Lin hated being on bedrest, even if she was on a modified one and was allowed small walks around the gardens or courtyards of the Island. She didn't understand why she couldn't rest at their house in the city. Air Temple Island was always busy, with people everywhere, and Lin needed the quiet of her own home.

Not to mention everyone was treating her differently since her panic attack. Her mind healer had gone over the whole event with her, which helped Lin to remember what it was about, and helped guide her through exercises to help prevent panic attacks or at least help bring herself out of them in the future. The only ones treating her normally were Bumi and Pema - and the younger kids who didn't understand - everyone else seemed to be tip-toeing around her, while also making sure she was never alone.

After putting up with it for two weeks, she put her foot down.

"Kya is the baby healthy?" She asked at that morning's check up.

"Yes, I am very pleased at how well the baby has done in the last couple weeks."

"Good, then I am going to our house in the city. I promise to continue resting as much as possible, but I cannot stay another hour on this Island." Lin said stubbornly.

Kya sighed. "There is no talking you out of this, is there?"

"No. I have put up with so much constant supervision, my social capacity is maxed out. I need some peace and quiet. So you can either agree, or I will leave against your wishes."

"Fine, but I want someone to be at the house with you at all times. They don't need to be in the same room, but I want to make sure someone is with you in case something happens or you go into labour. I also will be moving into one of your spare rooms so that I am there during the night. I won't always be there during the day, but we'll arrange for someone else to come while I am here or at the clinic downtown. I will allow this if you cooperate. Understand me Beifong?"

"Loud and clear." Lin breathed in relief, shoulders relaxing. "Thank you, Kya. I promise to take it easy, and let one or two people be in the house with me at any time."

"I understand how exhausting it can be living here, especially with all the new airbenders." Kya said, patting her friend's hand.

"Now can you help me up and go get your brother?" Lin grumbled, hated asking for help getting up, but laying on her bad back for the exams, plus her core muscles being shot, and her still growing belly made it very difficult to be independent sometimes.

Kya laughed and helped her old friend up.


Bumi covered Lin's eyes with a blindfold before she got too far into the house. They had barely lived there for a week after moving in, before Lin had her panic attack and they stayed on the Island for the last two weeks while Kya monitored her and the baby.

"What are you doing? You realize I can still see right?" Lin questioned her odd partner.

"Oh good point." He then proceeded to pick her up bridal style. He ignored her words of protest and carried her up the stairs to the room across from their new bedroom. "Okay, take off your blindfold." He said, still holding her in his arms.

Lin pulled the blindfold off and blinked before looking at the room in front of her. "Bumi… You did all this?"

"I had some help over the last couple weeks from Bolin and Mako with the furniture, and the girls and our sisters with everything else, but yes. I wanted you to not have to worry about this."

Lin blinked back tears as she kissed him sweetly, before he set her down and she walked over to run her hand across the soft badgermole blanket draped on the side of the crib. She picked up the stuffed badgermole she had purchased all those months ago, and held it to her chest as she looked over the room.

Bumi had put together the nursery while she was on bedrest, and Lin didn't know if she could possibly love this man any more. The walls were a soft shade of cream, with light green and yellow accents throughout the room. There was an animal skin that was soft and fluffy on the floor sent by Katara, to honour the baby's watertribe heritage. Another fur was draped across the back of the rocking chair, a gift from Kya.

Bumi came behind Lin and rested his hands on her belly. "Soon we'll have our baby in our arms."

Lin rested back into Bumi's arms and placed one hand on top of his on her belly, while still holding the badgermole close. They both smiled softly, imagining their baby in her arms instead of the stuffed badgermole.


The Next Day

Lin was propped up on their large couch in the living room; feet up on the couch with pillows behind her back resting against the arm. She threw the book she was attempting to read onto the coffee table, too uncomfortable to focus on it.

A moment later, her sister popped her head in the doorway from the kitchen. "Everything okay in here?"

Lin sighed, "yes, just can't focus on the book." She winced at a particularly strong kick to her ribs, causing her to rub the spot hoping to alleviate the pain.

"Would you like some tea? I was just heating up the kettle."

"Ginger tea please. It's the only thing helping the bit of heartburn I've been getting."

"You just sit tight, I'll be back in a few." Su disappeared from the doorway.

"Not like I can get off the couch right now." Lin grumbled, looking at her swollen feet. This was a new symptom along with the heartburn. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the pillow propped behind her. She couldn't wait for this to be over and to have her body back.

She was so zoned out, that she missed Suyin's re-entry.

"Alright here you are, a cup of fresh ginger tea, with a thin lemon slice and a touch of honey." She said, setting the tray on the table. Upon seeing Lin's startled expression, Su actually apologized. "Sorry Lin, thought you heard me come in."

Lin waved her off, no energy to argue about it. "It's fine. I was just in my thoughts." She accepted the cup of warm tea from her sister. "Thanks." She brought it to her nose to inhale the spicy aroma of the fresh ginger.

Su sat in the armchair in Lin's eyesight so they could continue conversation without her older sister straining her neck.

Lin peered up at her sister. "You're quieter than usual. Spill."

"Can't I also just be quiet and brood like you?"

Lin snorted. "I don't think anyone who actually knows you would believe that for a second."

Su rolled her eyes, but sighed in defeat. "I'm not sure if you know this but about a month ago, Tenzin and Raiko came to me in Zaofu and asked if I would help bring order in Ba Sing Se and then the rest of the Earth Kingdom. I refused…"

"Not surprising due to your stance on the monarchy. I did warn Tenzin, but Raiko was insistent." She paused, peering at her sister intently. "But that's not what's bugging you, is it?"

"You always were too perceptive for your own good." Su quipped, taking a sip of her own tea. "But no… I was betrayed by a girl I raised like my own daughter. She stabbed me in the back and took Junior with her."

Lin frowned, having not heard anything of the sort from Tenzin. Thinking back on it he had just said another opportunity presented itself, but Lin didn't pursue further questioning as they were getting ready for the move to the new house at that point.

"You mean that guard… the one that helped you with me?"

"Kuvira." Su spat out. "She tried to get me to change my mind about helping bring the progressiveness of Zaofu to the rest of the Earth Kingdom. I still declined, and I didn't realize it, but it created a rift between us. She, Junior, and many of my guards and wealthy citizens left. I tried to stop them, saying they would never be welcomed back, but… my son didn't even look back. It was like I was nothing to him."

Lin couldn't help but draw a small comparison to how Su herself had left Republic City without a second glance back at Lin all those years ago. But Lin would keep those thoughts to herself. She and Su had talked a lot over the last four and a half months, mostly through mail and radio. She felt they finally were at a good place, and she would not ruin it by making unneeded comments.

"I'm sorry Su, I had no idea." Lin frowned again. "Wait so they left and you still came here and have stayed the last couple weeks… don't you need to be back in Zaofu?"

"I will head back after the baby is born. I am not missing the birth of my niece or nephew. It is, however, why Baatar is not here. He is overseeing everything while I am here. Everyone in the city knows why I am here, and everyone that has stayed are loyal to the city and our people."

Lin set her empty tea cup on the side table and managed to scooch further in towards the back cushions of the couch. She patted the bit of space between her thigh and the edge of the couch.

Su got up and perched in the requested spot, and was surprised when Lin opened her arms for a hug. Not one to turn down an opportunity like this, Su leant into her sister's embrace. Lin didn't say anything as she felt her shoulder get damp, she just rubbed Su's back just as she had done when they were younger.

She knew how her sister must feel, and wanted to provide her the comfort she never received in the past.

"I'm so glad to have you back in my life. I've missed moments like this so much." Su said quietly into her sister's shoulder.

"Me too, Su, me too."


A Few Days Later

Lin groaned as she was awoken by movement in the room. She felt the bed dip beside her and a kiss placed on her temple.

"Sorry love, I didn't mean to wake you. I know you had a difficult night."

"Mmmm s'okay. What time is it?" Lin yawned, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"About 7:30."

Lin yawned again, shifting a little to try and find a better position. Bum-Ju flitted over and perched on her pillow, playing with the hair that had come loose from her braid. "I at least got a few hours of sleep."

Bumi rubbed a comforting hand along her back. "I need to head to the Island momentarily, why don't you get some more sleep. Asami and the boys will be here around 8, but I will leave a note saying you are sleeping. Anything I can get you before I leave?"

"Is Kya still here? My back has been killing me all night. But, before you check, first help me up so I can use the washroom." Bumi did as asked and while she was in the washroom, he went on a quick search to see if his sister was still here. Finding a note on the counter in the kitchen, he sighed and grabbed the ointment that had also been left.

He entered the bedroom to find Lin laying back down, Bum-Ju cuddling into her arms this time.

"Sorry love, it seems she already took off to the clinic downtown. But she left some muscle relaxant ointment. Let me put it on and hopefully you can get another few hours of sleep."

Lin nodded, grateful that he was so caring. The little massage he gave her, as well as the warming ointment on her achy muscles, soothed her back to sleep.


When Lin stirred again, the sun peeking from behind the curtains told her it was much later in the morning. The ache had returned to her back and she knew there was no way she was going to be able to get up by herself. She placed her hand flat on the stone of their headboard, thankful that she had the forethought to have such furniture placed as she couldn't even move to have her foot touch the ground. Lin could feel three people downstairs in the living room, so she sent out the set of three small tremors that they knew would mean she requested assistance. It was another of Kya's rules that gave Lin a bit of freedom and privacy, while someone was in the house with her at all times.

A few moments later a knock came at the bedroom door, and Asami popped her head in. "Morning Lin." She proceeded to enter the room, greeting Bum-Ju as he flew towards her, landing on her shoulder.

Lin offered her a sleepy smile, before grimacing slightly as another back spasm twinged with pain. She had been having them off and on for a week, Kya said that it was due to how far back she was carrying the baby.

"Another spasm? Shall I apply more ointment? Bumi said Kya had left more." Asami asked, hiding her concern.

"No, it's fine, I just need to get up from laying down." Lin accepted Asami's assistance on sitting up, and then standing. She had stopped getting embarrassed at the kids seeing her in pajamas this past week, as she has been too uncomfortable to care anymore. She was currently wearing a set of matching sage green silk pajamas.

The two made their way slowly downstairs after Lin had freshened herself up in the washroom.

"Morning Lin!" Bolin greeted cheerfully, Mako smiling behind him.

"Boys." Lin greeted before sitting on her usual spot on the couch.

"I'll go make a fresh pot of tea. Are you hungry?" Asami asked once Lin was settled.

"Some fruit would be good. Thank you."

While Asami was in the kitchen, Lin listened to Bolin go over yesterday's morning self defence training. She shifted when she felt another back spasm, but didn't stop listening to the boy's chattering, even offering suggestions for next classes.

"Here we are." Asami said bringing a tray in with her. "I made a couple eggs for you as well as Kya said you need to keep your protein up. So eggs first, then fruit."

Lin huffed, but did as she was told. She wouldn't admit it, but the eggs had been a good idea and Asami had cooked them perfectly. She ate them quickly, before slowly savouring the sweetness of the fruit.

As she ate and drank her tea, she listened to the kids talk and joke around with each other. She found it nice to listen to, so she contentedly left them to the talking, adding a comment here or there.

After another back spasm, thankfully after she was finished eating, she shifted again trying to get comfortable.

"Another back spasm? Are you sure you don't want the ointment?" Asami asked, a concerned frown in place.

Lin shook off the questioning. "Nothing I haven't lived with before. They are just a little more uncomfortable while pregnant." She stretched a little, hoping it would help. "Perhaps a walk in the garden will help."

"Fine, but if it still is giving you issues I will be putting that ointment on." Asami said with a determined glint in her eyes.

Lin attempted to glare back at Asami, but it was broken from a yawn. She couldn't care to try again and just nodded.

"Here" she looked up to see Bolin offering his hand to her. She took it, grunting as he helped her stand up.

The four of them made their way into the backyard.

Lin had to admit this was the reason she had been drawn to the house in the first place. It reminded her a little of her grandparents' Gaoling estate. The previous owners had landscaped a beautiful garden with a koi pond at the centre. It obviously wasn't as big or grand as the estate, but the backyard was still large enough to have room for a bison stable (which fit two air bison as they accounted for their family who had their own bison) and a training area. They had upgraded the old wall that had surrounded the property to be taller to allow more privacy even though their house was removed from other surrounding houses; and behind the back wall was a forest.

"Do you think the baby will be a bender?" Bolin asked as they slowly walked through the garden.

Lin shrugged. "We'll have to wait and see. Technically Bumi wasn't an airbender yet when ah," Lin cleared her throat, not really wanting to discuss her sex life with the three teens. "Anyways, there are four possible outcomes. Though Bumi at the time was a non-bender, he still was half air nation. Then with Katara being a waterbender and myself being an earthbender, it makes the possibilities more open."

"Are you full earth nation? Not many know, but my mother was only half fire nation, she was also part earth nation - it's where my green eyes come from." Asami asked, looking curiously at the older woman.

Lin shrugged again. "Never knew my father. Could never get Toph to tell me anything. Though I have often thought that there is potential for me to be part fire nation. While I have many of my mothers features, I am fairer skinned with sharper features. But I doubt I will ever find out… well unless the kid turns out to be a firebender… wouldn't that just have the papers in a tizzy." She snorts in amusement before wincing slightly at another spasm.

"Bolin go grab the ointment."

"Asami it's fine, the walk is helping a bit."

"I'm not taking a no for an answer this time. Maybe we should call Kya, I'm not sure these spams are normal." Asami turned to Mako. "Let's get her back in the house."

"No, please. Can we not just go to the bench over there," Lin said pointing to the bench near the koi pond. "Kya said yesterday that they are due to my previous back injuries and carrying the baby further back. She also mentioned that I may feel pains that are just my body preparing for the birth. No need to fret."

Asami looked doubtful, but agreed to sit on the bench.

"Here we go, ointment delivery." Bolin said, joining them just after they get Lin seated on the bench. "You should have Mako put it on. He's great with massages, and being a firebender, his hands are soooo warm. Always told him he should be a masseuse."

Mako shrugged sheepishly. "I can if you want, Chief, but Asami could also do it if you would prefer."

"Can't say I am going to complain if your hands are as good as Bolin is suggesting."

While the massage helped, she couldn't hide the small, sharp intake of breath at the next spasm. That one was definitely the most painful she has had yet.

"I think you should go lay down in bed again. I want to give a call to Kya." Asami said. "These spasms seem to be happening more frequently than I feel comfortable leaving it alone without guidance from a healer."

Lin sighed. "Fine."

The four started making their way back into the house. As they were going up the couple steps onto the engawa, Lin felt a warm wetness gush below. She stopped walking, her eyes widening.

The other three stopped when they noticed she had stopped and turned in question to her.

"Lin?" Mako asked, putting a hand on her elbow.

Lin looked up with a look of mild panic on her face. "Either I just wet myself, or my water broke."

"Okay, okay… This is happening. No need to panic guys, we have it under control." Bolin started panicking, face paling. He looked at Asami and Mako. "You have a plan right. What are we gonna do? Wh-"

Lin grabbed Bolin's shirt in her fist as another spasm that was stronger hit her. "Shut it Bolin, before I make you." She said between her clenched teeth. He gulps, not used to seeing this side of Lin anymore.

"Alright, here is what we are going to do. Mako, you are going to call the clinic where Kya is at and let her know what is going on and what we should do. Labour can last a while, but she should probably be checked soon. Then you will call over to Air Temple Island and get Bumi to high-tail it back here." Mako nodded and ran off to do his task so that he didn't waste time. Asami then turned to Bolin. "You are going to help me get Lin to the spare room on the main floor they had ready just in case the birth happened here instead of the Island."

Bolin nodded, and gently pried Lin's hand from his shirt. He then helped guide them quickly to the spare room. He stayed with Lin while Asami ran up to the master bedroom to grab a couple pairs of nightgowns and a robe that Lin had set aside for this occasion.

"Alright Bolin, why don't you go and get some more tea started. I think we could all do with a cup soon." Asami said, upon reentering the room.

Bolin was about to move, when Lin grabbed his arm again and grunted with pain, using his body to keep herself grounded. When it passed she sheepishly looked up at him. "Sorry kid."

"Don't worry, I'm happy to help wherever I can." Bolin smiled at her before heading to the kitchen.

"Let's get you changed, I'm sure you will feel more comfortable once you are out of the wet clothes." Asami said as she placed the clothes on the bed, after making sure the door had closed behind Bolin.

Lin nodded. At this point she couldn't care what Asami saw, and just started to unbutton her top. The years of sharing locker and showers with the other women of the force, as well as whenever she was injured caused her not to be too shy in this area - as long as she didn't think too hard on who was with her. Asami did her best to give Lin her privacy, focusing on making sure that there were fresh towels in the wardrobe that had been set there the other day in preparation. She then put the spare nightgown also in the wardrobe so it was handy if needed.

Lin threw the soiled clothes into the corner of the room to be obtained later, before putting on the robe overtop of the nightgown she had donned. She took a seat in the chair in the room as she watched Asami putter around the room, making sure it was ready. Asami drew the comforter down and laid a couple towels down, while also making sure there were plenty of pillows against the headboard if Lin needed them.

A knock came from the door. Lin beckoned them in.

"Hey so Kya was unavailable at the moment. But the healer that I was able to speak with said that we should time each contraction." Mako said as he opened the door, stepping into the room.

Lin nodded. "Did you get a hold of Bumi?"

Mako rubbed the back of his neck, nervously. "Ah no… Pema said that he and Tenzin had to go out and she was unsure of where they went or how long they would be. She said that she will wait a couple hours, before heading over herself if we need her. But I think she mentioned something about keeping Su occupied and not over here unless you want her."

Lin dragged a hand across her face. "Figures that all of Aang's children would be unavailable right now. Pema is right; I don't think I could deal with my sister right now. Let's just follow what the healer said for the time being. Everyone has told me that labour can take many hours, so let's just take it step by step." She wasn't sure where this calmness had come from, but she was sure it wouldn't last so she embraced it for the moment. "Now how about that tea. I think I should be fine on the couch for a bit. I am sure I will see enough of this room in the coming hours."

The two kids nodded along with Lin's words. Mako went to help Lin stand, when it was his turn to be grabbed onto as another contraction hit her. Asami looked at her watch and waited for Lin to release from the contraction so that she could start counting the time until the next one.

Once free from the pain, Lin stood and accepted Mako's help, apologizing for gripping his arm. He waved it off, and just led her to the living room.

The next few hours passed with no word from either Kya or Bumi. The kids were doing their best to make sure Lin was kept as calm and relaxed as possible.

Asami called the clinic again, but the reception gave her the same speech as the last couple times they had called. Asami just hung up the phone on the receptionist and called Air Temple Island again. Thankfully she was quickly patched through to Pema.

"Asami, how is it going over there? Any word from Kya?"

"No. I've given up with the clinic. The receptionist doesn't even care to get more information any time I call. Any sign of Bumi and Tenzin?"

She heard Pema sigh on the other end. "Unfortunately not. I will ask Jinora if she can do her spirit projection and find them."

"That sounds great. Hopefully she can reach them quickly."

"I'll ask her once we finish talking. How is Lin doing? How far apart are the contractions now?"

Asami was glad she was in the office as she knew how much Lin would hate them talking about her like this. "She is doing her best to keep it together, but if you ask me, I think she is scared shitless and needs Bumi. She seems to be handling the pain fairly well so far and Mako has been a great help with providing heat to her lower back. When I last checked just 5 minutes ago, her contractions were about every 7.5 minutes apart, ranging in duration."

"Hmm. I think she may be moving quite quickly for a first time pregnancy. I think I am going to come over after speaking with Jinora. I will see if the acolytes who helped me with Rohan are available. Better to have a back up plan if Kya can't make it."

"Alright. We'll see you soon." Asami hung up after their goodbyes.

She left the office and found Lin standing bent over slightly with her arms resting on the back of the couch. She was rocking slightly, with Mako's hands on her lower back, providing warmth and a little counter pressure. Asami waited until Lin had relaxed, stood up a little straighter and looked up at her with a little hope in her eyes, before speaking.

"Unfortunately, I still can't get through to Kya. Pema also said Bumi and Tenzin hadn't returned yet, but she is going to have Jinora spirit project to try and find them. Pema is going to head over here though. She is also checking to see if the acolytes who helped her with Rohan are available. She said it was better to have a back up plan."

Lin sighed, trying to hide her disappointment.

"Why don't I try calling Chief Saikhan and see if he could get through to the clinic?"

"We shouldn't bother him about this." Lin grunted, as she started moving to sit on the couch to put her feet up.

"I really think he would prefer to help if he could. Let me try anyway." Mako said before leaving the room and heading to the office.


A/N: Engawa - Japanese style porch