Family Bonds

Fumu stood next to the two helium tanks, giving the connections a final tighten to make sure they wouldn't leak. She glanced up, and looked at the older woman who stood with her.
"Are you ready for this, Mother?" she asked.
Lady Memu nodded.
"I am, Dear."
Fumu smiled, offering a hose to her mother who took it.
"Just slip it in you mouth, and I'll turn on the tap," Fumu said.
Lady Memu did as directed, giving her daughter the thumbs up when she was ready. Fumu twisted the tap. With a soft hiss, the gas began to flow. Lady Memu breathed in. She could feel the helium enter her lungs, infusing her body. Slowly she began to grow, her body expanding to accomidate the incoming gas. Fumu watched. Lady Memu felt light-headed. The helium did it's work, and she lifted off of the ground, rising a few feet into the air. The only thing that stopped her from floating away was the tether that connected the mother and daughter. Fumu held out her hand.
"When you're set, Mother, hold your breath and hand me the hose."
Lady Memu nodded. she took one final deep breath from the hose, and slipped it from her mouth. Quickly she gave it to Fumu who repeated the process. Lady Memu watched her daughter inflate, lifting off of the ground as the helium overcame her body weight. Together the pair rose higher and higher into the air. A gentle breeze caught them, and carried them along, the mother and daughter bobbing gently amongst the clouds. Periodically Fumu glanced at her mother, checking on her progress. It was going to be a wonderful day.

The view was beautiful, and the weather fine. It had been a while since Lady Memu and Fumu had taken off on their 'ballooning' adventure, and the younger woman knew it wouldn't be long before they would have to land. She could feel the pressure and burning sensation of needing to breath slowly building up withing her chest. She gave her mother a look. Lady Memu seemed to be doing OK. Fumu reached out, tapping her mother who looked at her. Using sign language, the young woman signaled that it might be time for them to descend. Lady Memu nodded. They had planned out how they would land before their adventure, and now put it into action. Fumu breathed out, letting a small amount of gas escape before holding her breath again. The decrease lowered her a foot or so. Lady Memu copied. The older woman lowered as well. Back and forth, they took turns letting out small breaths, their altitude 'stepping' down towards the ground. Fumu was the first to touch down. She braced herself and signaled for her mother to release the rest of her breath. Lady Memu complied. She landed gracefully next to Fumu, smiling.
"That was lovely, dear," she said, hugging her daughter.
Fumu blushed.
"I'm so happy you agreed to do this with me, Mother."
Lady Memu looked up into the air, watching the clouds they had just been amongst.
"Fumu," she said softly. "I would very much like to do this again with you."
Fumu was overjoyed.
"Of course, Mother," she replied. "I'd be happy to take you along again."
Fumu held her mother's hand, squeezing gently.
"Perhaps we could even make this a regular mother daughter day."
Lady Memu nodded.
"That sounds wonderful, Dear," she said.
The pair started off on the long back home, Lady Memu feeling free and buoyant.  She was honoured to have participated in this little adventure with her daughter. With any hope, it was just the start of so many more...