A couple people requested a trip to the South Pole. I was originally aiming for after Baby #2, but then this worked well with how the story was going, so I thought 'why not?'. Can never have enough Gran-Gran Katara.
I hope you enjoy this lighter chapter. The last few have been a little heavy. There still will be some moments in the next chapters - depression doesn't just go away in a day, but we will see Lin having more good days again.
Lin placed the tray of tea and light snacks on the table in the living room and sat beside Bumi on the couch, before leaning forward and pouring the tea for the three of them. Kya sat across from them in one of the armchairs. She accepted her cup from Lin gratefully.
"So I just wanted to let you know that I am making a quick trip South to see Mom in three days. I will probably only be gone a week or two. I need to also check in with the clinic as it's been quite a few months since my last trip." Kya said, before blowing softly over the hot liquid. Kya, until her move back to Republic City, had been the head healer running the largest clinic in the Southern Water Tribes Capital City.
Lin handed Bumi his cup, before fixing hers. "Do you think it would be safe for me to travel South? I just thought, since I'm now in my second trimester, that we could start telling people. I'd like to start with your mother." She looked up at Kya, before glancing at Bumi. He had a surprised look on his face.
"I don't see why not. Plus I would be with you on the way down." Kya said with a thoughtful look. "I think Mom would be thrilled."
"Linny… Have I told you how much I love you today?" Bumi said, taking her hand in his, his look of surprise morphing to one full of love.
Lin smirked at him. "About three times, but it doesn't hurt to hear it again." She wanted to melt while gazing into his eyes.
"Alright, enough you two, you can get a room when I leave." Kya said.
"So I guess that settles it. The four of us will head to the South Pole in a few days. Probably a good thing too from what is going on with the Triads. I would rather not get caught in the middle of that."
"Or Raiko's re-election campaign. I'm concerned he will be elected again as no one is running against him yet." Lin said with some agitation in her voice. She really hated that pompous ass.
"Oh, Nira is coming too. She wanted to learn some Water Tribe non-bender healing at the clinic so I offered for her to come along. That will be a good thing now since we will have to account for Lin having a repeat of the trip to Ember Island."
Lin made a face at remembering how sick she had been on that trip. "Ugh, I'd rather not relive that. But I want to see your mother, and I want to take Haru to her to see part of his heritage. So I'll survive." Even short trips to Air Temple Island on Mochi made her feel nauseous, though she didn't tend to get sick due to it being such a short trip. The South Pole is a lot farther away than Ember Island is. She took a sip of her tea to settle the roil her stomach did just thinking of the trip.
"I'm sure we'll figure something out. I'll discuss it with the other healers here and see if they have any ideas. I haven't had to deal with many travelling expectant mother's before because many don't leave the South Pole during their pregnancies. I'm certain the others have more experience up here, especially with automobiles and trains so easily accessible."
They continued discussing details of the trip until the tea and snacks were gone. Kya bid them goodbye and headed out as she had appointments at the refugee camp's medical tent.
Lin immediately went up to their room and opened up their wardrobes.
Bumi rested against the doorframe watching her ruffle through their clothes. "What are you doing love?"
"I just realized we're not that equipped for the cold weather. I figured it is better to take stock of what we have now, and make a list of what we will need to purchase when we are down there." She said, her voice muffled as she reached into the bottom of the wardrobe. She pulled back holding a pair of Bumi's old fur lined boots. "Your boots are looking like they may fall apart. They'll do you until we can run out." She tossed them to rest near the foot of the bed on the floor.
She then started pulling out his warmest clothes and tossing them to the bed. "Make yourself useful and grab a couple bags for us. Oh and one for Haru."
"Yes, dear." He responded in mock exasperation. Lin threw him a light glare at the endearment. Love and Linny were the only ones she was really okay with, and Bumi seemed to enjoy calling her other ones when he was in a playful mood. He let out a small chuckle as he went to the hall closet and grabbed two large travel bags, and a smaller one for Haru. He left Haru's outside the boys door to use later and walked back to their room.
He put the bags on the bed and started folding his clothes into his old military bag. Lin had already moved onto her own wardrobe now and was ruffling along the bottom to see if she had any kind of warm boots. Usually she just had her metal ones, but with being on the thick snow covered earth, she knew her feet would freeze. Last trip, she had borrowed a pair of Kya's boots, but had returned them before leaving.
"Hey, love, what time was Pema expecting us to pick up Haru?" Bumi asked, trying to focus on his task and not his wifes pert behind sticking in the air as she was bent over.
"Actually, she offered to keep him for the night. Thought we could do with a night alone." She said as she stood, giving up on finding any warm shoes. She grabbed the warm sweaters and thicker pants she owned - which wasn't many - and walked over to the bed. She started folding her clothes and placing them in the other bag. "Looks like I will need more clothes than you." She added that to her mental checklist, before zipping up her bag. "I'll have to see if Kya has a spare set of boots I can borrow until I can get a pair for myself."
Bumi's thoughts, however, were stuck on the fact that they would be alone for the evening. Kya had cleared Lin a week ago that they could finally be active again, but they hadn't had a chance yet.
She turned to walk to Haru's room, intending to go through his dresser. Bumi caught her hand and pulled her to him, her back to his chest.
"We'll be alone tonight?" He huskily asked her, breath ghosting over her neck. He placed a kiss where her neck met her shoulder.
She shivered a little. "Yes." She turned in his arms and placed a kiss on his lips.
He attempted to deepen it, but she pulled back. That didn't deter him from planting kisses along her jaw and neck.
"Boom, please. Let me f-finish the packing and make a list. We-we'll have dinner… then-"
"Why not now?" He asked, cutting her off with another kiss to her lips. "We aren't leaving tomorrow, let's enjoy our free time while we can." He placed kisses along her jaw again, but this time with the goal of kissing to her ear, where he nibbled on her earlobe. "You know we've been married now for two months and we haven't consummated it. I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste anymore time. Let me show you how much I love you."
After that, Lin didn't take any further convincing. She left the rest of the packing for later and enjoyed being in her husband's arms for the first time as a married couple.
Lin, Bumi, and Haru arrived early on the morning they were to depart for the South Pole. They ate breakfast with the family and the airbenders, who had just finished their morning meditation.
She was thankful that she already had incorporated looser style tunics in her wardrobe, so no one was the wiser that her midsection was changing again. Thankfully she wasn't showing much, and it could just be passed off as some weight gain if anyone actually noticed.
Once breakfast was completed, Bumi went off to get Mochi ready to head out and Haru followed him like a shadow. Kya and Nira arranged the bags, including some food for their lunch and some snacks. It would be very late in the evening by the time they arrived, if the weather was good.
"Uh, Lin? I - uh, can I talk to you?" Lin turned from where she had been talking with Tenzin and saw Korra standing awkwardly behind her.
Lin raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well?"
"Here?" Korra asked, glancing furtively around at the few people standing around. When Lin made no move, Korra sighed in defeat. "Okay, yeah, here is fine…" She rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. "Look, I may owe you an apology - no I do owe you an apology…"
Lin hid her surprise behind her mask of indifference. This was not what she had expected from the girl.
"I attacked you without knowing your side of the story. I also had no right to criticize you as a mother. I have seen you with Haru, and also with Mako and Bolin. You are a good mother, and Asami has also shared what all you have done for her." Korra then bowed to her, in a traditional bow. "Please accept my sincerest apologies."
Lin was silent for a moment - as were others around them. She contemplated how to respond to the young Avatar. When Korra stayed down in her bow, Lin rolled her eyes. She moved forward. "Stand up, kid."
Lin watched as Korra stood, trying to hide a small gulp as she did so.
"Look kid… Thank you for caring for Asami so much that you would protect her even from me. I assure you, I had no ill intent with what transpired. So I accept your apology."
Korra looked relieved. But it didn't last long as Lin stepped right up to her and poked her shoulder.
"However, don't you even think about pulling any of the shit you did with Mako on Asami. Avatar or not, I promise if you hurt her, I will bury you so far down, the next Avatar will be born shortly after. Understood?"
Korra squeaked out. "Y-yes Ma'am!"
Lin pulled back from the panicking Avatar, and offered her a smile - which confused the young woman who wasn't used to seeing the tough earthbender smile. "Good. Well on that note, I suppose when we return, you will be joining Asami at our house for family dinner nights. See you then Korra."
Lin then walked over to join Kya and Nira with the bags, as Bumi landed Mochi beside them.
Korra stood with a look that was a mix of fear and bewilderment. Tenzin just patted her shoulder and went to help the women load their bags onto the air bison.
Asami then appeared, as she had stayed hidden when watching the interaction. She placed her hand in Korra's. "That went well."
Korra looked at her girlfriend. "How did she even know?"
Asami shrugged. "I hadn't told her yet, but she knew that I had feelings for you. I think she could tell from your actions, and then our vacation alone… Pretty sure she put two and two together."
"So is she always like that now? Less… grumpy?"
"For the most part. She has her moments for sure, but I think the main thing is that she now has reasons to be happy that she hadn't had for a long time."
"It will take some getting used to. You all have had 3 years to get used to it."
Asami just patted Korra's cheek, before going to say goodbye.
In the past couple weeks, Lin and Asami had talked at great lengths. Things weren't fully back to the way they were, but they were much better.
Lin accepted Asami's goodbye hug. When they pulled back, Lin pulled out a bank note and handed it to her. "This is to be used to help with the rebuilding funds. My family has a long history with this City, even before it was Republic City. I trust you to use these funds where you see fit."
Asami gawked at the large amount of yuans written on the bank note. "Yes, of course. I will consult with Zhu Li and we will make sure it goes to the right places."
Lin nodded, with a light smile. She then bid goodbye to Mako and Bolin, who were on their way to work. Lastly she gave her nieces and nephews a hug each, before allowing Bumi to airbend her up onto Mochi's saddle.
Once seated up there, Kya passed over a small tablet and Nira handed her a cup of brewed ginger tea. Lin glanced at the medication in her palm, then back up at Kya.
"That is called dimenhydrinate. It will help with nausea while we travel. It's newer, but proven to be safe in pregnancy. It may make you drowsy though, but we've got a long trip, so napping won't be a terrible way to pass time." Kya responded to Lin's unaired question.
Lin nodded before quickly swallowing the pill with the help of the ginger tea.
The first 30 minutes of flight, caused a little uneasiness in her stomach, but once the medication kicked in she was out like a light.
They arrived shortly before midnight. They landed right outside Katara's home, where the elder waterbender greeted them with hugs. She ushered them quickly into the house, where she had hot bowls of soup and hot tea ready, as well as the fire in the hearth blazing happily.
Lin sighed in relief of being on solid ground. She felt a little groggy still as the second dose of the medication was still in her system, but she was thankful she hadn't been sick the whole trip.
They all enjoyed their meal, but Katara was the first to excuse herself to bed. Bumi then left the two women to tidy up as he carried a sleepy Haru, and supported Lin to their room.
In the morning, Lin layered herself in a long sleeved shirt, with two sweaters on top. She also stole a pair of Bumi's thick woolen socks to put over her own once she realized hers weren't thick enough. Even with all her layers, she was still shivering as she left their room to head to the kitchen for some warm tea.
Katara offered her a smile and placed a cup of tea on the table for her. Lin offered her mother-in-law a grateful smile as she sat and took the warm cup into her cold hands.
"Morning dear. Hope you slept well."
"Yes, Mother, I did. The boys are still sleeping though."
"As are Kya and Nira." Katara took a sip of her tea. "I was very happy to hear from Kya that you and Bumi were bringing Haru down to see me. Thank you."
"I figured it would be nice to show Haru part of his heritage. And it isn't fair for you to always be the one travelling up to the City."
"Unfortunately with it being Summer, it will be dark out everyday, but I have to admit, there is something about the twinkling lights people put up around the city. Plus seeing the stars all day and night is pretty special too. But the moon is up all day and night right now, and is fairly bright. Will you and Bumi take Haru otter-penguin sledding?"
Lin smirked. "Bumi will be taking him in a few days. We need to run downtown and do some shopping, preferably today. Other than my coat you gifted me, I really don't have any clothes suitable for the freezing temperatures here, especially with there being no sun."
Katara nodded. "I know a few places we can go. We can head out after the other's get up."
The two sat and caught up on life, including Lin's reunion with her mother.
"I haven't seen your mother in a long time. She's called a few times when she visited Suyin over the years. It would be nice to see her and Zuko again. Maybe we can actually arrange something soon where the whole family will be together."
Lin fiddled with her rings on her fingers, suddenly realizing that they never told Katara that they had gotten married. She pushed down the slight anxiety of Katara's reaction and decided to wait till Bumi was awake so she didn't have to face the wrath of the waterbender on her own.
Soon the two women began making breakfast together and the others emerged as the smells wafted through the house.
Lin caught Bumi's attention as she placed a dish on the table and sat down beside him. She whispered into his ear. "We forgot to tell your mother we married already."
She watched Bumi pale slightly and a look of slight fear and panic entered his eyes.
Katara noticed instantly that Bumi was acting guilty. She narrowed her eyes at him. That look still worked all these years later, as he blurted out in a rush.
"Lin and I got married. We wanted to do it before Kuvira's attack and Lin had to evacuate with Haru and Rohan. Please don't be mad, we didn't intend it to work out like that, but there were other factors forcing our hands in this. We didn't want something to happen and us not be married." He only stopped once Lin grabbed his hand.
Katara stared at them with a shocked look on her face. Kya and Nira grabbed Haru, who had finished his breakfast and went to the den.
Lin cleared her throat at the uncomfortable silence. "The main reason besides the chance that something could have happened to Bumi during the attack, was that… I'm…" She took a deep breath, attempting to soothe her nerves. She avoided looking at Katara. "I'm pregnant again. We almost…" She couldn't finish the sentence, and Bumi squeezed their joined hands.
"There was a bit of a scare. Kya managed to fix the issue, and with medications and herbal treatments as well as regular sessions with Kya, the baby is doing well. Lin has recently started into her second trimester, so we wanted to tell you now that things seem more certain."
Katara's eyebrows were raised high, even more in shock than the previous announcement. "Well…" She cleared her throat, before offering them a smile. "I am surprised at both revelations. But, I am so happy for both of you." She reached across the table and placed her hand on their clasped ones.
Lin felt tears welling in her eyes and she sniffled. "Sorry, getting used to these hormones again."
Katara gave her a knowing smile, while patting their hands. "Understandable dearie. Now, let's get ready to head to the shops, and after lunch we can go to my healing room and I can check you over myself. Not that I don't trust what Kya is doing, but I would like to 'see' my newest grandbaby for myself."
"Before we go, there is one last thing we need to share with you." Bumi said. He stood and went to get Haru from the den. When they returned he said, "show Gran-Gran what you can do."
The young boy grinned at his elderly grandmother, before he stuck out his hand and formed a ball of air. Tenzin and Bumi had been working with him to start controlling his element. He was a natural, but had a short attention span as any toddler would.
Katara placed a hand on her betrothal necklace, as if it was her way of having Aang with her at this moment. "Oh darling, look at you. So much like your Grandpa and your Daddy." She held her arms open and held Haru on her lap once Bumi placed him there, placing kisses over his face causing him to giggle.
Lin and Bumi shared a smile at the tender moment between Grandmother and Grandchild.
That afternoon, Lin laid in Katara's healing tub in a tank top and her underwear. Laying in the water, it caused her tank top to form to her body, showing off the distinct curve of her growing belly that overnight seemed to have popped out even more. Bumi sat by her head, their hands entwined as they watched his mother approach. Kya and Nira had taken Haru out to visit the clinic with them as they were only going to say hi today.
"Alright, let's see what we have here." Katara started the graceful movements of waterbending healing and the water started to glow. As soon as she guided her hands over her lower abdomen, she let a bright smile grace her face. "Kya is right, you are definitely doing well now. Your uterus looks good, and the baby is growing nicely. The baby is measuring about 10cm's long, so they are nice and healthy."
Lin could feel hope starting to flood her veins with Katara's assurance. "What… What's the likelihood that I could… That I would lose…" she couldn't say the words, and she held her breath waiting to see what her mother-in-law said.
"Well everything looks good. There is always more risk the older you are, but you are seeing Kya very consistently and healthcare has advanced even in the last few years. In my healer's opinion, there is a lower chance now, but as with any woman there is always a chance." Katara bent the water again over Lin's abdomen. "But I am confident if you keep going the way you are that you will have a healthy baby in the end."
Bumi leant forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. Lin smiled up at him, finally allowing the hope to fill her.
It was evening and Kya had set up a large bonfire outside.
Bumi was able to drag Lin outside, only after she put on several layers, and put Haru in several layers as well, as he was too young to know how to change the air temperature around him yet.
They sat on a bench close to the fire, and Lin had a tight grip on Haru, not wanting him to get close to the fire pit. She smiled gratefully at Bumi as he wrapped a thick blanket over her shoulders before sitting beside her.
"Ooh look up, it's starting!" Kya said, grinning, as she motioned upwards. Nira, who sat beside the waterbender, glanced up and gasped.
The family of three joined them in looking up and Haru called out in excitement. Above them were the Southern Lights.
"They are beautiful aren't they?" Katara asked as she came out with a basket. Inside she had a thermos of hot cocoa and some mugs. "Until Korra reopened the Spirit Portal a few years ago, it had been a long time since I had seen them. Probably since Bumi was about Haru's age."
After their hot cocoa was drunk and the fire started to dim, Bumi picked up a sleeping Haru off Lin's lap and offered his arm to his mother to guide her back into the house.
Lin took a moment to take in the peace of the evening and watched the dancing lights above for a bit longer. When she glanced across at the other two women, she wasn't that surprised to see that they had moved closer together under their shared blanket. They seemed to only have eyes for each other, which made Lin smirk.
She cleared her throat as she stood. "I'm heading in too. Enjoy the… lights." She said with another smirk, before turning and heading back inside to the warmth.
Lin entered their bedroom and found Haru under the thick furs and blankets on one side of their bed. Bumi was changing into his pajamas, and Lin joined. She was quick about it though as there was still a chill even being inside. She slipped under the covers and moved to curl up behind Haru in the middle of the bed. Bumi soon joined, bringing his much needed body heat to her back.
She turned her head and offered him a loving smile. "I'm glad we came here, despite the cold. I had a really good day today, and Haru did too." She said quietly.
He kissed her lips before laying his head on the pillow behind her head. "I did too. Thank you for suggesting this. It's really good to see Mom again. Seeing her and Haru together… It's very special to me." He said, emotion showing in his whispered voice.
Lin entwined her fingers with Bumi's hand that had encircled her and Haru. "We'll have to make more of an effort to come down. Even if it is just you and Haru for a little while."
Bumi placed a kiss at the nape of her neck and tightened his arms around his family a little - not enough to wake Haru. "Love you Linny."
"I love you too, Boom." Lin replied, before drifting off to sleep.
A/N:
dimenhydrinate - is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Aka - Gravol. (We're going to ignore that it was invented in the late 40's if we are going with the Korra timeline being about the 20's... I feel like in some ways the Avatar universe is more advanced in some ways, so I am going with that.)
