Group date night which brings about a cause for celebration for the family.
Afterwards, family portrait time.
A/N:
Hope you all enjoy this chapter. I drew Lin's outfit (on my deviantArt account under emeraldroses394 or it is also posted in the story on my AO3 account) as I wasn't sure I would be able to write it as well as I wanted it to look. So check it out if you want to see it!
Chapter 33 also has new artwork (also found on deviantArt or on the chapter on AO3) as I really wanted to draw Lin's dress.
"Are you sure you are okay watching the kids, Mako?" Lin asked, again, as she placed earrings onto her ear lobes. "I can-"
"Mom, we'll be fine. Enjoy your night with the other couples. Haru and I will play with his toys for a bit, before having dinner, and bedtime. Airi will mostly sleep. I'll make sure to feed her on her schedule and change her when she needs it." Mako said, only a hint of exasperation in his voice. "I have watched Haru a lot over the years, and Airi is a quiet baby. We'll be fine." He offered her a smile.
Lin sighed, and gave him a worried smile in return. "Of course, of course. Sorry. It just is… an adjustment going from watching over one child to two." She fiddled with the cuffs of her sleeves, adjusting them even though they didn't need rearranging. "I can't believe Su roped us into this."
Bumi snickered as he excited their room, finishing buttoning up his collar. "What, you didn't want a date night with three other couples? Or is it that you didn't want to see the dance performance?"
Lin narrowed her eyes at her husband, before going over to fix his collar that he buttoned incorrectly. "You are hopeless, sometimes." She muttered, before answering. "Why can't it be both? Not sure how this will be anything but awkward."
"Hopelessly in love with you." He placed a kiss on her lips, just a small one though, as Mako and Haru were in the room. This caused Lin to roll her eyes, while trying to keep back a pleased smile. "Don't worry, I'll be there to distract you." Bumi said, giving her a wink as he pulled back. "Plus you will finally get to indulge in a glass of wine if you want."
"Hmm… I suppose the wine will help, even if it's just one glass." Lin closed her eyes in anticipation of the promise of alcohol she hadn't touched in almost a year.
Bolin came out of the bathroom, where he had been getting ready. He had spent the afternoon with Haru, so he had just brought his dress clothes with him earlier.
"Woah, Mom, looking good." Bolin said.
Lin was feeling good too; she was thankful her figure had mostly returned to normal over the last few months of being able to work out again. Her dark pine green silk blouse was a newer style; bishop styled sleeves, with longer cuffs at the wrists - each wrist set with three buttons. The front of the blouse had a row of buttons down the middle. To accentuate her curves, the shirt was tucked into high waisted, straight legged black slacks. She finished the look with a pair of black heels.
"Thank you Bolin, you are looking quite handsome." She walked over to him and fixed his collar as well. "You men, can you never get your own collars done up properly?" She chided, and then smoothed out the fabric of his shirt across his shoulders.
Bolin blushed, and gave her a sheepish smile. "Heh-heh, well ya know, don't do these formal-ish things very often. Okay so we've had a few this past year… Well there were also a few before Korra was in the South Pole again… And I guess there have been a few dates that Opal and I-"
Lin placed a hand over his mouth. "We get the point kid." She gave him a small smile to take the sting from her words. She removed her hand, "I'm sure Opal will enjoy her evening with you." She patted his shoulder before going over to where Haru was playing on the carpet with his otter penguin plushies. She missed the nervous gulp Bolin had, and the anxious look he sent to Bumi.
"You be good for your brother, okay badgermole? I'm sure you three will have lots of fun." She smoothed his curls back that had started getting into his eyes. Lin made a mental note that it was time for another haircut soon; but oh how she loved his soft curls.
Haru grinned up at his mother and nodded. "Yes, Mama. Ri and I will be good for Ko." The three-and-a-half year old said in his tiny voice. "Ko said he will teach me how to make noodles!" He said excitedly.
Mako instantly blushed, when the three adults looked at him in amusement. They knew just as well as he did, that he could only boil water. "I - uh - we were going to have some instant noodles along with reheating the dinner Su had sent over earlier." He said as he rubbed his neck.
"Well, just be careful with the hot water, but I am sure it will be fine." Lin said, smirking a little. She turned back to her young son. "Give me a hug and kiss." Haru propelled himself up into her arms, planting a kiss on her cheek. Lin gave him a tight hug and a kiss to his forehead before setting him down. "I love you, and will see you in the morning. Sweet dreams, badgermole."
As Haru said goodnight to his father and Bolin, Lin picked Airi up from the bassinet. This would be the first time Lin was leaving Airi alone for more than an hour with someone other than Bumi. She trusted Mako, but couldn't help the anxious feeling - though it was faint, it was still present. She brought the smiling infant up so she could kiss her cheeks and take in the baby smell. Bumi approached, and leaned over to kiss Airi's head, before Lin reluctantly handed her over to Mako.
Bumi took her hand and led them outside, Bolin following. They eventually met up with Korra, Asami, and Opal, who had all gotten ready together as well. Korra was wearing one of her traditional water tribe dresses, but this one was indigo in colour - breaking away from her standard shades of blue.. Asami was wearing a dark maroon wrap style dress, with an asymmetrical hem. Opal was dressed in an off the shoulder dress that was a soft olive green, matching her eyes, with accents of yellow; blending her two worlds of being part earth nation and being an airbender, beautifully.
"Don't you three look beautiful." Bumi said, as they approached. The three young women all gave him a bright smile in thanks.
Opal flew into Bolin's arms, giving him a chaste kiss.
"I kinda feel bad that Mako isn't coming." Asami said to Lin and Bumi, her hand clasping Korra's in her own.
Korra snorted beside her. "Somehow, I don't think going to a dance performance is Mako's cup of tea." She grinned cheekily up at her taller girlfriend.
"That makes two of us." Lin half-heartedly grumbled. "Where is the one who insisted on us going to this anyways?" She asked, looking around for her sister.
"Right here!" Su said as she and Baatar exited the doorway and stepped out into the courtyard with the rest. Baatar had on a simple, but very nice quality, green suit on and his Zaofu metal plating over his chest. Suyin had on a layered dress with varying shades of greens, reminiscent of her typical day-to-day clothes, also donning her metal necklace and cuffs. "Shall we head to the theatre?"
After the dance performance, the four couples realized they had over an hour before their dinner reservations. So they decided to take a walk through the gardens in the centre of the city. The park was large with a large pond in the centre, surrounded by cherry trees. The sakura cast a sweet smell into the evening air.
The gardens had night festivals every night during Hanami. Lanterns lit up the walkways of the park, and string lights strung up in the non-sakura trees. Vendors lined the walkways, offering treasures and foods to the crowds. There was even a dance floor off to one side, where a band was playing live music and couples were laughing and dancing.
Bumi tugged Lin in the direction of the dance floor. She relented and allowed him to pull her into his arms. They didn't get many opportunities to get out and go dancing, so Bumi wasn't allowing them to miss out on another.
Korra and Asami watched as Bumi was able to get Lin onto the dance floor. Korra was still surprised any time she saw Lin smile and laugh in such a carefree way, but was happy to watch the couple for a moment.
"Let's go dance too." Asami said, tugging on their joined hands.
"Really? I-I'm not the greatest." Korra stuttered out, a blush covering her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Sure she knew traditional Water Tribe dances, but she was unfamiliar with any of the other popular dances in the other nations. There was a reason she had avoided the dance floor at both Zhu Li's wedding and the following Presidential Party.
"I'll lead, you follow." Asami said, ignoring Korra's protests as she pulled the younger woman with her onto the dance floor. Asami placed one of Korra's hands around her neck, before placing her own on Korra's waist and grabbing her free hand in hers. Asami guided them through the dancing, and Korra relaxed as she followed Asami's lead.
Korra's face was flushed, as Asami twirled her expertly out, and then back into her arms. "You're going to have to teach me to dance."
Asami gave her a coquettish smile, before leaning down to whisper in her ear. "As long as you don't mind that I take the lead while we dance."
Korra gulped. "No.." she squeaked out. "I-I mean, it's fine… I don't mind."
"Good." She said, before placing a light kiss on the younger woman's lips.
When she pulled back, Korra seemed a little dazed. "Y-yeah, good."
Su and Baatar had joined the other two couples, after Bolin and Opal had walked off towards the sakura trees near the pond.
As they danced though, Suyin caught sight of the young couple and gasped. She stopped dancing abruptly, causing Baatar to stumble before catching himself.
"Are you okay, my gem?" He asked with concern.
"Look." Was all she could get out as she pointed to where her daughter and her boyfriend stood. Or at least Opal was standing, as Bolin knelt before her.
"Oh, my." Baatar said, as he watched the young couple embrace. "I suppose we are gaining a new son soon."
Lin, Bumi, Korra, and Asami all came to a stop beside the frozen couple.
"Everything okay?" Lin asked, then followed the couple's gaze, which led to Opal and Bolin. She frowned in confusion.
"Did he ask her?" Bumi asked as he had also followed their gaze.
Su whirled on him. "You knew?!"
Bumi gave his sister-in-law a smug smile. "Who do you think helped him?"
"What's going on?" Korra asked, confused.
"Hey! If you are just going to stand around, get off the dance floor." Someone grumbled near them.
They all quickly ducked off the dance floor, and saw the youngest couple approach them. They both held wide smiles on their faces, clasping hands. The closer they got, they all could see that Opal and Bolin were both glowing and almost vibrating in excitement.
"We're engaged!" Opal exclaimed excitedly, as she held out her left hand.
Su smiled at them and pulled Opal into a tight hug. "My baby is all grown up." She lamented, as her eyes watered.
Baatar patted Bolin on the shoulder, quietly welcoming him to the family.
Lin and Korra were both standing there stunned at the surprise.
"Congratulations to you both!" Asami said, pulling them both into a hug once Baatar had pulled Su away. "This is so exciting!" She pulled back and nudged her girlfriend. "Isn't it Korra?"
Korra was startled from her thoughts. "Wha- Oh ye-yes!" She then grinned and gave them both a hug too. "I'm so happy for you both. Who knew Bolin had it in him to actually propose."
"Well, we did practice a couple times." Bumi said, before giving them each a hug too. "Congratulations."
Lin swallowed, and offered them a wide smile. She hugged Opal first, before hugging Bolin to her. "Congratulations to you both." When she pulled back from Bolin, she smacked his arm. "That's for telling Bumi and not me!"
Bolin winced, but still had a smile on his face. "Sorry, Mom, but I was trying to keep it a surprise. But if it helps, this was the reason I had you help me with learning metalbending. So you did help in a way."
Lin felt her heart warm a little.
"Let's see the ring then." Su said, sniffing slightly.
Opal held out her hand, showing a white gold band with some filigree around an oval crystal opal gem.
"Oh it's so beautiful!" Suyin cried out.
Lin nodded. "You did very well Bolin, your metalbending has improved so well."
"It's perfect. An opal for an Opal." Asami grinned as she leaned over to look closer at the ring.
"Good job, Bo!"
Baatar looked at his watch and realized they didn't have long till they needed to get to their reservations. "Let's head to the restaurant. I'm sure they will let us know more details as we sit down for dinner."
At the restaurant, they were seated at the back, in a secluded alcove. A waiter brought a bottle of champagne, at Suyin's request, to celebrate.
"A toast to my beautiful daughter, and to my future son-in-law." Su said, holding up her flute of the bubbly liquid.
"To Opal and Bolin!" The others toasted, while the happy couple smiled at each other with faint blushes on their faces.
"So, tell us how he proposed!" Asami said, leaning forward eagerly.
Bolin flushed instantly at remembering the proposal. Opal put her hand on top of his.
"It was very sweet. He was very nervous, and couldn't get the words out. So I decided to ask him myself. He was then able to get out the words and ask me properly; one knee and everything. It was perfectly us." Opal said, leaning her head onto Bolin's shoulder. While still embarrassed, Bolin was smiling, and placed a kiss on top of Opal's head.
"She takes after you, love." Baatar said, looking fondly at his wife.
"Not my fault you were taking too long to propose. Had to take matters into my own hands." Su said with a shrug, but slipped her hand into her husbands, giving him a tender smile.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me what Bolin was planning. I can keep a secret." Lin grumped as she turned down the bedding later that night.
They had returned not too long ago from dinner. Lin had to admit it was a nice night, and there wasn't as much awkwardness as she had expected. She was so happy for Opal and Bolin. The newly engaged couple had joined them on the walk back to their little house, so that they could tell Mako in person. Bolin had told Mako before their trip what his plans were, but he couldn't wait to share it with his big brother. After a short round of congratulations, the three bid them goodnight, and left. Lin and Bumi checked in on their sleeping children, before heading to their room.
"I know, love, but I couldn't break his trust in me. He was so excited and he wanted it to be a surprise for you too." Bumi said as he slipped into the bed.
Lin slipped in on her side, and immediately moved to lay her head on his chest. "You're a good Dad." She said, placing a kiss over his heart. "I'm glad he went to you for help and guidance."
The next day the family was gathering in the gardens for the portraits Suyin had insisted on. She had provided everyone with traditional earth nation outfits. Su and Lin's outfits were green - Su's with lotus' embroidered on the silk, and Lin's with jasmine branches. Airi's outfit matched her mothers, and made everyone coo at her as she looked so adorable in the tiny flowing robes. Opal had a light yellow and green one with sakura branches and petals. Korra and Asami had ones that matched their typical colour schemes; a pale blue for Korra and a soft red for Asami.
The Zaofu Beifong men, and Bolin, all had varying shades of green for their robes. Mako was in a darker red; while Bumi was dressed in a colour similar to his United Forces, with a hint of yellow. Haru was just as cute as his sister, in a pale yellow robe with little white clouds embroidered on the fabric.
Lin was impressed that Su had managed to talk their mother into wearing traditional robes and put her hair up into a style a little different than her usual bun. Of course they were green, with earthbending symbols stitched onto the hems.
But that wasn't even the most shocking thing the Republic City guests noticed. Joining the pictures were Baatar Jr., who they had seen only a handful of times at meals; but also Kuvira herself. She stood off to the side, looking woefully awkward at being there - gone was the overly confidant, and brash leader.
Su clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Let's start with Lin and Bumi and your family portraits, and then the big group one. Then you won't have to worry about the little darlings getting fussy."
Lin sat on a stool holding Haru on her lap, while Bumi stood holding Airi's back to his chest. Next, their three adult kids joined in the picture, followed by Opal and Korra joining in. At first, Korra had tried to shy away from joining in.
"Enough, Korra. You are part of this family now. So get in here, before I drag you in here." Lin said in a no-nonsense tone. Korra gulped, and made her way beside Asami, who wrapped her arm around her girlfriend.
Following that, each of the five kids had individual pictures with just Lin and Bumi.
Toph was then seated on a stool beside Lin, in front of Bumi. "This fancy-schmancy robe is itchy. How long do I have to wear this again?"
"We'll get your pictures done as quickly as possible Mom, promise." Suyin said, vowing to get them done shortly after her niece and nephews, so that she didn't have a cranky mother to deal with.
Toph's mood thankfully lifted slightly when Airi was placed in her lap; while Haru joined Lin again on hers. Suyin was seated on a stool on Toph's other side. Baatar joined in beside Bumi, behind Su and Toph. The older kids all were on their side of the family. Opal surprised everyone by taking Kuvira's hand and ensuring she was in the photo as well. Korra was also pulled into the picture before she could refuse, after Lin gave her a pointed look and Asami took her hand.
Toph then had a picture with all her biological grandchildren, still holding Airi while Opal replaced where her aunt had sat and held Haru. Then the four adoptive grandchildren were then added into the picture, before individual photographs were taken of Toph and each of her 7 grandchildren. Mako, Bolin, Asami, and Kuvira didn't have a close enough relationship with Toph to feel comfortable doing individual pictures with.
"Okay, Haru and Airi are done." Su said.
Bumi helped Haru take off his outer robe and put a sweater on over the shirt he wore underneath with his pants; quickly changing his shoes as well. Bolin and Mako shed their robes as well, having worn similar outfits underneath. They took the young boy to a different section of the garden to keep him occupied.
"Don't move Mom, you aren't quite done. Time to take a picture with Lin and I."
"Yipee." Toph said sarcastically, but she didn't move. Lin and Su stood behind Toph, a hand on each of her shoulders. Their husbands joined shortly after. Then each daughter took a picture with their mother individually.
"Alright, Mom, you are free."
"Finally!" She griped, sliding off the stool. She rubbed her bottom as she walked off towards where Haru was playing with his brothers. "That stool was a pain in my ass, literally."
Lin and Su rolled their eyes at each other, before Su forced Lin to take a photograph of just the two of them.
Lin sighed in relief when she was able to walk away, as it was Su's family's turn for pictures. Airi was getting fussy in Asami's arms, and so Lin took her to go back to their guest house to nurse her and change her into more comfortable clothes.
When the two returned, Bolin and Opal were having engagement pictures taken at Suyin's insistence.
"I think we are going to have more photos than we will know what to do with." Lin said to her sister, as she stood beside her. Airi had fallen asleep against her shoulder.
"Well, who knows the next time we will be able to have everyone together like this. Though I suppose the next will be either yours or Opal's wedding, but those will be hectic enough without adding in official family portraits like this."
"True. Speaking of, if you have time, I would love it if you would help Asami and I with plans for our official ceremony. I'm not sure what Opal's plans are like though, so don't worry if you don't have time." Lin said softly.
"Oh Lin, I would love to! I don't think Opal and Bolin have plans yet."
"We figured we would hold our ceremony on our one-year anniversary."
"Good choice. We'll sit down before you leave and go over plans." Su said, hand giving Lin's arm a gentle squeeze. They contently watched the newly engaged couple pose for more photographs for a few minutes. Su sniffed back some tears. "I can't believe my baby girl is old enough to get married."
"I keep picturing Bolin as the young probender who annoyed the shit out of me… but here he is, all grown up, and a young man I am proud to call my son." Lin swallowed back her own tears that stung her eyes.
"You know this makes the family dynamic really weird right?" Suyin asked, chuckling a little. "I mean we are sisters, but with Bolin being your pseudo-adopted son, when they get married we will also be in-laws."
Lin snorted. "Don't forget that when they have children, we will become grandmother's to the same child, who will also technically be our great niece or nephew."
Su looked up at Lin in horror. "I'm too young to be a grandmother! They better be waiting!"
Lin pursed her lips from laughing at her sister's obvious distress. She just raised her free hand and patted her sister's shoulder. "If she is anything like you, you could be a grandmother within a year of their marriage." She said before walking off to join Bumi.
"Lin!" Came Su's shriek.
A/N 1: In Ruins of the Empire, The Zaofu Beifong family decides to try and forgive Kuvira and accept her back into the family. She eventually plead guilty, and Suyin convinced the court and Zhu Li to have Kuvira's sentence served out under house arrest like Baatar's. So her being here is just an extension of the comic. I imagine it has not been an easy few months, and that Baatar and Kuvira are still actively avoiding each other; but Su and the rest of the family are owning up to their own mistakes in their past treatment of her, while she is owning up to her own. That's just what I have imagined for this fic, anyways since a new comic hasn't been released since.
A/N 2: I found this fanart of Opal, and envisioned this as her dress for the date night. It is on deviantArt under theroguesigil. They have a whole page for ATLA/LOK fanart. It is Opal in the green/yellow dress. (It wont let me leave the link on here or I would.) This artist is amazing!
A/N 3: Question regarding Mako, should we give him a significant other? I'm thinking someone similar to Pema - who is maybe a little more nurturing, but still headstrong in their own way? I'm open to them either being man or woman; older or a little younger. (Just not too interested in doing Mako/Wu in this story - I just can't see him and Lin being family lol). I have considered Ursa, but not 100% sure, and would love your feedback. :)
