Authors Note: Sorry it's been so long. My kids got sick and then I got sick and I couldn't really find the time to write. So I am not in love with this chapter. I like it but I feel like it is missing some of the elements I originally intended for it. I wrote the first half over two weeks ago and when I came back to it I feel I kind of forgot all of my intentions for it. Oh well, hope you enjoy
the landscape inside the spirit portal had not changed much from the last few times Korra had visited. fields of purple and blue flowers still carpeted the valley. The trees that were often skeletal and bare had unexpectedly bloomed with overflowing pink flowers and white leaves. The towering, jagged, white cliffs still loomed in the distance. The darkening sky was alive with tiny glowing spirits that were reminiscent of multi colored lightning bugs.
As Korra surveyed her surroundings she did not see any signs of a fight. She did however see a small, simple, cream and brown pagoda style temple. Even though the spirit world could change instantly as you looked at it, and things were never quite what they seemed, it's appearance seemed unusual. Before Korra even realized she had been walking to the shrine she found her bare feet climbing the few steps to it's wooden doors. Her hand paused over the fine wood grain of the entrance. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Had the conflict been taken indoors? Was Mako behind inside? Was he safe? She was profoundly confused.
"You might want these?" Said Lin, sidling up next to the avatar and holding out the shoes Korra had abandoned.
Korra's hand flew to her chest, surprised by Lin's sudden appearance. "What is this all about? Mako's fine isn't he?" She questioned, narrowing her eyes.
Lin clicked her tongue. "Just put on the damn shoes and go inside."
Korra obeyed as her curiosity peaked. She slipped into the shoes and then pushed open the doors to enter the shrine. Inside she saw the familiar faces of those she was most close to: the airbending family, as well as Katara, Bumi, and Kya, Suyin and her family, Varrick and Zhuli with their baby, Bolin and Opal, the royal firebending family, surprisingly her cousins, her mother and father, a few others and at the very front of the room Asami and Mako stood with Tenzin.
Tonraq came up next to his daughter and extended his arm to her. Korra took her father's arm. "What are you doing here?" she asked quietly. She was already formulating an hypothesis, but she didn't dare to hope the answer was possible.
"Well, since Asami and Mako asked for your hand in marriage about two weeks ago I think I am here to give you away in matrimony." Tonraq smiled at his daughter. "You look beautiful today, by the way."
Korra could hardly believe it. She looked at Asami and Mako as she made her way to them. Asami looked liked her beautiful self with a white strapless dress, with an empire waist that gave way to layers of fluffy tool. She chose the dress, most likely to hide her growing belly. And Mako, he looked as handsome as ever, his dark black suit a contrast to his pale skin and golden eyes. Korra felt her heart swell as she looked at the two people she loved more than anything. When she reached them they each held out a hand to her.
Korra looked at her father "Are you ok with this?"
"Korra baby, as you are soon to be a parent, you will find that whatever makes your child happy makes you happy to. I haven't seen you look this ecstatic in a long time. So yes, I am more than ok with this." Tonraq kissed his daughter's cheek and gave her away to her soon to be husband and wife.
With a blush Korra took the extended hands of her partners so that she was stood in the middle, adjoining them. Before the ceremony commenced she had to ask, "Tenzin, is this allowed? Legal I mean." as a Republic City official he would know more than anyone.
"There is no law against it." said Tenzin as he stroked his goatee. "This marriage will be as binding and lawfull as any other. And as I have someone I trust filing the marriage certificate the only ones who will know is the file clerk and everyone present in this room."
"This is what you want Korra, isn't it?" asked Asami as she squeezed Korra's Hand.
Korra bit her lip, lest she start crying. "Yes, more than anything."
"Sorry that we hid so much from you. We wanted it to be a surprise." Mako looked away from Korra for a moment "and I didn't want you to have chance to protest."
Korra laughed "I wouldn't have if I knew this was possible. I can't believe you did all of this for me."
"Of course, we love you." said Mako, answering for both him and Asami.
"I love you both also." replied Korra, feeling a tear trickle from her eye, which Mako wiped from her cheek with his free hand.
"Alright then." yelled Ikki from the audience "let's get this started I wanna see some kissing and eat some cake." The room erupted with laughter, except for Tenzin who gave his daughter a 'we are going to have a talk about this later' look.
Tenzin held out his hands in a gesture of welcoming, "Without further ado then, if you are ready let us begin the ceremony."
The reception was held just behind the shrine, fenced away from view by the same pink flowering trees that dotted the immediate landscape. The ground was covered with tatami mats to provide a stable flooring for the night's festivities. Lanterns hung from lines that were zigzagged from tree to tree giving the spirit night a soft, charming glow. Korra took note that while the wait staff was human, the music of the night was presented by a spirit orchestra-of sorts. The celestial music crescendoed as the newlyweds followed their guests out into the courtyard and then diminished into a softer, slower tune.
Opal took to a microphone "If everyone will take their seats we can begin tonight's celebration with the first dances. Korra and Mako the first dance is yours and will be followed by Korra and Asami and lastly Mako and Asami."
Asami slipped her hand from Korra's and followed behind Opal to her seat. Watching Asami go she was surprised when Mako took her by the waist. As they had been hiding their relationship for so long it took her a moment to relax and realize she was surrounded by friends and family who apparently supported their unusual relationship. She rested her head on Mako's chest and he placed her chin atop her crown as they slowly swayed to the ethereal music.
"Happy?" asked Mako
"Never been more so." replied Korra into Mako's chest. "This is amazing. I don't know how you two pulled it all off"
Korra could feel Mako's shoulders shrug before he spoke. "We had a lot of help from friends. It was Jinora's idea to have the wedding and reception in the spirit world. She has some interesting friends she has made here and they helped us make all this possible."
Korra nodded her head against Mako. It didn't surprise her, Jinora was highly in tune with the the spiritual world, and could only see her making further strides between humans and spirits in the future.
"What about all our friends and family? Were they all ok with our relationship?" Asked Korra nervously.
"They are all here aren't they? Some of them took a little more coaxing and explanation than others and I was usually the one taking the heat. There seems to be a common misconception that a relationship like ours must be due to some manipulation from a man."
"I'm sorry Mako." Korra couldn't help but laughing. "Who gave you the hardest time? Was it my father."
"Him and Wing." replied Mako, his one hand leaving her hip to trace the contours of her bare back. "Did I tell you how much I like this dress?"
"Poor wing." said Korra, ignoring Mako's last question "Standing up for me to the last minute. I guess I owe him an apology."
"Poor Wing?" repeated Mako indignantly "I am the one who had to deal with his insults and jabs while you were the one who initiated this scandalous relationship."
"Well," said Korra flirtatiously looking up at Mako from under heavy lashes "I promise to make it worth your while."
Quite seriously Mako answered, "You already have."
With those three simple words Korra's smile faltered and she could feel her vision grow misty as tears threatened to spill.
"None of that now." Mako whispered as he took her chin his in hand and tilted her head back for a soft kiss. Of course this drew a reaction from the crowd and Korra pulled away embarrassed.
"Perfect timing." said Asami as Korra pulled back from Mako "I believe it's my turn to have a dance with the beautiful bride."
"She's all yours." said Mako bowing to the ladies. Then low enough for only the two of them to hear "Until tonight that is."
Asami shook her head at Mako "What have I gotten myself into?"
"Only the best marriage ever." replied Korra
The two girls held each other around the waist as they danced and just as much looked like best friends as they did brides. Asami smiled sweetly at Korra and the avatar once again couldn't help but think how lucky she was, and how just a few short hours ago she wasn't sure how this could work. She should have trusted Asami and Mako when they told her everything would be just fine.
"Sorry about this afternoon." said Korra after a moment of silence. "I was feeling sorry for myself and I took it out on you. Meanwhile everything you were doing was for me, for tonight."
"Apology accepted. Besides if the roles were reversed I would have felt the same way. I am glad it all worked out to plan though. When you were getting mad and I had to leave to make it here before you, I was afraid you weren't going to go to the dress shop, and then everything would have fell apart from there."
Korra blushed in embarrassment "Leave it to me to have almost wrecked my own wedding."
When it was Asami and Mako's turn to dance Korra watched for a moment before deciding to mingle with guests. She searched out Lin first and found her in conversation with Zhuli and Varrick.
"So I guess you were the decoy?" Asked Korra, as she found a gap in the conversation.
Lin laughed "So you figured it out kid. I would like to tell you I felt bad deceiving you, but I rather had fun coming up with scenarios to keep you in the dark. My personal favorite was the rabbit-mole plant."
Korra was not impressed and her features showed it. "I guess they told you about their plans early on then?"
Lin looked thoughtful for a moment "I believe I was the third. Right after your in laws and Tenzin and family. I was rather imperative to the plan after all. I have to say though I was a little surprised when I found out. You and Mako were a no brainer. I know the kid has done some stupid things, but since I've known him he has always been head over heels for you. I just figured you and Asami had become best friends, but sometimes those friendships make the best relationships. I think Asami adds a level headedness to your relationship with Mako that wouldn't survive without her."
"I was shocked when Bolin told us, nearly spit out the oolong tea I had been drinking." said Varrick adding to the conversation. "but the reaction, it got my gears going." He placed his arm around Korra's shoulder. "So I had been playing with this idea about a personal box that would show short movers right in a person's home. I call it Varrickvision" The entrepreneur swept his arm out in a showmanship manner. "but what would I show?" Varrick shrugged his shoulders. "It would have to have drama, romance, action. That is when it hit me. What if we had cameras follow you three around? Who wouldn't want to see the avatar in her daily life, and you with a husband and a wife, it would deliver. Can you imagine it?"
"NO!." Said Korra, removing herself from under Varrick's arm. "Not only are your camera's not allowed near my family but all of this here tonight, you do know it's to remain a secret?"
"seriosuly?" replied Varrick "You are the avatar. As such a prominent public figure do you really think you can hide anything for long? People are going to start asking questions when you three are still living together and with a baby too. Might as well beat them to the punch, you know what I'm saying?"
"Varrick!" Chided Zhuli. "Korra, I promise you that your secret is safe with us. If and when the public finds out you can rest assured it won't be because of us. Right Varrick?"
"Sure, sure." Varrick waved "No reason to get all testy. Just an idea."
The evening passed quickly in the presence of close friends and shared food, conversation, and dances. Korra had just finished a dance with Bolin when Wing asked for a turn. Korra accepted, but as she did so she looked over at Mako for his reaction. His scowl betrayed his feelings on the matter. However, he nodded his head to let Korra know her partner was permissible. Mako allowed it because he had no real control over Korra's actions anyway. If Korra wanted to do something she was going to do it regardless of how he or anyone else felt about it.
The exchange did not go unnoticed by wing as he entwined his one hand with hers and placed his other hand lightly on her waist. "I am surprised Mako is letting you dance with me."
"Mako doesn't own me. He lets me do whatever I want." replied Korra matter of factly.
"Hmm, so in return you also let him do whatever he wants?"
"Well, within reason."
"Having two wives is within reason?" Not giving Korra a chance to answer Wing released her, twirling her under his arm and then pulled her back into him. "Korra, I don't know you as well as I would like to, but there are things that cannot go unsaid. Can't you see that Mako is manipulating both you and Asami? Or do you believe yourself so in love with him that you are willing to debase yourself in such an unequal relationship?"
"It's not like that. Mako is a good man. Asami, Mako and I all love each other with unrival and…"
Wing interrupted Korra "Stop! I have heard all the garbage that has been fed to my family and likely everyone here tonight. I don't understand why the others are so accepting of this and why they all think it's ok for a man to create a marriage out of a harem. Or perhaps they just don't want to upset the avatar. Maybe they all think it's right just because you say so?"
"I'm sorry you have such distrust in me and my relationship. You were correct when you said you don't know me that well. If you did you would know that the garbage you have been fed is true. I can't change your mind on the matter, however I hope you chose to stay friends with me long enough to change your own mind."
Wing gave Korra a crooked smile and pinned a stray hair, that had come loose from it's bindings, behind her ear. "I'll always be your friend. I just want to let you know when it doesn't work out between the three of you that I will be there if you need me." The song ended and Wing removed his hold on Korra. "I believe that's my cue to leave."
Wing gave a slight bow and without another word walked away from Korra. She watched him walk over to his family. She wondered what they conversed about. Perhaps he was right and her friends and family only pretended that their relationship was ok because she was the avatar and that behind her back they gossiped the truth.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Asami as she took the avatar's arm. "Come with me, the night is almost over and we want to break the news about the baby."
Korra let Asami pull her along "I thought you told everyone. My father knows already."
"Yes, because we thought the grandparents should know before everyone else."
Asami was giddy and Korra couldn't help but feel the contagious enthusiasm. They made it to Mako's side just as he called for the crowd's attention. The clamor calmed and all eyes were on the newlyweds.
"First I would like to thank everyone who came here in support of our marriage and for making this possible and keeping it a surprise for our beloved avatar. In return we now have a small surprise to share with all of you." Mako looked at his stunning brunette bride "Korra, if you will."
"Me?" questioned Korra, her hand motioning to herself
Mako nodded his head. "You broke the news of our wedding, so it's only fitting that you spill this secret too."
Korra looked at the expectant guests. "Tonight I couldn't be happier and to be honest it is the complete opposite of how I felt this morning. I was feeling lonely and doubtful. I was wondering how my relationship with Mako and Asami was going to work out. The answer was there all along. Love. All of life's dilemmas can be worked out with the love, support and faith of my family and friends. I am sorry we hid so many secrets from all of you. We were pushing you all away when all we had to do was let you in." As Korra spoke she saw sincere happiness and love in the faces of her friends and family. "With this last confession I can happily say we will have no secrets kept from our loved ones." She looked at Mako and Asami for assurance before continuing. "We are expecting a baby. Asami is pregnant."
With just those few words everyone started talking at once and they were surrounded by well wishes, congratulations and hugs. Any doubt that Wing had placed in her was gone for the time being. For the first time in a long while Korra felt at ease and that everything was going to be ok.