Broken
One
It was in the middle of the night when Lin had felt the tiny heartbeat. She had woken up, going to her kitchen for a glass of water. In the middle of her sip, she froze- Lin's eyes widened, her seismic sense had detected life. Lin's heartbeat wasn't alone anymore; the littler one seemed to say to her. The sound of glass breaking was what had alerted Tenzin that night.
Two
He had been happy with arrival of the news, picking Lin up and spinning her around the kitchen. Tenzin looked as if he were about to burst with happiness. Maybe it won't be so bad, Lin thinks. Tenzin would be there for her, she knew it. He's still grinning, whooping in delight of the baby. She rolls her eyes at his cheekiness, yet smiles also.
Three
A month after the scene at the kitchen, Tenzin and Lin lay in bed. Silence was with them, but a comfortable one.
"What should her name be?" Tenzin says, turning to look at his girlfriend. He smiles, placing a hand protectively over the baby bump.
"Her?" Lin turns to face him also, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm certain it's going to be a little girl, Lin," he grins up to her. Lin snorts at him, shaking her head. Silence filled them once again.
"I like the name Jinora…" He whispers. It's a few moments without as reply does he realize she's sleeping.
Four
She's three months pregnant when she feels the sharp pain in her stomach. Almost unbearable… Lin calls out from her office at the police headquarters. It's her Lieutenant, Saikhan who comes first. He alerts the other officers, and they take her to hospital. Lin knows there's nothing that can fix her, not even Tenzin. Lin cries as she lays in the hospital bed. And soon, Tenzin joins her at the side of the bed, crying with her.
Five
They lay to rest the unborn child next to Lin's mother. They hope their child could meet its grandmother in the spirit world. Aang says the departing words, tears in his eyes. It's now, Lin realizes, that this is what pain feels like. Not even her scars could compare to the heartbreak she feels now. She and Tenzin hold each other, yet they are at a distance now.
Six
The tension between them now is too much. Their lives continued on without any emotions. One night though, Lin decides to break the silence at dinner.
"I'm done," she says. Tenzin's heart twisted, not knowing if she meant with her food…or their relationship. He decides to ask.
"Hmm?" He looks at her. Her shoulders shake. Lin turned her head, letting a few tears fall. Tenzin watches. And he feels his heart break again. He garbs her arms and forces her to look at him.
"I love you."
That's all he says to her before leaving to their shared bedrooms. And even now, Lin knows those words were a lie.
Seven
In seven months, he's married; not to Lin though. He regrets not being there for her, but it was his duty. And he hated it. He hated his duty. He hated himself. Tenzin realizes though, they were broken long before the unborn child had entered their old lives- that's what he regrets.