Around 11am the next morning a knock came to Lin's door. Upon getting no answer, they let themselves in.
"Ugh Chief, are you alright? It's 11 in the morning, and everyone is wondering where you…" Mako pauses taking in the sight of his boss curled up with Bumi of all people, "...are." He finished.
Lin startled awake at his voice. "Mako? What are you doi-" she realized her mistake in sitting up so quickly. She bolted from the bed to the adjoining bathroom, just making it to the toilet. After a moment, she felt someone rub her back gently.
Once she stopped retching, she was handed a glass of water. She thanked Bumi quietly, afraid to speak too much for the next few minutes until her stomach settled. She finally got up once she was sure she would be fine, and quickly brushed her teeth.
Entering the bedroom again, she noticed Mako was gone. Bumi was attempting to put on his boots with one hand. Lin snorted lightly and went to help him. He smiled sheepishly at her.
"When are you wanting to tell everyone?" Bumi asked gently when she sat beside him to pull on her own loaned ones.
"It's not exactly something we will be able to keep quiet for long. Especially between you and Su. You both cannot keep a secret for the life of you."
"Hey, I can too… when it comes to work" he winks cheekily at her. "Honestly, I don't want to keep this, us, a secret." He said sincerely. He turns so he can cup her cheek with his right hand. "I love you Lin. I think I always have, and you are giving me the greatest gift anyone could ever give."
Lin looks into his pale blue eyes, tears appearing in hers. It had been such a long time since anyone had said they loved her. "R-really?"
Bumi kissed her forehead. "Yes really. I was planning to ask you out officially once we returned to Republic City from training the other new airbenders. Plans changed, but I think I like this outcome better. We're going to be a family, Lin, and it fills my heart with such joy."
"Family," Lin repeated in slight awe, as if it was just occuring to her. She then surged forward and kissed him fiercely. When she pulled back, panting slightly, she smiled brightly at him. "I like the sound of that. I may not be able to say the words yet, but I am very close to feeling the same way Bumi."
Bumi beamed at her and pulled her back for another kiss.
Mako entered the sitting room that was being used for the guests of the Northern Water Tribe Chiefs. The room was filled with Tenzin's family, his brother, Asami, Su, Opal, Kya and Katara.
Bolin looks up at his brother from the Pai Sho table he and Asami were at. "You okay bro? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Mako ignores Bolin, and goes towards where Katara was sitting with Kya and her grandchildren. "Uh, Master Katara. I just went to ask Chief if she wanted to join us, and she was ill. Maybe you should check her over again?"
Katara shook her head. "She is perfectly fine, do not worry young Mako."
Kya frowned at her mother, "how can she be fine if she is being ill? Someone should at least go offer her a glass of water or something."
Mako started blushing thinking about who had been in bed with Lin. "Oh uh… I don't… she…"
"Spit it out Mako," Su said from the couch opposite the others.
"B-Bumi is with her now, so she should be fine." He finally got out. He then dashed back to Bolin and sat down beside his brother. He didn't want to answer any other questions as he wasn't exactly sure what he saw anyways.
"Bumi is with her? Maybe we should be more worried" Kya chortled.
Su looked like she was about to get up and go check, but stopped when Katara shook her head. "As wild as my Bumi is, he is very caring. She is in good hands, and I am sure they will be along shortly."
It was 30 minutes later that Lin and Bumi entered the room. Lin let out a sigh of relief at the warmth of the room, snuggling into the thicker outer layer she wore that was lined with fur.
"Morning everyone!" Bumi greeted the room happily.
"Uncle Bumi!" Meelo and Ikki ran to him, giving him a big hug as they hadn't seen him since they arrived. Jinora greeted him more reservedly, knowing her uncle was still sore.
Meelo then turned to Lin. "Are you okay hero lady? Mako said you were sick, but Uncle Bumi was with you."
Lin blushed lightly, feeling everyone's eyes on her. She turned to Mako and glared. "He did, did he?"
Mako paled and stammered out. "I-I'm so sorry Chief. I thought maybe something was wrong and asked Master Katara to check on you. But she said you would be fine. Then they wanted to go make sure someone could get you a glass of water, but I told them Bumi was with you and-"
"Mako, shut it. You are starting to ramble like Bolin." Lin said, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. "Thank you for worrying, but Katara is right. Nothing is wrong with me." She gave him a nod, making him relax.
She didn't fight Bumi when he guided her to a smaller couch near the two larger ones, he took the seat beside her. She looked at him and he could see her anxious thoughts through her eyes.
He grabbed her left hand in his right, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"What is going on?" Kya asked. "Obviously there is more to the story than there being 'nothing wrong with you'." She said using air quotations. "You don't just pass out for no reason."
Taking strength from Bumi's big, warm hand around her smaller one, Lin took a deep breath. "So uh I received some news yesterday… The real reason I passed out was cause I'm…" She took another breath to quell her nerves, then cleared her throat and tried again. "Apparently it is possible for some women in their early 50s to get pregnant… Who knew…" She stared intently at the ground in front of her with a blush on her face, trying to keep calm while everyone gasped around them.
Meelo approached her with his head tilted to the side. "You have a baby in your belly? Like Mommy did?" At Lin's nod, he continued. "But where is the Daddy? Isn't there supposed to be a Daddy?"
Lin clenched Bumi's hand.
"Well kiddo, the baby is going to be your cousin." Bumi said with a smile on his face.
They were startled by a laugh. "Ha! Good one you two. Really had us all going! How did Bumi drag you into this Lin?" Kya was crying from laughing so hard.
Tenzin noticed Lin's grimace and the tightening of her hand in Bumi's. He watched his brother move a little closer and squeeze her hand back. "Kya, enough. I think they are telling the truth."
Kya stopped at hearing her younger brother's words. She turned and properly looked at her older brother and one of her oldest friends. "Wait really?" Bumi sent her a disapproving look. "Spirits! I am so sorry for laughing."
"It's okay. I reacted the same way when Su and your mom told me yesterday." Lin said softly, looking up at Kya.
"We knew we couldn't keep this a secret, so we wanted to tell you all today." Bumi said, chest puffed slightly in pride.
"Does this mean we get to call you Aunt Lin too?" Ikki asked.
Lin looked at the young girl sitting beside Kya. "Oh, uh… I guess?" she replied awkwardly.
"Congratulations you too! Wow, a baby! Mako, isn't this exciting!" Bolin said enthusiastically.
"Uh, yeah congrats Chief" Mako smiled, still a little embarrassed. Especially now that he realized what he walked in on this morning could have been way worse than it was.
Everyone else offered congratulations too, even Tenzin seemed to be happy for them, and he was the one Lin and Bumi were most concerned about.
He came to a stop in front of them and placed his hand on their joined ones. "I may not fully understand, but I am truly happy for you both. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but just know I am here for you both and this child. You both deserve all the happiness."
"Thank you Tenny" Bumi said, a little choked up.
Tenzin was pushed to the side by Su. "Bumi?! You slept with him and you didn't tell me!"
"Oh yes. And when would that have come up in conversation? Should I have announced it the minute we saw each other for the first time in 30 years? Or perhaps at dinner with your children and -"
"Okay I see your point..." She replied sheepishly. "I am glad you are happy though." Su leant down and hugged Lin. She then turned to Bumi and hugged him too. "You hurt her, you die. Understand?" She whispered quietly.
"I have never done so, and do not plan on starting now" he whispered back.
"Welcome to the family Boom Boom." She said mock punching his right shoulder. "Wait till Mom finds out. Ooh I hope I am there to see the look on her face."
"Right, like she is ever going to return. You are not the only one I haven't seen in decades." Lin scoffs. But inwardly she feels the sharp sting of abandonment that always came up whenever her mother was mentioned.
Thankfully Katara then approached the two, offering a distraction from that particular conversation she didn't want to have. They stood up so she could hug them easier. "Oh Bumi, Lin I am so happy for you both. I had always dreamed of this day for you both."
Lin frowned in confusion. "You always dreamed we would be together?"
Katara let out a small laugh. "I think all of us parents saw the connection between you two as children. You were the best of friends for a long time, despite the 8 year age difference. Always getting into mischief." She sat back on the couch, the others following her lead. Most were eager to hear stories about the two as kids. "Once you learned how to crawl, Lin, you were always following Bumi around like a little turtle duckling. But once you hit about 7 or 8, the roles reversed and Bumi was following you everywhere, doing anything and everything you decided to do that day. Not to mention Lin was heartbroken when Bumi left for the United Forces."
Lin blushed slightly at hearing the stories from her childhood. She could remember following Bumi around, wanting to do anything the older boy could do. She looked to him beside her now to see him smiling at her. Lin smiled back lightly, and leaned further into his side on the couch; his arm wrapping around her waist.
They sat like that while Katara was asked by the kids what kind of pranks and other mischief that they had pulled as kids.
Lin felt her stomach rumble, making Bumi snort in amusement upon hearing it. Thankfully, only he heard, Lin was sure she couldn't deal with much more embarrassment today.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I am starving!" Bumi said getting up from the couch, before offering his good hand to Lin.
"Oh yes, it's well after noon now. It is rude to keep the palace staff waiting when they have been so accommodating." Katara said getting up and following them out the room.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and preparing to leave the next morning for Republic City.
Lin for once sat back and let her sister and the others worry about the logistics and everything. She spent time getting to know Opal better and catching up with Kya and Katara.
After dinner, she whispered to Bumi to come back to her room before leaving him to finish talking with his mother and siblings.
She went to her room and was glad to see a fire had been started again by the palace staff. Lin undressed and went to the bathroom. She filled the tub with warm water and got into the bath. Sighing she leaned her head back against the sloped back of the tub, closing her eyes.
When the bathroom door opened, she was startled out of a light doze that she had been in. She quickly covered herself, before realizing it was Bumi in the doorway.
"Bumi! You can't just come barging into the bathroom without knocking!"
"Eh, it's not like I haven't seen everything anyways," he winked at her. "And I did try knocking, by the way. You obviously were more sound asleep than you thought. You know that sleeping in the tub is not the safest right?" He teased, leaning against the sink.
Lin rolled her eyes at him. She stood after pulling the plug, stepping out of the tub and grabbing the towel she had set aside.
"How were your Mom and siblings after everyone left you alone to speak?" Lin asked, drying herself off.
"Surprisingly good. Tenzin is doing his best to understand and be supportive. Kya still thinks this is amusing, kept giggling over 'Chief Crankypants and Wild Child are having a baby together and in love'." He used his one hand to make air quotes. "She is really happy for us though, and excited for another niece or nephew. I think she may insist on being your Midwife." He watched as she finished drying and started to head to the main bedroom, leaving the towel on the floor. He enjoyed the view for a moment, before following her. "Mom, of course, is ecstatic. I don't remember her being this excited when she found out about Jinora." He continued, coming to stand behind her, wrapping his good arm around her waist. His hand rested on the very small swell of her belly.
"I was trying to get some warm clothes, you know." Lin huffed, but didn't move from his embrace; instead she leant her head back to rest on his right shoulder, making sure not to press too hard back on his other arm in the brace between them.
"Hmm… I could think of a few other ways to warm you up."
Lin reached out quickly with her metalbending to make sure the door was locked this time.
It was the following evening by the time they made it to Air Temple Island. Everyone disembarked and were greeted by the acolytes of the island.
Pema took command and was arranging rooms for everyone. Lin however, was not planning to sleep on the hard beds of the woman's dorms, when her house was just across Yue Bay. She needed time to process everything that had happened over the last couple weeks, preferably not in the company of the rest.
She started making her way to the docks, when a hand caught hers. "Hey Linny, leaving so soon?"
She turned to see Bumi looking at her with a smile on his face, but concern flashing in his eyes.
"I just need to go to my house... Away from…" She gestured to everyone around them. She suddenly felt an uneasiness that he would be offended or hurt by her words.
He, however, offered her an understanding smile. "Let me escort you home on a bison, so that I know you make it home safely. I know it's been a lot for you the last few days."
She gave his hand still holding hers a squeeze, and nodded her head. She ignored the part of her brain that wanted to argue that she was a grown woman who could get herself home fine, but was too exhausted to fight.
Bumi turned and was leading them in the direction of the bison stables, when they heard Lin's name being called.
They turned to see Su walking quickly to catch up. "I just wanted to say goodbye. I have to bring my guards back to Zaofu."
"Well goodbye then" Lin said awkwardly.
"I will be back in a few weeks. Tenzin has invited us to Jinora's Master Ceremony. It would be nice if you both would join Baatar and I one evening for dinner while we are here." Su said, hope shining in her eyes.
Lin didn't know how to answer as she was feeling very overwhelmed from the last few days and had hit her social quota. She was unused to spending so much time with people outside of her officers.
Su noticed that her sister had become overwhelmed, so she gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about giving me an answer now. Just know that I am very happy we are in each other's lives again. I promise to do better, and I will be around for my niece or nephew." She stepped forward to place a hand on Lin's shoulder. "I love you, and will see you in a few weeks."
She was about to step away, when Lin pulled her into a hug. "I-I love you too Su…" She whispered softly.
After a moment, Su stepped back and waved them off. This left Bumi and Lin to finish making their way to the bison stables, choosing a random one that was designated for the acolytes to use.
They didn't bother with putting the sitting harness on the bisons' back, just put the rein on its horns and took off, sitting on its neck. Lin settled in behind Bumi and wrapped her arms around him, head resting between his shoulders.
The ride over to her house was fairly quick. It wasn't a large house, but it had suited her well over the years. It was close to the station, while being in a more secluded neighbourhood.
Bumi landed the Bison on the street in front as she did not have a backyard or a flat roof to land on.
Bumi got off and offered his hand to Lin, helping her slide off. He doesn't release her hand all the way to her door.
"Shall I come over in the morning? I can bring breakfast." He said with a boyish smile.
Lin took a moment to take it in before shaking her head and tugging his hand to the door.
"You want me to stay?" At Lin's nod, he said, "Just give me a second to send the bison back to the island." He gave her hand a squeeze, before letting go and going to the bison, giving the commands that they knew meant to go home. After a pat on the head, the bison lifted up in the air and took off back to the island.
Bumi went and entered the house as Lin had unlocked the door. He locked the door and went to find her. She had already made it up the stairs to her bedroom, where she was bending off her armour.
He just leant against the doorframe of the room, giving her a moment. But when she just kept staring at the uniform once she had placed it in her closet, he moved closer. He came to stand beside her, putting his good hand on the small of her back.
They stood there in silence for a little while before Lin finally spoke up quietly. "I don't usually care what my officers or the press think of me… But now… What will they say? They'll see me as weak…"
"They will see this as their Chief finally having the family she deserves. Your officers care about you, just as you do them. And fuck the press. They don't matter. All that matters is you, me, and our little miracle." He said softly, but firmly. Not letting her doubt his words for a second.
"I'm scared" came the soft voice after another moment.
He turned her around, hand lifting her chin so that their eyes met. "Change can be very scary. Especially how things have changed over the last few months. But we will face this together, one day at a time."
Lin let out a sob, and almost slammed into him in her effort to hug him. He winced slightly at the pressure on his broken arm, but just put his other arm around the woman, holding her close.
When she calmed down, he pulled back slightly to cup her cheek. "Why don't you go have a nice shower. I will go make some tea and then we can relax before bed."
Lin nodded, allowing him to kiss her forehead, before turning and entering her ensuite.
Bumi went to the kitchen and filled the kettle, placing it on the stove to heat up. He then found some chamomile tea leaves and put them into the teapot. He grabbed two cups from the cupboard and carried them to the bedroom, setting them on the bedside table. He could hear the shower running in the bathroom. He went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of soft, light green pajamas and set them on the bed for Lin when she was finished.
He went back to the kitchen and waited for the kettle to finish boiling. Once it whistled, he pulled it off the stove and poured it into the teapot. He then carried it carefully back to the bedroom, placing it beside the cups.
He heard the shower turn off and a moment later the door opened, steam releasing into the bedroom from the washroom. Lin entered the room wrapped in a thick, dark green towel. She offered him a little smile, and noticed the pajamas on the bed.
Bumi decided to give her space to change, and turned to try and get his sling off so he could remove his shirt.
He heard her snort softly after a few minutes of him trying to remove the sling single handedly. She batted his hand away and helped him take it off, then helped him remove his shirt.
"I left a towel out for you, if you want a shower." He smiled at her gratefully and entered the washroom to have a quick shower. It was difficult trying to keep his left arm out of the spray, but he managed, and finished quickly.
He put his boxers back on and held his pants to place with his shirt on a chair in the bedroom.
Lin helped him put the sling back on, then they both settled on the bed, resting against the headboard. Lin handed him a cup of tea she had poured while he was in the bathroom, and took one for herself.
She sighed after taking a sip of the soothing, hot chamomile tea. She further relaxed into the pillows propped against the headboard.
"Thank you for being here… I feel like my thoughts are all over the place…"
"You never have to thank me, Linny. I will always be here for you." They shared a soft smile. "Now let's finish up our tea and get a good night's sleep. We'll talk through things and make plans in the morning." Lin nodded and leant into his right side.
