Hopefully you all know the drill: I don't own these characters. Naoki, while not directly referenced in the show, is the mother to Mako and Bolin. Therefore, Nickelodeon owns all the characters.

A couple of you questioned how Lin couldn't have sensed her children's heartbeats. I imagine that Toph sensed them first because she uses her seismic sense to see, whereas Lin would only use it if necessary.

I always appreciate reviews, so by all means write them!

Oh, and enjoy :)


It had been ten days since the breakup, and Tenzin had not seen Lin once.

He didn't know why he minded so much-after all, they were both very busy with their respective careers-but he found it so unsettling.

Then again, how could he not? He had dated Lin since they were 13, had gotten used to her being the first thing he sees in the morning and the last thing he sees at night. He found himself expecting her to break out a snarky quip every time he talked about that insufferable Tarrlok, but there was only silence.

Not that he minded. No, of course not! It was actually kind of nice that Pema was new to this. She observed everything through an unbiased lens.

"Tenzin," she said softly, shaking him out of his reverie. "Why don't you come down to the dining hall? I made breakfast."

"Yes, of course dear. I'll be down soon."

Tenzin smiled as he heard his girlfriend's steps fade down the hallway. He soon changed into his airbending robes and met her at their table by the window.

"My, my, doesn't this look delicious," he said, looking at all the different kind of pastries before him.

"Thank you," she said, slightly blushing. "Here, try the plum-apple tart. It's pretty good, if I do say so myself."

Of course he did so, and complimented her on her stellar baking. She in turn blushed, continued to eat, and then left him to attend to some unfinished jobs. Tenzin in turn left to his meditation pavilion.

Ever since he was a boy, the pavilion had been a place of peace and serenity. In this case, it was now the perfect place to clear his mind.

Assuming his meditation position, Tenzin closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

Let your thoughts fly away, Tenzin. Focus on the important things.

In his mind's eye the image of a young woman popped up. Her long black hair was splayed across her sun-kissed skin, her green eyes boring into his grey ones. She laughed, kissed him on the cheek, and then fled, all the while beckoning for him to chase her.

Lin.

Quickly he shook the thought from his mind and continued to meditate when another image came into view.

A beautiful young girl was picking flowers for a bouquet. She braided back the ones she liked into her brown hair, which managed to showcase her chocolate eyes. When she saw someone approaching, she reddened and continued on with her task.

Oh, Pema. You are ever the shy one aren't you?

Tenzin continued to dwell on the attributes of his new girlfriend. She was so sweet, so innocent. Didn't really speak unless spoken to, hard worker, well mannered, good with children, gracious, kind.

She would make an excellent wife.

He did not pause to fully let the idea sink in, instead choosing to fully clear his mind in order to continue his meditation session. Tenzin remained there until late at night, when Pema called him in to rest.

When he laid his head on the pillow, he closed his eyes and mulled over his life.

A picnic has been laid out on the grassy knoll overlooking Yue Bay. He waits nervously, not noticing the cherry blossoms that float by his head.

"Hey Tenz-what's this?"

The girl looks at him with wide jade-colored eyes. Her beautiful black hair cascades down her back in waves, only held back by a simple headband.

He walks over to the girl and kisses her.

"Happy birthday," he breathes.

Tenzin awoke with a jolt.

Oh Lin. You are never far from my mind, are you?

Sighing, he turned over and slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.


Lin and Korra settled into Toph's house seamlessly. At Suyin's request, Lin began holding daily playdates for Korra at the household. At any given time there were about eight kindergardeners underfoot. Though she would never admit it, she actually liked holding the playdates. Not only did she get to spend time with her sister and childhood friends, she also gained a first hand account of what it was like to raise children.

It was during one of these playdates that she inadvertently revealed her pregnancy.

Fire Princess Izumi, Yasuko Sato, Naoki, Kya, Suyin, and Lin were watching their children play on the newly installed playground in the children's part of the garden when the conversation turned to school.

"I have no idea where I'm going to put Iroh in school next year," said his mother, Fire Princess Izumi. "I'm considering putting him in Huo Academy because of their bending tutors, but I don't know."

"Would you not teach him yourself?" Suyin asked.

"Dear Suyin, you flatter me so," Izumi said. "While we can help with forms and such, our skills are nowhere near yours in terms of teaching."

Yasuko Sato slightly nudged Lin. "At least we don't have to worry about that, eh?"

"I don't know," Lin said, protectively draping a hand over her stomach. "Korra could benefit from the social aspect of a school."

The slight gesture was not lost upon Izumi nor Yasuko.

"Lin, what are you hiding?" Naoki said teasingly, eyebrow raised.

The other women by this time had stopped their conversation and looked over. Kya widened her eyes after realizing what was going on.

"Stand up," said Izumi, pulling her friend to her feet. "Now turn around."

"Guys, what are you looking at? You've seen my metalbending uniform hundreds of times. The only difference is that the silver lining of my uniform is now gold."

A sly smile was exchanged throughout the group.

"I have got to hand it to you," said Izumi. "Your uniform does a pretty good job of hiding your bump."

"Now where did you hear that?"

The women squealed.

"So you are pregnant? Oh congratulations! You must be so excited right now!"

Lin only blushed. "Thanks guys. I am, but I'm also a bit...scared."

Suyin gave her a disbelieving look. "My sister, the chief of police, is scared of raising a child? Not that I don't blame you, but you took out the Terra Triad when you were 22!"

"That's what happens when your little sister becomes their getaway driver for the day. I still have those scars, by the way," Lin replied sarcastically before getting serious. "I know I should only be excited, especially since I've wanted this for so long, but it's difficult to be happy when Tenzin's not around."

"Does he know?" Yasuko asked.

"No. As far as I know he's a bit concerned with his new girlfriend Peanut or Pineapple or something like that."

Silence reigned.

"You know what the craziest thing is? I'm still in love with him. The man leaves me for a woman who is 15 years younger than us and I love him all the same, possibly even more now I'm pregnant with his children. No wonder mom didn't bother with men, they're the worst!"

Suyin threw her head back and laughed. "It's the pregnancy hormones. Didn't think I could be more in love with Baatar than on our wedding day, and then I got pregnant. Why do you think we have five kids?"

The other women joined in the laughter, grateful that the tension had been dissipated. From the children's section of the gardens happy shrieks could be heard as Korra played with her friends and cousins. Noticing the blue-eyed Avatar watching her, Lin waved at her with a smile.

"Korra must be excited, right? She is after all going to become an older sister," asked Kya.

"Actually, Korra doesn't know yet. I'm going to tell her, I promise, I just don't know when."

"As long as you promise," said Yasuko. "Now I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty hungry. Let's all go inside and eat some roast duck."

After rounding up all the children, everyone went inside and enjoyed a family dinner. The children continued to play until night fell and they were coaxed home by their parents.

Finally alone, Lin bent off her metal and changed into some simple brown pants and a cream-colored shirt. Tentatively, she touched her abdomen. Already a small bump was becoming noticeable, but it was nothing her uniform couldn't camouflage.

Now would be as good a time to tell her, I guess.

"Korra," she called out. "Where are you?"

"Right here, right here!" The little girl soon crashed into the room, carrying an airbender doll in one arm and a blanket in the other. Her hair was adorably messy, and she wore a warm blue nightgown.

Lin picked the little girl up and set her on her lap. Korra snuggled up against her stomach, then suddenly jumped back in surprise.

"What is it, my water lily?" Lin asked sweetly.

"Your stomach kicked me! Stomachs don't kick!...Right?"

The metalbender smiled.

"Normally they don't. However, they do when women have babies inside them."

Korra was quizzical for a moment, but her face soon broke out into a smile when it dawned upon her what Lin was insinuating.

"Yay! Mommy's having a baby!" Korra laughed and tackled Lin until they fell on the bed giggling.

Lin proceeded to tickle Korra until she shrieked from laughter. The whole time there was only one thing on her mind.

She called me Mommy.