"Good morning, Beifong family!" Kya said cheerily as she knocked then entered the hospital room. "How are our favourite patients doing?"
Lin was finishing buttoning up her pajama shirt as Bumi held Airi on his chest.
"Morning Ky, we finished breakfast not long ago - thanks for sneaking in Mom's cooking." Bumi answered with a wink. "It's time for Little Miss to have her second breakfast."
Kya noted Lin screwing the top on the filled bottle. She then went over to peer over at her niece in her brother's arms. "Well aren't you adorable with your big wide eyes?" She brought her finger up to Airi's tiny hand that was out as she wasn't swaddled at the moment. She grinned at the tight grip she felt. "What do you say that we let Mama and Daddy go have a nice, hot shower, and Auntie Kya feeds you?"
Lin quirked an eyebrow at Kya. "Is that your way of saying I smell?"
Kya grinned at her, "you? Never. Bumi on the other hand…" She winked, and expertly took her niece from her fathers arms.
"Hey! I resent that!" Bumi huffed.
"You two may want to get a move on, I was able to clear the staff shower room on this floor for an hour. Which…" She glanced at the clock on the wall, "starts now. Trust me when I say you will prefer to use that over the tiny shower in your bathroom here." She turned back to see them both staring at her. "What are you waiting for?" She jerked her head to the bag. "Pema packed your shower supplies when she grabbed fresh clothes yesterday."
Bumi blinked, then looked down at his wife. "What do you say, Linny." He waggled his eyebrows at her. "Mama and Daddy get some alone time?"
"To shower, not anything else there, lover boy." Kya teased.
Lin swallowed as Kya took the bottle from her hand and sat in the rocking chair that had been brought in. This would be the first time she was leaving Airi since she was brought to her room. She logically knew it wouldn't be long, but the thought of not being within arms reach had her stomach twisting in a knot.
Bumi cupped her cheek, causing her to look away from Kya and Airi. She stared up into his understanding and loving blue eyes. "Come on love. We'll be quick, and you will feel much better for it."
Lin just nodded and allowed him to help her out of bed. She winced as the muscles in her belly pinched near the new scar. The spirit water healing had helped significantly, it would still take a few more sessions till the muscles were fully knitted back together from where they had been sliced apart. But once she was standing fully for a moment, it eased off. She clasped his hand tightly and took some tentative steps, before feeling confident that her legs and stomach muscles wouldn't betray her. She let him lead her to the door, where he quickly grabbed their bag and slung it over his shoulder. Lin looked back at Airi to see her drinking steadily from the bottle Kya was holding to her.
Kya noticed her hesitation at the doorway. "We'll be okay, Lin. We'll be right here when you get back. Let Bumi pamper you a bit."
Lin could only offer Kya a nod, and let Bumi guide her from the room. Once she lost sight of Airi, she focused on the hall ahead of them and his warm hand in hers. She didn't care one bit that she was in her pajamas walking the halls, they covered everything anyways.
A nurse friend of Kya's met them down the hall and let them into the back area reserved for staff, before showing them to the room. She pointed out the fresh towels on one of the chairs, and showed them the hamper for when they were done with them.
Once the door shut behind her, Bumi locked it and then brought Lin in for a kiss. It was much deeper than the ones they shared yesterday. A reconnection of the strong bond they had; the worries of the last few days disappeared for the moment. Lin groaned and gripped the front of his shirt with one hand, while her other gripped his side. They broke apart when the need for air became a necessity. Bumi leant his forehead against hers.
"I love you."
Lin smiled, eyes closed. Her heart felt full. "I love you too." She said softly, before placing another kiss on his lips. This one much more chaste, but still as full of love.
"I suppose we should actually have a shower though, before we get to a point we will regret since we won't be able to take it further." Bumi said, eyes twinkling.
Now that she was here, Lin was looking forward to the shower. She took the bag from Bumi and pulled out her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
"Looks like Pema didn't grab your supplies, so I guess you get to use mine." She smirked at him over her shoulder.
He came up behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I could think of worse things than smelling like you. You are my favourite scent." He kissed her neck lightly before reaching for the buttons on the front of her pajama shirt. "Let's get you out of these so that we can get clean. I know I am looking forward to a shower, and I am sure you are even more so."
Lin let him help her get undressed, before she went to start the shower as he removed his own clothes and grabbed washcloths.
The hot water felt blissful against her achy muscles. Bumi's hands as they massaged her scalp with the shampoo felt even better. Once she had her conditioner in her hair, Bumi quickly washed himself under the second shower head allowing her to just stand under the warm spray.
Once they finished with their shower, Bumi found a pot of her lotion in the bag and quickly, but gently treated her to a massage. When he got to her newest scar, he paused.
Lin noticed his hesitancy, and stepped back. She turned so she was facing the mirror on the wall near them and traced the dark pink line with her finger. Then she took in her slightly deflated, but still present rounded belly and all the new stretch marks marring it. She couldn't remember feeling this big still after Haru, nor did she have quite as many stretch marks then. She hadn't felt so significantly unlike herself since she had received the two linear scars on her cheek. Lin understood why he would hesitate around her; it wasn't a pretty sight.
She was startled by Bumi turning her back towards him. She glanced down to see him looking at her with a tender expression.
"Hey, don't start looking at yourself like that. You are so incredibly beautiful. And this," he leant forward and placed light kisses all along the scar, "this is the mark of the wonderful gift you have given me. It shows how strong you were, and brave." He lightly ran his fingers over each stretch mark. "These strips show the life that you gave to both our children, and they make my heart swell every time I see them." He scooped up some cream and started to gently massage it into her belly, taking extra caution over her new scar. "I only hesitated because I was overcome with how close I was to losing you both." He said softly as he finished.
The anxiety she had felt melted away. She brought her hands to his arms and tugged him up. Once standing, Lin pulled him into her arms. "We're okay. We're here."
He held her tightly to him, allowing a few tears to slip down his face.
After sharing a few kisses, they got dressed into new clothes. Bumi packed their bag up and tossed the wet towels in the hamper.
"Alright, love, let's get back to our little flower." He held his hand out to her and she grasped it, pulling it to her lips for a kiss. Bumi smiled at her, which she returned, before they unlocked the door and entered the hallway. They made quick work of walking back to her room. When they arrived, Lin opened the door to find an empty room.
Lin felt the breath leave her lungs. "Kya? Airi?" She asked, panic showing in her voice. She entered the room fully and looked around, even checking the attached bathroom to find it empty. She felt numb and cold as she rushed back to the door. Just as she was about to enter the hallway again, Bumi wrapped his arms around her. "Let me go, we need to find her! We can't lose her!" She cried out, not realizing her body was shaking.
"Lin, calm down, Kya wouldn't have done anything with Airi. I'm sure they are fine. Why don't you sit on the bed, and I can check with the nurses station?"
Lin shook her head, both in answer to his suggestion and to try and clear her head. She needed to find her daughter. "No. Can't lose her too, Bumi. I need her." Lin managed to break away from his arms and stumbled slightly, before making her way into the hallway.
She didn't get far, when she saw Kya with Airi against her shoulder, carrying an armful of cloths. "Lin? Are you okay?" Kya asked as she took in Lin's expression and tense body. "Did the shower not he-"
"Where did you go?!" Lin asked, taking quick steps to meet Kya, where she lifted her daughter back into her own arms. She checked her over, making sure she was alright.
"I didn't mean to upset you, I thought I would be back before you returned." Kya said, and started to guide Lin back to her room. "Airi soiled her diaper, and there weren't any left, so I went to grab more. We've been gone less than five minutes."
Lin felt her face glow red with embarrassment. "O-of course. I'm sorry for freaking out at you." She swallowed past the lump in her throat as she felt Bumi's arm come around her waist as he took over guiding her into the room. She was thankful when she sat on the bed, as all her energy seemed to have dissipated in her panic.
Kya placed the clean cloth diapers into the spot they were normally kept, sharing a look with Bumi, before bidding them goodbye as she let them settle.
Bumi helped Lin settle back onto the pillows, pulling the sheets over her legs. Lin then placed Airi onto her thighs, before unbuttoning her shirt. She then quickly unwrapped the slumbering infant from the swaddle and removed her sleeper, all done gently to keep her asleep. Lin then lifted her to her chest for some skin-to-skin time. Bumi handed over a soft, fluffy blanket to keep Airi warm.
The bed was adjusted as well so that Lin could recline back, where she quickly fell asleep. Her arms were up, protectively holding Airi to her chest as they slept. Bumi settled into the chair beside, content to watch them sleep for now.
A few days later
"Knock, knock." Healer Aala said as she knocked on the open doorway.
"Healer Aala, please, come in." Bumi greeted her with a smile, as he burped Airi. Lin offered the younger woman a small smile of her own as she sat in the rocking chair.
"I am happy to tell you that tomorrow morning, you will both be released to go home." Aala said as she leant against the counter that housed a sink and medical supplies for the physicians and nurses. "There are just a few things I wanted to go over with you."
Lin nodded, relieved to be finally going home. "Of course."
"First off, I heard from your mind healer. Chen asked me to pass on that they will be coming by your house on Tuesday to start up your weekly appointments again. I must apologize if their visit the other day was unexpected. Your chart had noted they were your mind healer, and I happened to know they would be at the hospital that day and gave them a heads up."
Lin swallowed and looked away from Aala; instead focusing on Airi who was blinking up at her. Her jaw worked slightly as she thought about how to respond. "As much as I wish I didn't need that visit…" She started, quietly. "I… I admit it was probably for the best. I know that what happened last week was distressing to say the least… and I have issues with being separated from Airi." Lin blushed a little at the reminder of her small freak out with Kya the day before Chen had shown up.
Bumi placed his hand on Lin's knee, offering silent support. She looked up and gave him a tentative smile.
"Well you are in good hands with Chen, as I am sure you know already." Aala smiled.
"What else should we know about taking Airi home? Anything special we should be doing?" Bumi asked.
"She has done remarkably well. You both have been doing everything right. The only thing I can think of, is that she will have to learn to start sleeping in her bassinet more often so that when you are feeling up to doing things, Lin, she won't fight you on that. But I wouldn't worry about that for a few days yet." Aala answered. "Usually I would suggest weekly appointments for follow-up, but with who your mother and sister are, you don't have to worry about that. However, if at any time you need someone and they are unavailable, I will give you my telephone number here."
"Thank you." Lin said, finally meeting her eyes and gave the healer a nod of gratitude.
"The only other thing, in regards to preemie baby care, is that you will notice that she will hit milestones at different times than a baby born at full term. So don't compare her to her brother or other babies. Most often, we correct their age to when they would have been full term. So since Airi was about 11-12 weeks early, she will most likely not start acting like a typical newborn until she is about three months old. Now each preemie is different, and who knows what the effects the spirit water will have in terms of bridging that gap, but just remember to keep it in mind if you notice she seems 'behind' on things."
Bumi and Lin nodded in understanding.
"Lastly, we need to discuss what happened after Airi was delivered." Aala said.
Lin frowned at her. "I thought you said I was bleeding, but you were able to stop it."
Aala gave a slight nod. "That is true… However the only way we were able to stop the bleeding was to do a complete hysterectomy. I apologize now that we didn't inform you after you woke up, but my team of healers, doctor's, and nurses all were in agreement to let you heal first due to everything that happened."
"A hysterectomy?" It was Bumi's turn to frown. He shook his head. "We really should have been informed about this sooner. I-"
Lin shifted Airi to her shoulder, holding her with one arm. She placed her other hand on Bumi's, which was still on her knee. "Bumi, I don't think I could have handled that news a few days ago. While I don't appreciate being kept in the dark, I do acknowledge that in this circumstance, this was the best option."
"I want to be clear that we did everything to try to avoid that outcome, but there was too much damage from the placenta detaching. We had no other option."
Lin felt a small pang at the loss, but she pushed it aside. She glanced at Bumi, to see him looking at her with concern in his eyes. She gave him a small smile. "It'll be an adjustment, but I'll be fine." She squeezed his hand. "I guess this means we don't have to worry about birth control." Her smile morphed into a small smirk.
Bumi blushed a little with Aala being in the room. He coughed a little. "I-I suppose that's true." Lin was amused at his flustered appearance, and Aala seemed to be as well, as she let out a small chuckle.
The next morning, Kya met them with a bag of fresh clothes from their house. She also brought one of the long scarves Lin had used with Haru that would secure Airi to her chest.
Lin dressed into a soft pair of lounge pants and a sweater that Kya had brought her. It was chilly outside as it was getting closer to winter, so Lin slipped on the warm socks and the short boots she found with her clothes. Bumi was putting on a similar outfit, before tying his hair back in a knot.
"Let me do your hair for you, love." Bumi said as he approached her with her hairbrush. Lin sat on the bed, and Bumi knelt behind her on the mattress. He deftly, but gently brushed and braided her hair.
Lin gave him a smile and kiss when he was finished. "Thank you, love." She then moved over to Airi, who was sleeping in the bassinet. She picked her up gently and moved back to the bed where she had laid out a warm outfit to put the infant in. Lin gently unwrapped Airi from the swaddle, handing the blanket to Bumi to tuck into one of their bags. She then changed her swiftly into the new outfit, adding a warm hat to her head once done. Lin took a moment to just take in the sight of her tiny baby almost swimming in the clothes, despite them being designed for preemies. "I can't believe we are going home." She sniffed, sudden tears springing to her eyes.
Bumi closed up the last of their bags and slipped his arms around Lin from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder as he joined her in watching the slumbering baby. "I know, it seems like a dream."
Lin suddenly gasped. "Bumi, we… we don't have anything other than a bassinet for her… We don't have diapers or bottles, or-" She started to panic.
"Shh, love." He turned her so that she was facing him, and placed a hand under her chin so that he could look her in the eyes. "Pema and Su said they would make sure the house was stocked until we could get out to get a new nursery set. She'll be in the bassinet for a lot longer than Haru was, so we have time."
Lin wrapped her hand around his and moved it from her chin to her cheek, where she leaned her face into it. "You're right. Thank you, love." She turned and placed a kiss on his palm.
He drew her in, placing a kiss to her lips, before embracing her into a warm hug.
A knock drew them apart, and they saw Kya was back. "Hey, you two ready to head home?"
"Very." Lin said with a true smile on her face, excited to get home and be alone with her little family. She turned and with Bumi's help, wrapped the long sling around her. He tied it for her, and she carefully lifted Airi and tucked her into the folds, making sure she was secure against her chest for the trip home. Lin turned back around, and noticed Kya had a wheelchair. "I don't need that, I can walk just fine."
"Hospital policy, Linny. You don't want to stay longer, just cause you don't want to go downstairs in a wheelchair do you?"
Lin narrowed her eyes at Kya's use of her nickname, and grumbled as she sat in the chair. Bumi picked up their bags and slung them on his shoulder. He then commandeered the wheelchair from his sister and they started the trek outside.
Out front, they found Tenzin waiting with Oogi. He took the bags from Bumi to put them in the saddle. Bumi wrapped his two loves in his arms and airbent them up onto the saddle. Kya ran the wheelchair back inside before coming back out. She accepted Tenzin's offer to help her up, and she then settled into the saddle with the little family as Tenzin took his spot. "Oogi, yip yip."
Lin let out a relieved sigh as she stepped through their back door into their house. The house smelled of simmering foods, making her aware that Katara was definitely in the kitchen, or at least had something on the stove in preparation for lunch later.
Bumi and Lin headed toward their living room, pausing in the doorway when they found pretty much the whole family there, only missing Baatar Jr. and Iroh. While Lin appreciated that everyone was excited for them and wanting to welcome them home, she wished they had waited till later. She offered everyone an awkward smile.
"What are you all doing here?" Bumi asked in surprise. He caught Haru as he ran and jumped into his arms. "Hey buddy." He said, placing a kiss on his head.
"We just wanted to welcome you home. Don't worry, we won't stay long. There is just something we would like to show you." Su said.
Lin frowned. "Show us what?"
"Huan?" Su motioned to her second eldest to lead the way.
"Aunt Lin, Bumi, follow me."
The two looked at each other and shrugged, before following Huan up the stairs. The rest of the family trailed behind them, not wanting to miss this. They came to a stop outside the nursery.
Lin frowned in confusion. "What's going on? We know the nursery isn't finished."
Asami stepped forward, placing a hand on Lin's shoulder. "Well we figured we could help take some of the stress of putting it together for you. Everyone pitched in to help, but Huan arranged the room."
"And he wouldn't let anyone in since we took the old stuff out." Su added.
Huan gave his aunt an awkward smile when her gaze landed on him again. He shrugged his shoulder. "I just thought you should be the first to see it all put together. So, please, come on in." He opened the door behind him and stepped into the room.
Lin walked in and her breath caught in her throat. The nursery in general looked similar in layout as Haru's had, but the furniture was a nice ash wood instead of the teak. The room was beautifully made up in sage green, a soft blush pink, and creamy whites. But the showpiece was the beautiful mural painted on the one wall. Lin's eyes widened as she took it in.
"How… How did you know?" She asked softly as she approached the wall and with a finger caressed one of the jasmine petals. On the wall before her was almost an exact replica of the grove from the spirit dream. Beautiful bushes of white jasmine flowers, with sunlight streaming through.
"It was kind of weird, like all of a sudden this image came to my mind and I couldn't let it go." Huan said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Funny thing was, I hadn't even heard her name yet."
Lin turned and looked at her nephew with tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She approached him and pulled him into a hug, mindful of the infant between them. She didn't hold the hug too long, mindful of her nephew's preference of short hugs when he couldn't avoid them. She patted his arm before walking over to the rocking chair and sitting down. She quickly checked on Airi, who was still sleeping soundly against her chest.
"Woah this room is amazing!" Bolin said as he walked in with Opal and Su.
Ikki and Jinora made a beeline to the rocking chair.
"Can we see her Aunt Lin? Mom said she is so adorable." Ikki said, excitedly, but softly.
"Only if you feel up to it, we can wait a few more days for you to settle in." Jinora adds.
While Lin was a little overwhelmed with having the whole family here, she could also see how sincere the girls were in wanting to meet their new cousin.
"I'll let you peek in at her for now, then you can come back in a few days to meet her properly." She moved the fabric of the baby wrap enough that Airi's tiny face became visible.
"Awe look at her, she is so cuuuute!" Ikki said, clasping her hands to her right cheek.
"She is beautiful, Aunt Lin." Jinora said with a smile.
Lin gave her nieces a tender smile, a little of the anxiety melting away for that moment. But then it seemed everyone heard the girls and turned their attention to the four of them. Lin didn't even notice that she moved her hand that had been holding the fabric back; her hand moved to Airi's back as if to protect her from the gazes. Her face had gone pale, and she tried to control her breathing as she didn't want to panic in front of everyone. She didn't need to add that embarrassment on top of everything else that has happened in the last week.
Her actions didn't go unnoticed by Pema. "Alright, I think it's time we all said goodbye and leave them to settle in." Pema said, starting to shoo everyone from the room. She only paused for a moment after everyone had left to place a hand on Bumi's arm. "Call us if you need anything. Your Mom and Kya will be here downstairs. I'll take Haru down to be with them so you can get settled up here."
"Thank you, Pema. I know everyone was excited, but it was a little too much at once. You can let everyone know that we will arrange to have smaller groups come by to meet her properly." Bumi looked down at his son who was still clasping his arms around his neck. "Hey buddy, can you go downstairs with Aunt Pema? Daddy is just going to help Mama and Airi get settled and I will be downstairs soon."
Haru's bottom lip pouted. "Daddy I don wanna leaf again."
"You aren't leaving, I promise. You get to stay home. Give me a little bit and I will be downstairs soon, okay?"
Haru sniffed, tears in his eyes, but he nodded and allowed Pema to take him in her arms.
Once the two left, Bumi went over and knelt in front of Lin, who had colour starting to come back to her cheeks. "You okay, love?" He asked as he cupped her cheek.
Lin met his eyes and gave him an attempt at a smile. "Fine, I'm fine. It was just a little too much all at once." She leant her head into his hand and closed her eyes for a moment, allowing his warmth to sooth her. When she opened her eyes, she was able to give him a small smile. She let her eyes then focus on the mural behind him. "It's from my spirit dream."
Bumi frowned at her. "What is?" He followed her gaze to the mural of the jasmine bush grove. "You saw this?"
Lin nodded. "Almost exactly. This is where I met Airi, and Uncles Aang, Sokka, and Iroh. And did you hear Huan? He said the image just came to him, and wouldn't leave. He didn't even know her name yet."
"That is a fairly large coincidence."
"I know I have never been one to be super spiritual, I left that to your siblings and father… but I swear this is no coincidence." Lin swallowed, "there is no way he could have gotten it exactly the same… this grove… seeing her with the flowers is what gave me the idea for her name."
Bumi offered her a smile. "I believe you, love." He grunted as he stood, his knees cracking slightly. "Let's get you both settled in our room. We have a little boy downstairs who is itching for attention."
Lin let him help her up, pausing to allow her stomach muscles to relax after the sudden movement. She then followed Bumi across the hall. He helped her unwrap the scarf and Lin placed Airi in the bassinet that had already been placed beside their bed.
"Why don't you go get Haru from your Mom and sister, and bring him up here. I may need a nap soon, but I could do with a cuddle from him."
As Bumi left, Lin pulled down the duvet. She then placed a light blanket over Airi. As much as she wanted to scoop her back up and keep her close, she also knew Aala had been right and she needed to let her become more used to sleeping in the bassinet. She kissed Airi's head, before climbing onto her side of the bed and settling under the duvet.
Within a few minutes she heard little feet making contact with the floor as they ran towards the room. Sure enough, Haru came running in through the open doorway and airbent himself onto the bed beside Lin. Lin quickly pulled him into her arms.
"Hello, my badgermole." She kissed his forehead.
"Mama! We home to stay now?"
"Yes, love. We are home. I'm sorry we were gone so long. I heard you were a good boy for your Aunt and Uncle, I'm so proud of you."
Haru clung to her tightly as he nodded. Lin ran her hands through his hair.
"How about we cuddle, and maybe have a nap?" Lin asked gently. Haru just nodded, so Lin adjusted the blanket to cover him too. She looked up and saw Bumi leaning against the doorway. "Does Daddy want to join us?"
He smiled at her. "I can't think of anything I would rather do." He laid down on his side, and slid up behind Haru. He encased them both in his arms.
Lin gave him a smile, before closing her eyes. She felt sleep come over her quickly; fully relaxing now that she was home with her family.
After Book 4 Ages
Lin - 54
Bumi - 62
Haru - 3
Airi - 1 week
Suyin - 48
Baatar Sr - 50
Baatar Jr - 24
Huan - 22
Opal - 20
Wei - 18
Wing - 18
Toph - 86
Tenzin - 55
Pema - 39
Jinora - 14
Ikki - 11
Meelo - 9
Rohan - 4
Katara - 89
Kya - 57
Nira - 42
Korra - 21
Mako - 22
Asami - 22
Bolin - 20
Zuko - 90/91
Izumi - 65
Raijin - 64
Iroh - 41
Ursa - 25
