The drawing at the top shows Katherine, character and art belong to Amy4Walker .

Please read the chapter before answering this question, which POV (Jay or Nya) would you like to see for the next chapter?

-----

Chapter 29 (Nya)

Five and a half years ago, Destiny's Bounty 2.0

"Come in." I say in response to the gentle knock on my door, unable to detach my gaze from the little miracle in front of me. My two-day old daughter is fast asleep in her white wooden crib, safely tucked under her cellular blanket.

Her PINK cellular blanket, I should add.

I usually hate that colour – and I didn't want my teammates to give me any presents at all – so I had every intention to get angry when they presented them to me – only to break out in tears, a rather frequent occurrence these days.

"Hey sis." My brother's voice snaps me out of my memories. I briefly look up to return the affectionate smile he is giving me. "How's my favourite niece doing?"

"Sleeping." I state the obvious. "I fed her about half an hour ago." I add.

"You're a real pro at this already, sis." I feel Kai's hand on my back. "Did you get some rest as well?"

"Sorta." I've actually spent most of that time just sitting here on the edge of my bed my bed and watching her sleep – observing the rise and fall of her chest, admiring her long eyelashes, and counting the tiny fingers that are currently clenched into a fist over and over again.

"Understandable." Kai replies when I tell him. "She's perfect."

"She is." I agree. If only Jay would think so too... But unfortunately, his lack of response to my letters has made it perfectly clear that he doesn't want anything to do with us.

I curse inwardly as I feel tears pooling in my eyes again. Stupid hormones.

"Hey." Kai sits down next to me and pulls me into a side hug. "What's wrong?"

"How can he not want her?" I question, and my brother understands immediately who I'm referring to.

"You should think of it as his loss." Kai says softly. "He has no idea what he's missing."

"I know." I sigh. "It's just that... I miss him. It's really hard... especially seeing her and-" I choke.

As a newborn, my daughter spends most of her time sleeping. But those few times when she has opened her eyes and looked at me with those stunning blue orbs – Jay's eyes – my heart has got broken all over again.

"Yeah, she looks a lot like Jay." Kai agrees. "There's no doubt Abby's her father's daughter."

"There's never been a doubt about that." I remind him harshly, pulling away from him.

"O-of course not." He is quick to assures me. "I-I'm sorry, Nya. I didn't mean it like that."

"It's okay." I give my older sibling a weak smile. "I know you didn't. I guess I'm just a bit more... emotional at the moment."

"Oh, really?" Kai feigns surprise. He smirks. "Could have fooled me."

"Shut up." Laughing through my tears, I lean against my brother. Kai wraps his arm around me, and I rest my head on his broad shoulder, as we watch our newest family member sleep.

Neither of us says anything for a while, we just sit there and listen to her regular – and slightly stuffy sounding – breathing.

"Have you told him?" Kai eventually asks.

I shake my head. "What's the point?" I question. "I've given him more than enough time and opportunities to change his mind."

"I still think you should write to him. And send him a photo." My brother insists. "If not for him, do it for Abby. Jay may not want to be a part of your lives, but she deserves the chance to be a part of his. And even if it doesn't change anything, at least it won't be your fault."

I guess he's right. I have to many regrets already.

But no matter what, my beautiful daughter for sure is not one of them.

Present Day, Ninjago City Christmas Market

We end this Saturday night's visit to the Christmas Market the 'traditional way', by having a mug of mulled wine – or hot chocolate for the children (and Lloyd), the pregnant woman (Skylor), and the designated drivers (again Lloyd and Skylor, plus Jay) – and listening to an adorable children's choir singing Christmas Carols, before we all walk back to the car park together.

Although Abby and I are going back with Jay, who has his car parked at Katherine's place, just a short walk from there, we still need to get our bags from the van.

As we have done the last few weeks, my daughter and I are staying at my ex-boyfriend's house for the weekend. Tomorrow, we are going to have lunch with my parents. I am slightly nervous about this – probably not as much as Jay, though, and I can for sure hide it better than him – so I've taken a page from my brother's book: I've picked a public place for this first encounter and included Abby, to ensure that the conversation will be kept civil.

On Monday morning, her father will take Abby to school with him, while I take the bus into town – every first Monday of the month, me and the other Ninja meet up with the Police Commissioner and his team for an update on the current situation. Things have been quiet since Zane, PIXAL and Lloyd stopped the attempted break-in into Borg Industries on Hallowe'en, but something that we've definitely learned over the years is not to get lulled into a false sense of security. More often than none has this just been the calm before the storm...

We take our stuff and say goodnight to our friends. Once she realises that the fun part of this evening is over, Abby immediately starts complaining – while she was fine just seconds ago, now she is suddenly sooo tired, her tummy hurts and her feet are sore.

Of course, I don't fall for her scheme, but – no surprise here – her father does. Jay picks her up and seemingly effortlessly carries her all the way, with Katherine and I walking behind them.

"Jay's such a sap when it comes to Abby." I prentend to be annoyed, but secretly admire the cute display in front of us.

"He would do anything for the people he cares about." Katherine remarks. And the tone in her voice leaves no doubt that she is speaking from experience. But before I can comment on this, she continues. "And he's still trying to make up for all the lost time. You've probably spent hundreds of hours carrying Abby around when she was little."

Oh, I certainly have. I remember those sleepless nights when she had a tummy ache, was teething – or was simply refusing to fall asleep anywhere but in my arms.

"You're right." I reply. "They've become close so fast; it's very easy to forget that all this is still fairly new to him – to them."

Katherine chuckles. "Well, Abby surely has learned fast how to make the most of it." But then she turns serious. "Nya, I wanted to apologise for what I've asked you earlier... if you're only spending time with Jay for Abby's sake, I-I really hope I haven't offended you."

"Don't worry, you didn't." I assure her. "It-it was actually really nice talking about this to someone other than my family."

"Good." She lets out a little sigh of relief. "I really wouldn't want you to be upset with me, and it's none of my business anyway. It's just that... Jay loves you, so I was worried you were giving him false hope. He's a great friend, more like a brother to me, and I wouldn't want to see him get hurt."

"Neither do I." I say. Not that I haven't failed in this before though. "A-and I love him too. I really do. But... I'm not sure what to do about it, after things just went so horribly wrong between us the last time."

"Everyone makes mistakes, especially at that age. But you're both older now and you've learned from that experience, haven't you?" She questions.

"I guess so." I agree. "But I still don't know what I'm supposed to do..."

"Please don't ask me to tell you, I'm a real disaster when it comes to romantic relationships." Katherine looks at me. "Also, Jay and I have agreed not to mess with each other's love lives, and I guess I've already broken that promise more than enough this evening. I do believe though that you are very lucky to have been given a second chance. And that you might later regret it if you don't at least think about it."

"I will." I promise. "Thank you. And I think you have helped me a lot."

"No worries." She smiles as she shifts her gaze back to the pair in front of us. Jay has stopped in front of a very modern and rather fancy looking apartment building. Abby has her arms wrapped around his neck, her face is buried in his shoulder, and she doesn't look like she is ready to be set down. "By the way, I think there is at least one thing that happened between the two of you back then that turned out absolutely right."

After we say (and hug) goodbye, we wait until Katherine is safely inside the building, before we walk around one more corner to Jay's car. I put our overnight bags as well as all the purchases and leftover sweets from the Christmas Market into the back while Jay straps a squirming little girl into her car seat.

It's not a long drive to his mansion, but long enough for Abby to have fallen asleep by the time we arrive.

"Do you want to take her upstairs and put her to bed right away?" Jay asks.

"I guess so." I confirm. "It's been a long, exciting evening, and there's only has half an hour until her regular bedtime anyway. Would you mind carrying her upstairs?"

If he's really set on catching up on all those parenting duties, I'm not gonna stop him this time.

He smiles as he hands me the keys. "Not at all."

As Jay gently lifts our daughter out of the car, I take all our things from the boot. I key in the five-digit entry code – 25713 – to unlock the door and hold it open for him.

"I'm not sleepy." Abby mumbles, blinking, as they step inside the house.

"Oh, I think you are." I stroke her tousled hair. "And we'd better get you to bed now so that you're fit for Grandma Maya and Grandpa Ray tomorrow."

"No more telly?" She complains, suddenly wide awake again.

"No more telly." I confirm.

She pouts. "Stowy then?"

"One story."

"From daddy." She demands. "And now."

I shake my head. "No. After you've brushed your teeth." She's had so many sweets, I'm not gonna let her skip that tonight.

"B-but..." Abby's lip trembles and her eyes are welling with tears.

I sigh. "Sweetie, you're absolutely wrecked." And honestly, so am I. "And think about it, if we get you ready first, then you can go to sleep right after your story and won't have to get up again."

"Mummy's right, Abby." Jay chimes in as he starts climbing up the stairs to the first floor. "But why don't we, you and I, show her what a big girl you are, who can get ready for bed almost all by herself?"

He winks at me. Thanks. I mouth while Abby is quietly contemplating her options.

"O-kay." She eventually agrees. "But then stowy and cuddles."

"Deal." He grins.

I get ignored when I drop Abby's bag off at her room. "I'm gonna freshen up." I inform them, to no reply. "Can I join you afterwards for your story and a goodnight kiss?"

Abby shots me a little glare. "Maybe." She says coolly.

In order to give them some time, I take a quick shower before I change into some comfortable clothes – black leggings and a light blue top under a navy jumper. I then brush my damp hair, deciding to wear it down for the evening instead of in my usual ponytail.

When I return to the other room, I am greeted a lot more enthusiastically than before. "Mummy." Abby beams, holding out her arms for me.

My little girl is already lying in her bed, with Mr Cuddlywoomps to her right side and Jay to her left, plus a few smaller soft toys arranged on her pillow.

I return the smile as I take the bear's place and wrap my arms around her. Abby snuggles into my side and we listen to Jay's soft voice narrating a story, which sounds oddly familiar:

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was an evil dark wizard. He summoned an extinct beast, the Dromaeosaurid Theropod Grundalicus, and cursed the four valiant knights that were chosen to protect the kingdom, turning them into dwarves. With the help of a little green gnome, the four knights-turned-dwarves travelled to the mysterious Dungeon of Doom to find the ancient Sword of Illumination, the only weapon capable of defeating the creature. Of course, they suceeded and once again saved the kingdom. And when the curse was lifted, it turned out that the green gnome even was the lost prince. And everyone lived happily ever after.

"Great story, daddy." Abby claps her hands.

"I agree." I wink at him. "But you didn't mention how the curse was broken."

"You know the stowy?" Abby's eyes widen. "Tell me, mummy."

"A good old witch made a magic potion, and her young apprentice took it to the knights."

"Her young, smart and very beautiful appreciate." Jay adds.

"I like her. What happened to her? Did she live happilyev'afte', too." Abby wants to know. "Did she mawwy the lost prince?"

"I'd say she was pretty happy, yes, but she certainly didn't marry the prince." I laugh. "Ugh, that would have been weird..."

"Why, mummy?"

"Because the prince was her little bro-... uhm... cousin." I say.

"Ah, I see." Abby seems to be content with my explanation. "You sure she still lived happilyev'afte' then? In the fairytales, the girls only live happilyeve'afte' when they mawwy a prince." She remarks.

"But not in mummy's and my fairytales." Jay states firmly. "They can choose to do whatever makes them happy." He bops her nose. "And the same goes for you."

"Unless mummy tells you what to do." I say. "And right now, you need to sleep."

"'Kay, mummy." Abby nods. "Can you sing me a song, pwease?"

"Sure." I smile, even though that was not part of our initial agreement.

"I'll leave you two to it then." Jay places a kiss on Abby's forehead. "Good night, Abby."

"'Night, daddy. Luv ya." She yawns as he gets up.

"Love you too, Abby." He replies to her, then turns to me. "I'll see you downstairs."

It takes only two repetitions of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' before my tired little Ninja is once again sound asleep. I switch on the baby monitor before I return to the ground floor and join Jay in the living room.

He is sitting on the sofa, looking at a magazine. "Hey." He says softly when I enter.

"Hey." I reply, sitting down next to him.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" Jay offers, gesturing at an open bottle and two empty glasses on the table.

"Yes, please." I accept his offer.

"I found some real treasures looking through my father's wine cellar." He explains as he pours out the wine and then hands me one of the glasses.

"To your father, then."

"To my dad, wish I'd had the chance to meet you." Jay answers as we clink our glasses.

I take a sip. "Mmh, this is very nice."

I set down my glass and reach for the magazine Jay was reading earlier. "Whatcha got there?"

"It's something that I've wanted to discuss with you - Abby's Christmas present." He answers. "I want her to feel more like at home when she is here, you know, not like she is sleeping in an impersonal guest room. So, if it's okay with you, I would like to get some new furniture and stuff for her room. What do you think?"

I swallow. "It's a great idea. I know she'll love it." And this is not just about the new look, it's as much a sign that he's not going to disappear from her life but that he really means it.

"I've got a couple of furniture catalogues." He hands me the 'magazine' I was asking about. "Maybe you could help me chose?"

"Of course." I start flipping through the pages.

"A-and if there's anything that you'd like to change in your room, just let me know, okay?" I look up and find Jay glancing at me, a light blush dusting his freckled cheeks. He clears his throat as his eyes lock with mine. "Nya, I want you to feel comfortable being here as well."

I feel my face heat up as well so I quickly avert my gaze and shake my head. "I appreciate that, but it's fine, really. I do like to be here."

And to be honest, his offer has just made me feel more welcome than any piece of furniture ever could. It isn't just spending time with Abby that's making him happy. If Katherine was right about this, could she be right about the rest as well?

But my mind is soon distracted from this question, when we start looking through catalogues and planning our daughter's new room.

I've completely forgotten how much fun we used to have working together on our inventions, and this project is of course far more special to both of us than let's say a new bike.

We consequently stay up way too late, especially considering our plans for tomorrow, but at least we have switched to water after the first bottle of wine.

When we eventually go upstairs, we stop outside Abby's room and take a peek inside. She is lying on her side, hugging the old teddy and snoring lightly.

"She's absolutely perfect." Jay whispers. "You've done such an amazing job with her."

"She is." I agree. "But considering you've contributed half of her chromosomes, I'd say that we've done an amazing job with her."

"You know that's not what I meant." He says in a low voice. "Sure, Abby's certainly got the best of both of us, but she wouldn't be such a wonderful little person if you hadn't been such a wonderful mother to her."

"Thank you." I blush. "It hasn't always been easy, but I've always done my best. But... don't make yourself small. You've really grown into this parenting thing these past few weeks too and you did a real great job getting her ready for bed earlier. When did you become so patient?"

"Being a teacher, I've had a lot of practice." Jay chuckles. "And I really want to share the responsibilities. I just..." His voice trails off.

"What?" I ask, placing my hand on his arm. "Please tell me."

"I wish I'd been there all along. I know it's easy to say this now, but you've got to believe me that I truly mean this. I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you and Abby."

"Hey." I run my hand up and down his arm in a comforting manner. "I know that. And if I remember correctly, we've both made our share of mistakes." I swallow. "And while we can't change what happened, we-we've taken our lesson from it, right?"

I more or less repeat Katherine's earlier words. You've learned from that experience, haven't you?

I flash him a little smile. "What about this? We just forget about all those mistakes we've made, all those regrets we have, and simply start from scratch."

"I hope with that you don't mean to make new ones?" Jay smirks.

"No way." I state. "From now on, we are only allowed to do things that we're not gonna regret later."

"Sounds good to me." Jay smiles and pulls me into a gentle hug. "Thank you, Nya."

"You're welcome."

He pulls away. "I guess we'd better get some sleep now."

"Yeah, I guess we do."

"Good night, Nya." He smiles at me again, then turns away and starts to walk to his room when another memory crosses my mind.

You might later regret it if you don't at least think about it.

I stop him with my hand on his arm. "Jay, wait."

"What is it?" I feel his eyes on me. Unable to hold his gaze, I look down.

I take a deep breath as I slowly step closer. "What if... just hypothetically speaking... there was something you'd really want to do?" I swallow. "And you knew that not giving it a try could be something you'd regret for the rest of your life?"

I hear him take a deep breath. "I-I guess the same rule would apply." He says, his voice shaking. "N-no more regrets."

"No more regrets." I echo. "But what if I'm scared I'll just mess things up again?"

And with this, we've moved away from the hypothetical question to the very real one.

I feel his warm hand on my chin, lifting my face until our eyes meet.

"Nya, no matter what happens between us, I promise that I'm not going to run away and abandon my daughter or my friends again." He reassures me, running his thumb over my cheek. "But... we've already made some resolutions tonight, so why don't we also stop worrying about the 'what if' and rather focus on not messing up this time?"

"I'd like that." I wisper, leaning closer.

"Me too." Our lips are only millimetres apart, I can feel his warm breath tickling my skin.

I have no idea how long we remain like this, and I don't know either who eventually closes the gap and initiates the kiss but, to be honest, neither do I care.

But I'm absolutely sure about is that neither of us will ever regret it.