Snapshots of events in the families lives that take place between last chapter and the beginning of Season 4.
This is our last chapter before Season 4 events.
Haru - 11 months
Haru was just over 11 months old when he said his first word. They were on Air Temple Island for their usual weekly dinner. It was just before dinner and Jinora, Opal, and Ikki were watching the two toddlers in the living room while the others got dinner ready.
Haru and Rohan were playing with their plushies that Lin had bought them before Haru was born. Rohan placed his turtleduck down focusing on a wooden puzzle for toddlers. Haru crawled over and picked up the turtleduck, hugging it to his chest with his badgermole.
The older boy looked up to see his stuffed toy in Haru's arms and walked over and yanked it out of his arms. "My duck. No Haru."
Haru's bottom lip jutted out and he started to cry, loudly.
Jinora and Opal came over, Opal went to Haru and Jinora to her brother.
"Rohan, you can't take toys from Haru. That is not very nice. You were playing with another one and had set your turtleduck down. Say sorry to Haru." Jinora said softly, but firmly.
"No. Haru no take."
"Haru was just giving your turtleduck a hug. Maybe he can give you one too if you say sorry." Opal said, trying and failing to comfort Haru.
"What is going on in here?"
The girls look up to see Lin coming into the room.
"Haru took Rohan's turtleduck even though Rohan put it down and started playing with something else. Rohan just ripped it out of Haru's arms and now he won't say sorry and Haru won't stop crying." Ikki rambled out.
Lin went and picked up Haru, who settled in his mothers arms, just the odd sniffle coming from him. She then turned and knelt in front of Rohan.
"Rohan, did you take the turtleduck from Haru?"
Rohan nodded, avoiding her gaze.
"Did Haru take it from you first?"
Rohan shook his head, his own lip pouting now.
"So if you weren't playing with it, why did you take it from Haru?"
"Mine, not Haru."
"You should have asked nicely for it, or asked Jinora or Opal for help." Lin reached forward and lifted his chin so that he looked at her. "What do you say to Haru?"
"Sorry Haru." Rohan said, with his own sniffle.
"Thank you for apologizing, Rohan." Lin said softly. "Now why don't you come here and give Haru a hug. It will make you both feel better." Rohan shot forward into Lin's arms, hugging Haru and her. "Now let's go have dinner." She looked up and saw all three girls gaping at her. "What?" She grouched at her niece's. "Get moving." She then stood with one boy on each hip, and left for the dining room. Ikki followed Lin quickly out the door.
The girls looked at each other, slightly bewildered at how quickly their Aunt had handled the issue. Opal shrugged at Jinora and they both got up, following Lin out of the room.
Dinner was lively as usual. Lin was seated on her cushion, trying to make sure Haru got more food in his mouth than on himself. He currently had one hand in his mouth, sucking the mashed sweet potato off his fingers while his other hand was playing with his rice.
"Give up Lin. Let him be messy." Bumi said from Haru's other side.
Lin huffed. "Fine, but you're cleaning him up." She placed another two spoonful's of mashed sweet potato on his booster seat tray.
Haru slammed his hand into the orange mush, spraying sweet potato onto both Lin and Bumi. There were snickers heard around the table as they saw Lin's startled expression.
"Uh-oh."
"Did he just?" Bumi asked, startled from his own snicker. "What did you just say buddy?"
"Uh-oh." Haru repeated, holding his hand that was covered in sweet potato up to his father, his blue eyes wide.
"Yeah uh-oh, you need to be careful where you smack your hands." Bumi chastised slightly, trying to keep a smile off his face, and failing.
"Seriously? His first word is uh-oh?" Lin said, wiping her face with a napkin before attempting to clean the mush off her shirt. She sent a small glare at Bumi. "This is your fault." Her eyes softened though as her gaze fell upon Haru. "What couldn't you have said Mama? Huh?" She tickled his side, getting a toothy grin, causing her to smile in return.
"Uh-oh." Everyone just laughed.
Haru - 1 year and 4 months
Asami and Mako had already arrived at the house for family dinner, which they had once a week with Lin, Bumi and Haru. Bolin had yet to arrive, and Opal had begun joining him as they were dating and she was Lin's niece.
"It's unlike Bolin to be so late." Mako said as he looked at the clock again. It was an hour after their usual arrival time of 4:30.
"Maybe they got held up by Tenzin?" Asami suggested.
Lin, who had both bare feet on the stone floor as she finished up dinner, noticed movement outside the front door. "He's just arriving now. Doesn't feel like Opal is with him this time."
Sure enough the front door opened a moment later, and after some shuffling as he took off his shoes, Bolin then appeared in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Hey, uh sorry I'm late."
"Where's Opal? I thought she said she would be coming with you when I spoke with her earlier today." Bumi said as he wrestled with getting Haru into his highchair.
Bolin rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh we may have had a little disagreement. She decided to stay at the Island."
Lin narrowed her eyes slightly, but turned away to finish plating dinner. She was choosing to not pick sides in this. They were dating before Lin and Bumi decided to pseudo adopt Bolin. So Lin just hoped this was a small spat.
Bumi, Mako, and Asami shared a quick look with each other. There was obviously more to the story, and Bolin never could keep a secret, they just needed to wait.
They all sat for dinner, and Asami and Bumi discussed the newest version of their prototype for the new airbender suits. This would be the first version that they will be able to actually test as the others didn't end up making it past the design stage.
"They should be ready by next week for testing."
"How exactly are you going to be testing these suits?" Lin asked, putting some cut up pieces of tofu and broccoli on Haru's tray.
"Going to jump off a building of course." Bumi said, grinning wickedly.
"Don't come crying to me if you hurt yourself doing stupid stunts." Lin quipped, pointing at Bumi with her chopsticks.
"I know better than that." Bumi winked at her.
Lin rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. She noticed Bolin had barely touched his food, which was unusual for him. "Eat up kid."
Instead of eating though, Bolin set his chopsticks down. "Actually there is something I want to say." When he noticed he had everyone's attention, he continued. "I got a new job. I'll be helping a lot of people, which I am excited for."
"That's great Bolin!" Asami said with a smile. The others joined her in offering smiles and congratulations.
"Was that what you and Opal disagreed on?" Mako asked, concerned a little.
Bolin looked down. "Yeah. She is not pleased for a couple reasons. This job will mean I will be leaving the city for extended periods of time, which she will be doing too. We're kinda doing the same job, her with the Air Nation and me helping Kuvira. We're all just helping the Earth Kingdom get stabilized."
Lin's left eye twitched. "You mean you are joining Kuvira? Don't you know what she is doing?"
"Yes, she is helping so many people! This is my calling. I'm part Earth Kingdom, I feel like I have a duty to help those who need it."
"She does not have those people's best interests at heart. You have not heard the stories I have heard. I refuse to allow you to get yourself involved with her." Lin replied, standing to lean against the table with both hands flat against the tabletop.
Bolin stood to argue back. "You refuse to allow me? You can't tell me what to do. You aren't my mother." He stopped when those words escaped his mouth. He had a look of regret on his face, but before he could try and take it back Lin stood up fully, her face blank except for her jaw being clenched.
"Yes, well thank you for clearing that up. I hope you find what you are looking for. If you'll excuse me, I have a casefile I forgot that needs looking over." Her voice was cool. She strode from the room, going to her office and locking herself in.
The other three stared at Bolin in bewilderment.
Bumi cleared his throat. "I know we can't stop you anymore than my parents could me when I joined the United Forces. I just hope you fully understand what you are getting into. Don't be too mad at Lin. She just wants what is best for you, we both do. If that is leaving, it is what it is." Bumi said, shrugging his shoulders.
Haru - 1 year and 6 months
Lin had joined a team of her metalbending task force along with Mako and a couple others that were working on her Triad Gang Task Force. They finally had a lead on a meeting that was being held in a warehouse near the docks. It was midnight as her team surrounded the building. With a nod, they swarmed the building.
The small group of Terra Triads were quickly bound and loaded into the awaiting transport trucks.
"I want those people interrogated immediately. I don't want them to have chances to discuss what their story will be." She ordered, before sending them off towards the precinct.
She walked with a small limp to her own police cruiser - it was a new Satomobile that was custom made for the police force. Lin and Asami had worked out a deal between Future Industries and RCPD, and all of the police vehicles were switching to the custom built models. It was taking time, but hopefully by the end of the year, all the old Cabbage Corp vehicles would be replaced. Lin of course being Chief got to have the first model.
She made it back to her office and bent her metal uniform off before sitting behind her desk, hoping to complete her notes on the raid quickly so that she could get home soon. It was the third night this week that she had to work late; and the eighth time this month. She was tired, and barely saw Bumi or Haru, never mind Asami or the others. She saw Mako the most, only because he was one of her most trusted detectives. She had recently promoted him to co-head the Triad Gang Task Force with one of her Captains, as he had experience being on the other side of the fence.
When she finished her detailed notes for the casefile, she looked to see it was nearing 2:30 in the morning. She rubbed her brow, trying to alleviate the migraine that was starting. She couldn't believe that in just 2 years she had gone from living for these shifts almost daily, with very little time off even to sleep, but she hadn't felt she needed anything different then; but since reconnecting with Bumi, becoming pregnant, and having a family of her own now, she realized how tiring this life could be. Now that Haru was weaned and she was back to working in the field, she was starting to realize how unhealthy she had lived before. She used to have no one waiting at home for her to return or who would be affected if she were injured. She could remember as a child her own mother never being around, and the thought that she was now doing this to Haru, especially at an age where he doesn't understand why his Mama is not there, felt like a punch to the gut.
She had been sitting on this decision for a little bit, but felt like perhaps it was time to implement it. Saikhan had shown that he would make a good Chief in the last couple years, his brief stint under Tarrlok mostly forgotten as there were other factors at play. She still wanted to be involved though, and was thinking of switching to training metalbending officers and other bending/non-bending officers; as well as helping when needed in the field - just not as often.
But she would deal with this in two days. She stood and bent her uniform back on, and made her way to her door. She left the precinct after a brief update on the interrogation, before advising them to relay the information to Saikhan and that she was not to be called unless there was an emergency as she would not be in later that day or the next day.
The streets were dark and quiet as she drove her personal Satomobile home. She was thankful for it being quiet, as she drove almost on autopilot, aware enough to see if something would cross her path or danger, but otherwise just focused on getting home.
Upon arrival, she unlocked the door and bent her shoes and uniform off into a pile to deal with later. Lin then walked upstairs and peered into the nursery, smiling softly at Haru sleeping like a starfish. She quietly walked over and fixed his blanket, before leaving to head to her bed.
She found Bumi in a similar position to their son, which almost caused her to let out a loud snort of amusement. She quietly grabbed the pair of pajamas that Bumi had lovingly left out for her on top of her vanity and went into their washroom to quickly get ready for bed.
Tiredly running her brush through her hair, she did a quick braid down to keep her hair from tangling and then turned out the light as she left the room.
She managed to curl up around Bumi's flailed limbs. She rested her head on his chest and as she drifted off felt Bumi curl his arm up, holding her close.
The next morning, Lin woke up to excited giggles coming down the hall, and an insistent "shh." She glanced at the clock and saw it was around 10 in the morning. She closed her eyes again, not wanting to spoil their surprise. She heard the door open and little feet coming running to the side of the bed. She heard Bumi set something down before all of a sudden there was a tiny body jumping onto her.
"Oof."
"Mama up!"
Lin rolled over onto her back, pulling the little body to her, placing kisses all over the tiny face. Haru giggled and wriggled in her arms. Lin stopped and just snuggled him closer to her. "Morning little badgermole. Did you have a good sleep?"
He nodded his head, then snuggled back in.
Lin looked up as she felt the bed dip beside her. Bumi leant down and kissed her. "Morning love. I brought you a cup of tea."
"Hmm that's why I love you."
Bumi placed a hand over his heart. "And here I thought it was my sense of humor and wit that you fell in love with."
Lin sat up and scooted back to rest against the headboard. Haru ended up curled in her lap. She leaned over and kissed Bumi. "Maybe. But the tea helps. Now give me."
Bumi picked up the cup, but held it away from her. "Say the magic word."
Lin narrowed her eyes at him, then a glint came to her eyes making Bumi worried for a second. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. His eyes widened. "Lin!" He blushed a little and she reached over and grabbed her cup from his hand.
She sat back smirking at him over the rim of her cup before she blew on it and took a sip.
Bumi just huffed and relaxed back against the headboard, picking up his own cup. They enjoyed the quiet morning which had become a rarity in the last few months as Lin got busier with work again.
Lin carded her hand through Haru's hair as he started dozing off, as it was around his nap time. "I miss this. These quiet mornings with you two."
Bumi slid his arm between her back and the headboard and wrapped his arm around her waist. "We've missed it too."
Lin paused for a moment before she broached the subject that had been weighing heavily on her mind. "I think I want to step back. Not retire fully, maybe teach part time at the academy and help in urgent situations… but I've wasted so much of my life giving everything I had to this city, and I realize it wasn't all a waste… I just have different priorities now is the better way to put it. I'm just so tired of it, Bumi. It's the same shit just different faces, all the time."
Bumi was quiet for a moment, absorbing what she said. "As long as you are making the decision for you, and not because you feel like you owe us anything but your love, then I support you doing whatever you want."
"I want Haru to grow up not wondering when I will be home or if I will even come home that day or that week. I've experienced that first hand; it's not healthy. I've been Chief for almost 25 years. I've reformed the Police of Republic City from just a metalbending force to incorporate waterbenders, firebenders, and non-benders, especially in the last few years. Saikhan will be able to handle it until Mako is ready to take over."
"I knew it! You've been grooming him for it this whole time." Bumi said.
"Well since that whole fiasco with Varrick almost 2 and a half years ago now, he has shown he has a keen eye for details, compassion for those no matter their station in life, and he has good instinct. I suppose I started thinking he may be a good fit back then, before I knew him as I do now. I know Saikhan agrees with me."
"He'll do great when the time comes." He said, smiling at her. "Are you sure that you want to step back as Chief? We can make it work if you really don't want to."
Lin looked up at him with a determined look in her eyes. "I'm sure. Even more so after the last few weeks. Know that I have been debating this for a while now, it is not something I have taken lightly. I'm still fairly young and do not want to miss this opportunity to enjoy Haru's childhood. I just wanted to speak with you before anyone else."
Bumi gave her a tender smile and gently squeezed her waist. "Again, I support you in whatever you want to do."
Lin tilted her head up and gave him a tender kiss. "That's another thing I love about you. You are there no matter what."
Bumi kissed her back, before resting his forehead on hers. "What do you say we go put him in his crib for the rest of his nap and we make good on your magic word." Bumi waggled his eyebrows at her.
Lin's pupils dilated and she nodded, with a slight flush to her face. "Put him down. I need a quick shower. You can always join me if you're quick."
He quickly, but gently to not wake Haru, got off the bed, almost tripping himself in his haste. Then picked up Haru and left the room, clearly determined to join her. She laughed quietly and got up herself heading for the bathroom.
Haru - 1 year and 8 months
Lin's hands shook as she did up the buttons on her dress uniform. She had never really worn it much over the years, preferring to wear her metal armour most of the time. The last time she could recall wearing it was when she was inducted as Chief.
A knock came at the bedroom door and Lin bid them entry.
"Looking good Chief." Kya said, as she entered the room. "Thought you may want help with your hair, you know for old times sake?" She was referring to when Lin became Chief. She had been so nervous, and even if she hadn't wanted to admit it, she had asked the waterbender to help her.
Lin smiled at Kya's reflection through the mirror. "I would like that, thank you." She sat on the stool in front of her vanity. Kya approached and started brushing through Lin's hair. The earthbender had decided to keep it at shoulder blade length, so it was long enough to enjoy Bumi's nightly braiding sessions but short enough it wasn't too difficult to manage.
She clasped her hands together in an effort to stop the nervous shaking.
"I'm making the right choice, right?" She asked the older woman, glancing at her again through the mirror.
"Lin, I have known you your whole life. You never make decisions lightly. But for what it's worth, I think Haru is going to enjoy having you around more often. Plus I think it will be good for you. We're still young enough, there is still much out there to experience in life, so take this opportunity you have given yourself and live for what makes you happy." Kya met her eyes in the mirror and noticed that they had grown teary. "Hey none of that yet. There will be plenty of opportunities later today."
Soon enough Kya finished the intricately braided bun at the nape of Lin's neck. She forced Lin to turn and applied a little mascara and lipstick a tint darker than her natural lip colour. "There, just a little."
Lin stood and went over to the floor length mirror, adjusting her collar. Before covering it fully, she tapped lightly at the carved jade of her betrothal necklace, feeling the small comforting thrum the stone gave her. She finished fixing her collar, which covered the necklace completely, unfortunately. Then she adjusted the medals that decorated the breast of her uniform. She looked herself over, now that her dress uniform was complete and her hair done she looked every bit the professional; but if she hadn't lived through the last couple years, she wouldn't have recognized the woman staring back at her. Gone were the cold, beady eyes and the permanent scowl; and in their place were softer, warm eyes with laugh lines starting to crease at the edges.
She cleared her throat. "I guess we should get this shit show over with. I don't really understand why Raiko needed it to be so public."
"Hmm, well it may have to do with the fact you have been the Chief for a quarter of a century now. Most people in the City barely remember that there were two Chief's before you." Kya responded, an amused expression on her face.
Lin just responded with a grunt, but allowed Kya to lead her from the room and downstairs.
The chatter in the living room stopped when they entered. The room was full of their extended family, all wanting to spend the day with Lin. The turn out was much larger than when she had become Chief all those years ago. Asami was standing with Opal, Jinora, and Ikki with Haru on her hip. Pema and Tenzin were trying to wrangle Meelo and Rohan to behave. Lin was pleasantly surprised that Su, Baatar, Huan, Wei, and Wing had made it, as well as Katara and Zuko. She tried to ignore the pang that Bolin hadn't made it, even though she had secretly sent him an invitation to the location that Mako said he had been stationed at.
She blushed at the whistles she received, the loudest coming from Bumi as he made his way over to her.
"Looking good Linny." He grinned at her, but his eyes conveyed how he really felt, making her blush darken. She ignored the snickers from Kya and her sister. She accepted his kiss, and smacked his arm when she felt him pinch her ass. She glared at him as he grinned impishly and moved back so others could come say hi.
After Lin was greeted by everyone, they started leaving to head to the precinct. Tenzin and his family took Oogi, while everyone else piled into the limousine that Asami had organised for the day. When they arrived, they went into the building through the back door as the ceremony would be taking place out in front of the building. They had noticed a crowd had already formed as they had passed on their way to the back of the building.
Upon entering, Lin was applauded by her officers. Many were in their own dress uniform, and others in their metalbending ones. "Alright, save it for the ceremony." She said, holding up a hand, but her mouth twitched slightly upwards.
Her assistant Ju approached, dressed in their own dress uniform which was not the same as the officers as they weren't an officer, but denoted their rank as assistant to the Chief. "Chief, I was asked to bring you to your office, your family will be shown to their seats soon."
Lin nodded. "Thank you Ju." She bid the others goodbye; Bumi giving her a kiss much to her embarrassment right in front of her officers and family, as she then had to listen to the catcalls from them. Then made her way to what has been her office for so long.
"I took the liberty of making you some tea. Figured it would help calm any nerves."
Lin clapped Ju on the shoulder. "Thank you. I also wanted to express my thanks for being a great assistant over the last 12 years. You've put up with a lot of my shit, and it is appreciated more than you know." Lin walked to her desk and pulled out a small, thin box. "This is a token from me personally to you. I want you to take that partner of yours on a nice vacation, anywhere in the world, all expenses paid." She held up her hand to stop the argument. "I was serious when I said you put up with a lot of shit. I have already cleared it with Saikhan for you to have two weeks when Maru can take time off."
Ju reached out and grasped the box, which upon opening held two passports with no destination, but carried the Beifong seal. Also inside, were bank notes that could be used at any bank in any nation that would give them the correct currency; and a note for the hotel they ended up at to charge the Beifong account.
"Chief, I don't know what to say."
Lin smiled at them. "Just take it and take her on a great vacation. Perhaps when you return you will both join Bumi and I for dinner one night."
Ju closed the box and gave Lin a smile. "Thank you, I promise we will enjoy this. And Maru and I would love to have dinner with you and Bumi."
They both settled down for the tea, and Ju kept Lin talking to distract her from the noise of the large crowd forming out front.
Soon enough though, a knock came at the door, and they made their way downstairs to the entry hall. The room had Raiko, Saikhan, and a few other politicians still inside. Mako also was in the room and quickly approached, dressed in his own dress uniform.
"Sorry I wasn't at the house earlier, I wanted to make sure AC Saikhan had help keeping things in check here."
"It's alright, kid. You clean up nice." Lin said, as she reached out and fixed his collar.
"Thanks, you do too."
Next thing Lin knew, she was being called out onto the stage by Raiko. She shook his hand, wanting to wipe it afterwards but couldn't and she hid her grimace of distaste. She stood in front of the podium to give her small speech, hands clasped behind her back. She focused on her family in the front row who gave her smiles of encouragement. Asami even had Haru wave up at her.
"Good afternoon. Today is a day I didn't expect to happen for another few years at least, but over the last couple, I have come to realize it is my time to step back. It has been an honour to serve Republic City for the last 34 years, 25 of which as your Chief of Police. I am proud of the way the department has grown and evolved over the years since I took the helm. We used to be a metalbending police force only, but Republic City is not just home to earth and metal benders. Our beloved City is home to every kind of bender and non-bender alike. I thank you all for the years of support you have given me to protect you and our City. I hope that you continue to put your faith in your new Chief, and in the future of the Police Department in protecting our City's future." She took a moment to pause and take a deep breath before continuing. "While I have decided to step back from being Chief, I will still be continuing to serve. I will be helping to train the new recruits and make sure we have the best candidates for the Police Department. As well, if there comes a time and my help is needed, I will help our new Chief to the best of my abilities. Thank you for allowing me to serve this City as Chief for the last 25 years."
There was a moment of silence, before the crowd cheered. Lin nodded her head, but was deeply touched at just how many people had shown up today. Raiko approached her and gave another speech and Mako was called up to present her with a special medal for her dedication and years of service. She surprised everyone by giving Mako a small hug on stage, after he had placed the medal over her head.
"Congrats Mom." He whispered in her ear. Lin just patted his arm as they separated, unable to speak for the moment.
Soon after, she called Saikhan up to the stage and presented him with his own Chief of Police badge. He gave a small speech of where he saw the future of the Police Department and vowing to honour his predecessor in continuing to evolve the department for the better as the City was always changing.
After the ceremony, official pictures were taken, as well as ones with her family. Since the ceremony was now over, Lin took Haru into her arms, enjoying his weight as she settled him on her hip.
"Shiny, Mama." He said pointing at her new medal around her neck.
"Yes it is pretty shiny, isn't it?"
Lin was pleasantly surprised to see Izumi and Iroh standing among the family. "I didn't think you would be able to make it."
"I wouldn't miss this. Raijin and Ursa send their regrets, they are observing an important archeology expedition at one of the abandoned temples in the southern part of the Fire Nation." Izumi gave Lin a hug. "And look at this little guy, he's gotten so big!" She said, giving the boy a warm smile.
Haru, who must have realized this woman was okay because his mother hugged her, grinned toothily at her. "Hi!"
"Hello Haru, I'm your Aunt Izumi." He reached out to her and Izumi took him from his mother into her own arms. "Aren't you just a charming little thing."
"'Ko," Haru said as he snuggled into her.
At Izumi's confusion, Lin supplied, "Mako is also a firebender and he likes snuggling into his warmth. I think he is connecting that you are just like Mako."
Upon hearing his name, Mako approached. Once Haru saw his big brother, he called out, "'Ko, 'Ko!"
"Hey buddy." It was then like Izumi was forgotten and Haru was reaching for Mako. Mako gave the Fire Lord an apologetic look as he took him into his arms. "Sorry, Fire Lord Izumi."
"Don't worry Mako, I'm surprised he even let me hold him as I am a stranger to him. And from what I have heard and seen today, you may call me Aunt Izumi as well." She smirked at his flustered reaction.
Lin smirked too, patting Mako's back before grabbing Izumi and heading over to where Kya was talking with Su.
"So how does it feel to be retired?" Su asked her older sister as they joined them.
"Technically I am not retired per say, but it definitely feels odd. I'm sure it will be worse over the next few weeks as I adjust." Lin shrugged. "Though I do have to admit I am very much looking forward to normal working hours."
"Who knew all it took was for you to get fu-" Lin slapped a hand over Kya's mouth.
"Don't even think of finishing that sentence Kya." Lin glared at her, but with Su and Izumi laughing it was hard to keep it. She then felt something wet on her hand, so she whipped her hand away and gave Kya a disgusted look. "Did you just lick me?"
Kya smirked at the shorter, scandalized woman in front of her. "You didn't use to complain."
Lin's face got red. "Well unfortunately for you, I prefer your older brother."
"Okay, that's enough innuendos for me. I do not need this much information about your sex life Lin." Su said, holding a hand over her ears, even as she had an amused look on her face. "Hey since we are all in town, do you think we could do an old fashion sleepover tomorrow night?"
"Agni, I don't even remember the last time we did that." Izumi said. "That just made me feel very old." She had a small look of disgust on her face.
Kya smirked at Izumi. "Well, your Fire Lordliness, you are getting old." She ducked when Izumi sent a small flame at her head. "Hey Linny, who do you think will be a grandmother first, Little Su here or Izumi?"
"Better be Izumi, I'm too young to be a grandmother yet!" Su exclaimed, shooting pointed looks at her children who had looked over.
"Don't call me Linny!" Lin growled at Kya, who just laughed. "But fine, we can do it at my house tomorrow night. Bumi can take Haru to the Island. Should we invite the rest of the girls, or keep it just between us? Either way, we should include Pema, it is only fair as she is Kya's sister-in-law, and will eventually be mine too… That sounded very odd to say, and I never thought those words would come from my mouth."
"Oh! A giant sleepover would be so much fun!" Kya said excitedly, and then ran off to tell the others.
Lin turned to Izumi beside her, "what did I just agree to?"
"Don't worry Lin, we already know we will be the sane ones there." Izumi patted her arm.
"Don't forget Jinora." Lin added.
"Hey!" Su called out. Izumi and Lin just smirked at her.
Lin could never have seen this happening before, but she was incredibly thankful to have her family back. Even if Bolin or her mother weren't here, she didn't want to dwell on those thoughts and locked them away. Overall she felt so overwhelmingly happy these days, and had no idea what she did to deserve it, but she wasn't going to back away from happy feelings anymore. She caught Bumi's eyes and they smiled at each other. While bittersweet, today had been a perfect day.
A/N: Yes, Lin has semi-retired. I felt it suited this story a little better, but don't worry she will be like a Special Consulting Chief or whatever, and will still have some cool metal armour.
