Votes for this chapter's POV were more or less tied between Nya and Jay, but as Nya's thoughts and emotions are a bit more complicated, I'm doing hers now. Jay's should come again in the next chapter when he meets the guys.

Btw, the next 2-3 chapters are still gonna be more 'serious', but then we'll get to a lighter and fluffier (not romance-fluffy yet though) arc or this story: Jay and Nya spending some time together with their daughter and getting to know each other again - as friends / co-parents. (And here, Jay is the one who still has to learn Airjitzu 😉.)

What 'fun activities' would you like to read them do? For example: zoo, regular park/picnic, Christmas Market (btw it's currently late autumn in this story leading up to Christmas - so no beach or stuff like that), ice skating, cinema, museum, Mega Monster Amusement Park, visit Ed and Edna, etc.?!

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Chapter 9 (Nya)

One and a half years ago (after Hands of Time), Temple of Airjitzu

I smile as I look at my brother's Fire Dragon flying right next to mine through the night.

As we are the ones who have suffered the most in this fight, Kai and I are flying in the middle of the group, flanked by Lloyd and Skylor who are leading us on the way and Cole and Zane behind us. Although they could use their mechs, Seliel and Pixal have chosen to fly with their respective partners, as they usually do when we fly home from a sucessful mission.

Unlike earlier, Kai and I haven't created our fusion dragon as we both have a passenger travelling with us as well. Dad, still recovering from the effects of the Forward Time Blade, is tensely sitting behind my brother, while mum is flying with me on my Water Dragon, holding so tight onto me that I feel her fingers digging into my shoulders.

They are nervous, understandably. For so long, our parents were kept prisoners at the swamp that it must feel very strange - and I assume also a little bit frightening - to finally be free again and to leave their prison (which undoubtedly has become their home) behind.

And our mode of transportation probably doesn't help either. Sure, this is not the first time that mum and dad are flying on a dragon's back, but the first time in many years. And, unlike back then, they can't do anything themselves for it's now their children who actually control the dragons.

But to be honest, I am not too comfortable flying with a passenger either. As my daughter is afraid of my element - a trait she shares with her uncle - Abby usually prefers to ride with Kai or Lloyd rather than with me.

Abby...

So much has happened today - good and bad - that I haven't been able yet to tell my parents about their granddaughter, who is waiting for us back home with Misako and Cole and Sel's twins.

"M-mum?" I briefly turn my head to look at my mother behind me.

"Yes, Nya?" She asks in her gentle voice.

"I-I've missed you so much." I tell her.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart." She replies. "There hasn't been a day that I haven't missed my wonderful son and my beautiful baby girl."

Mum sighs. "All these years, I've wondered how you and Kai were doing, what you would look like..."

"Are you... disappointed?"

"Disappointed?" Mum gasps. "How could I be disappointed in you? You have become such a beautiful, strong, brave, kind young woman, I just couldn't be any prouder."

"Mum, there is something I need to tell you..." I say hesitantly, knowing that this could easily change her opinion of me. "I-I have a child. A little girl."

"W-we have a g-granddaughter?" Mum stifles a sob.

"You do." I confirm. "And the cutest one ever. Her name is Abigail. Or Abby for short. And-" I take a breath before continuing. "-she has just turned four."

I can literally hear my mother's face fall. "F-four?" She questions. "Well, that's... uhm... quite a... surprise. What about..."

"He doesn't know." I state. Or he doesn't care but I'm not feeling like going into any detail tonight, other than "We broke up before I found out."

Silence.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, mum." I whisper, tears pooling in my eyes.

"No, Nya." Mum says softly. "I am sorry we weren't around to support you. And that we've not only missed so much of your life but also four years of hers." She hugs me from behind. "I can't wait to meet her."

"Thanks mum." I sniff. "Wh-what about d-dad? Do you think h-he'll be alright about it?"

"Your father might not take it as well." She chuckles. "It was already quite a shock to him seeing you and Kai all grown up... and finding out that his little girl is a mum... but I am sure he will change his mind as soon as he meets her. So you might as well surprise him."

"I hope you're right." I sigh as the floating Temple Island comes into sight. "We're almost there."

I briefly hold my breath as we fly through the force field protecting our home, but as expected - and hoped - our parents' elemental signature matches Kai and I's to let them pass through without a problem.

Although it is very late when we land our dragons, Abby is the first one to come running out the door and down the stairs to welcome us back.

"Mummyyyyy." My little girl, dressed in her soft Pikachu onesie, throws herself into my arms. "You' back."

"I am, sweetie." I hug her tightly. "I've promised you that I'm always coming back, right?"

"Always." She nods.

I just hope that I'll always be able to keep this promise.

When my parents were taken from us, I was even younger than my daughter is today. I just can't imagine how I would feel if I was ever separated from her. And speaking of my parents...

"Who's that?" Abby curiously looks at my mum who is standing behind me, fondly watching us.

"That's your grandma." I tell her. "And this-" I point at my dad who is climbing off Kai's dragon to stand next to his wife, his eyes wide open in shock. "-is you granddad."

Her blue eyes light up with excitement - literally - like a flash of lightning in the night sky. "Gran'ma an' gran'pa?" She gasps.

She lets go of me and wraps her short around my parents. "I love you." She tells them. And I know she is telling the truth, despite having never met them before. But I've told her stories about my parents and sang her the lullabies that my mum and dad also used to sing for us, to make her feel close to them.

"We love you too, Abby." Mum affectionately strokes her tousled hair. "We love you so much."

"Y-yeah... sure... w-we do." My dad stammers, still overwhelmed by the revelation. But I can see a little smile curling on his lips as his hand gently rubs her back, so I think it's gonna be alright.

But what Abby asks next comes as a shock to all of us.

"Is my dad coming home too?"

Present Day, Master Chen's Noodle House

Our surprise party for my sister-in-law is a great success.

Skylor was so touched, she even started crying when she and Kai arrived here earlier to find their friends and our parents already waiting for them. But she has recovered quickly and is having a great time.

As are our guests. And they are certainly enjoying the food, Dareth alone must have had a whole tray of puffy potstickers, so my brother and I have been busy refilling the food trays and taking dirty dishes to the kitchen.

But Kai has just left to get more drinks and we are going to cut the cake - or cakes as we got an extra one for Cole and the twins - soon ayway, so I can take a short break from my duties as well and have a little chat with my mum and dad.

"Such a wonderful surprise for Skylor." Mum smiles at me. "Well done, sweetheart."

"You've done a great job, Nya." My dad adds.

"Sky deserves it." I say. "And helping Kai with the organisation was the the least I coud do after all she's done for me..."

Skylor is not only my brother's wife but also my best friend ever since she's helped me get away from her father and Clouse who were planning to take my unborn child's powers. And how many times has she helped take care of Abby or just been there for me when I am upset.

Like I was on Friday.

I don't know why the encounter has affected me so much. I mean, for six year I've wanted nothing more than to see Jay again and for him to spend time with our daughter.

But I've wanted it to happen on my terms.

But instead they have bonded behind my back, and even unknowing who they are to each other. Sure, I've told Abby a lot about her father but I've avoided showing her photos of him. And Jay didn't even seem to have realised who she is either, and they were still getting along so well.

Of course, it is just impossible not to love Abby, but 'Mr Gordon' is all that she's been talking about for the last two and a half weeks - and my daughter can talk a lot.

I've spent the last six years taking care of her, and he just turns up and all of a sudden is her favourite person in the world. They have so much in common, they even share their element. I feel... left out. And scared. What will happen when she learns that Jay is her father? What if she loves him more than me? What if she wants to stay with him?

And there's another problem... although I am upset with Jay for abandoning us, a part of me still loves him. I've been trying so hard to move on, but it's going to be even harder now.

I know that I'll have to talk to him sooner or later, but I don't want to worry about that now.

"You're alright, darling?" My mum's question snaps me out of my thoughts.

No, I haven't told my parents about meeting Jay again, they are too excited about becoming grandparents again - this time, they are around right from the start - and I don't want to ruin the mood with my problems.

"Yeah, i-it's fine." I give her a reassuring smile. "Just ti-..."

"Mr Gooordooon." At this moment, Abby zooms past us towards the entrance. Huh? What's going on?

I turn my head into the direction that she's heading, and there he is, talking to Skylor like they're best friends. Well, they have met a few times at Abby's school, and it looks like Kai has just 're-introduced' them to each other.

But their conversation just gets interrupted by my daughter who is very exited to see her new favourite teacher.

I suspiciously eye them from my spot, and as he fondly smiles at her, I notice something very interesting.

Jay was never good at hiding his emotions, and despite the years and his slightly changed appearance - admittedly, he looks great - I can still read him like an open book.

He is nervous.

Nervous to be here, nervous to meet his old teammates, nervous to meet me - and he is absolutely scared of how Abby will react to the news of him being her father.

But then why in Ninjago did he decide to turn up here?

I am contemplating whether of not to go over, but before I've made up my mind, Abby comes bouncing back.

"I'm getting a glass of water for Mr Gooordooon." She announces proudly, as she passes us on the way to the bar where Zane is busy pouring drinks for our guests.

"So, this is the famous 'Mr Gordon'." Mum remarks. "The similarity really is striking..."

"Y-you know?" I blurt out.

"Kai told us." She soothingly places her hand on my arm as she leans over and whispers. "He didn't want your dad to blow up on him in the middle of the party..."

From the corner of my eye, I can see my brother leading Jay to a private booth and away from everyone's attention.

Kai knew he was coming and didn't try to stop him? Things just got more confusing.

"But you should go talk to him." She adds. Is everyone here plotting against me? "I'll try and distract Abby until then."

"O-okay." I feel all eyes on me as I slowly, very slowly walk over to the secluded table that Jay and Kai are occupying, with Skylor standing next to it.

My former boyfriend has his back turned to me so he doesn't notice me at first, especially as he is just handing a little present to my sister-in-law for their baby, a very cute and thoughtful gesture.

But it hurts so bad that he's never done the same for our child.

"I don't know very much about these... uhm, this baby stuff..." I hear him say, and I just can't hold back my anger over his words.

"Oh, really?" I snap, causing three pairs of eyes to fall onto my. "Why am I not surprised to hear that?"

"Hi N-Nya." Jay rubs his neck as he flashes me a nervous smile. "S-so good to see you, I was hoping I-I'd get to talk to you."

He surprisingly holds my gaze as I glare at him. As he isn't wearing his glasses today, I look directly into his eyes for the first time in over six years.

I've missed you.

I just want to hug him, want him to hold me, pretend like nothing has happened. But... some things have happened that cannot be ignored.

"Who do you think you are?" I poke his chest instead, masking my desire with anger. "After years you just show up in the middle of Skylor's party, as if it was only yesterday that you left, and..."

"Actually, this was my idea." My brother interrupts me.

"Wh-What?" I gape, grabbing onto the table as I feel the power in my legs waning.

"Sit down, sis." Kai gestures at the empty spot besides Jay and I have no choice but to sit down next to my ex-boyfriend if I don't want to collapse in the middle (or corner) of the restaurant.

"Jay called me yesterday, he had my number from the invitation." My brother explains. "All he wanted was to get a chance to talk to you and clear up a few things. And I've kinda blackmailed him into coming here today. So if you want to be angry with someone, it should be me."

"Tough luck, I'm still mad at him..." I mutter. "And I want him to stay away from my daughter."

"She's also m-"

"And you didn't care about her for how many years?" I harshly interrupt Jay's protest before he can say something that I don't want certain people to hear.

"I-I didn't know about her." He defends himself.

I cross my arms. "That's not my fault."

"Nya, please." He carefully reaches for my hand, and I just don't have the willpower to pull away. "I'm not asking you to forgive me, but please give me a chance to be part of her life. After we met on Friday, I went to see my parents and read all your letters, so I know that this is what you want for her as well, isn't it?"

It's not fair to use my own words and my daughter's wellbeing as an argument against me, but he is right.

"Alright." I sigh. "But I really don't feel like discuss the details here and now, and especially not with Abby. Are you free tomorrow morning? I can come to your office after I've dropped her off at her class. And then we can tell her together."

My terms, even is it's his territory.

Jay's face lights up. "That would be great." He smiles. "Thank you, Nya."

"Y-You're welcome." I mumble, averting his gaze. "I-I gotta go now. Someone has to take care of our guests..."

I jump up from my seat and leave before I'll change my mind. Either about our meeting or about being mad at him.

On the way back to my parents I pass Abby who is carefully balancing a half full glass, leaving a trail of spilled water behind her.

"Granny was asking me sooo many q'essions about school." She pouts. "Poor Mr Gordon had to wait fo' his dwink. He must be veeewyyy thirsty now."

I can't help but smile at her cute eagerness. Who am I to disappoint her?

"Then you better hurry up now and not let him wait any longer." I tell her, ruffling her hair that we've spent ages on to tame and style into two French braids. "Love you, sweetie."

"Love you too, mummy." She blows me a kiss, almost dropping the glass in the process. I don't think very much of the water will reach its destination. But then, I really don't think Jay will mind either.