"I wish you guys could stay a little longer," Kya sighed as she gave the couple another big hug.
"I agree," Sokka adds, throwing his arms around the trio, "I'm going to miss my meat eating buddy!" Everyone laughed at his new nickname for Lin. Now that she was eating for two, Lin sometimes felt like she was always hungry and always had room for more food on her plate. Kya had chided her about overeating not being healthy for her or the baby, but she dismissed her remarks. Tenzin knew Lin had plenty of opportunities to burn off the extra calories in the sparring yard as well as their bed.
"Make sure to tell me when you're close to your due date, and where you are so I can be there to meet the little one," Kya reminded Lin.
"I will, don't worry," she agreed.
"Don't worry about letting me know, I'll be intercepting Kya's mail so I can make it there first," Sokka jokes.
"We'll see you in a couple months," Tenzin stated. He waved as he mounted Oogi, Lin following him closely.
"Yip yip," Tenzin commanded. Oogi took to the sky, headed north. The couple waved at their relatives until they were high in the sky.
The newlyweds had decided to head to the Beifong Estate in Gaoling. Lin's grandparents wanted to spend some time with them before the baby arrived, probably so they can throw some kind of party in her honor. The Beifongs not only enjoyed showing others their wealth, but also their connections and what better connection than their granddaughter having the Avatar's grandchild? Tenzin was a little apprehensive about going there. He knew that Lin loved her grandparents and had some fond childhood memories with them, but he also knew that sometimes their propriety could get on Lin's nerves. Lin had been in such high spirits after their make up and he didn't want her to go down any more dark paths.
"Yuan for your thoughts?" Lin inquired, noticing the look on her husband's face.
"Nothing important," he assured her, "Just looking forward to continuing our honeymoon adventure." He smiled at her. She smiled back and leaned into him to plant a kiss on his lips.
"Yes, I like our little honeymoon adventures. Especially the time we spend in bed together," she purred, sliding her hand to rest on Tenzin's inner thigh.
"Please behave," he said while clearing his throat, "You know I don't want to give Oogi the oogies while we travel."
Lin laughed at her husband. "Fine," she acquiesced, "I'll behave until we have a little privacy."
After an entire day of traveling, wrapped in a couple furs to keep the chill, winter air out, the couple finally arrived in Gaoling. They landed in the gardens in the back of the Beifong Estate, where the lanterns were starting to be lit as twilight started. Tenzin and Lin were greeted by a butler and were escorted into the manor house as another servant saw that Oogi was taken care of in the stables. Tenzin and Lin were led to the main parlor where Lao and Poppy were enjoying some after-dinner drinks.
"Master Tenzin and Mistress Lin have arrived," the butler announced as they entered the room. Lao and Poppy set down their drinks and rose to greet their guests.
"Lin, you look absolutely radiant!" her grandmother proclaimed. She approached the pregnant woman and gave her a kiss on each cheek.
"It's so good to see you again," Lin greeted back.
"Tenzin, it's a pleasure as always," Lao greeted, bowing to him.
"Likewise," Tenzin replied, returning the bow.
"Are you hungry? We can have some leftovers brought in here. I requested that they be saved a little later than usual," Poppy explained.
"Yes, please," Lin replied politely, resting a hand on her baby bump. Now that she was in her second trimester, her belly seemed to grow a little more everyday. Tenzin thought she looked beautiful and told her as much every chance he could, but he knew she was starting to doubt him since her feet were slowly disappearing from under her.
"Thank you for allowing us to visit," Tenzin said.
"Oh, please! You're always welcome here!" Lao told him.
"Yes, we miss Lin visiting us regularly now that she's a grown, married woman," Poppy agreed.
"I miss our visits, too," Lin shared.
"Come sit, let's catch up while we wait for your food. I'd love to hear about all your latest adventures," Poppy directed the couple to one of the sofas in the parlor. Lao and Poppy sat on the sofa across from them, picking up their drinks from earlier. Tenzin and Lin shared stories from their recent travels. Lin updated them on how she was feeling during the pregnancy. Tenzin knew that Lao and Poppy did not always approve of Toph and her life choices, but he was glad that they were able to reconcile and that Lin was able to have more people in her life who loved and supported her. The food arrived and the newlyweds were able to refuel after the journey north while Lao and Poppy updated them on the goings-on of the Earth Kingdom nobility and the work Lao's company had been doing.
After a little anecdote about a recent tea party Poppy had been to she started to explain, "Oh, that reminds me! Lin, I know you're not fond of high society get-togethers, but I just could not resist…" Tenzin put a hand on the small of Lin's back, reminding her that he was here for her and hoping she found the gesture relaxing as they waited for Poppy to reveal a surprise.
"What is it, Grandmother?" Lin invited her to continue.
"Well, since this is your first baby and you'll need some things to help take care of him or her, I thought it might be fun to throw you a tea party. When you announced your pregnancy, you know that the news spread fast and all my friends started asking if there'd be a celebration for you. Then you wrote asking if you could stay here for a bit and I just couldn't help myself," Poppy finished explaining.
"Your grandmother will be hosting the party in your honor at the beginning of next week," Lao added.
"Yes, and I invited your sister, mother, and mother-in-law to it as well!" Poppy exclaimed.
Lin smiled a little uneasily, "That's great. I'm looking forward to it." Tenzin started rubbing small circles on Lin's back trying to reassure her. He prayed to the spirits that Lin would remain calm and on good terms with him and her grandparents, despite another party with her in the spotlight.
Later that evening, Tenzin was lying in bed as Lin was finishing her nightly hygiene routine. He was debating whether or not to bring up how she was feeling about the party. He really didn't want to upset her anymore, but he also wanted her to know that he was there for her. Lin finished up in the washroom and flopped onto the bed next to him with a deep sigh.
Well, it's now or never, he thought before he began, "Anything you'd like to discuss?"
Lin sighed and replied, "I'm not sure if I'm ready for another party quite yet."
"Well, you still have a few days before it. We can always run away in the meantime," he offered with a cheesy smile on his face.
She turned and smiled up at her husband, "I might take you up on that offer."
"Hey, it might not be so bad. It'll be nice to see our moms again. And your sister will be here to help take the edge off. You two could always have a Beifong sparring match and tear some rocks up beforehand," he suggested.
"That's not a bad idea, airhead," Lin told her husband while she snuggled closer to him, closing her eyes. Tenzin held Lin close as they drifted to sleep, looking forward to enjoying his time with his wife in Gaoling.
The week flew by and before they knew it it was time for the Tea Party. Poppy had invited nobles from all across the Earth Kingdom as well as some prominent individuals from the other nations and the United Republic. Toph, Katara, and Suyin had arrived a few days after Tenzin and Lin, and the newlyweds had enjoyed catching up with them while also preparing for the big event.
Katara, Toph, Suyin, and Lin were finishing up getting ready when Tenzin knocked on the door. Katara was helping Lin with her hairstyle while Suyin was doing Toph's makeup.
"Well, don't you all look stunning?" Tenzin remarked as he entered the room. All the women were wearing beautiful gowns that seemed to match the colors of their eyes: Katara's dress a bright, icy blue, Toph's a pale mint, Su's and Lin's an olive color. Their hair was all done in more formal styles and they were all wearing more makeup than usual. Katara finished Lin's hair, so Lin got up to greet Tenzin. Tenzin's mouth hung open slightly when he saw his wife's figure. Her dress was floor-length with long sleeves and a high waisted belt that seemed to accentuate her now-protruding stomach. Half of her hair had been pulled back into intricate plaits that met in the back of her head while the rest of her hair was left in loose tendrils that flowed past her shoulders.
"Lin, you're absolutely gorgeous," Tenzin whispered as his wife embraced him. He pecked her cheek very carefully, trying not to mess up her make-up.
Lin flushed at the romantic gesture and words and whispered, "Thanks, Tez." Tenzin could not believe how lucky he was to have such a beautiful wife carrying his future child.
"All right that's enough from the two love birds," Toph interrupted, "Let's start making our way to the party before my mother has a fit because we are late."
The group made their way to the grand staircase that led to the main foyer. As they approached the stairs, Tenzin offered his arm to his wife to help her down the stairs. He took advantage of their closeness to whisper in his wife's ear, "Let me know if you need a little break from the party my love. I know a private place where we can spend some time alone."
Lin elbowed his side gently in response and scolded, "Will you behave? This is not the time to make such suggestions to your pregnant wife."
"On the contrary, anytime is an appropriate time to show my beautiful wife how much I love and adore her. Not to mention, I do love pleasing you any chance I get." He ended his line with a wink and pulled back a little since they were about to enter the room Poppy had set up for the Tea Party.
"Lin! You are absolutely glowing!" Poppy proclaimed when she entered the room. Tenzin could sense his wife tense a little when most of the heads in the room turned in her direction. It wasn't a very large nor a very crowded room, especially compared to the events the couple had attended in the past, but there were still probably at least 50 or so people at about a dozen tables scattered throughout the room. At the center of each table was a beautiful glass vase with lovely flowers that included peonies in a soft blush color, baby blue carnations, and white daisies, all lined with a rim of baby's breath. How fitting, Tenzin thought to himself, putting baby's breath in a flower arrangement at a tea party for a pregnant woman.
"Hello everyone," Lin greeted her guests with an elegant wave, "Tenzin and I are so very glad you could come celebrate such a happy time with us." Tenzin gave the crowd a wave as well and smiled at their guests. He glanced over in Poppy's direction and saw her nod of approval at their good hosting manners.
"Come and join us," Poppy invited the new arrivals and guests of honor. Once they were all seated at the same table, Poppy gave the orders to start the tea ceremony. Tenzin watched as his wife focused on taking small bites of her food and small sips of her tea to appear like the proper lady her grandmother wanted her to be. He knew she would rather have heartier food options since the pregnancy seemed to make her ravenous, but he also knew she wanted to make her grandmother proud and not cause any scenes.
After most of the food and tea had been consumed, Poppy guided her granddaughter and her husband to a pair of chairs that were in the front of the room, facing the crowd. Poppy cleared her throat and waited for everyone to quiet down and face her.
"I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for coming again. I hope you enjoyed our hospitality. I would now like to invite anyone who wishes to offer well wishes to the expecting couple to come up and do so at this time," Poppy announced. She bowed to the crowd and returned to her seat at the table. Tenzin glanced at his wife and saw she was smiling, but was positive it was an uneasy smile. He reached over and grabbed her hand in reassurance. Lin glanced at him quickly and she squeezed his hand back in thanks. The two sat with their hands together while the guests came up to offer small gifts for the baby and them, as well as to offer well wishes for the baby and mother to have good health. Not a single person made a reference to airbending the entire time and Tenzin was relieved for himself and his wife.
As the line of guests was nearing the end, a gentleman dressed in Fire Nation robes approached them and bowed. "Masters Tenzin and Beifong, it is an absolute honor to be here celebrating your new bundle of joy. I have been given the privilege of being the official envoy for the Fire Lord and her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. They regret not being able to come, but wish to pass along their love."
"How very kind of the Fire Nation to send such a wonderful envoy with such kind and moving words," Tenzin told the man.
"It is sad that Princess Izumi could not be here on this special occasion, but I completely understand given her current circumstances," Lin added.
"Yes," the man agreed, "We are very excited about the birth of the next heir. The princess also wanted me to give you this." The man offered Lin a letter with the Royal Seal of the Fire Nation. Lin and Tenzin thanked the man for coming. Lin handed Tenzin the letter which he safely tucked into his breast pocket to read after the party had ended.
After the guests had all left and the family were enjoying some after dinner drinks in the parlor, Tenzin took the letter out of his pocket and handed it to Lin. She tore it open eagerly and scanned the letter quickly.
"What does it say?" Suyin asked her sister.
"Who was it from?" Toph asked her daughter.
Lin smiled at them all and explained, "It is a letter from Izumi. She says that the Royal Physician believes her baby will be here within the next fortnight. She wants me there to be there for her when the baby comes."
"Oh how exciting!" Katara exclaimed, "It's so funny to think our kids are starting to have babies of their own."
"You've got that right, Sugar Queen," Toph added, "I know I sure don't feel old enough to be a grandma quite yet."
Poppy agreed and added, "Quite right, dear. I don't think I'm old enough to be a great-grandmother!" All of the older women laughed at their comments.
"I wish I could join you guys," Su sighed, "but I agreed to help a group of students from Ba Sing Se University do some exploring in the Si Wong Desert. They want to study the sandbenders and how their culture has evolved in such an arid place."
"We promise to send your regrets along," Tenzin comforted her.
"Well, I suppose this means you all will be leaving us shortly," Lao stated with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Yes, but we should all try to get together like this again soon," Lin offered, trying to make her grandfather feel better.
"That would be lovely, Lin," he agreed.
By the end of the week Katara, Toph, and Suyin had left Gaoling to return to their duties elsewhere. Lin and Tenzin were now preparing to depart as well so they could join Izumi in the Fire Nation. The young couple bid the Beifongs farewell and promised to return to spend more time with them as soon as they were able.
A/N: I meant it when I said I want to finish this fic before 2020 is over. I am trying to write as much as I can now because in exactly one week I will be returning to work as a teacher in the middle of a global pandemic. I am not looking forward to going back in person with my students so I'm trying to avoid singing about it by focusing on things that make me happy like this fic and this ship. How lucky for all you lovely readers :) as always feel free to leave comments and Kudos because they definitely help motivate me!