"HEEEEEEELLOOOOOO MY FAVORITE AIRBENDERS!" Bumi yelled as he dove from his bison down to the courtyard of Air Temple Island where his niece and nephews waited.
"Uncle Bumi, Uncle Bumi!" Ikki & Meelo rejoiced as Rohan took in all that was happening with a gentle smile on his face.
Bumi took all three of them in his arms and squeezed as tightly as he could. Tenzin, hearing the commotion stepped outside.
"Hello Bumi" he said in his usual serious manner.
"Hello to you too baby brother, miss me? Or did you call me back here just to get rid of me again?"
"No, no I…You're needed here in Republic City as extra precaution since Prince Wu was abducted a few days again."
"You know its okay to say you missed me Tenzy poo!"
The children laughed and with a loud groan Tenzin turned and left. On his way out he barked one last order: "Just scan the city and keep an eye out."
After a mock salute Bumi turned to the airbender babies. "Well kiddos looks like our reunion is being cut short but I'll be back later to kick all your butts at air scooter!" The kids started to rile up again.
"Stay here Sparky, Meelo will feed you…" He said to his air bison. "You stay here and rest too Bum-Ju." He then blasted into the air and made his way for the city.
They day had been rather uneventful by Bumi's standards. He had only been chased by the wild eagle-hound at the zoo once this time and he had won the catfish eating contest on 12th street by a landslide despite the angry protests that he should be disqualified considering he was an air nomad. Tenzin had tried but there were something's about a man that couldn't be changed.
All in all there seemed to be no particular threats to the city or the prince and Bumi decided to make his way back home. He had assumed the position to start gliding just as he heard a woman's voice calling out for him. "Mr. Air Nomad! Please help!"
She was an older woman though not elderly. Her hair was already graying and the strands missing from the bun told Bumi she had ran to him as quickly as possible.
"How may I help you ma'am?" Bumi said as enthusiastically as possible.
"It's my daughter, she's in labor and the hospital is so far away! I'm afraid she's not going to make it in time. Is there any way you could help us?"
"A baby?! Why you're looking at not only an airbender but a baby bender… I don't mean I bend babies. I just mean I used to help my gran-gran deliver babies all the time back in the South Pole! I even helped deliver my first born-"Bumi noticed the woman's increasingly panicked face.
"Anyway, I'd be thrilled to help! Lead the way!"
The woman led Bumi to a small sewing shop that was almost all but hidden in between a market and public non-benders gym. Once inside Bumi took note of its vacancy, only light from the window found its way in and in a corner of the room a pregnant woman sat with a younger girl. The younger girl had a mortified look on her face as she watched the pregnant woman's faces of pain.
"This is my daughter Rai" the older woman said to Bumi. Rai looked up confused at his presence but gave a smile.
"This air nomad is here to help us Rai…" Bumi gave a proud smile "He has experience delivering babies."
"You're darn right I do!" Bumi said, his bellowing voice ringing through the quiet shop and shocking the two girls on the floor.
Bumi worked masterfully, creating a comfortable environment for the women. It included hilarious stories, uplifting pep talks and cheerful songs all while giving the girl and older woman orders to make the birth easier. Finally, when it was time for the baby, Bumi directed all of them with precise detail. His skills were finally rewarded with the sound of a baby's cry.
"I can't thank you enough for all you've done Mr. um… I don't think I caught your name…" the older woman finally said, turning her attention away from the new mother.
"Bumi!" he replied proudly.
"Commander Bumi? Avatar Aang's son?!
Rai and the young girl looked up startled.
"Now it's really an honor!" the elderly woman finally said, regaining her head. "I…oh gosh, this is truly a blessed day! We owe you so much!"
"It's quite alright ma'am, really." Bumi said, relishing in the praise. "All in a day's work for an Air Nomad."
Suddenly seriousness took over and darkened Bumi's features.
"Why, this reminds me of the day my daughter was born." He said. It came out slower and quieter this time.
"What a glorious day that must've been! She must be so proud to have a father like you!" The older woman said.
For the first time in what must have been years Bumi's usual fun loving manner changed entirely. He became someone different.
"Yeah… well. I'm afraid she isn't here anymore…and neither is my wife."
Everything fell silent, no one knowing what to say. Finally, Rai was the one to speak up.
"Commander Bumi? I…well if it isn't too weird or anything I'd… It's just you helped us so much today and… I was wondering if I could name my new son after you."
Bumi's serious expression softened immediately as he quickly met Rai's shy gaze.
"That would be…an amazing honor" he said, tears caressing his face.
Bumi departed just as the sun was beginning to set. They had all made many promises to meet again soon and Bumi looked forward to it as he made his way back to Air Temple Island.
As he glided through the air he met the watchful stone eyes of his father's statue and the more serious Bumi found his way back to the front. He shifted his body and the air currents swept him towards the colossal statue.
He had landed on the extended arm and had positioned himself so he was sitting facing his father's earth made face. It hadn't always been easy being the son of a beloved Avatar but Bumi had come to peace with it all and deep down he knew he had lived a life his father would be proud of. Even though it had technically been Korra who had opened the portal and brought the airbenders back, Bumi couldn't help but feel like his newfound powers had been a gift from his father. It dawned on him that he hadn't had much time to think about all of that… How Aang would feel knowing his son finally had bending. Now he sat with his head in his knees, engaged in a staring contest with his father. At some point he had began to talk, talk about the times they had had, talked about how things were going now, and talked about how much he missed his father.
Silence fell again. The pinkish hues of the Republic City sunset were fading to dark blue and black. The more serious Bumi remained.
"I thought about Ura today dad. It felt like it had been forever. I miss her so much. Dee too. Of course I miss Dee. I know you're watching over them. If you even can. The words had started off shaky and had gradually grown into a sob.
"…and if there's any chance he's out there in the world somewhere, I hope Xiao is okay. If he's out there I hope to see him."
It was getting too hard to keep speaking so Bumi just stared at his father some more. After a few minutes the lights within Bumi reappeared. If he didn't leave now everyone would be done eating and the kids would have eaten everything good he thought to himself. Bumi stood and faced the direction of home. He glanced one last time at his father and thought he saw the statue smile at him.
He leapt off of Aang's arm and let the cold sea air guide him to the island. Once closer, Bumi saw three tiny outlines waving and jumping at him. Ready to play.