Drum roll... and the gender is...
Later Haru finds out he is going to be a big brother. The following day the rest of the family finds out upon their return.
The trip to the spa had helped a lot, and the first few days afterwards, Lin was able to catch up on sleep. Lin was certain it was touching the stone in the hot springs more than it was anything else, not that the massage and warm soak didn't help. Her theory was proving more probable the closer they got to the end of the week; as the nausea and insomnia returned slowly.
They were to be leaving in the morning, and Lin was dragged into Katara's healing room one final time.
Kya joined her mother and they both checked on the baby, while Bumi sat next to Lin and held her hand.
"The baby is measuring right on track, actually they are measuring on the upper end of the healthy scale. So that accounts partially for why you are showing bigger than you had with Haru." Kya said with a smile. "Any discomfort you want me to look at?"
"Just the usual back and hip pain I had with Haru." Lin answered, before giving the two waterbenders a grateful smile as they each tackled one and soothed the aches. "Thank you."
"Do you want to know gender this time?" Katara asked. "It may be easier to explain to Haru about the baby if you can tell him if it is a brother or sister."
Lin looked up at Bumi. They knew they were running out of time to tell Haru about the baby. He had already noticed that Mama's lap wasn't as big anymore.
Bumi smiled down at her. "I am happy with whatever you want to do love. I just want a healthy baby."
"I want the same. But Mother is right, it will be easier to explain to Haru if we know. Plus it will help this time to plan a little in advance."
Bumi leant forward and kissed her forehead. He then looked up at his mother and sister and nodded. "We're ready."
Kya grinned, but motioned for her mother to announce her last grandchild.
Katara placed her hand over the couple's joined hands and smiled at them with tears in her eyes. "You have evened the score with my grandchildren… It's a girl!"
Lin felt shocked. Somehow she had just assumed it was another boy. 'A girl? What am I going to do with a girl? Look at how Su turned out… I failed at raising a girl already. And Asami… Why couldn't it be a boy? Boys are easy…' She was pulled from her thoughts when Bumi captured her lips in a searing kiss.
"A baby girl, Linny! I have to admit I had hoped to have a little girl that looked just like you. The spirits must have heard my prayers!" He looked down at her with a beaming smile and tears swimming in his eyes.
She shoved her negative thoughts away for the moment. Lin offered him a smile in return and let his enthusiasm wash over her. Seeing the love he had for their daughter warmed her heart in a way that was new. He would be such a good girl dad.
She allowed Bumi to help her up and Kya bent the water from her clothes. She slowly redressed, all the while in a bit of a fog.
"We should probably tell Haru today, before we leave tomorrow. We'll be accosted as soon as we get back." Bumi said, as he handed her her warm housecoat to put over her thick sweater and pants.
"Yes, of course. Maybe before dinner? We should probably discuss what we are going to tell him." Lin responded, hopeful that she was able to mask her conflicting emotions in her voice. "My Mom just kinda was like 'you're getting a sibling in 6 months, deal with it.' I don't want to do that to Haru."
Bumi came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, both hands falling to her bump.
"I don't remember much about when Kya was born, except that I loved to hold her from day one. I think we just need to make an effort once the baby is born to make sure we spend time as the four of us, and time both individually and together with just Haru. My parents were better with it when Kya was born, but Dad kinda got bad after Tenzin."
Lin leant back to rest her head on his chest, hands resting on top of his own.
"Everything okay, love?" Bumi asked after noticing Lin's quietness.
Lin hesitated for a moment, not really sure how to respond. But she decided to not keep her fears to herself this time. She swallowed and closed her eyes. "I admit that I am scared… I mean… I practically raised Sue since I was 8 and look how well that turned out. I feel like I am going to fail our daughter."
Bumi turned Lin in his arms so that he could hug her properly. She curled into his chest, hiding her face in his sweater.
"Su was not your responsibility Lin. She acted out because she wanted your mother's attention, and wanted you to be her sister. The way I see it, Su turned into a woman who puts her family first, just like her big sister." He placed a kiss to the top of her head. "Of course, you have always been so selfless in a way Su could never be."
He paused, letting her absorb what he was saying. "I have no doubt that you will show our daughter the love that you have shown Haru since day one. You will be there to love, guide, and protect her just like I will."
Lin tightened her hold on him. "Please know that I am doing my best to believe you; I do want all that for her."
He just held her for as long as she needed. Eventually she loosened her grip and looked up at him. "Thank you, Boom."
"No need to thank me, Linny. Truth be told, I'm scared shitless too - I'll be 62 when she is born… But as long as I've got you, I know I will be okay."
"You'll be such a great dad to her." Lin said, voice tight with emotion.
"Just as you will be a great mom to her." He leant down and kissed Lin.
After dinner, they sat down with Haru in the den. Katara took Kya and Nira to a friend's for a visit as Kya hadn't seen them for a while. This gave the family of three a chance to sit down and talk.
"Hey buddy, Mama and I want to talk with you for a bit." Bumi said, beckoning Haru to sit on his knee. Lin sat beside him on the couch, anxiously fiddling with a package in her hand.
Haru clambered onto Bumi's knee and looked up expectantly at his parents.
"Well, in a few months time, there is going to be a new baby." Bumi said softly.
Haru's face scrunches adorably. "Baby? Where?"
Lin shrugged off her housecoat which had hidden her growing belly well the last couple weeks. "The baby is here, in my belly. Mama's have a special place where we can grow babies inside us." She gently took his little hand and guided it to her small rounded belly. "You used to be in here too."
"How baby get in your belly?"
"Mama and Daddy love each other very much and we love you so much, but we felt we had more love to give. So you will have a little sister that we can share that love with." Bumi answers, trying to explain it in a way a toddler would understand.
"Sissy?"
"Yes, little badgermole. You will be a big brother to a little sister." Lin said, running a hand through Haru's curls. "But know that we love you so much. We are just adding another member to our family. Your sister is going to love you so much."
"Sissy play with me?" He asked as he focused on Lin's belly and moved his hand over it, as if searching for the baby.
Lin smiled as she watched Haru. "When she is older like you, she will be able to play with you. But for a while, she will be too tiny to play."
"Your sister got you a present though. She is excited to meet you when she comes in a few months, so she got you this so that you know she loves you." Bumi said, reaching for the package Lin had set aside when removing her coat.
Haru got excited and tore the paper from the present. Inside were two otter penguins of slightly different sizes. "Me and sissy."
Lin and Bumi shared soft smiles. "Yes, you and sissy." Bumi said. "Big siblings take care of their little siblings. We know you will be the best big brother."
"I like Mako!"
"Yes, you have the best big brother to teach you how to be a big brother." Lin said.
Haru smiled up at his parents before setting his stuffed animals on Bumi's lap before getting down. The two glanced at each other, unsure of what he was doing. Haru hurried over to the bookshelf and grabbed a book. He ran back over and this time climbed onto Lin's lap.
"Daddy read to sissy." He demanded as he shoved the book into Bumi's hands before snuggling into Lin; one of his hands was splayed over her belly.
Lin ran one hand through his curls, and her other was on Bumi's thigh. She sniffed back tears at the sweet gesture her boy did. She looked up at Bumi to notice he had a similar expression on his face. "Come on Daddy, read us the story." Lin gave him a smile.
"Funny voices Daddy!" Haru added. He always liked Bumi reading him stories as he made voices for each character.
Bumi grinned at the two and opened the book. As he began reading the story 'The Brave Little Badgermole', he used his free hand to hold Lin's.
Morning came quickly and Lin had Bumi loading all their packed bags as she was busy taking the medication she took on the way down.
Soon enough, the five were bidding Katara farwell, with promises of phone calls and letters to come soon. Plans were also made for Katara to come up around Lin's due date so she could be there for the birth.
Lin and Haru snuggled up in Mochi's saddle under some furs Katara sent with them. The trip back passed in a blur as Lin slept for most of it thanks to the medication. When she woke for the last time they were about 30 minutes out from Air Temple Island. The anxiety she had felt before they left about facing everyone returned full force.
There was no hiding the swell of her belly now. While still fairly small, it was rounded in a way that spoke of being with child rather than gaining weight - especially on her usually rather slim frame. Shedding the thick coats and sweaters once they left the arctic weather didn't help either. Unfortunately she didn't think to pack some of her previous maternity wear with her. She was currently dressed in a purple wrap style dress, similar to what Kya would wear, that she had run out the previous afternoon to purchase. Thankfully it was lighter material, but Lin still felt like she was roasting in the summer weather.
Nira handed her a cup of ginger tea from the thermos with a gentle smile, which Lin took it with shaky hands.
She sipped the soothing spice of the tea and took a deep breath. She looked forward to Mochi's head where Bumi sat with Haru on his lap helping him steer. She started slightly at a hand on her shoulder and looked to her side to see Kya giving her a reassuring smile.
"It'll be okay Lin. Tenzin and Pema already know and will be ready for support."
Lin didn't reply, but she nodded to show she heard the waterbender. She turned her attention back to her boys, watching their interactions. She placed her hand that wasn't holding the cup on her bump when she felt a flutter.
Kya and Nira shared a look, but decided to leave the woman alone to her thoughts for now.
All too quickly, in Lin's opinion, they were landing outside the main house on the Island. Tenzin and his family were outside, as well as Mako, Bolin, Opal, Asami, and Korra.
The evening sky was orange, and Lin squinted at the glare in her eyes. Kya and Nira were quick to start tossing bags to the others below, mainly Korra, Mako, and Bolin.
Haru had jumped out of his father's arms and flew into Asami's awaiting arms.
Bumi was soon by her side and held his hand out for her. "Ready love?" He asked as he helped her to her feet.
She shook her head. "No, but we have no choice." She tried to smile at him, but it came out as more of a grimace.
Bumi squeezed her hand before pulling her into his arms. He then airbent them to the ground. Lin held him close for an extra moment, her back to everyone else.
"Auntie Lin!" Rohan called out, as he went to leap into her arms. Bumi caught him instead.
"Hey buddy. Remember, Aunt Lin can't hold you right now." He reminded the almost 4 year old.
Rohan pouted, but happily hugged Lin when Bumi moved him close.
"It's good to see you too, kid." Lin said, ruffling his dark hair affectionately.
Soon the rest of the kids had crowded in for a hug. Ikki was the first to notice something different.
Lin caught her eye and knew that Ikki had realized what was going on. She gave Ikki a small smile.
"Dinner's ready, we should all go inside. I am sure you are all hungry after the long flight." The 11 year old said.
Everyone nodded and started heading in. Lin had Bumi's hand in a deathgrip. They thankfully made it inside and sat down without anyone saying anything.
Dinner seemed to be going well and Lin relaxed enough to eat a little bit, despite her anxiety.
"So Haru, how did you like the South Pole?" Korra asked, eager to hear how the young boy liked her homeland.
"It's cold and dark. We saw pretty sky lights. Daddy took me on otto peng-ins down a hill." Haru stood and ran over to his little bag that was resting against the wall. He grabbed his new stuffed animals and brought them back, holding them up to show everyone.
"Those are so cute. Did Gran Gran give those to you?" Asami asked.
Haru shook his head. "From sissy. See me and sissy." He said holding the bigger otter penguin up, than the smaller one.
Lin froze. Bumi's hand came to rest across her back. This wasn't quite how they pictured telling everyone.
"Sissy?" Bolin asked, a confused look on his face. The look was shown across many faces on the older kids. Meelo and Rohan were more occupied with trying to steal everyone else's food while they were distracted.
"Uh huh." Haru said with a nod of his head. "Sissy in Mama's tummy."
All eyes turned to Lin and Bumi. That was when they all noticed the top of a slight swell to her abdomen over the edge of the table, that hadn't been there when they left a couple weeks before - that they knew anyways.
Bumi offered everyone a smile. "Surprise. We were waiting till we knew everything was going okay before telling you all."
"You've known since the trip back from rescuing our family, haven't you?" Opal asked, gasping in realization.
Lin just offered a nod, not able to speak.
Opal then sprung up with a squeal and embraced her aunt and uncle. "I've always wanted a little sister, and this will be the closest thing!"
Lin offered the younger Beifong a small smile.
Soon all the other nieces and Meelo were congratulating the couple. Rohan was still trying to get more food, but Tenzin caught him and held the squirming child to him.
"Hey kiddos, who wants the presents Nira and I brought back for you?" Kya asked, trying to lure her nieces and nephews from the room. Jinora raised a brow at her aunt, but got up and followed the excited Meelo from the room. Ikki hesitated until Lin gave her a smile and a look saying she was okay and they would talk later.
Tenzin and Pema offered to put Haru to bed with Rohan when they were ready and took both young boys to follow the others out.
"Is this why you have been unwell?" Mako asked, once the others left the room.
Lin nodded. "Yes."
Bumi used his free hand to hold Lin's tightly. "This pregnancy has been hard on Lin. We honestly weren't sure for a while if it would keep. But we are almost half-way through now, and the baby is doing well."
Asami and Korra both paled.
"I'm so sorry for basically attacking you, Lin. If I had known…" Korra started.
"You didn't know." Lin said.
"That doesn't make it okay! I would have never forgiven myself if I caused something to happen."
"I never would have blamed you."
Mako squinted at her. "No, you would have blamed yourself. Which wouldn't have been right either."
Lin avoided Mako's gaze. His words hit too close to home and she felt uncomfortable with the accuracy.
"Okay, so, there's another baby?" Bolin asked, face scrunched up in confusion.
"Yes, Bolin. It's a girl this time." Bumi said, with a boyish grin.
Bolin beamed at them and stood to bring them both into a tight hug.
"If you want your sister to arrive, you have to let me breathe kid." Lin grunted. She took a deep breath once she was let go. She then gave Bolin a pat on the arm and a smile. "I am glad you are excited, Bolin." She shifted on the cushion and then held her hand out to the younger earthbender. "Help me up would you? I need to get up off the floor."
Once she was standing, she stretched her back a little. The bump came into focus for the young adults for the first time. Lin felt her face flush a little at the attention and placed a hand on her bump as if to shield it from their gaze.
"How far along are you?" Asami asked, offering a soft smile to Lin.
"18 weeks. Just a little further along than when we found out with Haru." She glanced down at her rounded belly. "As you can see I am showing more quickly. Kya said the baby is measuring on the upper part of the scale."
"It just means that she is very healthy now, and will continue to grow strong." Bumi said as he reached over to place a kiss beside where Lin's hand rested.
"This calls for a celebration! I'm thinking custard tarts… no cake! No… ice cream!" Bolin started saying excitedly. "Oooh ooh we could do all of that!"
"Why don't we save it for Friday night? You all can come for dinner." Bumi offered as he stood up to join Lin and Bolin where they stood. "We've had a long day today."
Opal came over and gave them each a hug again. "We'll see you then. Congratulations again! Say goodnight, Bolin." Opal said, turning to her boyfriend.
He also gave them both a hug and then cheekily patted the bump. He quickly bid everyone goodnight, and took Opal's hand. They left to go spend an hour alone before they went to bed.
Asami and Korra stood next. The older girl came over and gave Lin a warm hug.
"I'm so happy for you." She whispered.
Lin closed her eyes to hide the tears that sprang to her eyes. She was still relieved that Asami had forgiven her. She tightened her hold a little, so that Asami knew she heard her.
"Shall we have tea tomorrow afternoon? I am free around two." Asami asked as she stepped back.
"That sounds good." Lin replied softly, giving Asami a small smile.
Asami gave her a bright smile and then turned to give Bumi a hug.
Korra approached Lin hesitatingly.
"Uh, congrats Chief - I mean Lin." Korra said awkwardly. "You uh… You look… good?"
Lin raised her eyebrow at Korra's attempt.
"I mean of course you look good. Great even. Pregnancy suits you."
Lin smirked in amusement. "Thank you Korra." She said, saving the girl from continuing to ramble awkwardly. "And you are expected for dinner on Friday." Lin said, crossing her arms over her chest, reminiscent of her Chief days. "Your first family dinner with us."
Korra gulped a little. "R-right. Family dinner… Yeah. Great."
Asami placed her arm around Korra. "We'll be there. And Korra, it'll be fine. You've eaten with all of us before. It will be different from the one with your parents."
"Right… At least everyone here accepts us as we are." Korra responded, a bitter tone in her voice.
"You'll always be welcome with us." Bumi said, throwing his arm around the young Avatar.
"Well, as long as you don't hurt Asami that is." Lin added, arms still crossed.
Korra smiled up at Asami with a tender look. "I have no intentions of doing anything to hurt her." She then turned to look Lin in the eye. "I promise."
Lin nodded, and gave Korra a smile. "Good."
Asami rolled her eyes at the two, but smiled. She was glad they were getting along. The two bid the other goodnight and left to also spend some time alone together before bed.
Mako was the only one left with Lin and Bumi now. He was still seated at the table, with a worried expression on his face.
"Mako?" Lin called out to him softly.
"You glossed over a lot, didn't you?" He asked.
"I can't use my bending for more than lifting a metal spoon or seismic sense. I was on a lot of medications when we returned with Su and her family. We almost lost the baby then, I didn't know I was pregnant and the excessive earthbending caused a lot of issues." Lin gave Mako a tight smile. "But both Kya and Katara assure me that everything has stabilized now. There is a lot less risk as long as I continue to take my medications and avoid earthbending. We're fine Mako."
Lin approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He stood abruptly and hugged her fiercely.
"I just got you, I don't think I could take losing another mom."
Lin wrapped an arm around his back and the other went up to cup the back of his head.
"I'm not planning on going anywhere. Or letting her go without a fight." Lin said determinedly.
Bumi smiled hearing the conviction in her tone. The last few weeks, since entering her second trimester, feeling the baby move and learning the gender, Lin seemed to finally be accepting the pregnancy. But seeing her with Mako now, he realized that this is what Lin needed. She had needed their family all along. Lin and Mako had a unique bond; understanding each other in ways the rest of them couldn't understand fully.
Bumi gave them a moment alone before going over and wrapping his arms around the two - well three - of them. Happy that his family felt together again for the first time in a while.
A/N:
Next chapter there will be another time jump. We'll probably be covering some of the events of the 3rd chapter of Turf Wars and possibly some of Ruins of the Empire.
