TITLE: "BLESSINGS" AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL FANDOM: "FIREFLY" PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee. RATING: PG-13. STATUS: Sequel to "SLUGS AND SNAILS". ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where. FEEDBACK: Welcomed. EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Kaylee can't wait to introduce the twins to her mama and daddy, but first she needs to explain a thing or two." The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly' are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"BLESSINGS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

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Simon had forgotten just how big Kaylee's family was since their last visit to Carousel. Eyes widening he could hardly take in the crowd of people gathering around Serenity as she settled near the Frye's large sprawling house, barns and work sheds. Blinking in shock he barely registered the Captain's hand on his shoulder as Mal cheerfully announced he was lowering the ramp. Chaos, that's what it was. Pure and simple. The panic rising in his chest was quickly off-set by Kaylee coming up beside him, her hand folding around his. Simon opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before he managed to engage his brain.

"I'd forgotten how many relatives you have, *bao bei*."

She grinned at his stunned expression and kissed him sweetly, her face shining like a happy sun. "Your family too, Simon Tam Frye."

He blinked, realisation sinking in. "*Wode ma*, what have I done?"

Jayne grunted as he passed, pausing just long enough to drop his own brand of wisdom into that Core-bred head. "The smartest thing ever. Still don't know why she married ya."

Before Simon could retaliate Kaylee's bright laughter took away the sting, her small fist punching the mercenary lightly as he trotted off down the ramp in search of her mama's apple pie. "You quit that Jayne Cobb. Simon's plenty smart."

The big man turned and walked the last few paces down the ramp backwards so he could grin at her. "Yeah, smart at gettin' us in *kunnan*."

As the crew stepped passed them Simon realised something. "Where are the babies?"

"With 'Nara. Now don't ya go frettin', just thought we should talk to my mama and daddy first. Tell 'em about us bein' married on Serenity an' all before introducin' 'em to their grandkids."

Simon blinked, trying not to quail in his shoes as a familiar stocky shape detached itself from the throng and began to walk up the ship's ramp. Martin Frye was a couple of inches shorter than Simon but stocky and barrel chested. His round ruddy face twinkled with pleasure, his laughter deep and merry in his powerful frame. "Can't hide up here, son. Nothin' been created can keep me from my Kaylee-girl."

Flushing, Simon shook Mr Frye's hand. "Pleasure to see you again, sir."

The man paused to give Simon a narrow look. "You in trouble?"

Simon did fish impressions. Kaylee laughed and shook her head, linking her arm through Simon's. "Naw, Simon's just a mite shy, daddy."

Then she had to let go as she was caught up in a hug that would have flattened the breath out of anyone not born a Frye. Simon reflected that each family member probably had the constitution of an ox which considering the life he and Kaylee lived had to be a good thing.

"Now," said Mr Frye as he and Kaylee pulled apart "wanna tell me why you're bein' so formal, son?"

"Um, yes sir. I mean it is my honour to tell you that I asked for your daughter's hand in marriage."

The whoop made Simon blush but he knew he had to get it all out now before his courage deserted him.

"We got married on Serenity, sir."

Kaylee's daddy paused to run that through his head a second time, not sure he was hearing the boy right. "You did what?"

Reacting to the hurt in her daddy's voice, Kaylee hurried to reassure him. "Wasn't that we didn't wanna get married at home, just couldn't get here in time."

"In time for what?"

They turned as Kaylee's mama joined them. Her face flushed from fussing around the crew and getting everyone re-introduced before waving them off to the house for some vittals. Seeing that her youngest child hadn't followed she came to see what the hold up was. Kaylee hugged her mama, tears leaking out of her eyes with pleasure and emotion. Her mama hugged her back, her arms holding on to instinctively comfort her daughter.

"*Shenme shi, fengmi*? What did that boy do to you?"

Kaylee sniffed and pulled back so she could reassure her parents, both of them looking at her in concern, her father poised to knock six barrels of *goushi* out of Simon if he had hurt his little girl. "*Yiwusouyou*, mama, just made me the happiest girl in the 'verse." Her father frowned. "Then why you cryin', Kaywinnet Lee Frye?"

Kaylee reached for Simon, drew him close, then gifted them all with the biggest brightest smile that had ever graced any face. "Simon makes me so happy an' the reason we got married on Serenity is 'cause I fell pregnant near as soon as he asked an' I said yes."

Mrs Frye's eyes widened then flicked to her pretty flat stomach.

"I ain't pregnant now, mama. We tried to get here before I gave birth but them babies couldn't wait. Cap'n an' Jayne had to carry me when my waters broke. On'y just got through the weddin' in time too."

"You sayin', Kaylee-girl, that we got grandkids?"

Looking at her father, Kaylee shone with such love that Simon and her parents could hardly speak. "Uh huh."

"Then where you hidin' them babies?"

"Inside, mama. 'Nara's lookin' after 'em. C'mon, it's time to introduce 'em to their grandma an' grandpa but I gotta explain somethin' first." Kaylee paused and looked up at Simon, her hand squeezing his before turning back to her parents. "Y'know Simon an' River were wanted by the Alliance? Well, the warrants have been withdrawn but that don't mean they ain't still lookin', *dong ma*? Just to be safe Simon took my name when the Cap'n married us. He's a Frye now, mama."

"You sayin' what I think you're sayin', Kaylee?"

"Yes, mama. I want you meet my *zhangfu*, Simon Tam Frye."

Inside Serenity, Inara hummed happily. A deep content stealing over her as she quietly fussed over the twins. She was in the lounge area just to the side of the commons room, two padded bassinets on the couch beside her. Hearing a commotion, Inara looked up with a smile on her face and rose gracefully to her feet. Kaylee seldom saw her mama cry but this was one of those times, her much loved face creased in joy with the tears running down the laughter lines. Martin Frye fair tiptoed beside his wife, his face a picture of awe. Kaylee bustled to lift first one child then the other from their bassinets handing her parents one each. Simon hovered as if afraid she would drop one.

"Mama, daddy, want ya to meet Daniel Simon Hoban Frye. An' this is his twin brother Samuel Martin Derrial Frye. Daniel, Samuel, meet your grandma an' grandpa."

It brought a tear to Simon's eyes to see how affected Kaylee's parents were. Her mama holding little Daniel like spun glass, her eyes shiny with tears, her smile filled with tenderness, her eyes with love. Martin Frye gently rocked Samuel in his arms, more moved than he could say that Kaylee and Simon had given the boy his name. Kaylee's mama glanced up to look at her daughter, happy to see the way her and Simon were wrapped not only around each other but in each other. When you loved long and deep your own self it wasn't hard to spot it in others. "How old are they?"

Kaylee's smile was soft, her look tender. Simon's squeezed his arm around her shoulder. "Ten days."

Shocked, her mama could hardly believe her ears. "Kaywinnet Lee Frye, are you tellin' us you couldn't hang on ten days to get married properly?"

"We *are* married properly, ma." "Then why'd you tell us in that wave that you wanted to get married at home?"

Simon sighed. "That was the plan Mrs Frye, but Kaylee's waters broke and I wanted to marry Kaylee before she gave birth."

Martin Frye tried to hide his disappointment, which was assuaged by pride and love each time he looked at the babe in his arms. "Thought ya promised to come back for the weddin'?"

"I meant to sir, which is why we want to have a church ceremony here on Carousel."

"You wanna get married to my Kaylee *twice*?"

Simon laughed at Mrs Frye. "No, we want to have a Blessing Ceremony. I read about it on the cortex. I want us to be blessed in the eyes of God as man and wife."

"Simon Tam Frye, you're gonna have more blessin's than you know what to do with."

Surprised, he wasn't sure whether she was complimenting or cursing him. Seeing his confusion, Mary Frye decided to put the poor boy out of his misery.

"Just 'cause you have twins don't mean it ends there, Simon. I should warn you us Fryes are nothin' if not prolific when it comes to family."

The look on Simon's face would remain with Kaylee for the rest of her gorram life. Their laughter drew the rest of the crew back on to the ship, Jayne with a great chunk of meat in his hand still hot from the pan. Turning the joint as he licked the juices running down his fingers he seemed immune to the heat as if nothing could hurt him when it came to food. Simon made a face but managed to resist saying what he was thinking out loud, the Captain telling Mrs Frye it was lucky she had finished cooking the pig before Jayne ate it raw off the hoof. Then there was her uncles and aunts, all the cousins, the nephews and neices, and River singing about some old woman who lived in a shoe while dancing around making the children laugh and skip along in her wake.

Once everyone had calmed some, grabbed a mug of tea and settled on whatever they could find to sit on, the Captain spoke briefly to Mr and Mrs Frye then gravitated over to where Zoe and Hope sat perched on the arm of a chair watching Kaylee breast feed little Daniel. "Makes you realise what's important, don't it?"

Zoe gave him a keen look. "What's that, sir?"

"Family."

Hope tilted her head, her expression sombre even though her eyes were twinkling. She reminded Mal so much of Zoe that it made something in his heart ache. Wishing that Wash were there to see how his daughter was growing into such an amazing woman. Might only be eleven years old but that girl could teach him a thing or two. Yep. Just like her mama. As if devining his thoughts, Hope slid off the arm of the chair and stood next to her Captain. At his indulgent smile she hitched her hip and leant against his side natural as could be. It wasn't even an awkward stretch to put his arm around her, his eyes meeting Zoe's amused ones. A content filling him that he had never thought to see the like of again. It was good to know that Simon wasn't the only one blessed.

* * * * *

CHINESE GLOSSARY: (Mandarin - Pinyin)

*kunnan* = trouble (lit. difficulties) *bao bei* = precious/treasure *wode ma* = mother of God *shenme shi* = what's the matter? *fengmi* = honey *yiwusouyou* = nothing *dong ma* = understand? *zhangfu* = husband *goushi* = crap/dog shit