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Vi enters her daughter’s nursery to find the nine month old sitting in her crib cheerfully. Most mornings the little girl would bounce herself in the crib laughing playfully. Upon noticing Vi she babbles to her momma, lifting her arms to be picked up. “Someone’s awake, aren’t you Vani,” she coos at her daughter, lifting her out of the crib. Kissing the top of Vani’s head, Vi brings her daughter over to the large blue changing table opposite the bed. “Do you want to put on your Charmander overalls?” She laughs, reaching for the orange pair from the drawer.
“Now kiddo, are we going to do this the hard way or the easy way?” Vi asks her daughter, reaching for the diapers. The kid had recently decided that she hated diapers. Luckily she hadn’t figured out how to get them off yet, though changing had become a real nightmare. She removes the lilac sleep-suit Vani had been wearing, tossing it into the clothing hamper. The baby began to squirm, kicking her feet into the air as she babbles. Vi leans down blowing raspberries into the girls stomach which caused a squeal to erupt from the girl.
Taking off the wet diaper she’s immediately fought with kicks and squirms. “Calm down Muffin,” she huffs attempting to position the new diaper under her. Vani responds with a series of kicks strong enough to leave bruises if Vi hadn’t known to dodge them. “I need to get you into the ring with those kicks,” she laughs, clasping the buttons on their felt diapers. “Your mommy might have an opponent for strongest legs.” Vi promptly smoothers her daughter in more kisses resulting in a series of giggles from the girl.
Vi grabs the Charmander overalls from the side of the table and dresses Vani. Underneath the bright orange overalls is a white undershirt with long sleeves. Vi made a mental note to grab a few undergarments for when they headed to Vander’s place. Vani would definitely make a mess of her clothes.
She sits Vani up on the carpeted floor before reaching into the girls small collection of bows. Collection would be an understatement, Caitlyn loved bows and ribbons in the girls hair and had been buying more with every chance she got.
Vi locates a small red headband. In the center of the headband sat a large orange bow. She slides the headband over the girls short periwinkle hair that was starting the curl at the ends. Vani’s hair was surprisingly light given Caitlyn’s dark hair. An almost pastel blue with a hint of purple while in the sun. Though, Vander had told her that both her and Powder’s hair had been light when they were young.
Vani and Jinx were undeniably related. The girl looked more like Jinx than Vi or Caitlyn. Even the girl’s eyes that had started as a gray identical to Violet’s, were now changing into the same sea blue that Jinx possessed.
“Now, today is a very important day do you know why that is?” She asked the girl, receiving a coo in response. “Today is the Flowering Festival, so that means we get to spend time with Auntie Jinx and Uncle Ekko. Paw-Paw and Grandpa will be there.” Vani giggles in response bouncing herself up and down on her butt. “And,” Vi continues placing her head in the girls lap.
“Isha and Nova are going to play with you,” Vani laughs before gipping on the Vi’s hair with the strength of Hucules himself. “Oww, Oww, let go of Momma’s hair baby.” Vi pries with the girls hand, wincing as she pulls at a large lock of pink hair. Vi finally retrieves her hair sighing in relief as she combs though the strands.
“Now all that family stuff is cool but you know what’s really important? Tonight you get to pick your starter Pokemon.” A small gasp escapes from the baby’s mouth causing Vi to chuckle. “Now this is very important to our family. If you want me to keep you, you’ve gotta pick Charmander.” Vi attempts to keep a serious tone though a small smile forms on her lips.
“What do you suggest we do with her if she doesn’t pick the lizard?” Caitlyn questions, leaning on the doorway to the nursery.
“I don’t know, we’ll put her back or something,” Vi jokes, lifting her daughter into her arms.
“You’re suggesting that we put our nine-month old daughter back into my uterus?” Caitlyn smiles, walking over to the pair.
“I suppose you’re right, she wouldn’t fit would she.” Vi stands up and walks over to her wife. “Maybe we could dump her off at Dad’s? It wouldn’t be the first time he’s raised a child that wasn’t his own. Plus, now he’s got Silco to help.”
“I spent nine months growing her I’d rather we not give her up over something so arbitrary.” Caitlyn snickers.
“And you did a wonderful job my love.” Vi leans over and kisses her wife on the cheek. “Fine, we won’t get rid of her, maybe we just won’t give her the inheritance or something.”
“You really are something Violet,” Cait laughs rolling her eyes at the shorter woman.
“You know you love me though.” Vi gives her a flirty grin and a wink.
“Remind me why,” Cait laughs, capturing her wife’s lips with a kiss. She extends her arms and grabs Vani out of Vi’s arms. “Good morning Vandalia.” She ruffles the girls hair in her hands and kisses her forehead sweetly.
Caitlyn had always preferred to use the girls full name. They had chosen the name Vandalia after Vander as a way to honor him after all he did for Vi and Jinx. Not only was it a gorgeous name but because of its meaning, Cait would often use the longer version. Cassandra only every used Vani’s full name as she found it more proper.
“Darling, we have breakfast with my parents in an hour. Do you want to go get ready?” Caitlyn asked, leading them into their bedroom.
“Oh yeah I guess I should. Do you need to feed her?” Vi asked, opening the door into the shared space.
“Yes, I should before breakfast, Would you mind watching her while I do my hair? I can take her after that.” Caitlyn places their daughter on the large king mattress.
“Of course. Always love an excuse to hang out with my favorite girl here.” Vi jumps onto the bed and nuzzles into their daughter as she squirmed and squealed.
“And here I was thinking I was your favorite.” Caitlyn teases, walking into their bathroom.
“You’re a close second,” Vi jokes. “No offense but neither of us could compete with her bright eyes or perfect little smile.” Vi stares at Vani finding herself lost in the girl’s features.
“She’s so beautiful.” Caitlyn thinks out loud.
“She does get one thing from you,” Vi calls out.
“And what’s that?”
“Her legs,” Vi responds matter-of-factly.
Caitlyn audibly snorts at the response. Her laughs easily reaching the other room.
“I’m not kidding Cait! I need to get her into the pit or something she’ll make us rich just by kicking them away,” Vi retorts.
“Hate to break it to you but we’re already rich,” Cait responds.
“Well I digress.” Vi smiles with her whole face as she plays with her daughter. If time would have been paused and she was stuck in that moment forever, she wouldn’t mind.
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“Ekko! Take this damn baby off of me before the chicken burns!” Jinx yells across the house. Ekko promptly sprints over to his wife, taking their screaming six-month old out of her arms.
“Chicken’s already burnt babe.” Ekko responds, offering his wife a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh my god!” She screams pulling the smoking chicken out of the oven. “The Festival is cancelled!” She exclaims in an angry fit.
“Hey, it’s okay. We’ll stop at Jericho’s before we go over to your dad’s, it’ll be fine.” He offers a gentle hand on her shoulder despite the meltdown their daughter was having in his arms.
“Nova won’t stop crying, the chicken’s burnt, and Isha won’t leave her room. I’m about ready to go off my rocker.” Jinx spews in an angry huff.
“Honey, go take a shower get yourself cleaned up. I’ll calm down Nova. Okay? This parenting thing isn’t a walk in the park but we’ve managed before and we’ll manage again.” Ekko bounces the baby in his arms, attempting to calm her down.
“Okay.” She takes multiple deep breaths to calm herself. After giving Ekko a soft kiss she runs off upstairs and into the bathroom to get ready.
“Nova girl what’s wrong?” He gentle rocks the baby in his arms. The girl’s face was flush as she had been crying for a long while. He carries the girl to their brown leather couch. He places Nova on his knee as he gently bounces her up and down. After several minutes of nonstop bouncing the girl begins to calm down. Her eyelids droop as her energy depletes.
Ekko carefully lifts his daughter, bringing her to his chest. Slowly Nova falls asleep on his chest, her breath slowing as she falls into a nap that he hoped would last until shortly before they got to Vander’s.
Standing up with the girl he walks through their small house. The walls were lied with photos of family memories Ekko was the most proud of. Isha’s first day of school. Jinx and Ekko’s wedding day. The first time Vi and Vani met Nova. He wears a proud smile as he climbs up the stairs and into the nursery. Carefully he places the girl in her crib, trying not to wake her. She stirs slightly in the crib before drifting back to sleep. Mission success.
Ekko lets out a breath before heading for his adopted daughter’s room. He uses the light activated alarm system they hard installed into her room before getting the signal to open up the door. Inside Isha sits on her small twin bed, fiddling with a bomb of some kind. Like mother like daughter he supposes. “What’s that?” He asks the now ten year old girl.
She hands him the blueprint to the bomb, showing an elaborate control mechanism that housed enormous amounts of glitter. She hides a sly grin that sets off many alarm bells in Ekko’s mind. Instead of confronting her he decides to keep quiet. He would never admit it, but he loved watching Isha and Jinx’s chaos from distance. A very safe, very far away distance. “Is it finished?” He asks, pointing at the various bags of glitter that covered the girl’s desk.
‘Hopefully,” The girl signs.
“What does that mean? Is something bothering you?” He asks, gently nudging the girls arm.
‘I’ll never be a great inventor. Not like you or Mom. Your technology helped spark a revolution between Piltover and Zaun. Mom created weapons that allowed us to win the war against Noxus.’ Isha sits quietly, looking over her blue prints once again.
“Isha, you’re only ten. Your mother didn’t get a single project to work until she turned twelve. I hadn’t created anything worthwhile until fifteen. Do you want to here a story?” Ekko asks, which causes Isha to nod.
“When I was fourteen, I created my first hoverboard. I was so excited to try it out that I didn’t even test ride it. For some reason I thought it would be a great idea to fly it over the river. Safe to say I ended up drenched. Vi had to run over and drag me out before I drowned. We all have bad days,” he continues, placing his hand on the bomb.
‘Do you think it’ll work,’ she signs cautiously.
“I know it will.” He offers her a fist-bump before standing up from her bright blue bed. “I’d say we both should get dressed. We need to get there before Vi or she’ll eat all the carrot cake.” The pair laugh before Ekko steps out of the room to allow Isha to get ready.
“Babe!” Ekko calls out.
“In here!” Jinx responds from their master bathroom.
Ekko approaches the bathroom to find his wife sitting on the counter top with her legs crossed. She was brushing her long blue hair. “Need any help?” He asks, pointing to the box of flower hair clips next to her.
“If you don’t mind,” She responds as she works out the last knots in her hair. They decided on one large braid that traveled down her spine. He grabs locks of hair intertwining them together until he seals off the braid with a thick, pink hair tie.
Grabbing the flowers he slowly presses them into pieces of her braid. The flowers were of various sizes and colors which Ekko places strategically. One flower, a violet, Jinx holds until he finishes with the rest. Carefully she maneuvers the violet just above her ear.
“Are we ready to go beauty queen?” She asks him with a light punch on the shoulder.
“As ready as ever,” he responds. He reaches out his hand guiding her off of the counter top.
Jinx places a firm kiss on his lips before quickly pulling away. “I’ll get the kids, you grab the bags!” She laughs, running out of the room before he can complain.
“You’ll be the death of me,” he laughs before grabbing the diaper bag and heading for the front door.
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“I see the chaos began without us!” Vi laughs opening the door to the bar. Vani who was pressed against her hip immediately starts squirming upon seeing Jinx. The bar had been closed for the evening and Isha had clearly made herself at home. Various screws and bolts covered the floor along with a pile of baby toys in the corner.
“Vander! Fat hands and the nepo baby are here!” Jinx calls to her dad upstairs.
“You better not teach her those nicknames when she starts talking,” Vi jokes, handing Vani over to Jinx.
“She looks more like you every day. Somedays she looks more like your kid than mine,” Caitlyn says with a smile.
“What can I say? I’m just so great she wanted to be just like me.” Jinx giggles throwing the baby in the air before catching her.
“Be careful!” Caitlyn reaches out to Vani her eyes wide with fear.
Vi places a gentle hand on Cait’s arm, calming her down. “It’s okay Cait, Vander used to do this with us all the time. A little rough play never hurt anyone.”
“Okay,” She whispers, her breath still shaky.
“Don’t worry Mama Bear I’d never hurt her. She’s not old enough to fight back yet,” Jinx laughs cradling the baby to her chest.
“Really?” Vi rolls her eyes.
“What? Ruins all the fun.” She shows smile so big it shows all of her teeth. “The rest of the gang is upstairs. Wanna join them?”
“And see Little-Man’s twin 100%.” Nova was a carbon copy of Ekko. Her skin was slightly lighter than his but other than that she had all of his features. They shared the same brown eyes and white hair. The only thing tying Jinx to Nova was her pin-straight hair.
The four of them head up the stairs to meet the rest of the family. Isha was playing the Nova in the corner while Ekko, Vander, and Silco talked in the center of the room. After Vi and later Jinx moved out of the house Silco had moved in with Vander. Even though they weren’t a couple, Silco was still called Grandpa by the girls. He had been around since Vi and Jinx were teenagers so it felt wrong to not include him in the family.
“Vi, Caitlyn, how wonderful to see you.” Vander smiles pulling the two into a hug.
“Hi dad,” Vi greats the older man.
“Wow Vani looks a lot like Powder did at that age.” Vander cheerfully notices, poking the girl in the stomach.
“Don’t remind me,” Vi laughs as she takes Vani from Jinx. She carries the baby over to Isha and Nova, setting her down by the blocks the two had been playing with.
“What are you two doing?” Vi asks Isha. Isha points to the blocks in front of them and demonstrates stacking them into a tower. “Very cool. Would you mind playing with Vani for a bit so I can chat with the grown ups?”
Isha nods in response and begins including Vani into the game before Vi steps away. “Your girls are growing like weeds,” Vi points out to Ekko.
“Could same the same about yours. Every time I see her she’s a foot taller.”
“Say, where do you have the food set up?”Vi asks while rubbing her stomach.
“Violet we just got here don’t be rude,” Caitlyn retorts.
“What? I’m hungry,” Vi replies defensively.
“It’s not problem at all. The food is downstairs let me take you.” Silco stands up, leading Vi downstairs.
Isha shakes her head profusely at Vani. “Isha,” she pronounces again. The girl had been going to speech doctors in Piltover. While she couldn’t say most words yet she was learning basic ones including her name, no, yes, and other common words. “Isha.” She tries again. She angrily grumbles as the baby only claps in response. “Eee,” she pauses. “sha.”
That had to be it. Isha couldn’t here the baby speak the her lips moved correctly for her name. Vani had said her name she was sure of it.
The girl excitedly sprints over to the adults quickly signing. “Slow down there kid. I can’t understand a word you’re saying,” Vander quips.
‘Vani said my name. She said Isha,’ She signs breathlessly jumping up and down.
“Are you sure?” Caitlyn asks.
“Isha, Vani isn’t speaking yet. You sure she didn’t just string together some baby noises?” Vi, who had returned from the kitchen questions.
‘No she said Isha,’ the girl demands.
“Hey give the kid some grace would ya. Why don’t you show us?” Jinx waves them over to where the babies were playing.
‘Ask her who I am,’ Isha signs to Caitlyn.
Caitlyn crouches down to the nine-month old, getting the girls attention. “Darling look at me. Who is that?”
Nothing. The baby just sat there clapping while maintaining eye contact with Caitlyn. “Sweetie maybe you read her lips wrong. Is that a possib-”
“I-I-Isha,” the baby declared.
“Say that again baby what was that.”
“Isha!” Vani giggled before crawling over to the ten year old.
“Well I be damned,” Vi and Vander responded it unison.
“You were right Isha. I’m sorry for doubting you. You were her first word!” Caitlyn looks to the girl who was holding Vani.
‘I told you she said my name,’ Isha responds with a smile.
“Our daughter said her first word!” Vi crouches down to Cait. “She’s growing up,” she beams.
Caitlyn replies with a deep kiss, to which Jinx immediately pulls them apart. “Get a room you horny monkeys”
“You’re still the twelve year old girl you were when we started dating huh?” Vi jokes, sneaking a kiss from Cait before Jinx can intervene.
“Damn right I am!” Jinx scowls.
“Why don’t we have our girls choose their starter Pokemon.” Silco announces.
“Ooo yes!” Vi and Jinx jump up, running together to grab the stuffed animals off the shelf.
“What is it with them and those Pokemon?” Caitlyn asks Ekko.
“Not sure, I mean most kids in the Lanes would do it but them? I’ve never seen a family more invested.” He responds as he picks up Nova.
“At least our girls are happy.” She smiles taking in the moment. She never understood the tradition but with how happy it made Vi. She would do it a million times over to see the way her smile lights up the room.
“We’re back!” Vi yells nearly tripping as the sisters run across the floor.
“Careful babe,” Ekko reminds Jinx, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Come on lets get started!” Vi excitedly jumps after lining up the stuffed animals.
“Okay, Okay, is everyone ready?” Vander asks as they bunch together to all get a view. “How about Nova goes first since she’s younger.”
Ekko places the girl down as she begins to scoot herself over to the toys. She wasn’t quite crawling yet but she had learned how to scoot on her butt which aided in her movement. “Come on Nova girl!” Jinx yells to the baby. Nova makes it to the Pokemon contemplating which to pick for a moment. As if she had come to a conclusion she pushes away the squirtle.
She grabs the bulbasaur, wrapping her tiny arms around it. The family cheers in celebration at the girls choice, showing am impressive amount of enthusiasm. In a moments notice she begins biting the stuffie in a vicious attack. “That’s not food,” Jinx tells her daughter before grabbing it from her mouth.
“That’s one thing she gets from you. Loves eating inedible stuff,” Ekko cackles. Jinx picks up Nova before playfully punching her husband.
“Alright Vani it’s your turn.” Vander directs the girl in front of the three Pokemon.
“Charmander!” Vi yells in an attempt to sway the girl. “Come on Charmander.”
Vani crawls over to the Pokemon before playfully selecting the orange Pokemon. “Yes!” Vi jumps exuberantly, throwing her daughter in her arms before smothering her in kisses. “You know who you are!” She twirls the baby around. Vani responds to all the attention with a series of giggles and a fierce hair pull. “Oww! Oww!”
“Have to say I’m proud of the kid,” Jinx butts in. “She’s beating up Vi every chance she gets. Filling my shoes if I do say so myself.”
“Where’s Isha?” Caitlyn asks, noticing the girls absence. Almost like she was asking for it, Caitlyn gets her answer when a pool of glitter is exploded onto her black sweater. “What the-” She audibly thinks reaching at the clawed glitter bomb stuck to her back.
Vi, Jinx, and Isha immediately burst out in a series of hard, uninterrupted laughs. Vi herself looked a if she would have fallen over if not holding their child. ‘It worked!’ Isha proudly signs, a deep smile etched into her face.
“Got to give it too you. Glitter bomb? Diabolical,” Jinx responds in a series of clutched breaths.
“I can tell she’s yours.” Caitlyn replies, attempting to hide the small smile that tugged at her lips.
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Later that night the family found themselves at the Flowering Festival. A small festival that celebrated the start of spring. The group found themselves at a large lake in the corner of Piltover. They were crafting small flower boats that they would then send out into the lake. In the center of the boat each person would write a wish on a piece of paper. Rumour was whatever you wished for would come true by the next spring.
“I can’t wait till the babies are old enough to make their own boats,” Ekko mentioned as he crafted Nova’s.
“Me neither, the little kid boats are always adorable,” Vi responded as she accidentally broke her base for the third time.
“Well yours looks enough like the kid’s boats.” Jinx says matter of factly.
“Does everyone have their wishes?” Vander asks the group, to which they all nod.
They finish building their boats as the sun fully sets. They all light the candles placing them in the center of each one. Finally they secure their wishes into the center and slowly release them into the lake. Each boat danced on the late like fairy lights, it looked like something from a dream.
“It’s beautiful,” Caitlyn gasps. She had been to this festival every year since birth yet it never failed to leave her in awe.
“I’m really glad we get to do this with our girls,” Jinx responds.
“Me too.”
They sat in silence, watching the boats skate across the lake. Eventually all three kids fell asleep. Vani laid in Caitlyn’s laps while Nova and Isha laid in Silco and Vanders’ laps respectively. After Jinx threatened to fall asleep herself the family decided to spilt ways and head home after the long night.
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Caitlyn and Vi strolled home, alone for the first time that day as Silco and Vander had taken Vani home with them. “Hey Cupcake?” Vi asked softly.
“What is it darling?” Caitlyn responded, her tone more gentle than usual.
“Umm, If you don’t mind me asking. What did you wish for?” Vi held her head low, almost embarrassed for asking.
“Oh well.” She stutters, a heat spreading through her cheeks as they turn red. “Okay so this doesn’t have to happen. I completely understand if you say no I don’t want to pressure you into anything.”
“Spit it out,” Vi lets out a soft chuckle.
“I umm, wished for another baby.” Caitlyn stops walking as she searches Vi’s face.
“Really?” Vi swallows, a soft smile forming on her lips.
“Yes, but I completely understand if you don’t want-” Caitlyn is cut off by a deep compassionate kiss. Caitlyn deepens the kiss, almost toppling backwards.
“I want another kid too.” Vi shows a smile so big Caitlyn swore time stopped for at least a moment.
“You do?” Caitlyn gasps.
“Yes. I want Vani to have a sibling.” Vi grins as she pulls Caitlyn into her arms.
“I love you Violet,” Caitlyn breaths, lost in Vi’s gorgeous gray eyes.
“I love you too Cait.”
The rest of the walk home was filled with a hopefully silence. A promise to always have each other. That no matter what came between them they would always find one another. Always love each other. That every morning they would wake up choosing each other.
In every moment.
In every lifetime.