It's baby day! Prepare yourselves for cuteness and family bonding.
Within 15 minutes of Asami calling the Island, the back door opened and Pema, Su, Opal, and one acolyte entered.
Su went and sat beside Lin. "How are you doing?"
It was like the dam had finally broken and Lin started crying, the anxiety and stress of the day catching up with her as she saw her sister. Suyin pulled her older sister into a hug and whispered reassurances to her.
"I can't do this. What was I thinking? Su please." Lin voiced between sobs.
"Lin, you are the strongest woman I know. I know it is scary, stressful, and painful, but just keep your mind focused on the end result. By tomorrow, you will be holding your little baby." Su tried to reassure her. She had never seen her sister break down like this before, and it made her feel incredibly guilty for what happened in the past and not being around for 30 years. She had vowed to herself when learning of Lin's pregnancy that she would always be there when needed, and she was not backing down now. "Take some deep breaths Lin. That's it; in and out."
Before Lin could calm herself completely, another contraction tore through her. As her guard was down this time, it caught her unawares. "Shit, shit, shit." She hissed out, clenching her teeth.
"Breath through the contractions, Lin." Su said, rubbing Lin's back. When Lin relaxed she continued, "holding your breath will make it worse, and harder to breath. Now Acolyte Nira has come with us and she helped to deliver all four of Pema's children. She was trained as a midwife before becoming an acolyte. She needs to look you over and see how you are progressing."
Lin nodded and allowed Su to lead her into the prepared room. She was grateful to note that as they were leaving the living room, everyone else had made themselves scarce so that they didn't see her breakdown. She could only handle so much embarrassment in one day, and knew there was surely more to come in the passing hours.
Once Lin was settled on the bed and propped up with a few pillows behind her and a light sheet over her, Su went to get the acolyte.
Moments later Pema, Su, and the acolyte entered the room. "Hello Lin, I am Acolyte Nira. I am usually in charge of healthcare on Air Temple Island when Master Katara or Master Kya are not in residence. Master Kya had set up preparations in case she was unavailable to help during your delivery, and if that was the case told me where to find your file. I read through it on the way over and I am confident that this will all go smoothly."
Lin just nodded at her.
"Now, unfortunately as I am not a waterbender, this may be a little more uncomfortable than when Kya checks on you. I will need you to place your legs up and apart so that I may check how dilated you are. The goal is 10 centimeters before you can start pushing. I am just going to wash my hands and be right back."
Pema and Su each took a seat on either side of Lin, each taking one of her hands in theirs. Then they both explained a little further what was going to happen during the examination and how it may feel, as they both had used non-waterbending midwives for their pregnancies.
Lin was not looking forward to this, but gave up trying to care too much. She tightened her hands around both of the younger women's as another contraction appeared. She tried to breathe through it as Su had said, but it was difficult when she just wanted to soldier through it like her previous injuries.
Nira re-entered the room during the contraction. She waited for it to subside and for Lin to prop her legs up. Just before the acolyte lifted the sheet up, Lin called out.
"Wait!" She turned to Su. "Please make sure the door is locked. I do not want any of the kids walking in and seeing everything." Su nodded and bent the metal lock in the door. "Okay, proceed."
Lin squeezed her eyes shut, leaning her head against the pillows. It was definitely uncomfortable and she was silently cursing Kya for not being here.
"Okay you are about 7 centimeters dilated. I expect we should have a baby before midnight." Nira said, wiping her hand with a hand towel she had brought over. "I will keep checking periodically over the next few hours, or until Kya comes. I suggest you try and get some sleep if you can. You will need all the energy you can get." She placed the sheet back down, then excused herself to wash her hands again.
"I'm going to go check to see if Jinora has had any luck. Let me know if you need anything." Pema said, patting Lin's hand, before getting up and leaving to make a call to the Island.
Su helped Lin lay down fully onto her side, and started to massage her back, hoping it would help her fall asleep.
"Do you think this will work?" Bumi asked, holding up yet another flower for Tenzin to look at.
"Bumi, everything you have picked so far would work. You've said that she already loves you, I can also see that she does - anyone can. She will love anything you pick for her. Can you please, for the love of spirits, make a decision. We have been here too long already." Tenzin said, exasperatedly. Bumi had dragged him all over the city grabbing gifts for Lin all day.
"You're right, I just want to make sure she feels appreciated and loved. And I uh, was planning to maybe… Nevermind. I just want her to know that I love her." Bumi then walked up to the shop owner to arrange a bouquet of all the flowers he liked. The owner nodded and quickly set about making up the bouquet.
Another customer let out a startled scream, causing the two brothers and the shop owner to look up.
"Jinora, what are you doing?" Tenzin asked his eldest daughter.
"Oh good I finally found you!" She turned to her Uncle. "Uncle Bumi, you need to go home. Mom said that the baby is coming. She left a little while ago to go over herself."
Bumi just froze in shock. It was like everything he had prepared for, left his mind. He was brought back to reality when Tenzin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let's pay for the flowers and take Oogi to the house."
Bumi just nodded.
It wasn't till they got to the house that he broke his stupor and ran into the house.
"Asami! Where is she?" Bumi asked the first person he came across.
"Shh." She scolded the airbender. "She is trying to get some sleep. She is in the guest room that was prepared. Su is with her now."
Bumi nodded and quietly made his way to the mentioned room. He peeked in the doorway, and saw that Lin was still awake, despite the efforts to try and sleep. He went over and knelt in front of her, caressing her cheek. "Hi my love. I am so sorry I have not been here."
Unfortunately it was that moment that another contraction hit and she grabbed his hand off her and squeezed it hard. "Where the fuck have you been? This is all your fault. You should've been here the whole time."
"You're right Linny, I'm sorry. I'm here now. Just breathe like Kya taught you." When the contraction subsided, Bumi spoke again. "Do you want to try a warm bath or shower? Kya mentioned before that those could help."
"A bath sounds good."
Before Bumi could get up and start it, Su motioned for him to stay. "I'll go fill it for you."
Another contraction passed before Lin was sighing as the warm water soothed her aching body. She leant back against Bumi's chest, closing her eyes.
Bumi placed his hands on her belly, rubbing it soothingly. "It seems surreal that in just a few hours we will be parents."
"Hmm… I won't lie and say I am not scared shitless, but I can't wait for the pain to be over and hold them in my arms."
He kissed the top of her head. "Soon my love." Lin sighed happily, the first time in hours that she has felt some semblance of peace. Soon she drifted off into a light sleep aided by the warmth of the water and Bumi's calming presence.
Kya entered the office to grab another chart. She had been busy healing cuts, setting broken bones, and treating infections. It was nearing 6 in the evening, so that meant the clinic would be closing in another couple hours.
"Any calls for me?" She asked the new receptionist, who was filing her nails while sitting at the desk.
"Oh, just some kids kept calling and asking for you. Don't worry, I said you were busy."
Kya frowned. Her nieces and nephews knew not to call her while at work. "Did you get a name?"
"Mayo or something… Odd name."
"You mean Mako?" 'Why would Mako be calling- wait wasn't he with Lin today?' She was about to ask the woman more questions, when Saikhan walked into the waiting room.
"Chief Saikhan, how can we help you?" Kya asked in surprise to see the Acting Chief in their clinic.
"You can help me by getting into my Satomobile and heading to Chief's house. Mako called telling me he has been trying to reach you all day and asked if I could check in. I tried calling as well, but was told you weren't available, and promptly hung up on me."
"Is Lin in labour?" She asked, and at his nod Kya turned to the receptionist who had paled. "We will be discussing this with the other healers and the board when I get back in. There have been explicit instructions to notify me of calls from this list of people for months. Tell Noaka that I had to leave early, she will have everyone cover the rest of my shift today and tomorrow."
Kya quickly ran to her office to grab her bag, quickly checking to make sure it was fully stocked with anything she may need for the birth, before dashing back out to the waiting room. Saikhan guided her to his satomobile, and quickly drove off towards the Chief's new house; he may have cheated by using the lights and sirens to get across the city faster, but who was going to complain about the Acting Chief getting medical help for the actual Chief? No one, or at least no one would do anything about it if a complaint came in.
Upon arrival, Kya rushed into the house, finding quite a few people in the living room; Mako, Bolin, Opal, and Asami were on a couch together, and Pema, Su, and Tenzin were talking quietly with Nira over a pot of tea. When she saw Nira was there, she relaxed a little knowing that Lin would have been in good hands if she couldn't have gotten there in time.
"I am so sorry for the delay. That receptionist will have a lot to answer to. Where is she?"
"Bumi got her in the bath about 30 minutes ago." Su offered.
Nira came over to Kya and they moved into the kitchen to discuss Lin's progress. Saikhan entered the house and sat with Tenzin, Pema, and Su deciding he wanted to be here for his old friend since he went through the hassle of tracking down her healer.
Kya, after being caught up from Nira, entered the dark bathroom, the only light coming from a few candles Su had lit before leaving the couple.
Bumi gave her a relieved smile upon seeing her, and Kya noticed Lin was asleep against him. Kya used her bending to warm the water back up, waving off Bumi's grateful nod.
"I'm just going to do a small exam on her, she most likely won't feel anything as she is surrounded by the water." She whispered to her older brother. Upon his nod, she bent the water around Lin to see how she had progressed for herself and to get vitals on both Lin and the baby. She smiled when everything looked good. "Congrats Daddy. You will be holding your baby before midnight. She has relaxed enough since Nira checked her that she is nearing 9 centimeters."
Bumi looked at his sister with tears in his eyes, unable to express his happiness. Kya just patted his head lightly. "I'll leave you to keep her relaxed as long as possible. Once she wakes up, everything will be happening quickly." She spoke again very quietly, before leaving just as quietly.
Kya was right. Once Lin woke from her small nap, everything advanced quickly. Bumi was behind Lin on the bed, supporting her. Lin at the last moment had, surprisingly, asked for Su to be with her. So Su was beside Lin, holding her hand, tears of joy in her eyes at being able to witness such a special moment in her sister's life.
Kya was guiding Lin through pushing and resting. Nira dabbed at Lin's forehead with a cool cloth, ready to step in if Kya needed assistance.
"Okay Lin, rest for a moment. You are doing great, sweetie. I can see the head coming." Kya said to her friend.
"It burns." Lin sobbed, hissing at the pain.
"You've got this love; our little one is almost here. Try and take a few deep breaths. That's it. In and out." Bumi said, gathering her hair off her face and neck with his free hand.
"On your next contraction, I want you to push hard alright?"
"What do you think I've been doing everytime you tell me to push?" Lin snapped at the silver haired woman between her legs. But at the next contraction, she bore down, pushing as hard as she could.
Once the head passed, Kya had Lin take another little rest.
"Alright Lin. This is going to be the hardest one, but once the shoulders pass, I will be able to pull the baby free. So one last big push should do it."
She felt Bumi kiss her head, and his quiet encouragement gave her the strength to push hard on the next contraction. She let out a loud groan at the pain, clenching Su and Bumi's hands tightly. She felt the baby slip out of her, and let out gasping sobs when she heard the tiny wail reach her ears.
Kya placed the baby on Lin's chest, and Lin wrapped her arms around them, not caring at the sight of blood and other fluids. She felt Bumi wrap his arms further around her to encase her arms around the infant as well.
The babe's cries softened upon being laid on their mother's chest. Lin and Bumi were captivated by the little wrinkled body, unable to look away. Lin's body was shaking with emotions she never knew could be that intense. She had never loved someone so intensely and suddenly than in this moment with her child.
"It's a boy!" Kya said happily. Lin and Bumi both smiled through their tears. He was perfect; their son.
Kya, Su, and Nira let them have their small moment as a new family before Kya asked if Bumi wanted to cut the cord. Bumi took the scissors provided and carefully cut between the tied off portions of the umbilical cord.
Lin reluctantly allowed Nira to take the baby to be cleaned, weighed, and measured. Su followed to help watch over her new nephew.
Kya helped Lin pass the afterbirth quickly, the benefits of having a waterbending healer. Then Kya bent water to help speed up the healing process, so Lin wouldn't be quite as sore.
Kya and Bumi helped put a new nightdress on her as she hadn't bothered to put a new one back on after the bath earlier. And quickly the bedding was changed so that Lin could lay back down. Bumi quickly put on the pair of sweatpants and shirt that someone had grabbed earlier, as there had been no time for him to redress after they got out of the bath; at least he had had the forethought to wear his boxers into the bath.
Su came over with the baby wrapped in a swaddle. She was smiling, with tears freely running down her cheeks. "He's beautiful." She motioned Bumi to sit beside Lin on the bed, with her head. Once seated, she started handing the precious bundle over. "Here you go Daddy."
Bumi wrapped his arms around the baby. His son. His heart filled with so much warmth, he couldn't remember loving anything or anyone so quickly, surely, and intensely as the moment he held his son. "H-hey buddy. I'm your Daddy. It's so nice to finally meet you. Your Mama and I have waited so patiently for this day." He felt Lin lean into his side, wrapping her one arm around his, while her other hand reached out to caress the soft, pink cheek.
Both were so enraptured, that they didn't notice everyone else leaving the room to give them a few moments alone.
"I can't believe we created this tiny being." Lin said quietly, awe in her voice.
Bumi turned his head to kiss her forehead. "You did so well my love. I don't think there will ever be enough words to tell you how thankful I am for the gift you have given me."
"I feel I should be thanking you. I-I can't bear the thought of what my life would have been like if we didn't find each other, or if I never fell pregnant. I love you both so much." Lin said, tears running down her cheeks, unbothered.
"Marry me." Bumi blurted out. This was definitely not how he had planned on asking. At seeing Lin's shocked face, he decided to screw it and just continue. "I love you so much, and I can't bear the thought of not being with you for the rest of our lives. I know you've never been fond of marriage, so it's okay if you don't want to, I am content with where we are at in our relationship. I just thought it would be nice to tell everyone you are mine, and I am yours. Maybe-"
"Bumi shut up." His jaw closed with an audible snap of his teeth. "Yes. You are the only one I would consider marrying. I love you too."
Bumi's eyes lit up and a giant smile burst onto his face. He almost hollered in excitement, before remembering the precious cargo he held. He looked at his son, watching them with his baby blue eyes. "Hear that buddy. Mama said yes!"
After a few more moments of the two new parents enjoying their quiet time, Kya popped her head back in the room.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I think we should try and see if he will nurse."
Lin nodded and gladly accepted her son into her arms from Bumi, after pulling down her nightgown. Kya guided her on how to get him to properly latch, causing Lin to wince at the weird feeling when he was successful. But once he started, she gazed down at him again in awe. She couldn't believe she had created him.
"Do you have a name picked out for him?" Kya asked the new parents. She had already filled out most of the birth certificate, all that was left was the name.
Bumi and Lin looked at each other, before agreeing that the name they had thought about for a boy fit perfectly. "Haru." They both said.
"Haru Beifong. Our little sun." Lin said, caressing his face as he continued to feed.
Bumi came out of the room with a big smile on his face. Lin had just finished feeding Haru, and he left to update everyone while Kya quickly checked to make sure everything was fine. Everyone had been badgering Kya, Su, and Nira for details, but other than the baby and mother were fine, they got nothing.
"So?" Tenzin asked, somewhat impatiently for the man who was supposed to be all about patience.
"We have a beautiful, healthy baby boy!" A round of congratulations rang through the room. Tenzin pulled his brother into a tight hug, which happily surprised the elder brother, who accepted the hug quickly.
"Kya is just checking to make sure everything is still good, and then we will start having you come back. But Lin and I would like Asami, Mako, and Bolin to come in first."
"Us? But we aren't family, your brother or Opal should go in first." Mako said in confusion.
"You three were here today, when I couldn't be. Not to mention, you are very much a part of our family." Bumi said, not leaving room for them to argue further. "Just let me grab something from the kitchen. I will be back in a few to get you." Bumi hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the flowers someone must have put in a vase for him, and retrieved another package from his bag he had ditched on his way into the house earlier. He opened the box and smiled that it was still perfect before closing it and heading back to the bedroom.
Lin glanced up from watching their son who was laying on her chest. "He just fell asleep. Kya went back out." Lin took note of the flowers in his hand. "Are those for me?"
Bumi grinned at her, nodding. "It was part of the reason I was out earlier." He set them on the nightstand. "This was the other reason." He opened up the box and Lin saw both a traditional watertribe betrothal necklace, and a ring that was traditional for the earth kingdom. The necklace and ring both bore the same stone, but the one on the necklace hand carved jasmine flowers and water - to represent both her love of the flower and his previous love of the sea. Instead of the traditional blue ribbon that the watertribe used, this was black satin that suited an earthbending Beifong.
"Bumi," Lin gasped, in awe at the beautiful pieces. "Wait, is that the piece of jade I gave you when you left for the Forces?"
"Yes, it always stayed close to my heart, and it was the only one I would ever imagine doing this with." He set the box down and pulled out the necklace first. "So Lin Beifong, will you do the honour of marrying this crazy ex-commander?"
"I already said yes Bumi." She said with exasperation, but a fond smile on her face and love in her eyes. He reached out and secured the betrothal necklace in place, kissing her softly. He then placed a kiss on their son's head. Bumi grabbed the engagement ring and placed it on her left hand. Well attempted to, but her fingers were a little more swollen than usual; Lin just smiled and wiggled her fingers, causing the ring to shift in size and slide onto her finger. Benefits of being a metalbender. Bumi smiled back and kissed her hand where it rested.
"I love you." He said.
"I love you too." They shared another tender kiss, careful not to jostle to sleeping babe.
"I'm going to get our other kids now. They seemed surprised we were having them come back first. We'll have to reiterate that they are part of our family."
Lin nodded, and he left. He returned after a moment with the three teens, who all stood awkwardly just inside the room.
"Don't just stand there. Come and meet the baby." When they got closer, on either side of the bed, Lin properly introduced him. "This is Haru."
"He's adorable." Asami gushed quietly, not wanting to wake him.
Lin smiled softly. "You can hold him. As long as you're careful, he shouldn't wake up." Bumi stepped forward and carefully picked him up and placed him in Asami's arms. "We actually wanted to speak with you three about something." Lin started, as Bumi sat beside her taking her hand in his larger one. "We were hoping that Haru could be a younger sibling to you all. We have both come to see you three as being part of our family, and..."
"And we would love to make it official, but we know you are all grown and we don't want to replace your parents. But we would love it if you would be there for Haru in a way only siblings can." Bumi finished when Lin faltered.
Asami looked up from Haru in her arms, tears glistening in her eyes. "I can't speak for the guys, but I have always wanted a sibling. I have to admit that these last few months have shown me what a family is supposed to be like. After my mother died, my father was either always busy at the factory or events. While, yes, he spoiled me, the one thing I wanted was his attention. So thank you for showing me what real parents are like. I am honoured that you would like me to be in your family and be someone of importance in Haru's life. I promise to try to be the best sister for Haru." Asami kissed the dark patch of hair on the top of his little head.
Lin tried to hide the tears that slipped from her eyes, but then again everyone else had tears in their eyes.
Bolin grabbed Mako's hand and nodded to his older brother, for once too emotional to speak for himself. Just like when they were younger.
Mako cleared his throat. "Bo and I would also love to be a part of this family. We will always love our parents, but it would be nice to have one's on this side of the spirit world that can be here for us. Like Asami, we are honoured that you would like us to be part of your family and Haru's older brother's."
Bolin started crying as he nodded enthusiastically along with what his older brother said, and Lin just patted the bed beside her. He carefully climbed on and hugged her. Lin patted his back awkwardly, but with a fond look on her face. While she wasn't used to comforting kids yet, she knew this was right.
She watched Asami carefully hand Haru over to Mako and help him adjust his arms to support the baby carefully. Haru instantly cuddled further into the warmth of the firebender, and Mako seemed to get less awkward every minute that passed. Lin saw a soft look on his face that he only got when speaking about Bolin as a young child, and it made Lin's heart happy to see that he had been honest about seeing Haru as another brother.
Soon it was Bolin's turn to hold the infant, and he stared in wonder at the tiny creature in his big hands. "Hi Haru. I'm Bolin, your big brother. I always wanted to be a big brother. I hope to be as good as one to you as Mako has been to me."
After a few moments of the 5 of them softly speaking and enjoying their new official family dynamic, Lin spoke up. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but if everyone is wanting to meet him tonight, it needs to be now. I am exhausted."
"Of course love."
Mako, who was closest to the door, offered to get everyone else.
Opal was first through the door, followed by Tenzin and Pema, with Saikhan, Kya, and Su bringing up the rear. Nira decided to tidy up the living room and kitchen of all the tea cups while giving the family time to celebrate.
Bolin offered Haru to Opal. "Be careful." He told her, causing Opal to just roll her eyes at her boyfriend.
"He is beautiful, Aunt Lin. What is his name?"
"We decided to call him Haru." Lin said, watching her still sleeping son in her niece's arms. She leaned further into Bumi's side as exhaustion crept through her.
Su smiled at the picture the two made, before noticing Lin's new accessory on her neck. She for once didn't react in a typical way for Suyin Beifong, instead just gaping at her sister. After a moment to gather herself, she smirked at Lin when she caught her eye. Lin blushed when she realized Su had seen the betrothal necklace. Su decided she would wait to say anything for once, to see if anyone else noticed quickly.
Haru was soon passed to his Uncle Tenzin, who cuddled the infant close. Haru looked so tiny in his large uncle's arms. Tenzin looked up at Bumi and smiled with tears in his eyes. "Dad would be so proud of the man and father you have become."
"Thanks Tenny." Bumi said, tears in his own eyes.
Pema then stole her new nephew from her husband's arms. "Oh look at you, you precious boy. You are so tiny compared to your cousins."
"He didn't feel tiny." Lin grumbled half-heartedly.
Pema laughed and kissed the boy's head before passing him to Saikhan. The Acting Chief looked decidedly uncomfortable holding the small baby in his large hands, but had to admit beneath the wrinkled newborn look, that the kid was cute. "Congrats Chief. Shall I pass on the news to the station?"
"That would be fine. Thank you for getting Kya here in time. It is very much appreciated."
"Anytime Lin. I'll leave you to your family and rest." He looked down at the baby in his hands. "Welcome little Haru Beifong." He then passed the baby to Kya who was beside him. He bid everyone a goodbye and left.
Kya was excited to hold her new nephew for real this time. He would always have a special place in her heart as the only family member that she helped birth and was even the first human to hold him. He started to shift a little, so she rocked him in her arms, settling him down again.
Nira knocked on the open door. "I saw this camera in the living room, would you like me to take some pictures?"
"Oh yes! Don't give me that look Lin Beifong. You will regret it if we don't take these pictures." Su said.
Lin sighed, but agreed with her sister. Nira took pictures of everyone individually holding the newborn as he was passed back around the room. Finally he was in Lin's arms again, and she sighed softly as she pulled him close, placing a kiss on his soft, downy hair.
"Shall we do a family photo?"
The first was just the three. Then Bumi pulled Asami and Mako in, while Bolin went back to his spot beside Lin. Next everyone got into the picture huddled around the bed. Another was of Su and Opal with the new parents and baby, and then Tenzin and Kya switched with them.
That is when Tenzin looked down and noticed the necklace on Lin's neck. He clapped Bumi on the back. "You did it! She said yes!"
Bumi grinned up at his brother with the happiest smile on his face. "She did!"
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Kya asked, shocked at the sight of her brother's hugging. She looked at Lin and then also saw the necklace. "You're engaged?!"
Lin shushed her so that she didn't wake the infant. "Yes. He proposed, I accepted. It's not a big deal."
"Of course it's a big deal! How many times did Tenzin ask you and you said no, and then you act like it isn't a big deal when you accept Bumi's proposal?" Kya exclaims, quieter this time. Pushing herself closer to see the carvings on the jade stone.
Lin huffed, but with her arms occupied with her sleeping baby, she couldn't shove Kya away. "Maybe subconsciously I knew Tenzin and I were never right for each other." She shrugs lightly, and looks up at Bumi. "This feels right." His eyes twinkle, just like his father's did at her declaration.
Another round of congratulations rang out around the room. After Lin yawned though, with her eyes drooping, Kya's healer training kicked in. "Alright everyone. It has been a long day. Why don't we let the new parents rest for the night, the baby will still be here tomorrow." Kya smirks before ushering everyone but the three teens out.
"You three are welcome to a spare bedroom each if you would rather stay the night. We can't promise that he won't cry, but some of the rooms are further away, so they should be quieter." Bumi offers, seeing their hesitancy to leave the new family dynamic that was established this evening.
Asami and the boys nod, but before they leave Lin stops them.
"Wait, I would much rather sleep in our room upstairs. Asami, would you carry him up to the bassinet in our room?"
Asami gently took hold of her new brother and held him to her chest carefully.
Bolin opened the door to the bedroom and the two made their way upstairs.
Bumi picked up Lin, who was too tired to fathom walking and Mako picked up the vase of flowers at Bumi's request.
Soon enough, Lin was settled under the covers of their bed, sighing at the comfort that comes from laying in your own bed. Haru's bassinet was moved to the edge of the bed on her side. She thanked each of the three kids and wished them a goodnight. Bumi also gave each of them a hug, and caught his sister to wish her a goodnight with a hug as well. He quickly joined Lin in bed, spooning up behind her to look over her at their son.
"I can't believe he is here." Lin said, her finger gently brushing against his brow, watching his chest rise and fall.
"It is surreal." Bumi agreed. He kissed her cheek and gently held her to his chest, conscious that she would still be sore. "Let's get some sleep, love. I'm sure he will be up again soon."
Lin nodded. "Love you."
She was asleep before she could hear his "love you too."
