@emuartworks drew this!]
[so I wrote a story based around it! Thank you so much for the gift! I hope the story is to your liking! ❤️💖]
Mina came through the portal Indi opened up with the twins. Both dressed up in nice clothes but not too formal. Indigo followed and closed the portal. She fussed over how the kids looked. She wasn't used to traveling so informally. Let alone being so casually dressed. Normally, she had an outfit for the event all preplanned with a crown. Indi made it clear no royal clothes or crowns. She didn't understand why. Even as he closed the portal and knocked on the door. It was only clear when Aria opened the door and cooed.
"Bambino!!" She pulled her hubby into a hug.
He hugged her back. Waving to Gail and Skylar inside. She immediately ushered them in along with Mina and the twins. She was instantly cooing over them.
"Brought the entire family this time," Skylar strode over and ruffled his fur. "Welcome home, little bro. Hey Mina."
She waved, "hey, thank you for taking him for as long as you did. He came back in a better state."
"Thank my mom for that," Skylar let the littles go by with his mom running after them. "She was on him the second she spotted him. Even took that gadget that lets him jump."
"It explains why it took a bit but I am glad it did. He needed it." She took off her matching cardigan. "I owe you."
"Did you get those supports in place?" He looked at her. "And did you find Shadow?"
"The support is in place. I just can't find him. Wherever he went...seems to be well hidden," Mina hung the cardigan up. "I'll find him though. He'll pay for what he did."
"Good. Now, let's relax! What are the Littles called?"
"Heh, Rave is our boy. Lyra is our girl," She replied, watching as Indi made sure both behaved. "They have no powers but I am glad they don't. They don't need to deal with Chaos Sickness."
"Momma, Rave and Lyra." Skylar told his mom as she cooed over the twins. "Let's have some fun. Real fun. You royals know parties for the rich."
Mina laughed, "but are they really that fun? Always so stuffy."
"Ready Momma? Gail?"
Aria clapped her hands together and nodded. She looked thrilled to have a house full of family. Cooing happily as they got the games set up.
"Rave and Lyra, get ready to watch me wipe the floor with your dad." Skylar handed the controller to Indi. "Ready for a rematch?"
'Y'know I am!' Indigo took the controller. 'I'm winning this time!'
"Oh ho? Challenge accepted," Skylar landed on the couch. "Bring it on, bro."
Indi claimed a seat by him. Gail and Mina sat with the kids by them. Both watching as the game loaded up. Aria came back with a tray full of drinks and cookies. Claiming a spot between Indigo and Skylar. They took turns. Whoever lost got to pass it to someone else. Even Aria joined in. Giggling when she almost beat Skylar. He took a deep breath.
"Ooh, momma...you had me thinking I was about to lose," He laughed as she kept giggling. "But I still hold the championship."
Gail let out a sigh, "I tried to beat Indi and still lost."
"Indi is close to winning but I still hold the title," Skylar grinned as Indigo was given the controller again. "Alright, seeing as we spent a few hours. Let's call this the final round."
"One last race, you gotta win darling." Mina looked at him as she held Rave and Lyra in her lap.
"Skylar, hold that title close. Indi is coming for it," Gail laughed.
Aria giggled as both finished building their cars and said that they needed to help make dinner with the loser doing dishes. Skylar smirked at Indigo and got a grin back.
"Eat my dust."
'You'll be eating mine!'
The race started and Indi was always near Skylar. Sometimes he would pass him but it was short lived. He'd get hit and Skylar would pass him. Both held their places evenly. Sometimes switching and losing the place to the other. Not even the computer was able to keep up. By the third lap, it was Skylar who took first place. Indigo was second.
"Okay, now that was close. He may take your title one day," Gail slowly stood up as she clapped. "That was so intense."
"I need to remember to keep an eye out for you in real life for sure," Skylar set the controller down. "Because wow...you got a skill."
Aria took the controller from Indi and turned the Wii off. Rave and Lyra were up with Mina standing up as well. They were the first to head into the kitchen with the kids following both. Indi took off the cardigan and put it over the couch. Aria spotted the Jumper and walked over. Taking it off and setting it on the table. She told him to keep it off until it was time to go. Then headed into the kitchen.
"You made her night," Skylar walked with him. "How have things been since going back?"
'Better. Back in therapy. She hired some of her old maids that know how to help and made them my personal advisors. Now, instead of...trying to think of something. I get real advice and different views that can help me make a decision.'
Skylar nodded, "she really is a good wife. I am glad she is at your side."
'I am too'
They headed into the kitchen to see them all helping Aria out. With all their help, they cooked and cleaned. Indigo did the dishes as promised for losing. He spotted a camera and looked up as Aria held out a wrapped gift to him. He carefully took the gift and unwrapped it. A green sweater, homemade, for him. She told him that she worked hard and apologized that it was a mess of things. He quickly dashed out of view. Changing from his dark blue tank top into the green sweater and returning to stand before her.
'I love it. Thank you, ma'
Aria pulled him into a hug and then grabbed the camera. Walking with him to the living room. She called everyone with the camera in the air.
"The first picture is with your four," Mina carefully took it.
"What about you?" Gail looked at her.
"I can be in the next one with the kids," She held it up. "Ready?"
Gail stood by Indi. One hand on his arm and the other on his shoulder. She only let go long enough to make sure her Santa Hat and dress were adjusted. Indigo had the green sweater and normal white capris with the happiest expression. Skylar had dark red pants with a lighter red shirt tucked in. One hand on the hip and the other on Indigo's other shoulder. Aria stood by Skylar. Hands together with a dark green sweater and tan pants. She looked thrilled.
Mina took the picture, "there we go." It slid out and she shook it until it developed. "There we go."
"Heh, your turn." Skylar took the camera. "Indi and you with the kids."
Mina walked over and stood next to Indigo. He put an arm around her and held her close. She put an arm around him. Both had their kids in their arms. They got a quick picture taken. Gail, Aria and Skylar had their own family photograph as well. With the final picture being of all of them. They set the camera timer up. Indi easily setting the timer and getting back in position. The last picture for the night before resting.
They ended up staying too late to go back. Rave and Lyra had fallen asleep on the couch. Aria took a picture of them. She giggled and tucked them in.
"Is it okay if we...stay the night?" Mina looked at Aria. "I know it's last minute."
Aria waved her worries away and said to stay until tomorrow. The little ones were asleep. No point in waking them to travel. Mina smiled and relaxed. Indigo stretched and yawned.
"Seems you are tired too. It's late. I say we all turn in." He stretched next.
Aria smiled and clapped her hands. A full house. She was overjoyed.
"Heh, made momma very happy indeed." Skylar heard to his room. "Night everyone."
"Night momma, night Indi." Gail followed.
Aria stopped them and made sure to get a hug and kiss. Even followed them. Mina made sure to tuck Rave and Lyra in before settling down by the couch.
"I am so glad we came. It was nice to just have a non royal Christmas," Mina smiled as Indi sat by her. "You came to the right place."
'I need...to remember that I am allowed to grieve. Its hard to...not feel weak when it comes to emotions'
She grabbed his hand, "darling, you need to mourn. You aren't weak. Never were. Showing weakness means you face the judge of others. How is that weak?"
Indigo kissed her, 'thank you. I would...not be in a healthy place.'
"I will always support you. No matter what." She kissed back. "Oh, Ms. Aria."
Indigo looked behind him and smiled as she put a blanket over his shoulders. Kissing him on the forehead and telling him to sleep well. She stood up and said the same to Mina.
'I called her Ma.'
"She has practically adopted you. Much like Lila. She seemed happy to have heard that," Mina got closer. "And as someone who knows how much you miss your mom. Having that maternal connection will help."
'I love you, Mina. I am glad my family likes you. If I were with her...'
"They would never see you again. I know. I promised to support you. I won't go back on my word." She snuggled with him. "I love you, Indi. Nothing will change it."
He closed his eyes and curled up next to her. They fell asleep long after.
