Summary:

Wedding 2.0

**The honouring of the ancestors and the tea ceremony are only loosely based on the Chinese traditions, they are not accurate! But I felt like the tea ceremony would work nicely with Lin's love of tea, but I tweaked it a little to suit their relationship better.

There is a small reference to The Start of Something New, which is the prequel to this if anyone hasn't read it yet. You don't have to read it to understand what is going on, but it helps a little for context.


A/N: I apologise sooo much that this chapter is late. I found out the other day I have Covid, and I'm exhausted.

(Thankfully I have had 3 vaccines, so it is minor comparatively, but it is still wiping me out.)

I tried so hard to have this chapter ready for yesterday, but I could barely put thought into the chapter the last couple days. I finally got some sleep last night, so I managed to pump out the rest of the chapter today.

It's a little shorter, and it jumps a little, but I think it came out cute.

I did not proofread, cause I can't focus enough for that today, so feel free to let me know if you see anything glaringly wrong. Chances are I will come back in a few days to make any edits that need to be done.

So thank you for being patient with me! 3


'Deep breath in. Deep breath out.' Lin recited in her head as she had her eyes closed to focus her nervous energy.

A knock sounded at the door to their bedroom on Air Temple Island, and Lin opened her eyes. "Come in." She called out.

Asami opened the door, looking lovely in a dark green gown. "It's time." She said with a bright smile.

Lin gave her a warm, if slightly nervous, smile back. "Well, let's get this over with shall we?"

A snort came from the young woman. "If I didn't know better, I would think you didn't want to get married."

Lin smirked at her, as she walked over. "Technically we're already married. This is for our family, more than us." She glanced down at her hand, it felt naked without her rings on. "Though I admit, it will be nice having a proper wedding night this time around."

Asami laughed. "Don't let the boys or Korra hear that, I think you might give them heart failure."

Lin joined her laughter as the two made their way downstairs. They made it to the doors to the back garden, where just outside they had married a year prior. Lin paused and took a deep breath. Was she nervous to get married again? No, surprisingly she enjoyed officially being Bumi's spouse, in a way she had never imagined she would ever feel. Was she nervous about the crowd of people? Yes, a resounding yes. Sure she may have had to deal with press conferences and the media many times during her long career, but nothing was as personal as this. Last year she had been so focused on everything else going on in her life than the guests. But this time, she was very aware of them.

"The boys are just outside. I'm going to head out there. See you in a little bit." Asami leaned over and pulled Lin into a hug, which she returned just as tightly.

"Thank you, kid. For everything."

Asami flashed a bright smile, before heading outside.

Once the door closed, Lin let out a breath. She straightened out the brocade jacket of her ceremonial dress, before smoothing out the a-line skirt. Her Qun Kwa was a light jade green, matching her engagement jewelry, with a heavy amount of gold embroidery. Su had talked her into getting this outfit made, backed up by Asami and Opal - so she really had no choice.

She set her shoulders and opened the door. Just outside were Mako and Bolin, looking nice in matching dark green suits.

She rolled her eyes fondly as they remarked how beautiful she looked, Bolin this year not putting his foot in his mouth. "Alright, we get it, I dress up well. You both look great too. Let's get this show started." She said, slipping her arms through one of theirs each.

They glanced at each other before shrugging and the three began their walk into the garden. Unlike last year, the garden had been decorated with beautiful paper lanterns, string lights, and flower arrangements. Rows of chairs filled with guests were set up as they had been last year; thankfully the guests were mostly family, previous colleagues, friends, and head dignitaries - many of whom being close friends. Unfortunately, the number of guests were still numerable since their family was large, and the whole of the air nation was in attendance.

They finally reached the front of the aisle where Bumi was standing, dressed in a maroon coloured ceremonial outfit with light yellow saffron and gold accents, which combined his Air Nomad roots with the modern style of the Republic Nations.

He smiled at Lin, and accepted her hand in his. She smiled back, quickly forgetting the guests behind her and focusing on Bumi. After a quick squeeze of their hands, they both turned to the altar they had carefully set up at the front and stepped forward until they stood in front. As one, they knelt on the pillows set in front, and each picked up three incense sticks. Bumi turned and lit Lin's with a lighter, which she then lit his in turn. They turned back to the shrine and bowed.

The shrine was filled with pictures of their combined family members who were no longer with them. In the centre was Aang, Sokka, and Suki. Around them were a picture of her grandparents, Poppy and Lao Beifong, as well as a picture of Bumi's grandfather, Hakoda, and his second wife Malina, followed by a picture of his great-grandmother, Kanna. Katara had placed her necklace on the shrine so that a piece of his grandmother Kya was there as well as they did not have a picture or portrait of her. The Beifong crest was also shown to honour Lin's ancestors. Around the pictures were special dishes of food prepared of some of the favourite dishes and fruit of their passed family members.

After they had each said their silent prayers and thanks to their loved ones, they stuck the still burning in a small pot filled with sand to continue to burn. Bumi stood first and offered his hand to Lin, who smiled as she took it. They then turned and walked to a table where a kettle of hot water sat ready for them to prepare the tea ceremony. Bumi had insisted they practice this so that he wouldn't mess it up, and together they prepared the tea in the tea pot.

Asami stepped forward to the table as they made their way to approach Katara. Mako placed pillows down in front of her for them to kneel. They both bowed till their heads touched the ground before sitting up to accept the cup of tea Asami handed them. Together they offered it up to Katara as they said, "Mother, please have some tea."

Katara took the cup and happily drank the tea, offering them both a warm smile. Bolin collected the cup to head back to the table. Lin and Bumi then stood and moved in front of Toph, where they proceeded to bow in front of her and then together offered her a cup of her own tea. Toph nodded to them, a tiny smile playing on her lips as she accepted the cup.

They proceeded to then offer a cup of tea to their Uncle Zuko. Next they had decided to go in order of birth order of all the 'cousins/siblings'. Izumi was offered hers next, followed by Kya, Tenzin, and finishing with Suyin. They had decided to not do the spouses, only their siblings in order to keep the ceremony short.

Finally they stood for the final time and stood at the front of the aisle again, joined by Tenzin.

"Today we are gathered on a special day to celebrate the love of Bumi and Lin. One year ago today, they joined their spirits in marriage. We are here this year to reaffirm this vow and to celebrate wholly as one family…"

Lin and Bumi tuned out from what Tenzin was saying as they stared into each other's eyes.


After the family pictures were taken, Lin and Bumi escaped to their room upstairs. As soon as the door was closed, Lin was against it as Bumi kissed her soundly.

"Happy Anniversary, love." Bumi said against her lips.

Lin groaned into his kisses, before pulling back. "Happy Anniversary." She breathed, green eyes glittering as they met his blue ones.

Bumi rested his forehead against hers and they took in the moment of peace, enjoying each other's company. Lin moved her hand from his neck to cup his cheek, running her thumb gently back and forth across his skin above his beard.

"I can't believe that it has been over 5 years now, well 4 if you count from when we officially became a couple." Bumi said, a hint of disbelief and wonder in his voice as he moved back enough to stare into her eyes again.

"Two babies and 3 adult children later, we went from being alone to being a family of 7." Lin smiled softly at him.

"It's been a wild ride, but I'm glad it was with you."

"Only you." Lin replied softly. "I love you, Bumi."

"I love you too, my Linny." He said, before capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

After a few languid kisses they reluctantly pulled back. They helped each other change into outfits more suitable for a reception and dancing. Lin's a-line dress was a matching shade of jade green as the previous one, with a flowing skirt, and fine delicate gold beading across the bodice of jasmine branches and flowers. Bumi dressed in a navy coloured suit, to represent his water tribe heritage even if just in colour. Bumi helped Lin to unpin her hair from the updo, before pinning back the top half into a small twist, keeping her hair off her face. He left his own hair in its low tied back ponytail.

After sharing another kiss, savouring the alone time, they made it back downstairs.

Outside, the garden had been transformed into a reception. Upon seeing them, Bolin called the guests to attention.

"Please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Beifong!" Bolin called out, as he announced their entrance to the reception.

Lin held Bumi's hand tightly, but had a small smile on her face as the guests clapped loudly for them. They opened up the reception by having their first dance. They expertly spun around the dancefloor, before ending in a dramatic dip with Bumi kissing Lin soundly. They rose back up to clapping and whistling from their friends and family, causing Lin to blush slightly, and Bumi to grin wide.

They made their way over to their table which sat their mothers, Zuko, Izumi and Raijin, and their siblings and their spouses/partner. Haru and Airi were seated with their older siblings, Korra, Tenzin and Suyin's children.

"Some kiss you had out there." Kya quipped, giving Lin a teasing grin.

Lin rolled her eyes. "He knows I am only allowing such PDA's today and he is taking advantage." She said, smirking slightly at her husband.

"I would be an idiot if I didn't. Gotta show everyone who I belong to." He said, placing an exaggerated kiss to her scarred cheek.

Dinner was filled with laughter and mild teasing towards the couple. Once finished, Bumi invited his mother to the dancefloor, while Lin asked Zuko.

"It has made this old man so happy to see how you have blossomed these past few years, my jasmine petal." Zuko said as they danced.

Lin gave him a watery smile. "I have to admit that I have smiled more these past years than ever before."

"You have such a beautiful smile, I am glad Bumi has brought it out more."

"That and not having to deal with politicians on the daily." She quipped.

Zuko laughed. "That too, I know exactly what you mean. One of the reason's Izumi is now Fire Lord. I wanted to actually have a retirement to enjoy the simpler things."

Meanwhile, across the dance floor, Bumi was enjoying his dance with his mother.

"We haven't danced like this since you were a young man." Katara said with a reminiscent air.

"I promise to dance with you, whenever you ask." Bumi said. "We're going to try and make more trips south to see you more often. I'm sorry that we haven't seen a lot of each other over the last couple decades."

"Oh, my Bumi, even if we didn't see each other face-to-face, you have always been the most dedicated to your letter writing and radio calls." Katara said, slipping a hand up to cup his cheek. "But I have spoken with Tenzin and Pema. I will be moving back up here and only making a few trips south each year. I have done enough at the clinics down south, and I have missed so much of all my grandchildren's lives. Without Kya these last few years, I admit it has been fairly lonely, even with good friends there."

A bright grin lit up Bumi's face. "Oh this will be great! If you ever need a break from Tenny and Kya, you are welcome at our house. We'll set up a room specifically for you and-"

"Hush, now, my boy. We've got time to figure it all out later." Katara said, giving him a fond smile. "Now, I believe it is time you ask Toph to dance. I already told her that she was required to do this one dance."

Bumi snickered. "What did you have to bribe her with?"

"A bottle of vintage Fire Whiskey." Katara sighed.

Bumi placed a kiss on her cheek, and walked her back to the table. After pulling out her chair for her, he turned to his mother-in-law. "Aunt Toph, would you join me on the dance floor?"

Toph let out a large sigh. "Fine, but if you step on my feet, Lin won't be able to find you from how deep I will bury you."

Bumi just laughed it off, and pulled her to her feet.

The dance floor soon opened up for all the guests. Lin danced with her three boys, and Bumi danced with Asami, before also pulling Opal and then Korra into dances. He insisted that as they were dating into the family, they were practically daughters now too. They took a moment to enjoy the look on Tenzin's face when Kya pulled Nira into a heated kiss while dancing; his face turned so red and his mouth was gaping like a fish. Pema just leaned over and closed his mouth and told him that it was his own fault for not realizing it sooner.

Lin and Bumi held Airi between them as they danced, enjoying her giggles as they spun. She gummily grinned at them, causing them to smile back at her. Bumi noticed Mako behind Lin on the dance floor, and motioned to Lin who upon them turning noticed Mako smiling awkwardly with a light flush across his cheeks as he danced with Ursa. Lin noticed that Ursa had a fond expression on her face, a light blush also gracing her high cheekbones, as she corrected Mako's dancing stance.

"Mako and Ursa?" She whispered to her husband. He grinned down at her.

"I think so. They seemed to get along well at Ikki's ceremony."

"I suppose she fits his type of strong and independent. They could be good together." She commented with a soft smile.

Bumi turned them, so that Lin wouldn't get caught staring at them. "Let's see how it goes, but I agree. Plus it's been how many years since he broke up with Korra? I'm sure he has learned from his mistakes."

"He better have. Why do our boys have to go for our nieces?" She groaned. But Bumi could tell that she just wanted everyone to be happy.

He spun them again, causing Airi to shriek with giggles, pulling them both back to focus on their baby girl.

After a few hours, Lin and Bumi tucked Haru and Airi into their beds. The two children would be staying on the island tonight, while they spent the night alone at their house. They had purposefully done a couple trial runs in the last couple weeks as Airi had not been away overnight from them until that point. Bumi had suggested it so that it wasn't the first time on their second wedding night.

After a third round of kisses to sleeping little heads, Bumi and Lin finally left them to the capable hands of their family for the night. Haru was bunked with Rohan as he had been doing for a while now whenever they stayed on the island; the boys were thick as thieves. Suyin and Baatar were taking their bedroom for the night so that they were there if Airi needed them in the night.

Lin and Bumi finally made it to their house, after many rounds of goodbyes and thank yous. They made it as far as the couch, before they collapsed onto it. Lin tucked herself into Bumi's side as they both toed off their shoes, having forgotten to do so at the door.

"That's the last time we get married." Lin grumbled tiredly.

Bumi snorted. "What, you don't want to make this a yearly tradition?"

Lin smacked his chest lightly, too tired to put any force behind it. "Trust me, I love you and I wouldn't change either of our weddings, but I may completely destroy the Island if I have to go through a third one."

"But then we wouldn't get to have another honeymoon." He teased.

"We still haven't had one." She pointed out.

"This year will be different, I have it all planned out." He abruptly stood, and then picked her up bridal style. "Let's start with having that wedding night we weren't able to last year."

Lin wrapped her arms around his neck. "Careful love, don't hurt yourself."

"Don't worry, I've got you." He said, before placing a kiss on her lips. He then began the trek up the stairs.

Lin felt like a young woman again as he carried her up the stairs, pausing every so often to kiss her. When they made it to their bedroom, they noticed someone had obviously been by earlier as the bed was covered in rose petals and a bottle of champagne was chilling in an ice bucket with two glasses sitting beside it.

Bumi set Lin down and flitted around the room, lighting the candles that had also been placed out, while Lin poured them each a glass of champagne. When they finished their tasks, Bumi accepted the glass from Lin.

"To our future, may it be full of love and happiness." He said.

"And never a dull moment." She added, before they clinked their glasses, and each took a sip.

"Should I be worried that you planned our honeymoon without me?" She asked, an eyebrow quirked.

"Probably." He grinned at her, winking. He then plucked the flute from her hand and placed them both back on the table before bringing her back into his arms. Kisses were placed along her neck and jaw. "But I am sure you'll love it anyways." He then captured her lips in a searing kiss.

It wasn't long before there were rose petals strewn across the floor as the couple reaffirmed their love for each other… Many times that night.


Lin sighed as she stretched out under the hot sun, managing to get a bit of colour to her pale skin over the last couple days.

Bumi had planned with Zuko for them to use the royal vacation house on Ember Island. This time felt much different than the last time Lin was here a year ago. There was no evil dictator trying to take over Republic City, and no danger to their family.

Since Airi was still nursing, the children had come with them, but thankfully she had also started eating soft foods. Kya and Nira had joined them on the trip, they were tasked with keeping Haru and Airi entertained most of the days and nights.

Lin rolled onto her side and propped herself up onto her elbow. In the distance she could hear Haru's giggles as Kya and Nira had the kids playing in the water. She peered down at her husband who was lying out in the sun with her, his eyes closed.

"I can feel you staring." He said, not opening his eyes.

"Sorry, thought you were sleeping." She said softly, but a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I've been thinking…"

"Oh, that's what that smell is." He grinned cheekily, as he squinted up at her.

Lin smacked his chest. "Ha-ha, and here I thought you were funnier than that."

"You wound me, wife." He said, dramatically holding a hand over his heart. Upon seeing Lin's eyeroll, he caught her and pulled her on top of him. "You should make it up to me."

Lin quirked a brow at him, before giving him a kiss. "Better?"

"Hmmm… Maybe another and I will feel better." He said, before pulling her back in for another kiss.

"Oye! There are children here. If you're going to have sex, do it in your room!" Kya called out, covering Haru's ears as she had him turned away.

The two broke a part, snickering. "Well since you are watching the kids, we're going to take you up on that offer." Bumi said, moving Lin off him so he could stand from their towels. He then pulled Lin up and started dragging her to the house.

"That's not what I- Oh forget it!" Kya yelled as they left the beach.

Once they got far enough from the beach, Bumi slowed their pace and looked down at Lin. He pulled their clasped hands to his lips to place a kiss on her hand. "So what was it that you wanted to say back there, we seemed to have gotten distracted."

"Hmm, I wonder why." She said dryly, but an amused twinkle in her eyes. "I've been thinking back on when we first started seeing each other. You had once offered to show me the world."

Bumi stopped walking and turned fully towards his wife. "Lin…"

Lin brought a hand up to cup his face. "I think once you've had your Master Ceremony, we should travel the world. Visit the air temples, and every place in between. It is a good time to do it, while the kids are young, and we are still young enough. I want to see what's out there." She gave him a smile. "I want to do it with you by my side."

"Linny…" He pulled her into his arms again, placing tender kisses across her cheeks and nose before placing a couple on her lips. "You don't know how happy this made me."

Lin smiled at him. "I know how disappointed you were when I went back to being Chief after regaining my bending. So I figured that now is the perfect time to have that adventure. Perhaps we'll leave out the fighting pirates though."

"Or leave it for when the kids aren't with us." He said, winking at her. Remembering her drunken ramblings about never having the chance to fight pirates like he had.

She let out a laugh. "So, we're doing this? I mean, we'll obviously have to help out with Opal and Bolin's wedding, and probably come back every few weeks to see the family, but-"

"You're rambling, love." He said, cutting her off. "We're doing this. Haru will be so excited too."

They grinned at each other, before leaning in to kiss again. Before long they pulled back and Lin started pulling him towards the house.

"What are you doing?"

"We're going to make use of the free babysitters on our honeymoon." She said, glancing over her shoulder at him.

"In that case," he lifted her up and slumped her over his shoulder.

"Bumi!" She shrieked at the sudden action.

He smacked her bottom. "I plan to hear a lot more of that soon."

Lin was just glad that there were no staff of the vacation home in at this hour and the others were at the beach.


Qun Kwa - is a two piece ceremonial outfit that is typically red and gold, but for the sake of this fic due to the Earth Nation colours, I went with green instead.

Malina is from the Avatar comic North and South, she becomes Hakoda's girlfriend, and for this fic, I assume they eventually married.

A/N:

We are gearing up to the end of this fic :(

I really only have two larger plot points left - Bumi's ceremony and Opal and Bolin's wedding. So potentially two-three chapters left. Not sure if I will do an epilogue, may leave it open, and eventually just add some one-shots to the series.

If there is something you really want to see before I wrap it up, let me know and I will see what I can do :)