"Lin, when you said the house was fairly large, I was thinking three bedrooms, a garage, and a backyard. This is huge!" Kya said, as she helped carry a box into the newly renovated house. Followed by Tenzin airbending 3 boxes at a time.

It was moving day for Lin and Bumi. Their house had finally been finished being remodeled and fixed to what they wanted, it had taken a little longer than expected when they had decided on further changes than the ones that were already planned. Wood floors were removed and replaced by stone tiles throughout the whole house. They had both agreed that it would make them feel better if Lin could always feel where the child was in the house.

It seemed that everyone had shown up to help them move. Lin was in charge of telling everyone where everything went as being almost 8 months pregnant, she was expressly told not to lift anything but her feet to rest them.

"We have a large family, and I figured Su and her kids will visit and the Island is already full most of the time now. At least it isn't as big as Asami's mansion or Su's estate." Lin shrugged, before directing the siblings to the living room.

Next in were Mako and Bolin carrying the couch. "Careful you don't hurt yourselves." Lin said as they passed.

"Lin you should really have your feet up. You're going to regret all the standing later." Su said as she stepped in next, bending the stone headboard for the master bed in front of her.

Lin huffed and grumbled under her breath, not wanting to admit her sister was probably right. She still wasn't used to feeling so useless. Grunting out where the master bedroom was up the stairs, Lin went to the living room just down the hall and sat in a chair that she pushed to the entryway so she could still direct where things went, it was the only thing she could do today, and no one was going to stop her.

It took most of the day, but everything was in the rooms it should be in. They were still expecting furniture deliveries in the next few days for the guest bedrooms and many boxes still needed to be unpacked, but it was a relief to finally be in the house.

Pema and the kids had come over bringing dinner with them that she had made and everyone sat around the living room on the couch, armchairs, dining chairs and cushions that they found.

Lin was seated on the couch, with a pillow behind her back and her feet resting on the coffee table. Su was seated beside her in the middle, and Kya on the other end of the couch.

"I still can't believe how tiny you are for almost 8 months. You look like you are only just past 6 months. It's not fair, you know." Su said, jokingly pouting. "Just be glad it isn't twins. I love my boys, but I looked like a beached whale-walrus by 6 months, let alone 8."

Lin ran a hand over her bump, caressing it and feeling a kick to her hand in response. A smile graced her lips at the feeling, even though they were starting to get painful as they got stronger; but she cherished the thought that they were getting nice and strong, so she could deal with the kicks.

"Earth to Lin." Su said once she realized Lin wasn't going to be responding.

Lin looked up and blushed slightly as she realized she had zoned out a bit.

Su decided to not tease her about it. "Have you decided on a theme for the nursery?"

"Theme?" Lin frowned. "Asami and I have talked a bit, as have Bumi and I, we were planning on soft greens, yellow, and creams. We wanted to keep it neutral as we aren't finding out the gender."

"Colour themes work too. We should go shopping for nursery items. I know exactly what you will need and what you won't. After 5 kids, I got it down to what was necessary and what was frivolous."

"This time I am coming on this shopping trip. Still mad I couldn't go last time." Kya said from her end of the couch.

Lin sighed, slightly dreading being dragged to multiple stores again. "I suppose we should have the others come again too. Though I will have to check with Bumi first, as he may want a say in the furniture."

Soon enough, Lin and Bumi were thanking everyone for their help and bid them all a goodnight.

"Come on love, let's get you to bed." Bumi said, after closing the door behind the last of their family. Lin was standing with one hand on her lower back and one on the top of her bump, trying to alleviate her sore back.

She hummed in agreement and let him lead her to their new bedroom. Thankfully Bumi and Su had set most of the room up so that it was ready for them. They quickly changed and got ready for bed. Lin sat on the chair of her new vanity they had purchased about a month previous when her hair had started to get long and Bumi asked if he could start braiding it for her at night. She didn't have the heart to tell him no as he seemed to genuinely love running his hands through her hair and she had to admit that the act made her feel more loved than any word he had spoken of love.

She closed her eyes as Bumi started to plait her hair in a common watertribe style he had learned from his mother and sister growing up. Lin felt the emotions of the day well up within her, as she caressed her belly. It felt like everything was starting to become so real; the family back together, her relationship with Bumi, her baby bump getting bigger with every passing day, with the baby's kicks getting stronger everyday, and now a new house.

When she noticed Bumi was finished, she opened her eyes to look at him through the mirror. The words bubbled out of her, with her barely registering she spoke them.

Bumi caught Lin's eyes through the mirror, his own widening in shock. This made Lin realize she had said her thoughts aloud.

Lin stood, and turned, looking him directly in the eyes, hand reaching out to his cheek. "I love you."

Bumi surged forward, putting all his feelings and love into the kiss. Lin kissed back with just as much emotion. Bumi broke the kiss and pressed kisses all over her face, whispering "I love you" and "thank you" between every kiss.

They made their way to the bed, breaking in the new room.


A few days later, Bumi joined the women in going shopping for nursery furniture and décor.

Lin for once had grabbed his hand and continued to hold it, even though they were in public. She would allow it on the Island and in their house, but never in any of their trips into the city. Bumi didn't bring it up as he didn't want to make her feel self conscious of it, plus he always enjoyed holding her hands whenever possible.

Lin had asked Asami to find out if there was a shop that made quality furniture as she wanted to make sure everything was safe and wouldn't fall apart.

Asami had again arranged for her driver to pick them up. Lin was relieved when she was told that the store they were going to had everything they could need for the nursery in one place.

Besides Bumi, they were also joined this time by Kya, Jinora, and Ikki who all insisted on coming this time, as well as Asami, Su, Opal, and Pema who had gone on the original shopping trip.

Walking in, they were greeted by the owner. "Good morning. How may I help you today?"

"We are in need of furniture for our nursery." Lin spoke, though she still was uncomfortable talking about her pregnancy with non family/friends, the only one who noticed was Bumi as her hand tightened around his.

"Of course, of course. Come with me." The older man led them to the different sets. "All of the furniture is hand carved and built by my son and grandson. Do you have an idea of what type of material you would prefer?"

Lin and Bumi looked at each other quickly, before Bumi spoke. "We were hoping to mix wood and stone together if possible."

"An earthbender I suppose?" He asked towards Lin, who nodded, surprised the man hadn't recognized her. He turned, hand pinching his chin in thought. "Ah, this one may do well for you." He motioned to a medium brown wooden crib, with an off-white stone with golden veins that made up the legs.

Lin stepped up to it with Bumi and ran her fingers over the smooth wood. She also noticed the unique carvings in the wood that seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"This is made of teak wood with quartzite legs. The carvings are heavily inspired by the-"

"Air Nomads" Kya finished as she stepped up and ran her fingers over the carvings along the one end of the crib.

"I thought they looked familiar. The crib is a perfect mix of earth and air." Lin said. She looked to Bumi, and she saw that he was as moved as his sister was by the beautiful work. "What is included in the set?" She asked the older man.

"A change table, a dresser, rocking chair and a toy box. As well as the mattress. Since you are an earthbender, we can also add a way to convert the crib to a toddler bed, and then a single bed. So that you get more years out of it."

"It's perfect. We'll take it." Lin said.

Bumi smiled at her. He cleared his throat slightly, before turning to the man himself. "Now that we have that straightened out, you will need to prepare yourself as most of the ladies here love to shop."

The man chuckled. "It's not the first or last that has happened."

"I don't know, they may surprise you." Bumi avoided Su's hand as she swung it towards the back of his head. But he missed that Kya had also swung a hand towards his gut, making contact. "Oof. Linny, do you see what our sisters are doing to me?" He whined, pouting.

"You brought that on yourself." Lin said, patting his arm before heading off with Asami in the direction of bed sheets.

By the time they left, Lin swears half the store ended up in Asami's limo. They arranged for delivery of the furniture for the next day and thanked the owner for his time and patience.

Just like the previous trip, the ladies helped carry everything in before leaving Lin to nap. This time Bumi was there to help carry things.

While Lin slept he went into the garage that had their worktable, which they used to tinker with different projects. Often if he came home early on Monday's he would find Lin and Asami sitting out here tinkering away or drawing up blueprints. He took out of his pocket the stone he had been working on that he always kept with him. He sat at the desk, pulled out his tools, and got to work.


Lin was out in the stables with Jinora and Opal as they groomed their respective bison. She was enjoying the quiet conversation and peaceful atmosphere.

When they heard a clap of thunder, the three startled.

"The storm came much sooner than expected." Opal said, putting the brush she was holding away. "We better get up to the house before it starts to rain."

Jinora nodded and put her brush down too. "Come on Aunt Lin, let's head back."

Lin just nodded and followed the girls. Her gut was filled with dread. She had managed to avoid being caught in the rain or a storm since the night Amon took her bending. It was just under a year ago now, but storm season was approaching as the summer was coming to a close.

They got mostly to the house before the rain started. The girls started airbending to keep the rain off them. However, when they passed through the courtyard outside the house another crack of thunder rang out, followed by a flash of lightning.

Lin froze in her spot, which happened to be very close to where Amon had taken her bending. She was transported back to that fateful night, as the girls kept walking forward unaware of their Aunt's plight.

Lin was shoved to her knees, body aching from electrocution, but she stared defiantly up at the masked man approaching her. Rain was seeping through her metal armour.

She was scared shitless, but refused to let these people see her like that. She was a Beifong, she would not show fear to enemies.

"Tell me where the Avatar is and I'll let you keep your bending." The masked man, Amon, said. But Lin had dealt with enough men like him to know that he would do it anyways. Not that she would ever tell him anything in the first place.

"I won't tell you anything, you monster," she responded defyingly.

"Very well." Lin saw him move to walk behind her. She closed her eyes, taking comfort in the fact that Tenzin, his family, and Korra and her friends were safe. She reached out to feel the soft hum of the earth and metal around her, but with being chi blocked, she was helpless.

She felt him approach behind her and she braced herself. This was it. What would her mother think of her now? She wasn't Chief of Police anymore, she let the city fall to these terrorists, and now… now she would once again be the one thing a Beifong was not allowed to be-

She felt his thumb on her forehead and his other on her collarbone. Her eyes flew open as pain unlike she had ever felt coursed through her. Next thing she knew she was falling down. The earth had never felt so cold and empty.

-a failure.

Lin gasped as a touch to her shoulder startled her. She jerked from the grasp, causing her to fall the short distance to the ground, landing on her side.

In Lin's mind it was Amon coming to finish the job, and without her bending she was powerless. She could hear him talking but couldn't make out the words.

"… Lin?… Lin it's Mako… you're okay…"

She finally heard and looked up with hazy eyes. "M-Mako?"

"Hey Chief. We need to get you out of the rain. It's not good for you or the baby to be out here for long." Mako watched as Lin glanced down as if just realizing she was pregnant.

"Baby?" Lin put a muddied hand to her bump, feeling a kick in response. She was confused as to what was going on. Memory and reality were blurred in this moment and she felt like she couldn't tell up from down.

"Is it okay for me to touch you? I want to help you up and get you into Kya."

She knew that name. "Kya," she nodded.

He gently placed a hand under her shoulders and helped her sit up.

"Do you think you can walk?"

'Doesn't he know I've just been chi blocked?' She shook her head at him, allowing him to pick her up. She heard a grunt as he adjusted to her weight, but he held strong and carried her as quickly as he could to the house.

Upon arriving at the entrance way of the house, Lin saw Tenzin and Pema. Lin's eyes widened in panic, and she struggled slightly in Mako's arms.

"What are you thinking? You are supposed to be long out of the city right now. He's on the Island, are you insane? I didn't jump off a bison and lose my bending for you to turn around and risk yourselves."

"Lin, Amon was defeated around 10 months ago. You have your bending back. We are all safe." Pema said in a soft, calming voice. "We need you to take a deep breath and bring yourself back to the present. This panicking is not good for the baby."

The mention of the baby again had Lin looking down, but the clap of thunder startled her again. In her panic she didn't notice Kya sneaking up behind her with water bent around her hands. Kya ran the water around Lin's head, causing her to go limp in Mako's arms.

"What's going on?" Bumi asked, coming in from outside himself where he had been helping the other airbenders back to their dormitories.

"I found her outside on her hands and knees in the mud, muttering under her breath. She startled and fell to her side when I tried to put a hand on her shoulder. I was able to get her to recognize me, but she seemed out of it."

"I'm pretty sure the storm triggered a flashback. Didn't she lose her bending here on the Island?" Kya asked, continuing to guide the healing water over Lin's head, making sure to heal as much as she could with her bending.

Tenzin nodded. "If it was the same night she jumped off Oogi, then I am fairly certain it also stormed that night too." He was trying to remember if she had ever spoken to him about her experience during those few days.

Kya sighed. "Mako please bring her to the healing room, and place her on the bed. I want to check and make sure the baby is okay."

Bumi followed closely behind Mako, eyes never leaving his love.

Pema approached Su and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't we go get those three some dry clothes? Kya will make sure everything is fine." Su nodded, following behind the younger woman.

Tenzin was left in the room by himself. He ran a hand over his face.

"Dad?"

He turned to see his three oldest and Opal. He beckoned them forward, opening his arms wide to receive them into a hug, pulling Opal in as well. "She's going to be fine."

"We didn't mean to leave her out there. The rain was so loud, we didn't hear when she stopped following."

"No one blames you. This situation was out of everyone's control. Now, why don't we make some warm drinks and snacks for everyone?"

The four nodded and he followed them into the kitchen, allowing the distraction from his worry for his oldest friend.


Kya ignored the two worried men, as she bent healing water over Lin's belly. She was a little worried about the stress the baby was in, but she was able to fix it quickly.

When she stepped back, Bumi was right on her.

"Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"

"Yes Boom, they will both be okay. But Lin is going to need to take it easy for the next couple weeks. I don't want anything to induce early labour. I want her at least another 3 weeks along as the baby should be strong enough on their own at that point. I suggest staying here on the Island so that I am always close by."

Bumi smiled at her gratefully.

Kya saw Mako still standing there anxiously. "She is going to be fine Mako."

"She didn't get hurt when she fell?"

Kya shook her head. "You said she was already on her hands and knees, so it wasn't a large fall. The mud helped cushion the fall too." She squeezed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll leave you two with her. Call me if she starts waking, though I expect at least an hour or two as her body calms down."

She left and Mako turned to follow, feeling awkward about staying even though he wanted to.

"Where are you going Mako?"

"Oh uh, I figured you would want some time alone."

Bumi shook his head at him and beckoned him forward.

"She would be proud to know how you acted today, son. She would want you here."

At the word son, Mako let a small sob out. He had tried to hold everything in, but hearing Bumi call him son tipped him over the edge. He suddenly felt strong arms wrap around him, and he was transported back to a time when he could feel his father's hugs. They were so similar, but different in their own way.

Mako stepped back after he collected himself and gave Bumi a sheepish smile.

"She really would want me here?" Mako asked, a little hesitant.

Bumi nodded. "Between you and I, she is very fond of you. Sees you as a son in many ways." Bumi didn't miss the hopeful look that entered the boy's eyes. "Come on, we may as well get comfortable." Bumi said, airbending a couple chairs over, one on each side of the bed. He sat, taking Lin's hand in his, as Mako took the other chair.


Lin groaned as she was slowly waking up. She realized she was laying on her back, which felt like it was killing her. She attempted to roll on her side, but was stopped.

"Easy there love. Let's have Kya look you over first." Came Bumi's voice.

"I'll go get her." That was Mako's voice.

Lin frowned trying to remember why he was there. But her head hurt trying to think about what happened. All she could recall was being soaked, cold, and empty. Her eyes flew open at that thought, and though she winced at the bright light of the room, she placed a hand to her bump frantically, only relaxing when she felt the kick beneath her palm.

"Hey it's okay love. You and the baby are safe." He gently placed his hand on top of hers.

Lin looked up at him, "I could only remember feeling wet, cold, and empty. I thought…" Tears came to her eyes.

"Shh, love." He gently wiped the tears from her eyes with a tissue he grabbed from the bedside table. "Is it okay to hug you?" Upon Lin's nod, he moved from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed beside her, wrapping her in his arms.

They stayed like that till Mako returned with Kya.

"Okay, Lin I am just going to check you over quickly." Kya pulled water from the bowl she had brought with her. She checked on the baby first, and seeing all was well, she then bent the water to Lin's head. She could feel traces of a migraine leaving as she healed it, but there was a lingering something she couldn't place. It didn't seem like something she could fix with her healing waters. "Are you in pain anywhere Lin?" She asked before putting the water away.

"My back and hip. This position just kills them."

"Okay, Bumi can you help Lin roll onto her side?"

Bumi did as he was told, helping Lin turn onto her side, making sure to roll onto the side that didn't have her bad hip.

Kya bent the water over the younger woman's back and hip, taking care to take away as much pain as she could. She could physically see Lin relax, as she sank further into the bed. Once finished, Kya bent the water back into the bowl on the table behind her.

"Lin, do you remember what happened?"

Lin shook her head. "No. Just the feeling of being cold, wet, and empty."

"The storm came in much sooner than expected and you were in the bison stable with Opal and Jinora. The three of you made it most of the way back before the rain and then the thunder and lightning started. You must have stopped walking and fell to your hands and knees, as Mako found you like that moments later. He was able to talk you back to the present enough for you to recognize him and allow him to pick you up and bring you to the house." Kya sat in the chair Mako had left earlier. "I'm pretty sure the storm triggered you to relive when your bending was taken."

Lin frowned, not recalling any of that, except being with the girls in the stable. "I don't remember any of this."

"I have already put a call into your mind healer's office. They will be coming here for your appointment tomorrow instead of you going there. I want you on a modified bed rest for the next couple weeks at least. Meaning you can walk from your room to the bathroom, or the couch to the bathroom, and you can sit instead of just laying down for the next couple weeks. But I want someone with you for stairs and anything longer than a trip to the washroom. You need to stay relaxed."

Lin nodded, suddenly exhausted as the adrenaline was wearing off. Kya used the water to then clean the mud from the younger woman, causing her to send a grateful smile towards the waterbender.

"Okay, I will let your boys move you to your room, and will check on you in a few hours okay? Get some rest." Kya then left, taking the bowl of water with her.

Lin then noticed that Mako was still in the room, looking worried. She offered him a small, tired smile.

"Uh, Pema and Su brought dry clothes for you both. Maybe you should change before heading to your room?" Mako said, stepping forward and placing the bundle on the bed. "I'll just be outside if you need me."

The couple nodded and Bumi helped Lin change into the lounge pants and long sleeve shirt. He then quickly changed himself, before beckoning Mako back into the room. They noticed that he also had quickly changed into a spare pair of Tenzin's pajamas that were a little too large for him; not necessarily in height, but Mako was still a lanky teenager, whereas Tenzin, while still lean, was definitely not a teenager. The mud was also gone from his face and arms.

"Okay love, I'm going to pick you up and carry you to our room. Mako, can you grab the doors?" Lin didn't bother trying to argue about being carried, she was too exhausted.

Once they arrived in their room, Mako moved the bedding down so that Bumi could set her down on the bed.

"I'm going to make you some tea, okay love? Mako will stay with you if you need something." Bumi said, leaving the room before either of the two officers could say anything.

Mako stood awkwardly at the end of the bed, though he was still pale from what happened this afternoon. Lin noticed this and beckoned him over to sit on the edge of the bed. "I owe you my thanks kid. I may not remember what happened, but I am glad you were there for us."

"But I startled you and you fell on your side. I could have hurt you and the baby." Mako said softly. He was perched on the very edge of the bed near Lin's knees, looking at the floor.

"You were trying to help, I could never fault you for that. If it wasn't for you, we would have been in the rain a lot longer. We're fine." Lin could see he still wasn't believing her, so she decided to just show him. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly in the spot she had been feeling steady kicks from. "See, the baby is still strong. We're safe."

Mako was watching his hand with wide eyes, mouth slightly agape. It was his turn to be sucked into a memory.

"Here Mako, you can feel your baby brother or sister kicking right here." A heavily pregnant Naoki said, grabbing her toddlers hand and placing it on her belly.

Mako giggled. "That tickles Mama."

"You are going to be the best big brother, my little love." She said caressing his black hair.

Mako leaned into her hand, before laying his head on her belly. "I'm big brudder Mako." He introduced himself to his sibling, having issues pronouncing his th's.

Mako startled back, realizing Lin had been calling his name. He looked at her and blushed.

"You okay kid?"

"Oh uh, yeah. I just… I just remembered doing this with my Mom when she was pregnant with Bo. This is the first time I have remembered that, I would have been barely two." He blushed harder when he realized his hand was still on her baby bump. He pulled his hand back, rubbing it with his other one.

"I briefly remember when my mother was pregnant with Su. I was 6 when she was born. I would also sit with her and put my hand to her belly to feel for my sibling, like I am sure you did with your mother." She gave him a small smile. "You were lucky to have such caring parents. If it was up to them, they would be here right now, so proud of you and Bolin."

Mako gave her a watery smile, tears forming in his eyes. "Do you really think so? Sometimes I wonder what life Bolin would have had if I had let him stay at the orphanage. He was such a cute, innocent kid who was almost adopted right away. I was selfish though and didn't want to separate us, so I convinced him to run away with me. I tried to protect him from everything, but I failed. I couldn't get him hot meals anytime he wanted, or a warm place to sleep every night..."

"Mako," Lin interrupted, "you did protect him. He is the most naive kid I have ever met who has lived on the streets. You protected him enough that he was able to continue to be a child and have a childhood. And look at where you both are now. Together, and with a new family who may not be blood, but blood is overrated most of the time." Lin said, referring to her own relationship with her mother, and until recently her sister. "For what it's worth, I am proud of you."

When Bumi entered the room 15 minutes later, he found them both asleep. Mako had his head resting on her bump, awkwardly slumped over with Lin's hand in his hair. He smiled at the sight, glad he had given them time to talk.