Lin makes a big decision for her family; Kya, of course, is along for the ride.
Lin loved her family, she really did, and she was so grateful to be back.
But, she felt like they were constantly waiting for her to break down all the time. Sure, she could admit that she had had quite a few emotional episodes since returning almost three weeks ago, but she just wanted to trudge forward, to try to move on with her life. Her children needed her to be stable, and she wanted to provide that for them.
It was hard to adjust when she could feel eyes on her wherever she turned on the Island. If it wasn't her family giving her concerned glances or looking at her like she would disappear at any moment again, it was the acolytes - who had obviously been told to keep their distance, but their eyes still follow her. Despite the size of Air Temple Island, it felt like Lin had almost less freedom to breath than in their hut in the North. She knew they meant well, but the walls felt like they were closing in on her.
So she worked up the courage to voice her thoughts, even if it was just to Kya.
"I can't live on the Island anymore." She said softly, eyes downcast to the thick fur blanket.
Kya blinked at the sudden confession from Lin's lips, whilst they were just waking up. She had, quite honestly, been expecting this from Lin as she had seen the way she ducked away from the stares, especially the ones from the acolytes that the earthbender did not know. The waterbender knew that the decision needed to come from Lin, so she was set to bide her time, supporting her friend however she needed her. She just hadn't expected Lin to voice her feelings so quickly.
Lin took Kya's silence as rejection. "Nevermind, I-it was a dum-"
"No, Lin, your feelings are not dumb, don't even say that." Kya gently placed her finger under Lin's chin, and raised her head till the younger woman met her eyes. "I am sorry for the long pause. I am so proud of you voicing your feelings. There is nothing wrong with the way you are feeling."
Lin saw the understanding in Kya's azure eyes, and felt her shoulders relax.
"I want to give my children a home, away from all of the concerned looks. A place where they can have space to heal." Lin added, just as soft spoken. In fact, Kya was unsure if she had heard Lin's voice raise much higher since reuniting with the earthbender. But Kya was pleased to see a determined look in the jade eyes, and how Lin hadn't stuttered.
Kya smiled at Lin. "I understand, Linny. Let's speak with everyone after breakfast, I am sure they will help find a home, where you all can heal." She added, wanting Lin to know it was okay to need to heal herself. She gently picked up Lin's hand, running her thumb over her knuckles. "I thought this would happen eventually. I was hoping you would allow me to come with you and be there for you and the children. I want to help you settle in, and adjust. I could help with the baby too."
Lin was shocked at Kya's words. "I can't ask that of you! What about your job? The people you help? We can't take that from them." She shook her head, eyes wide in concern.
"Hey," Kya said, drawing Lin's attention, "I am offering. You and the children mean so much to me, and I want, no need, to make sure you are all healthy, happy, and safe."
Lin's eyes filled with tears. "Kya…" She couldn't believe that her friend would just push her own life aside to help with a little family that wasn't even hers. But she could see the hope and sincereness in the waterbender's eyes. She caved, knowing that Kya wouldn't accept flimsy excuses anyways; especially when she truthfully wanted Kya there too. "Okay."
Kya grinned at her and held Lin's hand she was still holding to her chest, hugging it with excitement. Lin couldn't help but smile back, the waterbender's enthusiasm was infectious.
It took a few days, but they soon were moved to Poppy's estate on the outskirts of Republic City. It wasn't as large as the Gaoling Estate, but the Beifong Manor in the City was still large. Poppy was insistent on them using the home as it stayed empty most of the year anyways - she wouldn't even allow them to entertain any other options.
Poppy, Su, and Katara had convinced Lin to allow them to take the children and get some necessities for them for the house. Kya had been a big help with talking Lin down from a panic attack at the thought of her children not with her. Despite logically knowing that they would be safe and that it would be good for them to get out and see the City they are now living in, it didn't stop the overwhelming worry. Lin felt slightly better when Sokka, Baatar, and Bumi offered to escort them and act as extra hands to carry all the bags.
Meanwhile the estate had been prepared by the small staff Poppy employed, making sure that rooms were made up and that the kitchen was fully stocked with everything they would need.
When Aang landed Appa on the grounds of the estate, Lin looked around in awe. It looked exactly as she remembered it from her childhood. She and Su had grown up spending a lot of their time at the estate here in Republic City whenever their grandparents were in town. After ushering the children off Appa and trudging through the thin layer of snow, they made their way into the house. Nostalgia hit her immediately as she looked around the foyer that hadn't changed much either.
"Suyin will show the kid's to their rooms. I thought they could share the rooms you and Suyin used to use. Suyin uses a different one these days. I also thought you would prefer a bigger suite now that you are older." Poppy said.
Su ushered her nieces and nephews away after their outerwear and boots had been taken off and hung up; Baatar trailing after them.
"You okay?" Toph asked Lin quietly, her hand resting gently on her daughter's shoulder.
Lin felt all kinds of emotions at the moment. But underneath feeling overwhelmed at all the changes, she was happy. "Yeah… yeah, I'm fine. Just remembering a lot of memories of this place." She sniffed, trying to discreetly swipe the lone tear that escaped. She laid her hand on her mother's hand still on her shoulder, and looked to her grandmother. "Thank you, Grandmother. I… I don't think I will ever be able to repay you for this."
"It is my pleasure, my dear." Poppy said, cupping Lin's cheeks. "You owe me no such thing. This home is yours as long as you and your children need it." She placed a kiss on her granddaughter's forehead. "And call me Grandma, no more Grandmother nonsense. I have become much more relaxed about things like that over the years." She winked, before grabbing Lin's free hand and patting it. "Now, I want to show you around. Su and I have made quite a few updates in the last few years."
"Okay… Grandmo- I mean, Grandma."
Sokka and Aang helped all the ladies with their coats, and they all took off their winter boots before being able to go further into the house. Lin's sock accidentally came off as she toed off her first boot, and when she placed her foot on the stone floor to then lean down to retrieve it from the boot, she froze.
The thrum of the stone washed over her as if reawakening something inside her. She had been cut off from her element for so long, that the stone below her filled a hole that had been missing in her. She ground her foot a little and wiggled her toes against the flooring, the stone held a welcoming warmth. But she realised there was another thrum, another vibration she was picking up. With a gasp she realized that aside from her heartbeat, she could feel a more rapid and smaller sounding one - the baby.
"Linny?" Kya questioned, hearing the gasp.
"She'll be alright, just give her a moment Sugar Princess. She is feeling her baby for the first time." Toph responded instead of Lin.
Kya frowned, not understanding until Toph pointed in the direction of Lin's feet. A soft smile graced Kya's lips as she looked up to find Lin's face filled with emotion and tears in her eyes as the younger woman stared down at her protruding belly. Wonder filled those jade green eyes as she lifted a hand to caress her bump, before a smile widened over her face.
Lin glanced up, right into Kya's eyes. "I can feel the baby's heartbeat. I can feel the stone. I-" She started sobbing.
Kya instantly pulled her into her arms.
"I never got to feel the others…" Lin sobbed. "So much… I missed so much."
Kya just held her firmly, rubbing her back and holding back her own tears of emotion.
The first week took some adjusting for them all. They were all trying to find a new rhythm now that they were settled into a more permanent living situation.
Kya had just returned with some groceries, and Lin was helping her put them away.
"Ooh! Plums! I haven't had them in forever." Lin said happily. She pulled one from the cloth bag and rinsed it before taking a bite. She moaned as the sweet and tart flavour hit her tongue. "This is exactly what I have been craving, but I didn't know what it was." She said between bites.
Kya laughed. "Well I'm glad I got some then."
"They were always so expensive at the market, and he said it was a frivolous expense." Lin said with a sigh as she tossed the pit into the compost bin. She bit her lip as she glanced at the bag. "May I have another, Kya?"
Kya looked over at the younger woman from where she had been stashing the meat into the cold box. "Of course Lin, just don't eat them all at once, you'll feel sick." She swallowed as Lin's face brightened in an almost childlike glee as she snatched another from the bag and rinsed it. The ebony haired beauty then bit into the next one and Kya had to look away as her face flushed when the woman moaned again.
Lin was well into her third plum when a shriek came from down the hall.
"LET GO!"
The two women exchanged looks.
"I'll go check on the girls." Lin said, before looking longingly down at the fruit in her hand. She sighed and placed it in a bowl on the counter before leaving the room.
Kya made a mental note to keep plums in stock at all times.
Lin found Tayen crying as Nuna was freaking out and yelling in their shared room.
"Enough Nuna." Lin said, cutting her daughter off mid-rant. "Now explain, calmly, what these raised voices are for."
"Tayen won't stop touching my stuff!"
"I-I-I was only handing her back her book that had fallen." Tayen responded, stuttering over her words as she cried.
Lin guided Tayen to her bed, having her sit down. "Breathe, little moon. Let's calm down a little." Lin said softly, rubbing the small girl's back, Tayen snuggling into her side, as she clung to her dress. Lin looked up to see Nuna gripping her arms, hugging herself, and her eyes were a sea of emotions. "Come here, pebble." She held her hand out to her eldest daughter. At her hesitation, Lin added, "please."
Nuna bit her lip as she tentatively stepped forward. Lin cupped her cheek when she was close.
"Was Tayen just handing you back your book?"
Nuna looked away, before nodding.
"Why did that upset you?"
"I just wanted to read in peace. She always wants to play or talk. I just want to be alone!"
Lin could see that Nuna was genuinely upset. "Did you tell Tayen that you wanted some alone time?"
Nuna scowled. "No! But I shouldn't have to tell her every time I want to be alone." She pulled away from the hand on her cheek. "No one understands!" She yelled. She gripped her hair. "No one understands."
"Tayen, please leave us for a little. I'm sure if you find Kya in the kitchen, she will make you a snack." Lin sent her youngest daughter out, before approaching Nuna. She gently pulled the girl's hands from where she had gripped her hair tightly. "Nuna, love, please let go of your hair." Eventually the girl let go, and then flung herself into her mama's arms, sobbing.
Lin held her tightly and tried to soothe her upset daughter. Her heart hurt to hear the pained sobs of one so young; one who shouldn't have been exposed to the harsh realities of the world so soon.
When the sobs died down, Lin guided Nuna to her bed and sat down with her. She cupped her daughter's cheeks, wiping the wetness of her tears away.
"I don't want to share a room, Mama." Nuna whispered brokenly.
"Okay, I will talk with Grandma Poppy and see what we can do, okay? But know that I can't promise whether or not that can happen. And if it can, it may take a bit to organize it. Do you understand?"
Nuna nodded. "Yes, Mama."
"First thing though, is that you need to apologize to Tayen. She hadn't done anything wrong. It is not fair that you upset her just because you were upset. What should you have done?"
Nuna took a moment, before shyly answering. "I should have talked to you."
"That's right. So let's agree that you will come to talk to me if you are upset. I promise to listen to what you say, okay?" Lin said, brushing strands of Nuna's hair that had gotten loose from her face.
"Okay."
"Now, why don't you go wash your face and calm down a bit."
Nuna nodded. "I will find Tayen too. I'm sorry for yelling at her."
"I know, pebble." Lin pulled her in for another hug. She kissed her daughter's head and held her for another moment, just savouring the comfort the action brought. Nuna seemed to agree as she contentedly burrowed her head into the crook of Lin's neck.
By the end of the week, Nuna was set up in her own room. The other children were told that sometimes Nuna would need space, and that if her door was closed, they were to knock. If she declined their offer of play or whatever they wanted, they were supposed to respect her boundaries. It was still an ongoing effort to remind Tarlo not to barge in, but Nuna was being patient as she was just happy to have her own space.
Kya had helped Nuna pick out a paint colour and the two were planning on redecorating the room to what the almost 10 year old would want. The girl was so excited to have a little quiet place of her own.
Lin was grateful that her grandmother had allowed them another room. Even reassuring her that if all the children wanted their own rooms, that they had more than enough space. Lin decided to leave the children as they were right now, as the boys still enjoyed sharing.
It was now the middle of the night, and Lin had awoken. She was still so tired, but something had woken her up.
"Hmmm… Lin? What's wrong?" Kya asked, half asleep.
"I didn't mean to wake you, go back to sleep." Lin whispered in return, turning her head to peer better at Kya in the darkness.
"No, no, tell me what's wrong." Kya insisted, rubbing her eyes.
"I… I don't know. I want something, I think. I just woke up and don't really know why."
"Are you hungry?"
"Oh…" Suddenly Lin's mind clicked, and all she could think about was plums. "Actually yes. That's what I wanted. Do we have any more plums?"
Kya chuckled, before sitting up. "I grabbed some yesterday while at the market. I will go grab you one."
"You don't have to get up, I can get it."
"Nonsense, I know where I put them. You just relax, I will be right back."
Lin smiled. "Thank you, Kya." She trailed her eyes after the waterbender as she made her way to the door. "Could you make that two?"
Kya laughed. "Two plums coming right up."