Another week-and-a-half passed, which was spent mostly on Air Temple Island. Lin helped Tenzin and Pema plan Jinora's ceremony as she had helped with Tenzin's when they were younger. Invitations were sent out her first day on her maternity leave, and they had already received most of the replies.
Bumi and Lin had taken to sleeping half the time on the Island while other nights in the city.
Lin grumbled about Air Nomads and their need to use hard-as-rock beds. 'Scratch that, a rock would be much more comfortable, at least to an earthbender like me.' She thought grumpily. Her back and hips were aching in a way she never thought possible.
She stumbled to the bathroom down the hall, and had a nice warm shower, hoping it would help. It did, but only minimally. She made her way back to his room and put her underwear and her chest wrap on. Next she pulled on her pants. It was as she was doing them up that she ran into an issue.
The issue was her pants wouldn't button. Lin glared down at her belly. In just the past couple weeks it seemed to have gone from a barely noticeable curve to looking like she swallowed a small melon. She tried sucking in her belly but the pants would just not do up. She even tried laying on the bed and sucking in, hoping it would work. It did not.
Su and her family arrived from Zaofu around 8 that morning. They had decided to make the trip overnight, so that they would have a whole extra day to be with Opal, Lin, and the rest of the extended family.
Opal was there to greet them as they stepped off their airship. "Mom! Dad!"
"Hello my love" Su said, embracing her daughter. Her husband, Baatar, wrapped his arms around both of his girls.
"It is so good to see you sweetie." He kissed the top of his only daughter's head.
When they pulled back, the boys all pulled her into their own hugs. Kuvira was also attending with the family, but just nodded to Opal, who nodded in return
They followed Opal to the dining hall where they found everyone tucking into breakfast heartily. They greeted everyone warmly.
Opal, who was sitting between her mother and Huan, looked around the room. She frowned.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Su asked, seeing the frown.
"I could have sworn Aunt Lin stayed over last night. Usually when she does, she is one of the first here before we get back from our morning meditation."
"It is unlike Lin to sleep in. From what I can remember anyways. I will go check on her when we're finished."
After breakfast they left the boys to speak with Tenzin and Bolin and headed to Bumi's old room. As they approached they could hear muffled yelling from inside the room.
The door soon opened and closed quickly, followed by a loud thump.
"Bumi?" Su asked, watching as the man had leant his forehead against the door, sighing.
Startled, he spun around. "S-su! Opal! I, uh, didn't see you there."
"What's going on?"
"That's actually a great question. I'm not exactly sure. I went to come check on her as she didn't make it to breakfast and as soon as I entered the room, she started yelling at me. All I could make out was that she was blaming me for something, but I have no idea what I have done." he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
"How about you go join the guys, and I will go speak with her."
He looked hesitant to leave.
"It's okay, Bumi. I have a feeling this is something only a woman can help with."
He reluctantly nodded, and left down the hallway.
Su turned to Opal. "I want you to stay out here just in case. I don't want her accidentally hitting you if she is throwing things. I doubt she would want that either if she was thinking clearly."
Opal agreed. "Should I maybe get Kya or Katara?"
"Let's see how this goes first okay?"
Su then knocked on the bedroom door. "Lin? It's me, Su. Can I come in?"
When there was no reply, Su just opened the unlocked door and stepped inside. She found Lin curled up on the bed in just her chest bindings and a pair of unbuttoned trousers, hugging a pillow to her face. "Lin?"
Lin didn't respond, but her shoulders were shaking. Su went and sat on the bed beside her sister and put her hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
She, for once, decided to not ask questions, and to sit and wait to see if Lin spoke about what was wrong.
After a few moments, she could feel the sobs lessening in her sister.
"What is happening to me?" came a small, raspy voice. "My pants don't fit anymore, I have nothing to wear, I'm tired all the time, I ache in places I have never before, my boobs hurt… I keep snapping at Bumi for no reason, when he is just trying to help." Lin was getting herself worked up again when thinking of her insecurities. "What if he decides he's had enough-"
"Lin, just breathe with me." Su interrupted, leading Lin through some simple breathing exercises.
"Let's focus on the positives okay?" Su pulled the pillow away from Lin's face. She made her sister look at her. "You are still beautiful. The changes your body is going through are beautiful. Your body is changing to help your baby grow and develop. This is all normal."
Su grabbed some tissues and blotted Lin's cheeks for her. "Bumi loves you, no matter what you look like or how you act. A little anger is not going to make him run for the hills." Su took her sister's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. "Now, I think we should take you clothes shopping so that you have clothes that you will feel comfortable in. What do you say?"
Lin slowly nodded. Her emotions still felt out of whack, but Su's calming presence was helping - not that she really wanted to admit that out loud.
Su helped Lin up from the bed, slowly as she was still prone to nausea with sudden movements.
Su went to the door and spoke quickly with Opal, who ran off to do as she was asked. Su continued down the hall and wet a face cloth and went back to the room.
Lin gratefully took the cloth and wiped her face of the remains of the salty tears.
"Would you be opposed if we invited Pema along? I think she may know more about the shops in the city and where the best places will be."
"I-I suppose that would be okay. But what am I supposed to even wear to the store? I only have pajamas with me, and I refuse to wear an air acolyte outfit, so don't even try it."
Su smiled at her sister. "Don't worry, I sent Opal to grab a bag I had brought with me. I found a couple of the dresses I had worn during my last pregnancies. I know they are a little dated and not your style, but I figured you may want or need them in a pinch. She should be back any moment now, so why don't you take off the pants and put Bumi's bathrobe on while we wait."
Lin nodded and did as suggested. She even sat in the desk chair and let her younger sister fix her hair into a neat bun at the nape of her neck.
Shortly after Su had finished, a knock sounded at the door. Su quickly ushered Opal in, who carried a small tote bag.
"Good morning Aunt Lin. I brought the dresses Mom" Opal addressed both women with a gentle smile.
Lin nodded to her niece, while Su quickly grabbed the bag and laid out the two dresses on the bed. They were both much fancier than Lin would ever pick for herself for day wear, but at least they were green.
"Go ahead and pick one to wear. Opal will wait for you in the hall, while I go and speak with Pema." The younger Beifong ladies left the room. Su left Opal in the hallway, before heading to find Pema.
She found Pema speaking with Katara, Kya, and Asami in the living room. Rohan was being cuddled by his grandmother.
"Good morning ladies, and little Rohan" she greeted the women, brushing a finger across the baby's soft cheek.
"Ah Su, we were wondering where you had run off to." Katara said.
"Yes, well we had a bit of a situation. Luckily everything is okay. I just wanted to ask Pema if you know of any maternity stores in the city? Lin needs new clothes and we were hoping you could show us." Su asked, sitting in an empty chair.
"Hmm, well I know of a couple for undergarments, but being an acolyte, I was able to continue to wear most of my clothes as they were fairly loose. I do, however, know some baby stores."
"I have been to a few with my previous Nanny when she was pregnant. I am pretty sure they are still around, most are in Little Ba Sing Se." Asami speaks up. "I would be happy to have a car meet us and take us around the city."
"That would be great Asami."
Kya and Katara made some suggestions on some of the stores that they knew from previously living in the city and working with pregnant patients. They were unsure if some were still around, but Asami made a mental note where they were and would discuss with her driver.
Asami excused herself to call her driver, just before Lin and Opal walked in the room.
Lin had chosen a dark forest green dress that had lots of silver detailed lotus flowers and leaves all over. It was high necked, but sleeveless and hugged her chest before flowing loosely to her knees. It had some small ruffles along the seams, which was definitely not Lin's style.
"Lin, that dress looks great on you! I think it looks better on you than it did on me 16 years ago!" Su said, speaking honestly.
Lin rolled her eyes. "I feel too…" she said, looking for the right word… "girly."
"Well you still look lovely, Lin. I am sure Su, Opal, Pema, and Asami can help you pick out some items that are more in your tastes." Katara said, giving Lin a reassuring smile.
"Wait, Asami is coming too?" Lin looks at her sister.
"Sounds like she knows more stores than Pema. Asami has also kindly provided a driver to take us around the city today, so we won't have to worry about carrying too much."
Lin sighed, but didn't put up a fight. She sat beside Katara on the couch.
"I don't know how you made it through four pregnancies on those beds, Pema. Every other night is killing me."
Pema let out a small laugh. "Oh I made Tenzin change ours out after a few months of being pregnant with Jinora. We just don't advertise that to the acolytes or the new airbenders. Though I don't think the harder beds affect airbenders the same as the rest of us."
"Probably something to do with them being full of air," Kya laughed. She sent a quick, "no offence," to Opal.
Opal laughed too, "I think you are right Pema. I didn't really notice much of a difference. Other than the actual texture of the mattress."
"We will hit a mattress store while we are out too. I have a feeling you will continue to be staying here part time, so we can't have you uncomfortable the whole time."
Rohan decided then to lean towards his new favourite person. Lin upon noticing Katara's reassuring nod, leant forward and received him into her arms. He snuggled right into her chest, content to just cuddle for now.
"Opal, be a dear and grab a bowl of water and bring it here. After that, grab your Aunt some breakfast." Opal followed Katara's orders and made quick work of obtaining the bowl of water from the kitchen, before running back to procure breakfast.
"Lin, scoot away from the back of the couch." Upon doing so, Katara bent the water from the bowl and ran it along the younger woman's neck, shoulders, back and hips. Lin let out a sigh of relief. Before allowing her to move back, Katara also placed a pillow behind her back. "You should try and place a pillow behind you. It will help alleviate some pain as well."
"Thank you Auntie." Lin smiled gratefully at her.
Opal then entered the room with a bowl of warm congee with sliced moon peaches and a bit of honey drizzled on it. Asami followed her with a tea service.
Lin reluctantly handed Rohan back to Katara, in order to accept the bowl. "Thank you, Opal. This looks wonderful."
Asami starts handing out tea to everyone as Lin tucks into her breakfast.
"My driver will meet us at the docks in an hour. I figured that gave us enough time to get ready and make it across the bay on the ferry."
"Thank you Asami. We'll finish our tea and head out" Su replied.
A few hours later, Lin was even more exhausted than earlier. Su had already dragged her to three clothing stores in Little Ba Sing Se, and that was after the two other stores they had hit on the way to the shopping plaza. They were just exiting a lingerie store now.
Apparently chest bindings would get more uncomfortable the further along she gets, and impractical for breastfeeding. So she now had some new bras, which she was not looking forward to. She always hated the feeling of the straps and band digging into her skin; but she could see the usefulness for them in the upcoming months, so she begrudgingly agreed to them.
As they were leaving, Su was already talking about another store when Lin put her foot down.
"No Su, enough. I am tired, irritated, and hungry. Not to mention I have more clothes than I will ever need during this pregnancy. So let's just go back to the Island."
Su pouted, but agreed, not wanting to push Lin for once.
"How about we grab some lunch? There is a little restaurant over there."
Lin looked up to see the sign for dumplings, and instantly agreed about lunch.
Asami passed the bags to her chauffeur, who had been waiting outside the current store for them after depositing the set of bags from the last store in the limousine. She told him to grab a bite to eat and they would meet at the vehicle when they were done.
When they finished, they were making their way out when Opal called out.
"Awe! Aunt Lin, look at this!"
Lin repressed a groan, knowing she was about to be dragged into another store, before turning to look at what Opal was looking at in the store window.
In the window was an adorable little set of a matching outfit. It was a mix of greens and cream with badgermoles on it. It had a matching onesie, pants, blanket, and sweater.
"Oh… wow, that's cute." Lin said.
"Well we can't just leave it here now." Su said, taking the opportunity to drag Lin into the baby store.
Lin felt a little overwhelmed with being thrust into a store full of baby clothes and items. She placed a hand on her belly and caressed it a little, not realizing she had been doing it more and more lately. It helped calm her though, and she allowed herself to be led around the store.
She found herself looking at a table of various shades of green and yellow onesies for newborns, which had simple and gender neutral patterning on them.
"They are so tiny aren't they?" Lin looked up to see Asami standing beside her, giving her a soft smile.
"Hmmm." Lin agreed. "I have to admit I am a little lost in what to pick out."
Asami looked down and picked out three. One was a pale jade colour, similar to Lin's eyes with no pattern on it. The next was a moss colour with a darker shade on the seams; and the last was a pastel yellow, with a turtle duckling embossed on the front. "What about these?"
Lin smiled gratefully, "they are perfect, thank you Asami."
"No problem, Lin. I am happy to help." Asami still felt a little awkward calling the police chief by her first name, but Lin had insisted earlier that morning.
Lin went to take the onesies, but Asami winked at her and left towards the till. Lin didn't bother trying to argue, she had a feeling her child was going to be spoiled by the young heiress. That's not even mentioning what Su would be doing.
Speaking of, she turned to find her sister handing many outfits to Opal to hold. Lin decided to intervene before she had too much. There was still about 4 months left before the baby arrived, and she doubted she needed the other sizes so quickly.
"Alright Su. I think we should head out. Asami's driver is expecting us soon."
"Fine, fine." Su agreed. She saw her sister eyeing the pile warily. "Don't worry, a few of these are for Rohan too" she laughed.
Lin sighed and grabbed some of the pile, ignoring Su's attempts to swat her hand away. She disposed of the obnoxious pink outfit. "I don't even know what I am having, but even if I am having a girl, she will not be dressed in this frilly thing. Now, let's go. I need to sit."
Opal led the way to the counter and dumped her load on the counter, with Su following right behind her to pay.
Lin hung back slightly, waiting for her turn. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a plush badgermole. She grabbed it and liked the feel of the soft faux fur. She had one just like it when she was a child; hers, in fact, was still tucked away in a box at the house. She grabbed a turtleduck one too for Rohan.
Finally they made it out of the store and the mall. Lin gave a groan when she finally got to sit in the car.
She turned to Asami, tiredly. "Can I be dropped at my house? I don't think I can make the trip back to the Island today, and I can't take a nap on that hard bed."
"Of course. We'll help you bring everything in, and then leave you be." Asami then rolled down the window separating the front and let her driver know the address.
Finally they arrived at her house, and Lin was grateful for the extra hands to carry everything in.
"Just put everything on the couch. I will sort and wash it later." Lin said as she let them into her home.
She never realized how tiny her house was until there were 5 other people standing in it with her.
The driver, thankfully, was quick to deposit his load of bags, and left back to the car.
"Are you sure you don't want us to help organize everything?" Su asked.
"I think she is looking forward to a lie down, come on Su, let's be on our way." Pema started guiding the Zaofu matriarch to the door. Lin sent her a grateful look.
"Thank you all for… everything today" Lin said as they started leaving. She accepted the hug from Opal and gave Asami a small smile and nod.
Su put a hand on Lin's arm. "We'll let Bumi know you will be here for the night. See you in the morning?"
"Thank you, and yes, I will be by mid-morning at the latest to help with finalizing the details for the ceremony."
"We appreciate all your help with the ceremony, Lin. I am fairly sure you remember more of Tenzin's ceremony than he does." Pema laughed lightly.
Lin smirked. "He always has been an airhead." The three laughed and Lin bid them goodbye, before shutting the door.
She wasted no time heading to her bedroom, stripping down, and collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion. She was out before her head hit the pillow.
She was woken a few hours later by the sound of her front door being unlocked. She placed her foot on the stone floor and was relieved it was just Bumi.
She got up and put on an emerald green silk dressing gown, before padding downstairs to greet him. She found him in the living room, narrowly avoiding tripping himself on the corner of her couch.
"I thought airbenders were supposed to be more graceful than that," she said, leaning against the doorway.
Bumi shot her a sheepish grin at being caught. "Eh, I'm still in training." He held up his good arm to show he carried a bag, "I brought dinner. Pema made sure to pack your favourites."
Lin smiled at him as she made her way to him, taking the bag of food from him. She didn't want to risk him actually tripping himself and ruining the meal.
He glanced at the full couch. "Did you buy a whole store?"
"Su wishes" she grumbled, making her way to the dining table in her kitchen. Bumi followed after her.
"Does this mean I get a private fashion show later?" he waggled his eyebrows at her.
"Ha... right… I'll get right on that." Lin said sarcastically, while taking out the containers of food.
They quickly dug into their meal, chatting about their day.
"Oh Su told me about the mattress. I'm sorry I didn't think of that. She told me a new one is being delivered first thing in the morning."
Lin smiled at him "it's okay. I am sorry I yelled at you this morning. My thoughts were all over the place and it was difficult to articulate what actually was wrong."
"It's okay Linny. I promise it wasn't an issue, and we will try and work out a way to communicate better when things are overwhelming." They gave each other gentle smiles, and continued eating.
When finished, Lin quickly washed the dishes so they were ready to return to Pema the next day. Bumi went to her laundry room beside the kitchen and grabbed the two baskets she had, after she asked him to do so.
After finishing that, they went to the living room to organize the clothes.
Lin laid the nicer outfit she had gotten for the ceremony on the armchair so that she could have it dry cleaned before the ceremony. "Are you wearing your United Forces uniform to the ceremony or your air nomad clothes?" She asked, reaching for the next bag on the couch and sorting them between lights and darks in the two baskets.
"Tenny wants us airbenders to be all dressed in our nomad clothes." He rolled his eyes at her. "I would rather be in uniform, but I do have to admit this will be more comfortable," he gestured to his nomad clothes he was currently wearing.
Lin nodded, "I'd rather be wearing mine too. Now I am stuck wearing a nice outfit instead. Apparently being a Master Earth and Metal Bender, and a Beifong means I have to look the part, at least according to Suyin. I swear she is just wanting me to be uncomfortable the whole time."
"I'm sure it won't be too bad. I personally can't wait to see what you wear" Bumi winked at her, causing her to blush. Bumi then noticed the bag with the stuffed badgermole. He picked the badgermole up from the bag. "You used to have one just like this. What did you call it again?"
"I called her Badger. Real original, I know," Lin laughed lightly. "I think she is still in a box in the closet upstairs. Actually, we should go through the box, I think there may be a few things from my childhood that we could use." Lin smiled slightly, rubbing a hand across her bump.
They made quick work of the rest of the bags, deciding to wash baby clothes later as it was too early.
Lin took the load of darks to the laundry room, and had come back for the lights when she saw a bag she had missed. She was sure she had already taken the bag with her new undergarments and put them in the baskets.
To her horror, she saw Bumi reach into it and pull out sometime black and lacy.
"Linny, you even got me a gift!" He waggled his eyebrows at her for the second time that evening.
"I did no such thing! That must be someone else's bag, so put it back in and I will make sure to check with the others tomorrow."
"Then how come there is a note in here from Su saying 'Enjoy ;)'?"
"What?" Lin grabbed the note from his hand. "That fucking nosey b-"
"Now Lin, let's just take advantage of the situation. You got a free gift, and I get to enjoy you in said gift. Seems to be a win-win situation."
Lin glared at him, then turned and picked up the other laundry basket and took it to the other room to sit with the other one, and to start a load.
Lin could feel that her blush was not going to go away anytime soon. 'Stupid sisters.'
