Author's Notes: So I lied when I promised smut. Sort of. This chapter has another half, but I wasn't able to finish it and I wanted to be able to post something. The workable break in story line is before the bodice ripping happens.
On another note I realized I have forgot all about Naga, so I made sure to mention her is this chapter. Korra did not ship her off somewhere.
Lastly, I got a couple of PMs for people who were upset with my last chapter. I am sorry if you don't like Asami being the one, or first one, to be prego. But, it's part of the story line. I have a reason for everything. I think. Please stick with me, if you have liked it up to that point you will like what I have in plan. I like melodrama, but in my stories it always ends up alright in the end.
Hope ya'll like it.
Korra and Asami sat in the living room of their apartment waiting for Mako to get home before eating dinner. Asami lounged on the sofa with her legs up and crossed over Korra's lap. The brunette rubbed Asami's legs as they talked about the plans for Bolin's and Opals wedding that would be taking place within the week.
"Are you sure you can't leave with Mako and I tomorrow? I know you aren't part of the wedding party but Opal said Suyin would be happy to have you early and that she considers you part of her family." Asami said. As the best man and maid of honor Mako and Asami would be leaving the next night with the engaged couple to Zaofu.
Korra shook her head no. "I would love to, but I have some avatar duties I need to finish up here. If everything goes right I should arrive a day or two before the wedding."
The girls conversation was interrupted when Mako returned home.
"Bout time," said Korra to Mako as soon as he walked into the room. "I'm starving. Hopefully Naga didn't eat all the food off the table while we were waiting for you." Korra slid Asami's legs off her lap and made her way into the dining room.
"I had to stop and get the baby a gift." Mako called after Korra, though he doubted she was listening for his reply. "How is my baby?" he said getting down on his knees and kissing Asami's still flat belly. This was a routine he followed everyday since finding out about the pregnancy.
"The baby is more than fine." said Asami, "Korra felt the heartbeat for the first time today."
"Really?" questioned Mako looking up at Asami with excitement.
"Yup" said Korra from the door frame between the living room and dining room, a plate of food in her hands. "Strong and healthy."
"I almost wish I was a water bender so I could feel the heartbeat. Speaking of bending," Mako reached into the paper shopping bag he had brought home with him. "I got the baby this."
Asami took the package from Mako, "A mini pro bending kit." she said in disbelief. She noticed the Varrick company logo on package. "Well, what can't be made for money?"
"Mako, the baby isn't even born yet and you are buying it things it won't be able to play with for years." Korra had come into the room, she placed her half eaten plate on the coffee table and looked at the box. "But...this is awesome! it comes with tiny lightweight discs, chalk to mark a playing field, and basins to fill with water for the waterbenders."
Asami rolled her eyes, of course Korra would also like the toy. Not that Asami wasn't a fan of pro-bending but they seemed to be missing an obvious possibility. "You two do realize there is a chance the baby will not be born a bender."
Mako's expression told Asami he thought this idea was ludicrous, "I am a fire bender, my son or daughter will most likely be one too."
"No insult intended," remarked Asami dryly "but that sounds like something I would expect Bolin to say. You do know that even two benders can make a non bending child, Bumi for example. In our case you are the only one with bending capabilities, so by your theory that would lessen the chances of producing a bending child. Plus I have read a study that with so many recent inter-nation relationships, it is possible to bear children who have bending abilities of a relative instead of their parents.
Mako didn't seemed deterred by Asami's reply "That is not going to be the case with us." said Mako shrugging his shoulders "I have a feeling this baby is going to be a fire-bender."
Asami let it drop as she wanted to have a nice evening and arguing over the baby's bending ability was a mute point at this time. She suggested they move to the dinning room before dinner became too cold.
Naga met Korra at the door as she limped into the apartment. Korra gave her polar bear-dog some quick attention before making her way to the bathroom; stripping her dirty clothes as she walked.
She used airbending to turn the tub faucet, filling it with hot water as she looked at herself, naked, in the full length mirror.
"Those are some nasty bruises." she commented to herself. Some intense water healing bending should take care of them, or at least lighten them. She didn't want to look a complete mess for the wedding tomorrow night, nor did she want Mako or Asami making a fuss over her when the attention should be on the bride and groom.
The avatar had been dealing, all week, with a large mischievous spirit that had been causing trouble all around republic city. The spirit was able to travel by shadow; attacking quickly and escaping elusively. Today, she had finally been able to catch and subdue the spirit, and just in time. Korra was going to have to catch an early train on the morrow to get to Zaofu by noon.
The tub was full and Korra tested the water's temperature with her toes. it was hot, but not too hot. She lowered herself into the water, groaning as she did so. She rested the back of her head against the lip of the tub and closed her eyes, just enjoying the heat for a few minutes. Finally the aching in her sprained ankle told her she should attend to her injuries. Korra needed to make sure she was in condition to travel. Asami was already disappointed she wasn't in Zaofu yet, and she called Korra every night to check on her status. Mako, though, did not partake in these nightly phone calls. Probably because he wasn't much of a speaker naturally, but Korra couldn't help but take it personally.
Ever since Asami announced her pregnancy Korra felt like Mako gave most of his attention to Asami. And why shouldn't he? Korra thought, as she attended to her ankle. Asami was carrying his baby; his legacy. Korra sighed sharply as she felt the water healing painfully pop something back into place in her ankle. As she moved onto her bruises Korra couldn't help but feel she was becoming an obsolete member of their relationship, and that she was an impostor to the pending family.
Korra had made it to Zaofu by noon as expected. Upon her arrival she was given preferential treatment and taken to the dining hall for lunch with Suyin's family, Mako, Bolin, and some other guests. She was escorted to an open seat between Zhu-li and, much to Korra's displeasure, Prince Wu. When she took her place Wu took her hand and kissed it. Korra didn't want to be rude in front of so many guests, but it was hard not to rip her hand away and use it to give him a good slap.
"Korra, it's so good to see you. You look lovely today. No, no." continued Wu, waiving his hand and not waiting for Korra to answer "No need no tell me how handsome and matured I look. I get it all the time." Wu leaned back in his chair, trying to sit in a regal and manly way.
"I am sure you do." replied Korra, trying not to sound sarcastic.
"Don't worry, even though I am more popular than I was before, I promise to save some dances for you tonight." Wu finished, winking at Korra.
"Please don't feel obligated" replied Korra, turning away from him and making her hello's to Zhu-li and Varrick. She took note of the little bundle in Zhu-li's arms.
"Congratulations guys. A little girl, right?" asked Korra
"You have to ask?" said Varrick leaning over Zhu-li. "Could a baby this beautiful be a boy?" He cooed at the baby tickling her cheek with a finger, making her fidget in her sleep. Zhu-li slapped his hand away.
"Stop." she said to her husband. "She just fell asleep." Then to Korra "He is always doing something to make things more difficult."
from Across the table, sitting between her daughters, Toph snorted and with a grin on her weathered face said, "That is why I didn't bother keeping the fathers around."
"I would think having to raise children by your self would be harder" said prince Wu. "Especially since you were never married to Suyin or Lin's fathers. It's still taboo to have a child out of wedlock, and it was even worse back then. Didn't society ever give you a hard time?"
Lin's face registered shock and embarrassment at Wu's comments. Suyin on the other hand, just kept on eating, as she was used to Wu's innocent ignorance. Besides, she knew the old woman could handle herself.
"Kid do you know who you are talking about?" Said the old earthbender pointing her thumb into her own chest. "I'm Toph Beifong. Sure people probably talked behind my back, but no one was going to give me a hard time about having children out of wedlock to my face. Though it is kind of a shame no one did, I would have liked to see someone try." Toph barked out a hearty laugh.
Korra couldn't help but admire the ancient woman, however her words took root in the pit of her stomach branching into unease. Was Asami going to have to brave the scrutiny of the public eye? Would her clients and associates think her immoral for bearing a child before marriage. Could this hurt her fathers empire, that had taken Asami so much hard work to rebuild? They had never even discussed marriage between them.
As the conversation moved on around her Korra got wrapped up in her thoughts. She pushed the food around her plate, without actually eating any of it. She almost missed prince Wu asking Mako about his personal life.
"So Mako, are you still playing the field, or did you finally find a girl you want to hold on to."
"Uh...well," Mako rubbed the back of his head nervously not really sure what to say.
"Oh Mako" said Korra, making a quick decision "you might as just tell everyone about you and Asami." Several of the separate conversations ceased, intrigued by Korra's tease.
Mako's eyes Narrowed at Korra, though he really couldn't see her as he and Asami were seated on the other side of prince Wu.
"I don't know what you are referring to." Replied Mako, all eyes on him.
"No need to be secretive, we are around friends" said Korra to Mako, and then to the party "He just doesn't want to take the attention away from Opal and Bolin. Mako and Asami will also be tying the knot soon. They were trying to keep silent until the invitations went out, but I am sure it would have came out tonight anyway."
Mako and Asami looked at each other as everyone starting offering them congratulations and well wishes. Asami instantly had her signature smile plastered on her face, while trying unsuccessfully to catch Korra's eye. Mako on the other hand didn't bother trying to conceal his confusion and suspicion.
Bolin and Opal also shared a look, as they were the only ones who know the threesome's mounting secrets. Though it seemed there was some information they had not yet been made privy to. An inquiry however would have to wait as a service maid announced to the wedding party that it was time to start preparing for the evening's ceremony. Bolin, Opal, Mako and Asami obliged and left the room, following the help.
The avatar couldn't be sure what her partners were thinking about her impulsive, mysterious news. Even though it hurt, she was sure she was making the right decision. She looked up and saw one of Suyin's twins looking at her. He gave her a smile, that seemed to hold some hidden meaning. Korra, trying to appear in high spirits, returned the gesture even though in was in contrast with how she felt.