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Neteyam got himself up in the morning, around six am. Finding himself almost laying down, with Aneysa in the same position, curled up next to him.
He helps her lay down, getting her comfortable and tucking her in, as he got out of bed. Wanting to have a good start to the morning.
Neteyam washed up and made his way downstairs.
-
Two hours had gone by, and it was now eight am. He hears footsteps to the bathroom, slightly panicking him because he was not done with the breakfast he planned on making for everyone this morning.
It had been a while, since Aneysa had something sweet. And right now, Neteyam was struggling on finding the right pan.
"No it's not this one" he says to himself, letting out a little grunt as he's going through the pans and dishes.
And he hears the kitchen door open, causing him to peak his head up, his eyes catching Orla walking in, looking puzzled.
"Oh Orla. Good morning" Neteyam stood up.
Orla looked at him startled, seeing the state that he was in.
Flour, smeared across different places of his face. Chocolate sauce all over his apron.
Himself a mess.
"Um.. good morning" Orla replied back awkwardly.
"Sorry, I know. I don't look presentable right now" Neteyam apologises, "but anything to make my wife happy."
He goes back to looking for his pan.
"You're making breakfast for Aneysa?" Orla asks.
"Yep.. it's because- aha found it!" He cuts himself off mid sentence, celebrating the fact that he found the pan.
He shoves everything he took out back in, hoping to give it a clean later before getting back up, holding the pan in his hand, "as I was saying, it is because she deserves to have a good breakfast today. She deserves it every day but she never lets me make her breakfast anymore."
Orla nods, "I see. So pancakes, I'm guessing?" Orla asks, pointing at his apron.
He looks down at the stain and chuckles, "oh yet, that was just when I was checkin the temperature. I'm not a man who uses Nutella, I make my chocolate sauce differently."
Orla chuckles, "your dedication is what every woman needs."
Neteyam smiles, "so, why are you up so early? It's the weekend, do you not want to sleep in?"
"I can't even if I try. I'm in the routine of waking up and sleeping early" Orla replies.
Neteyam nods, before he goes back to doing what he needs to do.
"I don't want to intrude. But.. is Aneysa okay? Last night she seemed a little upset?" Orla asks.
Neteyam gives a soft smile, his eyes kept on the batter he was pouring into the pan, trying to get the best circle shape.
"If I am honest with you, will you promise not to say anything?" Neteyam asks, "I don't want it to be mentioned in front of her once again or it'll upset her more."
"Cross my heart and hope to die" Orla promises him.
"Aneysa lost her father, a couple of years back and just a year after, she lost her mother" Neteyam tells her.
"Oh.. that must have been terrible" Orla felt a slight ache in her heart to hear that.
Neteyam nods, "her neighbour, Mr.Jones. An old man, who loved Aneysa as his daughter. He helped a lot, after her father passed away. And a lot more after his mother had passed. He was like.. a great memory to her. A good man. But unfortunately, he has also passed, just two weeks ago."
"Poor Aneysa.." Orla whispered out.
Neteyam nods, as he's placing the first pancake made, onto the plate beside him, "it's hard. When you lose a loved one more than once, it's hard to express how you're feeling. It feels like you have become.. immune to it. That you bottle up everything you have. And that is what she did."
"My father always told me that you should be open with your feelings. Because it might seem like a good idea to keep to yourself. But it'll slowly eat you up inside and then eventually you'll.. explode" Orla says.
"And he's right" Neteyam replies, "Aneysa's emotions... exploded last night."
"But.. she was so happy yesterday, she was hoping for us to go for ice creams" Orla says.
Neteyam let's out another warm smile, finally looking back at her again, "a lot of people seem happy Orla, and sometimes they genuinely are. But, those who are not, and appear to be, which is many of us, it is because of the burden they feel that they will create. The most we can do is be there for them. In this case, we must be there for Aneysa."
Orla nods, "she is a nice person. The first woman to actually touch my hair.."
Neteyam looked at her puzzled.
"Once I turned five, my mother forced me into combing my own hair. She said my curls did not come from her. That I was not her child. She would never go near my hair" Orla tells him.
"Hey" Neteyam gives her a reassuring smile, "your hairs beautiful."
Orla smiles, "Thankyou. And I'm sure, Aneysa would make a great mother. If she had a daughter, I'm sure she'd love to do her hair, the way that she has done mine."
Neteyam's eyes zone out, as he think about the idea of Aneysa being able to do things with a daughter of her own.
"Yeah.. she'd be one of the best mothers" he replies.
"Have you not.. tried? To have a child?" Orla asks.
Neteyam zones back in, hearing Orla say that, looking towards her.
"I've learn all about sex education whilst I was in Ireland. So, I know that you have to.. you know.. try for a child" Orla says.
"Right" Neteyam nods, "well, we have tried, but.."
Orla looked at him puzzled for a moment until his facial expression turned dull.
"I'm so sorry" Orla apologises.
"Don't be" Neteyam replies, "you did not know."
"I know, but I just feel-"
"Orla. It's okay" Neteyam assures her, "as long as you do not see her differently, and treat her just like everyone else, it's fine."
"I don't believe she should be treated differently just because she can not have children" Orla replies, "that would only make things worse. If anything, I believe getting a pet is helpful."
"A pet?" Neteyam asks.
Orla nods, "my aunt was under very similar circumstances. In the end, my father gifted her with a kitten. Now she lives with her daughter Kacy and her cat, Mimi."
Neteyam gave a pout, looking at her surprised, "this first time I'm hearing this."
Orla chuckles.
It was the first time that they had a conversation with the two of them, where she felt that he was comfortable in her presence. And it made her happy to know, that he did not hate her.
-
"Tsireya, it's fine. You made a mistake and Aneysa.. Aneysa will be okay" Lo'ak says to his crying wife, as she's sat down next to her.
"But- but she's my best friend!" Tsireya sobs, "and I've ruined everything!"
"Your hormones are worse than the first time" Lo'ak mutters under his breath, and then looks back up at her, "you haven't ruined anything, Tsireya. Aneysa loves you, she won't be hurt over a couple of words."
"I'm such a bad friend!" Tsireya sobs even more.
"Alright alright come here" Lo'ak hugs her, "how about I talk to her and Neteyam, hm? And just.. explain to them that you meant no harm."
"You'll do that for me?" She sniffles.
"Of course. Don't worry about it, I promise I will sort this out" Lo'ak replies, shushing his wife with a couple of pats on her head as she rested it over his shoulder.
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Aneysa makes her way downstairs after washing up, walking through the door, to find Orla helping to set up the table, whilst Neteyam was getting breakfast ready.
"Goodmorning" Orla smiles at her, despite seeing Aneysa's puffy eyes and tired face.
Aneysa smiles back at her, her voice straining as she spoke back, "good morning."
She walks into the kitchen, to get herself a glass of water, before feeling Neteyam's lips on her cheek, "good morning my love."
She gives him a weak smile, continuing to pour herself some water.
"How you feeling?" He asks her quietly, not wanting Orla to hear.
"I feel.. I don't know how I feel" Aneysa says.
"Well, you know I'm here for you my love" Neteyam replies.
"I know" she rests her head on his shoulder.
"I made you pancakes" Neteyam says, causing Aneysa to lift up her head to look at him, her smile becoming wider.
"For me?" Aneysa asks.
"Of course. Just for you" Neteyam gives her a kiss on her head.
"You're the best" Aneysa smiles at him.
Their attention then focuses elsewhere, when there's a knock at the door.
"I'll get that. You get yourself seated" Neteyam says to her, giving her one last peck before he makes his way to the door.
Aneysa makes her way to sit down, next to Orla.
"He's been working on these pancakes all morning" Orla tells her, "he really wanted to surprise you with a nice breakfast this morning."
"He's a good husband. I don't think I could have asked for anyone better" Aneysa chuckles.
The kitchen door swings open, Neytiri walking in, holding onto Efe's hand, with Neteyam walking in behind her.
"What's going on?" Aneysa asks, standing up.
"We need to talk" Neytiri replies.
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