Author's note: Sorry it's been soooooo long. But here is the next chapter. This is another feel good one. There is a pun in the chapter title, can you figure it out? Things are looking up for Korra, will they stay that way? I don't know. Ok, I do know, but I can't tell you. You will have to keep reading (my ever slow updates) to find out what happens. Please enjoy. I love everyone who loves my story.
The sun was just peeking above the horizon as Asami climbed out of bed cradling her large abdomen as she did so. She couldn't sleep much these days. At two weeks overdue she was always uncomfortable.
"Everything k?" asked Korra sleepily from the bed.
"I'm fine. I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep hun." From the sound of Korra's breathing Asami wondered if Korra had been sleep talking.
Asami noticed Mako wasn't in bed, though it didn't surprise her. He was always an early riser and with the pending arrival of their newborn he was up even earlier preparing breakfast for her and making sure she was comfortable. This morning was no exception.
Mako held out a bowl of food to Asami as she made her way to him. "How do you feel this morning?" he asked greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.
Asami, with Mako's help, climbed into a high stool at the kitchen island. "The same as I do every morning. Fat, uncomfortable, and restless. I wish the baby would hurry up and come already."
Mako nodded his head, "Sounds like a stubborn little fire bender to me."
"Or a waterbender if Korra's stubbornness is any indication." Asami took a spoonful of rice porridge and pondered Mako's crooked smirk. She realized how absurd her statement was. "I think this pregnancy is affecting my brain. Of course the baby can't be a waterbender. Korra is such an integral part of this union that I keep forgetting the baby is not biologically related to her." Asami blushed at the ridiculousness of it.
Mako laughed "Don't be embarrassed. I catch myself thinking things like that too. In a marriage such as ours it can be hard to separate the reality from our perception. That or we have been spending too much time with Bolin."
The corners of Asami's red lips only started to pull into a smile when suddenly they dropped into a taunt line and her face registered pain.
Mako who was already close to her was at Asami's side in an instant. "Is it time?"
"I …I think so." panted Asami through the strong cramping pain, searching for Mako's hand.
"Did your water break?" Asked Korra, seemingly appearing out of thin air. "Mako, ring Kya and let her know that we think Asami is in Labor."
Mako did as he was told and rushed for the phone.
Korra helped Asami to the guest room that they had prepared a few weeks back as a birthing room. Having Asami lay on her back Korra performed a pelvic exam.
"I hope your ready luv, because this baby is finally ready to be born."
"Now that it's time," said Asami as the contraction wanned "I feel like I'm not ready. I'm scarred."
Korra looked up at Asami, over her large belly. "It's going to be ok, Mako and I will be here the whole way and Kya will be here shortly. She is very experienced in the birthing process." Said Korra for Asami as much for herself.
"Not just the labor. I am scared of how everything is going to change and of being a mother. I can't believe we are going to have this little life to take care of." tears started to trickle down Asami's cheek. She laughed ironically as she wiped away her tears "I'm sorry. Here I am complaining to the avatar,whom so many people rely on, about taking care of one person."
"Don't apologise. I'm scared too. But I know between the three of us we will do just fine by our child. Think about it this way: most kids only get two parents to play against each other and this one has three, so our kid is already ahead of the game."
Mako came in on the last part of the conversation "Your advice, as always Korra, is astounding" commented Mako, shaking his head at his brunette wife." he squeezed Korra's arm in support, before making it to Asami's side. "Kya is on her way. feeling confident?" he asked of Korra as she had never actually delivered a baby before.
"Are you trying to make Asami nervous?" She winked at Asami, "I'm ready if you are."
Asami gritted her teeth as another contraction hit "Do we have a choice?" She joked through the pain.
six hours later, though to Asami it felt like six days, she finally delivered her baby. It felt strange to carry the little bundle in her arms instead of her belly.
"It's amazing that what felt so heavy and tiring in my body, feels so light and tiny now." Said Asami thinking aloud.
"Tiny!?" stated Kya amused. "Your ten pound baby boy, is anything but tiny. It's amazing you had no serious complications, what with your slender frame and all...You did good though, you should be proud of yourself mama. So what are you going to name him?"
"I don't know." Asami looked up from her newborn to look from Mako to Korra who were on either side of her. "We discussed so many names, but we never came to a consensus."
"You are the one who went through all the work to have the baby, you should pick what you like best." Replied Korra to Asami.
Mako nodded his head in agreement as his hand caressed his baby son's round head. His wispy black hair felt so soft against Mako's fire burned calloused hands. The baby opened his eyes, seemingly at his father's touch, and looked around. "He has your green eyes Asami." noted Mako at the wide emerald orbs.
"Or his Uncle's eyes." Said Asami "He reminds me of Bolin, actually, with his stubby nose and round cherub face."
"And his short and wide stature." Said Korra as she pinched the chubby thighs hidden by a swaddling blanket. "You are so fat and cute aren't you?" she cood. The baby moved his attention to her, seemingly intrigued by her exaggerated baby voice.
"He has a lot of my father in him, so does Bolin." said Mako off handedly.
Asami's mind was made up in an instant "I think we should name him San."
Mako looked surprised "Are you sure? We never even discussed that name as an option." he could feel himself getting choked up at the prospect of his son being named after his own father.
"Yes." said Asami "I can't think of a more appropriate name. Now that I see him it just seems to fit." She looked Mako in the eye, hoping he saw her sincerity.
"I think it's a perfect name." added Korra. "What do you think San-San, do you like your name?"
San gave what could have been a toothless smile, and they all laughed at the timing and cuteness of it.
"10 pound healthy baby boy named San. Everyone will be so excited to hear the news. If it's alright with you I am going to break the news to my family." remarked Kya, "I'll let them know not to bother you for a while."
Asami smiled. "It's ok, just give us tonight with San, and then any of our friends and family are welcome to visit. I am sure I will be happy for the help."
"Of course." said Kya Hugging each of them in turn before making her way to Leave. "Congratulations again. He is a beautiful addition to your family."
It was early in the morning, only a few hours from dawn, when Korra returned home from an avatar call on the city limits bordering the United Earth Republic. The callers had graciously offered to host her for the night but she declined as she wanted to return home to her family.
Korra could hear San start to mew as she pulled off her boots. when Korra walked into his nursery she realized it was his usual feeding time. "What's the matter San-San are you hungry?" She cooed at her son, picking him up and cradling him. He instantly quieted as Korra brought him to her room. Looking into his round emerald eyes Korra couldn't help but marvel at his easy going nature. He was such a good baby who loved everyone and really only cried when he was in need of something. They had worried at end if they were capable of meeting the demands of a child, but San made child rearing effortless. It also helped that everyone adored him and someone was almost always present to help. Korra's own mother had just left not that long after after an extended visit with her first grandchild. Korra would miss her, but she had a feeling Asami missed her even more. Senna had always adored Asami, but their bond became unbreakable with the birth of San.
Asami instinctively stirred as Korra entered the room. She held out her arms and Korra transferred the softly whining child to her for his feeding.
"How did everything go?" asked Asami sleepily, inquiring of her wife's avatar duties.
"Uneventful really. The incident was already over, between Lin and I it was more investigation than anything. Luckily she deals with all the paper work."
"Any idea who attacked the area?" Asami tried hard not to close her eyes as she tried to listen to Korra and feed her baby.
"Witnesses said it was sandbenders, but that doesn't make sense, it would be so far from their territory." Korra could see Asami struggling to stay awake. "I'm sorry, we are both his mothers but I can't do a lot to help you. I wish I could somehow produce milk and help you nurse him." If she were honest with herself, she found she was a little jealous. She wondered what it felt like to have a child dependent upon you for sustenance; to be truly needed. She felt like it was a bond she, nor even Mako would ever really comprehend.
Asami laughed, almost deliriously from tiredness "I wish you could too. This boy can eat. If his appetite keeps growing he is going to need some supplemental milk."
"I heard sky bison milk is good for babies."
"Yes, I've heard that as well. Mom (as she started calling Senna) also suggested woolly oxen milk."
"platypus bear meat" said Mako incoherently, sleep talking.
The two women looked at each other, their eyes having adjusted to the dark, and started laughing. Korra couldn't think of a time that she had ever felt happier. She was glad she had rode out the storm for sunnier days. Nothing could ruin the happiness she felt with her little family.