A/N: For context, Lin is about 17 weeks by the end of the chapter.


(Picks up a few hours after the last chapter ended)

Lin rolled over, annoyed when sleep still didn't come to her. She had fallen asleep fine with Bumi after watching the Southern Lights last night, but a few hours later she had to use the washroom - thanks to the baby - and couldn't get back to sleep. She was tired, but no matter what she tried, she couldn't feel the pull of sleep. It's been an hour now, and she decided to give up and move to the kitchen to make some tea. She gently moved over Haru and once standing, shifted him closer to Bumi.

She shuddered slightly at the cold air, and quickly grabbed the thick housecoat she had picked up when they went clothes shopping yesterday. She then stuffed her feet into the fur lined slippers.

Lin quietly made her way into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Their room was the furthest down the hall, so as she passed Kya's room, she noticed the door was partially open. She peeked inside to see if she was awake and wanted tea, but ended up getting an eyeful.

She blushed slightly and she quietly pulled the door closed, just in case someone else got up. The women didn't seem to notice the door closing.

Lin, still blushing, went into the kitchen and lit the hearth. Once the fire was ready, she filled the tea kettle and placed it on the hook above the flames. She then set about preparing the teapot with the tea leaves, grateful her aunt had a nice selection. She decided to play it safe with some ginger tea.

She went into the den and started the fire in there, before going back into the kitchen and pouring the hot water into the pot, before putting out the fire in the kitchen.

20 minutes later, Lin was curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her and her cup of tea in hand. She had grabbed one of her aunt's books without looking at what it was. She had realized fairly quickly it was a romance novel, but by then she was already under the blanket and didn't feel like getting back up. So she decided at least this would be a simple read. Something she could laugh at later.

However, she found herself getting absorbed into the novel. The character's were surprisingly complex and the story line kept her intrigued. It had just enough mystery and action to distract from the fact it was a romance novel.

She was so absorbed, she didn't realize hours had passed, and her tea had gone cold.

Lin was startled by a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, dear, didn't mean to startle you. Would you like some fresh tea?"

"Yes, please, Au- Mother." Lin smiled up at her over her shoulder.

Katara offered her own smile, before motioning to the book in Lin's hands, which she was almost done with. "That's a good one. It's the first in a series. You may borrow them if you are enjoying it."

Lin blushed. "I don't read these. I just picked a book and didn't realize till I sat down. But I do have to admit, there is enough of a storyline that it isn't just a cheesy romance."

Katara nodded and patted Lin's shoulder, deciding to drop the topic as she knew Lin was embarrassed.

She returned shortly with a fresh pot of tea and refilled Lin's cup.

Lin had finished the novel in the time the elder was gone and set it aside. "Thank you." She said as she accepted the cup.

Katara sat in her armchair beside the end of the couch Lin was curled up on. "How long have you been up?"

"Since about 2. I tried laying in bed another hour before I decided to just come out here." Lin replied, before yawning slightly. "I'm tired, but apparently not enough to actually get sleep."

"I remember those nights. Kya would keep me up many a night all throughout my pregnancy with her. Thankfully, Aang had the energy to put up with Bumi running around everywhere and getting into everything." Katara shared an amused smile with Lin.

"I don't remember too many sleepless nights with Haru. Mostly I was exhausted every night, and fell asleep easily." She wrapped her other hand around her teacup, enjoying the warmth in both hands. She took a tentative sip, and felt the spices on her tongue. "Mmm. New tea?"

"Yes, Zuko sent it. It is a ginger chai tea. Figured you may like to try it with all the ginger tea you've been drinking."

"It warms you inside out, so I can see why he would send it to you." Lin said with a smile, before taking another sip. "I'll have to ask him to send me some."

Another hour slipped by as the two women talked before Bumi and Haru arrived in the room. With Haru in his arms, Bumi leant over and kissed his mothers cheek. Haru copied him with a big smile on his face.

"Mornin' Gran Gran!"

Katara smiled at her youngest grandson, and reached her hand up to tickle his side. "Good morning Haru. Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yeah. Mama no there."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke badgermole. Mama was with Gran Gran." Lin said.

Bumi turned and planted a kiss to her lips, and Haru one to her cheek. She pulled Haru down from Bumi's arms and cuddled him to her. He snuggled his face into her chest, and she tucked the blanket up to surround him too.

Lin offered Bumi a small smile to let him know she was okay at his questioning look. He nodded before heading to the kitchen to start on some breakfast. Katara got up and joined him, not sure she fully trusted him in her kitchen.

"Love you Mama." Haru said as he snuggled in closer.

"I love you too, my love." She replied, one hand on his back and the other carding her fingers through his curls.

At some point, she didn't realize she had drifted off a bit, until Bumi lifted Haru from her arms. She startled awake.

"Hey, love, it's okay. I thought I would let you sleep and take Haru to get breakfast." He said. He placed Haru on the ground. "Hey buddy, why don't you find Gran Gran." Haru shot off from the room, and Lin didn't have the energy to warn him about running inside.

Lin ran a tired hand over her face before sitting up further. "I should get up and eat."

Bumi cupped her cheek with his warm hand, which Lin leant into. "Why don't we eat and then you can see if you can lay down on the bed?"

Lin nodded, and accepted Bumi's help getting up. She shivered from the loss of the blanket heat. She then dashed off towards the washroom, the cups of tea and not moving for hours catching up with her.

On her way back from the washroom she ran into Kya and Nira.

"Good morning Lin." Nira said. Kya mumbled the same, while hiding a yawn behind her hand.

"I'm sure it was for you both." Lin replied with a knowing smirk.

The two women blushed slightly, getting flustered. "Well I did sleep in a bit." Kya replied. "Nira knocked on my door to let me know breakfast was ready."

Lin raised a brow at them, watching them squirm slightly under her stare. "That may be believable to others. But I'm a trained detective." The two women blushed brighter. "Also, next time you decide to have sex in your mother's house, you may want to ensure your door is fully shut. I have a toddler here who could have gotten up and found you. I would rather not have to explain what Auntie Kya and Nira were doing to each other."

She brushed past the two, trying not to laugh aloud at the choking sound she heard from Kya who then started coughing. She heard Nira patting the older woman's back.

Lin stepped into the dining room, and instantly regretted doing so. Whatever Bumi and Katara had made for breakfast, the scent of it was enough to send Lin running back down the hall past the two women and into the washroom. She knelt, heaving into the toilet. Fortunately she hadn't eaten since dinner, so after the measly bit of vomit, she sat there dry heaving.

A warmth surrounded her belly and Lin sighed as the nausea passed. Finally she was able to sit back and calm her breathing. She accepted the glass of water that was handed to her, and she swirled some in her mouth before spitting it into the toilet.

She glanced up to see Kya standing beside her, and Nira in the doorway.

"Think you will be okay to be moved to your bed? We'll try and get you something plain to eat in a little bit once you've settled."

Lin nodded and allowed the women to help her up and lead her to her room. She sighed as she laid on the bed, the thick blanket and furs coming up to rest over her. She felt herself drift off to sleep fairly quickly, not even hearing the two women leave the room.


It had been 4 days of little sleep. She managed to get a few hours here and there, but nothing consistent. Between the nausea and an overactive toddler on top of the little sleep, Lin was exhausted. She was slumped at the table over a warm cup of tea, with the strongest amount of caffeine that she could have while pregnant - which wasn't much unfortunately.

Kya entered the room and pulled the cup from Lin's hands.

"Hey! Give that back!" Lin said, growling slightly.

"But you need to get dressed. We are going out. Girl's day!"

Lin massaged her temple, feeling a headache coming on. "Seriously, Kya, I am not interested in going out and spending a day with you and Nira while you two make googly eyes at each other."

"Trust me, you will be grateful in the end. Now go get dressed. We have a short trip, so dress warmly." Kya hoisted Lin to her feet and gently pushed her in the direction of the bedrooms.

Lin grumbled all the way to her shared room with her boys. Neither were in there, so she quickly changed and made her way to the den, where voices were coming from. Lin found everyone else already in the room.

"Great, you're ready! Let's head out!" Kya said eagerly.

Lin sent a pleading look at Bumi and Katara, but they just smiled at her. "Have a good time, love. Haru and I will be here when you get back."

"Gran Gran making cookies!" Haru said excitedly as he ran over and gave Lin's legs a hug.

Lin placed a hand on his head. "Save one for me okay?"

Bumi pulled her into a kiss as he helped her into her coat, mitts, scarf, and hat. She barely got her boots on before she was dragged out by the eager waterbender.

"Can you tell me where we are going?" Lin grouched, burrowing into her scarf to avoid the biting chill against her cheeks.

"Just get on, Linny." Kya said, motioning to the snowmobile with an attached sidecar.

Lin glared, but sat in the sidecar, while Nira sat behind Kya. She thankfully found a blanket on the seat and placed it over her legs, as she dreaded the trip to wherever they were headed.

"Trust me Lin, you should enjoy this." Nira said, placing a hand on Lin's shoulder briefly, before wrapping her arm around Kya as she turned the snowmobile on and they took off towards their destination.

They passed a couple other people on their own snowmobiles as they made their way into the City's centre, while they were obviously headed outside of the City. Lin focused on the stars in the midday sky above, otherwise she felt very dizzy as everything whipped by them.

Eventually they arrived at their destination, and she was dragged inside a building. Thankfully, inside was very warm, which Lin appreciated.

They were in a reception room of some sort. The woman at the front desk greeted Kya, obviously knowing each other.

"Come with me, and we will get you situated." The woman stood and led them into a back room. "There are robes and slippers here for you to change into. Please shower first, and then when you are ready, you may enter into the springs. Kya has been here before, so she will show you to the pools. We will come get you when it is time for your massages." The woman bowed and left.

"We're at a spa?" Lin asked, with an astonished look on her face. "Why couldn't you have just said that?"

"I was worried you would refuse. But we all thought this could be just the thing to relax you enough to get some sleep."

Lin just nodded, knowing in her tired mind, she probably would have argued about coming here. She grabbed the robe and pair of slippers closest to her and headed to one of the shower stalls.

After they all showered, Kya led them down the hall and to the hot springs. The walls and floor were part carved from the mountainside and Lin felt more relaxed already just by being so close to her element. She noticed that there were a couple other women in the room, but it was fairly empty and it seemed they each got their own small pool.

She hesitated in removing her robe, which Kya noticed. "Don't worry, Linny. This part of the spa is women only. The men have their own area." She said softly, not wanting to disrupt the other women in the room.

That wasn't really the reason she had hesitated, but Lin appreciated the knowledge. She really had hesitated because she was still not used to being pregnant again, and was a little self-conscious of what others would think of a middle aged woman with an obvious baby bump. She took a deep breath and placed her robe on the small hook near her selected pool and she stepped out of her slippers before stepping into her pool. The water was delightfully warm but not too hot and as she rested back against the rock she felt tension release from her.

She also was able to feel the baby's heartbeat for the first time in a week, and she didn't realize till that moment how reliant she had become on hearing it since she first heard it over two months ago. Part of her couldn't believe that it had already been about 11 weeks since their evacuation to Ember Island. Time had been a blur during those weeks; the only constant way to tell time passing was the growth of her bump.

Lin shakily brought her hand up to place it on her bump. She tended to avoid touching it because of her uncertainty of what was going to happen. But after a few sessions with Katara and the reassurances from both her and Kya, Lin was feeling a little more hopeful.

As she caressed her bump, she felt a flutter. She held her breath and repeated the motion to see if she felt it again. It took a few passes, but she felt it again. It was almost like the baby was rewarding her for finally gaining the courage to show affection towards them. Her heart squeezed and she a small smile graced her lips as she closed her eyes and leant her head back.

She must have drifted off a little, as she woke to hear Kya calling her name softly. She blinked up at the older woman, who gave her a knowing smile, before she heard what the woman was saying. "Come on Lin, time for your massage. I purposefully booked you a prenatal massage."

Kya held Lin's robe out for her, and Lin put it on and slipped into the slippers, before following the two women into a room with three massage tables and a woman was there to greet them.

"Welcome ladies. I hope you enjoyed your soak in the springs. I ask that you disrobe and lay on the tables under the blanket. I will return shortly with my colleagues and we will begin. Before I leave, we have a special table here for the prenatal massage." She motioned to the furthest table on the right, and gave Lin a knowing smile.

As Lin got undressed and under the blanket, she noticed this table had a hole where her growing belly could rest and extra padding to not hurt her sensitive chest. It felt amazing being able to lay on her front for the first time in many weeks.

Once they were ready, they only had to wait a few minutes before the woman returned with two others. They each went to one of the tables and softly greeted their client before beginning. Lin barely held back the satisfied moans as the masseuse went to work on her back, after lowering the blanket.

Lin barely registered the masseuse working on her asking her to turn on her front once her back was done. A folded blanket was placed over her chest before the main one covering her body was lowered just below her belly. The woman expertly massaged Lin's abdomen and bump, and Lin felt herself drifting off again like she had in the pool.

She was barely cognizant of herself being covered and the woman started on giving her a facial, followed by a head massage.

When it was all over, Kya and Nira had to help her back to the room with their clothes. They helped her dress and quickly made their way back to Katara's house.

Upon arriving, Bumi greeted them outside. He noticed Lin's barely conscious state and picked her up out of the sidecar and brought her into the house. He went straight to their room and undressed her to her day clothes underneath her outer coat and pants. He tucked her in under the blanket and furs and watched as she finally succumbed to the much needed sleep. He placed a kiss on her temple and then quietly left the room.


Lin woke the next morning feeling more rested than she had in a while.

She rolled over to find Haru between her and Bumi on the bed. She smiled as she placed her hand atop Bumi's which rested on Haru's stomach.

Bumi shifted, and his eyelids fluttered open. He blinked at her and gave her a sleepy smile. "Morning Love. How did you sleep?"

"Honestly? I had an amazing sleep." Her stomach rumbled at that moment. "And that would be the baby's cue in being angry I didn't eat dinner. Join me?" She asked quietly.

They got up and donned their robes and slippers. They both placed a pillow on each side of Haru, so that he wouldn't roll off the bed, and quietly left the room. They heard Kya and Nira in their rooms getting ready to head to the clinic, while Katara was reading in the den. They softly greeted the elder before heading into the kitchen.

Lin, with her newfound energy, decided to make breakfast for everyone. It helped that she was able to control what she was making, so she avoided ingredients and smells that triggered her. Bumi helped by grabbing her things she asked for. Though he made concentration difficult when he held her from behind and kissed her neck tenderly, which he insisted on frequently.

While the noodles she had made for breakfast simmered in the hearth, she set about making scallion pancakes to eat with it. She figured, she may as well make them again as she had the morning she had told Bumi she had felt Haru move for the first time. This time, they were both more settled in their relationship, so she didn't see a repeat of the disastrous events afterwards.

"Have I mentioned your scallion pancakes are one of my favourite things you make?" He commented more than asked, as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"You may have mentioned that a few times." Lin smirked. "You know you could be helping."

"But watching you cook is one of my other favourite things." He placed another kiss to neck, just under her ear.

"Fine, but stop distracting me."

"Yes, love." He replied but made no effort to move away.

Lin sighed, but she wasn't truly bothered. He at least left her to finish her task. Bumi did step back once she was done to grab a cast iron skillet and place it on the stovetop for her. She quickly fried up the pancakes, and Bumi placed them in a covered dish he preheated to keep them warm.

They finished getting breakfast and tea ready. Just before she sent Bumi off to get everyone, she pulled him into her arms.

"Well hello to you too." He said, smiling down at her.

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly, watching as his eyes softened. "I felt a flutter yesterday."

"Really?" His eyes were bright.

Lin felt herself get choked up a little. "In the hot spring. I," she swallowed, trying to clear the lump in her throat, "I felt the heartbeat through the stone. It felt so strong, and I - I think I am finally accepting that this is happening. I rested my hand on my belly for the first time in a while and when I ran my hand over it, I felt the first flutter." She sniffled slightly.

"Baby was just saying, 'hello Mama, I'm here'." Bumi said, rubbing his thumb soothingly where his hand was splayed on her belly. He then leant down and kissed Lin sweetly on the lips. "I'm so proud of you, love. I know things have been difficult, and it hasn't been easy to accept that this pregnancy was going to thrive. But I think it's safe to say we are getting more certain everyday that passes."

Lin smiled a watery smile up at him. "In less than a few weeks we'll be half-way."

"We won't be able to hide this at all when we get back." He grinned, glancing down at her now protruding belly.

"I am bigger at this stage than I was with Haru. I think we are at the point that I started showing that small bump. This is easily double that size, if not more. But I'll take it if it means we have a baby to hold at the end of this."

"We will love." Bumi wrapped his arms around her and they just stood there for a few moments, drinking in the comfort of being together.

"Mama!" A little voice hollered.

Lin sighed. "I suppose I will go grab our loud boy. Please set everything on the table." She leant up on her toes to place a kiss on his lips before leaving. She walked faster when he yelled out again. She found him sitting up in the middle of the bed.

"Young man, what have we said about yelling in the house?" Lin said, hands on her hips.

"Yelling bad."

"That's right, yelling is bad. When is it okay to yell inside?"

"If I gets hurt."

"And are you hurt?"

"No Mama. I sorry." Haru said, a small pout showing on his lips.

"You are forgiven, but we have to apologize to Gran Gran too. It is her house." Lin helped him slide off the bed and let him grab her hand as they went down the hall.

They found everyone in the dining room, as Bumi let the others know breakfast was ready.

Lin knelt down beside Haru and whispered for him to approach Katara and apologize.

Haru walked over beside his grandmother and looked up at her with wide eyes. "I sorry, Gran Gran. I no yell."

Katara smiled at her grandson, and placed a weathered hand on his head. "No harm done, Haru. Thank you for apologizing."

They all sat down and enjoyed the warm breakfast while discussing their plans for the day.

Bumi declared that he would be taking Haru out otter penguin sledding today. Lin sighed, but didn't say anything. She knew Bumi would be careful and she trusted him to not put Haru in a dangerous situation. Katara offered to observe and be there just in case as Kya and Nira had a shift at the clinic downtown. Lin decided she would join Katara in watching the boys, at least for a little bit.

So after breakfast they changed into warm clothes and then pulled on their outer coats. Haru struggled a little while Lin tied a scarf around his neck and put his hat and mitts on. He was just too excited to go outside and play in the snow.

Thankfully Katara knew a smaller hill where the otter penguins liked to hang out, so Lin watched with Katara as Bumi and Haru slid down the small hill on their new friend. Haru squealed in delight, and was excited to help his dad give a treat to the animal as thanks. They repeated this quite a few times before their treats were gone. After that they trekked back to Katara's home, Haru on Bumi's shoulders.

"I so tall, Mama!"

"Yes you are, badgermole. Maybe one day you will grow to be that tall, or as tall as Daddy."

"Ko and Uncle Tenny tall."

"Yes, they are." Lin smiled up at her son.

When they arrived back, Lin and Katara went inside to make hot cocoa, while Bumi helped Haru burn more energy before his nap.

Bumi showed Haru how to make a snowman, and couldn't help but grin the whole time. He had fond memories of visiting his grandfather when he was young. They, along with his father and Uncle Sokka would make snowmen and have others vote on whose was best. The winner always changed, but Uncle Sokka's was always the worst. Haru's current snowman currently resembled one of Sokka's masterpieces. It was lumpy and lopsided, but made Bumi beam in happiness. Bumi made a second one, that was more consistently round, yet he found himself preferring his son's - fatherly pride and all that.

Lin came out with some old mitts, hats, and scarves that Katara kept on hand for these situations. She also had some coal and old mismatched buttons to decorate the face with. The three had fun decorating the two snowmen.

Afterwards they made their way inside where the three curled up on the coach, drinking the hot cocoa and warming up by the fireplace. Haru was sitting on Bumi's lap, and Bumi had one arm around Lin, who leant into his side.

Today was a good day, Bumi decided. 'One of the best.'