Bumi and Lin have a much needed conversation.
Meanwhile, the nursery makeover begins and our favourites Fire Nation royals make an appearance
"May I hold my new niece?" Su asked, as everyone was settled into the room and looking eagerly at the infant in Lin's arms. Asami had moved so that Toph could sit beside Lin, so she now stood beside the Zaofu matriarch.
At the question, Lin was instantly filled with so much anxiety. Her little baby was so fragile, and the thought of anyone but herself, Bumi, and Kya, holding her right now made her feel panicky. It was one thing for her mother to run her fingers gently across the small features or for Bumi to help Haru hold her, but the thought of others holding her… made her pull Airi closer to her chest. "I… I'm sorry, but…" She shook her head, not able to express what she was feeling. "I'm sorry." She felt guilty, so she looked down to avoid the expressions of disappointment she was sure they had on their faces.
She looked up when she felt a hand on her knee, and saw Suyin's face with an understanding smile. "It's okay Lin. When the twins were born early, I didn't let anyone but Baatar hold them for at least two weeks. Don't feel bad, trust your instincts. We're just happy that you both are okay."
She gave her sister a small, grateful smile.
Bumi decided to try and change the subject so that the focus would be off Lin. "So what happened with the Gaoling situation? I'm assuming everything is okay since you are all here." He asked as he ruffled Bolin's hair, before using his head as an armrest to lean against.
Bolin pouted slightly, but didn't move. Lin held back a laugh at his expression, missing the looks that passed between Mako, Asami, and Su. Bumi, however, did notice but decided he would leave it alone and bug Su about it later.
"Guan didn't want to surrender, but we were able to put an end to it, and the last hold out of the Earth Empire is gone. Wu decided to call off the elections for now and allow each province to decide when they are ready to vote for their officials. So there will still be an Earth Kingdom for now. But I have to admit he has a fairly good head on his shoulders now." Su said.
"How did you and Mom get involved?" Lin asked, a small frown of confusion marring her face.
"Oh you know, Mom was just visiting, and so when they called for some metalbending guards to help with Gaoling, she came with."
"Home province and all that shit. Wasn't gonna let that nimwit think he could continue to rule the place." Toph sniffed, as she leant back against the pillows, hands behind her head.
"Mom, please, Haru is right here. Keep your swearing to yourself around him." Lin chided.
"Eh he is gonna learn it someday." Toph replied with a shrug.
Lin narrowed her eyes as she glanced at her mother beside her. "I was hoping it would be quite a few more years before he did."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll try." Was all Toph said, and Lin knew it was all she could expect.
But Toph had other reasons for saying what she had, and she had succeeded in distracting Lin from the direction the conversation had been headed.
"So when are we able to spring you from here?"
Airi moved her head, a small frown marring her face as the talking was walking her up; soft grunts escaping her tiny lips. Lin quickly brushed a finger softly over the spot between where her eyebrows would eventually be. After a few strokes and gently shushing, the newborn quieted back into a deep sleep. Lin smiled softly at the sleeping infant before remembering her mother had asked her a question.
"We'll hopefully be out in a few days." She replied quietly. A yawn of her own caught her off guard.
"I think that is our cue to leave and let you get some rest. I'm sure you will need all the rest you can get now before you get home." Su said softly. She leaned over and gave Lin a kiss on the cheek and placed her hand over Lin's where she held Airi briefly before pulling it back as she didn't want to push Lin. "Shall we take Haru back?"
Lin sighed as she glanced at her young son in Mako's arms. "It's probably a good idea. He won't have much of a chance to get his energy out here in the hospital."
Soon enough, it was only Bumi, Lin, and their newborn in her arms. Lin kept her gaze on the slumbering infant, realizing this was the first time the two of them had been alone since their argument almost three days ago now. Well the first time where they hadn't been distracted by their newborn to remember the events that transpired to cause her early appearance. Lin knew in her heart she had already forgiven him, but the truth was that the trust they had had was fractured and she didn't know how they would start to fix it.
Bumi sat near Lin's knee facing them. He drank in the sight of the mother and daughter, but he could tell by Lin's tense shoulders that she was uncomfortable. It was no secret that she had issues with trust, having had it broken many times in the past and Bumi knew this. He tried to think how he could start fixing what he had done. He hadn't meant for her to ever doubt his feelings.
"Lin, can we talk?" He asked softly.
Lin sighed, but still avoided his gaze. "I suppose we should get it out of the way now, before we go home."
Bumi wrung his hands as he thought of how to start. "Look, I am very sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to ignore you and Haru when Misumi arrived. I honestly was shocked at seeing her. I should have introduced you right away, I'm so sorry." He studied Lin's face as she continued to look at their daughter. "I promise that there is nothing and never has been anything between Misumi and I. It's why we have the type of relationship we do. We both knew the 'flirting' would never go anywhere. Our relationship is similar, I suppose, to your's and Saikhan's. We were in a place where only we could understand certain aspects of the job, so we were each other's biggest support through a lot."
Lin glanced up at Bumi, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, but she felt a wrench of doubt in her gut. "Saikhan and I have never had that type of relationship… Look, I know we both have had previous relationships and lovers, so please don't insult my intelligence by saying nothing has ever happened between the two of you. As… As long as it is in the past, we can move forward an-" Her voice broke a little, and she hated the way she felt so insecure in his feelings towards her.
Bumi took her hand that had been resting on their daughter's chest. "Lin, I promise that I am not lying. You see Misumi, she is like Kya, she is gay. Her wife is a professor teaching at Szeto University in Fire Fountain City." He met Lin's startled look of surprise with a small grin. "Not to mention, I am pretty sure she is probably the one person, besides you, who knows the full extent of how deep my feelings for you are. I may have had a few drunken benders and spilled my guts to her. She liked to rub that in a lot to keep me humble." His face pinkened in slight embarrassment. "I'm sure she will be eager to tell you all about it."
Lin was surprised at the revelation, before a feeling of shame for how she reacted coursed through her. "I'm so sorry, Bumi… I-I should have listened to you earlier… Oh spirits, this is all my fault…" She pulled her hand from his and covered her eyes, shielding them from the accusatory gaze she thought he would give her. "She'd be okay if I hadn't left… If I hadn't-"
Bumi shifted closer and removed her hand from her face, before cupping both her cheeks in his hands, gently wiping the tears that had slipped from her eyes. "Hey, none of this was your fault. If it wasn't for you, a mother wouldn't have her son right now. Yes, Airi was early, but she is healthy and strong. Please, don't spend another minute blaming yourself. If anyone deserves blame, it is me. I shouldn't have treated you like that and expect that you wouldn't get upset."
Lin sniffed. "I don't blame you either. I know how caught up in things you can get. I should have just let you speak, to explain."
"Shh, love. You and Airi are safe, we'll get through this all together. Don't blame yourself any more."
Lin leant into his hand, and gave him a small smile. He moved closer and placed a kiss on her forehead, then both of her cheeks followed by the tip of her nose. Finally he placed a kiss on her lips. She leaned into the kiss and responded with all the love she had for him, feeling him do the same.
Airi chose that moment to wake up and let out a whimper. The two new parents broke apart with a small chuckle.
"I suppose someone is hungry." Bumi said, running a finger down the newborn's cheek.
"Here pass the pump and take her."
Bumi grabbed the supplies Lin needed, and took his daughter into the crook of one arm. He walked around the room, gently rocking the infant to keep her distracted until Lin had pumped enough for her next meal.
Once the bottle was ready, Lin passed it to Bumi and watched as he lovingly held it for their daughter to drink. When done, she watched as he expertly changed her diaper.
Before he could swaddle her again, Lin interrupted. "Kya suggested more skin to skin contact, so pass her here." She hadn't bothered to redo the buttons on her pajama shirt after pumping. Pema had packed some pajamas and other necessities so Lin could be more comfortable, and had sent them with Bumi the night before.
Bumi handed Lin their daughter and watched as she brought her to rest on her chest, pulling a soft, warm blanket over them to keep Airi warm. Airi let out a few cute little grunts, before closing her eyes as she drifted off against her mother.
"Do you want me to lower the bed a little, so you can also rest a bit?" At Lin's nod, Bumi did as he had asked. The bed was now only on a little bit of an incline.
"Come lay down with us." Lin asked, shifting to the side to allow him space beside her.
He slipped off his shoes and got under the covers beside them. He turned onto his side, placing a protective hand on Airi's back. Lin's hand came to rest on his and offered him a tired smile.
"I love you Lin. I'm sorry if I made you doubt that, but I promise to make it up everyday for the rest of our lives."
"I love you too. You are my lovable idiot."
"That's me." He grinned at her, leaning forward to give her a short kiss. Then he was content to watch her drift off to sleep. He endeavoured to commit this sight to his memory, not wanting to ever forget the image of their tiny daughter curled up on her mother's chest as said mother slept with a peaceful expression on her face.
Huan ended up going with Asami and Korra to the furniture store. He and Asami went over the whole store before deciding on a set made from ash wood, giving it a lighter look. It also had quartzite legs like Haru's did, so it matched while also being different. This set didn't have any carvings in it. After hearing what his new cousin's name was, Haru asked for jasmine flowers to be carved into the 'headboard' of the crib and into the rocking chair. The only thing they didn't purchase was a new bassinet, since that was similar enough, and really wouldn't be with the rest of the nursery furniture anyways as it would either be in Lin and Bumi's room or downstairs.
Korra felt a little out of place, but was happy enough to just hold Asami's hand. At one point she walked off on her own while the two had been busy deciding on wood colours. She found herself in the section that had bedding and tried to remember what colour scheme Suyin and Huan had come up with.
"I can smell you thinking too hard." Asami teased, hugging her from behind with her head resting on the shorter girl's shoulder.
"Haha, so funny." Korra rolled her eyes, but she grinned as she turned to look at Asami. "I was just making sure I had remembered the colour scheme correctly. I wanted to make sure before I showed you and Huan this bedding set for the crib." Korra fingered the soft bedding.
In front of her was the softest pink colour. It had small little white flowers woven in with the pink.
"Oh it is perfect, Korra!" Asami exclaimed, placing a kiss to the Avatar's cheek. Causing Korra to blush brightly, and get a dopey smile on her face. "Lin shouldn't be offended by this shade of pink. It's nothing like an outfit Su had tried to buy last time, that had been an awful shade of pink. This will compliment the greens and the ash wood of the furniture." Asami picked up a couple sets of the bedding and took Korra's hand. "Come on, let's go show it to Huan. We still need to get…"
Korra got lost quickly on what Asami was going on about. She just tagged along and nodded, content with allowing her girlfriend and Huan to make all the decisions as long as Asami continued to hold her hand.
When they arrived at the house later after stopping to get paint, Huan took note that Tenzin, his father, and his brothers had emptied the room and laid down a drop cloth on the floor. They had even put a coat of primer on the walls.
Huan stood in the doorway and eyed the room, one hand resting on his chin and the other across his chest. His eyes squinted in concentration as he tried to envision what he wanted to do. Finally he nodded his head, and with a flick of his fingers, the metal paint cans moved into the room. He followed them in, then closed the door behind him.
The two young women shared looks with the four men, before they all shrugged and sorted through old pieces to donate, what needed to be washed, and what was ready for the room once Huan was finished painting.
Across town, Pema, Suyin, and Katara were having a fun time picking out baby clothes.
Thankfully they were able to find a store, recommended by nurse Mari, that had a fairly good variety of preemie clothes.
"Oh these are so tiny and precious." Su said, pouting at how cute the little sleeper in her hands was.
"It's adorable." Pema agreed, and Katara nodded. The women ended up buying enough clothes for Airi to grow into for the next six months.
The two younger women dropped Katara off at the hospital to deliver some sleepers and such to Lin and Bumi, while they took everything to the house to start washing the rest and organizing the other supplies they had gotten.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Katara saw the three fast asleep on the bed, so she decided to take the sleepers and couple blankets down the hall to wash them with her bending in the healers wash sinks.
She entered the room again a couple hours later, after getting caught up with helping with a few other patients. This time the two parents were up, Airi now having skin to skin time with Bumi.
"Hello, my dears. How are we doing today?"
The two returned Katara's smile with a smile each. "Hi Mom, we're doing good today. Getting in some bonding time." Bumi replied.
Katara walked over and gave them each a kiss on the forehead. "I brought some things for our darling girl here." She said as she handed the baby bag to Lin.
Lin opened it to find onesies, sleepers, hats, muslin swaddles, and soft blankets. Lin pulled out a white onesie and a light green sleeper with a matching hat. "Oh… they are so small." She sniffed, not sure why she was getting emotional over the preemie clothes.
Katara patted her hand. "Aren't they adorable? Suyin, Pema, and I picked out enough to last you for the next few months. They are getting them washed and ready to put away."
Lin accepted Airi from Bumi and carefully put the onesie on first, followed by the sleeper and hat. The sleeper was still on the large side, but she would grow into it. Lin wiped a tear and quickly grabbed a new swaddle blanket and wrapped Airi up.
Lin picked her back up and placed a kiss on her little cheek. She then looked up to Katara and gave her a wide smile. "Mother, we would like to introduce you to Airi, your granddaughter." Lin was surprised not to feel any anxiety about the thought of Katara holding her daughter, so she offered the slumbering infant to her elderly grandmother.
Katara accepted the precious cargo and held her close to her chest. "Hello, little Airi. It is nice to meet you officially." Katara sat on the chair next to the bed and spoke softly to her new granddaughter.
Bumi shrugged on his shirt, before pulling Lin into his side. He knew how much this meant to Lin that she was able to allow his mother to hold their small daughter. Lin leant into his side and rested her head back on his shoulder.
A click of a camera brought the eyes of the three adults to look towards the doorway.
"Sorry, just thought you may want that added to your collection of pictures." Kya said, placing their camera on the dresser near the door. "How's our little patient." She approached to glance down at her small niece in her mothers arms. "Oh, she is so adorable in this little outfit." She ran a finger across the soft cheek of the newborn. She then stood and smiled at her brother and sister-in-law. "I just got a call from Pema, it seems Uncle Zuko, Izumi, Raijin, and Ursa just arrived. Are you okay if Uncle and Izumi come to visit this afternoon?"
Lin was stunned, she had no idea that they had been on their way. "I suppose we really have no other option, you know Izumi."
"Yeah nothing could keep our illustrious Fire Lord away." Bumi snickered.
Lin yawned behind her hand, feeling tired despite the nap she had had. "Perhaps they could bring Haru with them for another visit?"
Kya nodded. "I'm sure we can arrange that. Why don't you get more sleep while Mom is here, and when you get up later, they will be here."
Lin nodded, sleep calling to her more and more. She turned a little to curl further into Bumi's side, but kept her tired gaze on her daughter. Bumi stroked her arm, helping to lull her to sleep.
Just as Kya had predicted, shortly after Lin woke and had fed Airi, a knock sounded at the door. Bumi got up and let in Zuko, Izumi, Haru, and Toph.
"Oh Lin, I am so glad you are okay!" Izumi said, rushing to the bed and pulling Lin into her arms, mindful of the infant between them. She pulled back and looked down at the slumbering babe in her mothers arms. "Oh look at you. You are adorable." Izumi said, caressing the baby's cheek.
"This is Airi." Lin said softly.
"Congratulations, Lin." Zuko said, leaning over to place a kiss on her head. Lin tried to stop the tears from springing forth, but it was useless thanks to her body still being pumped with extra hormones. Zuko gave her a knowing smile and placed another kiss to her head and one to the top of Airi's hat covered head, before standing and pulling Bumi into a hug. "Congratulations to you as well, Bumi."
Haru let go of his grandmother's hand and squeezed between Izumi and the bed. "Mama, sissy!"
"Here, sweetie." Izumi said as she helped him onto the bed.
Haru promptly leant over and kissed his sister, then Lin before cuddling into his mother's side.
"Hi badgermole. Have you had a good day with your cousins?"
"Uh huh. We play a lot. Meewo showeded me how to do this." He held out his two hands in front of him and produced a small twister of air. He was able to hold it for about 30 seconds before it dissipated.
Lin smiled proudly at him, running her free hand through his dark brown curls. "I'm so proud of you."
"Great job buddy!" Bumi also said proudly, as he beamed down at his son. "You'll have to show me how to do that later."
Kya and Bumi grabbed chairs for everyone to sit down. Bumi took his place back beside Lin, and she leant into his side again, with Haru moving so that he was on Bumi's lap but still leaning into Lin's side.
After a couple hours of chatting quietly as they enjoyed each other's company, Haru started getting restless.
"Why don't you take him back, spend time with him and come back once he's gone to bed?" Lin suggested to Bumi.
"Are you sure, love?" Bumi asked, hesitant to leave.
"He needs you just as much as we do. We'll be fine for a few hours on our own." Lin replied, giving him a reassuring smile.
"We should probably head out now too, Pema is expecting us for dinner." Katara said getting up. Toph and Zuko stood too.
Izumi just sat back in her chair. "I think I will stay and catch up with Lin. I'll head back once Bumi gets back."
Bumi gave Lin a kiss. "Alright, love. I will leave you ladies to your girl talk. I probably should grab a shower and change clothes while I'm gone." Bumi tickled Haru's side. "Say goodnight to Mama and Airi."
"Night night Mama." Haru said, after standing. He leant forward and gave her a sloppy kiss. He then bent over and kissed Airi's cheek. "Bye sissy."
"Goodnight Haru. We'll see you tomorrow. I love you." Lin said, running a hand through his curls.
"Wuv you too!" He then turned and hopped off the bed running to Toph's side and grabbing her hand. "Gramma, can we play?"
"Sure kid, once we get back to the island." Toph said, a small smile on her face. "Bye Lin, see you and Airi tomorrow."
"With your feets!" Haru said with a laugh.
Lin smirked at her son in amusement and Bumi let out a small chuckle. He then leant down and gave Lin another kiss. "I'll be back later. Love you." He said softly.
"Love you too." She responded quietly. She pulled him back to give him a kiss of her own. Once separated, she blushed at seeing the amused looks they got from everyone. Despite the embarrassment, she felt lighter than she had in days.
Bumi just winked at her, before kissing Airi's forehead and then getting up.
Lin bid Zuko, Katara, and her mother a goodnight, and waved to Haru as they left.
"So has it sunk in yet that you now have two children?" Izumi asked after moving her chair closer. Kya did the same.
"Not yet, I don't think it really will until we get home and are fully immersed with both kids by ourselves. But I admit, I am thankful for this time alone with her." Lin replied as she gazed down at her sleeping daughter lovingly.
"So what exactly happened? Last I heard your pregnancy was going very well."
Lin swallowed. "It was. Bumi and I had a bit of an argument the other afternoon, it was just a misunderstanding, but I didn't allow him to explain. I needed to clear my head and decided to drive downtown to take a walk. While doing so I saw an old building start to collapse where a little boy was. I didn't think, I just acted, and bent the ground around us to protect us. Using my bending caused the placenta to detach…" Lin sniffed.
Izumi leant forward and placed a comforting hand on Lin's arm. "I am so glad you both are okay."
"They are both strong and would have been fine even without Mom coming and using spirit water on them both." Kya added with a soft smile. "But thanks to Mom, the healing period was sped up much quicker."
Airi let out a soft grunt as if she knew they were talking about her.
"You waking up little badgermole?" Lin looked up at the clock. "I suppose you are getting hungry again." Lin bit her lip before asking Kya to take Airi so that she could pump. She blushed a little in doing it in front of Izumi, but was grateful her friend was more focused on the bundle in Kya's arms.
"Do you think she will keep her blue eyes like Haru, or will they turn green like yours?" Izumi asked, reaching a hand over and stroking it gently across the small cheek. Airi's eyes blinked open at the contact.
Lin thought back to the 'spirit dream' as she called it. "She'll have green."
Izumi and Kya looked over at her with shock on their faces at the confidence in which Lin said it.
"I can't explain it, I just know it."
"Well, she'll have the prettiest green eyes then." Kya cooed as she looked back down at her niece.
It was early the next morning when Huan stepped back and eyed his work. Everyone else had left hours ago, leaving food outside the door for him. He had only stopped every once in a while to eat, drink, or relieve himself. He didn't allow anyone into the room.
He looked over his work before letting a smile grace his lips. "It's perfect."
Huan left the room, closing the door behind him. Then he went to the guest room he had used last time and cleaned up, before falling onto the bed into a deep sleep.
