Prepare yourselves for some adorableness. You have been warned.


The next few days were spent in meetings with Raiko, Saikhan, and other upper level members of the Police Department. To say the men were shocked at her announcement was an understatement. Lin didn't blame them though, she was just as shocked.

It was now a week-and-a-half after they arrived back to the city that Lin found herself at the station, packing up her office. She could tell that the officers were confused as to what was going on.

"Mako!" She opened her office door, calling out to her detective.

He quickly came to her door, and entered the office when she motioned for him to enter.

"Sit" she motioned to the seat across from her desk. He quickly sat.

"You already are aware of the… baby" she still felt awkward mentioning her pregnancy. "But, I wanted to let you know first before I tell the other officers that I will be taking an extended maternity leave. Katara has told me it is best that I not be working throughout the rest of the… pregnancy."

Mako nodded, not calling attention to her hesitancy on the words baby and pregnancy. "That makes sense, Chief. It is best to take care of yourself and the baby. I appreciate you letting me know."

Lin sent him a nod back. "I, uh, also wanted to offer for you to have tea or lunch with me at least once a week, and I could offer advice on cases and such" she said, again awkwardly. It was hard to admit to herself that she cared about the young detective. "And you could keep me updated with the goings on of the force, without the bullshit Saikhan will feed me."

"That would be amazing, Chief." Mako smiled awkwardly too, but he was grateful in his tone.

Lin nodded. "Great. We'll start a couple days after Jinora's Ceremony. Now, Saikhan is supposed to gather all available officers to the meeting room in 30 minutes for us to announce my leave of absence. I trust you won't speak a word in that time."

"Of course not Chief." Mako said.

"Good. Now get back to work, detective" Lin said, dismissing him.

Lin finished packing up her office, which had more personal effects than her own living room at home.

She then arranges with her assistant to have it all brought to her house the next day.

Lin sighs suddenly feeling very anxious. 'How do I even tell all my officers about this? 'Oh hey everyone, yes that's right your Chief got laid - oh and she is now pregnant at 51…' Yeah, that is going to go over well.'

She straightens when she hears a knock on her door. Looking at the clock, she realizes it must be Saikhan.

She opens the door with her metalbending, and he steps in.

"Chief" he nods. She nods back at him. "Most of the officers are in the briefing room waiting. I will make sure the others out in the city and those who couldn't make it on their day off know."

"Thank you, Saikhan. I trust you to not turn this place to shit this time. I know Tarrlok had dirt on you, but now that that is no longer an issue, I think you will be able to do things properly while I am away."

"That I can promise Chief."

"Good. Now, you know my number if you need to discuss anything, but know that I am not coming in. My assistant Ju knows how most of this works and will be here to assist you... And Raiko is yours for the next year at least, so good luck with that." She gives him a smirk.

"Gee thanks." He groans. "But in all seriousness, Lin, I wish you the best in the coming months with your new family. Of everyone here, you deserve this. The phone also works both ways, so if you need anything, please call."

Lin nodded to him. "Thank you, Saikhan. I - appreciate this offer." She then stood up from her desk. "Let's get this shitshow out of the way." She said gruffly, moving towards the door.

The two walked into the large briefing room, which was filled with officers both in uniform and out, as some had made it in on their day off.

Lin took her place at the front of the room. She saw that many were casting curious glances as to why everyone had been assembled like this. She saw Mako's brief smile and nod of encouragement, and she took comfort in his support.

She cleared her throat and the rest of the officers stopped talking. "I want to thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here right now. This last year has been hard, and I commend you on the good job" Lin could see she shocked many with her praise, which was usually very hard won.

"There has been an unexpected situation that has come up." She paused trying to find the right words. "I will be taking a leave of absence for at least the next year. Assistant Chief Saikhan will be Acting Chief until I return."

"What?" was the main expletive voiced amongst the officers assembled, along with some others that she pretends not to hear.

She holds up her hand to get their attention again. "I know this is shocking, I can assure you that I was and still am in shock myself. Now, I thought you all deserved to find out the reason from me and not from the reporters that I am sure will find out soon." She steels herself for the reveal, taking a calming breath.

"I have just recently found out that I am expecting… a baby. I have been advised by my healer that I need to be off work." It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

After a moment, Mako took the initiative and stood, bowing to hear. "Congratulations Chief."

This slowly started a movement of everyone congratulating her and teasing whistling. Lin felt overwhelmed by the show of support and well wishes from her staff. She tried not to tear up, but couldn't help it. "That's enough. Just cause I'm expecting, doesn't mean I can't wipe the floors with you lot." She sent a half-hearted glare at her subordinates, who obviously didn't take it seriously this time. Most let out a chuckle, while others still smiled at her.

Lin huffed, but let out a small amused smile.

"Alright, get back to work. Don't destroy the city while I am off. I will know." She said, before walking out.

She made her way to her car, only getting stopped a few times by officers she had known for most of her career who offered their congratulations personally, and drove to the docks as she had a check up with Katara to get to.

Upon arriving at Air Temple Island, she realized it was lunch time, and headed towards the dining hall. Tenzin's family and their guests had taken to eating most breakfasts and lunches with the new airbenders and the acolytes, only having dinner separately.

"Linny!" Bumi called out from where he was sitting beside Ikki.

Lin offered him a slight smile, making her way toward the empty seat on his other side, dumping her dufflebag against the wall. She nodded at everyone else.

"How did it go today?" He asked once she sat down on his right. He placed his hand on her knee.

"Better than expected. No one gave me a hard time for once." She replied with a roll of her eyes, but Bumi could tell she was happy with how things turned out.

Lin looked up and saw Katara staring intently at her uniform. Lin sighed, before bending the armour from her body for the last time in the foreseeable future, sending it to rest against the wall behind her beside her bag. Katara nodded and smiled at her.

Lin then went about filling her plate with food. Lately she noticed she was eating a lot more than usual, and mostly vegetarian dishes - so it helped that she will most likely be frequenting the island with Bumi in the coming months.

After lunch as Lin was grabbing her bag to head to the old healing room with Katara, Bumi stood up, and took the bag from her hand. "I was hoping I could come to the appointment with you?"

"Oh, uh, sure. That would be fine."

"Sweet, come on, Mom's already left." He grabbed her hand, after slinging the bag on his good shoulder, and started eagerly leading her across the island to the healing room in the family house.

When they entered, they found Kya was also in the room.

"I asked Kya to come as she will be your primary midwife throughout the pregnancy as I will be returning South soon with Korra." Katara said. Lin nodded and sent a small smile to Kya.

"I really appreciate you taking this on Kya. I apologize now, as I am sure I will not be the best patient."

Kya snorted out a laugh, Bumi following. "No worries Beifong, I witnessed many of your temper tantrums. I think I'll survive." She winked at the younger woman. "But thanks for the apology in advance."

Katara just smiled and shook her head, drawing the water for the bath.

"Okay Lin, I want to do a thorough exam today. Kya will do that about once a month from now on, and just smaller ones without the bath in between. So take off your pants and shirt, and get in."

Lin blushed slightly, but she was relatively used to being undressed in front of healers due to her chosen profession, so she made quick work of what was left of her uniform and metal shoes. She laid down in the lukewarm water in just her bindings and pair of small, skin tight shorts.

Bumi dumped her duffle bag on the bed in the room, and sat beside the bath, grabbing Lin's left hand in his right.

Katara then started bending the water, making it glow with healing energy before starting at Lin's head and working her way down. She was pleased to note that most of the tension in her head that was there at the last check up, was mostly gone. When she got to the younger woman's shoulders and back though, her muscles were all knotted.

"I'm going to ease the tension in your shoulders and back. That will make you a lot more comfortable."

Lin nodded and closed her eyes prepared for a little pain. What she wasn't expecting was for it to feel good. Very good. She tried to refrain from moaning, but when Katara moved to her lower back, she couldn't contain it any more.

"I think the tension eased," Kya snickered, making Lin blush. Lin opened her eyes to half glare at Kya, but she couldn't commit when she was pain and tension free for the first time in decades.

"You will have to keep an eye on her back muscles Kya, I have a feeling they are going to tighten up again, and that won't be comfortable as she gets further along." Katara said to her daughter, as she moved on down over Lin's hips. She found this area tight as well, and helped relax them, bringing another moan from Lin. "Did you injure your right hip badly?" She asked, noticing it was worse than the other.

"Yes. Few years back I was thrown from a two story building as it exploded. I had no time to use my wires and landed on my hip. Dislocated it and it hurt like a bitch at the time. It only bothers me every once in a while now." Lin didn't see the looks of concern the three sent each other as her eyes had closed again.

Finally Katara started to check on the baby. "The baby is still getting nice and strong." She moved the water over the small swell, which was only a little bigger in the last week and a bit. "Would you like to know the gender?"

Lin looked at Bumi, who was smiling so goofily while staring at her small belly. They hadn't discussed finding out the gender. "Bumi?"

He looked up, still grinning "whatever you want to do. All I care about is that they are healthy."

Lin smiled at him, starting to tear up. 'Damn hormones.' She cleared her throat and replied. "I normally don't like surprises, but I feel like in this case… I feel like this would be a happy surprise. I agree with Bumi, as long as they are healthy, gender doesn't matter."

Bumi raised their hands so that he could kiss the back of hers. He also had slightly teary eyes.

"This always is the most precious surprise." Katara agreed with them, though it was hard to contain her excitement, since she knew the gender of her newest grandchild already. Kya would know next time Lin has a scan.

Katara let the water in her hands flow back into the tub. "Everything looks good. Kya and I will put a list of herbs and teas together for you to take throughout the rest of your pregnancy." Bumi helped Lin to sit up in the healing tub. "You are able to practice your bending, just nothing extensive. Your body has always been active, so it can handle light training as you advance along through your second trimester. No sparring, even with the kids. If you feel tired, rest; If you get hungry, eat."

"Sounds like an exciting few months," Lin said dryly.

"It will be worth it in the end." Katara patted her knee, before getting up and going to write down notes in a new folder on the table in the room. Lin assumed that was what she and Kya would use to keep track of any and all progress throughout the next few months.

Lin stood up out of the bath and let Bumi help her out after he stood. She gave Kya a grateful smile after she bent the water from her.

Lin quickly put back on her tank top and her black uniform pants, which were much snugger the last couple days. She bent her metal shoes into her duffle bag, deciding to go barefoot since she was on the island. It gave her a sense of peace to feel a tiny heartbeat whenever her bare feet touch the earth, and was looking forward to being barefoot more often.

She left her bag in the room, as she would return later for it.

Bumi gave her a kiss on the cheek before running off to his afternoon training. Lin decided to go to the garden to just sit in the sun for a bit, not remembering the last time she had had a chance to do so.

She was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice that the bench in the garden was already occupied until she got close to it. She tried to turn to back out, hopefully unseen.

"You don't need to leave Lin." A calm voice came.

Lin sighed, realizing she had been caught. She turned back around to face Pema, who had Rohan sitting in her lap.

Pema patted the bench beside her. "I promise I don't bite." She glanced down at her son in her lap who was munching on his hand, grinning back at her around it. "Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Rohan, but his first tooth has barely cut through."

Lin hesitatingly sat next to the woman she had hated for the last 14 years. She watched the baby find his hand so interesting. "It's hard to believe he is almost 8 months old."

Pema nodded. "It really has been a whirlwind this past year since Korra arrived." She looked beside her at the woman who she had always been at odds with, well at least until Rohan was born. Her feelings had changed towards the woman who had selflessly thrown herself off Oogi trying to save the last of the Air Nation. "I just wanted to say thank you for what you have done for my family. I don't think there is ever a way I will be able to repay you…"

"It's what families do for each other. I grew up with Tenzin, and while we fell out of...touch, he was, is, still part of my family. That extends to you and the children, even if I have kept my distance."

"And with the baby, you will now officially never be able to be rid of us, no matter how much you wish" Pema teased, watching the older woman duck her head slightly and place a hand on her stomach.

"Yeah… Joy…" Lin scoffed, but her eyes held amusement when she glanced at the younger woman beside her.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments, just content with watching Rohan. Rohan had noticed Lin watching him, and seemed to be transfixed as well. He reached his hand that wasn't occupying his mouth towards her.

"I think someone would like for you to hold him."

Lin was instantly uncomfortable. It was one thing to watch an infant, it was totally different to interact and hold the baby. "I'm sure he'll live."

"Come now Lin, think of it as practice. You'll need as much practice as possible." Pema said, practically shoving Rohan into her, forcing Lin to place awkward hands around him to make sure he didn't fall.

Lin looked up in slight panic at Pema. "What do I do?"

Pema just smiled at her gently, and repositioned Lin's arms and Rohan, so that he was sitting in her lap with Lin supporting his back.

Rohan grinned a gummy smile up at Lin, who felt herself returning the smile back to him. She calmed slightly once she realized he was content to just sit and either grin up at her or chew on his hand again.

"I think he likes you." Pema told her.

"He is too young to realize that is a mistake." Lin said.

"I am fairly confident he is going to grow up loving his Aunt Lin" Pema said, holding back a chuckle at Lin's face when she said that. "You had earned that title when he was born."

Lin was at a loss for words. She felt like she was still confused and floundering as to what to make of the baby on her lap, but yet the words 'Aunt Lin' had brought a warmth to her chest and a stinging to her eyes.

Before Lin could figure out a response, a panicked Ikki ran into the garden ushering a crying Meelo with her. "Mom! Meelo fell off his glider, I think he hurt his arm bad" Ikki called out as they approached.

Pema was up off the bench and had picked Meelo up carefully. He was now sobbing into her shoulder. "Come on, let's get you to Gran Gran or Aunt Kya. They will fix you right up!" She said trying to assure her 6 year old. "I'll be back soon Lin, watch Rohan for me! Thank you!" She called back as she left to enter the house with Ikki following close behind.

Lin scowled at their retreating forms, then looked down at the baby on her lap. "What am I supposed to do with you?"

Rohan looked at her curiously, before shifting his eyes to notice his mother was not there anymore. Lin saw his little face scrunch up and knew the peace and quiet had ended. She tried to recall what her mother and family had done when Suyin was an infant, as that was the last baby she had been around.

She winced when the wails started. She placed him on her shoulder, rubbing his back. It helped a little, but now he was wailing into her ear. She grunted as she stood up and started walking with him, hand still rubbing his back.

She started humming an old earth kingdom lullaby she recalls from her childhood. After a few moments, he calmed down, nuzzling into her shoulder only letting out a few whimpers.

Lin continued her walk around the garden, not noticing that he had fallen asleep. She stopped walking, but continued a gentle sway and continued to rub his back. Closing her eyes, she could picture her future now. The gentle weight of her child in her arms as she rocked them to sleep. She relaxed to the heartbeats of both Rohan and her baby.

She was startled when she heard a flash and pop of a camera go off and looked over to see Katara, Kya, and Pema. Lin flushed brightly at being caught so unawares. Her senses had been so consumed by the two little heartbeats, that she hadn't even felt the three come into the garden.

"He - uh started crying." Lin said, attempting to explain.

"Looks like you knew just what to do, he is fast asleep now. Good too, he has been refusing to take his naps during the afternoon these past couple weeks." Pema said happily, with a warm smile on her face. "Maybe Aunt Lin can come over every afternoon and help with that" she sent a wink at the older woman.

As much as Lin wanted to scoff and say no, she couldn't help but feel like that is exactly what she wants to do. So she just shrugged with her unoccupied shoulder.

"Who knew 30 minutes alone with a baby would have Lin Beifong enamored." Kya said, chortling with the camera hanging off her shoulder by its strap, leaning on a crutch to help support her healing let..

"Oh leave her be Kya. She needs to get her practice in" Katara said, winking at Lin. Lin huffed at the three and went to bring Rohan over to Pema to take back.

Before she could hand him off though, a bright blue and glowing flash came hurtling towards Lin with a "screee"." It stopped just before hitting her. Lin was now eye to eye with a dragonfly spirit bunny.

"Uh… can I help you?" Lin was still wary of any spirit she came across. While this one was cute, she wasn't sure what to make of it. Especially when it sunk down and then cuddled into her small bump. She looked up with a panicked face to the three women. Kya took the opportunity to take another picture.

"Bum-Ju? Where did you fly off too, Bum-Ju?" came a voice from around the back of the house. The women all turned to see Bumi come into the garden from behind the house. "Oh there you are! I see you've found Linny." He said jovially as he stopped and took in the scene in front of him. He let out a laugh at the sight of an uncomfortable Lin, with a sleeping Rohan in her arms, and Bum-Ju cuddled into her belly.

"Bumi do you know this spirit? And why is it hugging me?" Lin asked insistently but quietly as to not wake Rohan, turning a glare on Bumi.

"Lin meet Bum-Ju; Bum-Ju, this is my Linny." He said as he came over and plucked Bum-Ju up with his good arm. The spirit nuzzled into his beard, before turning back to look at Lin.

"Bum-Ju?"

"Apparently my brother has adopted the spirit as his child, and proceeded to name it Bumi Junior." Kya said, smirking at Lin. "Kinda makes you its mom now too."

"You've got to be joking!" She noticed Bumi pout slightly, while the women just laughed. "You aren't joking are you?" She sighed, questioning why she always has to deal with these things. Looking between Bumi and… Bum-Ju; she finally said, "Nice to - uh - meet you Bum-Ju."

Bumi grinned widely. "That's the spirit Linny! Bum-Ju is excited to be a big sibling, aren't you?" The spirit nodded and flew out of his arms to cuddle into her stomach again. "See, they are super excited."

Lin just resigned herself to letting the spirit cuddle her. "At least I don't have to worry about you wanting to name our child after you" she said gruffly, but amusement danced in her eyes.

"They will be named Lin-Ju of course!" Kya winked at Lin, who looked back at her in disgust.

"My child will not be named after me, or anyone we know. They will have their own name."

"I'm sure whatever name you and Bumi decide on will be perfect," Katara said with an eager smile. She was very excited for her fifth grandchild.

"Would love to stay out here teasing Lin, but I could really sit down. Can we head inside?" Kya said, trying not to wince as she shifted to try to ease the pain from her bad leg.

The others agreed and headed inside.

Pema offered to take Rohan back since he was sleeping, but Lin told her not to worry, and he was fine where he was. The mother of four didn't argue, enjoying having free hands for once.

"How is Meelo's arm?" Lin asked once they got seated on the couches in the living room. Bum-Ju was still insistent on snuggling with her belly and Rohan was still soundly sleeping on her shoulder. She and Bumi had taken up residence on one of the bigger couches, so that she could recline back with pillows behind her, making having the two on top of her a little more comfortable. Bumi sat with her feet in his lap, and his good arm was resting on her leg.

"He badly sprained it, but by tomorrow he will be good as new." Katara said. "I am not sure who was worse at this age, Bumi or Meelo" she said, honestly putting effort into thinking about that.

The others just laughed quietly at that, most imagining Bumi was worse. Bumi laughed along, as he fully knows and is proud of that fact.

They continue to chat quietly, Pema at one point getting up to make a pot of tea.

Lin doesn't remember Pema coming back into the room, as she ended up nodding off herself.

She woke when Pema was removing a waking Rohan from her arms. "Oh - uh… sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep. He's okay right?" Worried that she had hurt him by falling asleep.

"No worries at all, Lin. He was fine, but he was waking up. I need to feed and change him." Lin Nodded and sat up fully, noticing the room was empty except for them. "I had Jinora bring your bag to Bumi's room, as I figured you may want to freshen up."

"Thanks."

Pema smiled at her and left the room. Lin got up and made her way to Bumi's childhood room, which had stayed his as Tenzin had always made sure that his mother and siblings still had their home on the island as well.

Lin changed into the spare clothes she brought. She sighed at the feel of the looser waistband of her beige coloured pants. She pulled on a pale green tunic that the sleeves went to her elbows, was fairly form fitting, and it went to her mid thighs but had slits in the side to her hip. This allowed her to move easily. It was simple, but it was one of her only non-work casual 'civvy outfits'.

She decided to take out her hair pins, and brush her hair out so it went below her shoulders in soft waves; the pins had started giving her a headache anyways, especially after sleeping on them. She then grabbed the pair of her ballet flats that were dark green with fine gold detailing. Putting them on, she left to go find everyone else.

She found Tenzin, Bumi, and the kids in the courtyard with the other new airbenders. It looked like they were just finishing the last class for the day.

"Well hello there pretty woman. Can I have a piece of your hair?" Meelo said, landing beside her. He obviously didn't recognize her when she was dressed so differently than usual.

Tenzin rushed over, pulling Meelo back. "Meelo, leave the poor woman alone. I'm sorry about him. Can I help you-" Tenzin had finally looked, "Lin?"

Lin rolled her eyes. "Something wrong?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"No, no… It's just been awhile since I have seen you in anything but your uniform."

"You look beautiful, Aunt Lin." Opal said coming over.

"Yeah! You should wear clothes like this more often. Not as scary as your metal armour" Ikki agreed.

"Gee, thanks Ikki." She rolled her eyes at the girl, but offered her a small wink to offset the sting of her words. "I suppose I will have no choice in the upcoming months since Katara has banned me from wearing my armour," Lin replied, a little put out by that fact.

"Wow Linny. I haven't seen you like this in a long time." Bumi said as he came over to her left side so he could put his right arm around her. "What say we make the most of this and go into the city for dinner?"

Lin felt a little put on the spot, but once she looked up into Bumi's she forgot momentarily about the others watching and listening. "I suppose we could."

"It's a date then! Let me go change and we can head out." Bumi said excitedly. He placed a smooch to her cheek before running off in the direction she just came from.

Lin felt her cheeks grow red at the sight of the others watching her.


They were sitting in Narook's Noodlery as they had decided on somewhere nice but casual. Not to mention it had the best watertribe dishes in the city, both traditional and fusion; and once it had been suggested, Lin couldn't help but crave sea prunes which sealed the choice in restaurant. The restaurant had also played a big part in their 'sleepovers', being the go-to take out they grabbed.

Lin had to admit that she enjoyed this new experience with Bumi. It was the first time in a long time, especially since they started their fling, that they were able to sit and just talk about their interests and careers. They avoided speaking of their families, the recent attack with the Red Lotus, and the future.

She can't remember the last time she had laughed or smiled this much. Probably not since her teenage years.

Lin allowed Bumi to pay for dinner, as she knew it made him happy. He surprised her with a take-out order of the sea prune noodle special, so that she could enjoy it for lunch the next day too.

She also allowed him to hold her hand as they walked through a park on their way to her home. They stopped and got fairy floss, which Bumi knew was one of her favourites from their childhood; and it still was, it seemed, as she gave him a bright smile when they stopped at his suggestion.

"I had a really good time tonight, Linny," Bumi said, as they came to a stop outside her front door. They stood close to each other, hands still clasped together.

Lin starred up into Bumi's light blue eyes, before wrapping her other hand behind his neck. She pulled him down to bring him into a kiss. This kiss was nothing like the heated ones they had shared previously, nor was it the same gentleness of the ones they had shared since the Red Lotus attacks. This one spoke of love and hope.

"Come in?" Lin whispered when they pulled back.

"Like I have been sleeping anywhere else since we got back" He winked at her. Lin rolled her eyes, but her lips were formed into a small smile. She turned and unlocked her platinum lock with her key.

Once in the house, Lin went to put on a pot of tea, and Bumi went over to the record player in the living room.

When Lin entered the living room with the tea service, she saw Bumi place a jazz record on the player. Soon enough music was playing softly in the room.

Bumi turned to see her placing the tray on the table and he approached her. "Come, dance with me." He grabbed her hand before she could refuse. He placed her right hand over his bad shoulder to land at his neck, then grabbed her left hand in his right. Lin allowed this, but found herself feeling a little stiff as she hadn't danced in a long time.

It wasn't the most graceful of dances, due to his bad arm, but they made it work and slowly Lin loosened up a bit.

After Lin let out a third yawn, Bumi laughed lightly. "I think it's time for bed. It's been quite a day."

Lin nodded, "you're staying right?"

"As long as you'll have me" he winked at her, before letting her go to stop the gramophone.

They both fell asleep fairly quickly in each other's arms, the tea laying forgotten in the living room.