Title: Mei-Mei

Rating: G and fluuuuuuuffy

Characters: Most of the crew, plus the Pirate Children and Alistair Caramia (the latter are mine, the rest are Joss's)

Pairings: Canon pairings. I will openly admit that I heavily, heavily favor Mal and Inara and the Reynolds Family. And I'm not going to even kid you that there's some S/K or Z/W in this one... There's just not enough time in my little two parter. The M/I's not even that heavy.

Summary: Yet another Pirate Children story.S et 8 years post-BDM, AU. Serenity's youngest baby girl is about to make her entrance into this 'verse. And this somehow became mostly from Ally's point-of-view...

Author's Note: After the controversial angst fest of Tough, I bring you the light and fluffy story of how Serra came into this 'verse, a story much alluded to in other PC stories. And Abe's back! Didn't we miss him?

For newbies:

Brother, Shadow, Mei-Mei, Mischief, Pirate Children, Hell-Raising, Tough (Renci de Fozu, this series just keeps growing)

Kacey Washburn, 7.5

Lolly Tam, 6.5

Abe Reynolds, 5

Serra Reynolds, born any moment now

Alistair Caramia, 20

Part 1

Inara must smile warmly at the sight that greets her upon entering the shuttle: rich pillows, lush blankets, and beautiful tapestries, all strewn about, forming a makeshift fort full of giggles. “Abe?” “In here, Mama,” comes a muffled voice. He sticks his dark head out from under a vibrant violet curtain hung between the chair to Mal’s desk and the bedpost. He’s grinning. “Hi.” “Hi, baby. Have you seen Kacey and Leila Lee?” “Here, Aunt ‘Nara,” little Killian Washburn calls, head emerging next to Bubba’s. “Hi, Aunt ‘Nara,” Lolly giggles, flushed face appearing between the boys’ heads. “I believe you three are supposed to be at the table with Miss Ally, yes?” “Oops.” Kacey makes a funny face. Abe and Lolly appear more contrite. “Climb out and get your lessons done, please,” Inara smiles at them. “Yes, ma’am,” the trio answers, wriggling out from under the blankets, some pillow walls collapsing in their wake. Lolly and Kacey take off at a full run to the kitchen. “Walk!” Inara calls after them. Their footsteps slow considerably, “Sorry, Aunt ‘Nara” floating back to her. “Oh, no!” Abe exclaims, gesturing to the fort. “It’s wrecked! We gotta fix it.” “No, you have to go be with Ally. You can fix it after your studies,” Inara says, firmly but not harshly. “But Mama…” “Lessons.” Abe pouts, bottom lip stuck out and big brown eyes made even wider. Inara sits on the bed and beckons him over, unable to squat to his level anymore. “I’ll help you, after you’ve done your work with Ally, dong ma?” Abe nods. “Awright, Mama. ‘Bye!” He leans down and kisses her expanded belly. “’Bye, Mei-Mei!” He hurries off, not quite running, but not looking where he’s going. He runs into a large pair of legs in the door. “Whoa, watch where you’re goin’ there, Bubba,” Mal chuckles, righting him with a smile. “Your teacher’s looking for you.” “I’m goin’,” Abe sighs heavily before heading off again. Mal chuckles again, looking to Inara. “Hard being five, huh?” “Very trying, I hear. Don’t you have Captainy duties you should be attending to?” There’s a smile in her voice, hand resting on their little girl growing inside her. “And miss spending time with my beautiful wife? Never!” Inara raises an eyebrow. “And there ain’t much to be done since we land on Persephone in a little over a week to bring the Mei-Mei into the ‘verse. We’ll be parked for two weeks or more, dependin’ on our little one. And if she’s half as stubborn as her parents, we might be there a month.” “Bite your tongue!” Inara says, horrified. Mal grins cheekily. “How’re you feelin’?” “Tired. Achy. Gigantic. So, normal for being eight months pregnant.” “Little over,” Mal corrects lightly, rubbing her tummy affectionately. “Lil’ Kaylee’s been bugging me ‘bout a name. Seems to think Kaywinnit is a fine one.” Inara laughs gently. “No, she doesn’t. She just says that to see the look on your face.” “What look?” “The one you just made. Anyway, we can’t decide on a first name until we see her. We didn’t with Abe.” “No, reckon you’re right. Got the middle one picked out, though. If you agree.” “Oh? What’s that?” “Alleyne? Zoe’s…” “Yes, I know. It’s beautiful. I love it. Do you think she’ll mind?” “Could ask her, but it’d ruin the surprise. I’m sure she’ll be okay with it. It’s a middle name; won’t stop Kacey from usin’ it down the line.”

***

“Ally,” a young voice whispers, right in the ear of the sleeping woman. “Al-ly…” Alistair Caramia groans, “Yes, Kacey?” “Good morning!” The young woman opens her eyes slowly, three bright, smiling children filling her vision. “Wasn’t that door locked?” Lolly shrugs. Ally closes her eyes and takes a deep breath to wake herself up. After four months on this ship, she’s learned that it is better to attend to this trio than leave them to their own devices. When she opens her eyes, there are only two faces. That’s never good. “Where’s Abe?” she asks, sitting up quickly. There is never a dull moment with these three, and it takes all of her patience to make it through every day. But it is worth it, more than worth it. They are smart and hard working when set to a task. In the four short months she’s been teaching them, they’ve come so far. Abe is reading, really reading, short picture books, Kacey has his addition and some of his subtraction tables memorized, and Lolly’s handwriting is just beautiful. “Up here, Ally,” the recently-turned-five Abram Reynolds calls from on top of her dresser. The drawers are pulled out from where he climbed up. “Get down, please, Abe,” Ally sighs, “You don’t want to break your head open, do you? Your mama wouldn’t like that. Remember what Uncle Simon said about stress.” Abe hops from the dresser to Ally’s bed, bouncing once and then landing on the ground. Ally rolls her eyes and throws the covers back, grabbing a sweatshirt from the floor and pulling it over her head. “Slippers,” Lolly says, handing the footwear to her. “Thanks, kiddo,” Ally smiles, slipping them onto her feet. “Have you had breakfast yet, little ones?” “Nope,” Kacey grins. “Will you make us the letter pancakes?” “We’ll see what we have in the kitchen,” Ally sighs, shepherding them from her quarters and up the stairs toward the mess. “Good morning, Miss Ally,” Inara greets from the kitchen table. “Did these three wake you up?” Abe immediately snuggles up next to his mama, kissing her stomach and saying hi to his little sister. “I did have a nice wake-up call,” Ally smiles, looking through the cabinets to see what’s available for breakfast. “I’m sorry. It’s your day off.” Ally shakes her head, passing a smile over her shoulder at the older woman. “It’s not just a job, Inara.” “Do we have stuff for pancakes, Ally?” Kacey asks again, hopping up to look in the cabinets. “Pancakes?” Inara asks, directed at her son and accompanied with a tickle at his sides. Abe giggles and bows his head, still leaning against his mama, since he can’t fit in her lap anymore. “Ally might make us some,” Lolly explains excitedly. “There’s enough for one each, so we’ll need to eat something else, too.” “Do you want one, Aunt ‘Nara?” Kacey asks, bouncing over to the table to sit across from Abe and Inara. Lolly joins them as Ally pulls down everything for the pancakes. “I already had breakfast, baby, thank you.” Inara engages the children in conversation while Ally prepares breakfast: a pancake each with a bowl of instant oatmeal on the side. They talk about their studies and adventures, and Ally drowns them out until she hears the clatter of a teacup being dropped and Abe’s strained voice. “You okay, Mama?” “Fine, Bubba,” comes Inara’s pained voice. Ally plops three bowls of hot oatmeal and “K”, “L”, and “A” pancakes on the table and rests a hand on Inara’s shoulder. “Was that…?” “I hope not,” is the older woman’s response. “I’m getting Simon.”

***

“Yes, you’re at two centimeters. Your water should break soon.” Inara squeezes Mal’s hand. “Simon, we’re still a week away from Persephone.” “And the way Wash and River plotted, three days from the nearest inhabited rock,” Mal adds. He’s looking a little nervous. “’Sides, she’s not due for three weeks. Is the Mei-Mei even ready?” “Apparently so. I can delay it as long as is healthy, but we won’t make it anywhere. We’re going to have deliver her here.” “In the Black?” Inara sounds a little stricken. “Let’s monitor her for a while, before we make any big decisions,” Simon tries to sound soothing, laying a hand on Inara’s shoulder. “Captain, I’d tell Wash and River to alter course.”

***

“Where’s Mama? Is Mama okay?” “Please, Ally, make him shut up.” “Watch your language, Kacey,” Ally scolds with a sigh, at her last nerve with the three worried children. “Abe, your mother is fine. Simon will take good care of her. He delivered all of you three, didn’t he?” “On ‘Sephone,” Abe admits, bouncing on his toes nervously. “Not out here. Ally…” “Everything is going to be fine, Abram. Please calm down.” Kacey returns to bouncing a ball off of the cargo bay wall, Lolly drawing distractedly on the floor and Abe standing beside Ally, his brow knit with worry. With a sigh, Ally hefts the five-year-old onto her hip. “Kacey, Lolly. Don’t blow anything up.” “Yes, ma’am,” the two older children chorus. “Where are we going?” Abe asks, holding onto Ally’s shoulder. “To find your father.” They run into him on the catwalk, returning to the infirmary from the cockpit. “Daddy!” “Bubba,” Mal smiles gently, tiredly, taking his son from Ally. Abe burrows his head in Mal’s shoulder. “Is Mama okay?” “She’s fine, Bubba,” Mal answers, rubbing the boy’s back gently, “Your mei-mei’s just bein’ a mite tetchy is all. She’s decided she can’t wait another week to come into this world. Impatient, don’t ya think?” The boy nods, unusually quiet. “Can I see Mama?” “Of course. We’ll go right now. In fact, you run on down. I’ve gotta talk to Miss Ally.” Abe nods and takes off as soon as he is put down. “I’m sorry about your day off,” Mal starts, running a hand through his hair, obviously distracted. “Stop it,” Ally scolds gently, “This is much more important than sleeping in and reading trashy novels.” “Do they have trashy novels in the Core?” “Yes, I borrow them all from your wife. Now, you worry about Inara and the baby; I’ll take point on Abram. It’s as easy as that. I’m just about to send Lolly and Kacey off to their mothers and then I’ll find a way to distract Abe.” Mal smiles genuinely. “Thank you, Miss Ally.” “Not a problem, Captain. Go see to your wife.”

***

It’s late. Kacey and Lolly are already in bed. Abe should be, but he’s having trouble sleeping. His very strong intuition makes it hard to be unaffected by the tension on Serenity, but he is still too young to understand the hows and whys of everything. He is very sleepy, though, eyes drooping as he sits in his father’s lap, small fingers wrapped in his mother’s. “What did you do today, baby?” Inara asks him, smiling to reassure him that everything will be okay. “Ally and I played,” Abe answers under a yawn. “Just me and her. ‘Cept for when we had Jayne lower the hoop ball ring real low so we could play with Kacey, Lolly, Aunt Zoe, and Aunt Kaylee. Ally’s not very good at hoopball.” “Hey now. That’s not very nice, Bubba,” Mal says, brushing a kiss over the young boy’s temple. “Miss Ally spent all day with you. You should be nicer to her.” “She said so!” Abe objects to the reprimand. Mal chuckles, the rumble shaking Abram. “Well, alright. And it is true.” Abe yawns again, letting his fingers fall from Inara’s as he snuggles deeper into Mal, eyes closing. “You’re worn out,” Inara smiles gently, eyes resting tenderly on their son. “Why don’t you go to bed, baby?” “No.” Abe’s eyes pop open. “I wanna stay with you.” “What if we make ya a bed right over there?” Mal offers, pointing to the bed built into the wall of the infirmary, too tired to fight with his willful son tonight. Abe’s brow wrinkles, but he nods eventually, feeling his father’s frustration and not wanting to risk a reprimand. “Okay, let’s go get you some pillows.” “Don’t bother,” a new voice greets from the door. Ally enters the infirmary with a blanket, a pillow, and Bó, the blue silk scarf Abe has slept with since birth. Her barely shoulder-length hair is wet from a shower, slightly curling as it dries. She smiles and hands Bó to her young charge before setting up the pillow and blanket on the bed. “Our resident psychic rubbin’ off on you, Miss Ally?” Mal asks with a curious smile. “No, no. I just figured Abram would feel more comfortable falling asleep near his mama, since he’s so worried.” She smoothes the blanket and fluffs the pillow a little before turning to them again, asking Abram, “How about we go brush your teeth and put some pajamas on?” Sleepy Abe only holds on tighter to his daddy. “I’ll take ‘im,” Mal offers, standing with the boy in his arms, leaning down to kiss his wife’s forehead gently. “We’ll be right back.” “I’m not going anywhere,” Inara smiles, a trace of irony in her voice. Ally chuckles a little at it and watches the Reynolds men depart. “How are you feeling?” Ally asks as soon as they are gone, warmly squeezing Inara’s hand. Inara meets the younger woman’s eyes and grants her a tired smile. “I’ve been better. I’ll be worse soon.” She puts on a brave face. “I’ve done this before, you know.” “Very well, I hear. I’m not worried.” Alistair Caramia is very smart, but the University of Sihnon does not train its students to mask their deep feelings well. It is Inara’s turn to squeeze Ally’s hand, to try a reassuring grin. She is a little amazed at how much affection she has developed for this very young woman in only four months. But Inara felt a kindred spirit with her the moment they met, a shared background that Miss Caramia’s surname immediately betrayed: a childhood in aristocratic Sihnon. She has come to think of Ally as a much younger sister, or even at moments, a daughter. She told her as much over tea a few weeks ago and earned a bright laugh from Ally. “Inara, you’re not even old enough to be my mother.” There was a light to her eyes, though, that belied her casual response and revealed a deeply moved soul honored by the affection. Inara knew from the handful of Caramias she had known growing up, either from her own classes or her brother and sister’s schoolmates, that their exemplary upbringings were often lacking in affection. She knew that their first lessons were grammar and arithmetic, followed soon by Socrates and Plato, not how to ride a bike, or throw a ball, or receive a kiss. This knowledge, however, means that Inara is pleasantly surprised that Ally is more than capable of a great deal of affection for Serenity’s three (soon to be four) children, that she is able to be stern and yet loving with her students, celebrating their achievements, comforting their disappointments, easing their fears, and picking them up when they fall. They are very, very lucky to have stumbled upon her on Bellerophon. “Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Abe,” Inara says gently as Ally drops her hand and begins to rearrange the blanket and pillow once again. Ally looks over her shoulder, something soft in her eyes. “Please, don’t worry about that. He’s a special little boy; he feels a lot. River tells me that he gets that from you.” “That’s one popular theory. He behaved well for you?” “He was at his best.” Ally pauses. “When does Simon think the mei-mei will be along?” “Very soon. He has me on something to slow the labor for now, but it won’t be safe to put it off for much longer.” “She’s only three weeks early. Babies are born more premature than that every day.” “Is that covered in the university’s curriculum? I hardly believe your double majors in education and history left time for obstetrics.” Ally laughs lightly at the tease. “You forget the biology and chemistry minors. I’m a Caramia. We fancy ourselves a Renaissance clan: we can’t have anyone specialized, can we? Well-rounded, over-worked. The typical Caramia higher education.” “You didn’t have any fun?” “I did have fun at times. When I found my niche. But I was two years younger than many of my fellow students, and the name carries a certain expectation from teachers. Fulfilling that left little time for play.” “And what did you do when you played, Ally?” Inara asks, curious as to what the young tutor does besides read in her free time. The easy conversation helps take Inara’s mind off of worry for the baby girl on the brink of making her entrance into the ‘verse. Ally smiles shyly, a little pink in the cheeks. “There was a small group of us. We all studied Spanish together, took to sharing fine wine and conversation en español on philosophers, novelists, playwrights. Very intelligentsia.” “I think it’s wonderful that you’re teaching the children a third language. The process is very stimulating, especially for the young mind.” “That’s what they taught me in Early Childhood Education,” Ally responds, a tease in her voice. “Also, it will be very useful when they’re fluent and we’re planet-side.” Inara nods, has always agreed with Ally’s proposal to teach the children Spanish. Before she can respond, Abe and Mal reenter the infirmary, Abe dressed for bed, face freshly scrubbed. “Alright, Bubba. Now we need you to get some sleep, dong ma? Kiss your mama and settle in, please.” Abe is obedient, which is always a mite surprising to Mal, and stands on the chair to brush his lips over his mother’s before hopping down and letting Ally lift him onto the other bed. Ally places a light kiss on his forehead and says goodnight to the trio. Mal tucks Abe in, admonishing him to sleep. He’ll move his son to his own bunk as soon as he is solidly under. TBC