Title: Pirate Children

Rating: PG (a little bit of Firefly swearing)

Setting: approximately 15 years post-BDM, AU

Pairings: mostly M/I, references to Z/W, S/K, Jayne/Vera

Summary: “Well, it’s not my fault the boat started floating away from the dock when you tried to get out,” Serra is defending as grandmother and grandchildren reenter the household before lunch. “It’s just a pant leg. Don’t be such a Baby Abey.”

Author's Note: More time with the crew (which I'm nervous about) and a bit of resolution on the mother-daughter front. Thanks for the great feedback!

Part 3

“Well, it’s not my fault the boat started floating away from the dock when you tried to get out,” Serra is defending as grandmother and grandchildren reenter the household before lunch. “It’s just a pant leg. Don’t be such a Baby Abey.”

“Hey. We don’t use that nickname anymore,” Abram fires back, shaking his wet shoe and pant leg.

“Not since you slugged Kacey for using it, at least.”

“Ah, bi zui, Mei-Mei. I was five.”

Oh yes, her children have returned, bickering and all. Inara, from her place in the laundry room with Umm Hafi, can hear their conversation as they enter through the kitchen door. Their entrance that way is a surprise; Zuri Serra almost always uses the side door, not the kitchen door.

“I’m going to go get cleaned up for lunch, lao lao,” Abram says, his voice passing close to the door.

Inara stops mid-fold. “Did he just?”

Umm Hafi nods, a smile on her face. She has spent half of the morning in the presence of Inara’s often delightful children and the other half in a ritual she used to share with Inara in her childhood, folding laundry and discussing life.

“Did you?”

“No. She must have. Or they’ve come up with it on their own.”

“I wonder where Mama and Daddy are,” Serra says to her grandmother.

“They must be somewhere around her,” Zuri answers.

They’re still in the kitchen.

“Mei-Mei, in here!” Inara calls, rising and opening the laundry door.

“Hey you,” Serra giggles and hugs her.

“Hello, b