled his eyes at their kids, "what about another sibling, guys?"

"Jake!" Tawn squealed, gripping his firm bicep tightly, warning him to stop.

"I want a little sister," Tuk yelped from her lap, joining the buffoonery.

Lo'ak shook his head, "no way, I want another brother, preferably less of a stuck-up than the first one," he said smugly, his eyes daring Neteyam to quarrel with him. 

Kiri laughed at the jab Lo'ak made at Neteyam.

"Well, I want another brother, preferably less of an idiot than the second one," Neteyam replied, glaring at his brother.

"Guys, please, the both of you are idiots," Kiri smirked.

"On second thought, let me have another sister, one who loves me and can keep her mouth shut," Lo'ak added, roping little Tuk into the conversation. 

Tuk didn't even care. She was too busy eating her food to notice what her older siblings were arguing.

A smile crept in on Tawn's face. She was glad they didn't make it more awkward than she initially thought. She thought they were going to shun her and looked at her with disgust when she said that. 

She turned her gaze to Jake, who was already staring at her with a beautiful smile on his face. Tawn returned her smile. She thanked him for everything with her eyes. Jake understood what she was trying to convey before leaning in to peck her lips, "I love you." 

Tawn smiled at him, "I love you more."

Jake grinned, winking at her before looking at Tuk, "come here, baby, let your sa'nok eat in peace."

The word brought tears to her eyes. She never thought someone would call her sa'nok. She thanked the Great Mother for her blessings, she was grateful for them. 

Tawn cleared her throat, asking for their attention, "Thank you for accepting me into your family. I know we don't really have a smooth beginning," she smiled, looking at Kiri and Lo'ak, "but I'm glad we overcome that, I love you all with all of my heart, and I promise I won't let the memory of your mother die because she was the main reason all of you are here," she turned to Tuk, bringing her hand on Tuk's cheek, "let her rest peacefully beside Eywa." She smiled, looking around her family.

Kiri pouted at her, her eyes brimming with tears before she launched herself onto Tawn, "mother gave you to us when we needed her the most, oel ngati kameie, sa'nok," she said, smiling against her shoulder.

Tawn smiled at her girl, happy tears going down her cheek onto the girl's shoulder, "Oel ngati kameie, ma 'evi," she looked at Neteyam and Lo'ak before saying, "come here, you guys."

Lo'ak and Neteyam ran towards her, joining their hug. 

"I love you guys so much," she whispered to the teens, "please don't be afraid to come to me with anything and I mean it," she smiled, hugging them closer.