Lin has the first great, full sleep in a long time. With everything going on, she almost forgot an important date.

A/N: A cute little piece to help break up all the heaviness of the last few chapters.


The Next Day

Lin sighed contentedly as she began to wake up. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept through the night so well. She snuggled into the warmth of the pillow she was cuddled against, rubbing her cheek into the soft fabric. The soothing scent of fresh herbs and sea salt almost lulled her back to sleep. That was until she realised her pillow was breathing.

She blinked her eyes open and realized that she was snuggled into Kya's side, head resting on the older woman's soft breast. Lin flushed and lifted her head, biting her lip as she nervously looked up.

"Morning, Linny." Kya whispered softly, a twinkle in her azure eyes as she smiled down at the earthbender.

Lin's eyes grew wide as she realized Kya was awake. "I-I'm so sorry, Kya." Lin attempted to sit up, but doing so while having an air ball sized baby bump meant that the most she could do was roll onto her back.

"It's okay Lin. We used to cuddle like that all the time when we were younger." Kya said as she pushed herself up into a seated position.

Lin couldn't help but feel flustered. "But we were kids. A-and I kno-know what it f-feels like to have someone… touch you, w-when you-you don't want to be touched…" She could feel herself starting to panic thinking that she had forced the embrace onto Kya, despite it having naturally happened during sleep.

"Linny, hey, look at me. Let's do our breathing exercise again. In - one, two, three, four…" After a few times of repeating the process of breathing in and out slowly, Kya caught Lin's eyes. "It's okay sweetie, I promise that you did nothing wrong." Kya slowly reached over, giving Lin time to move if she wanted, before gently brushing loose strands of hair from Lin's face. "You never have to worry about pushing boundaries with me, I am always here for you."

The jade eyed woman averted her eyes from hers. "You're just saying that to be nice. I-I know I am a b-bother."

Kya finally cupped Lin's cheek, tilting her face up to meet her eyes again. "You are not a bother, sweetie. Never, ever, believe that you will bother me, okay? And if you need reassurance, I will gladly remind you everyday." Tears welled in her blue eyes. "I never want to not have you in my life again. I want to be here for you every step of the way, Linny."

Lin swallowed back her own emotions, but it didn't help as tears escaped her own eyes. Soft fingers wiped away the tears. "I want that too." She said softly, barely a whisper as she raised a tentative hand and wiped away the tear that leaked from Kya's eye. The two shared warm, albeit Lin's being shy, smiles.

They were pulled from the moment when baby Beifong decided to shift, kicking Lin's bladder. She sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to not pee the bed. When it passed enough that she was safe to move, she attempted to move, but was stuck in her spot on her back.

Kya got up and rounded to Lin's side of the bed. "Need a hand?" An amused glint in her eyes as she tried to hold back a smirk.

Lin huffed but accepted the hand. "You try growing a human and then we'll see how amusing almost peeing yourself is." She grumbled quietly as she finally got to her feet. She heard Kya's hushed laughter as she left the room and rushed to the washroom.

As she washed her hands afterwards, she splashed her face to wake herself up further, and perhaps to also help tame the lingering blush that heated her cheeks. She glanced at herself in the mirror, and was shocked to note that the bags under eyes that had been there for the last week had been drastically reduced from just one night of solid rest.

With a startling discovery, she realized that she hadn't had a nightmare for the first time in years. Maybe Kya would let her sleep with her again. Lin felt herself blush once more at the reminder of waking up with her head on her friend's breast. She shook her head to clear her thoughts before leaving the washroom.

Kya held Lin's housecoat up for her, holding it for the earthbender to slip right into. The two made their way downstairs, peeking into the living room. They found the same scene their parents had walked into the night before, children - young and young-at-heart - were strewn across the room.

It was still early, but Lin and Kya found Zuko, Mai, Poppy, and Katara sitting around the dining table with a pot of tea and some fruits.

"Ah there are our girls. Decided not to join in on the sleepover?" Katara said, getting up to kiss both of their foreheads. "Sorry we didn't wake you up when we got in last night, dear, you and Kya were just sleeping so peacefully."

Lin offered her aunt a shy smile. "It's okay Auntie. I slept very well. I'm not sure I would have survived sleeping all night on the couch, or worse the floor." She grimaced at the thought, as the baby shifted as if agreeing it would have been uncomfortable. Lin rubbed a soothing hand where she could feel the baby's shoulder pressing into her side.

"Come, sit down, I am sure you could use some tea." Katara ushered them to the table and went to retrieve some more cups.

Conversation flowed around her as Lin breathed in the smell of her aunt's favourite morning tea blend. This was something else she had missed from her childhood.

She tuned back in as Zuko answered a question Poppy had asked.

"We'll stay until the Lunar New Year next week, but then I will need to return to the Fire Nation. The council wanted me back tomorrow, but I have told them that my family needs me at the moment." He glanced over and caught Lin's eyes on him, offering her a tender smile.

Lin smiled shyly and ducked her head, brushing her hair loopy from her face. She ignored the pang of disappointment that they would be leaving so soon, but she knew logically that Zuko was the Firelord first and foremost, and that family came second a lot of the time because of his duty to his nation. She was just grateful that he was able to be here right now.

She almost choked on a sip of tea when her uncle's words played over in her head again.

"You okay, Linny?" Kya asked, leaning closer.

"W-what day is it?" Lin asked, voice tense.

Kya and her mother shared a look over Lin's shoulder. "It's the 13th, dearie." Katara answered.

Lin paled and dropped her head into her hands. The other five in the room shared concerned, but confused looks.

"Hey, Linny, what's wrong?" Kya asked, as she gently and tentatively put a hand on Lin's shoulder.

"I forgot!"

"You forgot what?" Poppy asked, leaning forward a little.

"It's Amaruq's birthday! How could I forget what day it was?"

"It's been a crazy week for your whole family, Lin." Mai said in reassurance. "I am sure between us, we can do something very special."

Lin leaned into Kya's comforting hand, nodding at her aunt.

"Alright," Katara began as she took charge once Lin had taken some calming breaths, "do you have a gift for him already?"

Lin nodded a little, thinking of the wrapped package in her own bag upstairs.

"So it will just be the rest of us needing something. I am sure some can run into the City to pick up gifts." Poppy nodded, pulling a piece of paper and ink towards herself. She began writing down notes.

"What kind of foods are his favourite and what about desert?" Katara continued.


Lin had insisted on helping with breakfast, as it was tradition that she make her babies their birthday breakfast, not that she didn't make all their breakfasts, but the birthday boy or girl got to have an extra special meal. Katara and Kya prepared the rest, as Lin fixed all of Amaruq's favourite breakfast dishes that she could make in the short amount of time.

By the time the last dish was set on the table, everyone else had woken and made their way into the dining room. Zuko and Mai had been tasked with letting the other adults know so that it wasn't a total shock when they arrived at breakfast. They also made sure that the spot beside the young boy was free so that Lin could sit beside him.

Lin was the last out of the kitchen carrying the special plate. She placed it in front of him at the table and sat beside him. "Morning, love."

"Why do I have a special plate Mama?" He asked with a frown.

Lin smiled a genuinely bright smile at him, which warmed all of her family's hearts to see. "It's your birthday, little wolf. Happy 8th Birthday!" She pulled him into her arms and gave him a big kiss to his cheek.

"Happy Birthday!" Chorused the rest of the family.

"We'll make all your favourites for dinner." Lin added, smoothing his sleep mussed hair. "I'm sure you will have something exciting to do today with your siblings and cousins."

Amaruq snuggled into her. "Thank you, Mama." He said sweetly, before pulling away to dig into his breakfast plate.

Breakfast passed quickly and the kids were guided out by Sokka and Bumi, eager to play in the snow. Lin insisted that they visit the acolyte's dorms to invite Tarrlok to join, and for Istas to come along to the main house if she felt like it.

Aang and Tenzin were in charge of taking two different groups into the City to purchase gifts and supplies for dinner and the cake. In the end, only Toph and Katara were left with Kya and Lin.

It was mid-morning by the time a timid knock came at the front door. Katara left the three in the living room to get the door.

"Ah, good morning. Istas right?" Katara said with a smile as she ushered the woman in, taking her coat and gesturing to the shoe rack. "I'm Katara."

"Yes, thank you, Master Katara. Thank you for welcoming me into your home." Istas said with a slight bow.

"No need to bow, sweetie. I am sure you are eager to see Lin. She is just in the living room. We are going through what we are making for Amaruq's birthday tonight." Katara reassured the obviously exhausted woman. She guided her down the hallway and into the living room. "Come sit and have some tea."

Lin looked up and saw the woman who had been the friend she had had for such a long time. She recognized the look of confusion and weariness on her face. So she stood, and approached Istas where she had frozen just inside the doorway. As soon as Lin was in front of her, Istas flung her arms around her.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry… I didn't know."

Lin sniffed, but hugged her back. "I know. I know you didn't know. There is nothing for you to apologize about, okay?" She pulled back to look at the older woman.

Istas just nodded. Lin knew it would take a while to believe, they were similar like that. "Come on, you can help us with dinner. You know that Amaruq loves you…


The day flew by. Once Tenzin had returned with his group and the groceries, Katara had everyone pitching in in the kitchen, getting dishes started. Lin had taken on the task of making Amaruq's favourite dessert - a spiced cake with custard and caramelized apples.

Amaruq was so happy when he saw the cake, he wanted to skip dinner to have the cake. All his siblings and his two cousins agreed, even if Tarrlok was 13 and knew better. They were able to convince them to eat their dinner, especially if the birthday boy wanted his gifts. That shut the kids up quickly as Amaruq really wanted the gifts too, much to the adults amusement.

To say that Poppy, Su, and Zuko went a little overboard on the presents, is a bit of an understatement. He was given new clothes, books, shoes, toys… and the list went on. Bumi promised to take him out and give him proper lessons in steering a boat, which made Lin anxious - she will have to talk with Bumi later about not talking to her about that first.

Aang handed the new 8 year old a small book that talked about Avatar Kuruk. Amaruq gaped at it and then hopped up and hugged him tightly.

"Here kiddo, I think you may like this." Toph said, handing him a poorly wrapped gift. He opened it to find miniatures of the previous four Avatar's. Toph had had help from Aang for the descriptions and then she had bent rock into the sculptures.

"Thanks Grandma! Look, Mama it's Yangchen, Kuruk, Kyoshi, and Roku!"

"I see, little wolf. Here, why don't you open the one from me." Lin was a little nervous giving it to him, especially compared to all the other beautiful and wonderful gifts he had already received.

Amaruq eagerly accepted his last gift, and tore off the paper. Inside he found a set of handsewn arm cuffs, bracelets, hair ties and wraps, and a belt. The stitchwork was beautiful, and the beading on it was done in different shades of blues and purples, from lights to darks. The belt and arm cuff had a wolf stitched onto it, the eyes glinting a golden colour.

Lin swallowed back her nerves. "I remembered you wanted to have an arm cuff like the older boys."

"They are perfect, thank you Mama!" He exclaimed as he dove into her arms. "I love you."

Lin held her second born close, not believing it was 8 years ago that day that she had he kind, sensitive, and smart boy.

"You are very welcome, little wolf." She kissed his head. "I love you too."


A/N: I wrote this half asleep after work, with my brain already on vacation mode. Sorry if there are any mistakes, let me know and I can go in and edit later 3

Speaking of vacation, feel free to follow me on instagram if you want to see some stories of Disney World or Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as that is where I will be over the next couple weeks.

Otherwise, I will hopefully see you all on November 4th (possibly the 5th depending on how much sleep I get lol)